Remorseful Rivera regrets backing Ailes
Geraldo Rivera says he’s “filled with regret” for initially discounting the sexual harassment allegations against his former Fox News Channel boss, Roger Ailes, and is apologizing for his skepticism.
In a lengthy post to his Facebook page Thursday night, Rivera said Ailes is a “deceitful, selfish misogynist” if the charges against him are true. Ailes has denied them, but Fox News parent 21st Century Fox settled a lawsuit this week with first accuser Gretchen Carlson, paying her $20 million and publicly apologizing. Other women also have accused the deposed Fox News boss of harassment.
Rivera tweeted in the wake of Carlson’s lawsuit this summer that “I stand with Roger Ailes” and not to believe the charges against him. Rivera worked for Ailes for more than 20 years at CNBC and Fox News, and wrote that his personal and professional loyalty compelled him to jump to Ailes’ defense.
“I apologize for my skepticism,” Rivera wrote. “Like victims of sexual assault, those alleging harassment deserve the presumption of credibility.”
Through a spokeswoman, Carlson had no comment Friday.
Rivera said he is paying the price for supporting his former boss. He said he learned Tuesday that HarperCollins has decided not to publish his manuscript, “Geraldo of Arabia, From Tora Bora to Trump,” and said it was a direct result of his support for Ailes and flattering portrayal of him in the book.