As her former employer, Fox News, continues to deal with allegations of sexual harassment, Gretchen Carlson voiced her support and gratitude on Sunday for attorney Lisa Bloom, who is leading the charge against one of the network’s most prominent pundits, Bill O’Reilly.
All I can say is thank you @LisaBloom #sexualharassment #warrior
— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) April 2, 2017
That show of gratitude wasn’t enough for one of her followers who commented, “Thank you? That’s it? Why not, apologize for not coming forward the 1st time you felt sexually offended while at @FoxNews,” to which Carlson simply replied, “Wow.”
@coldi02 @LisaBloom @FoxNews Wow
— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) April 2, 2017
Bloom appeared on CNN’s “Reliable Sources” Sunday morning to speak about the allegations made by her client, relationship advice writer and “O’Reilly Factor” guest Wendy Walsh. An expose by The New York Times revealed claims by Walsh that O’Reilly offered to make her a contributor on his show, but rescinded the offer after he denied her sexual advances.
The NYT report also revealed that Fox News and O’Reilly have handed out $13 million in settlements to female employees who have accused O’Reilly of lewd or abusive behavior towards them.
During her appearance on “Reliable Sources,” Bloom called Fox News “the Bill Cosby of corporate America.” O’Reilly defended himself in a statement sent to the Times saying, “Just like other prominent and controversial people,” the statement read, “I’m vulnerable to lawsuits from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity.”
Gretchen Carlson made headlines when she filed a lawsuit against former Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes shortly after her contract expired with the network last June. Her lawsuit was followed by more than 20 women who came forward with sexual harassment allegations against Ailes, resulting in his resignation in August. Carlson settled her lawsuit with 21st Century Fox for $20 million.