The Loudest Voice (TV Mini Series)

2008 (2019)

Simon McBurney: Rupert Murdoch

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 : 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.

• 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.