Sophia Michaels
This article includes mentions of sexual assault.
Since its inception in 1996, Fox News has achieved remarkable success while promoting news with a strong conservative bias. However, it has also been marred by numerous significant scandals. Notably, the network was embroiled in a major lawsuit regarding false allegations tied to election fraud that resulted in a settlement exceeding $250 million, alongside various controversies linked to its on-air talent.
Many of these issues have not been trivial; prominent figures have exited the network under serious circumstances, leading to Fox News being aptly recognized as a leading source of scandals in cable television. The string of controversies involving former employees who faced dismissal due to misconduct is extensive.
To delve deeper into this topic, continue reading about the most notable exits from Fox News.
Gretchen Carlson’s departure from Fox News sparked a pivotal lawsuit
Crowned Miss America in 1989, Gretchen Carlson transitioned from local journalism to CBS News and then joined Fox News in 2005, quickly rising to fame within the network.
Her tenure ended abruptly in 2016 when Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News and then-chairman Roger Ailes, claiming over a decade of harassment, including demands for a sexual relationship. Ailes denied the allegations, asserting they were retaliatory for her ratings struggles. However, just two months after the lawsuit was filed, Fox News settled with Carlson for an astounding $20 million, issuing a public apology recognizing her mistreatment.
Roger Ailes, founder of Fox News, was ousted amid sexual misconduct allegations
Roger Ailes’ downfall commenced with Carlson’s lawsuit leading to an internal investigation. This revealed multiple allegations from other women, including prominent anchor Megyn Kelly, all describing similar harassment by Ailes. This overwhelming evidence prompted the network to act decisively.
On the night of Kelly’s revelations, Ailes was removed from the network and ultimately resigned the following day, after being compensated with a $40 million severance package. Tragically, Ailes passed away in May 2017, just a few months after his exit. His controversial legacy was later depicted in the film “Bombshell” and the series “The Loudest Voice.”
Bill O’Reilly’s dismissal followed a series of sexual harassment accusations
The exit of Fox News chairman Roger Ailes in 2017 set off a series of controversies, particularly involving the network’s prominent anchor Bill O’Reilly. A shocking report by The New York Times uncovered allegations of sexual harassment against O’Reilly by five women, each of whom received a total of $13 million in settlements to stay silent.
Initially, Fox News stood by O’Reilly, but within two weeks, they severed ties. The parent company, 21st Century Fox, announced, “Bill O’Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel” after completing a comprehensive review of the allegations, according to a statement shared with Variety.
In response to his dismissal, O’Reilly proclaimed his innocence and suggested that his removal was the result of a targeted smear campaign against him as a public figure. “It is tremendously disheartening that we part ways due to completely unfounded claims,” he stated, as reported by Deadline. Later, he alleged that his firing was a part of a left-wing conspiracy aimed at silencing conservatives, describing it as a “political and financial hit job” during a September 2017 appearance on “Today.”
Eric Bolling’s text scandal led to his downfall at Fox News
Following Bill O’Reilly’s departure, Eric Bolling, a host of “The Fox News Specialists,” faced his own controversy. Reports from HuffPost revealed that he sent unsolicited explicit texts, including photos of male genitalia, to two female colleagues, leading to an investigation by Fox News.
After the report aired, Bolling publicly thanked supporters via a tweet and stated his intention to clear his name. He filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against journalist Yashar Ali, who wrote the piece. Ali’s lawyer dismissed Bolling’s lawsuit as baseless, demanding its immediate dismissal in a pointed response.
Ultimately, following the investigation’s conclusion, Bolling parted ways with Fox News. A network spokesperson announced that “Fox News Channel is canceling the ‘Specialists,’ and Eric Bolling and Fox have agreed to part ways amicably,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Bolling later joined the right-leaning network Newsmax, where he remained until exiting in May 2024.
Tucker Carlson’s exit involved numerous controversies
Tucker Carlson, who had previously worked with CNN and MSNBC, joined Fox News in 2009 and began his own show, “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” in 2016. His tenure ended controversially in April 2023 when the Los Angeles Times reported he was fired at Rupert Murdoch’s direction. The statement indicated that “Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways,” but no specific reasons were provided.
Following his departure, numerous speculations arose, linking it to various controversies including a discrimination lawsuit from a former producer and Fox News’ substantial $787.5 million settlement related to a case from Dominion Voting Systems.
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Controversy erupted surrounding the network’s misleading allegations against Dominion related to election fraud.
Insights into Carlson’s dismissal were revealed in Brian Stelter’s book “Network of Lies.” An excerpt shared by Vanity Fair indicated that Carlson’s departure was largely due to his own actions. Stelter emphasizes that Carlson had alienated numerous individuals, caused various scandals, and created considerable tensions, making his departure unavoidable. A producer remarked, “It was always going to end badly.”
After parting ways with Fox, Carlson transitioned to YouTube, where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed under oath that his new venture was financed by Moscow, aiming to disrupt Western democracy. Following the U.S. presidential election in 2024, Russian media alleged that Carlson was a “carrier pigeon” transmitting messages between Vladimir Putin and President-elect Donald Trump.
Ed Henry faced termination following sexual assault allegations
Ed Henry from Fox News was previously suspended in 2016 after a tabloid exposed his affair with an exotic dancer. While he returned to the air, he encountered a major scandal in 2020, when he was accused of sexual misconduct by a former colleague while anchoring “America’s Newsroom.” According to Fox News, an independent investigation led to his suspension and eventual termination.
Shortly after his dismissal, Jennifer Eckhart, a former producer, filed a lawsuit against him, alleging rape. Although Henry claimed their relationship was consensual, Fox News maintained they acted properly by terminating him upon learning of the allegations. Subsequently, Henry initiated a defamation lawsuit against the network and its CEO, asserting that he was unfairly labeled as engaging in “willful sexual misconduct.”
Following these events, Henry briefly worked with Real America’s Voice but was taken off air in 2023 due to DUI charges. Newsmax later considered hiring him, which sparked outrage among its staff who viewed him as a potential liability. In 2024, another woman accused Henry of sexual assault.
Kimberly Guilfoyle exited Fox News amid misconduct allegations
Kimberly Guilfoyle’s tenure with Fox News, where she served since 2006, ended in July 2018 amidst rumors surrounding her split from the network. Initially reported as Guilfoyle’s choice to pursue campaigning and spend time with Donald Trump Jr., further allegations later suggested otherwise.
Investigative reports revealed claims that Guilfoyle had engaged in inappropriate conduct, including sending unsolicited explicit images to colleagues, similar to the controversies faced by Eric Bolling. There were also complaints about her alleged abusive behavior towards staff. Guilfoyle denied these allegations through her representatives, who characterized the claims as unfounded and aimed at discrediting her.
Glenn Beck’s termination was linked to accusations against President Obama
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Glenn Beck rose to prominence as a right-wing commentator on CNN’s Headline News before joining Fox News in 2008. Not long after, he became one of the network’s most controversial figures, making provocative statements, including during a July 2009 segment on “Fox and Friends.” He notoriously accused President Barack Obama of harboring a “deep-seated hatred for white people,” which he later labeled as racist remarks.
Beck’s comments drew widespread backlash, leading to a public apology where he admitted his words were poorly chosen. Despite his continued presence at Fox News, the fallout included protests and significant advertiser boycotts, prompting the network to end his show in 2011.
Geraldo Rivera confirmed a ‘toxic relationship’ with co-host after he was fired
Geraldo Rivera, a long-standing figure at Fox News since the Iraq War, was unexpectedly fired in 2023 after over two decades. During an appearance on Chris Cuomo’s show, he expressed that there was no longer a place for him at the network, citing a “toxic relationship” with an unnamed co-host, though speculation pointed to tensions with Greg Gutfeld.
Despite receiving other options after his termination, Rivera stated he did not find them appealing and voiced his frustration about being ousted from a top show.
Lou Dobbs’ false claims of election fraud preceded his firing
Lou Dobbs, who had been with CNN since its inception, transitioned to Fox Business in 2009. He became a staunch supporter of Donald Trump and spread unverified claims about election fraud related to the 2020 presidential election. His allegations implicated two voting software companies, which led to significant legal repercussions for Fox News.
In February 2021, Fox News abruptly canceled “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” shortly after a defamation lawsuit was filed against the network and Dobbs. Observers noted that this move seemed to serve as a strategy to mitigate the fallout from the controversy, likening it to previous incidents involving Rupert Murdoch’s management style.
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