Criticism has intensified after Megyn Kelly made remarks seen as complimentary toward white nationalist Nick Fuentes, comments that many said minimized his history of extremist rhetoric.

The controversy stems from an interview Kelly conducted with Tucker Carlson, during which she spoke about Fuentes in flattering terms. Kelly described him as “very smart,” while telling listeners to “excuse his thoughts on race, and Jews, and the Holocaust, and all that,” a formulation that immediately drew condemnation from across the political spectrum.

Fuentes has long been associated with Holocaust denial, praise for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and repeated racist and antisemitic statements, a record that critics said made Kelly’s comments especially alarming.

Reaction from media figures was swift and scathing. John Podhoretz, editor of Commentary Magazine, wrote on X: “Megyn Kelly has rotted to the core.”

Ben Domenech of The Spectator piled on, saying, “If you think Nick Fuentes is brilliant, I’m honestly impressed that you have enough brain function to remember to breathe.”

Dave Rubin, host of The Rubin Report, coined a derisive nickname for Kelly, posting: “Great move for Grandma Groyper to attach herself to Fuentes and Candace. Is there anything she won’t do for a click? Find out tomorrow!”

Billionaire investor Cliff Asness added a barbed remark of his own: “Did she praise him for making the trains run on time?”

Kelly also found herself in a public fight with Ian Miles Cheong after he circulated a clip from the Carlson interview. Responding directly, Kelly lashed out: “You’re a pathetic misinformation …. I was explaining why young white men are listening to Fuentes & made clear that while I believe he makes interesting points about the govt etc I was not speaking about his thoughts on Jews, women, blacks etc. [Curse] you & your lies,” she said.

Addressing the broader uproar, Kelly framed the dispute as part of an ongoing pattern of criticism she faces for engaging with controversial voices on the right. She referenced past demands that she distance herself from Carlson after his interview with Fuentes last year. “And then came the, ‘Tucker’s interviewed Nick and you must disavow him. Now you really need to break up with Tucker,’” she said. “As if my entire career rises or falls based on who my friends are, and whose interview I decide to weigh in on. Well, it’s ridiculous.”

Kelly later elaborated on her assessment of Fuentes, reiterating her view that, despite his record, some of his commentary was worth hearing. “He’s obviously got some very extreme views, but he’s very interesting, and he’s very smart, and on a lot of things, there is value to be derived from that guy’s messaging,” she said. She added, “There are a lot of things he talks about that you’re like, ‘Huh, this is not a bad point about our country.’ Excuse his thoughts on race, and Jews, and the Holocaust, and all that.”

The episode comes after months in which Kelly has repeatedly drawn backlash. Kelly defended Candace Owens and dismissed criticism over questions raised about the death of Charlie Kirk. “And then came Candace Owens, and that…she really drives people crazy. She drives them crazy!” Kelly said.

She went further, pushing back on claims that she should have condemned Owens for remarks involving Israel. “They were very angry that I didn’t call her out for what she said about Israel possibly being involved with Charlie Kirk. Well, I didn’t call her out because I was totally fine with those questions being raised and still am!” Kelly said.

Kelly concluded with an unapologetic defense of her stance: “I’m sorry, but I am! I’m sick of this [garbage]. I am allowed to have questions about what, if anyone, aligned with Israel or from Israel might have had to do with Charlie’s death.”

{Matzav.com}

Jooish News

Jooish News