Fox Business Network host Charles Payne took to Twitter on Friday morning to deny allegations of sexual harassment that led to his abrupt suspension by the network on Thursday, saying he will fight “like a lion armed with truth.”
“Days ago a reporter contacted me about (false) allegations and asked for a comment. I gave an immediate reply. He reported story w/out them,” Payne tweeted. “That is an ugly lie I vehemently deny to my core. There is a mountain of proof that also proves its a lie.”
The Fox Business veteran then blasted news organizations with an anti-Trump agenda for covering his employment status.
“Not surprising media outlets that hate President Trump most put out most twisted stories on me – how do you misquote a written statement?” Payne tweeted.
Payne was suspended amid a sexual harassment investigation, a Fox Business spokesperson told TheWrap on Thursday.
“We take issues of this nature extremely seriously and have a zero tolerance policy for any professional misconduct,” the spokesperson said. “This matter is being thoroughly investigated and we are taking all of the appropriate steps to reach a resolution in a timely manner.”
Payne, the host of Fox Business’ “Making Money,” is under investigation over a three-year relationship with a married guest political analyst who appeared as a guest on Fox Business and Fox News, the Los Angeles Times reported. Payne acknowledged the relationship in a statement to the National Enquirer on Wednesday, issuing an apology to his wife, children and friends.
That relationship is now under review after the analyst, who was not named by the L.A. Times, contacted a law firm with allegations of sexual misconduct. The woman alleges that she was banned from the network after she called off the relationship in 2015 and attempted to report Payne to Fox News executives, the Times said.
Payne, who is suspended pending further investigation, will be replaced by a rotating team of substitute hosts on “Making Money” for the time being.
Here are his messages from Twitter:
Days ago a reporter contacted me about (false) allegations and asked for a comment. I gave an immediate reply. He reported story w/out them
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) July 7, 2017
This was my reply: “That is an ugly lie I vehemently deny to my core. There is a mountain of proof that also proves its a lie.”
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) July 7, 2017
Not surprising media outlets that hate President Trump most put out most twisted stories on me – how do you misquote a written statement?
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) July 7, 2017
I will fight this like a lion armed with truth. Thanks so much to all those that have reached out in support.#FightingBack
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) July 7, 2017