Megyn Kelly Defends Trump's Criticism of Journalist by Citing Former Boss's Advice
In a controversial defense of President Donald Trump's latest disparagement of a female journalist, Megyn Kelly has invoked the advice of a former boss she once accused of sexual harassment. The incident unfolded during Trump's recent exchange with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, where he avoided answering questions about his relationship with the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and instead criticized Collins personally.
Trump's Confrontation with Kaitlan Collins
On Tuesday, President Trump lashed out at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins as she pressed him about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Rather than addressing the substance of the inquiry, Trump dismissed Collins as the "worst reporter" and remarked, "I don't think I've ever seen you smile." This headline-making exchange quickly became a focal point in media discussions, highlighting ongoing tensions between the president and journalists.
Kelly's Support on SiriusXM Show
The topic resurfaced during Megyn Kelly's two-hour interview with Vice President JD Vance on her SiriusXM radio show on Wednesday. Vance stood firmly behind Trump, praising him as "so perceptive" for recognizing what he called Collins' "antagonistic" approach. Kelly echoed this sentiment, dismissing other public figures who had labeled Trump's comments as sexist.
"I literally said the same thing about Kaitlan Collins a year ago on my show. She never smiles," Kelly stated. "Every once in a while, you have to smile. Roger Ailes used to tell us that. Every once in a while, you've got to remember to smile, show the viewers that you have a heart."
Controversial Reference to Roger Ailes
Kelly's allusion to Roger Ailes, the former chairman and CEO of Fox News, left many listeners stunned. In 2016, Kelly was among nearly two dozen female Fox News employees who accused Ailes of sexual harassment. Although Ailes denied the allegations, he resigned in July of that year and passed away in 2017 at age 77. The cases against him inspired the Oscar-winning 2019 film "Bombshell," starring Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron.
This reference has sparked debate, as it connects advice from a figure associated with misconduct to a defense of Trump's behavior. Critics argue it underscores a pattern of problematic attitudes toward women in media and politics.
Broader Context of Trump's Attacks on Journalists
In recent weeks, Trump has intensified his attacks on Collins and other female journalists as they question him about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein died by apparent suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking underage girls. A particularly egregious instance occurred in November, when Trump attempted to silence Bloomberg's Catherine Lucey by calling her "piggy" as she inquired about the Epstein files.
These incidents reflect a broader trend of confrontational rhetoric from Trump toward the press, raising concerns about media freedom and gender dynamics in political discourse.
