Fox News is currently in the midst of a massive shakeup that’s likely to have a profound and permanent impact on the right-leaning cable news powerhouse.
The latest in a series of major changes comes with the announcement that longtime network legal analyst and commentator Greta Van Susteren will be leaving Fox after 14 years.
Van Susteren announced today that she’ll be leaving her popular nightly series On the Record With Greta Van Susteren effective immediately.
She will be replaced by former colleague Brit Hume for the remainder of the 2016 presidential election.
Hume commented on his new role in a statement issued this morning:
“I am happy to take on this assignment for the balance of this extraordinary election,” he wrote.
“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.”
No official reason has been given by either Van Susteren or execs at Fox, but an anonymous source tells the Associated Press that the decision is the result of a “financial disagreement.”
Given everything’s taken place at Fox over the past few months, however, it’s not surprising that many believe there’s more to the story than a simple contract dispute.
Earlier this summer, longtime correspondent Gretchen Carlson sued Fox CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.
The move led to Ailes resigning as CEO after nearly 20 years at the helm of the number one cable news network.
Interestingly, earlier today Carlson’s lawsuit was settled for a reported $ 20 million.
“Ailes has unlawfully retaliated against [her] and sabotaged her career because she refused sexual advances and complained about severe and pervasive sexual harassment,” a portion of the lawsuit read.
Carlson’s suit came, of course, on the heels of accusations that the network sided with Donald Trump in his clash with Meghyn Kelly.
Former Fox host Andrea Tantaros recently described the culture at Fox as that of a “sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency and misogyny.”
So did Van Susteren, like so many other female employees at Fox, feel that she was treated unfairly due to her gender?
Or is this really just a case of a wage disagreement?
Thus far, it seems neither side is talking:
“We are grateful for Greta’s many contributions over the years and wish her continued success,” Fox News co-presidents Jack Abernathy and Bill Shine said in a statement released today.
As it’s likely that Van Susteren signed a non-disclosure agreement during her time at the network, it may be quite some time before we get any more information than that.