Bill O’Reilly apologized for saying the death of his former Fox News colleague’s son was related to sexual harassment allegations against the father.
In a New York Times podcast Monday, O-Reilly said, “Eric Bolling’s son is dead. He’s dead because of allegations made — in my opinion and I know this to be true — against Mr. Bolling.” Nineteen-year-old Eric Chase Bolling died Sept. 8 in Colorado.
Fox News announced earlier that day it had parted ways with Eric Bolling, who was suspended in August following allegations that he sent lewd photos to female co-workers.
Bolling told the Times later Monday that O’Reilly’s comment was “beyond inappropriate.” Bolling says his son’s death “was in no way connected” to his parting from Fox News.
Bolling later accepted O’Reilly’s apology on Twitter Monday night. Fox News fired O’Reilly in April amid sexual misconduct allegations.
O’Reilly made the comments when discussing the Times report over the weekend that O’Reilly had agreed in January to pay former Fox News contributor Lis Wiehl $32 million to settle new sexual harassment allegations.
Thanks Bill, apology accepted. https://t.co/2lkUxxAvFD
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) October 23, 2017
Apologies to Eric Bolling and prayers for him and his family. The message I tried to send was that allegations harm kids. Nothing more.
— Bill O’Reilly (@BillOReilly) October 23, 2017
