“I loved him.”
No matter what your thoughts are of Shep, he hit it out of the park with this one.
Fox News Channel’s Shepard Smith dedicated the first 12-plus minutes of his show Thursday to pay an emotional tribute to the network’s founder and former CEO, Roger Ailes, who died in his Palm Beach home that morning at 77.
Clip via Fox News Channel
He described Ailes as an “uproariously funny” media genius and shaper of politics, who practiced and expected “fierce loyalty” from those who worked for him.
Every encounter with Ailes — whether in person or on the phone — always ended with, “Keep up the good work, I love you.”
Smith depicted the early days working for what others referred to as “the fledgling” Fox News Channel, when “people laughed at us.”
“There was an underdog spirit here that was exhilarating, and our leader was inspiring like none other” he said. “We worked not for Fox News but for Roger Ailes, and he was with us in the bunker.”
And through it all Ailes was as much father figure to his staff as he was CEO.
“When a blackmailer entered my life and the lives of my family, he held my hand and saw me to the other side,” Smith said. “When details of my personal life became public, he supported me.”
Smith also addressed the events — the allegations of sexual misconduct — that eventually led to Ailes’ ouster from the network
“Last year we began to learn of another side of Roger Ailes, another part of his life. I didn’t believe it could be true at first,” Smith said. “This man I so admired despite our differences. It all came to a head as hundreds of us were in Cleveland for the Republican convention. The accusations were mortifying. All cameras were trained on us. We were the news. Tears flowed daily off camera. So far from headquarters, confused and helpless, and under attack.”
The Fox News anchor choked back more tears as he described his last conversation with the then-disgraced Fox News CEO.
“In our private work space there, by then, surrounded by guards keeping prying reporters away from us, a cell phone was being passed around. Roger’s on the line,” Smith recalled that moment in Cleveland.
“I took it in my hand and said, Roger — ‘hey, how are you doing?’ His voice was firm and reassuring. I’m okay, Roger. We’re all working hard. There was a private exchange then. He told me keep up the good work. Keep everybody motivated and on point. We’ll get through this. I love you,” Smith said.
“That was the last we spoke.”
Folks on social media were deeply moved by Smith’s monologue.
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@ShepNewsTeam You did a good job fighting back the tears Shep! Love and Respect.
— Derek Adam Anderson (@AltruistcMystic) May 18, 2017
@ShepNewsTeam Always love your show & even more so now. Much respect. “Keep up the good work, love you”. #alwaysafan
— kristenc (@BuckeyeKPC) May 18, 2017
@ShepNewsTeam What a wonderful tribute you gave to Roger Ailes, Shep. I cried with you. We all have our faults but you made your boss sound like the best.
— Linda (@Disciplelady333) May 18, 2017
@ShepNewsTeam I love your capacity to love & respect Mr Ailes & your Dad & to be able to write & deliver a Tribute as you did,with passion,joy & dignity
— Martha (@Marthur5) May 18, 2017
One person saw this as an opportunity for criticism — it didn’t last long.
@UK88TL @ShepNewsTeam @FoxFilesFNC You know how Twitter works, right? You don’t have to see anything that you don’t want to. You also don’t have to comment on things you don’t
— Lisa says (@brunofan2012) May 18, 2017
Smith indicated that every Ailes meeting ended with a hug. This person offered a final one to the news anchor.
@ShepNewsTeam Hugs to you Shep.
— Suebee (@suebee92054) May 18, 2017
“Roger Ailes was a patriot,” Smith said in closing as he tried without success to hold back the tears. “He was the biggest personality and the most influential and powerful man I encountered. He changed my life and everybody in my family forever, for generations to come. He guided me and supported me and protected me and told me he loved me like a father. And I love him.”
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