Controversial Fox News founder and former chairman Roger Ailes dead at 77

Roger Ailes, the longtime head of Fox News, died Thursday morning at 77, according to a statement released by his wife to the conservative news site Drudge Report.

“I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning,” Elizabeth Ailes said. “Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many. He was also a patriot, profoundly grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity to work hard, to rise — and to give back.”

The former Fox News chairman was credited with turning the news channel into a ratings powerhouse over his 20 years at the helm.

“No one did more to change the media landscape than Roger Ailes, but no media executive did more to divide America,” said Joe Peyronnin, a former network news executive who worked for Fox before Ailes was hired to launch the news channel.

“Ailes had a clear vision for a alternative news channel in 1996, and by rigorously managing its conservative content, he build the most powerful and profitable news brand in the world. Ailes was a brilliant TV executive who saw an opportunity two decades ago to build a conservative news source and seized it, and then with his singular and rigid focus he succeeded beyond even his wildest dreams.”

Ailes stepped down from his post in July 2016 following sexual harassment charges. His resignation came two weeks after embarrassing allegations that he had sexually harassed former anchor Gretchen Carlson. He dismissed the allegations, but faced additional claims of misconduct.

He was reported to have received $40 million in an exit agreement with Fox.

Some former colleagues on Thursday praised his contributions and place in history.

“Today America lost one of its great patriotic warriors. Roger Ailes. For Decades RA’s has impacted American politics and media,” tweeted Sean Hannity. “He has dramatically and forever changed the political and the media landscape singlehandedly for the better. Neither will ever be the same again as he was a true American original. “

“Many people out there would say he saved this country by starting the Fox News Channel,” said Ainsley Earhardt, the co-host of Fox & Friends.

Hannity asked the media to leave Ailes’s family alone to allow them to grieve, “but knowing that people that hated him and his politics, and those that forget “all have sinned and fallen short” and “cast the first stone” I doubt that will happen,” Hannity tweeted.

On social media, many people expressed negative sentiments about Ailes and his legacy.

Ailes made his early reputation as a strategist and media advisor to Republican political candidates, beginning with Richard M. Nixon and including Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. His behind-the-scenes work to shape a more appealing television image for Nixon during his successful 1968 presidential campaign was chronicled in Joe McGinniss’ bestselling book, “The Sellling of the President.”

Vice President George H.W. Bush, left, gets some advice from his media advisor, Roger Ailes, behind the podium at the Superdome in New Orleans prior to the start of the Republican National Convention on Aug. 17, 1988.

(Ron Edmonds / AP)

During his earlier days as a political consultant, Ailes was a sought-after debate coach, working with President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and readying Vice President George Bush for debates with Gov. Michael S. Dukakis of Massachusetts in 1988.

In his 2014 book on Mr. Ailes, “The Loudest Voice in the Room,” Gabriel Sherman described Ailes’ role in preparing Reagan for his second debate with Vice President Walter F. Mondale in 1984. Ailes asked Reagan, then in his early 70s, how he would handle being asked about his age.

Reagan’s answer during the debate was memorable: “I will not make age an issue of this campaign,” he said. “I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”

After his resignation from Fox last summer, Ailes helped then-candidate Donald Trump prepare for his televised debates with Hillary Clinton.