Donald Trump has described Roger Ailes' ousting from Fox News amid a sexual harassment scandal as 'so sad' because he is 'a very good person' - and slammed the accusers as ungrateful.

The Republican nominee for president continued to defend his long-time friend, calling him 'such a great guy' in an interview airing on Showtime series The Circus on Sunday night.

Ailes was forced out from his position as CEO of Fox News amid reports anchor Megyn Kelly has told investigators that the 76-year-old had made unwanted sexual advances toward her about 10 years ago when she was beginning at the network.

It came weeks after former 'Fox & Friends' co-host Gretchen Carlson sued Ailes, claiming he fired her when she refused his advances.

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Donald Trump (right) has described Roger Ailes' (left)ousting from Fox News amid a sexual harassment scandal as 'so sad'

Since then, 25 others have come forward with claims against Ailes, according to the Washington Post.

'I think it's so sad,' Trump told Bloomberg Politics' Mark Halperin in the interview.

'Roger is - I mean, what he's done on television, is in the history of television, he's gotta be placed in the top three, four or five. And that includes the founding of the major networks.

'So, it's too bad. I'm sure it was friendly. I know Rupert [Murdoch]. He's a great guy.'

In another interview, with NBC's Meet the Press, the billionaire businessman didn't deny rumors that Ailes was advising him for his election campaign.

'A lot of people think he's going to run my campaign,' Trump said. He didn't elaborate further, only saying: 'My campaign's doing pretty well.'

But he defended Ailes, telling NBC: 'Some of the women that are complaining, I know how much he's helped them. And even recently.

'And when they write books that are fairly recently released, and they say wonderful things about him.'

Trump added: 'Now, all of a sudden, they're saying these horrible things about him. It's very sad – because he's a very good person.'

Ailes was forced out from his position as CEO of Fox News amid reports anchor Megyn Kelly (above) has told investigators that the 76-year-old had made unwanted sexual advances toward her about 10 years ago

Actually, Carlson was the only accuser who wrote a book recently, which did include positive comments about Ailes.

At the time, she was still working for Fox and her representative said it was necessary to include the praise, according to CNN Money.

Ailes resigned under pressure as chief executive while fighting the workplace misconduct suit on Thursday.

His position for two decades is filled for now by Rupert Murdoch , 85, executive chairman of network parent 21st Century Fox.

Earlier this month, Gretchen Carlson (above) sued Ailes, claiming he fired her when she refused his sexual advances

Murdoch will also run Fox News and its sister Fox Business Network, which Ailes had also led, until a successor is found.

CNN have reported that Ailes is planning to write a book following his ousting.

Carlson's lawsuit alleges she was forced out by Ailes after she spurned his sexual advances. Ailes has denied the claims.

'We hope that all businesses now understand that women will no longer tolerate sexual harassment and reputable companies will no longer shield those who abuse women,' Carlson's lawyers Nancy Erika Smith and Martin Hyman said in a statement.

Within two weeks of the court filing, Carlson's lawyers also said more than 20 women had contacted the firm with stories of alleged harassment by Ailes either against themselves or someone they knew.

Murdoch and 21st Century Fox did not address the widening scandal in a statement announcing his department, but lauded Ailes for his contributions.

Details were not given on the settlement agreement for a contract that was supposed to run through 2018, but Ailes is expected to get a payment of at least $40 million.

Ailes will have no formal role in the company, but is expected to serve as an informal adviser to Murdoch, said a person familiar with the agreement who spoke on condition of anonymity because it is a personnel matter.

The deal is also said to have a standard no-compete clause.

Fox is heading into a general election campaign in its customary spot at the top of the ratings, but without the man who sets its editorial tone every day.

The announcement came on the day Trump accepted the GOP nomination for president, a speech likely to have been watched by more people on Fox than any other network.

Ailes' resignation came after reports Fox company heads Rupert Murdoch (center) and his sons, Lachlan (left) and James (right), had decided to remove him. Murdoch is now CEO until a successor is found

A TIMELINE OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO ROGER AILES' RESIGNATION Here are the key events leading up to Roger Ailes' resignation from Fox News Channel, the cable-news juggernaut he built from scratch two decades ago: June 23: Fox News Channel anchor and former 'Fox & Friends' co-host Gretchen Carlson is quietly let go after 11 years with the network upon the expiration of her contract. July 6: Carlson sues network chief executive Roger Ailes, claiming she was cut loose after she refused his sexual advances and complained about harassment in the workplace. Though the complaint is filed against Ailes, she also cites her former 'Fox & Friends' colleague Steve Doocy for alleged sexual harassment. Ailes, in a statement, denies the allegations and accuses Carlson of filing the lawsuit in retaliation for her contract not being renewed. Doocy doesn't respond. Parent company 21st Century Fox, while stating that 'we have full confidence in Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy,' it is launching an internal review. July 9: New York magazine publishes allegations of sexual misconduct by Ailes from six other women, two of whom speak on the record. July 12: Veteran Fox News Channel host Neil Cavuto publishes a defense of Ailes in the Business Insider website, describing the accusations against him as 'sick.' Cavuto joins a number of female Fox News on-air personalities including Martha MacCallum, Sandra Smith, Greta Van Susteren and Maria Bartiromo who publicly push back against Carlson's allegations. July 15: Ailes' lawyers declare they are seeking to move Carlson's harassment case against him from a New Jersey court to a closed arbitration panel in New York. Ailes claims Carlson's contract compels her to submit to arbitration for employment disputes. Carlson argues that the arbitration clause doesn't apply because she's suing Ailes personally, not Fox News Channel or its parent. July 18: A New York magazine story, citing anonymous sources, reports that company heads Rupert Murdoch and his sons, Lachlan and James, have decided to remove Ailes. The company states there has been no resolution to its probe into Ailes' conduct. 'This matter is not yet resolved and the review is not concluded,' the company states. July 19: New York magazine reports that Megyn Kelly, who is arguably Fox News' biggest star, has told investigators that Ailes made unwanted sexual advances toward her about 10 years ago when she was beginning at the network. The report also says that, the day before, the company gave Ailes a deadline of August 1 to resign or be fired for cause. July 21: Roger Ailes resigns, effective immediately. Rupert Murdoch takes over as acting CEO. Advertisement

Ailes' downfall began with the July 6 lawsuit filing by Carlson, who claimed he sabotaged her career because she refused his suggestions for sex and had complained about a pervasive atmosphere of sexual harassment at Fox.

21st Century Fox hired a law firm to investigate.

Several Fox employees jumped to Ailes' defense, but notably Megyn Kelly, one of Fox's top personalities, did not.

In rapid succession, it was reported that Kelly was among other women who had told investigators about harassment - again denied by Ailes - and that corporate heads Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, determined that Ailes had to go.

Host Bill O'Reilly has recently mused about retirement, and he and Sean Hannity reportedly have contract provisions that would allow them to leave if Ailes does.

Kelly's contract ends later this year and it would be a huge blow to the network if she left.