With most of the Fox News demographic tuned in this week to the Republican National Convention, one of the men most responsible for that network’s success has resigned.
It’s time to say goodbye to Roger Ailes.
Rumors Ailes leaving Fox News have been circulating for several days, following a lawsuit filed by ex-Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson.
The lawsuit alleges a number of inappropriate actions taken by Ailes against her, most of which were sexual in nature.
In these legal documents, Carlson claims that Ailes “sabotaged her career because she refused sexual advances and complained about severe and pervasive sexual harassment.”
She says Ailes suggested the pair carry on a sexual relationship and that, after Carlson refused, Ailes responded by firing her from her gig on Fox & Friends.
Carlson was eventually let go entirely late last month.
Despite a vehement denial of Carlson’s claims by Ailes, 21st Century Fox announced on Thursday that he has stepped down from his post.
In his place, 21st Century Fox’s executive chairman Rupert Murdoch will take over as chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.
About a week after Carlson filed her lawsuit, reports surfaced that that Megyn Kelly had told 21st Century Fox’s independent investigators that, many years ago, Ailes had also made unwanted sexual advances toward her.
As an even bigger name than Carlson, and as someone who seemingly corroborated Carlson’s claims, this revelation appears to have sealed Ailes’ fate.
In announcing the Ailes’ news this afternoon, Murdoch praised him as having “made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country.”
He added that when he became founding CEO of Fox News, he “shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.”
Ailes is yet to speak on the decision, but we can only hope he has something nice and inflammatory to soon say on his way out.