Media

Fox News suspends Eric Bolling after report of lewd text messages

In this July 22, 2015 file photo, co-host Eric Bolling appears on "The Five" television program, on the Fox News Channel, in New York. Fox News announced on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, that Bolling has been suspended while it investigates a report that “The Specialists” co-host sent at least three female colleagues a lewd text message. Bolling’s lawyer calls the accusations untrue and says he and his client are cooperating with the investigation.

By JACEY FORTIN, New York Times Service

August 5, 2017

2 minutes to read

Fox News suspended Eric Bolling, a longtime host at the network, on Saturday pending an investigation into reports that he sent lewd photographs to three female colleagues via text message.

Fox News learned about the allegations against Bolling after an inquiry from HuffPost, the network said in an emailed statement.

In an article published Friday night, HuffPost cited a dozen anonymous sources who said Bolling “sent an unsolicited photo of male genitalia via text message to at least two colleagues at Fox Business and one colleague at Fox News.”

It said the messages were sent several years ago and on separate occasions.

A lawyer for Bolling, Michael J. Bowe, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday. Bowe told HuffPost that “Mr. Bolling recalls no such inappropriate communications, does not believe he sent any such communications, and will vigorously pursue his legal remedies for any false and defamatory accusations that are made.”

The law firm Paul, Weiss will handle the investigation, the network said Saturday. It added that a rotation of substitute hosts would fill in for Bolling on “The Fox News Specialists,” where he is a co-host.

Another Fox News host, Bill O’Reilly, was forced to leave the network in April after The New York Times reported on a series of sexual harassment allegations against him. Roger Ailes was ousted as the network’s chairman and chief executive last July after allegations that he had sexually harassed female co-workers. He died in May.

Bolling joined Fox Business Network in 2008 and has served as host or co-host on a number of Fox shows including “The Five,” “Follow the Money” and “Happy Hour.”

In June, Suzanne Scott, president of programming for Fox News Channel, announced that Bolling had re-signed a long-term contract with the network.

“Eric has cultivated a strong fan base and has become a staple to the FOX News brand,” Scott said at the time. “His insight is valued and we are pleased to have him at the network for many more years to come.”

In 2014, Bolling was criticized for a comment he made about a female pilot for the United Arab Emirates, Mariam Al Mansouri, who had led an airstrike against the Islamic State.

“Would that be considered boobs on the ground, or no?” Bolling said. He apologized for the comment on air the next day.