O'Reilly refused to even acknowledge that the accusations led to his firing, calling it a "business decision" by the network in response to a "political and financial hit job" by groups like Media Matters and Colors of Change, which organized a successful advertiser boycott of his show. When Lauer asked if he was really blaming a "vast left-wing conspiracy" for his downfall, O'Reilly shot back, "Don't be sarcastic."