Megyn Kelly, a former anchor for Fox News and a current political commentator, has publicly criticized her previous employer for sidelining conservative leader Charlie Kirk. This revelation came to light during an episode of her podcast, "The Megyn Kelly Show," where she discussed the network's relationship with Kirk following Tucker Carlson's departure. Kelly's comments have sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of certain conservative figures by major media platforms.
Kelly pointed out the apparent contradiction within Fox News, as they seemed to possess a sense of ownership over Kirk while simultaneously banning him due to his support for Carlson. "It's really bothering me how Fox News is talking about Charlie, like he was theirs — he wasn't. It's a lie. Just stop," Kelly expressed emphatically on her show. Her statements suggest a behind-the-scenes conflict where network leadership actively kept Kirk off the air, despite his previously close relationship with the network.
The absence of Charlie Kirk, a staunch conservative voice and founder of Turning Point USA, from Fox News was particularly noticeable throughout 2023 and into early 2024. Kirk himself commented on the situation in a December 2023 interview with Breitbart, lamenting the lack of Fox News presence at his AmericaFest event in Phoenix. He expressed hope for repairing the relationship with the network, which had been supportive in the past, but acknowledged the need for independence and innovation in the face of exclusion.
Kelly's perspective reveals a Fox News that seemed to recognize Kirk's value only intermittently, allowing him sparse appearances after Carlson's firing. She recalled how Kirk co-hosted 'Fox & Friends' in July and appeared on Will Cain's show in August, noting these as rare opportunities in recent years. This sporadic inclusion contrasts sharply with the continuous support Kirk received from other outlets like Newsmax, which consistently featured him following President Trump's first term.
The situation with Kirk is part of a larger pattern of Trump allies being marginalized by Fox News, a list that includes prominent figures such as Jason Miller, Pam Bondi, Kari Lake, Karoline Leavitt, Peter Navarro, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, Andrew Giuliani, and others. Despite Fox News denying outright bans, several allies have publicly disagreed, and internal lawsuits have surfaced alleging inconsistent blacklisting.
In the face of these challenges, Kirk has maintained a strong media presence elsewhere, with Newsmax and others providing a platform for his views. A TPUSA executive even extended gratitude to Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy for their unwavering support. Kelly praised Kirk's resilience and independence, crediting his rise to power to his ability to create his own platform and engage with a wide audience, despite the lack of support from some major media outlets.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the dynamics of media alliances and support can have significant impacts on the visibility of political figures and the narratives that shape public discourse.
