Gretchen Carlson Admits She Was 'Angry That It Took So Long' for Roger Ailes to Step Down at Fox News
Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson felt "validation" after news broke that Fox News chief Roger Ailes had stepped down only weeks after she accused him of sexual harassment.
Speaking for the first time following the announcement, Carlson told The Washington Post that she feels no remorse for Ailes' outcome.
"At first, satisfaction – or no, I think validation," she said, acknowledging, "I felt angry that it took so long."
She continued, "It's complicated – there was relief that now I would be believed – and I was happy to a certain extent over that."
Earlier in the month, Carlson filed a lawsuit alleging that Ailes, 76, had "unlawfully retaliated against Carlson and sabotaged her career because she refused sexual advances and complained about severe and pervasive sexual harassment."
When asked if Carlson, 50, felt any remorse or regret about Ailes' decision to leave the network, she gave a firm "No."
RELATED NEWS: Fox News Boss Roger Ailes Quits Network amid Gretchen Carlson Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Since coming forward, a report surfaced stating that Fox News host Megyn Kelly had allegedly told investigators in detail about unwanted sexual advances Ailes made nearly 10 years ago when she was a young correspondent at Fox. His lawyer has denied the claim.
The Washington Post asked Carlson how she felt knowing that she wasn't the only women coming forward.
"I appreciated that she told the truth, and I know it was risky," she said. "I thought I would be fighting this all by myself."
One thing that Carlson has taken from this ordeal is the idea of teaching her own children lessons on dealing with similar situations, especially her son.
"One of the big parts of this equation is men," she said. "It will take men to change the environment, too. It's paramount that he sees me in an environment where I'm respected. And that men treat their colleagues like they would want to see their mother treated."
