Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly disclosed Tuesday that he is dealing with an unspecified illness, offering a brief but upbeat update to his audience while stepping back temporarily from scheduled appearances.
O’Reilly shared the news in a message posted to his website, keeping details to a minimum but striking an optimistic tone. He told viewers that he is under the care of doctors and expressed confidence about his recovery. O’Reilly emphasized that the illness has not sidelined him entirely and said he plans to continue updating his audience as he is able.
“Hey No Spin Nation. Sorry I am dealing with a malady,” O’Reilly wrote. “We have great doctors so we’ll fight the good fight.” He added that the condition does not affect his ability to write, promising updates on his health, the news cycle, and major developments. He said he hopes to be “back in the saddle shortly.”
The update came after NewsNation host Chris Cuomo announced on his program Tuesday that O’Reilly would miss a scheduled appearance. Cuomo told viewers the 76-year-old commentator was ill but reassured them that O’Reilly is expected to return soon.
O’Reilly currently hosts “No Spin News,” a weeknight program he launched after leaving Fox News. He remains a frequent guest on NewsNation and is widely known for his long tenure as the host of “The O’Reilly Factor,” which was once one of the most-watched shows in cable news.
Fox News terminated O’Reilly’s contract in April 2017 following multiple sexual harassment allegations. O’Reilly has consistently denied the claims, calling them unfounded. At the time of his departure, he said it was deeply disappointing to part ways under those circumstances but argued that public figures are increasingly vulnerable to accusations.
“It is tremendously disheartening that we part ways due to completely unfounded claims,” O’Reilly said in a statement after his firing. “But that is the unfortunate reality many of us in the public eye must live with today.”
Following his exit from Fox News, O’Reilly debuted “No Spin News” in August 2017 and rebuilt his media presence outside the traditional cable news ecosystem. He has remained a prominent conservative voice and has maintained a close relationship with President Donald Trump. O’Reilly and Trump have appeared together publicly, including at a New York Yankees game on Sept. 11, 2025.
O’Reilly’s health announcement comes amid a series of recent health struggles and losses involving well-known conservative figures. It followed the death of “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams, who had been battling prostate cancer. It also came as Hoover Institution senior fellow Victor Davis Hanson underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, and as psychologist and public intellectual Dr. Jordan B. Peterson dealt with a serious illness.
While O’Reilly did not specify the nature of his condition, his message was clearly aimed at reassuring supporters and signaling that he intends to remain engaged. For now, his audience is left with limited details but a promise that updates will continue and that he expects to return to his regular schedule once his health allows.
The announcement quickly prompted an outpouring of well-wishes from fans who have followed O’Reilly’s work for decades and continue to view him as a major figure in conservative media.
