During an extended portion of Bill O'Reilly's Super Bowl interview with
President Obama aired on Monday's O'Reilly Factor, the Fox News host
wondered: "Do you think I've been unfair to you?" Obama replied: "Absolutely, of course you are, Bill." [Listen to the audio [1]]
When O'Reilly demanded evidence, the President cited the preceding interview: "Bill,
we just went through an interview in which you asked about health care
not working, IRS, 'Were we wholly corrupt?', Benghazi. Right? So the
list of issues that you talk about." O'Reilly pushed back: "But
these are unanswered questions." Obama complained: "But they're defined
by you guys in a certain way."
During the portion of the exchange aired during Sunday pre-game coverage, Obama attacked O'Reilly and Fox News [2] for daring to cover such administration scandals.
In the portion aired Monday night, Obama suggested Fox wouldn't be able
to attract viewers once he leaves office: "I think regardless of
whether it's fair or not, it has – it has made Fox News very successful.
Here's what you guys are going to have to figure out is, what are you
going to do when I'm gone? I'm telling you....I've been a big
money-maker for you."
O'Reilly pointed out: "Our ratings were high when you weren't here. Ask
President Clinton, alright? And President Bush. I gave President Bush a
real hard time."
— Kyle Drennen is Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter. [3]