Megyn Kelly's long jump from Fox News to NBC was reportedly fueled by unhappiness over a long-running feud with Donald Trump, ex-CEO Roger Ailes' sex harassment scandal, and strained relations with boss Rupert Murdoch.
New York magazine writer Gabriel Sherman, citing unnamed sources, reported "The Kelly File" host's relationships with Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity in particular "had completely broken down."
"Bill hated her," one unnamed Fox host told Sherman.
According to Sherman, Murdoch balked when Kelly asked for $25 million to stay at Fox in contract talks that dragged on through Kelly's much-publicized book tour.
Sherman noted, however, a source close to Kelly said the popular star never asked for a specific dollar amount – and it was Fox that had offered $25 million.
Speculation at Fox News now swirls around who will replace the host, with the consensus believing Murdoch will tap a woman to fill the 9 p.m. slot – and leading contenders include Trish Regan, Shannon Bream, Sandra Smith, and Martha MacCallum, Sherman reported.
Kimberly Guilfoyle is lobbying for the job, Sherman reported.
"The one thing Fox insiders are in agreement on is that whoever replaces Kelly will be a pro-Trump conservative," Sherman wrote. "Murdoch's relationship with Trump has greatly improved since the depths of Trump's battle with Kelly last year."
According to one guest at Mar-a-Lago over the holidays, Trump declared, "I really like Rupert Murdoch," Sherman reported. "Roger Ailes was a friend of mine, but Fox's coverage is so much better since he left."
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