In a stunning and as yet unexplained turn of events, Fox News host Greta Van Susteren is leaving the channel. After 14 years, she is leaving the network, Fox announced in a statement Tuesday. This news comes on the same day that Fox News agreed to settle former anchor Gretchen Carlson’s sexual harassment lawsuit against former CEO Roger Ailes for $20 million.
“Fox has not felt like home to me for a few years and I took advantage of the clause in my contract which allows me to leave now,” Van Susteren said in a Facebook status. “I love my staff, I love my colleagues, and I love the crews. That is the hardest part of this decision, as they are all wonderful people. And most of all? I love the viewers.”
From my Facebook page pic.twitter.com/9kZdRVjViZ
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) September 6, 2016
Brit Hume, the network’s senior political analyst, will take over Van Susteren’s 7 p.m. show “On the Record” starting Tuesday and running through the election. It remains unclear what will happen with the time slot after November.
“We are grateful for Greta’s many contributions over the years and wish her continued success,” the network’s co-presidents Jack Abernethy and Bill Shine said in a statement. They gave no reasons for her departure, and Van Susteren herself did not respond to Politico‘s request for comment.
Here is the statement.
STATEMENT: @greta will depart Fox News after 14 years with network; @brithume named anchor of “On the Record” pic.twitter.com/DtzAEmWa82
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) September 6, 2016
A source close to the situation suggested it was a financial disagreement which led to the anchor’s departure. This seems to conflict with a July report by The Daily Beast, in which Van Susteren defended Ailes and said she had a long-term contract. She said she would be happy to return to teaching or law if she loses the contract, however.
“My contract is with the corporation,” she told The Daily Beast. “I’m not trying to get a new one.”
Hume, a veteran of Fox and ABC News, 10-year anchor of “Special Report,” and former Washington managing editor, expressed gratitude at receiving the time slot. “I am happy to take on this assignment for the balance of this extraordinary election. My Fox News colleagues have set a high standard for political coverage which I’ll do my best to uphold. I’m honored to be asked,” he said in a statement.
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