Bill O'Reilly, former Fox News star, abruptly ended an interview with PBS host Margaret Hoover when she raised questions about sexual harassment allegations against him.

O'Reilly, who had been invited for an interview with the liberal-leaning network to promote his new book, Confronting the Presidents, became visibly agitated when Hoover brought up the numerous settlements reached with his accusers during his time at Fox News, as the Daily Mail reports.

The interview, which aired Tuesday, quickly escalated as O'Reilly threatened Hoover and walked off the set, accusing her of staging an "ambush."

O'Reilly Confronted About Settlements

The interview began on a different note, with O'Reilly discussing his new book and his time in the media industry. However, tension mounted when Hoover broached the subject of the sexual harassment settlements, which exceeded $40 million, paid during O'Reilly's tenure at Fox News.

When asked about the large sums involved, including a $32 million settlement, O'Reilly reacted angrily, shouting, "I'd be a fool to dredge that up." He also accused Hoover of knowing "nothing about it."

Hoover Responds with Personal Experience

Hoover, a former Fox News contributor, pushed back by sharing her own experiences with the network's culture. "I know about the culture I experienced at Fox News," she told O'Reilly. The exchange became increasingly heated as O'Reilly expressed frustration with the line of questioning.

Despite Hoover’s insistence that O'Reilly had anticipated the topic, he accused her of setting him up, calling it an "ambush interview."

O'Reilly Leaves the Set

Approximately 30 minutes into the interview, O'Reilly decided he had had enough. He told Hoover, "All right. That's enough," before leaving the set, warning her that she was "in for a problem."

O'Reilly's frustration culminated in his departure, but the controversy didn’t end there. He later threatened legal action, advising Hoover not to air the interview, saying, "If you’re going to use that stuff, you’re in for a problem."

Legal Threats and Aftermath

Following the confrontation, O'Reilly's attorney issued a legal demand to WNET, the parent company of PBS, on Wednesday. The demand aimed to prevent the broadcast of the interview, but Hoover, undeterred, posted a teaser clip on X (formerly Twitter) hours before the interview was set to air on Friday.

Hoover expressed disappointment in O'Reilly’s unwillingness to reflect on the impact of the sexual harassment settlements on the women involved. She remarked that while O'Reilly had continued to "flourish" in independent media, many of the women affected had seen their careers suffer.

Hoover Reflects on O'Reilly's Legacy

During the interview, Hoover read from her 2017 New York Times op-ed, which praised O'Reilly's departure from Fox News. She emphasized that while O'Reilly often blamed others, claiming his firing was "the cost of doing business as a high-profile media personality," she pointed out that figures like William F. Buckley and Anderson Cooper had never faced repeated allegations of sexual harassment.

Hoover continued to probe O'Reilly on the issue, mentioning how such allegations had become a significant part of his public legacy. She also gave him the opportunity to comment on new legislation aimed at empowering victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, but he declined to provide any input.

Claims of Ignorance and Denial

Throughout the exchange, O'Reilly remained adamant that he had no knowledge of the settlements made by Fox News on his behalf. He denied any direct involvement, repeatedly asserting that the settlements were handled without his awareness.

When Hoover questioned him further on the subject, O'Reilly doubled down on his refusal to discuss the matter, stating that it would be foolish to revisit those claims. His combative response further highlighted the unresolved issues surrounding his legacy.

Conclusion

The dramatic interview between Bill O'Reilly and Margaret Hoover ended in an unexpected walkout after Hoover raised questions about sexual harassment settlements that occurred during O'Reilly's time at Fox News.

Tensions escalated quickly, with O'Reilly denying involvement and accusing Hoover of conducting an "ambush."

Despite the legal threats, Hoover aired a portion of the interview and expressed disappointment at O'Reilly’s failure to acknowledge the impact of his actions on the women involved.

This interview underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding O'Reilly's departure from Fox News and the unresolved issues in the media industry.