The feud between Fox News host Bill O’Reilly and Russia continues to intensify after “The O’Reilly Factor” host refused to apologize for calling Vladimir Putin “a killer,” but it appears the Kremlin will be patient with the veteran broadcaster.
“I’m working on that apology,” O’Reilly said on Monday night. “Might want to check in with me around 2023.”
Russia demanded a formal apology from Fox News after O’Reilly’s comments in his pre-Super Bowl interview with President Donald Trump. Russian officials considered the statement “unacceptable and insulting.”
Russian Federation spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “We consider such words from the Fox TV company to be unacceptable and insulting, and honestly speaking, we would prefer to get an apology from such a respected TV company.”
After O’Reilly’s non-apology, Peskov said in comments carried by Russian news agency Interfax that he is “very patient” and the Kremlin was marking its calendar for 2023.
Fox News did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
During Sunday’s pre-taped interview, Trump told O’Reilly that it’s better to get along with Russia before the “O’Reilly Factor” host said, “He’s a killer though, Putin’s a killer.”
The president has long been criticized for appearing too friendly with Russia, despite U.S. intelligence agencies claiming that Russia attempted to influence the election so that Trump would defeat Hillary Clinton. Trump has downplayed the involvement and his choice for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, is known to have deep ties with the country.
During Putin’s years ruling the nation, various opposition figures and journalists have been killed, according to the Associated Press.