Widow of Roger Ailes Criticizes Fox News for Post-Ailes Era *

Elizabeth Ailes, the widow of former Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, took to Twitter on Monday to commemorate her late husband's birthday while simultaneously criticizing the network's current state. In a series of tweets, she expressed her discontent with how Fox News had evolved under the leadership of Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of Fox Corporation.

Remembering her husband, Elizabeth Ailes wrote, "It took you 20 years to build Fox News into the powerhouse that it was and only 6 years for the Murdochs to wreak havoc." She went on to compare Rupert Murdoch's performance unfavorably to that of her late husband, mocking his attempt to assume Ailes' role. She added, "Rupert thought he could do your job. What a joke. He has the checkbook but could never come close to your genius. RIP."

Roger Ailes was a prominent figure during his tenure as the chief of Fox News, playing a significant role in shaping the political landscape and the modern format of cable news television. However, his career came to an abrupt end in 2016 when several women, including Gretchen Carlson and Megyn Kelly, accused him of sexual harassment. Ailes passed away approximately a year later.

Since Ailes' departure, Rupert Murdoch's son, Lachlan Murdoch, has assumed the role of CEO at Fox Corporation, maintaining a conservative stance and advocating for right-wing opinions similar to those espoused by Fox News. Nevertheless, the Murdoch family has faced criticism from conservatives, particularly regarding Fox's refusal to support Donald Trump's false claims about the 2020 election. The recent firing of Tucker Carlson by the network has further fueled these tensions.