Roger Ailes' $500,000 Donation to Senior Citizen Center Rejected by 400 Angry Residents

Former Fox News boss Roger Ailes can’t even give his money away to lawmakers and residents of his New York community that don’t want anything to do with the disgraced TV exec.

Putnam County News and Recorder in the Hudson Valley area of New York reported the Ailes family intended to donate $500,000 for a local senior center, but 400 residents have rejected it by signing a petition objecting to naming the senior center after Ailes.

“Let’s go back to the beginning. We don’t have to accept his money after all,” legislator Dini LoBue said, according to the paper. One women reportedly said, “The name of Roger Ailes is not appropriate or acceptable for a senior center.” He was also called a “carpetbagger” and one woman said he was trying to “buy his way to heaven” during the nearly 4-hour meeting, the paper said.

Also Read: Rupert Murdoch Thanks Fox News Staff in Memo, No Mention of Roger Ailes Drama

Ironically, Elizabeth Ailes, wife of the former exec, is the publisher of the Putnam County News and Recorder – so readers shouldn’t exactly expect a “no spin zone” when covering the Fox News founder.

The newspaper wrote Ailes “has been under vicious attack” since Gretchen Carlson filed the sexual harassment lawsuit that essentially ended his tenure atop the network. The story paints Ailes as a victim, writing, “He has not yet been able to speak to defend himself.”

In a statement to the paper, Ailes said, “It is clear for political reasons” his money is not welcomed but he wishes everyone who came out “the very best.”

Also Read: Former Fox News Booker Says Roger Ailes Caused 20 Years of 'Psychological Torture'

The News and Recorder quotes his attorney, Susan Estrich, saying there has been a “rush to judgment.” The paper also referred to Estrich as a “nationally prominent expert on women’s issues.”

The paper also notes that a statement Estrich provided that paints Ailes in a positive light has “drawn little attention elsewhere.” Meanwhile, the New York Daily News published a photo on Tuesday of Ailes wearing plaid pajama pants and slippers while drinking a milkshake with his breakfast at a New Jersey diner.

The Evolution of Roger Ailes, From 'The Mike Douglas Show' to Fox News Innovator (Photos)

The television executive has evolved from producing a talk-variety show to running one of the biggest satellite news television channel in the U.S.
Fox News
Born and raised in Ohio, Roger Ailes attended Ohio University as a young man, majoring in radio and television. During his time there, he served as station manager for the university's WOUB radio for two years.
Ohio University
Ailes worked his way up to executive producer on the syndicated daytime talk show "The Mike Douglas Show," which began as a local program in Cleveland before expanding nationwide.
Westinghouse Broadcasting Company
In 1968, Ailes got an Emmy nod when "The Mike Douglas Show" was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Programming, ultimately losing to NBC's "Today" show.
After first meeting Richard Nixon on the set of "The Mike Douglas Show," Ailes was hired by the then-presidential candidate to be his media advisor during the campaign, which marked his first professional foray into politics.
Ailes continued consulting on presidential campaigns, serving as media consultant for three successful Republicans: Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Ailes produced the famous "revolving door" ad for Bush, which painted Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis as soft on crime. The piece was widely regarded as the most influential ad of the political cycle.
In 1988, Ailes co-authored a self-help book with Jon Kraushar. "You Are the Message" shared Ailes' tips for effective communication and public performances.
Simon and Schuster
In 1992, Ailes served as executive producer on a syndicated late-night talk show hosted by right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh, which ran for four years before coming to an end in 1996.
Ailes Productions
Ailes was named president of CNBC in 1993, where he launched the new cable network America's Talking, which was shut down and replaced with future Fox News competitor MSNBC.
America's Talking
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch hired Ailes to serve as founding CEO and Chariman of the Fox News Channel in 1996, which soon grew to become the most popular cable news network in the country.
Getty Images
In 2016, Ailes was accused of sexual harassment by ousted Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. In July, Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes, claiming years of inappropriate behavior and sexual advances.
Getty Images
On July 20, 2016, Ailes was forced to resign from Fox News amid the growing outcry over the sexual harassment allegations.
Getty Images
Ailes died on May 18, 2017 at age 77.