Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly revealed that a “hereditary condition involving internal bleeding” sent him to the hospital, sharing new details about his health scare in a Saturday column on his website.
O’Reilly had first told viewers last week that he was dealing with an unspecified medical issue. He followed up over the weekend, saying the condition sidelined him briefly but did not end his career. In a separate message posted Monday, O’Reilly said he would return to hosting his nightly “No Spin News” broadcast that evening after a short hiatus.
“I am absolutely stunned by the reaction to my medical situation. You can do a lot of thinking while sitting in a hospital for four days,” O’Reilly wrote Saturday. “A hereditary condition involving internal bleeding took me down temporarily. I hope. I have the best medical team led by Dr. Ira Jacobson, trying to keep me on the field.”
He also took a shot at government-run health care while thanking his doctors.
“Thank God we don’t have socialized medicine in this country,” O’Reilly added. “I’d be in a dark container right now.”
The conservative commentator said he plans to keep fighting through the health issue and acknowledged others face far worse medical battles.
“The longevity thing is not up to me,” he wrote. “My Christian belief is that we are all here for a reason and there is, indeed, a time for every season.”
O’Reilly said he was overwhelmed by the response after announcing his temporary pause from broadcasting, though not all of it was supportive.
“When I announced a short medical work pause, I did not expect the enormous outpouring of concern,” he continued. “Yes, a few usual suspects tried to damage me and my family further, and karma will deal with them. The good news is that the haters are far outnumbered by benevolent people.”
In a Friday update, O’Reilly said he was receiving treatment at a medical facility in New York City and was already preparing for his next show. He hosts “No Spin News” on weeknights and is a frequent guest on NewsNation programs including “On Balance with Leland Vittert” and “CUOMO.”
O’Reilly launched “No Spin News” in August 2017, months after Fox News fired him in April of that year following multiple sexual harassment allegations. O’Reilly has denied the claims.
