Fox Has Settled With Gretchen Carlson

Fox News parent company 21st Century Fox has settled with Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox & Friends host who filed a lawsuit against Fox News and its former chief Roger Ailes.

Fox has reportedly settled with Carlson for $20 million or roughly one third of the $60 million golden parachute Roger Ailes was afforded to leave the network.

According to sources close to the negotiations, Ailes will pay a portion of the sum personally, though it’s unclear how much. Ailes’s lawyer Susan Estrich did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for 21st Century Fox declined to comment.

Carlson’s July 6 lawsuit set off a chain of events that led to Ailes’s ouster just 15 days later.

Ailes will go to his grave without having ever apologized for anything in his life, but 21st Century Fox has issued an apology to Carlson.

But this story isn't over by a long shot. A lawsuit filed by former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros is still pending and it seems clear that we still don't know the full depth of Roger Ailes' depravity. New York Magazine's Gabriel Sherman reported last week that Ailes allegedly told recruits that they would have to sleep with him and anyone at the network he tells them to if they want a job at Fox.

It remains an open question which men at the network may have taken advantage of that arrangement. Were they executives? Hosts? We may not have answers to those questions until after the network has fully imploded.

In related news, Greta Van Susteren just announced this afternoon that she is abruptly leaving Fox News after 14 years at the network.

On Thursday night, I made my decision and informed Fox News of my decision that I was leaving Fox News Channel per my contract.

Fox has not felt like home to me for a few years and I took advantage of the clause in my contract which allows me to leave now. The clause had a time limitation, meaning I could not wait.

I love my staff, I love my colleagues, and I love the crews. That is the hardest part of this decision as they are wonderful people.

Sherman also reported last week that there would be a "bloodbath" at Fox News after the presidential election is over with several top hosts considering retirement or departing for Trump TV.

It looks like the bloodbath may have already started. Gran Susteren will be temporarily replaced by talking asshole Brit Hume.