After stories were published that Ailes had been ousted, reporter tweeted that Ailes is now furious with Kelly and could even try to fire her today

Hours before the claims of Ailes' departure, another report stated that Megyn Kelly has made similar claims against him during a review

Earlier this week, sources told New York Magazine that the Murdoch family, who own Fox News, were giving Ailes until August 1 to resign

Drudge later deleted the document, changed his headline and Fox News spokespeople walked back their original confirmation of Ailes' departure

Reports that Roger Ailes resigned from Fox News spread Tuesday after the Drudge Report posted his separation agreement with a headline he got a '$40million parachute'

Embattled Fox News CEO Roger Ailes sported a smile as he exited the network's headquarters in New York City on Tuesday afternoon amid reports he is in discussions to leave the company.

Ailes was pictured walking arm-in-arm with his wife, Elizabeth Tilson, while leaving the News Corporation office on 6th Avenue surrounded by security guards.

In one photo, it appears as though the chairman pouts his lips to possibly give his wife a kiss as another shows them standing closely together.

Earlier Tuesday, confusion mounted over whether Ailes had already resigned from his position as the head of Fox News, as it's been alleged he will receive a $40million payout to leave following a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Fox host Gretchen Carlson.

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All smiles: Fox News CEO Roger Ailes (left) sported a smile as he exited the network's headquarters on Tuesday afternoon with his wife, Elizabeth Tilson (right), as he is in discussions to leave the company

Ailes was pictured walking arm-in-arm with his wife (above) while leaving the News Corporation office on 6th Avenue surrounded by security guards

In one photo, it appears as though Ailes (above) pouts his lips to possibly give his wife a kiss as another shows them standing closely together

Ailes was helped to a waiting luxury sedan by his wife as they left the News Corp building on Tuesday afternoon in New York City

Reports surfaced that the Fox News CEO and chairman had resigned on Tuesday afternoon, after Matt Drudge of the Drudge Report published photos of a $40million separation agreement.

But not long after, Drudge deleted the tweet and changed the headline on the story to the more vague 'Ailes Fox News Drama'.

A Fox News source also walked back an initial confirmation to the Daily Beast that Ailes had indeed stepped down.

Within hours parent company 21st Century Fox released a statement saying, 'Roger is at work. The review is ongoing. And the only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement.'

Multiple outlets reported that Ailes' department is practically a done deal.

Roger is at work. The review is ongoing. And the only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement. 21st Century Fox late Tuesday

The Financial Times reports that Rupert Murdoch and his two sons James and Lachlan, owners of Fox News, want Ailes out as soon as possible.

Sources that spoke to the newspaper say that Rupert and Lachlan would prefer to wait until the end of the GOP convention on Thursday to announce the decision.

James Murdoch is the chief executive officer of 21st Century Fox and Chairman of Sky plc., while his older brother Lachlan is the executive chairman of Nova Entertainment and the executive co-chairman of News Corp and 21st Century Fox.

The FT also reports that some of Fox News' top talent, including Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren could leave with Ailes, as all three have clauses in their contracts that let them out if Ailes were to leave the network.

The New York Times is also reporting that Ailes and the network are in 'advanced' stages of his departure talks.

Sources tell the newspaper there is a possibility Ailes may stay on as a consultant for the channel.

Ailes is the founding CEO of the company, a position he has held for the past twenty years.

News of Ailes' alleged resignation follows reports earlier Tuesday, that star anchor Megyn Kelly also made sexual harassment allegations against her boss . 21st Century Fox, Fox News' parent company, started investigating Ailes earlier this month after former Fox host Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes

Sources who spoke to New York Magazine said that lawyers for the 21st Century Fox gave Ailes the option to resign from the company before August 1 or they would fire him.

The New York Magazine reporter, Gabriel Sherman, has also tweeted that 'Ailes is huddled with advisers in 'full on crazy mode.' He's furious that Megyn Kelly is now being credited with his ouster.'

He added, 'Sources on both sides of Ailes and 21CF negotiations say situation is v fluid. One person speculates he could try to fire Megyn tonight!'

The parent company of Fox news started an investigation into Ailes less than two weeks ago, when former Fox host Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes.

Several reports published on Tuesday claimed that Ailes had resigned from his position at Fox News

The apparently pre-mature reports of Ailes' resignation come just hours after yet another report surfaced, claiming that Ailes' star female anchor Megyn Kelly had joined the chorus of employees making sexual harassment claims against him.

But an attorney for Ailes released an impassioned denial.

'Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly,' Susan Estrich wrote in a statement.

'In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him.'

'Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him,' the statement reads.

The move to oust Ailes also appears to be influenced by Kelly's ongoing contract negotiations with the network.

Kelly has previously hinted that she would be willing to leave the network, but as perhaps it's second most recognizable face behind Bill O'Reilly (who is eyeing retirement) - Fox won't let her go without a fight.

The two sources who spoke with New York Magazine's Sherman say Kelly told lawyers during her interview that she had been the target of unwanted sexual advances from Ailes about 10 years ago, when she was working as a legal correspondent at the network's Washington, DC bureau.

The news is perhaps surprising since Kelly has described Ailes as a 'mentor' and a 'friend' in the past. But it wasn't altogether unforeseen.

Roger Ailes is pictured with wife Elizabeth Tilson Ailes in October 2015 at the Carnegie Hall 125th Season Opening Night Gala in NYC

Kelly was noticeably missing from the group of female Fox News employees who were quick to defend Ailes in the media after the Carlson lawsuit.

Carlson sued network chief executive Roger Ailes on July 6, claiming she was cut loose after she refused his sexual advances and complained about harassment in the workplace.

Ailes, in a statement, denied the allegations and accused Carlson of filing the lawsuit in retaliation for her contract not being renewed.

Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him. Susan Estrich, lawyer for Ailes

Carlson, the former host of a daytime show at Fox who had worked at the network for 11 years, was abruptly let go on June 23.

Nine months earlier, during a meeting with Ailes she called to address her feelings that she had been discriminated against, she alleged he told her that 'you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago.'

The 50-year-old Carlson, who was Miss America in 1989, alleged in her lawsuit that Ailes, who is 76, ogled her, repeatedly commented about her legs, urged her to wear clothes that enhanced her figure and told her she was sexy but 'too much hard work.'

Carlson said she was fired as a host of the morning show 'Fox & Friends' in 2013, and her pay reduced with the transfer to a daytime slot, because she had complained about sexual harassment.

Ailes said that Carlson began to 'conveniently' pursue a lawsuit when she became aware that Fox was not renewing her contract, citing poor ratings.

Ratings for her program, 'The Real Story,' were lower than for any other show on the network in June, the Nielsen company said.

Carlson said that Ailes punished her by cutting back on political interviews that she conducted and ending a regular appearance she made on Bill O'Reilly's prime-time program, generally Fox's highest-rated show.

Three sources who spoke to New York Magazine earlier this week said Rupert Murdoch (center) and his two sons Lachlan (left) and James (right) are in agreement that Ailes must go

In the lawsuit, Carlson alleges that Ailes did not provide her with anywhere near the network support and promotion provided to other Fox hosts 'who did not complain about harassment and rebuff his sexual advances.'

Also on Tuesday, Carlson took to Facebook and posted a video saying she wanted to support anyone who has been a victim of sexual harassment.

'Hi everyone, I want to support all women who have been victims of sexual harassment,' Carlson states in the 11-second long clip.

'It's time for us to come out of the shadows and let our voices be heard, because it's so important that we will not be silenced.'

Alongside the video, Carlson wrote: 'We must not be silenced. ‪#‎StandWithGretchen‬ ‪#‎ThankYou‬ ‪#‎Truth‬'