Megyn Kelly spoke out in support of President Trump for his choice to walk away from a contentious interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, emphasizing that the “Meet the Press” host seemed more concerned about her own reputation than about what was being discussed.
During a recent episode of SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show,” after Trump aired clips from a violent sit-in rally in Wisconsin that resulted in the interview being cut short, Kelly expressed her lack of surprise at Trump’s departure. “Honestly, I didn’t blame him,” she stated, critiquing Welker for her perceived disrespect.
Kelly pointed out that Welker mischaracterized the situation, neglecting the real issues around California’s slow vote counting and persistently challenging Trump instead. She argued that during interviews with the president, especially someone as vocal as Trump, it’s essential to allow him space to speak.
“You can’t just keep hammering him,” she remarked, noting that the conversation took a negative turn when Welker pressed Trump about California’s elections. Trump labeled election officials as “crooked,” while Welker cited local authorities’ acknowledgment of the delays.
The situation escalated quickly, with Trump asserting that Welker and the media were either “crooked or stupid.” After Welker’s defense, the interview fell apart with Trump making offhand remarks to reporters before concluding it with, “Okay, enough is enough, let’s stop.”
Welker attempted to persuade him to stay engaged, referencing their time spent together in the rain during the interview. Yet, Trump remained steadfast, declaring that the press needed reform because “a country with dishonest people can never become great.”
Kelly criticized Welker for responding defensively to Trump’s attacks instead of steering the discussion back to important topics. “Don’t take the bait,” she advised, recommending a more lighthearted approach to ease the tension considering Trump’s assertive demeanor.
Continuing to focus on California’s vote-counting practices, Kelly expressed that the public’s skepticism was valid, noting it could diminish trust in democratic processes. “It hurts confidence for a lot of people,” she said, suggesting that recognizing this concern could benefit interviews.
Kelly emphasized that journalists who ignore such public sentiments risk eroding their credibility. She articulated that although she didn’t claim the 2020 election was stolen, she found California’s election mechanics “questionable as hell.”
“Kristen Welker is harming her credibility by prioritizing her and NBC’s image,” she asserted, reflecting on Trump’s growing frustration leading up to the interview’s conclusion.
In contrast to Kelly’s views, other journalists praised Welker’s handling of the interview. CNN anchor Jake Tapper described Trump’s remarks as “wild” and “nonsensical,” highlighting Welker’s integrity as a journalist.
Attempts for comments from NBC News and Welker have been made.
