Roger Ailes has been working directly with Donald Trump for more than a year and is playing a crucial role in the Republican presidential nominee's debate prep, according to a new report.
CNN wrote the two men, who have been friends for decades, began speaking regularly about Trump's presidential aspirations shortly before he joined the fray last summer. Their phone calls and face-to-face meetings continued during the drama that occurred between the network and Trump last fall.
In the wake of Ailes' resignation as Fox News CEO in July amid sexual harassment allegations, the 76-year-old is now helping Trump firm up his message and put together zingers he can pull out of his pocket onstage and direct them at Clinton during the debates — the first of which is scheduled for Sept. 26.
The Trump campaign has denied Ailes is playing a behind-the-scenes role, but reports in recent weeks have suggested otherwise.
CNN cited sources which say Ailes has personally attended two of Trump's debate practices, which occur on Sundays, and talks to him over the phone during the week. Ailes helped Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush prepare for their debates in the 1980s.
Ailes' resignation came after former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson sued the network and said Ailes sexually harassed her. Other women soon followed, and Carlson was recently awarded a $20 million settlement.
Fox News anchor Chris Wallace will host the third presidential debate, scheduled for Oct. 19.
Fox News' Bret Baier admitted this week he's not "comfortable" with his former boss advising the Republican presidential nominee, but he said the network's reporting is not influenced by the arrangement.
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