The Loudest Voice (TV Mini Series)

2008 (2019)

Russell Crowe: Roger Ailes

Photos 

Quotes 

• Roger Ailes : Where are we in the race?

  Fox Exec : Gallup's got McCain down by six, and even Rasmussen has it outside the margin of error.

  Roger Ailes : Look, I understand that. I like John a lot. He's a goddamn war hero. But his message, it's about as limp as Liberace's handshake.

  [as the staffers laugh, Rupert enters] 

  Roger Ailes : Morning.

  Rupert Murdoch : Carry on.

  Roger Ailes : It's not his only problem. They got George Soros and all of his hard-left media buddies. They've decided they're gonna put an "affirmative-action hire" into the White House. Now, we got to be on top of that. Where are we with Obama's Islamic education?

  Fox Exec #2 : The madrassa? Still nothing confirmed.

  Roger Ailes : You got to keep digging. He 100% was raised in a Muslim school. I have that on very, very good authority.

• Brian Lewis : Killed it in the overnights. Beat CNN by 300K in the demo. I'm telling you, Obama is great for ratings.

  Roger Ailes : Yeah, says you, the Democrat.

  Dianne Brandi : [seeing news of a stock market dip]  There goes my 401k.

  Roger Ailes : You wait. See what happens with the markets if he wins. He wants to "share the wealth". That old chestnut. Take from the rich, give to the poor. He's a fucking communist.

• Beth Ailes : Annual invite from Warren, Ohio. The Veterans' Memorial Association inviting you to speak.

  Roger Ailes : Annual rejection.

  [lowering his newspaper] 

  Roger Ailes : What?

  Beth Ailes : We should accept. Go back to Warren, show Zac where you're from. It'd be good for him. You haven't been back in over 20 years.

  Roger Ailes : One day.

• Roger Ailes : [after a conversation with Gretchen Carlson]  You know I've fucked two Miss Americas? Not that one yet.

  Brian Lewis : By the way, you can sleep tonight. I plugged the leak. You should have seen him, too. He was shitting himself. He was like, "Oh, my God, what am I gonna do? My wife is gonna kill me. Why am I such a simpering asshole?" It was beautiful.

• Roger Ailes : How many years have you worked for me now? How many years have you known I do not like to walk into a room and get surprised by guests I wasn't expecting to see?

  Laurie Luhn : They were Wendi's guests.

  Roger Ailes : People I've not approved, people I've not invited. This is *my* party, my room, my guest list. Let me know if there's anything else I need to remind you about, Laurie, 'cause I wouldn't want to see you fail so abysmally again. Just let me know if you need any fucking help.

• Roger Ailes : [on the phone with David Axelrod]  David, how's life on the road? Take a deep breath. I... honestly, I don't know what a "terrorist fist jab" is, either. No, I'm not gonna retract it. It's a series of questions. Come on. We let the viewer decide. You know...

  [listening] 

  Roger Ailes : Hmm? Fine. Have the campaign contact my office.

  [hanging up] 

  Roger Ailes : Obama would like a sit-down.

• Roger Ailes : Everything ready for the FBN party?

  Laurie Luhn : I sent the final guest list to your office for sign-off. Venue and vendors all confirmed.

  Roger Ailes : Good. There can't be any complications. Nothing short of excellence. Rupert's been riding my ass to launch this business network for two years. I told him there's no room in the market. Nobody in the goddamn world wants another CNBC.

• Roger Ailes : I need us to look into somebody.

  Dianne Brandi : I'll call Dietl. Who is it?

  [Roger hands her a manila envelope; inside is a picture of Rupert's wife Wendi] 

  Roger Ailes : I think she's fucking around on him.

  Brian Lewis : Okay, look, Rog, let's think fir...

  Roger Ailes : She's pushing him to the left. Bad for business, fucking dangerous. See all his new celebrity friends and his hair dye? She controls everything he eats, everything he drinks. But it's not about his health. Mind control.

  Dianne Brandi : I agree with Brian. This is an unnecessary risk.

  Roger Ailes : I don't care about the risk. I will not have her undermining the work we do here. For all we know, she already works for fucking Obama. Or the Chinese government.

• Roger Ailes : All right, so where are we?

  Bill Shine : O'Reilly added a .3 in the demo last night. Best in weeks.

  Roger Ailes : Of course he did. He's got a new book coming out, so he's not just phoning it in. We should be charging that fucker a commission.

• Roger Ailes : [after Rupert snubs him at the FBN launch party]  Sycophants. Ass-lickers, parasites.

  Beth Ailes : Outrageous.

  Roger Ailes : Ugh. Did you see them just lapping up every word that Rupert and his concubine said, like they're some kind of robber baron power couple with the keys to the kingdom.

  Beth Ailes : Well, unfortunately, they sort of are, aren't they?

  Roger Ailes : You heard what he said, right? "Global citizens."

  Beth Ailes : Yeah.

  Roger Ailes : What does that even mean? What, to just let the immigrants invade? We all just stand down and watch while every jihadi gets to decide whether he wants to live in Pittsburgh or Peoria?

  Beth Ailes : Scary. That's what it is.

  Roger Ailes : I was wrong about Warren. We should go. We should show Zac the real America.

  Beth Ailes : Yes, we should.

• Rupert Murdoch : [at the launch party for Fox Business Network]  Roger, Prince Al-Waleed, our second-biggest shareholder.

  Roger Ailes : [shaking hands]  Mr. Al-Waleed.

  Prince Al-Waleed : Mr. Ailes, it's a pleasure.

  Rupert Murdoch : His Highness flew in from Riyadh just for tonight.

  Roger Ailes : Well, I'm just glad you didn't hit any buildings on the way in.

• Roger Ailes : Gretchen.

  Gretchen Carlson : Roger.

  Roger Ailes : Our little Miss America here is gonna be the queen of morning television on "Fox & Friends". I had to break a couple legs at CBS to get her, but it was worth it.

• Roger Ailes : Jesus Christ. The Democrats have nominated an African socialist who wants to redistribute the country's wealth, and the biggest news around here? Potlucks and yard sales.

  Beth Ailes : Well, it's a community paper, Roger. What do you expect?

  Roger Ailes : News in the newspaper. Actual news.

• Rupert Murdoch : Roger, why hasn't O'Reilly's deal closed?

  Roger Ailes : I don't know where you're getting that from. His agent responded to the counter and agreed to $45 million over four years.

  Rupert Murdoch : Oh, good. I just wanted to make sure we're on track. You know, I'm out of town for a bit, um, but I'll see you at the Fox Business launch.

  Roger Ailes : [cut to him entering Brian's office]  Rupert just asked me about O'Reilly's contract negotiations. That means somebody's pissing outside the tent. Find out who that is.

• Gretchen Carlson : So, McCain's coming on "Fox & Friends" next week. Doocy's had the last three interviews. I want this one.

  Roger Ailes : Gretchen, I'm quite sure you should be speaking to your EP. I don't do the bookings.

  Gretchen Carlson : I have.

  Roger Ailes : And you thought it was okay to just go over her head and talk to me directly? Well, I think we should give you a shot.

  Gretchen Carlson : Thank you, Roger. You won't regret it.

  Roger Ailes : [laughing]  Oh, I better not.

• Roger Ailes : I need you to keep an eye on Laurie Luhn.

  Bill Shine : Uh, how close?

  Roger Ailes : Siamese twins close.

  Bill Shine : Telephone, e-mail, everything?

  [Roger nods] 

  Bill Shine : Consider it done.

• Roger Ailes : [after waiting for a sit-down meeting with Senator Obama]  I see. I'm impressed. You wait 'til the real meeting is over, then you trot me out like I'm the crazy uncle.

  Rupert Murdoch : That's not what this is, Roger.

  Roger Ailes : Really? Then why have I been waiting outside with my dick in my hand for the last hour?

  Rupert Murdoch : I just thought it would be productive if we could all get on the same page.

  Roger Ailes : And what page is that?

  David Axelrod : Cut the shit, Roger. What you're doing at Fox is dangerous.

  Roger Ailes : We're reporting the news. Both sides of the story.

  David Axelrod : You're stirring up racial hysteria. Fanning conspiracy theories. Calling Obama some kind of "Muslim Manchurian candidate."

  Roger Ailes : Don't be so dramatic. If your candidate doesn't like his coverage, tell him he can come on Fox.

  Rupert Murdoch : That's enough, Roger. We need to come to some sort of understanding. I told Barack there'll be no more of this "Hussein" business. From now on, Fox will cover his campaign fairly and respectfully. He may well be the next president. We better start treating him as one.

• Roger Ailes : Rupert blinked. I have full editorial control.

  Beth Ailes : I knew it. There is no Fox without you.

• Judy Laterza : I had lunch with Mrs. Ailes.

  Roger Ailes : And?

  Judy Laterza : She needs a project.

• Rupert Murdoch : [Roger interrupts a meeting]  Rog, you need an appointment. Get on the schedule.

  Roger Ailes : Obama's victory is on you. And you have made yourself a target for manipulation.

  Rupert Murdoch : Hardly.

  Roger Ailes : This guy's not a president. He's a community organizer, which makes him a communist. He has no blood understanding of this country. And that's something Fox was in the middle of exposing before you tied my hands.

  Rupert Murdoch : There is nothing to expose. Besides, I endorsed McCain.

  Roger Ailes : Way too late, Rupert. Way too late.

  Rupert Murdoch : Your coverage was irresponsible.

  Roger Ailes : Do I come in here and tell you how to do your job? No. Do I come in here with my problems?

  Rupert Murdoch : Well, you're here now.

• Roger Ailes : Obama got you on CP time?

  David Axelrod : Roger. Seriously?

  Roger Ailes : I've been sitting here for 45 minutes.

  David Axelrod : It'll just be a few more minutes. You know how it is in the heat of a campaign.

  Roger Ailes : Yeah, I know a bullshit power play when I see one.

  David Axelrod : The donor breakfast ran long. It screwed the entire day.

  Roger Ailes : Or maybe you're making me wait as payback for the Paul Simon-Lynn Martin race. It's 30 years ago, man. Get over it.

  David Axelrod : You called my guy a "weenie" at a live press conference.

  Roger Ailes : He was a weenie.

  David Axelrod : And Martin was hands down the worst candidate I've seen. No wonder you quit politics when she lost.

  Roger Ailes : She was batshit crazy.

• Roger Ailes : 12 years, I've been loyal to you. And I have delivered to you the number-one news network in this country. No one else could have done that.

  Rupert Murdoch : And I value your contributions.

  Roger Ailes : My contributions, which are roughly around $500 million a year in profit, based off my ideas, my formats, and my editorial decisions. I know you and your wife think I'm some kind of paranoid, right-wing nutjob from Ohio.

  Rupert Murdoch : Roger, Wendi and I...

  Roger Ailes : I'm the same paranoid nutjob who is lining your pockets. You should just let me keep doing that. No interference, nobody looking over my shoulder. I need complete editorial control of Fox News. Complete. And if you can't make me that promise, you're forcing me to quit and go work for someone else who can. You should think about that.

• Roger Ailes : [the day before election day]  No fucking way. So they're not gonna run it?

  Brian Lewis : I don't know. Gawker's hard to get a read on. I mean, sometimes they slap shit up right away. Sometimes they sit on their asses.

  Roger Ailes : Half of what they run is just some no-name putz getting his knob polished. We've given them a Wendi Deng-Rupert Murdoch sex scandal. Should be fucking gold.

  Brian Lewis : We're the source. They're the journalist. We can't control when they publish what we want them to.

  Roger Ailes : Come on, Brian, for fuck's sake. You telling me how journalists work?

  Brian Lewis : Anything else?

  Roger Ailes : No.

  [Brian leaves] 

  Roger Ailes : You think they'd fucking run that shit, right?

  Judy Laterza : [giving him some materials]  Beck's agent sent this over.

  Roger Ailes : [looking at a headshot of Glenn Beck]  Jesus. Fucking armadillo with a hairpiece. Can't argue with the ratings. I mean, he took a black hole at CNN and turned it into $600K in the demo. I mean... and he hates Obama. Set up a meeting.

• Roger Ailes : [showing his son his childhood bedroom]  My brother and I shared this. We had a bunk bed over here in the corner. What do you think?

  Zac : Which one did you get?

  Roger Ailes : The top one. It was about...

  [gesturing with his hands] 

  Roger Ailes : That high. I used to love playing up there, because I could imagine that I could look down on everyone. You know, my dad came in here one day when I was playing. I would've been a little younger than you are now. But he stood right where you are, and he said, "Jump into my arms."

  Zac : Were you scared?

  Roger Ailes : I was terrified. But, you know, I loved my dad. Didn't want to disappoint him. So I buckled up. I scooched over to the edge of the bed. I made sure I didn't look down. I took a big, deep breath, and I lept into his arms. But my dad didn't catch me. He just stepped back. And I hit the floor. Right there.

  [claping his hands together] 

  Roger Ailes : Smack.

  Zac : I don't understand.

  Roger Ailes : He stood over me, and he said, "Son, remember that. You can't trust anyone." I never forgot that. He was right. In your life, you can never depend on anyone. Ever.

• Roger Ailes : [watching an interview with Sarah Palin]  This is not an interview, it's an assassination. McCain's team of morons, they've given him an Achilles' heel. Now, she's supposed to make McCain look young and vital. She's just making him look like he's hard of hearing. If Sarah Palin was the Hail Mary... the race is over, McCain's done. Rupert is telling me to stand down. From my own network. I built Fox News. Not him. Me. He's crossed a line... and he expects me to just sit there and take it. Can you imagine how that feels?

• Roger Ailes : I just don't know what's going on with this country. And no one seems to see the danger in Washington. Rupert only listens to Wendi now. It's like I'm the last one left standing to fight.

  Beth Ailes : It's just terrible that he won. It's not just Washington. I mean, it's everywhere. They won't even let us put a Christ child on the lawn at Christmas.

  Roger Ailes : Come on. They got all this fucking Kwanzaa stuff everywhere...

  Beth Ailes : Ah.

  Roger Ailes : ...and Hannukah shit. You know what this paper needs? Good, solid local journalism, bread-and-butter stuff.

  Beth Ailes : Yes.

  Roger Ailes : We should buy this paper. That can be your project.

  Beth Ailes : We can remind Garrison who they really are.

  Roger Ailes : You can, Beth. You can remind them.

  Beth Ailes : Is it even for sale?

  Roger Ailes : Yeah, well, I met the owner. He's pushing on in years. For the right price.

  Beth Ailes : We both want Zac to grow up in a town that has American values. That respects the flag, family, and God. That's what you had growing up in Warren. We can make that here. You always said it was a war. Rupert needs to understand. Garrison needs to understand. You'll have Fox. I'll have the paper. And we will fight.

• Rupert Murdoch : [after Barack Obama is named the winner of the 2008 election]  Ah, Rog. You're late to the party.

  Roger Ailes : It's not my party.

  Wendi Deng : Sorry the night didn't go your way.

  Roger Ailes : You mean America's way.

  Rupert Murdoch : Roger, we need to be pragmatic. We need allies in Washington.

  Roger Ailes : This man is not an ally. His presence in the White House undermines the Constitution. We need to be vigilant, Rupert. Vigilant.

  Rupert Murdoch : I am, Roger. I am.

• Roger Ailes : You know, I have to say, I was surprised about the Biden decision. You know, lovely man, but Joe is as dumb as an ashtray.

  David Axelrod : He... he plays well for us where we need him to.

  Roger Ailes : Uh-huh.

  David Axelrod : Uh, Catholics, union guys, military.

  Roger Ailes : With white people.

  David Axelrod : What?

  Roger Ailes : Plays well with the whites.

  David Axelrod : Doesn't hurt.

• Roger Ailes : Where are we with the Michelle Obama tape?

  Bill Shine : Oh, my guy's still chasing it down. He swears he's heard the audio. Michelle saying, I hate whitey.

  Roger Ailes : [snickering]  Come on, that's solid gold. It really is.

  Bill Shine : I mean, it won't be sourced.

  Roger Ailes : Well, it doesn't matter. You just frame it as a question. Does a new tape reveal that Michelle Obama hates white people?

  Bill Shine : Well, that's one way to do it.

  Roger Ailes : Yeah.

  Fox Exec : Roger, that's... that's pushing it.

  Roger Ailes : No, it's not pushing it. Barack Obama has managed to trick the entire media, except for us, into getting behind him and his socialist ideas and manifestos. The last two guys who did that? Hitler and Stalin. Okay? That man is a danger to this country, and it is on us to make sure the voters know.