The Loudest Voice in the Room: How the Brilliant, Bombastic Roger Ailes Built Fox News--and Divided a Country
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27. “I still owe you one” Author interview with a person familiar with the matter. See also Carr and Arango, “A Fox Chief at the Pinnacle of Media and Politics.”
28. The Ailes-backed conservative Author interviews with Philipstown residents.
29. Stewart even promised Kevin E. Foley, “Readers Can Affect Forum Questions,” Philipstown.info, Oct. 2, 2011.
30. cover story Murdock, “This Is the Most Powerful Man in News.”
31. That day, several Author interview with a Putnam County resident.
32. After Beth gave Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong, “Shea and Erickson Clash on Dirt Roads, Zoning Stance, Governance and More,” Philipstown.info, Oct. 26, 2011.
33. Shea won decisively Douglas Cunningham, “Election Day 2011,” Putnam County News & Recorder, Nov. 9, 2011.
34. Republicans referred to Author interview with Republican officials.
35. “It’s like a town hall” Jeff Zeleny, “The Up-Close-and-Personal Candidate? A Thing of the Past,” New York Times, Dec. 1, 2011.
36. In the last eight months “The Fox Primary: 8 Months, 12 Candidates, 604 Appearances, 4644 Minutes,” Media Matters for America, Feb. 27, 2012, http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/02/27/the-fox-primary-8-months-12-candidates-604-appe/185876.
37. “I’m sorry, we’re only” Author interview with a senior CNN producer.
38. “He doesn’t like green energy” Author interview with a senior producer.
39. “Governor Huckabee” Michael D. Shear, “Huckabee a Candidate? Tune In at 8,” New York Times, May 14, 2011.
40. On the night of May 14 Jack Mirkinson, “Mike Huckabee Gets Mixed Ratings for Presidential Announcement,” Huffington Post, May 17, 2011, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/17/mike-huckabee-gets-mixed-_n_863073.html.
41. Ailes, like any director Gabriel Sherman, “Sarah Palin Got Scolded by a Furious Roger Ailes,” New York, Nov. 21, 2011.
42. In October, Sarah Palin Michael D. Shear, “After Summer of Speculation, Palin Says She Won’t Join the 2012 Race,” New York Times, Oct. 6, 2011. See also: Sherman, “The Elephant in the Green Room.”
43. In a private conversation Author interview with a person familiar with the conversation.
44. Romney’s shaky interview “Interview with Mitt Romney” (transcript), Finance Wire, Nov. 29, 2011.
45. Romney’s campaign did not think Author interview with a Romney adviser.
46. When the cameras cut Jack Mirkinson, “Mitt Romney Complained About Fox News Interview,” Huffington Post, Dec. 1, 2011, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/01/mitt-romney-fox-news-bret-baier_n_1122801.html.
47. After receiving just “Republican Primary Map” (interactive graphic), New York Times, http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/primaries/results, accessed Nov. 15, 2013.
48. His springboard CQ Transcriptions, Republican presidential debate (transcript), Jan. 16, 2012.
49. Gingrich carried “Republican Primary Map,” New York Times.
50. Stuart Stevens Author interview with a senior Romney adviser.
51. In one editorial meeting Author interview with a senior Fox producer.
52. Fox News was on track Brian Stelter, “Fox News Is Set to Renew O’Reilly and Hannity Through 2016 Elections,” “Media Decoder” (blog), New York Times, April 19, 2012, http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/19/fox-news-is-set-to-renew-oreilly-and-hannity-through-2016-elections/.
53. “Listen, one out of every” Howard Kurtz, “Roger’s Reality Show,” Newsweek, Sept. 25, 2011.
54. In the fall of 2011 Author interviews with a person familiar with the matter. Fox also feuded with one of its own local Fox stations. In April 2010, a senior Fox News executive named David Winstrom sent a critical letter to Steve Smith, the chairman and CEO of Journal Communications, the parent company of the Fox broadcast affiliate in Naples, Florida. A reporter for the affiliate, Rob Koebel, had interviewed Ailes at Ave Maria Law School, the conservative Catholic institution funded by Domino’s Pizza billionaire Tom Monaghan. Media Matters had posted the interview online. “The story your station produced and aired was forwarded to me,” Winstrom wrote Smith. “I was surprised at the bias in the story. At Fox we understand when you’re number 1 you need a thick skin because other news organizations are going to take shots at you. I was just surprised one of our own Fox affiliates would be taking the shots.” The letter noted that Koebel had asked Ailes: “How do you defend [Fox News] from the critics especially when you have a lineup that includes Sarah Palin?” Winstrom informed Smith that he hadn’t “discussed the interview with Roger” and added “he probably doesn’t have any strong feelings one way or another about the clearly biased questions.” But, Winstrom explained, “Fair & Balanced is not just a slogan.… The Fox News Channel has a strong following in Florida. We appreciate the south Florida viewers. I hope that your Fox station and our Fox News team can work at keeping those loyal viewers.”
55. “I’d give anything” Chafets, Roger Ailes, 234.
56. “I don’t want the kid” Sella, “Red-State Network.”
57. “He has common feelings” Author interview with a close colleague of Roger Ailes.
58. When Zachary was twelve Author interview with a Dilenschneider Group employee.
59. Around this time Chafets, Roger Ailes, 235.
60. In February 2012 Author interview with Gordon Stewart.
61. That week Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong, “Neighbors Object to Mega-Structure for Art Collection,” Philipstown.info, Feb. 20, 2012, http://philipstown.info/2012/02/20/neighbors-object-to-mega-structure-for-art-collection/.
62. Later that month David Brock, Ari Rabin-Haft, and Media Matters for America, The Fox Effect: How Roger Ailes Turned a Network into a Propaganda Machine (New York: Random House, 2012).
63. “He was obsessed” Author interview with a Fox News contributor.
64. In retaliation “The Fox Effect: The Book That Terrifies Roger Ailes and Fox News,” Daily Kos, Feb. 28, 2012, http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/28/1069245/-The-Fox-Effect-The-Book-That-Terrifies-Roger-Ailes-And-Fox-News.
65. On April 10 “Announcing Our Newest Hire: A Current Fox News Channel Employee,” Gawker, April 10, 2012, http://gawker.com/5900710/announcing-our-newest-hire-a-current-fox-news-channel-employee.
66. Within twenty-four hours Joe Muto, “Hi Roger. It’s Me, Joe: The Fox Mole,” Gawker, April 11, 2012, http://gawker.com/5901228/hi-roger-its-me-joe-the-fox-mole.
67. When Muto quickly landed John Cook, “A Low Six-Figure Book Deal for the Fox Mole,” Gawker, May 3, 2012, http://gawker.com/5907475/a-low-six+figure-book-deal-for-the-fox-mole.
68. Jimmy Gildea Chafets, Roger Ailes, 229.
69. “I told them” Sherman, “Roger Ailes Fired His PR Chief, and Now He’s All Alone,” “Daily Intel” (blog), New York, Aug. 20, 2013, http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/08/roger-ailes-fired-his-pr-chief-now-all-alone.html.
70. At 6:30 in the morning Kat Stoeffel, “Fox Mole Joe Muto Says His Laptop Was Seized in Grand Larceny Investigation,” New York Observer, April 25, 2012.
71. A year later David Bauder, “Joe Muto, Fox News Mole, Resurfaces with Book,” Associated Press, June 3, 2013.
72. “He likes to raise” Author interview with a senior producer.
73. While Fox reporters Eric Bolling, The Five, Fox News Channel, Sept. 28, 2012.
74. A few days before the election Jeanette Steele and Nathan Max, “Families Differ on U.S. Response,” San Diego Union-Tribune, Nov. 2, 2012.
75. “ELECTION OFFICIALS” Megyn Kelly, America Live, Fox News Channel, Nov. 5, 2012.
76. Michael Clemente had Author interview with a person familiar with the matter.
77. So when Ailes wanted Author interview with a person familiar with the matter.
78. On the day before Fox & Friends, Fox News Channel, Oct. 21, 2012.
79. On the afternoon Chafets, Roger Ailes, 240.
80. Rove’s Super PAC Nicholas Confessore, “At 40, Steering
a Vast Machine of G.O.P. Money,” New York Times, July 22, 2012.
81. “Hell, maybe Karl’s right” Chafets, Roger Ailes, 240.
82. At 5:00 p.m. Author interview with a person in the room.
83. About an hour later Chafets, Roger Ailes, 239–46.
84. One Fox executive Author interview with a person in the room.
85. Downstairs Sherman, “How Karl Rove Fought with Fox News over the Ohio Call.”
86. On air, Dick Morris Don Frederick, “Dick Morris Stands His Ground,” Bloomberg News, Nov. 5, 2012, http://go.bloomberg.com/political-capital/2012-11-05/dick-morris-stands-his-ground-romney-wins-maybe-by-landslide/.
87. In private Author interview with a person who attended the rehearsal.
88. “You’re a hero” Author observation of Ailes at Bradley Prize ceremony, June 12, 2013.
89. “When the mainstream media” Paul Goldman and Mark J. Rozell, “Right-Wing Talk Shows Turned White House Blue,” Reuters, April 11, 2013.
90. Bill Shine sent Sherman, “Fox News Puts Karl Rove on the Bench,” “Daily Intel” (blog), New York, Dec. 4, 2012, http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2012/12/fox-news-puts-karl-rove-on-the-bench.html.
91. In February Brian Stelter, “Fox News and Dick Morris Part Ways,” “Media Decoder” (blog), New York Times, Feb. 6, 2013, http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/fox-news-and-dick-morris-part-ways/.
92. The previous month Brian Stelter, “Fox Says Its 3-Year Relationship with Palin Is Over,” “Media Decoder” (blog), New York Times, Jan. 26, 2013, http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/25/fox-news-and-sarah-palin-part-ways/.
93. In meetings Author interview with a person familiar with the matter.
94. A day after the shooting Gabriel Sherman, “Fox News Spikes Pro-Gun Column; Writer Told Issue Is ‘Too Sensitive,’ ” New York, Dec. 20, 2012.
95. The reprieve ended Noah Rothman, “Fox & Friends: Obama’s Inauguration Happens to Be ‘The Most Depressing Day of the Year,’ ” Mediaite, Jan. 21, 2013, http://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-friends-obamas-inauguration-day-happens-to-be-the-the-most-depressing-day-of-the-year/.
96. “This was an unyielding” Special Inauguration Coverage, Fox News Channel, Jan. 21, 2013.
97. “The GOP couldn’t organize” Author interview with a person familiar with the matter.
98. At a speech Roger Ailes, Roy H. Park Lecture at the University of North Carolina School of Journalism (transcript). April 12, 2013, http://jomc.unc.edu/roger-ailes-park-lecture-april-12-2012-transcript.
99. When Ailes re-signed Brian Stelter, “Roger Ailes Signs Up for Another 4 Years at Fox News,” “Media Decoder” (blog), New York Times, Oct. 20, 2012. According to the journalist David Folkenflik’s book Murdoch’s World: The Last of the Old Media Empires (New York: PublicAffairs, 2013), Ailes was “obsessed” with David Zaslav’s compensation. In 2012, Zaslav earned $36 million. Ailes considered leaving Fox News to join Newsmax with a salary of $25 million plus equity.
100. He brought back Joe Pompeo, “John Moody Returns to Roger Ailes, His Murdochian Wire Service in Tow,” Capital New York, June 7, 2012, http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/media/2012/06/6007210/john-moody-returns-roger-ailes-his-murdochian-wire-service-tow.
101. Hannity, O’Reilly Fox News, “Megyn Kelly to Move to Primetime on Fox News Channel,” Business Wire (press release), July 2, 2013. See also Brian Stelter, “Kelly and Van Susteren Are Said to Re-Sign with Fox News,” New York Times, May 8, 2013.
102. Even Sarah Palin was rehired Brian Stelter, “Palin Is Returning to Fox News, Months After They Parted Ways,” New York Times, June 14, 2013.
103. In October 2013 Mike Allen, “The New Fox News Prime-Time Lineup,” Politico, Sept. 17, 2013, http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/09/the-new-fox-news-primetime-lineup-172859.html.
104. In June 2013 Amy Chozick, “Shareholders Approve Plan to Split News Corp.,” New York Times, June 12, 2013. See also Chozick, “Cable Helps News Corp. Post Gains,” New York Times, Feb. 7, 2013; Annlee Ellingson, “It’s Official: 21st Century Fox and News Corp Split, with New Shares to Be Issued Monday,” L.A. Biz, June 30, 2013; and Gina Hall, “21st Century Fox Finding Its Footing After the Split from News Corp,” L.A. Biz, Aug. 7, 2013.
105. The ratings Katherine Fung and Jack Mirkinson, “Fox News Ratings: O’Reilly, Hannity See Huge Drop-Off in February Demo Numbers,” Huffington Post, Feb. 26, 2013, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/26/fox-news-ratings-february-oreilly-hannity_n_2768265.html.
106. Ad revenue was also down “News Corporation Reports Third Quarter Earnings Per Share of $1.22 on Net Income Attributable to Stockholders of $2.85 Billion,” Business Wire, May 8, 2013.
107. After a News Corp Author interview with a person familiar with the matter.
108. Ailes at times seemed Author interview with a person familiar with the matter.
109. The Fox Business Network D. M. Levine, “Neil Cavuto Wants Your Business,” Adweek, Feb. 7, 2012, http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/neil-cavuto-wants-your-business-137997.
110. When Murdoch tapped Author interview with a senior executive.
111. Kevin Magee Author interview with a senior executive.
112. One night, the judge Judge Andrew Napolitano, Freedom Watch, Fox Business Network, Nov. 11, 2011.
113. A few weeks later Frances Martel, “Judge Andrew Napolitano Signs Off from the Last Episode of Freedom Watch,” Mediaite, Feb. 13, 2012, http://www.mediaite.com/tv/watch-judge-napolitano-sign-off-from-the-last-episode-of-freedom-watch/.
114. “If all the people” Author interview with a senior executive.
115. Shortly before Author interview with a person in the room.
116. In September 2009 Bio of Don Imus on Fox Business, www.foxbusiness.com/watch/anchors-reporters/don-imus-bio/.
117. “Roger passed on her” Author interview with a Fox executive.
118. In November 2013 Bill Carter, “Maria Bartiromo to Leave CNBC for Fox Business,” New York Times, Nov. 18, 2013.
119. Executives noticed Richard Pérez-Peña, “News Corp. Completes Takeover of Dow Jones,” New York Times, Dec. 14, 2007; author interview with News Corp executives.
120. In the fall of 2012 Author interview with a senior Fox executive.
121. Rupert doesn’t have Author interview with a former senior News Corp executive.
122. In one meeting Author interview with a senior Fox executive.
123. Top News Corp brass Author interviews with News Corp executives. See also Alter, The Center Holds, 65.
124. Ailes was more isolated Author interview with a person close to Roger Ailes.
125. On the afternoon Author interview with a person familiar with the matter.
126. On August 20 Bill Carter, “Fox News Confirms the Firing of a Top Executive Who Was Once Close to Ailes,” New York Times, Aug. 20, 2013. See also Dylan Byers, “Roger Fires His ‘Right Hand,’ ” Politico, Aug. 20, 2013, and Paul Bond and Matthew Belloni, “Top Roger Ailes Adviser Fired and Escorted from Fox News Building,” Hollywood Reporter, Aug. 20, 2013.
127. On August 27 J. K. Trotter, “Brian Lewis Speaks Out: Roger Ailes and Fox News Should Fear Him,” Gawker, Aug. 27, 2013, http://gawker.com/brian-lewis-speaks-out-roger-ailes-and-fox-news-should-1208497354.
128. In September, Burstein met Author interview with a person familiar with the matter.
129. A month before the 2012 election Author interview with Joe McGinniss.
130. A few days after Author interview with Gordon Stewart, to whom Shea later described the meeting. Shea declined to comment on the matter.
131. In June Gabriel Sherman, “In Kennedy Center Speech, Roger Ailes Gets Wild,” New York, June 13, 2013.
132. His acceptance speech Author’s transcript of speech given by Ailes at the Kennedy Center, June 12, 2013.
133. senior center Catherine Garnsey, “Town Has Good News for Seniors,” Putnam County News & Recorder, Aug. 7, 2013.
134. “If I’m going to
risk” Eliza Gray, “Roger Ailes’s Border War,” New Republic, Feb. 22, 2013.
135. Throughout his career Chafets, Roger Ailes, 175.
136. In June 2012 Sherman, “Roger Ailes, Upstate Press Baron, Is in a Newspaper War,” “Daily Intel” (blog), New York, May 31, 2012, http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2012/05/roger-ailes-is-in-an-upstate-newspaper-war.html.
137. In March 2013 Kevin E. Foley, “Chamber Dinner to Honor 2013 Award Winners,” Philipstown.info, March 13, 2013. See also Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong, “Chamber Hosts Record Crowd for Award Dinner,” Philipstown.info, March 29, 2013.
138. “Due to scheduling conflicts” Annie Chesnut, “Elizabeth Ailes Clarifies Chamber Confusion,” Putnam County News & Recorder, March 20, 2013.
139. A few months later Author interview with Gordon Stewart.
140. When the PCN&R Michael Turton, “Village Trustees Express Regret over July Fourth Ads,” Philipstown.info, Aug. 3, 2013.
141. a parody website The Pretend Putnam County News and Recorder, ppcnr.com.
142. “I have nothing” Author interview with Gordon Stewart.
143. Shea was up for reelection Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong, “Philipstown Democrats Set Slate for Town Board Elections,” Philipstown.info, May 31, 2013. See also Eric Gross, “Erickson Joins Leonard, Van Tassel in Town Race,” Putnam County News & Recorder, July 7, 2013.
144. Richard Shea won Putnam County Board of Elections, http://www.putnamcountyny.com/board-of-elections/2013-elections/liveelectionresults/.
145. “He doesn’t want” Author interview with a national Republican.
146. “All progress is made” Donald Baer, “Roger Rabid,” Manhattan Inc., Sept. 1989.
147. “I don’t care” Chris Ariens, “Roger Ailes on His Apprentices and His Legacy,” TVNewser, Nov. 15, 2012, http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/roger-ailes-on-his-apprentices-and-his-legacy-i-dont-care-about-my-legacy-its-too-late_b155146.
148. “Right now” Chafets, Roger Ailes, 233.
149. “Most of the media” Author interview with Robert Ailes Jr.
150. “I can’t walk away” Hoover Institution, “Fox and More with Roger Ailes” (video interview), Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson, Feb. 5, 2010, http://www.hoover.org/multimedia/uncommon-knowledge/26681.