The Drudge Report initially suggested that the exit deal was already done and that Ailes would receive a $40 million pay package.
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The conflagration was sparked when Gretchen Carlson, whose contract was not renewed earlier, alleged in a lawsuit she was the victim of sexual harassment, and named Ailes.
Within minutes, however, the site deleted the image and took down the claim that Ailes was out.
Roger Ailes is heading for the exit at Fox News Channel, the cable network beloved by American conservatives, with Rupert Murdoch and his sons in agreement that he should leave amid allegations of sexual harassment.
James Murdoch reportedly wanted to give Ailes the option to step down or be fired this week, while his father and brother preferred to hold off until this week’s Republican National Convention was over.
Just on Tuesday, there was a new report in New York Magazine that offered an explanation of why top Fox News star Megyn Kelly remained mostly silent while others on the network were taking sides on the claims. In 1996, Ailes was hired by Australian media giant Robert Murdock to launch Fox News, an empire that Sherman calls “The Biggest Voice in the Room”.
Rupert Murdoch and his family own 21st Century Fox and Fox News through the Murdoch Family Trust. It would seem that now the current chairman’s tenure with the news organization may officially be coming to an end.
Fox stated at the time it had “full confidence” in Ailes but added that it was reviewing the matter.
They can’t afford to have management turmoil at Fox News throw the business off course.
The company did not address any negotiations.
Tuesday, as talks between Ailes and FNC’s parent company, 21st Century Fox, continue, it was widely reported that Fox News host Megyn Kelly told investigators she was sexually harassed by the CEO about a decade ago.
Variety is independently reporting Ailes’ departure, with an anonymous source claiming an “official announcement” is “imminent”. She told The Hollywood Reporter “Roger has spent the last 10 years helping Megyn Kelly become the star that she is”. “Today is the day they reached the decision to part ways”, this person said.
Money reported that negotiations on an exit agreement were underway with Fox News’ parent company, 21st Century Fox. But Ailes’ imperial managing style has left Fox without any clear successor. The two heard sounds that they thought were fireworks. And a number of prominent women at Fox have issued statements supportive of Ailes.
Kellie Boyle told the magazine days after Carlson filed suit that Ailes propositioned her in 1989, when she was 29 and Ailes was an influential Republican operative who had served as President George H.W. Bush’s media strategist. 21st Century Fox said that “Roger is at work”.
However, Mr. Ailes’s dealings with Mr. Murdoch’s sons have been more tense over the years.
Roger Ailes is the co-founder, chairman and CEO of the news channel.
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On Tuesday, the magazine reported lawyers were giving Ailes until August 1 to resign or be fired.
