"Fox & Friends" co-host Brian Kilmeade emphatically denies our report that his last round of contract negotiations included "ridiculous demands" that were rebuffed by the network. Kilmeade says he's nothing but grateful to Fox News for bringing him "from the minor leagues to the major league on the #1 network in the country," adding that the network has treated him "with unbelievable respect."
Kilmeade reached out to Huffington Post to go on the record about a report he called "100 percent inaccurate."
"It is 100 percent fiction," Kilmeade said in a phone call Tuesday. "I've never had a demand in my life. I had one request, and that was for tailored shirts. And that was met. And that was a request at the last minute. I have no demands. I get a car in every day. I take the train home at night. I have a great job, I've had it for 12 years."
Kilmeade said his last contract, his first with CAA agent Alan Berger, was "by far the best ever" and that he is "honored" to have received it. Kilmeade is currently in the middle of a long-term contract that was completed last year.
Last week, based on information from a well-connected source with knowledge of the situation, we reported that "Kilmeade attempted to play hardball in his latest contract renewal negotiations and overplayed his hand with a series of ridiculous demands," only for Fox News executives to call his bluff and shut down negotiations.
"I'm getting paid to do two jobs, and I have had more success in every way than I could've dreamed," he said, noting that "Fox & Friends" is the top rated morning show on cable and he recently took over Tony Snow's time slot on Fox News Radio. "I am flabbergasted with the opportunities I've been given at Fox. Everybody I talk to, I just praise, because I can't believe how well I've been treated."
A call to Fox News' head of legal affairs, Dianne Brandi, to confirm the status of Kilmeade's contract was referred to a spokesperson, who reiterated the network's policy of not commenting on contract negotiations and reissued the same statement, "Brian continues to be a valued member of the top morning show on cable."