Britt McHenry: Fox News is Screwing Me

Fox News’s Britt McHenry filed a lawsuit against her co-host Tyrus after claiming that he harassed her.

McHenry‘s lawsuit alleging he repeatedly harassed her via lewd, inappropriate text messages.

Since a judge ruled that against dismissing the suit against Tyrus a month ago, the former professional wrestler has appeared on Fox’s airwaves at least ten times, including during the network’s New Year’s Eve special and three times as a co-host of the highly-rated late-afternoon talk show The Five.

McHenry, on the other hand, has not appeared on Fox at all in months, though she remains a paid contributor.

“All I want to do is work,” she told The Daily Beast. “But when you flip on the TV and see your harasser once again given on-air promotions, it sends a clear message that solving this appropriately on Fox News’ end isn’t in the cards.”

McHenry claims that Tyrus doctoring text messages and engaging in retaliation with help from his close friend, Fox News host Greg Gutfeld—the network believes the wrestler-turned-pundit has been “exonerated.” Two “independent outside investigators” found “mutual and consensual conduct,” Fox News claimed, and thus Tyrus’ actions do not necessitate a suspension or firing.

But McHenry disagreed. “A federal court judge moved all my claims against my abuser forward, and yet it appears as though Fox News simply doesn’t care,” she said. “Honestly, it feels intentional and cruel.”

“It’s demoralizing. Absolutely gut-wrenching to see that a company, in this day and age, would completely ignore a woman’s credible claims of sexual harassment and retaliation,” McHenry told The Daily Beast this month. “Not only ignore them but seem to blatantly and vindictively flaunt their disregard.”

The Daily Beast writes that McHenry’s attorney Lisa Bloom said in a statement to, “Hosting on Fox News is the brass ring for talent. The opportunity is given to Tyrus but not to Britt. It’s shameful and retaliatory.”

“This is Lisa Bloom’s pattern in case after case: use friendly outlets to push a slanted version of a client’s sexual harassment case, then use as a selling point to future clients her ability to unfairly smear an opponent,” a Fox News spokesperson fired back. “It does not matter whether the client is Harvey Weinstein or someone else, her playbook is the same.”

And Fox News insists McHenry “has been treated equally to other contributors,” further claiming to The Daily Beast that the onus is on her to “pitch and seek appearances” on-air. “Contractual contributors like Ms. McHenry are responsible to pitch stories and to approach shows with their availability, which is the usual way contributors get assignments and appearances,” according to the network. “Successful contributors take the initiative to seek bookings.”

I’m not sure that comparing Tyrus to Harvey Weinstein, even remotely is the best plan of action for Fox News.

Also, McHenry’s lawsuit might be a bit of an uphill climb. She claims that her phone that had the lewd photos and messages that were allegedly sent to her by Tyrus has been “lost.”

I wonder if she checked the parking garage?