Tweet and Delete: A Look at the Online Response to Ailes’ (Maybe) Ouster From Fox News

Confirmation that Roger Ailes was officially out at Fox News came this afternoon and it came, of all places, from Drudge Report, which had notably been avoiding covering Gretchen Carlson‘s allegations of sexual assault against Ailes. Drudge tweeted (then deleted!) this:

DRUDGE just deleted this tweet with the Ailes/Fox terms of separation agreement pic.twitter.com/usn4ZoIPOn

— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) July 19, 2016

The actual site now runs the headline “AILES FOXNEWS DRAMA” but the only “Foxnews Drama” it makes reference to is a statement from the former CEO swearing he never harassed Megyn Kelly, as reports have indicated.

Some non-Drudge outlets have gotten confirmation and run with it…

BREAKING: Fox News confirms to @TheLloydGrove that Roger Ailes has been fired https://t.co/b5OSAeU4SL

— Justin Miller (@justinjm1) July 19, 2016

Roger Ailes being ousted as chairman/CEO of Fox News, two sources at Fox News channel tell NPR. No official confirmation to NPR yet.

— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) July 19, 2016

…but still other outlets have heard conflicting reports:

I am hearing conflicting information about whether Roger Ailes is out at Fox News. Ailes is in his office at Fox HQ. Stay tuned…

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 19, 2016

“Fox initially confirmed Drudge’s report to The Daily Beast, and subsequently walked back that confirmation.” https://t.co/KKDUdOBQ4a

— Michael Calderone (@mlcalderone) July 19, 2016

Right now on CNN, an ongoing discussion is taking place as anchors and pundits wait to hear if Ailes really is officially gone yet. Over on Twitter, armchair critics (and the occasional journalist) have thrown due diligence out the window or, at the very least, are documenting their long, anxious wait for confirmation.

me calling for Ailes confirmation: pic.twitter.com/mfMLzr1piv

— Daniel Bentley (@DJBentley) July 19, 2016

pic.twitter.com/3F4Thd4a9A

— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) July 19, 2016

just wait until ailes facetimes into cnbc and demands fox anchors take to the streets

— Matthew Zeitlin (@MattZeitlin) July 19, 2016

congrats to ailes for his new position as cnn political commentator

— cale g weissman (@caleweissman) July 19, 2016

(Get it?)

Text messages from cable news anchors: “HOLY F–KING CRAP.” “It’s all happening.” “I still can’t believe it.”

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 19, 2016

I wonder if the Ailes story will trigger investigations into other networks. It should.

— Bae Talese (@elongreen) July 19, 2016

so all the fox personalities who were vocal supporters of ailes — does that decrease standing in the new regime?

— ಠ_ಠ (@MikeIsaac) July 19, 2016

Hearing that Peter Thiel is actually behind Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit and eventual ouster of Roger Ailes.

— colbyhall (@colbyhall) July 19, 2016

Seriously, no one knows if this guy is in or out, but this speculative period sure is fun.

[image via screengrab]

For more from Lindsey: Twitter. Facebook.

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet Newsletter
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!