Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly has launched a scathing critique of her old network, accusing it of operating like a "propaganda machine" in its coverage of former President Donald Trump's military action in Venezuela.
From Anchor to Critic: Kelly's Stark Warning
During the Monday 6th January 2026 episode of her independent podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, the conservative host warned her audience against blindly following the network's enthusiastic support for the operation. Kelly, who spent 13 years at Fox News, expressed embarrassment over her own past role in what she called "blind cheerleading" for US foreign interventions.
"I turned on Fox News yesterday, and I'm sorry, but it was like watching Russian propaganda. There was nothing skeptical," Kelly stated bluntly. She contrasted the network's approach with her current advice to listeners, urging a "yellow light" attitude of caution and critical thought towards the recent events.
The Venezuela Operation and Fox's 'Cheerleading Brigade'
The controversy stems from a US military operation over the weekend, directed by Trump, which led to the capture of deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. The pair were brought to New York to face federal prosecution on drug trafficking and weapons charges, to which they pleaded not guilty on Monday.
Kelly specifically criticised Fox News anchors like Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham for their coverage. Hannity suggested Venezuela owed American companies for "stolen" oil, while Ingraham called Trump's move a "needed global reset." Kelly argued this unwavering support mirrored the network's historical approach. "I will not be joining the Fox News cheerleading brigade this time. I've been burned too many times," she declared.
Learning from Past 'Quagmires'
Drawing parallels with US actions in Iraq and Libya, Kelly cautioned against over-optimism. "I have seen what happens when you cheerlead, unabashedly, U.S. intervention in foreign countries... only to wind up with what we called a quagmire," she explained. She expressed scepticism about the US's ability to successfully manage the aftermath of such a leadership decapitation.
Following the operation, Trump claimed the US would temporarily take over Venezuela, warning the interim leader via The Atlantic to comply or face consequences. US officials also stated they had taken control of an oil reserve.
Kelly's comments highlight a significant rift between her independent platform and the network that once employed her, framing it as a debate between propaganda and prudent scepticism in media coverage of military action.
