Defends Bill O'Reilly against sexual harassment allegations during Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Trump defended Fox News host Bill O'Reilly after reports revealed O'Reilly and Fox had paid $13 million to settle sexual harassment claims from five women. In an interview with the New York Times, Trump said "I don't think Bill did anything wrong" and advised O'Reilly shouldn't have settled the cases. The comments came in April, which Trump himself had declared Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Trump's reflexive defense of O'Reilly paralleled his own history of sexual misconduct allegations and his infamous Access Hollywood comments.
“I don't think Bill did anything wrong. I think he shouldn't have settled; personally I think he shouldn't have settled.” — Interview with the New York Times, April 5, 2017
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryTrump's immediate defense of O'Reilly despite credible allegations from multiple women demonstrated his consistent pattern of dismissing and minimizing sexual misconduct claims.
The hypocrisy of defending an accused harasser during Sexual Assault Awareness Month revealed Trump's performative approach to issues affecting women.
Trump's statement that O'Reilly 'shouldn't have settled' echoed his own approach of denying all allegations and attacking accusers, regardless of evidence.
This defense signaled to Fox News and conservative media that Trump would support allies accused of misconduct, reinforcing a culture that protected powerful men.