In a jaw-dropping announcement that shocked both fans and critics, veteran Fox News host Dana Perino delivered a bombshell revelation to millions of viewers, confirming the dramatic exit of Bill O’Reilly from the network. The host, who led The O’Reilly Factor for over 20 years, was ousted following a series of highly controversial allegations. But the truth behind the firing was far from what many expected—Perino’s cryptic remarks left viewers with more questions than answers.

“Before we dive into the other breaking stories of the day, there is something you may have already heard,” began Perino on The O’Reilly Factor Wednesday night, her voice tinged with a gravity that signaled a major shift. “Bill O’Reilly, who has hosted this program for two decades, is leaving the Fox News Channel. We know this news may come as a shock to you, his loyal viewers, and we will address it further shortly.”

By the end of the night, O’Reilly’s name had been entirely scrubbed from the show’s title, leaving The Factor as a shadow of its former self.

It wasn’t long before Perino returned to the topic, dedicating a mere minute to O’Reilly’s shocking departure, the result of multiple accusations of s3xual misconduct and harassment. The news quickly became the talk of the town, igniting speculation about the future of the network and its programming.

“It’s the end of an era here at Fox News,” Perino announced. “After 20 years, Bill O’Reilly is leaving his chair and this network, a departure that has been a long time coming.” She paused, clearly aware of the magnitude of the moment. “Bill has been the undisputed king of cable news—he’s undeniably talented and has set a high bar for journalism and interviews. His show dominated ratings for years, and we all know how important he was in shaping Fox News.”

However, Perino stopped short of addressing the elephant in the room—the $13 million in settlement payouts O’Reilly and the network made to multiple women who accused him of harassment. O’Reilly’s tumultuous journey had been marred by scandal, but those details were conspicuously absent from Perino’s brief mention.

“Despite his success, as we know, everything changed,” Perino continued, noting that O’Reilly had been a key figure in making The Factor the top-rated cable news program for over 16 years. “Your loyalty as an audience has meant the world to us here at Fox.”

Perino also referenced a memo sent to staff from the Murdoch family, acknowledging O’Reilly’s unmatched career success. Yet her tone seemed far from heartfelt. “By ratings standards, Bill is one of the most accomplished TV personalities in the history of cable news. His success is indisputable.”

After a short acknowledgment of O’Reilly’s accomplishments, Perino delivered the final blow. “We wish him the very best,” she stated, though her delivery left many wondering if those words were genuine.

But as viewers were left to digest the announcement, the broader question lingered: What does O’Reilly’s firing mean for the future of Fox News? With the shadow of scandal hanging over the network once more, it seems that nothing at Fox News will ever be the same again.