Fox News anchor Shepard Smith has
denied allegations that Fox News prevented him from publicly coming
out gay.
According to a Gawker.com report citing
unnamed sources, Smith approached Fox News President Roger Ailes last
summer about coming out, but Ailes dismissed the idea.
Gawker added that the discussion led
Fox News executives to demote Smith from the channel's prime-time
lineup, moving him to the 3 PM block.
(Related: Shepard
Smith wanted to come out gay last summer, Gawker claims.)
Smith dismissed Gawker's
claims in a memo circulated to staff.
“News team, Good morning from Los
Angeles,” Smith
wrote. “I came to Fox News 18 yeas ago because they agreed to
hire me. I've stayed with Fox News because of my relationship with
Roger Ailes. He's my boss, my friend and my steadfast supporter both
professionally and personally.”
“Things you might read today are
horseshit. As phony as 24-hour breaking news on the The Plane
Channel,” he added, referring to rival news network CNN. “Stand
down. Big love. See y'all Monday. Unless breaking news changes
everything.”