Suzanne Scott

Scott was raised in Parsippany, New Jersey. Her father ran a trucking company out of the family home, and her mother worked as a real estate agent.[3] She is a 1988 graduate of American University. [4]

Scott worked as an executive assistant to Chet Collier at CNBC before moving with him to Fox News[5] at its inception in 1996.[6] She began her work there as a programming assistant.[7]

According to a 2018 Fox News Channel press release, "Throughout her tenure at Fox News, Scott has risen through the ranks in a number of programming, production and creative positions including: executive vice president of programming (2016); senior vice president of programming and development (2009); vice president of programming (2007); network executive producer (2005); as well as associate producer, producer and senior producer of On the Record with Greta Van Susteren (2002–2005). In addition, she was responsible for the launch of numerous on-air and digital initiatives, including the 2002 primetime debut of On the Record."[8]

After founder and former CEO Roger Ailes departed in 2016 but before he died in 2017, Scott, Jay Wallace, and Jack Abernethy[9] are credited with “turning Fox News around” after the scandal involving Ailes. In that time, Scott worked as the president of programming, overseeing Fox News Channel's opinion shows including Fox & Friends, The Five and Hannity.[10]

On May 17, 2018, Scott was named CEO of both Fox News and Fox Business Network.[8] During this announcement, Lachlan Murdoch said Scott “has now made history as [Fox’s] first female CEO.” She was also the only woman in charge of a major TV news organization until Rashida Jones was installed as head of MSNBC.[6]

This decision to elevate Scott was not, however, universally praised due to her alleged complicity in several sexual harassment suits within the company. Scott was not a defendant in the suits, but was cited within them, and was involved in several internal complaints. She denies the accusations.[5]

A 2017 article quoting numerous former Fox News Channel on-air talent and support staff alleged that the "...executive assistant-turned-Fox News vice president of programming Suzanne Scott enforces with the wardrobe and makeup departments an aesthetic that features skimpy dresses, high-heeled open-toed shoes, and big hair for the channel’s on-air women."[11]

In a June 2021 lawsuit filing, former anchor Ed Henry alleged Scott covered up an affair between the president of Fox News and a subordinate during her time helming the network.[12]

On March 30, 2023, the Guardian reported she was furious when one of the network’s reporters was fact-checking Donald Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election, writing it was “bad for business”.[13][14]