In a bombshell moment that has sent shockwaves through the media world, veteran Fox News host Dana Perino opened her show on August 3, 2025, with a stunning confirmation: a longtime colleague has been fired following allegations of scandalous misconduct. The announcement, delivered during a live broadcast of America’s Newsroom, left viewers and industry insiders reeling, as Perino, known for her poised demeanor, broke from script to address the elephant in the room. “We must be transparent with our audience,” Perino stated calmly, her voice steady but her eyes betraying the gravity of the situation. “A valued member of our team has been let go due to serious violations of our standards.”
The colleague in question, according to sources close to Fox News, is senior correspondent Ed Henry, whose past controversies resurfaced amid new claims of inappropriate behavior. Henry, 54, was previously dismissed from Fox in 2020 over sexual harassment allegations but had returned in a limited capacity. Perino’s on-air revelation came amid whispers of an internal investigation triggered by leaked emails and anonymous complaints. “This decision was not made lightly,” Perino continued, “but integrity is the cornerstone of what we do here at Fox. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, and when those are breached, action must be swift.”
The scandal erupted after a whistleblower report detailed Henry’s alleged misconduct, including lewd comments to female staffers and misuse of company resources for personal gain. Fox News executives, facing mounting pressure from advertisers and a post-#MeToo landscape, acted decisively. Perino, co-hosting with Bill Hemmer, paused the show’s regular segments to deliver the news, emphasizing the network’s commitment to a “safe and respectful workplace.” Hemmer nodded solemnly, adding, “Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Social media exploded immediately, with #FoxFiring trending worldwide. Fans praised Perino’s handling: “Dana’s class act in a messy situation,” one X user posted, while critics decried Fox’s history of scandals, referencing past exits like Bill O’Reilly and Roger Ailes. “Another one bites the dust—when will Fox clean house for good?” another tweeted. The announcement fueled speculation about broader shake-ups at Fox, especially amid parent company News Corp’s ongoing legal battles and declining ratings.
Perino, 53, a former White House press secretary under George W. Bush, has built her reputation on straightforward reporting. Her decision to address the firing head-on was reportedly her own, overriding producers’ hesitations. “Dana insisted on transparency,” an insider told Variety. “She’s seen too many scandals swept under the rug.” Henry’s representatives denied the allegations, calling them “baseless smears,” but Fox confirmed the termination in a statement: “We do not tolerate behavior that violates our policies.”
This isn’t Fox’s first rodeo with misconduct firings, but Perino’s live confirmation sets a new precedent for accountability. As the dust settles, questions linger: Will this spark a reckoning at Fox, or is it just another chapter in a turbulent history? For now, Perino’s bold move has earned her widespread respect, proving that even in scandal, truth can prevail.