Fox News settles with former anchor Gretchen Carlson for $20 million

Exactly two months after former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson sued the network's then-CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, Fox has settled with Carlson for $20 million, the company confirmed. "I'm ready to move on to the next chapter of my life in which I will redouble my efforts to empower women in the workplace," Carlson said in a statement. "I want to thank all the brave women who came forward to tell their own stories and the many people across the country who embraced and supported me in their #StandWithGretchen."

Fox News reportedly agreed to publicly apologize to Carlson as a part of the settlement. In a statement Tuesday, the company said, "During her tenure at Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and professionalism. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source of information for many Americans. We are proud that she was part of the Fox News team. We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve."

Although Carlson sued Ailes directly, Fox is "essentially his insurer for any settlement," Vanity Fair sources said, leaving exactly what portion of the settlement Ailes may be responsible for unclear. Two other women who brought sexual harassment cases against Ailes also reportedly reached settlements with the company.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Ailes has denied all allegations of sexual harassment, and he resigned from the company in July. Separately, Ailes has suggested he might take legal action against New York over writer Gabriel Sherman's extensive reporting on the sexual harassment allegations brought against him by current and former employees.