Roger Ailes stepped down on Thursday as chairman and chief executive of Fox News, ending a 20-year reign as head of the cable network he built into a ratings juggernaut and an influential platform for Republican politics.
The long-time head of Rupert Murdoch’s cable news operation will be replaced by the media mogul atop Fox News, according to a release from 21st Century Fox.
“Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country,” said a statement from Murdoch. “Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.”
No other information or details about Ailes’ departure were made public.
Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly reported he made sexual advances and former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson is suing Ailes claiming she was fired after rebuffing his sexual overtures.
The last straw against Ailes, 76, apparently came earlier this week with reports he made sexual advances a decade ago on current Fox News star anchor Megyn Kelly.
Former “Fox & Friends” co-host Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit earlier this month claiming she was fired after rebuffing Ailes’ sexual overtures. The blond former Miss America’s charges were echoed by another nine women this month.
CMPI will provide analysis of the implication of Fox News without Roger Ailes in an era of deepening ideological orthodoxy in American political life. Look forward to CMPI This Week for insightful analysis.