Roger Ailes, the former Fox News chairman who left the cable news network last month after sexual harassment allegations, may have already found a new gig. The New York Times reports that Ailes will be helping Donald Trump prepare for presidential debates that are just around the corner.
The first presidential debate is scheduled to occur on September 26, and Ailes will be helping coach the Trump team. Trump and his team have made a number of missteps over the past few weeks, so they may need all the help they can get. For awhile, rumors have swirled that Ailes was going to come aboard the Trump campaign, but campaign chairman Paul Manafort was adamant Ailes would not be helping out.
Ailes has had some experience in the political arena, for he helped Ronald Reagan during the 1984 debates, so perhaps he can help Trump assume the coveted presidential air. It hasn’t been confirmed how long Ailes, who will be paid for his work, will be staying on, but The Times believes he will stick around past the first debate.
However, Ailes will be plenty busy the next few months, since he’s still facing a lawsuit from former Fox News employee Gretchen Carlson over sexual harassment allegations. There has been a constant outpouring of people supporting Ailes and more people alleging they were also harassed. Time will tell if this plays a factor in the debates and Trump’s campaign.
UPDATE: This story may just be a big pile of rumors. As CBS News White House producer Arden Farhi reports on Twitter, the Trump team has denied Ailes’ involvement in any aspect of the campaign.
Trump press sec on NYT story re Ailes advising Trump: Not accurate. He is not advising Trump or helping w/ debate prep. No role in campaign
— Arden Farhi (@ArdenFarhi) August 16, 2016
(Via The New York Times & Politico)