Eric Bolling, Accused Of Texting Lewd Messages & Photos To Colleagues, Suspended By Fox News

Eric Bolling, a longtime host at Fox News, allegedly sent an unsolicited photo of his penis via text message to at least two colleagues at Fox Business and one colleague at Fox News, a dozen sources told The Huffington Post. Fox News suspended Bolling pending its investigation.

Eric Bolling Scandal News

Recipients of the photo, who will remain anonymous, are confirmed to be Bolling’s current and former Fox colleagues. The messages were sent several years ago and on separate occasions. The women concluded the messages were from Bolling because they recognized his number from previous work-related and informal interactions.

The women stated that they messages were unsolicited and deeply upsetting and offensive. One of the recipients said that when she replied to Bolling via text, telling him never to send her such photos again, he did not respond. Four people, outside of the recipients, confirmed that they had seen the photo, and eight others said the recipients had spoken to them about it.

Over the past year, several Fox News and Fox Business executives and on-air talent have been accused of sexual harassment and assault. Last year, former Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes resigned after former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment. Since Ailes was forced out, multiple former and current Fox News hosts have come forward accusing him of harassment, including CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota. Last April, Bill O’Reilly was forced out of Fox after a bombshell New York Times report revealed that he had quietly settled multiple sexual harassment suits.

When reporters asked Bolling’s attorney, Michael J. Bowe, about the alleged unsolicited lewd and inappropriate text messages, Bowe responded, “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.”

Bolling, an employee of Fox News and Fox Business networks since 2007, has had a history of making misogynistic on-air remarks. The most notable remark came during a September 2014 segment on the panel show The Five while discussing the first woman fighter pilot from the United Arab Emirates leading the bombing of the Islamic State. Bolling asked on air if instead of saying “boots on the ground” it would be more appropriate to say “boobs on the ground.” He apologized the next day, citing “a look” he got from his wife when he arrived home.

Bolling currently serves as one of the co-hosts of The Specialists, a new program on the Fox News Channel. Bolling’s star at the Fox Networks has risen exponentially over the past two years, due in part to his close relationship with and strong support of President Donald Trump.

Bolling can often be seen aggressively defending Trump on the network and over the past few years Trump has tweeted praise and support for the Fox News host at least a dozen times. When The Specialists premiered earlier this year, Bolling was even granted an exclusive interview with Trump.

Fox News recently renewed Bolling’s contract prior to the airing of the allegations.The multiyear extension ended speculation that he was going to accept a position in the Trump administration. In an interview with NJ.Com, Bolling said the Trump transition had floated the position of commerce secretary, but he said he would only consider joining as a senior adviser.

In the interview, Bolling said he believed he had a future in politics: “When the lights go down on my TV career, the next step is running for Senate.”