In July, Roger Ailes, the media titan who singlehandedly built Fox News into the conservative behemoth it is today, was forced out of his position as CEO after female employees at the company repeatedly accused him of sexual harassment.
The stories are jarring. One woman claimed Ailes essentially forced her into indentured servitude, exchanging a position at the company for sex when he wanted it. Gretchen Carlson claimed in a suit he would make her turn around so he could see her ass. Others said he would force himself on female employees in private.
Alongside all that, Ailes is also accused of hiring spies to follow reporters who published items about him he didn’t like.
Of course, all these are unverified allegations, but you would think the sheer volume of them — 25 women have come forward — would render Ailes toxic to anyone.
Well anyone except…
Roger Ailes, the former Fox News chairman ousted last month over charges of sexual harassment, is advising Donald J. Trump as he begins to prepare for the all-important presidential debates this fall.
Mr. Ailes is aiding Mr. Trump’s team as it turns its attention to the first debate with Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, on Sept. 26 on Long Island, according to three people briefed on the move, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.
Oh.
Ailes does have a history of working with Republican candidates before debates, having prepped both Ronald Reagan in 1984 and George H.W. Bush in 1988.
Donald Trump, meanwhile, on July 26th, said he wasn’t sure why women weren’t supporting him.
Idk, man. Idk.
UPDATE: The Trump campaign denies the Times report:
Trump campaign DENIES Roger Ailes is advising Trump with debate prep — says he has no "formal or informal role" pic.twitter.com/jpNBtZKfsP
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) August 16, 2016
[Via The New York Times]