BRET BAIER (HOST): Before we get to politics, some news about this channel. Fox News, and our parent company, 21st Century Fox. Here is media analyst Howard Kurtz. Howie?



HOWARD KURTZ: Bret. Roger Ailes resigned this afternoon as chairman of Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, and Fox television stations, effective immediately. Rupert Murdoch, who hired Ailes to launch Fox News nearly two decades ago, is taking over as chairman of FNC and Fox Business, and assuming the role of acting CEO. The announcement by this network's parent company 21st Century Fox, followed days of negotiations over Ailes’ departure and plenty of intense media coverage.



The sequence of events was triggered by a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Gretchen Carlson, after her contract as a daytime Fox host was not renewed. Ailes has strongly denied the allegations in this suit. 21st Century Fox hired a law firm to conduct an internal inquiry, and it was that review, which included interviews with female Fox employees, that led to today’s announcement. Murdoch praised Ailes in the statement for having made quote, “a remarkable contribution to our company and our country.”



There were also words of praise from Murdoch’s sons James and Lachlan Murdoch, top executives at 21st Century Fox. And without directly referring to the harassment inquiry, they said that “we continue our commitment to maintaining a work environment based on trust and respect.” Roger Ailes, of course, has been virtually synonymous with Fox News since its founding, and while taking on the acting CEO title, Murdoch sent a message of stability by announcing that the three top executives on Ailes’ management team will remain in place.

Related:

Roger Ailes Resigns as Chairman and CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, and Chairman Fox Television Stations



Previously:



Roger Ailes Has Resigned From Fox News



Ailes, Trump, And The Republican Reckoning



UPDATED: Media Reporting That Roger Ailes Is Leaving Fox News



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



Roger Ailes Built The Conservative Infrastructure That Donald Trump Is Exploiting



ABC: Roger Ailes' “PR Campaign” Possibly Meant To “Pressure Women Not To Come Forward” With Allegations Of Sexual Harassment