Shep Smith discusses sexuality, praises how Ailes treated him

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith revealed he’s gay in an interview with the Huffington Post in which he also defends former Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes’s treatment of him at the network.

Smith, who has rarely talked about his sexuality during his 20 years with Fox News, refuted claims that Ailes urged him not to come out about his sexual orientation publicly. 

“[Ailes] was as nice as he could be to me. I loved him like a father,” says Smith, 52.

“I trusted him with my career and with ― I trusted him and trusts were betrayed. People outside this company can’t know [how painful that betrayal was]. This place has its enemies, but inside, it was very personal, and very scarring and horrifying.”

Smith also said Ailes — who resigned amid sexual harassment claims against him by former host Gretchen Carlson in July —  “never” made homophobic comments in his presence. 

“He treated me with respect, just respect,” he said. “I wasn’t new in the business when I came here ― I’d been doing reporting for 12 years ― but I wasn’t old in it either, and he gave me every opportunity in the world and he never asked anything of me but that we get it right, try to get it right every day. It was a very warm and loving and comfortable place.”

Smith is the host of “Shepard Smith Reporting” on weekday afternoons. He’s also the managing editor of the channel’s breaking news division.