Podcast Summary: "Megyn Kelly Is Embracing Her Bias and Rejecting the 'Old Rules'"

Podcast Information:

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

Hosts: David Marchese and Lulu Garcia-Navarro engage in a comprehensive conversation with Megyn Kelly, delving into her professional evolution, her complex relationship with Donald Trump, and her perspectives on the evolving media landscape.

1. Introduction and Career Beginnings

The episode opens with Lulu Garcia-Navarro introducing Megyn Kelly's unexpected endorsement of Donald Trump at his final campaign rally, marking a significant pivot in her career trajectory.

Notable Quote:

• Lulu Garcia-Navarro [00:55]: "Megyn Kelly did something she'd never done before. She got up on stage at Donald Trump's final campaign rally and she endorsed him."

2. From Law to Journalism

Megyn Kelly recounts her transition from a prestigious legal career to journalism. She highlights how practicing law at firms like Jones Day and Bickle and Brewer toughened her up, preparing her for the high-pressure environment of mainstream media.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [02:31]: "The practice of law definitely toughened me up... And they did."
• Megyn Kelly [03:32]: "I loved the storytelling, I loved getting a story... I just felt completely alive."

3. Joining Fox News and Political Leanings

Kelly discusses her entry into Fox News in 2004, initially driven by career ambition rather than political alignment. Raised as a Democrat, her exposure to fiscal conservatism at Jones Day began to shift her political perspectives.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [05:00]: "Roger Ailes was the first one to say to me, how did a daughter of two Democrats... wind up a fair and balanced person?"
• Megyn Kelly [06:27]: "Roger loved Republicans and wasn't too keen on the Democrats. He loved it because it was good TV."

4. The Trump Interview Fallout

A pivotal moment in Kelly's career was her 2015 Republican primary debate interview with Donald Trump, where she challenged him on past derogatory remarks about women. This confrontation led to Trump's relentless attacks on her, transforming her relationship with both Trump and Fox News.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [08:23]: "He was genuinely angry... He felt betrayed."
• Megyn Kelly [10:00]: "He liked it as a storyline... even in the primetime and Rogers chosen favorite anchors."

5. Accusations Against Roger Ailes and Leaving Fox

In 2016, Kelly joined other female Fox employees in accusing Roger Ailes of sexual harassment. This brave stance led to internal backlash at Fox, ultimately resulting in her departure from the network.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [12:20]: "They were angry about me not supporting Roger... I knew I couldn't stay, and I left."
• Megyn Kelly [13:32]: "I have got to call Lachlan Murdoch. I have to call him."

6. Brief Tenure at NBC and Subsequent Challenges

Kelly's move to NBC was short-lived, ending disastrously after controversial comments about blackface in a Halloween costume led to significant backlash and her eventual departure from the network.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [17:13]: "Bravo... dressed up like Diana Ross and tinted her skin."
• Megyn Kelly [18:44]: "The whole Thing on the heels of that year of the Trump stuff, it was just a lot."

7. Transition to New Media and Embracing Bias

Frustrated with traditional media constraints, Kelly transitioned to platforms like YouTube and podcasting, where she embraced her political biases openly. This shift allowed her to control her editorial content and engage directly with her audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [20:59]: "Because I was my own boss. I could be in charge of all my own editorial."
• Megyn Kelly [21:27]: "What they really liked. There has to be a connection between your audience and you."

8. Public Endorsement of Donald Trump

Kelly publicly endorsed Trump, a move unprecedented for a former mainstream journalist. She justified this by highlighting the importance of supporting policies she believes benefit women and the nation, despite past adversarial relations.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [24:09]: "I can still hit Trump... It's just this weird new hybrid lane I'm in."
• Megyn Kelly [25:06]: "I wanted to look them in the eyes figuratively and say, trust me, you know, I'm pro woman."

9. Critique of Modern Media and Journalism's Future

Kelly articulates her belief that traditional journalism is declining, advocating for a media environment where authenticity and personal bias are embraced rather than concealed. She foresees a future dominated by individual personalities who maintain direct relationships with their audiences.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [31:37]: "I think the future involves direct relationships between individual journalists and their audience."
• Megyn Kelly [32:19]: "The old thing is a dinosaur. It's dying a slow and painful death."

10. Current Endeavors and Perspectives

Kelly discusses her ongoing projects, including her podcast network, MK Media, and her interactions with figures like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. She emphasizes maintaining her journalistic integrity while operating within her new media paradigm.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [38:46]: "We read every single allegation against him and went through it with the audience with an open mind."
• Megyn Kelly [41:29]: "What the audience wants from me is my authentic self and no filter."

11. Concluding Thoughts

In wrapping up the conversation, Kelly reflects on her journey, asserting her role not strictly as a traditional journalist but as a newsbreaker who owns her biases and engages with her audience authentically. She also expresses contentment with her current life balance, focusing on her family and expanding her media ventures.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [42:34]: "I'm happy doing what I'm doing."
• Megyn Kelly [44:15]: "You really have to make people uncomfortable... you really hurt someone."

Conclusion:

Megyn Kelly's interview on The Interview reveals a complex narrative of personal evolution, professional challenges, and a strategic embrace of bias within a fragmented media landscape. Her journey from mainstream journalism to independent media exemplifies broader shifts in how news is consumed and presented in the digital age.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. Megyn Kelly [02:31]: "The practice of law definitely toughened me up..."
2. Megyn Kelly [03:32]: "I loved the storytelling... I just felt completely alive."
3. Megyn Kelly [06:27]: "Roger loved Republicans and wasn't too keen on the Democrats."
4. Megyn Kelly [08:23]: "He was genuinely angry... He felt betrayed."
5. Megyn Kelly [12:20]: "They were angry about me not supporting Roger... I knew I couldn't stay, and I left."
6. Megyn Kelly [17:13]: "Bravo... dressed up like Diana Ross and tinted her skin."
7. Megyn Kelly [20:59]: "Because I was my own boss. I could be in charge of all my own editorial."
8. Megyn Kelly [24:09]: "I can still hit Trump... It's just this weird new hybrid lane I'm in."
9. Megyn Kelly [31:37]: "I think the future involves direct relationships between individual journalists and their audience."
10. Megyn Kelly [41:29]: "What the audience wants from me is my authentic self and no filter."

Final Note:

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Megyn Kelly's interview, offering a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the episode. For a deeper dive, listeners are encouraged to tune into The Interview on The New York Times platforms.