Megyn Kelly Reportedly Ditches Fox News For NBC In Wake Of Roger Ailes’ Firing Over Sexual Harassment Scandal [Breaking]
It was bound to happen, and the writing was on the wall.
According to a live breaking news report from CNBC, Megyn Kelly is leaving Fox News and taking a new job at NBC News. The reports came months after former Fox boss Roger Ailes was sacked over charges of sexual harassment. Later, Kelly revealed that she too had been a victim of Ailes unwanted advances.
Fox News hired Megyn Kelly 12 years ago, and she soon made her mark with the brand and fans for her tell-it-like-it-is style of sharing the trending news of the day. Sources say Kelly is departing in order to broaden her career and scope of journalism with NBC. At this time, there is no word on a compensation package, but given her recent mercurial rise, she will not likely come at a bargain.
Kelly posted a message on her Facebook page about leaving FNC to take on a role with NBC. Megyn said she’s accepted a new position to helm a daytime program spanning Monday through Friday. She will also be part of a Sunday evening program and continue covering political and breaking news.
Unpacking @megynkelly‘s big move from @FoxNews to @NBCNews. https://t.co/pKgK0rD17p pic.twitter.com/fQ5jhB2YUe
— Variety (@Variety) January 3, 2017
“While I will greatly miss my colleagues at Fox, I am delighted to be joining the NBC News family and taking on a new challenge. I remain deeply grateful to Fox News, to Rupert, Lachlan and James Murdoch, and especially to all of the FNC viewers, who have taught me so much about what really matters. More to come soon.”
“Happy New Year, and God bless.”
Insiders say NBC’s head, Andrew Lack, met with Kelly and offered her a deal she couldn’t refuse. Supposedly, it is a “triple role in which she will host her own daytime news and discussion program, anchor an in-depth Sunday night news show, and take regular part in the network’s special political programming and other big-event coverage,” according to CNBC.
Kelly, who is lauded for her modelesque looks, rose to stardom over her brilliant rendering of news topics and ability to engage guests of any stature. Her news segment at Fox was only second to her rumored nemesis, Bill O’Reilly, a Trump apologist. Kelly and the president-elect butted heads early on during his campaign when he assailed her with inflammatory comments during a presidential debate.
NPR‘s David Folkenflik explored Megyn Kelly’s “turbulent” career in her latter years, especially the friction that surfaced when news broke of the reported sexist culture created under Ailes’ leadership.
“[Kelly’s move] comes in the aftermath of her explosive accusations that former Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes had sexually harassed her earlier in her career. And that was on the heels of her colleague Gretchen Carlson alleging the same in a lawsuit. That led to the departure of Ailes and to significant questions about what path Fox News would take forward. Her departure only raise the stakes for Fox.”
Kelly’s rise at the network was largely due to the connection she developed with her conservative view audience. In past interviews, she hasn’t shied away from admitting to being more of analyst of news instead of an opinion host. The latter is typically based on the network’s agenda and is often under fire for being biased or partisan on political issues.
Megyn Kelly Is Leaving @FoxNews for NBC. Retweet if you are happy about this. Comments are also welcome. #hannity https://t.co/psYCkiChBC
— American Patriot (@theoptionoracle) January 3, 2017
Mainstream pundits believe Megyn Kelly’s demise was set in motion after her showdown with Trump when he assailed her over a question he didn’t like. In the wake of Trump’s ensuing attacks, which questioned her competency as a journalist, Kelly didn’t feel support from the network, according to statements made during her interview with Kelly McEvers of NPR.
“My boss, Roger Ailes, was not able to stand Trump down. My friend Sean Hannity, who is a big Trump booster as you know; he was not able to stand Trump down. No one was able to stop his antics.”
Kelly’s contract with the FNC terminates later this year. Fox supposedly tried offering an olive branch in the way of a $20 million annual salary, to no avail.
[Featured Image by Mike Coppola/Getty Images]
