Summary of "The Interview": Megyn Kelly Is Embracing Her Bias and Rejecting the 'Old Rules'

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Daily
• Host/Author: The New York Times
• Episode: 'The Interview': Megyn Kelly Is Embracing Her Bias and Rejecting the 'Old Rules'
• Release Date: March 29, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Daily, journalist Megyn Kelly discusses her professional transformation, her evolving relationship with former President Donald Trump, and her critique of modern media practices. Hosted by Lulu Garcia Navarro, the conversation delves deep into Kelly's departure from mainstream media, her pivot to independent platforms, and her perspectives on media bias and the future of journalism.

Transition from Mainstream Media to Independent Platforms

Early Career and Shift to Journalism

Megyn Kelly begins by reflecting on her early career as a lawyer at firms like Jones Day and Bickle and Brewer, emphasizing how law practice "toughened me up" ([02:28]). She highlights her transition from law to journalism, driven by a desire for "storytelling" and the fulfillment she found in reporting, inspired by crisis moments like 9/11 ([03:24]).

Experience at Fox News

Kelly details her nearly 15-year tenure at Fox News, where she established herself as one of the channel's sharpest interviewers. She discusses her initial non-political stance and gradual shift towards fiscal conservatism influenced by her work environment ([04:54]). Under the mentorship of Roger Ailes, she honed a "prosecutorial approach" during interviews, which Roger Ailes praised for generating "good TV" ([06:29]).

Departure from Fox and NBC

Kelly recounts her challenging period post the 2015 Republican primary debate, where her tough questioning of Trump led to relentless attacks from him and internal conflicts at Fox ([08:19]). This tumultuous time, coupled with her role in exposing Roger Ailes' misconduct, strained her relationships at Fox, ultimately forcing her departure ([11:59]). Her subsequent stint at NBC was marred by controversies, particularly around her comments on blackface in Halloween costumes, leading to a "destructive" year and her exit from the network ([16:45]).

Embracing a New Media Landscape

Joining the Daily Wire

Faced with limited opportunities in traditional media, Kelly pivoted to the Daily Wire after encouragement from Ben Shapiro. She appreciated the platform's independence, allowing her to be her "own boss" and engage in long-form conversations without the constraints of linear television ([20:55]). This new environment enabled her to express personal opinions and build a direct relationship with her audience ([21:39]).

Evolving Journalism Practices

Kelly asserts that traditional journalism's model is "dying" and emphasizes the importance of authenticity and direct engagement with audiences in the modern media landscape. She critiques the old rules where journalists avoided personal opinions, advocating instead for owning one's biases to build trust and credibility ([31:34]).

Endorsing Donald Trump

A pivotal moment in Kelly's new media journey was her public endorsement of Donald Trump at a rally, a departure from her previous adversarial stance as a Fox News interviewer ([22:57]). She discusses the symbolic significance of this act, aiming to bridge gaps and support women voters who may feel disenfranchised by mainstream narratives about Trump ([25:03]). However, she acknowledges the complexities and backlash that followed, maintaining that her support was rooted in her genuine beliefs about his policies and leadership ([26:59]).

Critique of Modern Media and Political Polarization

Media Bias and Trump’s Relationship with the Press

Kelly shares her alignment with Trump's criticism of the mainstream media, expressing "a healthy amount of loathing for a large portion of the media" and agreeing with Trump's labeling of certain outlets as "fake news" ([36:35]). She argues that Trump's rhetoric effectively highlighted media biases, which only reinforced existing divides ([37:20]).

Influence of Conservative Media Figures

Discussing figures like Pete Hegseth and the implications of media personalities joining political administrations, Kelly underscores the importance of relentless factual reporting, irrespective of affiliations. She emphasizes her commitment to scrutinizing Trump appointees thoroughly, as demonstrated in her interview with Hegseth despite their past connections ([37:40]).

Future of Journalism

Kelly envisions a future where journalism relies on direct relationships between journalists and their audiences, moving away from traditional, centralized media outlets. She criticizes the existing model for fostering monopolies and controlling narratives, advocating for a more diversified and authentic media ecosystem ([31:34], [41:22]).

Personal Reflections and Professional Identity

Maintaining Journalistic Integrity

Despite her shift to opinion-driven platforms, Kelly insists she remains a journalist, committed to breaking news and asking tough questions. She differentiates between her professional role and personal biases, striving to balance both in her reporting ([28:49]).

Balancing Personal Life and Career

Kelly touches on the personal toll of her professional battles, including the stress from public attacks and her quest for a healthier work-life balance. Her focus has shifted towards raising her family and exploring new professional avenues, such as launching her podcast network, MK Media ([19:10], [42:34]).

Notable Quotes

• On Toughening Up Through Law:
  "The practice of law definitely toughened me up because while I was always comfortable with public speaking, I wasn't necessarily comfortable arguing and standing up for myself..." ([02:28])

• On Embracing Her New Path:
  "I was my own boss. I could be in charge of all my own editorial. No one could tell me what to do, what to say, what not to say." ([20:56])

• On Endorsing Trump:
  "I hope all of you do what I did last week. Vote Trump and get 10 friends to vote Trump, too." ([00:52])
  "I accept and agree with you that there are different gradations. It is a different level." ([24:49])

• On Media Bias:
  "I'm in favor of it. I share his feelings. I just like most people on the right, I have a healthy amount of loathing for a large portion of the media, and they are fake news." ([36:35])

• On the Future of Journalism:
  "The only way one succeeds in this medium is by violating all those rules that we used to have in journalism, where you don't really talk about yourself at all, you don't talk about your opinions." ([41:22])

Conclusion

Megyn Kelly's conversation on The Daily offers a candid exploration of her journey from a mainstream journalist to an independent media personality. Embracing her biases and rejecting traditional journalistic norms, Kelly navigates the evolving media landscape with a focus on authenticity and direct audience engagement. Her experiences underscore the broader shifts in media dynamics, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that arise when established rules are redefined in the quest for a more personalized and opinion-driven approach.

Produced by: Seth Kelly, Annabelle Bacon, Sophia Landman, Dan Powell, Marian Lozano, Philip Montgomery
Special Thanks to: Jessica Lustig, Rory Walsh, Renan Borelli, Jeffrey Miranda, Nick Pittman, Matty Masiello, Jake Silverstein, Paula Schuman, Sam Dolnick
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Contact: interview@nytimes.com