Bill O’Reilly has apologized to Eric Bolling after he alleged that Bolling’s son died because of sexual harassment allegations against Bolling.
O’Reilly, in a rare apology, tweeted: ‘Apologies to Eric Bolling and prayers for him and his family. The message I tried to send was that allegations harm kids. Nothing more.’
The disgraced former Fox News host issued the apology after comments given to the New York Times were released. The interview primarily dealt with evidence that O’Reilly paid $32million to settle a sexual harassment claim by former Fox News legal analyst Lis Wiehl in February.
Around the 11-minute mark, he discusses the impact that sexual harassment allegations can have on the families of the accused.
He said: ‘I urge you to think about what you put in your newspaper. Eric Bolling’s son is dead.
‘He’s dead because of allegations made, in my opinion and in…I know this to be true, against Mr Bolling.’
Bill O’Reilly has apologized to Eric Bolling after implying that Bolling’s son, Eric Chase, died due to the allegations of sexual harassment swirling around his father
Bolling said in a response to the New York Times: ‘I believe it is beyond inappropriate for anyone to bring in the tragic death of my son Eric Chase Bolling.
‘Just as Bill O’Reilly had wanted to shield his children from the allegations against him, I hope he will honor my request and avoid any future mentions of my son.’
Bolling’s son, 19-year-old Eric Chase, was found dead on the evening of September 8.
Bolling, 54, said in a tweet about his son’s death: ‘Adrienne and I are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Eric Chase last night. Details still unclear. Thoughts, prayers appreciated.’
The shocking news was first reported in a tweet by journalist Yashar Ali, who also broke the story last month about alleged lewd texts sent by Bolling to female staff members at Fox News.
Bolling has insisted that the allegations are false and has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Ali.
He also claimed, in the statement to the New York Times, that he was not fired by Fox News, a notion that has been widely reported across media outlets.
‘I parted ways with Fox News in an amicable way and any reference to a firing is flatly wrong,’ he wrote. He also alluded to ‘new collaborations’.
Fox News released a statement saying: ‘We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Eric Bolling’s son.
‘Eric Chase was a wonderful young man and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bolling family.’
The former University of Colorado, Boulder student’s cause of death has not been confirmed. Bolling has said that the coroner told him it was an ‘accident’.
The tragic death took place one day after it was learned that Bolling agreed to leave Fox News following an investigation into claims of sexual harassment.
Three of Bolling’s colleagues claimed that he sent them unsolicited photos of male genitalia via text message.
The rising Fox News host was suspended during the investigation and left the network where he has anchored several different shows for the past 10 years.
‘Fox News Channel is canceling The Specialists, and Eric Bolling and Fox have agreed to part ways amicably,’ a network spokesperson had told DailyMail.com.
‘We thank Eric for his ten years of service to our loyal viewers and wish him the best of luck.’
After the allegations emerged back in August, Bolling had maintained his innocence and tweeted: ‘I will continue to fight against these false smear attacks! THANK YOU FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT’.
O’Reilly also said in the New York Times interview with Michael S Schmidt and Emily Steel: ‘Surely you understand that any kind of trial or court action is going to bring horror to a famous person.
‘Surely you understand that. It’s not going to be reported accurately.’
Wiehl, the legal analyst, claimed that O’Reilly engaged in ‘a nonconsensual sexual relationship’ with her, repeatedly harassed her and messaged her sexually explicit material – including gay pornography.
A month later, Fox News resigned O’Reilly to another four-year contract, despite knowing about the allegations.
But he was fired in April when the Times published a report about the $13million O’Reilly paid over the years in five settlements stemming from allegations of sexual harassment. Wiehl’s claims were not reported in that original story.
Bill O’Reilly has denied the allegations against him. He has not apologized to any of his alleged victims,