Sherman also wrote a book about Ailes.
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The subheadline is “How Fox News women took down the most powerful, and predatory, man in media”. His involvement with Ailes was first reported by the Financial Times.
Sherman for years has cultivated sources within Ailes’ sphere and wrote The Loudest Voice in the Room, a critical 2014 biography of Ailes and the creation of Fox News. Harder did not respond immediately to an emailed query seeking comment, nor did Susan Estrich, an attorney who has been representing Ailes in his dealings with Fox News’ parent, 21st Century Fox.
Magazine spokeswoman Lauren Starke confirmed today that ny and Sherman – the magazine’s national affairs editor – have been contacted by Harder, as first reported by The Financial Times.
While Harder is well-known for his most recent win against Gawker on behalf of Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, he has represented several high-profile clients like Bradley Cooper, Reese Witherspoon and Lena Dunham, typically for cases relating to publicity, libel and privacy.
Still, the tactic of a legal threat by the Ailes’ attorney is by now chillingly familiar: After sending correspondence of intent to the Daily Mail in response to allegations that Melania Trump was once an escort, the Mail quickly retracted the tale. But Donald Trump and Roger Ailes are longtime friends.
The decision to hire Harder suggests Ailes is trying to raise new questions about Sherman’s reporting, which has been massive and detailed. Ailes is informally advising Trump ahead of this fall’s debates. In July, Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox News anchor, filed a lawsuit accusing Ailes of harassing her sexually and of demoting her once she complained about how female employees were treated at the network.
As these allegations continue to come to light, this information ensures that it is no longer possible for leadership at Fox to pretend that they didn’t know what their president was doing during his tenure. Ailes is now operating on his own.
Last week, while Sherman’s cover story was being finished and fact-checked, both lawyers criticized the reporter.
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It is not clear if Harder will file a lawsuit against New York Magazine or Sherman.
