Roger Ailes' real message to Trump

[Commentary] Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes took a stand against Donald Trump on Aug 26, calling on the GOP frontrunner to apologize for his Twitter attacks on Fox News host Megyn Kelly. But about 20 minutes later a modified version of that message was being sent from Fox News headquarters to Trump, when Fox News host Sean Hannity tweeted at Trump with some advice: Stick to the issues -- you’re so good on the issues! -- and leave Megyn Kelly alone.

Hannity’s message is a useful one for Ailes, who has been characterized as being in something of a Trump conundrum: He must defend one his most valued stars, Kelly, while keeping some semblance of a relationship going with the man who is currently the Republican front runner (and, more importantly, ratings gold). The push and pull between Trump and the network has produced a surprising result: nothing has served both sides as well as this perception of conflict between the two. (Kelly’s show was number one in the key 25-54 audience demo on Aug 25) It seems that neither peace nor war has been as good for the network or the candidate as this carefully managed, “fragile” detente.