Fox News Re-Hires Editor Who Oversaw Infamous Seth Rich Report
AP Photo/Richard Drew
The editor who oversaw Fox News’s infamous and incorrect report on Seth Rich, the late DNC staffer who was the subject of a torrent of conspiracy theories after he was murdered in 2017, has rejoined the network.
Greg Wilson served as the deputy managing editor of FoxNews.com when the Seth Rich report was published. The piece, which spun a wild conspiracy theory about Rich supplying Wikileaks with Democratic Party emails, was retracted within days. Yet even after it was retracted it continued to be promoted on the air at Fox News, most prominently on Sean Hannity’s prime time show, and lives on as a prominent pro-Trump conspiracy theory. Rich’s family eventually sued Fox over the story; the network was forced to pay them a reported seven figure settlement.
“The settlement with Fox News closes another chapter in our efforts to mourn the murder of our beloved Seth, whom we miss every single day,” the Rich family wrote in a statement after the settlement. “We are pleased with the settlement of this matter and sincerely hope that the media will take genuine caution in the future.”
After the debacle, Wilson was promoted to managing editor of Fox News. He left the network in October 2020 to serve as managing editor of The Washington Examiner and jumped from there to The Daily Wire — but that stint was short-lived.
Now, he’s back at Fox News, in a less prominent position than the one he left: weekend managing editor. The Daily Beast was first to report the news of Wilson’s return.
Former staffers at Fox News who worked under Wilson’s leadership told Mediaite they found his return somewhat puzzling given what they described as a contentious relationship Porter Berry, the editor in chief of FoxNews.com.
“It was well known among those who worked in the department that Greg hated Porter, and that’s why he left and took some folks with him,” a former Fox News employee told Mediaite. “So it’s shocking he would voluntarily return to work with Porter.”
Another ex-Fox Newser agreed: “I believe he left with a very bad taste in his mouth with the new leadership and felt under-appreciated.”
As for why Fox would welcome back an editor known for such a disastrous story, the first source offered: “They still think they are invincible, despite the Dominion settlement, and just don’t care what baggage Greg Wilson brings, as long as he dutifully continues to toe the company line.”
A third former Fox staffer praised Wilson. His return, the source said, is a “great thing for them. He’s more than qualified — unlike the others in charge there.”
Disclosure: Diana Falzone worked as a reporter at Fox News until 2018.
