Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly has sparked controversy by defending Donald Trump's recent attack on CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins, invoking advice from her former boss Roger Ailes about the importance of smiling on camera. Kelly made the remarks during a friendly interview with Vice President JD Vance, who described Trump's criticism as "so perceptive."
Trump's Confrontation with Collins
During an Oval Office event this week, Kaitlan Collins questioned President Trump about newly released documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, specifically asking if he had any message for victims still seeking justice. Trump responded with a personal attack, stating: "You are the worst reporter. You know, she's a young woman. I don't think I've ever seen you smile. I've known you for 10 years. I don't think I've ever seen a smile on your face."
When Collins attempted to redirect the conversation back to Epstein's survivors, Trump spoke over her, suggesting her lack of smiling indicated dishonesty. He further complained that "CNN has no ratings because of people like" Collins, continuing his pattern of misogynistic remarks toward female journalists that has intensified in recent months.
Kelly's Defence and Ailes Reference
During her interview with Vice President Vance, Kelly defended Trump's comments by referencing advice from Roger Ailes, the former Fox News chief she helped remove from the network following sexual harassment allegations. "Every once in a while, you have to smile. Roger Ailes used to tell us that," Kelly declared. "Every once in a while, you got to remember to smile, show the viewers that you have a heart."
Kelly dismissed criticism that Trump's remarks were sexist, revealing she had made similar comments about Collins on her own show a year earlier. "I literally said the same thing about Kaitlan Collins a year ago on my show. She never smiles," Kelly stated, with Vance agreeing with her assessment.
Vance's Support for Trump's Remarks
Vice President JD Vance chuckled while defending Trump's insult, telling Kelly the president was being "so perceptive" in his criticism. "Even if you're asking a tough question, even if you take your job very seriously, like, why does it always have to be so antagonistic?" Vance questioned.
The vice president suggested Collins needed to "just have some fun" because "you can't always take yourself too seriously," warning that otherwise "you're going to have a heart attack." His comments came as other journalists and publications condemned Trump's "misogynistic language" toward Collins and other female reporters.
The Complicated History with Ailes
Kelly's reference to Ailes's advice is particularly notable given their complex history. She was among nearly two dozen women who accused Ailes of sexual harassment before his 2016 dismissal from Fox News. In her 2016 book Settle for More, Kelly revealed she didn't come forward sooner because she believed it would have been a "suicide mission" for her career.
Kelly described how Ailes "tried to kiss me three times" and asked about her contract when she rejected his advances. She reported the incident to a Fox News supervisor who "vouched for Roger's character" and suggested she simply avoid him. In 2020, Kelly discussed the film Bombshell, which dramatised the Ailes scandal, revealing she had complied when asked to spin for Ailes to be ogled, saying: "I'd give anything if I had said no."
Media Reactions and Context
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and mainstream media, particularly female journalists who face personal attacks for doing their jobs. Trump has recently called another female reporter "piggy" and regularly targets Collins, creating what critics describe as a hostile environment for women in journalism.
Kelly's defence of Trump using advice from a man she helped remove for sexual harassment has drawn particular attention, illustrating the complex dynamics within conservative media circles where personal histories and professional relationships often intersect with political commentary.
