Former Fox News star Megyn Kelly has issued a stark warning against uncritical support for Donald Trump's military incursion into Venezuela, accusing her former employer of engaging in propaganda-like "cheerleading" for the operation.
Kelly's Call for Caution Amid 'Cheerleading'
Speaking on her own show, Kelly, who stressed she remains both pro-Trump and pro-military, described how the coverage would have unfolded at Fox News following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. "I would have known that I was supposed to cheerlead it," she stated, adding that when she tuned in, the lack of scepticism reminded her of watching 'Russian propaganda'.
She urged for a "note of caution" before joining the "rah-rah train," pointing to recent US military interventions in Iraq and Libya that descended into quagmires. "I have seen what happens when you cheerlead unabashedly US intervention in foreign countries," Kelly remarked, noting such ventures often fail 'nine times out of ten'.
Targeting Fox and GOP Cheerleaders
Kelly expressed particular disdain for the concept of "boots on the ground" in Venezuela, a possibility floated by Trump, citing her concerns as a parent. "I speak for a lot of moms and dads... I will not be joining the Fox News cheerleading brigade this time. I've been burned too many times," she declared.
She also took aim at high-profile supporters of the operation, notably South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was seen applauding Trump's efforts aboard Air Force One. "The fact that Lindsey Graham is standing next to him is enough for me to know I don't want it," Kelly said, adding that when "neocons" like Graham celebrate, it gives her pause.
To underscore her sceptical stance, Kelly hosted anti-war journalist Aaron Maté to discuss the subject on her show.
Trump's Vision for a 'Nursed' Venezuela
The comments came as President Trump outlined his plans for Venezuela in the wake of Maduro's arrest. In an interview with NBC News, Trump stated the US must 'nurse' Venezuela back to health, a process he estimated could take up to 18 months before new elections are held.
He admitted the rebuilding of the country's energy infrastructure would require a 'tremendous amount of money', potentially funded by American taxpayers who would reimburse oil companies for their upfront costs. When questioned if his "America First" base would support such nation-building, Trump was defiant: "MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what I'm doing... MAGA is me."
Trump named Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Stephen Miller as key figures overseeing the process, though he ultimately claimed responsibility himself. He insisted the US is not at war with Venezuela, but rather with "narcoterrorists" who export drugs and crime.
The president framed the capture of Maduro, who now faces federal drug trafficking charges in the US, as a decisive assertion of power. "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again," Trump declared, sending a clear warning to other nations in the region to align with US interests or face potential consequences.
