Greta Van Susteren suddenly left Fox News on Monday after 14 years.
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Van Susteren, who came to Fox from CNN after establishing herself among the commentators on the O.J. Simpson trial, said on Facebook that she hoped to continue her career in broadcasting.
According to Politico, Carlson’s lawyers say she was once chastised for answering a question from a hometown newspaper about her favorite Minnesota State Fair food. The only clue that she harbored any ill will toward Fox News was her comment that the network no longer felt like her home. When she was unable to renegotiate her contract, she chose to activate that clause. I want to thank all the courageous women who came forward to tell their own stories and the many people across the country who embraced and supported me in their #StandWithGretchen.
Fox’s co-presidents, Jack Abernethy and Bill Shine, said in a statement that “we are grateful for Greta’s many contributions over the years and wish her continued success”. “All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace in which talent, hard work and loyalty are recognized, revered and rewarded”. She even stood by former network chief Roger Ailes amid sexual harassment allegations from a number of former employees, including Gretchen Carlson.
Carlson, a former Miss America, worked for several years on the “Fox & Friends” morning show, then was switched to a less-visible afternoon time slot in 2013.
Given everything’s taken place at Fox over the past few months, however, it’s not surprising that many believe there’s more to the story than a simple contract dispute.
Fox News announced Van Susteren’s departure just a few minutes after the channel’s parent company, 21st Century Fox, confirmed a $20 million settlement deal with Gretchen Carlson, the anchorwoman who sued Ailes in July, starting the chain of events that led to his ouster. Two weeks later, Ailes was gone, reportedly with a $40 million payout, and is said to be informally advising Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Another former Fox personality, Andrea Tantaros, has filed a harassment lawsuit against the network.
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The move led to Ailes resigning as CEO after almost 20 years at the helm of the number one cable news network.
