Fox News Channel host Bill O'Reilly said stories that appear to link Hillary Clinton to foreign donations bear investigation, but both the former secretary of state and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, should be given the presumption of innocence.
The accusations "would likely eliminate Mrs. Clinton from the presidential race — if true," O'Reilly said in the opening segment of
"The O'Reilly Factor" on Thursday. "Right now the evidence is circumstantial, not vetted, and the subject of wild speculation by anti-Clinton forces."
Story continues below video.
Media outlets from Newsweek and The New York Times to Fox News Channel and The Wall Street Journal have been reporting on the appearance of links between foreign donors to the Clinton Foundation and favorable treatment during Hillary Clinton's years at the State Department in the days leading up to the book "Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich" by Peter Schweizer.
O'Reilly admitted that "the appearance of impropriety is staggering and the defense is paltry to say the least," but added, "I want to make it very clear that the Clintons are to be given the presumption of innocence.
"As one who has been dishonestly smeared, I loathe political hit jobs. But there are major questions here, and they must, must be answered."