How Roger Ailes Built Fox News Into a Media Powerhouse

A Q&A with Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO of Fox News.

Roger Ailes runs one of the most valuable networks, on track to bring in $2.3 billion in revenue in 2015, per SNL Kagan, twice that of CNN. And now, the net has another jewel in its crown, boasting the most-watched non-sports cable program ever, with 24 million people tuning in for the first GOP debate this past August. When asked if cord cutting concerns him, Ailes said, "Well, it does if it keeps up. There's an advantage to being the No. 1 channel. I think we'll get hurt less than most. So, yes, I'm looking at it. Anytime there's an attack on the money, you have to look at it." When asked about the relationship with Donald Trump, he said, "Look, I've always had the same relationship with Donald for 30 years. It's a friendly relationship, surprisingly enough. I did call him after the first go-round and I said, 'What the hell is wrong with you? The United States is at war with every goddamn country in the Middle East and you're at war with Megyn Kelly and you think that looks good? It doesn't look good.'"