The news of Roger Ailes' death devastated the Fox News anchors who were nearly too emotional to deliver the news itself.
The cast of "Fox & Friends" — Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade and Ainsley Earhardt — read the statement from Ailes' wife, Elizabeth, audibly choking back their emotions as a photo of Ailes was what viewers saw.
They quickly went to a commercial break before taking up a different topic when they returned.
They re-read the statement to end the show before offering their tributes, continuing to battle their emotions.
"Many people out there would say that he saved this country by starting the Fox News channel," Earhardt said. "Roger gave every single one of us on this couch an opportunity. We all have our stories and cross to bear and, Roger, I will love you forever.
"You gave me an opportunity, and I will forever, ever, ever be grateful. I know I wouldn't have gotten this job if it weren't for you. And I hope that you rest in peace, Roger, and I hope that you are at peace."
Fox News primetime star Sean Hannity took to Twitter to offer his condolences.
"An angel on earth," is how Bill Hemmer started his "America's Newsroom" morning program.
At the competing MSNBC, Joe Scarborough paid tribute to Ailes as someone who was "fiercely loyal" but also a transformative figure in broadcast news.
"If you want to look at the two people that impacted American culture and politics, over the past 20 years, you would look at Steve jobs, and Roger Ailes," the "Morning Joe" co-host said on his program after learning of Ailes' passing.
"Talking about someone who basically defined conservatism in the post-Reagan era more than anyone else through the creation of Fox News," said panelist and conservative Matthew Continetti, editor-in-chief of The Washington Free Beacon.
"Someone who helped the rise of Donald Trump by making Donald Trump associated with Fox News channel giving him a new platform to reach a new audience and introducing him to the populist conservatism of Fox. A major historical figure whose downfall came quickly and now he's departed," Continetti said.
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