CBS Highlights Fox Chairman Roger Ailes’ Reported Departure Negotiations “Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations"

NPR's David Folkenflik: Sexual Harassment Allegation From Megyn Kelly Has “Made [Ailes'] Position Untenable”

From the July 20 edition of CBS This Morning:

Video file

CHARLIE ROSE (CO-HOST): And The New York Times reports Roger Ailes is in talks to step down as the head of Fox News. The network's powerful chairman and CEO is reportedly negotiating his departure amid sexual harassment allegations. His attorney denies all the accusations. The latest is that he sexually harassed star anchor Megyn Kelly. Vinita Nair is outside Fox News headquarters in New York. Vinita, good morning. 

VINITA NAIR: Good morning. Well Roger Ailes was already under investigation by a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson. Then yesterday, Megyn Kelly, the network's rising star, reportedly told investigators that he had made similar sexual advances towards her about ten years ago when she was starting off at Fox News. 

[BEGIN VIDEO]

MEGYN KELLY: Welcome to The Kelly File everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. 

[END VIDEO]

NAIR: It was business as usual for Fox News correspondent Megyn Kelly Tuesday night, reporting from the Republican National Convention. But according to sources cited by New York magazine, Kelly has also reported to investigators that her boss, Roger Ailes, made unwanted sexual advances toward her about ten years ago, and she described her harassment “in detail.” 

DAVID FOLKENFLIK: Megyn Kelly’s star status in the network made his position untenable. Where does Roger Ailes go if he's being accused by one of his most prominent employees, prominent women, of being a sexual harasser? 

NAIR: Ailes' attorney issued a statement denying the report. “Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeated and publicly thanked him.” Kelly had nothing but praise for her boss when she spoke to Charlie Rose last year.

[BEGIN VIDEO]

KELLY: I really care about Fox and I really care about Roger. And he's been nothing but good to me, and he's been very loyal and he's had my back. 

[END VIDEO]

NAIR: Kelly's reported accusation is apparently putting increased pressure on Fox News' parent corporation to remove Ailes. An internal investigation was launched after former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes two weeks ago. She posted a video online Tuesday. 

[BEGIN VIDEO]

GRETCHEN CARLSON: I want to support all women who've been victims of sexual harassment. It's time for us to come out of the shadows and let our voices be heard.

[END VIDEO]

NAIR: Fox executives appear to be taking the accusations against Ailes seriously. 

FOLKENFLIK: They're in these discussions right now. And the real question is how quickly they can get Ailes out and under what terms. 

NAIR: Fox parent company 21st Century Fox issued a statement. “Roger is at work. The review is ongoing. The only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement.” Some say any exit deal would likely be a lucrative one for the Fox chief. 

FOLKENFLIK: I think you can expect to see Roger Ailes with a rich payday for leaving under an incredible cloud. You're talking about tens of millions of dollars.

NAIR: Megyn Kelly's attorney says his client will not be making any comment while this investigation is under way. He did, however, say she is cooperating fully and truthfully. Gayle, it's also worth noting that 12 former Fox News anchors and a current one have stepped forward in defense of Ailes.

Previously:

UPDATED: Media Reporting That Roger Ailes Is Leaving Fox News

Soon-To-Be-Former Fox CEO Roger Ailes Has A Long History Of Bigotry, Sexism, And Homophobia

Roger Ailes' Legacy: Building The GOP's Communications Arm Under The Guise Of A “News” Network