Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly made headlines on Monday night by delivering a passionate endorsement of Donald Trump during an event in Pittsburgh, which was promoted as his “closing message.” This endorsement marks a significant turn in their relationship, as Kelly and Trump had previously been at odds during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Invited to speak, Kelly ardently defended Trump against various criticisms, particularly his claims of being a “protector” of women. She also emphasized his stances on border security and his disapproval of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. “He faced ridicule from the left for promising to protect women,” Kelly asserted. “He truly will protect women, which is a key reason I’m casting my vote for him. He will secure the border and ensure that boys do not participate in women’s sports where they do not belong.”
Trump, standing beside her, appeared pleased as he listened to Kelly, who he had previously labeled as “nasty.” After the event, she shared a selfie with Trump on social media, captioned with words of support: “God bless him. Go vote for him!”
During the 2016 election cycle, Kelly, then a prominent figure at Fox News, confronted Trump about his temperament during a crucial primary debate. While Trump brushed off her question at the time, he later responded with direct criticism, portraying her as unfit for the role of journalist. “She’s not very tough and not very sharp,” Trump commented in an interview, further amplifying their feud with derogatory remarks regarding her demeanor during the debate.
After departing Fox for NBC News, Kelly faced backlash for controversial remarks about blackface, resulting in her removal from the network. She has since transitioned to hosting a successful SiriusXM radio show, becoming one of the top-ranking figures in news podcasts according to Chartable. Reflecting on her past disputes with Trump, Kelly remarked last year, “All that nonsense between us is under the bridge.”
Her recent appearance alongside Trump comes at a time when early voting patterns indicate a gender gap potentially favoring Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Kelly expressed disapproval toward some attendees at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, who made inappropriate and racist comments, including derogatory remarks about Harris’s career. Kelly criticized these remarks, stating, “They took what should have been an amazing celebration of Trump—exciting, well-attended, and full of enthusiasm—and marred it with their irresponsible comments.”