This article is from the archive of our partner .

Fox News chief Roger Ailes sent a handwritten note to then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice offering "help off the record" in March 2005. Gawker's John Cook got the note through a Freedom of Information Act request. It reads:

Madam Secretary: Great first month. You handled hearing beautifully. If I can be of help off the record—just call. Warm Regards, Roger

Ailes's spokeswoman denied both that any help was actually given and that it would be a big deal if there had been. She told Gawker, "Secretary Rice never took him up on the offer which was a personal media-related one. As the head of a news organization, Roger speaks to powerful people from the left and the right all the time."

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.