Roger Ailes Is Dead. And People Have a Lot of Feelings About It

Roger Ailes, former Chairman and CEO of Fox News, died on Thursday at 77.

And people on Twitter have a lot of feelings about it. Now, typically I’d say the go-to emotion for death would be… sadness, no?

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death

But that maybe doesn’t apply so much to a controversial figure who had a pretty heavy hand in dividing the country and, oh yeah, sexually assaulting a number of women.

In addition to creating Fox News, Ailes was also responsible for fostering an environment that made sexual abuse (and let’s be real, racism) acceptable, covering up not only his own atrocities but also those of the network’s other big stars – like Bill O’Reilly – for YEARS.

So it’s kind of understandable if people aren’t exactly brought to tears by this news. Now some, mainly conservative Republicans, are arguing that he was a good man aside from the assaults, so he should be respected in death. Twitter, on the other hand, has been a bit more “Ding, dong. The witch is dead…”

But you know, hey, I didn’t know him. Maybe he was a good man… aside from his sexual assaults. But… still doesn’t erase those assaults now does it? Anyway, this isn’t about my opinion.

Let’s have a look at what Twitter had to say …

1 He weighed all the options

Twitter reacts to roger ailes’s death, and they’re not that upset.

A bit of a harsh joke, but come on. You know you were thinking it. I mean, he had a lot of legal issues to deal with. Gretchen Carlson only just filed her sexual harassment suit against him this past summer.

2 From one legend to another

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death, like this Bette Davis burn.

One Twitter user couldn’t help hearkening back to the viper tongued Bette Davis, who famously used this quote against her nemesis, Joan Crawford. If the shoe fits?

3 The truth hurts

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death, and it’s harsh.

Short and sweet.

4 Behind the times

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death and how he died too late.

He’s gone too late! (That’s not something you hear too often.)

5 Nobody likes a hypocrite

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death, calling some supporters hypocrites.

OhNoSheTwitnt helpfully pointed out that the same people who are upset with those that were less than sad about Ailes’s death were pretty much praying for Hillary Clinton’s.

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death and it’s awkward. Image via Giphy

6 Didn’t your mom always tell you

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death, and they don’t have a lot to say.

If you don’t have anything nice to say, yeah, well. You get it.

7 Misplaced condolences

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death and offered condolences… to someone else.

One Twitter user suggested another person be in our minds today. (Well, lots of other people.)

8 Great minds

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death. Great minds think alike.

Turns out, this was actually a popular thought. 

9 Whoops

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death, and reactions were mixed.

Some conservatives tried to scold people who were taking a bit of joy in Ailes’s passing. But as you can see, they weren’t quite fazed.

10 He made his bed

Twitter reacts to Roger Ailes’s death, some more than others.

Look, I get their point. Maybe he’s done some good in his life. But if someone can so easily and flawlessly compare his situation to that of the murderous, horrifying clown in Stephen King’s “IT,” well then, he’s done something wrong. And y’all are just going to have to deal with that.

Bottom line: it’s pretty hard to argue this world isn’t going to be better off without Ailes than it was with it. So let’s not. Condolences to his family, but screw Fox News and anyone committing acts of sexual assault and racism or helping such crimes be covered up.

Let’s be better.