Megyn Kelly

Kelly was born on November 18, 1970 in Champaign, Illinois,{{Cite book |last=Kelly |first=Megyn |title=Settle for More |publisher=Harper |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-06-249460-3 |location=New York}}{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Megyn Kelly |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Megyn-Kelly |access-date=January 17, 2019 |last=Pallardy |first=Richard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119020222/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Megyn-Kelly |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} to Edward Francis Kelly, Ed.D.,Kelly, Edward Francis. "Curriculum Evaluation and Literary Criticism: The Explication of an Analogy." Ed.D. dissertation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1971. who taught in the School of Education at the State University of New York at Albany, and Linda (née DeMaio), a homemaker.{{Cite magazine |last=Dickinson |first=Ben |date=January 20, 2014 |title=How Fox's Megyn Kelly Got to the Top, And Why She's Probably There to Stay |url=http://www.elle.com/life-love/society-career/megyn-kelly-on-her-childhood |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526184342/http://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/interviews/a12652/megyn-kelly-profile/ |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2015 |magazine=Elle}} She grew up with an older sister, Suzanne (1964–2022) and an older brother, Pete (born c. 1965).https://www.megynkelly.com/topic/full-episodes/|Episode 936 (Election Night Special), 6:14:05, "My brother remembers - he's five years older than I am..." She is of Italian and German descent on her mother's side and Irish descent on her father's. She was raised Catholic.{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2016 |title=Multiple women accuse Trump of bad behavior |url=https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/multiple-women-accuse-trump-of-bad-behavior |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630050634/http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2016/10/12/multiple-women-accuse-trump-bad-behavior.html |archive-date=June 30, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2018 |work=Fox News |language=en-US}} Her father died of a heart attack in 1985 when she was 15 years old.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Cydney |date=November 29, 2018 |title=Megyn Kelly gives first interview since 'Today' exit; recalls father's sudden 1985 death |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/11/29/megyn-kelly-recalls-dads-tragic-death-first-interview-since-firing/2158760002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203200252/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/11/29/megyn-kelly-recalls-dads-tragic-death-first-interview-since-firing/2158760002/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2023 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Kurtz |first=Howard |author-link=Howard Kurtz |date=April 16, 2008 |title=For Megyn Kelly, a quick rise at Fox |url=http://alb.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6546634 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511141424/http://alb.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6546634 |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |access-date=December 13, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |via=Times Union (Albany, New York)}} She also has a step-sister and a step-brother from her mother's second marriage, to Peter Kirwan.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-26 |title=Megyn Kelly's friends and family reveal all about her: 'She's never a phony' |url=https://www.today.com/allday/megyn-kelly-s-friends-family-reveal-all-about-her-she-t116729 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}

Kelly attended Tecumseh Elementary School in suburban Syracuse, New York. When she was 9, her family moved to Delmar, New York, a suburb of Albany,{{Cite news |last=Herbert |first=Geoff |date=October 6, 2013 |title=Syracuse native Megyn Kelly proves women can have it all on Fox News' 'The Kelly File' |url=http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/10/megyn_kelly_fox_news_syracuse_women_have_it_all.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223030646/http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/10/megyn_kelly_fox_news_syracuse_women_have_it_all.html |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2015 |work=The Post-Standard |location=Syracuse, New York}} where she attended Bethlehem Central High School.{{Cite magazine |last=Rutenberg |first=Jim |author-link=Jim Rutenberg |date=January 21, 2015 |title=The Megyn Kelly Moment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/25/magazine/the-megyn-kelly-moment.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429003808/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/25/magazine/the-megyn-kelly-moment.html?_r=0 |archive-date=April 29, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2015 |magazine=The New York Times Magazine}} After high school, she studied political science at Syracuse University, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts.{{Cite news |last=Herbert |first=Geoff |date=January 5, 2016 |title=SU alum Megyn Kelly claims Newhouse takes credit for her success; dean denies it |url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2016/01/megyn_kelly_newhouse_syracuse_credit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227000842/https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2016/01/megyn_kelly_newhouse_syracuse_credit.html |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=syracuse.com |language=en}} She then attended Albany Law School, where she was an editor of the Albany Law Review.{{cite web |title=Megyn Kelly '95 Named One of The 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME {{!}} Albany Law School |url=https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/megyn-kelly-95-named-one-the-100-most-influential-people-the-world-time#:~:text=Prior%20to%20beginning%20her%20career,for%20the%20Albany%20Law%20Review. |website=www.albanylaw.edu |language=en |date=1 January 2014}} She graduated in 1995 with a Juris Doctor.{{Cite web |title=Fact Sheet > Select Prominent Alumni |url=http://www.albanylaw.edu/about/pages/facts.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722025413/http://www.albanylaw.edu/about/pages/facts.aspx |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |access-date=November 10, 2012 |website=Albany Law School |location=Albany, New York}}

Kelly was an associate attorney in the Chicago office of law firm Bickel & Brewer LLP. In fall 1996, she co-wrote an article, "The Conflicting Roles of Lawyer as Director", for the American Bar Association's journal, Litigation.{{Cite journal |last1=Cummins |first1=Robert P. |last2=Kelly |first2=Megyn M. |title=23 Litigation 1996–1997 Conflicting Roles of Lawyer as Director, The Conflicts |url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/laba23&div=16&id=&page= |url-status=live |journal=Litigation |volume=23 |page=48 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830112905/http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/laba23&div=16&id=&page= |archive-date=August 30, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2011}} She later worked at Jones Day for nine years, where one of her clients was the credit bureau Experian.{{Cite web |title=ZARY MAREKH, on behalf of herself and others similarly situated, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. EQUIFAX; EXPERIAN, formerly, TRW; TRANS UNION, (2nd Cir. 2001) |url=http://federal-circuits.vlex.com/vid/zary-marekh-herself-equifax-experian-trw-18531486 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202120441/http://federal-circuits.vlex.com/vid/zary-marekh-herself-equifax-experian-trw-18531486 |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |website=vLex}}

{{Conservatism US|commentators}}

In 2003, Kelly moved to Washington, D.C., where she was hired by the ABC affiliate WJLA-TV as a general assignment reporter. She covered national and local events, including live coverage of the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and Chief Justice John G. Roberts, the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and the 2004 presidential election.{{Cite web |title=Megyn Kelly – Biography |url=http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/personalities/megyn-kelly/bio/#s=h-l |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118021541/http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/personalities/megyn-kelly/bio/#s=h-l |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |access-date=November 10, 2012 |website=Fox News}} CNN president Jonathan Klein later said he regretted not hiring Kelly as a reporter at the beginning of her career, because she was "the one talent you'd want to have from somewhere else".

In 2004, Kelly applied for a job at Fox News. She contributed legal segments for Special Report with Brit Hume and hosted her own legal segment, Kelly's Court, during Weekend Live. She appeared in a weekly segment on The O'Reilly Factor and occasionally filled in for Greta Van Susteren on On the Record, where most of her reporting focused on legal and political matters. She occasionally contributed as an anchor, but more often as a substitute anchor on weekends.{{Cite news |last=Kurtz |first=Howard |date=April 14, 2008 |title=Megyn Kelly, Fox News's Fast-Rising Anchor |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/13/AR2008041302158.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202211456/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/13/AR2008041302158.html |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} On February 1, 2010, Kelly began hosting her own two-hour afternoon show, America Live, which replaced The Live Desk.{{Cite news |last=Stelter |first=Brian |date=January 31, 2010 |title=New Role Puts Anchor in Fox News Spotlight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/business/media/01kelly.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421145012/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/business/media/01kelly.html |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |last=Krakauer |first=Steve |date=January 20, 2010 |title=Changes To FNC Daytime: Megyn Kelly To Get New 1pm Show (Update) |url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/changes-to-fnc-daytime-megyn-kelly-to-get-new-1pm-show/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713113755/http://www.mediaite.com/tv/changes-to-fnc-daytime-megyn-kelly-to-get-new-1pm-show/ |archive-date=July 13, 2017 |access-date=July 23, 2016 |website=Mediaite.com}} She was a guest panelist on Fox News' late-night satire program Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld. In 2010, viewership for America Live increased by 20%, averaging 1,293,000 viewers, and increased by 4% in the 25–54 age demographic, averaging 268,000 viewers.{{Cite web |last=MacNicol |first=Glynnis |date=November 30, 2010 |title=Megyn Kelly Sees Biggest Year to Year Ratings Increased at Fox News |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/megyn-kelly-sees-biggest-year-to-year-ratings-increase-at-fox-news-2010-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204160537/http://www.businessinsider.com/megyn-kelly-sees-biggest-year-to-year-ratings-increase-at-fox-news-2010-11 |archive-date=February 4, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2012 |website=Business Insider}} In December 2010, Kelly hosted a New Year's Eve special with Bill Hemmer.{{Cite web |last=Ariens |first=Chris |date=December 13, 2010 |title=Megyn Kelly and Bill Hemmer to Host New Year's Eve on Fox News |url=http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/megyn-kelly-and-bill-hemmer-to-host-new-years-eve-on-fox-news/44726 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510070321/http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/megyn-kelly-and-bill-hemmer-to-host-new-years-eve-on-fox-news/44726 |archive-date=May 10, 2017 |access-date=July 23, 2016 |website=TVNewser}}

File:Megyn Kelly in 2012.jpg coverage]]

Kelly received media attention for her coverage of the results of the 2012 United States presidential election. On election night, Fox News' decision desk projected that Obama would win the state of Ohio along with a second term after part of the results had been released. Republican operative Karl Rove objected to this projection, whereupon Kelly - with camera following - dramatically walked backstage to the decision desk and spoke with them; she also asked Rove, "Is this just math that you do as a Republican to make yourself feel better? Or is this real?"{{Cite news |last=Reeve |first=Elspeth |date=November 7, 2012 |title=The Time Karl Rove Took on the Fox News Decision Desk |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/11/time-karl-rove-took-fox-news-decision-desk/321670/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520221216/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/11/time-karl-rove-took-fox-news-decision-desk/321670/ |archive-date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=April 23, 2018 |work=The Atlantic}}{{Cite web |last=Taintor |first=David |date=November 8, 2012 |title=Jon Stewart on Fox News' election night meltdown |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/election2012/jon-stewart-delights-in-fox-news-epic-election-night-meltdown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412094848/https://talkingpointsmemo.com/election2012/jon-stewart-delights-in-fox-news-epic-election-night-meltdown |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |access-date=August 15, 2015 |website=Talking Points Memo}}{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2012 |title=Post Democalypse 2012 – America Takes a Shower – Karl Rove's Math |url=http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/bxtuzh/post-democalypse-2012---america-takes-a-shower---karl-rove-s-math |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820072820/http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/bxtuzh/post-democalypse-2012---america-takes-a-shower---karl-rove-s-math |archive-date=August 20, 2015 |access-date=August 15, 2015 |website=The Daily Show with Jon Stewart |publisher=Comedy Central}}{{Cite news |last=Dowd |first=Maureen |author-link=Maureen Dowd |date=November 10, 2012 |title=Romney Is President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/opinion/sunday/dowd-romney-is-president.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510211518/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/opinion/sunday/dowd-romney-is-president.html |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |work=The New York Times}} Kelly left America Live in July 2013 and took maternity leave. That October she began hosting a new nightly program, The Kelly File.{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2013 |title=In 17 Years, FNC Has Made 5 Evening Changes; CNN and MSNBC Have Made 75 – TVNewser |url=http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/in-17-years-fnc-has-made-5-evening-changes-cnn-and-msnbc-have-made-75/198165?red=tn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208135323/http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/in-17-years-fnc-has-made-5-evening-changes-cnn-and-msnbc-have-made-75/198165?red=tn |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=August 15, 2015 |website=Mediabistro.com}} The Kelly File was occasionally the channel's ratings leader, topping The O'Reilly Factor.{{Cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Michael |date=September 1, 2015 |title=TV Ratings: Megyn Kelly Bests Bill O'Reilly in August, Topping Cable News in Key Demo |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/tv-ratings-megyn-kelly-bests-819516 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319085205/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tv-ratings-megyn-kelly-bests-819516 |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite magazine |last=Fox |first=Emily Jane |date=May 18, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly's First Prime-Time Special was a Fundamental Miscalculation |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/05/megyn-kelly-fox-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116053917/http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/05/megyn-kelly-fox-interview |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}

In December 2013, Kelly commented on a Slate article on The Kelly File: "For all you kids watching at home, Santa just is white, but this person is just arguing that maybe we should also have a black Santa," adding, "But Santa is what he is, and just so you know, we're just debating this because someone wrote about it." Kelly also said that Jesus was a white man later in the segment.{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2013 |title=Megyn Kelly says 'Santa is white' remarks were tongue-in-cheek |url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/13/megyn-kelly-responds-to-critics-over-santa-is-white-flap |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217173004/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/13/megyn-kelly-responds-to-critics-over-santa-is-white-flap/ |archive-date=December 17, 2013 |access-date=December 17, 2013 |website=Fox News}} Soon after, Jon Stewart,{{Cite web |last=Luippold |first=Ross |date=December 17, 2013 |title=Jon Stewart Hits Back At Megyn Kelly's 'White Santa' Defense |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/17/jon-stewart-megyn-kelly_n_4459151.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323070922/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/17/jon-stewart-megyn-kelly_n_4459151.html |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |website=The Huffington Post}} Stephen Colbert,{{Cite web |last=Taibi |first=Catherine |date=December 13, 2013 |title=Stephen Colbert Mocks Megyn Kelly's Santa Comments |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/13/colbert-megyn-kelly-santa-white_n_4440467.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323070913/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/13/colbert-megyn-kelly-santa-white_n_4440467.html |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |access-date=December 17, 2013 |website=The Huffington Post}} Rachel Maddow,{{Cite web |last=Benen |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Benen |date=December 14, 2013 |title=This Week in God |url=https://msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/week-god-86 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326113247/http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/week-god-86 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |website=MSNBC}} Josh Barro,{{Cite web |last=Barro |first=Josh |date=December 13, 2013 |title=Don't Tell Megyn Kelly, But At Whole Foods, Santa Is Black |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/dont-tell-megyn-kelly-but-at-whole-foods-santa-is-black-2013-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301092600/http://www.businessinsider.com/dont-tell-megyn-kelly-but-at-whole-foods-santa-is-black-2013-12 |archive-date=March 1, 2016 |access-date=December 23, 2013 |website=Business Insider}} and others satirized her remarks.{{Cite web |last=Gold |first=Hadas |author-link=Hadas Gold |date=December 13, 2013 |title=Megyn Kelly absent from show post Santa, Jesus segment |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/12/megyn-kelly-absent-from-show-post-santa-jesus-segment-179551.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816003932/http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/12/megyn-kelly-absent-from-show-post-santa-jesus-segment-179551.html |archive-date=August 16, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2013 |website=Politico}} Two days later, she said on the air that her original comments were "tongue-in-cheek",{{Cite news |last=Klein |first=Ezra |date=December 12, 2013 |title=Watch Megyn Kelly insist that a mythical present-giving man who commands flying reindeer is definitely white |url=http://knowmore.washingtonpost.com/2013/12/12/watch-megyn-kelly-insist-that-a-mythical-present-giving-man-who-commands-flying-reindeer-is-definitely-white/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216214556/http://knowmore.washingtonpost.com/2013/12/12/watch-megyn-kelly-insist-that-a-mythical-present-giving-man-who-commands-flying-reindeer-is-definitely-white/ |archive-date=December 16, 2013 |access-date=December 17, 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite magazine |last=Chotiner |first=Isaac |date=December 15, 2013 |title=Who Cares if Santa Claus is Real? The Megyn Kelly Scandal Is About Race |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/115938/megyn-kelly-scandal-and-santa-claus-race-not-religion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205030007/https://newrepublic.com/article/115938/megyn-kelly-scandal-and-santa-claus-race-not-religion |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=March 10, 2017 |magazine=The New Republic}}{{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Andrew |date=December 16, 2013 |title=Bill O'Reilly: Santa Is White |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/16/oreilly-white-santa-megyn_n_4456439.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323070910/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/16/oreilly-white-santa-megyn_n_4456439.html |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |website=The Huffington Post}}{{Cite web |last=Whitaker |first=Morgan |date=December 16, 2013 |title=Bring on the black Santas! |url=https://msnbc.com/politicsnation/bring-the-black-santas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902023247/http://www.msnbc.com/politicsnation/bring-the-black-santas |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |website=MSNBC}}{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=David Clark |date=December 15, 2013 |title=Megyn Kelly said Santa and Jesus are white. Really? |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/TV/2013/1215/Megyn-Kelly-said-Santa-and-Jesus-are-white.-Really-video |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414223619/http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/TV/2013/1215/Megyn-Kelly-said-Santa-and-Jesus-are-white.-Really-video |archive-date=April 14, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2013 |work=The Christian Science Monitor}} and that the skin color of Jesus is "far from settled".{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2013 |title=Today's News: Our Take – Megyn Kelly Stands By 'Santa Is White' Remarks |url=http://m.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20131214/NEWS/312149985 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131222031552/http://m.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20131214/NEWS/312149985 |archive-date=December 22, 2013 |website=TV Guide |via=Stuttgart Daily Leader}} In June 2015, Kelly interviewed Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting regarding their son Josh Duggar's alleged molestation of five girls in 2002. She later interviewed two of their daughters, Jill and Jessa. This show's Nielsen national estimates ratings of 3.09 million viewers, above its average 2.11 million, ranked with the 3.2 million for the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 shootdown coverage and 7.3 million for the Ferguson riots coverage.{{Cite magazine |last=Kissell |first=Rick |date=June 4, 2015 |title=Megyn Kelly's Duggars Interview Draws 3.1 Million Viewers |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/ratings/megyn-kellys-duggars-interview-draws-3-1-million-viewers-1201512511/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002221006/http://variety.com/2015/tv/ratings/megyn-kellys-duggars-interview-draws-3-1-million-viewers-1201512511/ |archive-date=October 2, 2017 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |magazine=Variety}}

In the Republican Party presidential debate on August 6, 2015, Kelly asked then-presidential candidate Donald Trump whether a man of his temperament ought to be elected president, noting that he has called various women insulting names in the past.{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Kayla |date=August 6, 2015 |title=Trump responds to Megyn Kelly's questions on misogyny – with more misogyny |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/06/donald-trump-misogyny-republican-debate-megyn-kelly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104003716/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/06/donald-trump-misogyny-republican-debate-megyn-kelly |archive-date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} Kelly's moderating generated a range of media and political reactions and her professionalism was criticized by Trump.{{Cite magazine |last1=Setoodeh |first1=Ramin |last2=Steinberg |first2=Brian |date=June 22, 2015 |title=How Megyn Kelly Became the New Star of Fox News |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/megyn-kelly-fox-news-star-anchor-republicans-hillary-clinton-1201524340/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207170910/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/megyn-kelly-fox-news-star-anchor-republicans-hillary-clinton-1201524340/ |archive-date=December 7, 2017 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |magazine=Variety}}{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=August 7, 2015 |title=Conservatives are mad at Fox News and Megyn Kelly. They shouldn't be |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/08/07/conservatives-are-mad-at-fox-news-and-megyn-kelly-they-shouldnt-be/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/08/07/conservatives-are-mad-at-fox-news-and-megyn-kelly-they-shouldnt-be/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news |last=King |first=Michael |date=August 8, 2015 |title=Trump disinvited from event after Megyn Kelly 'blood' comment |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/08/08/donald-trump-disinvited-redstate-gathering-cnn-megyn-kelly-twitter/31331187/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811011804/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/08/08/donald-trump-disinvited-redstate-gathering-cnn-megyn-kelly-twitter/31331187/ |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |work=USA Today |location=Atlanta, Georgia |agency=WXIA-TV}}{{Cite web |last=Arana |first=Gabriel |date=August 8, 2015 |title=Here Are All The Ugly Remarks Trump Has Made About Megyn Kelly |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-megyn-kelly-debate-fox-news_55c5f6b3e4b0f73b20b989a7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231025257/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-megyn-kelly-debate-fox-news_55c5f6b3e4b0f73b20b989a7 |archive-date=December 31, 2015 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |website=The Huffington Post}} Kelly responded to Trump's criticism by saying she would not "apologize for doing good journalism".{{Cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Jeremy W. |last2=Victoraug |first2=Daniel |date=August 10, 2015 |title=Megyn Kelly Says She Won't Be Cowed by Donald Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/us/megyn-kelly-says-she-wont-be-cowed-by-donald-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814051607/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/us/megyn-kelly-says-she-wont-be-cowed-by-donald-trump.html?_r=0 |archive-date=August 14, 2015 |work=The New York Times}} Trump declined to attend the Iowa January 28 debate that she moderated.{{Cite magazine |last=Campbell |first=Kathy |date=January 26, 2016 |title=Donald Trump Boycotting Republican Debate Because Megyn Kelly Is a Moderator |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/donald-trump-boycotting-republican-debate-because-megyn-kelly-is-a-moderator-w162615 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128094356/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/donald-trump-boycotting-republican-debate-because-megyn-kelly-is-a-moderator-w162615 |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2016 |magazine=Us Weekly}} After the debate and off-camera, Ted Cruz said that Kelly had referred to Trump off-camera as "Voldemort", though Fox News denied it.{{Cite news |date=January 29, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly Reportedly Called Trump 'Voldemort' Before the Debate |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/megyn-kelly-reportedly-called-trump-162500765.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030024458/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/megyn-kelly-reportedly-called-trump-162500765.html |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=June 15, 2020 |work=Inside Edition |via=Yahoo! News}} Bill Maher complimented Kelly as being "so much better" than the candidates who attended the January 28 debate and argued that she was a more viable candidate for the Republican nomination.{{Cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=January 29, 2016 |title=Bill Maher: Forget Trump, Megyn Kelly Should Be the GOP Nominee for President |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/29/bill-maher-forget-trump-megyn-kelly-should-be-the-gop-nominee-for-president.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131080308/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/29/bill-maher-forget-trump-megyn-kelly-should-be-the-gop-nominee-for-president.html |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |access-date=January 31, 2016 |work=The Daily Beast}} According to reporting by The Atlantic, she had been "ordered" by Rupert Murdoch, then in control of Fox News, "to hit Trump hard".{{Cite news |last=Coppins |first=McKay |date=2025-02-14 |title=Growing Up Murdoch |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/04/rupert-murdoch-family-succession-james-murdoch/681675/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |work=The Atlantic |language=en |issn=2151-9463}}

In an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Kelly reflected that she was disappointed with the lack of support she received from coworker Bill O'Reilly and CNN, the latter airing a Trump event the same time as the debate.{{Cite news |last=Jagannathan |first=Meera |date=April 1, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly slams Bill O'Reilly for not having her back against Donald Trump's repeated sexist attacks |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/megyn-kelly-o-reilly-cnn-defended-trump-article-1.2585534 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402031925/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/megyn-kelly-o-reilly-cnn-defended-trump-article-1.2585534 |archive-date=April 2, 2016 |access-date=April 2, 2016 |work=New York Daily News}}{{Cite news |date=April 1, 2016 |title=Fox News' Megyn Kelly: Bill O'Reilly, CNN Should Have Done More For Me |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/megyn-kelly-donald-trump-feud-charlie-rose-879851 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401070007/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/megyn-kelly-donald-trump-feud-charlie-rose-879851 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} In April, at her request,{{Cite news |last1=Grynbaum |first1=Michael M. |last2=Rutenberg |first2=Jim |author-link2=Jim Rutenberg |date=April 13, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly Meets With Donald Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/14/business/media/megyn-kelly-meets-with-donald-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407103932/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/14/business/media/megyn-kelly-meets-with-donald-trump.html |archive-date=April 7, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |work=The New York Times}} Kelly met with Trump at Trump Tower, having "a chance to clear the air".{{Cite web |last=Stelter |first=Brian |date=April 13, 2016 |title=Donald Trump and Megyn Kelly met at Trump Tower to 'clear the air' |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/13/media/megyn-kelly-donald-trump-meet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108161950/https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/13/media/megyn-kelly-donald-trump-meet/ |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=August 3, 2020 |website=CNN}} The following month, after interviewing Trump and being met with mixed reception,{{Cite news |last=Stuever |first=Hank |author-link=Hank Stuever |date=May 17, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly's awkward prime-time debut was a little too focused on Megyn Kelly |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/05/17/megyn-kellys-awkward-primetime-debut-was-a-little-too-focused-on-megyn-kelly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822075348/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/05/17/megyn-kellys-awkward-primetime-debut-was-a-little-too-focused-on-megyn-kelly/ |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=July 23, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} she expressed interest in doing another one with him.{{Cite news |last=Gass |first=Nick |date=May 27, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly teases new Trump interview 'very soon,' invites Clinton |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/megyn-kelly-trump-interview-223643 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630144057/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/megyn-kelly-trump-interview-223643 |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=July 23, 2016 |work=Politico}} In June, she criticized Trump for his claims against judge Gonzalo P. Curiel's impartiality.{{Cite news |last=Gass |first=Nick |date=June 3, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly: Trump 'out of line' with judge attack |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/megyn-kelly-trump-judge-223857 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720160157/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/megyn-kelly-trump-judge-223857 |archive-date=July 20, 2016 |access-date=July 23, 2016 |work=Politico}} In October, a contentious discussion between Kelly and Newt Gingrich on The Kelly File regarding Trump's sexual comments in a 2005 audio recording gained widespread social media reaction.{{Cite news |last=Mele |first=Christopher |date=October 26, 2016 |title=Newt Gingrich and Megyn Kelly Get Into Bizarre Exchange on Live TV |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/us/newt-gingrich-megyn-kelly-bizarre-exchange-on-live-tv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406050128/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/us/newt-gingrich-megyn-kelly-bizarre-exchange-on-live-tv.html?_r=0 |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}

In March 2016, it was announced that Kelly would host a one-hour prime time special on the Fox network wherein she would interview celebrities from the worlds of "politics, entertainment, and other areas of human interest".{{Cite magazine |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly To Host Primetime Special On Fox Broadcasting |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/megyn-kelly-primetime-special-fox-1201730594/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030012/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/megyn-kelly-primetime-special-fox-1201730594/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |magazine=Variety}} The special aired in May 2016, which was a sweeps month.{{Cite web |last=de Moraes |first=Lisa |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly To Host Primetime Celebrity-Interview Special On Fox Network |url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/megyn-kelly-fox-broadcast-celebrity-interview-special-bill-geddie-1201720755/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324174923/https://deadline.com/2016/03/megyn-kelly-fox-broadcast-celebrity-interview-special-bill-geddie-1201720755/ |archive-date=March 24, 2020 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} It acquired 4.8 million viewers, but placed third in the ratings.{{Cite web |last=Maglio |first=Tony |date=May 18, 2016 |title=Do Megyn Kelly's Ratings for Trump Interview Mean She's Ready for Primetime? |url=https://thewrap.com/megyn-kelly-donald-trump-interview-fox-new-girl-tv-ratings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020231150/https://www.thewrap.com/megyn-kelly-donald-trump-interview-fox-new-girl-tv-ratings/ |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |website=TheWrap.com}} Gabriel Sherman wrote of the stakes for Kelly as "high", elaborating that with Kelly being in the final year of her contract with Fox and having confirmed her ambitions, "[t]he special was essentially a public interview for her next job."{{Cite magazine |last=Sherman |first=Gabriel |author-link=Gabriel Sherman |date=May 20, 2016 |title=What's Next for Megyn Kelly? |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/05/whats-next-for-megyn-kelly.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529094346/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/05/whats-next-for-megyn-kelly.html |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |magazine=New York}}

In July 2016, amid allegations of sexual harassment on the part of Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, Kelly was reported to have confirmed that she herself was also subjected to his harassment.{{Cite web |last=Castillo |first=Michelle |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Fox nearing decision on Roger Ailes, likely to result in his departure: Sources |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/19/fox-news-megyn-kelly-accuses-roger-ailes-of-sexual-harassment-report.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107011105/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/19/fox-news-megyn-kelly-accuses-roger-ailes-of-sexual-harassment-report.html |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=September 10, 2017 |website=CNBC}}{{Cite news |last=Yu |first=Roger |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Report: Megyn Kelly told Fox investigators Ailes sexually harassed her, too |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/07/19/report-megyn-kelly-told-fox-investigators-ailes-sexually-harassed-her-too/87292092/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011011631/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/07/19/report-megyn-kelly-told-fox-investigators-ailes-sexually-harassed-her-too/87292092/ |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |work=USA Today}} Two days after the report, Ailes resigned from Fox News and his lawyer, Susan Estrich, publicly denied the charge.{{Cite news |date=July 22, 2016 |title=Fox News chief Roger Ailes denies harassing Megyn Kelly |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-megyn-kelly-roger-ailes-harassment-20160719-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324174922/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-megyn-kelly-roger-ailes-harassment-20160719-story.html |archive-date=March 24, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |work=Chicago Tribune}} During her coverage of the 2016 Republican National Convention, her attire received criticism.{{Cite magazine |last=Marquina |first=Sierra |date=July 21, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly Was Shamed for Wearing This Dress During the RNC — Read the Craziest Reactions |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/megyn-kelly-slammed-for-rnc-dress-that-looked-like-a-bikini-w430346 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603224833/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/megyn-kelly-slammed-for-rnc-dress-that-looked-like-a-bikini-w430346 |archive-date=June 3, 2017 |access-date=July 23, 2016 |magazine=Us Weekly}} In a defense of Kelly, Jenavieve Hatch of The Huffington Post commented, "If you're a woman on national television reporting on a political event from hot, humid Cleveland, wearing a weather-appropriate outfit makes you the target of an endless stream of sexist commentary."{{Cite web |last=Hatch |first=Jenavieve |date=July 22, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly Wore Spaghetti Straps And People Lost It |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/entry/megyn-kelly-wore-spaghetti-straps-and-people-lost-it_us_57923502e4b0fc06ec5cbe9a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210042041/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/megyn-kelly-wore-spaghetti-straps-and-people-lost-it_us_57923502e4b0fc06ec5cbe9a |archive-date=February 10, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |website=The Huffington Post}} In September 2016, it was reported that Kelly would be collaborating with Michael De Luca to produce Embeds, a scripted comedy about reporters covering politics, to be aired on a streaming service.{{Cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Ken |date=September 20, 2016 |title=Fox News' Megyn Kelly will produce political comedy series: Report |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/20/fox-news-megyn-kelly-will-produce-political-comedy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510133409/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/20/fox-news-megyn-kelly-will-produce-political-comedy/ |archive-date=May 10, 2017 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |work=The Washington Times}}{{Cite news |last=Andrews-Dyer |first=Helena |date=September 21, 2016 |title=Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly is trying her hand at comedy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2016/09/21/fox-news-anchor-megyn-kelly-is-trying-her-hand-at-comedy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510141425/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2016/09/21/fox-news-anchor-megyn-kelly-is-trying-her-hand-at-comedy/ |archive-date=May 10, 2017 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Kelly appeared on the cover of the February 2016 issue of Vanity Fair.{{Cite magazine |last=Peretz |first=Evgenia |date=January 31, 2016 |title=Blowhards, Beware: Megyn Kelly Will Slay You Now |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/12/megyn-kelly-fox-news-cover-story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926130215/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/12/megyn-kelly-fox-news-cover-story |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |magazine=Vanity Fair}} In 2016, she was an honoree for Variety{{'}}s Power of Women for her addressing child abuse.{{Cite magazine |last=Setoodeh |first=Ramin |date=April 5, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly Shines a Light on Child Abuse Nonprofit |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/megyn-kelly-childhelp-abuse-1201745257/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214141010/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/megyn-kelly-childhelp-abuse-1201745257/ |archive-date=December 14, 2017 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |magazine=Variety}}

File:Vladimir Putin and Megyn Kelly 03.jpg, June 2017]]

File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Kern, and Moldovan President Igor Dodon on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.jpg, and Austrian chancellor Christian Kern]]

In late 2016, with her Fox contract in its final months, Kelly was rumored to be actively considering moving to other news networks.{{Cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=December 1, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly Fields Early Offers From Rivals: Could She Go to CNN? |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/megyn-kelly-cnn-fox-news-1201931483/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412004838/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/megyn-kelly-cnn-fox-news-1201931483/ |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |work=Variety}}{{Cite news |last=Heslam |first=Jessica |date=December 2, 2016 |title=Heslam: 'Hot commodity' Megyn Kelly weighing her options |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/jessica_heslam/2016/12/heslam_hot_commodity_megyn_kelly_weighing_her_options |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025225600/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/jessica_heslam/2016/12/heslam_hot_commodity_megyn_kelly_weighing_her_options |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=December 2, 2016 |work=Boston Herald}} In January 2017, The New York Times reported that she would leave Fox News for a "triple role" at NBC News, which would include roles as a daytime talk show, hosting a forthcoming Sunday-night newsmagazine, as well as becoming a correspondent for major news events and political coverage.{{Cite news |last=Rutenberg |first=Jim |author-link=Jim Rutenberg |date=January 3, 2017 |title=Megyn Kelly Is Said to Be Leaving Fox News for NBC |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/business/media/megyn-kelly-nbc-fox-news.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104131544/http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/business/media/megyn-kelly-nbc-fox-news.html |archive-date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=January 3, 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |date=January 3, 2017 |title=Megyn Kelly to Leave Murdoch's Fox News for NBC Daytime Show |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-03/megyn-kelly-agrees-to-join-nbc-leaving-fox-news-channel-behind |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420051054/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-03/megyn-kelly-agrees-to-join-nbc-leaving-fox-news-channel-behind |archive-date=April 20, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2017 |website=Bloomberg News}} She departed Fox News on January 6, 2017, after the last episode of The Kelly File was aired.{{Cite web |last=de Moraes |first=Lisa |date=January 3, 2017 |title=Megyn Kelly To Exit Fox News This Week, Joins NBC News To Host Daytime Show & New Sunday Evening Newsmag |url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/megyn-kelly-leaving-fox-news-joins-nbc-report-1201877902/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321004217/https://deadline.com/2017/01/megyn-kelly-leaving-fox-news-joins-nbc-report-1201877902/ |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |website=Deadline}}{{Cite news |date=January 6, 2017 |title=Megyn Kelly Says Goodbye on 'The Kelly File': "I Am Better for Having Been Here" |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/megyn-kelly-says-goodbye-kelly-file-i-am-better-having-been-961725 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108004043/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/megyn-kelly-says-goodbye-kelly-file-i-am-better-having-been-961725 |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |access-date=January 7, 2017 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} In January 2017 People, quoting an unspecified source, reported that Kelly remained under a non-compete clause with Fox until July 2017, which would prevent her from working for a competitor until the clause expired, unless it would be canceled prior.{{Cite web |last1=Triggs |first1=Charlotte |last2=Corinthios |first2=Aurelie |date=January 6, 2017 |title=The Surprising Reason Megyn Kelly May Not Start at NBC for Nearly a Year |url=http://people.com/tv/why-megyn-kelly-may-not-startt-nbc-news-nearly-a-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227063731/http://people.com/tv/why-megyn-kelly-may-not-startt-nbc-news-nearly-a-year/ |archive-date=February 27, 2017 |access-date=March 5, 2017 |website=People}}

On June 2, 2017, Kelly interviewed Russian president Vladimir Putin, first in a panel discussion she moderated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and later in a one-on-one interview for the premiere episode of NBC's Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly, which aired June 4, 2017.{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2017 |title=Interview to NBC |url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/54688 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924064026/http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/54688 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |website=Kremlin.ru}}{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Hillary |date=June 1, 2017 |title=It's Official: Megyn Kelly to Interview Vladimir Putin for NBC Series Premiere |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/its-official-megyn-kelly-to-interview-vladimir-putin-for-nbc-series-premiere/ar-BBBLXIY |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605001927/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/its-official-megyn-kelly-to-interview-vladimir-putin-for-nbc-series-premiere/ar-BBBLXIY |archive-date=June 5, 2017 |access-date=June 1, 2017 |website=MSN}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Alexander |date=June 2, 2017 |title=Vladimir Putin to Megyn Kelly: Even Children Could Hack an Election |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/vladimir-putin-faces-questions-megyn-kelly-st-petersburg-n767481 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602133758/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/vladimir-putin-faces-questions-megyn-kelly-st-petersburg-n767481 |archive-date=June 2, 2017 |access-date=June 15, 2017 |website=NBC News}} Kelly's daytime talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, premiered in September 2017.{{Cite web |last=Gerard |first=Jeremy |date=July 11, 2017 |title=NBC News Sets 9/25 Start Date For Megyn Kelly's 'Today' Debut With Studio Audience: Report |url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/megyn-kelly-today-show-september-25-start-date-1202126466/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412094725/https://deadline.com/2017/07/megyn-kelly-today-show-september-25-start-date-1202126466/ |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=July 19, 2017 |title=To Lure Ad Dollars, NBC Tied Megyn Kelly to 'Today' |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/megyn-kelly-today-show-tv-advertising-nbc-1202499790/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903232200/https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/megyn-kelly-today-show-tv-advertising-nbc-1202499790/ |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |access-date=July 21, 2017 |magazine=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Albiniak |first=Paige |date=January 4, 2017 |title=Megyn Kelly's NBC Daytime Show to Replace Third Hour of 'Today' |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/megyn-kellys-nbc-daytime-show-replace-third-hour-today/162179 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105191154/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/megyn-kellys-nbc-daytime-show-replace-third-hour-today/162179 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=January 5, 2017 |website=Broadcasting & Cable}}{{Cite web |last=Buckman |first=Adam |date=January 4, 2017 |title=Where Will Kelly Live On NBC's Schedule? |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/100451/where-will-kelly-live-on-nbcs-schedule |access-date=January 5, 2017 |website=TVNewsCheck}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Kelly was paid reportedly between $15 million and $20 million a year at NBC.{{Cite web |last1=Nededog |first1=Jethro |last2=Acuna |first2=Kirsten |date=January 3, 2017 |title=Megyn Kelly is now one of the highest-paid hosts on TV — here's where her salary ranks |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tv-host-salaries-megyn-kelley-nbc-2017-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814224122/http://www.businessinsider.com/tv-host-salaries-megyn-kelley-nbc-2017-1 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017 |website=Business Insider |language=en}} After an initial run of eight episodes in the summer of 2017, NBC decided to bring her newsmagazine show Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly back for summer 2018 after a hiatus for football and the Winter Olympics, but only periodically. However, this return never materialized.{{Cite news |last=Flood |first=Brian |date=March 6, 2018 |title=NBC demotes Megyn Kelly's struggling Sunday night show to 'periodic' airings only |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/nbc-demotes-megyn-kellys-struggling-sunday-night-show-to-periodic-airings-only |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310192056/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/03/06/nbc-star-megyn-kelly-s-sunday-show-will-return-but-only-periodically.html |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |access-date=March 11, 2018 |work=Fox News}}{{Cite web |title=Shows A-Z – sunday night with megyn kelly on nbc |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/sunday-night-with-megyn-kelly/listings/ |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=the futon critic}} Instead, Kelly continued to report stories for Dateline NBC during the summer of 2018, continuing her work for the show which she joined in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Boedeker |first=Hal |title='Dynasty' star shares fight to save daughter from cult |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-et-dynasty-star-shares-fight-to-save-daughter-from-cult-20180803-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027021632/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-et-dynasty-star-shares-fight-to-save-daughter-from-cult-20180803-story.html |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=October 26, 2018 |website=OrlandoSentinel.com}}

On October 23, 2018, Kelly was criticized for on-air remarks she made on Megyn Kelly Today related to the appropriateness of blackface as part of Halloween costumes. She recollected that "when I was a kid, that was okay as long as you were dressing up like a character", and defended Luann de Lesseps's use of skin darkening spray to wear a Diana Ross Halloween costume.{{Cite web |title=Megyn Kelly slammed |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/10/23/megyn-kelly-slammed-blackface-comments-today-show/1738580002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021013036/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/10/23/megyn-kelly-slammed-blackface-comments-today-show/1738580002/ |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 19, 2020 |publisher=USA Today}}{{Cite web |title=Luann de Lesseps Apologizes for Her Diana Ross Costume, Denies Doing Blackface: 'I'm Horrified' |url=https://people.com/tv/luann-de-lesseps-apologizes-diana-ross-costume/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=People.com |language=en}} After receiving backlash for her comments, Kelly issued an internal email apologizing for the remarks later that day.{{Cite news |title=Megyn Kelly Apologizes to Colleagues for Blackface Comments |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/megyn-kelly-apologizes-blackface-comments-1154466 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090101/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/megyn-kelly-apologizes-blackface-comments-1154466 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}} Three days later, NBC canceled Megyn Kelly Today.{{Cite news |title=Megyn Kelly's NBC morning show has ended |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/megyn-kellys-nbc-morning-show-has-ended/2018/10/26/c66972ea-d8aa-11e8-aeb7-ddcad4a0a54e_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026183353/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/megyn-kellys-nbc-morning-show-has-ended/2018/10/26/c66972ea-d8aa-11e8-aeb7-ddcad4a0a54e_story.html |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}} It had been reported that Kelly was considering ending the program to focus on her role as a correspondent.{{Cite news |title=Megyn Kelly Expected to End NBC Morning Show |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/megyn-kelly-expected-end-nbc-morning-show-1154877 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025015050/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/megyn-kelly-expected-end-nbc-morning-show-1154877 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}} Her employment was terminated on January 11, 2019, and she was paid the $30 million due for the remainder of her contract.{{Cite web |last=Iannucci |first=Rebecca |date=January 7, 2019 |title=Today Reveals Cohosts for Post-Megyn Kelly Third Hour — Who's Taking Over? |url=https://tvline.com/2019/01/07/today-show-third-hour-hosts-megyn-kelly-replacement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150251/https://tvline.com/2019/01/07/today-show-third-hour-hosts-megyn-kelly-replacement/ |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |access-date=January 12, 2019 |website=TVLine}}{{Cite web |last1=Kludt |first1=Tom |last2=Stelter |first2=Brian |date=January 11, 2019 |title=Megyn Kelly leaves NBC with all of her $69 million contract intact |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/11/media/megyn-kelly-leaves-nbc/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112025010/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/11/media/megyn-kelly-leaves-nbc/index.html |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |access-date=January 12, 2019 |website=CNN}}{{Cite web |last=Rodrigo |first=Chris Mills |date=January 11, 2019 |title=Megyn Kelly officially leaves NBC |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/425024-megyn-kelly-officially-leaves-nbc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112065253/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/425024-megyn-kelly-officially-leaves-nbc |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |access-date=January 13, 2019 |website=The Hill |publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp.}}

Kelly announced the launch of Devil May Care Media, her media production company, on September 10, 2020, with a podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show.{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=September 10, 2020 |title=Megyn Kelly Launches Independent Media Company, Will Start Podcast |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/megyn-kelly-launches-devil-may-care-podcast-1234765217/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911015908/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/megyn-kelly-launches-devil-may-care-podcast-1234765217/ |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en}} Its first episode premiered on September 28, 2020.{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Megyn Kelly Says Trump's Done Well with Policy but Not Rhetoric |url=https://www.tmz.com/2020/09/28/megyn-kelly-trump-good-job-policy-coronavirus-biden-inauguration/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726132244/https://www.tmz.com/2020/09/28/megyn-kelly-trump-good-job-policy-coronavirus-biden-inauguration/ |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |access-date=September 29, 2020 |website=TMZ |language=en}} On July 6, 2021, it was announced that the podcast would move to Sirius XM on September 7, 2021, to broadcast weekdays at 12 noon ET on the talk radio channel Triumph, along with a video simulcast available to Sirius XM subscribers.{{Cite news |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=July 6, 2021 |title=SiriusXM Signs Megyn Kelly to Exclusive Radio Deal |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/megyn-kelly-siriusxm-radio-show-1234977768/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726132759/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/megyn-kelly-siriusxm-radio-show-1234977768/ |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2021 |work=Hollywood Reporter}}

Since transitioning to independent media, The Megyn Kelly Show has experienced significant growth. In July 2023, the show's YouTube channel attracted 116.8 million views, surpassing the viewership of major news outlets during the same period, including NBC News (78 million) and CBS News (83 million).{{Cite web |last=Schorr |first=Isaac |date=2024-08-26 |title=Megyn Kelly Singlehandedly Had Over 30 Million More Views on YouTube in July Than NBC or CBS News |url=https://www.mediaite.com/news/megyn-kelly-singlehandedly-had-over-30-million-more-views-on-youtube-in-july-than-nbc-or-cbs-news/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Mediaite |language=en}} As of January 2025, Kelly's YouTube channel alone has over 3.2 million subscribers,{{Cite web |title=Megyn Kelly |url=https://www.youtube.com/@MegynKelly |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=YouTube |language=en}} and it has become one of the top ten podcasts in the U.S. Despite running with a small team, her show has gained significant traction, positioning her as a prominent figure in the digital media space.{{Cite news |title=Inside Megyn Kelly's YouTube success {{!}} Semafor |url=https://www.semafor.com/article/08/25/2024/inside-megyn-kellys-youtube-success |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241209200611/https://www.semafor.com/article/08/25/2024/inside-megyn-kellys-youtube-success |archive-date=2024-12-09 |access-date=2025-01-10 |language=en}}

On December 6, 2023, Kelly returned to the moderator desk to co-host the fourth Republican primary debate on NewsNation, alongside Elizabeth Vargas and Eliana Johnson.{{Cite news |last=Simonetti |first=Isabella |title=Wednesday's Republican Debate Is Opportunity to Shine for NewsNation |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/wednesdays-republican-debate-is-opportunity-to-shine-for-newsnation-d24168c9 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2023 |title=NewsNation announces special programming ahead of Dec. 6 debate |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/press/special-programming-newsnation-debate-2023/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=NewsNation |language=en-US}} This marked her first return to moderating a presidential debate since her time at Fox News, where she famously moderated the first Republican Party presidential debate in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Eliza |date=December 6, 2023 |title=Megyn Kelly Is Back as a Presidential Debate Host |url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/gop-republican-debate-alabama/card/megyn-kelly-is-back-as-a-presidential-debate-host-UCwmZJEACvEGbNHL5UG6 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}} The debate, which was hosted by independent media figures, was part of the Republican National Committee's move toward embracing alternative media platforms over traditional establishment networks.{{Cite news |last=Wang |first=Amy B. |date=November 9, 2023 |title=RNC shifts away from establishment media for fourth GOP debate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/11/09/fourth-republican-debate-news-nation/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} The event took place without the participation of Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate at the time.{{Cite news |last=Huynh |first=Anjali |date=2023-11-30 |title=Trump Will Skip the G.O.P. Debate and Attend a Fund-Raiser Instead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/29/us/politics/trump-fourth-debate-fundraiser.html |access-date=2025-01-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

On November 4, 2024, the day before the 2024 presidential election, Kelly publicly endorsed Donald Trump at a rally in Pittsburgh. In her speech, she expressed support for his policies on women's rights, border security, immigration, and transgender athletes in women's sports, stating that he would be a "protector" of women.{{Cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Kelsey |last2=Ibssa |first2=Lalee |last3=Rin Kim |first3=Soo |date=November 5, 2024 |title=Megyn Kelly endorses Trump, calling him 'protector of women' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/megyn-kelly-endorses-trump-calling-protector-women/story?id=115508795 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=ABC News |language=en}} Afterward, Kelly posted a selfie with Trump on X, captioned, "God bless him. Go vote for him!"{{Cite news |title=Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) on X |url=https://x.com/megynkelly/status/1853630250552381453 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241116184958/https://x.com/megynkelly/status/1853630250552381453 |archive-date=2024-11-16 |access-date=2025-01-10 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}} While Kelly had previously clashed with Trump during the 2016 campaign, when he referred to her as "nasty" following a widely publicized debate exchange, her endorsement in 2024 revealed a stark change in their relationship.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=Trump called Megyn Kelly 'nasty' 9 years ago. She just helped deliver his closing message |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-megyn-kelly-rally-closing-message-11f88728b4ee24f8bfed59e68200805b |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Byers |first=Dylan |date=2015-08-07 |title=Trump: Megyn Kelly 'behaved very nasty to me' |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/republican-debate-donald-trump-megyn-kelly-121132 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}

On January 17, 2025, Kelly stated on her show that she would be attending Trump's second inauguration on January 20, and would be delivering remarks on stage at his rally the night before.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqqZTV93vsM |title=Megyn Kelly Announces She's Speaking at Trump Rally Sunday While Inauguration Monday Moves Indoors |date=2025-01-17 |last=Megyn Kelly |access-date=2025-01-18 |via=YouTube}}

On February 18, 2025, Kelly announced the launch of a second podcast, AM Update with Megyn Kelly, which is set to premiere on February 19. Unlike The Megyn Kelly Show, which features guest discussions and debates, AM Update will follow a daily digest format, summarizing major headlines.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title='We're Excited': Megyn Announces the Launch of Her New Podcast 'AM Update with Megyn Kelly' |url=https://www.megynkelly.com/2025/02/18/megyn-kelly-launches-new-am-update-morning-show/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Megyn Kelly |language=en-US}}

On March 10, 2025, Kelly won the IHeartRadio podcast award for Best Political podcast.{{Cite magazine |last=harmonyapiuser |date=2025-03-11 |title=iHeartRadio Podcast Awards 2025 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/event-video/iheartradio-podcast-awards-2025/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Caitlin |date=2025-03-11 |title='Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang' Wins Podcast of the Year at iHeartPodcast Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/las-culturistas-podcast-of-the-year-iheartpodcast-awards-1236161064/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

On May 6, 2025, Kelly's podcast ranked 3rd in Top Right-Wing podcasts by subscribers for Q1. Her podcast had the most YOY % growth at 176%. She is also the only female in the top 10.{{Cite web |title=Q1 Right-Wing Podcasting Dominated by Megyn Kelly's Explosive Growth – theRighting |url=https://therighting.com/podcast-report/q1-right-wing-podcasting-dominated-by-megyn-kellys-explosive-growth/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-07 |title=Megyn Kelly has third-biggest right-wing podcast as subscriptions surge 176 percent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/megyn-kelly-podcast-explosive-growth-b2746627.html |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

File:Megyn Kelly (53805263249).jpg

Kelly has been a registered independent since 2008,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHAgA4qgs4s |title=KJP Pretends to Be Independent, Elon Slams Trump's Big Bill, w/ Mark Halperin, Spicer & Turrentine |website=Megyn Kelly |date=4 June 2025 |via=YouTube}} 5:31{{Cite web |title=Megyn Kelly's new media moment |url=https://highlandcountypress.com/opinions/megyn-kellys-new-media-moment#gsc.tab=0 |website=The Highland County Press |language=en}} and told Variety in 2015 that she had voted for both Democrats and Republicans.{{Cite magazine |last1=Setoodeh |first1=Ramin |last2=Steinberg |first2=Brian |date=June 22, 2015 |title=Fox News Anchor Megyn Kelly Comes Out as an Independent |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/fox-news-megyn-kelly-independent-1201525083/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019062205/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/fox-news-megyn-kelly-independent-1201525083/ |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |magazine=Variety}}

In 2025, Kelly opened up about her shift in political standing over the years on The Megyn Kelly Show, stating that:{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G68K8e9DxdQ |title=Megyn Kelly Gets Real About Her Shift From Moderate at Fox and NBC to "Conservative" |date=2025-02-13 |last=Megyn Kelly |access-date=2025-02-15 |via=YouTube}}

{{Blockquote|text="When I was at Fox and then for that year at NBC, I was more in the center. I was like definitely center-right. Now I think I'm pretty conservative. I mean, I just am now. I mean, the earth has shifted such that I think I have to say, yes, by today's standards, you'd call me conservative. But that's thanks to them. What they did to me, they were vicious. They're complete assholes. Their woke ideology completely radicalized me against them. And I love that. It empowered me in a way that allowed me to see the truth about them. That was very helpful to me. I wouldn't undo it if I could because it really helped me understand who I was dealing with over there."|source=Megyn Kelly}}

In response to the 2018 Parkland shooting, Kelly criticized lawmakers for their failure to pass meaningful gun reform, expressing frustration with the cycle of sorrow following mass shootings without real action. She argued that politicians lack the courage to push through change and that most proposed reforms would be ineffective. Kelly also pointed to the NRA's significant influence as a major barrier to reform, emphasizing the need for both politicians and the public to demand serious action.{{Cite web |last=Concha |first=Joe |date=February 15, 2018 |title=Megyn Kelly: Guns are 'too ubiquitous' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/374060-megyn-kelly-guns-are-too-ubiquitous/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330210026/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/374060-megyn-kelly-guns-are-too-ubiquitous/ |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=TheHill.com |language=en-US}}

In June 2023, Kelly explained that her opinion had shifted from supporting "preferred pronouns" to opposing them, citing concerns about their connection to gender-affirming care for minors. She argued that such policies harmed women's rights and children's safety. Kelly stated she would no longer use preferred pronouns but would still approach transgender individuals with empathy. She also criticized the inclusion of transgender women in women's spaces and sports, as well as medical intervention for transgender youth.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Ian |date=June 2, 2023 |title=Megyn Kelly: I'm Done With The Trans Pronoun Charade, I Didn't See The Harm |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/06/02/megyn_kelly_i_was_unfortunately_an_early_proponent_of_using_preferred_pronouns_trans_people_were_tortured_enough.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201093355/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/06/02/megyn_kelly_i_was_unfortunately_an_early_proponent_of_using_preferred_pronouns_trans_people_were_tortured_enough.html |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=RealClearPolitics}}

In April 2024, Kelly revealed that she voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election and would vote for him again in 2024 despite their turbulent relationship in the past. She explained that her decision was driven particularly by issues like transgender issues and cultural changes that were affecting her children. Kelly stated that her vote was based on principles rather than personal preference, emphasizing her desire to protect traditional values and preserve fundamental freedoms.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title=Megyn Reveals Why She Voted for Trump in 2020 While Unloading on Biden's New Title IX Changes |url=https://www.megynkelly.com/2024/04/19/megyn-kelly-reacts-to-biden-title-ix-updates/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Megyn Kelly |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VyM6AoNs6g |title="It Was About My Concern For This Country": Megyn Kelly REVEALS She Voted for Donald Trump in 2020 |date=2024-04-19 |last=Megyn Kelly |access-date=2025-01-10 |via=YouTube}}

In October 2024, after Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, citing Tim Walz's LGBTQ policies, Kelly criticized her during an on stage interview with Tucker Carlson. She accused Swift of "alienating half her fan base" by taking a side in a hotly contested presidential election, adding, about Walz's LGBTQ policies, "...and that is what Taylor Swift just endorsed for your children. So screw you, Taylor Swift."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGGRElF0Wss |title=Megyn Kelly: Taylor Swift's Extremist Transgender Ideology, Debate Reaction, & Cable News Collapse |date=2024-09-13 |last=Carlson |first=Tucker |access-date=2024-09-26 |via=YouTube}} 4:43

In February 2016, Kelly signed an agreement with HarperCollins to write an autobiography scheduled for release later that year, in a deal worth more than $10 million.{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Andy |date=February 4, 2015 |title=Megyn Kelly Signs Book Deal |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/bookmark/megyn-kelly-signs-book-deal-862319 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202151820/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bookmark/megyn-kelly-signs-book-deal-862319 |archive-date=December 2, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Stelter |first=Brian |date=February 4, 2016 |title=Fox's Megyn Kelly strikes a book deal |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/02/04/media/megyn-kelly-harpercollins-book-deal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026222750/https://money.cnn.com/2016/02/04/media/megyn-kelly-harpercollins-book-deal/ |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2020 |website=CNN}}{{Cite news |last=Alter |first=Alexandra |date=February 5, 2016 |title=Megyn Kelly of Fox News Signs Book Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/06/business/megyn-kelly-of-fox-news-signs-book-deal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026182637/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/06/business/megyn-kelly-of-fox-news-signs-book-deal.html |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |work=The New York Times}} The book, titled Settle for More, was released on November 15, 2016.{{Cite news |last=Battaglio |first=Stephen |date=November 16, 2016 |title=Trump supporters try to undermine Megyn Kelly's book with an onslaught of negative reviews on Amazon |url=https://latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-kelly-trump-20161116-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117013640/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-kelly-trump-20161116-story.html |archive-date=November 17, 2016 |access-date=November 17, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web |title=Customer reviews |url=https://www.amazon.com/Settle-More-Megyn-Kelly-ebook/product-reviews/B01ER6LIXA/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118040533/https://www.amazon.com/Settle-More-Megyn-Kelly-ebook/product-reviews/B01ER6LIXA/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_summary?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=helpful |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |access-date=November 17, 2016 |website=Amazon.com}}

• In 2009, Kelly received an award from Childhelp for her work as a Fox News anchor covering the subject of child abuse.{{Cite magazine |date=April 5, 2016 |title=Variety's 2016 Power of Women New York |url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/power-of-women-new-york-2016-megyn-kelly-julianne-moore-1201745565/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130191725/http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/power-of-women-new-york-2016-megyn-kelly-julianne-moore-1201745565/ |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |magazine=Variety}}
• Kelly was honored with an Alumni Achievement Award from the Albany Law School in 2010 for her 15th class reunion.{{Cite news |last=Bump |first=Bethany |date=October 9, 2015 |title=Welcome back (again), Megyn Kelly |url=https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Welcome-back-again-Megyn-Kelly-6560876.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127121841/https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Welcome-back-again-Megyn-Kelly-6560876.php |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=October 25, 2018 |work=Times Union |location=Albany}}
• She was included in the Time{{'}}s list of the 100 most influential people in 2014 and 2025.{{Cite magazine |date=April 23, 2014 |title=Time 2014 100 Most Influential People |url=http://time.com/70888/megyn-kelly-2014-time-100/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201004507/http://time.com/70888/megyn-kelly-2014-time-100/ |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |access-date=April 29, 2014 |magazine=Time}}{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/collections/100-most-influential-people-2025/7273794/megyn-kelly/|title=Megyn Kelly|magazine=Time|first=Lara|last=Trump|date=April 16, 2025|access-date=April 25, 2025}}
• On September 26, 2015, Kelly was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bethlehem Central High School, her alma mater.{{Cite news |last=Ellis |first=Lindsay |date=September 26, 2015 |title=Megyn Kelly of Fox News honored at Bethlehem Central High School |url=http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Megyn-Kelly-of-Fox-News-honored-at-Bethlehem-6532483.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310163235/http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Megyn-Kelly-of-Fox-News-honored-at-Bethlehem-6532483.php |archive-date=March 10, 2017 |access-date=January 20, 2017 |work=Times Union |location=Albany}}
• On March 10, 2025, Kelly won the IHeartRadio podcast award for Best Political podcast.

Bombshell, a 2019 film depicting Roger Ailes' sexual abuses and his subsequent resignation from Fox News, was released on December 13, 2019. Kelly is portrayed in the film by Charlize Theron, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.{{Cite web |last=Nicholls |first=MacKenzie |date=August 21, 2019 |title='Bombshell' Trailer Gives First Look at Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly, Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/bombshell-trailer-charlize-theron-megyn-kelly-nicole-kidman-gretchen-carlson-margot-robbie-1203309171/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409111711/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/bombshell-trailer-charlize-theron-megyn-kelly-nicole-kidman-gretchen-carlson-margot-robbie-1203309171/ |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |access-date=March 15, 2020 |magazine=Variety}} Kelly said she was not consulted for the film's content;{{Cite web |last=Aspinall, Georgia |date=January 15, 2020 |title=A deep dive into the accuracy of Bombshell and the Fox News Sexual Harassment Scandal |url=https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/tv-and-film/bombshell-film-fox-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021164524/https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/tv-and-film/bombshell-film-fox-news/ |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 19, 2020 |website=Grazia Daily}} however, after viewing a screening of the film, Kelly held a roundtable discussion with other involved parties such as Juliet Huddy, Rudi Bakhtiar, Douglas Brunt, and former Fox News producer Julie Zann. Kelly confirmed and denied several moments in the film, while describing the film overall as an emotional experience for her.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmSz7HqkI9s |title=Megyn Kelly Presents: A Response to "Bombshell" – Full Discussion |date=January 9, 2020 |last=Kelly |first=Megyn |author-link=Megyn Kelly |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113054047/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmSz7HqkI9s |archive-date=January 13, 2020 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=January 10, 2020 |title=Megyn Kelly, Other Fox News Accusers Dissect 'Bombshell' In New Video |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/megyn-kelly-bombshell-response-video-juliet-huddy-rudi-bakhtiar-julie-zann-1202826788/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111140020/https://deadline.com/2020/01/megyn-kelly-bombshell-response-video-juliet-huddy-rudi-bakhtiar-julie-zann-1202826788/ |archive-date=January 11, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

In early 2023, Kelly teased that she had to join SAG-AFTRA for an upcoming secret project. On November 30, 2023, she revealed on her show that she was set to star alongside Danny Trejo, Roseanne Barr, and Adam Carolla in Mr. Birchum, a new Daily Wire adult animated comedy series which debuted in early 2024.{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2023 |title=Megyn Reveals She Is Making Her Acting Debut in a New Daily Wire Scripted Series |url=https://www.megynkelly.com/2023/11/30/megyn-reveals-she-is-making-her-acting-debut-in-a-new-daily-wire-scripted-series/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |website=Megyn Kelly |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=November 30, 2023 |title=The Daily Wire Sets Adult Animated Comedy Series 'Mr Birchum' Starring Adam Carolla, Megyn Kelly, Brett Cooper, Roseanne Barr, Candace Owens, Danny Trejo & More |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/daily-wire-series-adam-carolla-megyn-kelly-brett-cooper-candace-owens-danny-trejo-roseanne-barr-1235643840/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}

Kelly was first married in 2001 to Daniel Kendall, an anesthesiologist, in a Catholic ceremony. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2006.{{Cite web |last=Bercovici |first=Jeff |date=March 17, 2008 |title=Vows And The Mystery Of The Missing Marriage |url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/companies/media/2008/03/17/vows-and-the-mystery-of-the-missing-marriage.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309001359/http://upstart.bizjournals.com/companies/media/2008/03/17/vows-and-the-mystery-of-the-missing-marriage.html |archive-date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=August 15, 2015 |website=Portfolio.com}} In March 2024, Kelly disclosed that she was undergoing the Catholic annulment process for her marriage with Kendall.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-29 |title=Megyn Opens Up About Her 'Crisis of Faith' and Going Through the Catholic Annulment Process |url=https://www.megynkelly.com/2024/03/29/megyn-opens-up-about-her-crisis-of-faith-and-going-through-the-catholic-annulment-process/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Megyn Kelly |language=en-US}}

In 2008, Kelly married Douglas Brunt, then president and CEO of the cybersecurity firm Authentium.{{Cite news |last=Saslow |first=Linda |date=March 16, 2008 |title=Megyn Kelly and Douglas Brunt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/fashion/weddings/16vows.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222091824/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/fashion/weddings/16vows.html |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |work=The New York Times}} Brunt later transitioned to a career as a full-time writer and novelist.{{Cite web |title=Douglas Brunt biography |url=http://www.douglasbrunt.com/about-doug-brunt/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215171138/http://douglasbrunt.com/about-doug-brunt/ |archive-date=February 15, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2013}} The couple has three children: son Yates (born 2009), daughter Yardley (born 2011), and son Thatcher (born 2013),{{Cite magazine |last=Zuckerman |first=Joshua |date=August 10, 2011 |title=Megyn Kelly Shares Photo of Daughter Yardley |url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2011/08/10/megyn-kelly-shares-photo-of-daughter-yardley/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607002107/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2011/08/10/megyn-kelly-shares-photo-of-daughter-yardley/ |archive-date=June 7, 2017 |access-date=June 8, 2017 |magazine=People |quote=...joining big brother Edward Yates, 22 months. 'Yates was [my husband] Doug's father's name, and we felt we needed a strong name to match it,' Kelly, 40, tells People of their name choice.}}{{Cite magazine |last=Rovzar |first=Chris |date=April 14, 2011 |title=Megyn Kelly Gives Birth to Baby Girl |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2011/04/megyn_kelly_gives_birth_to_bab.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922122407/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2011/04/megyn_kelly_gives_birth_to_bab.html |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |access-date=June 8, 2017 |magazine=New York |quote=The popular host of Fox News' America Live just gave birth to a girl named Yardley Evans, substitute host Martha MacCallum just announced.}}{{Cite news |date=July 26, 2013 |title=Megyn Kelly Baby: Anchor Gives Birth To A Boy, Thatcher Bray |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/26/megyn-kelly-baby-boy-thatcher-bray_n_3660403.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104234824/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/26/megyn-kelly-baby-boy-thatcher-bray_n_3660403.html |archive-date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |work=The Huffington Post |quote=The news was announced at the end of Kelly's former show, America Live...}}{{Cite web |title=x.com |url=https://x.com/megynkelly |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241225180853/https://x.com/megynkelly |archive-date=2024-12-25 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}} all conceived through in vitro fertilization.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Megyn |date=April 6, 2021 |title=Many couples struggle with getting pregnant. Been there, trust me. My thoughts... |url=https://twitter.com/megynkelly/status/1379413492684427271?lang=en |website=Twitter}}{{Citation |title=Megyn Kelly on Parents Trying to "Game the System" with IVF and Birth Months #shorts |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_ackX7G425o |access-date=December 10, 2023 |language=en}} The family resides in Connecticut during the school year, and spends summers at their waterfront home in New Jersey.megynkelly.com

Kelly is a lifelong Roman Catholic.{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2016 |title=Multiple women accuse Trump of bad behavior |url=http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2016/10/12/multiple-women-accuse-trump-bad-behavior/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014113815/http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2016/10/12/multiple-women-accuse-trump-bad-behavior/ |archive-date=October 14, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2016 |website=Fox News |type=Transcript |quote=But I'm Catholic. I've lived as a Catholic my whole life, but I haven't heard my fellow Catholics speak so snidely about our faith, other than in this email.}} She has appeared at a fundraiser for the conservative group Moms for Liberty and Turning Point USA's Young Women's Leadership Summit.{{Cite web |last=Little |first=Olivia |date=November 12, 2021 |title=Unmasking Moms for Liberty |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/critical-race-theory/unmasking-moms-liberty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120210226/https://www.mediamatters.org/critical-race-theory/unmasking-moms-liberty |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 20, 2021 |website=Media Matters for America}}{{Cite web |title=Young Women's Leadership Summit |url=https://www.ywls2024.com/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Young Women's Leadership Summit |language=en-US}} She has stated that she has Raynaud's disease.https://www.megynkelly.com/Episode 859,16:18{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4WOaOHCnRU&t=3096s |title=New Details About Biden Coup, CNN Loses Defamation Case, and Obama Drama, with Maureen Callahan |date=2025-01-17 |last=Megyn Kelly |access-date=2025-01-18 |via=YouTube}} 3:59

In 2022, Kelly announced that her older sister, Suzanne Crossley, had died from a heart attack following a battle with opioid addiction.{{Cite web |title=Megyn Kelly Opens Up About Her 'Firecracker' Sister's Death and Her Struggles with Addiction |url=https://people.com/tv/megyn-kelly-honors-sister-in-touching-tribute-after-her-death/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}} Crossley left behind three children and a grandson.{{Cite web |last=Zilber |first=Ariel |date=2022-10-24 |title=Megyn Kelly reveals sister died suddenly: 'Spare a prayer for my mom'' |url=https://nypost.com/2022/10/24/megyn-kelly-reveals-sister-died-suddenly-spare-a-prayer-for-my-mom/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title='It Just Haunts You': Megyn Opens Up About Her Late Sister's Addiction and Recovery |url=https://www.megynkelly.com/2023/08/21/it-just-haunts-you-megyn-opens-up-about-her-late-sisters-addiction-and-recovery/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Megyn Kelly |language=en-US}}

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