The O’Reilly Factor is under scrutiny after Bill O’Reilly and Fox News falsely accused Montel Williams of not showing up for his interview during the third night of the Republican National Convention.
O’Reilly was recorded during the event, on screen; claiming that Williams:
“walked out in a huff … and the producer tells me he was mad about some gay thing.”
Williams was initially scheduled to appear on the show to discuss the LGBT conservative event, The American Unity Fund, happening in Ohio at the same time as the Republican National Convention.
But, after arriving at the convention center on time and ready for his interview, Williams found that Fox News was attempting to pull a bait and switch on him.
Instead of discussing the event he just hosted they wanted him to comment on issues such as racism and voting. This was not the original agreement.
On Williams’ way out of the arena he overheard O’Reilly’s statement and left furious; later turning to Twitter to call him and Fox News out.
Williams was ready and waiting with a full arsenal of ammunition.
Williams began with a simple statement about the falsehood of O’Reilly’s comments.
Nothing Bill O'Reilly said about me tonight was accurate. Calling me a coward when he hasn't served is ridiculous and unprofessional.
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) July 21, 2016
Then Williams continued by offering proof that he was absolutely present and accounted for.
One of the highlights of my night. Gov. Haley is everything I think the Republican Party should be. #gopconvention pic.twitter.com/gGt8p3CAHG
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) July 21, 2016
And then he gave Fox News fifteen minutes to get their act together before he released the proof.
We're giving @FoxNews @oreillyfactor 15 minutes to tell the truth voluntarily https://t.co/etXDXdMk3E
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) July 21, 2016
Williams released a set of tweets and email screenshots between his staff and O’Reilly that proved he was where he should have been and that they hoodwinked him with separate issues to discuss.
As long as @oreillyfactor keeps lying about me, I'll continue to tell the truth about Bill. https://t.co/eSyb8YT32z
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) July 21, 2016
But Williams did not stop there. On a live I HeartRadio show, America Now, Williams let it all out to Fox News contributor and radio host Meghan McCain saying:
“He calls me a coward? He calls me all of these names because I didn’t want to speak to him? I’m a COWARD? Excuse me … I’ve got 22 years in the military. The last time I looked, that little sissy never put on a uniform, though he talks a lot of trash about how quickly we should send other people’s children off to die.”
Despite the in your face proof that Montel Williams put out for everyone to see, O’Reilly refuses to budge and holds firm that the topics were clear from the beginning.O’Reilly stated:
“Just minutes before air time, he demanded the segment include his take on gay rights or something. When told that was not possible because the talking points set up voting demographics, the topic he agreed to, he bolted. My entire staff witnessed this debacle and script was written four hours before air. First time in nearly 20 years a guest has done that. Unbelievably unprofessional for a person in the industry.”
It looks like the Republicans can’t even get along with each other these days.
Check out this video of Montel Williams responding to Bill O’Reilly’s claim.
Featured Image Via Headline Politics
