Fox News Personalities Praise Roger Ailes After His Death
Media personalities who worked with Fox News co-founder Roger Ailes reacted to news of his death on Thursday with an outpouring of condolences and praise.
Ailes, 77, was the CEO and chairman of the network before he was pushed out last year following multiple sexual harassment allegations.
His wife, Elizabeth Ailes, confirmed Thursday morning that he had died. In a statement, she praised him as a loving husband and father, a loyal friend and a patriot.
Fox News host Sean Hannity also spoke of Ailes’ patriotism, sharing his condolences in more than dozen tweets and issuing a warning to Ailes’ “enemies.”
Today America lost one of its great patriotic warriors. Roger Ailes. For Decades RA's has impacted American politics and media.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) May 18, 2017
He has dramatically and forever changed the political and the media landscape singlehandedly for the better. https://t.co/nZssNxFKAr
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) May 18, 2017
But to his enemies know this; I say ADVANTAGE ROGER, In his mind he just has a head start in preparing to kick your ass in the next life. https://t.co/gcRFTom0fG
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) May 18, 2017
Hannity also called Ailes a “second father.”
“In 1996 he took a huge risk on an inexperienced, young, local radio talk show host in Atlanta,” Hannity wrote on Twitter. “He saw something in me and many others he hired that we never saw in ourselves, and he forever changed the trajectory of thousands of [people’s] lives.”
Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of Fox News and parent company 21st Century Fox, called Ailes a “brilliant broadcaster” who “played a huge role in shaping America’s media over the last thirty years.”
“Roger was a great patriot who never ceased fighting for his beliefs,” Murdoch said in a statement.
Others called Ailes a “genius” and heralded his achievements at Fox News, which he helped start in 1996 and turned into the top cable news network.
RIP #RogerAiles one of the most impt broadcasters in history-The genius who created #FoxNews -a good friend, who loved his family & country
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) May 18, 2017
Friends for decades #RogerAiles hired me twice-at #CNBC & #FoxNews after 9/11. I so lament his passing & the circumstances of his last year
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) May 18, 2017
Roger Ailes founded one of the most important and successful media outlets in American history. I will miss his friendship dearly. RIP.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) May 18, 2017
Roger Ailes died this morning, our deepest sympathies to Beth and his son Zach. Roger was a media genius, good friend and great American.
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) May 18, 2017
Deeply saddened by death of Roger Ailes. He had many critics and like ALL of us his sins, but I remember a great patriot, friend and boss.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) May 18, 2017
Love and prayers to Beth and Zach. R.I.P Roger - you changed television as we know it. https://t.co/1vjhGFQaDc
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) May 18, 2017
Terribly sad news. R.I.P. https://t.co/K90HHnc1fx
— Brit Hume (@brithume) May 18, 2017
RIP #RogerAiles sending my love and prayers to Beth & Zachary. Roger was a friend and a mentor to so many of us @FoxNews he will be missed
— Kimberly Guilfoyle (@kimguilfoyle) May 18, 2017
For all he controversies surrounding Roger. He created jobs and a pathway for me to realize my goals. I'm grateful.
— Mike Tobin (@MikeTobinFox) May 18, 2017
Roger Ailes was a great American patriot. May the Lord comfort you, Beth and Zachary.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) May 18, 2017
RIP Roger Ailes, who 20 yrs ago gave me a chance to thrive @ the fledgling Fox News Channel. Thoughts & prayers for Elizabeth & Zachary.
— RickLeventhalFoxNews (@RickLeventhal) May 18, 2017
Others in the media shared condolences for Ailes, as well as criticism.
Rodger Ailes Dead! RIP founder of modern talk radio and Fox News.. Say what you want but we stand on his shoulders. pic.twitter.com/SWcU1aLBP5
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) May 18, 2017
Roger Ailes behaved egregiously toward women in his organization and changed our culture for the worse, making people dumber and angrier.
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) May 18, 2017
Matt Drudge, founder of influential conservative media site the Drudge Report, broke the news of Ailes’ death on Twitter. Then he shared his respects and recounted recently spending a “magical day” with the newsman.
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Roger brought news to life. A true American classic. So many stories... pic.twitter.com/2JZ17tUwPh
— MATT DRUDGE (@DRUDGE) May 18, 2017
Spent magical day with Ailes in Palm Beach last month. He loved life, country, Beth. News! We sat for 9 hours. He was excited for the future pic.twitter.com/iouxq3E0uK
— MATT DRUDGE (@DRUDGE) May 18, 2017
Rick Folbaum, an anchor for CBS’s local news station in Miami who previously worked for Fox News, reflected on Alies and the sexual harassment scandal that dominated the past year.
Bur I saw enough good in him - loyalty, patriotism, humor and generosity - that that's how I choose to remember him today. https://t.co/g44mHVIg6w
— Rick Folbaum (@RickFolbaum) May 18, 2017
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.