Fox News' Julie Roginsky alleges Roger Ailes refused to promote her because she turned down his sexual advances


Fox News contributor Julie Roginsky has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News, former network chief Roger Ailes, and current co-president Bill Shine, New York's Gabriel Sherman reports. Ailes resigned from Fox News in July 2016 after multiple women came forward with sexual harassment allegations.
In her lawsuit, Roginsky, 43, alleges Fox News and Ailes "discriminated against [her] on the basis of gender by making her deserved promotion to a regular spot hosting The Five contingent upon having a sexual relationship with Ailes," Business Insider reports. Ailes would also allegedly insist Roginsky kiss him "hello" when sitting in a low armchair "'in such a way as to look down Roginsky's dress."
NPR's David Folkenflik writes that the lawsuit claims "Ailes pointedly advised Roginsky, a single mother 30 years his junior, to date older, conservative married men" and "repeatedly praised her looks and sought to get her to join him for drinks, even in his office, away from prying eyes that could get them 'into so much trouble.'" NPR also reports Shine is accused of retaliating against Roginsky for "refusing to attack Ailes' accuser, Gretchen Carlson," and that he did not investigate Roginsky's complaints about Ailes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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.
Ailes has denied all allegations of sexual harassment. Over the weekend, The New York Times reported separately that Fox News and Bill O'Reilly paid around $13 million to settle sexual harassment and verbal abuse accusations made by five women since 2002.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 7, 2025
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - film industry tariffs, self-deportation, and more
-
Weer at Soho Theatre Walthamstow: a 'silly, seductive, slapstick joy'
The Week Recommends Natalie Palamides' 'tear-inducingly funny' one-woman show opens London's newest venue
-
Can the world stop Israel from starving Gaza?
Today's Big Question Total blockade on food and aid enters its third month, and Israel is accused of 'weaponising starvation'
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine