Daily Rewind: Roger Ailes’ legacy
Roger Ailes, who built Fox News into a ratings powerhouse and transformed cable television, died today at 77. Here’s a look at his legacy:
- Ailes’ death was announced by his family and reported by Fox News Channel on “Fox and Friends” this morning.
- His wife Elizabeth said in a statement: “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.”
- According to a family friend, Ailes fell at his home in Palm Beach, Florida last week. He suffered complications and slipped into a coma.
- Rupert Murdoch, who hired Ailes to create Fox News in 1996, said “everybody at Fox News is shocked and grieved by” his death.
- Analysts have said that Ailes’ media influence helped pave the way for Donald Trump’s presidency.
- Ailes was forced out of Fox News after former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson sued him for sexual harassmenta. At least six other women, including former Fox anchor Megyn Kelly, also accused Ailes. He has denied the allegations. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating Fox News over the claims.
Other important business news:
President Trump officially agrees to renegotiate NAFTA. President Trump notified Congress in a letter today that he will renegotiate NAFTA, a free trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The letter triggers a 90-day consultation period, meaning negotiations can start in August at the earliest. Trump has called NAFTA the “worst trade deal in history” because of its impact on American jobs. Read more from CNNMoney’s Patrick Gillespie.
The FCC votes to move forward on rolling back net neutrality laws. The Federal Communications Commission voted in favor of a proposal to roll back net neutrality protections. The rules were instituted in 2015 to keep the internet open and fair. Essentially, they prevent web providers from playing favorites by deliberately speeding up or slowing down traffic from specific websites and apps. But critics have called the regulations burdensome to businesses. Read more from CNN Tech’s Seth Fiegerman.
Want more important news? Check these stories out:
*GM will stop selling cars in India and South Africa (Times of India)
*Facebook fined for misleading European officials about WhatsApp deal (NYT)
*Car plows into pedestrians in New York’s Times Square (Reuters)
*Trump: Special prosecutor appointment a “witch hunt” (CNN Politics)
That’s all for today. We’ll see you again tomorrow!
Thoughts? Feelings? Glaring typos? Let us know: CNNMoneystreamfeedback@turner.com.
