Fox News employees reacted on social media Thursday to the news that the network's founder, former CEO and chairman Roger Ailes, had passed away at the age of 77.
Ailes' wife Elizabeth released a statement on Thursday announcing his death.
"I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning," she wrote. "Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many. He was also a patriot, profoundly grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity to work hard, to rise—and to give back."
Several of his former employees expressed their grief about the news.
Our thoughts and prayers now turn to him, his Wife Beth, his son Zachary, his brother and his family. He will be deeply missed. https://t.co/by48wbJW16
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) May 18, 2017
Roger Ailes founded one of the most important and successful media outlets in American history. I will miss his friendship dearly. RIP.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) May 18, 2017
Roger Ailes died this morning, our deepest sympathies to Beth and his son Zach. Roger was a media genius, good friend and great American.
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) May 18, 2017
RIP Roger Ailes, who 20 yrs ago gave me a chance to thrive @ the fledgling Fox News Channel. Thoughts & prayers for Elizabeth & Zachary.
— RickLeventhalFoxNews (@RickLeventhal) May 18, 2017
Love and prayers to Beth and Zach. R.I.P Roger - you changed television as we know it. https://t.co/1vjhGFQaDc
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) May 18, 2017
Terribly sad news. R.I.P. https://t.co/K90HHnc1fx
— Brit Hume (@brithume) May 18, 2017
OMG #RogerAiles is gone, devastating news, & Erica & I send our condolences to Beth, their son Zack & the entire family. He was a great man
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) May 18, 2017
Hannity released a statement thanking Ailes for helping build his career, calling him a "second father." He also torched Ailes' "enemies" and said that the departed media titan had a "head start in preparing to kick your ass in the next life."
Ailes, who founded Fox News in 1996 and built it into a media powerhouse, was ousted from the network in July 2016 amid a string of sexual harassment complaints.
MSNBC host Al Sharpton also tweeted out a eulogy to Ailes as a worthy adversary.
I've known Roger Ailes for over 30 years. We've fought, debated and exchanged war stories. He had real passion and a master strategist for
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) May 18, 2017
what he believed. We didn't agree on much and I protested him many times. However his impact on US Culture is undeniable. He is a study !
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) May 18, 2017
Update: 11:43 A.M.: This article has been amended to include Al Sharpton's tweets and a video reading out Sean Hannity's statement.