bill oreilly
Fox News Channel host Bill O'Reilly on the set of his show, "The O'Reilly Factor," in New York, March 17, 2015. A new report has surfaced alleging the pundit assaulted his wife in the past. Reuters

Updated as of 10:30 p.m. EDT: Bill O'Reilly released a statement Monday night categorically denying the allegations that he committed acts of domestic violence against his ex-wife. “All allegations against me in these circumstances are 100% false,” the statement reads. “I am going to respect the court-mandated confidentiality put in place to protect my children and will not comment any further.”

Original story: Bill O’Reilly, who has made a name for himself in part for maintaining strong stances on a number of topics, has reportedly been accused of something he has historically opposed vehemently: domestic violence. The Fox News pundit was identified in testimony in a contentious child custody case with his ex-wife as having assaulted her while the two were engaged in an argument at their New York home, according to a new report from Gawker.

The physical altercation, which is cited by an unnamed source who claimed to be close to the case, purportedly took place before 2010. During the incident, O’Reilly was said to have dragged his ex-wife, Maureen McPhilmy, down a flight of stairs by her neck, the report claimed. The couple’s daughter, who reportedly witnessed the assault unbeknownst to her parents, recalled the incident this year while speaking with an investigator, according to the report.

If true, the claim of spousal abuse contrasts starkly with O’Reilly’s outspoken views on the issue. In September of last year, O’Reilly, on his show “The O’Reilly Factor,” mentioned on multiple occasions his opposition to domestic violence in an interview with Dr. Ben Carson. “You know how many millions of men do that?” O’Reilly asked in reference to National Football League star player Ray Rice's assault of his wife, according to Raw Story. “It’s not an isolated deal. It’s a terrible plague.” When Carson disagreed with that sentiment, O’Reilly was insistent. “I’m telling you, battery against women in this country and around the world is just out of control, Doc.”

The following month, O’Reilly was discussing the same Ray Rice incident at an appearance on CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman." O’Reilly took the opportunity to express his strong opposition to domestic violence. “The problem is violence against women,” O’Reilly said. “It doesn’t make any difference whether it’s the NFL. It doesn’t make any difference whether it’s the Red Cross. It doesn’t make any difference whether it’s the Rotary Club. It’s violence against women.”

O’Reilly had not officially responded to the Gawker report as of Monday afternoon.

RELATED STORIES