Who Is Bill O'Reilly? Here Are 5 Scandals Involving The American Man Criticising Malaysia
Bill O'Reilly has made Islamophobic and racist remarks in the past.
Cover image via @BillOReilly (X) & Reuters via NewsweekConservative American political commentator Bill O'Reilly has criticised Malaysia again after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rebuked the remarks he made last week
O'Reilly first made comments about Malaysia when Chinese president Xi Jinping visited the country last Tuesday, 15 April.
On his show, No Spin, he advised China against spending time visiting Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, claiming these nations lack the financial capacity to buy Chinese goods.
He further referred to Malaysians as 'Malays' and stated that we "do not have money" to purchase Chinese goods, seemingly unaware that 'Malay' is not the accurate term to describe all Malaysian citizens.
In response, Anwar described O'Reilly as arrogant and ignorant, stating that the political commentator lacks understanding of the current realities in Southeast Asia and exhibits a narrow worldview influenced by racial bias and colonialist ideology.
"In social sciences, we call this trapped thinking led by an imperialist attitude, which leads to attitudes such as xenophobia, Islamophobia, and discrimination against other religions," Malay Mail quoted Anwar as saying last Friday, 18 April.
Below is O'Reilly's first video about Malaysia:
In response, O'Reilly doubled down on his criticism of Malaysia
The TV host intensified his criticism of Malaysia during his show on Thursday, 24 April, pointing out that the nation's household income per capita is USD5,000 (RM21,869) annually — eight times lower than the US figure of USD42,220 (RM184,670).
He claimed that Malaysians had to think twice before buying a hat from China and suggested they could not afford Chinese takeout in Kuala Lumpur, saying, "You (Malaysians) are barely eating."
Below is the video:
His comparison of household income per capita is misleading and presents an inaccurate portrayal of Malaysia
In Kuala Lumpur, a monthly income of RM5,000 can cover housing, food, transportation, and even allow for savings; whereas in New York City, USD5,000 would struggle to provide the same standard of living, reported the New Straits Times.
Additionally, O'Reilly falsely claimed that former US President Barack Obama grew up in Malaysia, when in reality, Obama spent four years of his childhood living in Indonesia.
Contrary to O'Reilly's statements, Chinese fashion and F&B brands have been expanding rapidly in Malaysia. For example, Haidilao has opened 16 outlets across the country, often attracting long queues during peak hours. Other Chinese F&B brands in Malaysia include Chagee, Mixue, and Luckin Coffee, among others.
Fashion brands such as HLA boast 26 outlets in Malaysia, and many locals actively shop from China e-commerce platforms for a variety of goods — including hats. For most Malaysians, purchasing items such as a hat from a Chinese brand is far from a financial struggle.
Many locals also own Chinese products from brands such as BYD, Xiaomi, HUAWEI, and Oppo, among others.
With O'Reilly's controversial remarks about Malaysia, you may be curious about his background and the events that have shaped his public image.
Here are five controversies linked to him:
1. O'Reilly is a former Fox News host who was dismissed from the network following multiple allegations of sexual harassment
According to online encyclopedia Britannica, O'Reilly grew up on Long Island, New York and taught high school for two years before earning a master's degree in journalism in 1976.
He worked at several news stations across the country before joining the conservative, right-wing media outlet Fox News Channel in 1996.
His show on the network, originally named The O'Reilly Report, was later rebranded as The O'Reilly Factor after it was given a more prominent time slot.
However, while at Fox News, O'Reilly faced allegations of sexual harassment. In April 2017, the New York Times reported that over USD13 million (RM56.8 million) had been paid to settle multiple lawsuits.
O'Reilly denied any wrongdoing in these lawsuits.
Over 50 advertisers pulled their spots from O'Reilly's show. Following additional accusations, he parted ways with the network.
2. Long-time friend and US president Donald Trump defended O'Reilly over sexual harassment allegations in 2017
During the height of the scandal in April 2017, Trump, who was the president at the time, defended the controversial news anchor, saying he was a "good person".
"I think he shouldn't have settled. Personally, I think he shouldn't have settled. Because you should have taken it all the way. I don't think Bill did anything wrong," Trump told the New York Times.
US newspaper The Hill reported that Trump has been a friend of O'Reilly since 1990. The duo was often seen together in New York City before Trump's first presidential candidacy.
"They have periodically appeared in seats normally reserved for celebrities at Yankees and Knicks games.
"Trump appeared on O'Reilly's programme on an almost-weekly basis leading up to the election," the daily wrote.
Image via Ray Stubblebine/Reuters
3. O'Reilly said "Muslims killed us on 9/11" in 2010
During a 2010 episode of The View, nine years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the hosts and guests discussed the controversy surrounding the Ground Zero Mosque in New York City.
O'Reilly argued that the mosque should be closed down as it was "inappropriate".
He also claimed that 70% of Americans "don't want that mosque down there", with host Whoopi Goldberg voicing her disbelief that such a poll existed.
This led to O'Reilly saying, "Muslims killed us on 9/11".
Unsatisfied, host Joy Behar called O'Reilly an extremist before leaving the filming set with Goldberg.
"This is such bullsh*t," Goldberg can be heard yelling in protest.
4. O'Reilly said "Black Lives Matter is killing Americans" in 2016
In 2016, O'Reilly claimed on his show that "Black Lives Matter is killing Americans", linking a rise in homicide rates in some cities to reduced aggressive policing, dubbed the "Ferguson effect", reported Variety.
While FBI director James Comey supported this idea, it lacked evidence from criminologists and law enforcement groups. Notably, many other cities saw a decline in homicide rates during the same period.
Image via Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP via Salon
5. O'Reilly's daughter claimed he was physically abusive
During the 2014 custody trial between O'Reilly and his ex-wife, Maureen McPhilmy, his teenage daughter allegedly told a forensic examiner that she saw her father physically abuse her mother, reported TheWrap.
The forensic examiner said the daughter allegedly witnessed her father choking her mother and dragging her down some stairs.
O'Reilly rubbished the allegations in a statement to the media in 2015, saying, "All allegations against me in these circumstances are 100% false."
O'Reilly lost custody of his children in 2016.
