Bill O’Reilly Explodes and Threatens Former Fox Co-Worker Margaret Hoover in Explosive Interview Walkout

Former Fox News star Bill O’Reilly made headlines once again after a dramatic clash with PBS host Margaret Hoover, walking off the set and issuing a thinly veiled threat when confronted about the harassment allegations that led to his exit from the network.

O’Reilly appeared on Hoover’s PBS show Firing Line to promote his latest book, Confronting the Presidents, but the conversation quickly turned contentious when Hoover questioned him about the more than $40 million Fox News paid in settlements over harassment claims against him.

Tense Exchange on Air

The interview derailed about 30 minutes in when Hoover broached the topic of O’Reilly’s past scandals. The veteran broadcaster immediately bristled, stating, “I’d be a fool to dredge that up,” before tersely adding, “You know nothing about it.”

Hoover, a former contributor to The O’Reilly Factor from 2007 to 2011, pushed back, responding, “I know about the culture I experienced at Fox News.”

That remark seemed to push O’Reilly over the edge. He threw up his hands, declared, “All right. That’s enough,” and stormed off the set. As he exited, he ominously warned Hoover, “You’re in for a problem.”

O’Reilly’s History of Harassment Allegations

O’Reilly was one of the most high-profile casualties of the #MeToo movement, losing his position at Fox News in 2017 after The New York Times revealed that he and the network had paid over $45 million to settle multiple harassment claims.

The former Fox host has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was unfairly targeted because of his conservative views. During the Firing Line interview, he reiterated that he never personally settled any claims and was unaware of Fox’s legal actions. Hoover, however, was skeptical, pressing him further.

In a particularly cutting moment, Hoover read excerpts from a 2017 New York Times op-ed she wrote, in which she criticized O’Reilly for refusing to take responsibility. “Instead, Mr. O’Reilly blamed others, embracing the victimization he so ridiculed of the American left,” she read aloud.

O’Reilly refused to engage, dismissing Hoover’s questions as an “ambush” and demanding that the segment be edited. “If you’re going to use that stuff, you’re in for a problem,” he warned. “My attorney is going to be watching.”

Hoover Responds to the Walkout

Despite O’Reilly’s dramatic exit, Hoover remained composed. Speaking to Mediaite, she expressed disappointment in her former Fox colleague’s refusal to address the controversy in a meaningful way.

“It’s disappointing that Bill O’Reilly, knowing he would be asked, has not reflected on how the settlements involving him and several women have affected their ability to earn a living in media again, even as he continues to, in his words, ‘flourish’ in independent media,” Hoover said.

She noted that O’Reilly was the first guest in her seven years hosting Firing Line to walk out before a formal sign-off.

Legal Threats and Public Response

Following the interview, O’Reilly’s legal team reportedly sent a demand letter to WNET, PBS’s parent company, attempting to prevent the segment from airing. Despite the threats, Hoover previewed the confrontation on X (formerly Twitter), ensuring that the public got a glimpse of the fiery exchange before the full interview aired.

The incident reignites questions about whether public figures should be expected to address past controversies when appearing in the media. O’Reilly’s reaction suggests he believes the topic should be off-limits, but Hoover—and many viewers—clearly disagree.

What do you think? Should figures like O’Reilly be required to discuss past allegations when appearing in interviews? Join the conversation now.

Moment Bill O’Reilly explodes and THREATENS former Fox co-worker Margaret Hoover as he sensationally quits interview over ‘ambush’

Former Fox News star Bill O’Reilly went ballistic and threatened a PBS host after she  questioned him over the harassment claims that led to his ousting at the network.

Margaret Hoover, host of the PBS show Firing Line, sat down for an interview with O’Reilly on Tuesday to promote his new book Confronting the Presidents.

But the interview went haywire when Hoover asked him about the more than $40 million shelled out over harassment claims while he was at the network.

‘I’d be a fool to dredge that up,’ Reilly fumed after refusing to comment, then affirmed, ‘You know nothing about it.’

Hoover, a Fox News contributor and guest on The O’Reilly Factor during 2007 to 2011, responded, ‘I know about the culture I experienced at Fox News.’

‘All right. That’s enough,’ an exasperated O’Reilly said as he raised his hands and walked off the set while telling her, ‘you’re in for a problem.’

Margaret Hoover, who hosts Firing Line on PBS is pictured interviewing former Fox host and American conservative commentator, Bill O’ Reilly

At one point during the interview, O’Reilly is seen with both hands in the air saying, ‘All right. That’s enough’

The former Fox host worked at the network for more than two decades before he was fired after The New York Times reported on the private settlements.

A staggering $13 million and an additional settlement worth $32 million went to women who accused him of harassment when he was at the network.

The heated exchange began about 30-minutes into the one-on-one, with O’Reilly telling his former Fox co-worker that she did not know the facts of the allegations against him.

He alleged  he had made no settlements himself and that he was unaware of any actions taken by Fox News, but Hoover did not buy it.

Bill O’Reilly was ensnared in a harassment scandal while at Fox News

At one point, Hoover, began reading the 2017 New York Times op-ed she wrote that applauded his firing from Fox.

‘Instead Mr. O’Reilly blamed others, embracing the victimization he so ridiculed of the American left. He claimed his departure was no fault of his own, but the cost of doing business as a high profile media personality,’ she recited.

‘This is an outlandish claim. William F. Buckley and Anderson Cooper are high-profile media personalities, and yet, they have never been dogged with repeated harassment entanglements.’

When she asked her guest how he responded, he said ‘I don’t,’ and later accused Hoover of a conducting an ‘ambush interview,’ though Hoover alleged that her subject had anticipated that she would bring up the cheeky topic.

Hoover was dogmatic in her questioning during the interview

Before O’Reilly left the set, he advised Hoover not to air the exchange.

‘If you’re going to use that stuff, you’re in for a problem. So I’m telling you right now because that’s just bull,’ O’Reilly said.

“I’m not going to record any phony crap like that. You’re going to edit this thing and, you know, my attorney is going to be watching.’

On Wednesday, O’Reilly’s attorney sent a legal demand to WNET, the parent company of PBS.

She didn’t appear ruffled despite O’Reilly’s reactions to her questions

Hoover told Mediate her reaction to their sit-down adding that after hosting the PBS show for seven years, O’Reilly was the first guest who didn’t ‘formally finish the interview through the goodbyes.’

‘It’s disappointing that Bill O’Reilly, knowing he would be asked, has not reflected on how the settlements involving him and several women have affected their ability to earn a living in media again, even as he continues to, in his words, ‘flourish’ in independent media,’ she said.

Should public figures be expected to address past controversies in interviews?

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She further stated: ‘Clearly, he was uncomfortable fielding questions related to the harassment allegations that are a significant part of his legacy.

‘I also gave him the opportunity to comment on legislation intended to give victims of harassment additional legal power and the evolution of workplace culture, and he declined,’ she told the news outlet.

On Friday, hours before the interview is slated to air, Hoover did a teaser and posted a clip from their interview on X, formerly Twitter.