Fox News is cutting Bill O'Reilly loose, sources tell New York magazine, following a newspaper report that detailed multiple accusations of sexual harassment by him. The ensuing furor sparked an advertiser boycott, which likely sealed O'Reilly's fate. UPDATE: Fox confirmed on Wednesday that O'Reilly will not return to the network.
O'Reilly is currently on an Italian vacation as the Murdoch family -- the owners of the Fox empire -- hash out the details. Reports indicate patriarch Rupert Murdoch intially supported keeping his cash cow, but one of his sons successfully pushed for O'Reilly to get the ax.
The New York Times reported earlier this month that multiple women were paid settlements totaling more than $13 million for alleged sexual harassment. Two more women have since come forward with torrid stories, including an African-American woman who claims O'Reilly called her "hot chocolate," and a Los Angeles radio host who says O'Reilly denied her a job after she rejected his advances.
O'Reilly wants to return to say goodbye to his loyal audience, according to New York, but it's not clear if that will happen. He will almost certainly be given a golden parachute with his pink slip; his former boss, Roger Ailes, was given $40 million after he was also fired amid numerous accusations of sexual harassment.
O'Reilly, who's pushed a right-wing agenda opposed to causes like transgender rights and Black Lives Matter, may be replaced by Eric Bolling, Dana Perino, or Tucker Carlson.
