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Gretchen Carlson Is ‘Angry It Took So Long’ for Roger Ailes to Resign From Fox

Gretchen Carlson
Gretchen Carlson speaks Women at the Top: Female Empowerment in Media Panel at the 2016 Greenwich International Film Festival on June 12, 2016 in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson was overjoyed when Roger Ailes stepped down from his position as Fox CEO. Still, she’s frustrated that his resignation didn’t come sooner.

“At first, satisfaction — or no, I think validation … [But] I felt angry that it took so long,” Carlson, 50, told The Washington Post on Wednesday, July 27. “It’s complicated — there was relief that now I would be believed — and I was happy to a certain extent over that.”

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As previously reported, Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes, 76, on July 6, alleging that she was fired from Fox News because she rejected his sexual advances. Shortly after, other women came forward about similar alleged experiences with Ailes.

Roger Ailes
Roger Ailes

“Everyone knew how powerful Roger Ailes was. I certainly felt intimidated by that,” Carlson told The New York Times on July 12. “I think it’s hard when you’ve been a victim — you keep thinking things are going to get better.”

Ailes denied the allegations and released a statement about the matter on July 6. “[This] is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup,” he told Us Weekly.

Gretchen Carlson
‘Fox & Friends’ hosts (from left) Steve Doocy, Gretchen Carlson and Brian Kilmeade during ‘Fox & Friends’ All American Concert Series outside of Fox Studios on July 19, 2013, in New York City.

Two weeks later, he resigned as chairman and CEO of Fox News Channel. Media mogul Rupert Murdoch stepped in to take over his role.

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“Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country. Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years,” Murdoch, 85, said in the statement at the time. “Fox News has given voice to those who were ignored by the traditional networks and has been one of the great commercial success stories of modern media. It is always difficult to create a channel or a publication from the ground up and against seemingly entrenched monopolies.”

Carlson also reacted to Ailes’ departure via Twitter on the day the news broke. “Thx 2all the #brave women who decided 2also come forward about #RogerAiles,” she wrote.

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