Reporter Yashar Ali shared via Twitter today that Eric Chase, son of former Fox News host Eric Bolling, died last night.
Chase, Bolling’s only child, was only 19 years old. No official cause of death has been announced although Mediaite cites a source who says Chase died of suicide.
“Very sad news, Eric Bolling’s son, who was only 19, died last night,” said Ali. “By all accounts, Eric was incredibly devoted to his son. Heartbreaking.”
You May recall Ali was the journalist who reported on Bolling’s sexual harassment charges which led to his dismissal at Fox News just yesterday.
Very sad news, Eric Bolling’s son, who was only 19, died last night. By all accounts, Eric was incredibly devoted to his son. Heartbreaking.
Fox News has parted ways with host Eric Bolling, the network confirmed Friday, just over a month after an exclusive HuffPost report revealed Bolling sent inappropriate text messages to current and former female colleagues.
News of the departure comes after two HuffPost reports revealed a pattern of inappropriate behavior by Bolling, who co-hosts “Fox News Specialists.” Fox News will cancel the program, it said in a statement.
“Eric Bolling and Fox have agreed to part ways amicably,” the network said. “We thank Eric for his ten years of service to our loyal viewers and wish him the best of luck.”
HuffPost’s report, which was based on 14 sources, revealed that at least three current and former Fox colleagues said they had received inappropriate text messages from Bolling, including photos of male genitalia.
You may recall that Bolling filed notice that he intended to sue the reporter, Yashar Ali, who initially broke the story. Bolling had threatened a $50 million lawsuit.
Suspended Fox News host Eric Bolling has begun legal proceedings aimed at the reporter that brought his alleged sexting scandal to light.
You’ll recall last week, Yashar Ali reported for HuffPost that Bolling had texted pics of his genitals to several women over the years. Bolling was suspended from Fox News pending review.
Ali cites 14 sources for his reporting; highly doubtful he would write an article without a LOT of backup.
Via Politico:
Yashar Ali, a contributing writer for HuffPost, reported on Friday that several years ago Bolling sent lewd text messages that included photographs of male genitalia to two female colleagues at Fox. The next day Bolling was suspended and Fox launched an investigation by the same law firm that handled probes into the conduct of former host Bill O’Reilly and former Fox chairman Roger Ailes.
After the initial report, Bolling said, via his lawyer, that he “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.”
On Wednesday, Bolling filed a “summons with notice” in New York State Supreme Court against Ali, seeking $50 million in damages for defamation. Ali must respond within 20 days, demanding that Bolling file a complaint, after which Bolling will have 20 days to file his response before the suit goes forward.
Bolling is represented by Michael Bowe from the same law firm as Marc Kasowitz, who was President Donald Trump’s personal attorney until last month.
“This anonymously sourced and uncorroborated story is false, defamatory, and obviously intended to destroy this good man’s career and family. We will defend Eric aggressively in court, where actual facts, based on evidence, testimony, and cross-examination, will belie these anonymous accusations,” Bowe said.
It’s notable that Bolling is only targeting Ali in his legal maneuver, not HuffPost who could easily settle a lawsuit. Bolling is clearly looking to bully Ali.
Ali stands by his story and his sources, telling Politico he will “protect my sources, especially the victims, at all costs.”
Responding to the news, Lydia Polgreen, editor in chief at HuffPost, issued a statement which read, “Yashar Ali is a careful and meticulous reporter. We stand by his reporting.”
Just received a summons. Eric Bolling is suing me for defamation – $50 million in damages. I stand by my reporting + will protect my sources
It’s important to note that Bolling’s summons does not include HuffPost – he is coming after me personally. I’m a big boy…but very telling https://t.co/nvludsIV87
Not going to stop reporting on Eric Bolling or anyone else. I’ve had family members killed/jailed in Iran, a lawsuit isn’t going to scare me https://t.co/nvludsIV87
Should be noted the story had FOURTEEN sources and Bolling isn’t suing HuffPost, the publisher that could theoretically pay $50 million https://t.co/2EhBYWXqXk
Here’s a sample of the kind of “reporting” Bolling does on Fox News:
WATCH: Eric Bolling to @MaxineWaters: “You saw what happened to Whitney Houston, step away from the crack pipe, step away from the Xanax..” pic.twitter.com/Wf6CCOTtuW
Eric Bolling, a longtime Fox News host, sent an unsolicited photo of male genitalia via text message to at least two colleagues at Fox Business and one colleague at Fox News, a dozen sources told HuffPost.
Recipients of the photo confirmed its contents to HuffPost, which is not revealing their identities. The women, who are Bolling’s current and former Fox colleagues, concluded the message was from him because they recognized his number from previous work-related and informal interactions. The messages were sent several years ago, on separate occasions.
The women did not solicit the messages, which they told colleagues were 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 to HuffPost they’d seen the photo, and eight others said the recipients had spoken to them about it.
Roger Ailes, the founder of Fox News, was ousted last year due to sexual harassment allegations.
Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly also left the network after several women reported being harassed by the host.
Additionally, Fox Business Network host Charles Payne was suspended in July after reports that he harassed a female political analyst.
Payne remains suspension while an investigation into the allegations continues.
As Fox’s The Five discussed Trump today, Jesse Watters credited Trump for his outspokenness and called President Obama a “skinny community organizer.” Geraldo Rivera scolded him for being “disrespectful” and things went downhill from there.
Rivera insisted Trump and others are making wrong conclusions about immigrants over Steinle’s death and shouted, “You’re exploiting the misery of that family!” Watters shot back, “You’re exploring it by downplaying it!”
Eric Bolling got into the mix and told Rivera he “exploits and sensationalizes everything.” This one really set Rivera off.
“You’re lucky that you’re my friend,” he said, “I’d knock you out right now. That’s absolute BS!… What do you do? Where do you get your stuff from?”
On last night’s The Daily Show, Jon Stewart addressed the hypocrisy (shocker!) of the right wing media’s outrage over the recent “Latte Salute” incident involving President Obama and an inartful salute.
Among other things, Stewart points out that President Obama is not the first prez to have a sloppy salute moment. We’ve all seen the now-famous photo of President Bush saluting with his dog in his hands. Nuff said…
And, Stewart contrasts Fox News pundit Eric Bollings’ statements “These people put their lives on the line for us. Show the respect” with his later quip in the very show when he dissed a female pilot performing air strikes in the Middle East saying “Would that be considered “boobs on the ground” or no?”
Stewart suffers no fools easily here. Watch below:
Fox News host Eric Bolling has the sadz that Rutgers University’s decided to fire men’s basketball coach Mike Rice, after video surfaced of Rice abusing players by shoving them, throwing basketballs at them, and harassing them with profane and homophobic language, including “fucking faggot.”
“We’re in the midst of political correctness crushing our ability to teach kinds, to discipline kids, to disagree with people or one another or kids,” Bolling complained. “Our culture is in decline, but this is an example of our culture in free fall and I’m saying this because he got fired, not because of what he did.”
“It’s time to toughen up. I could talk about the ‘wussification of America, ‘wussification of American men. This is it.”
