Megyn Kelly has launched a fierce counterattack against NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo, who publicly accused her of employing 'click bait' tactics in her reporting on the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. The escalating media feud centers on divergent interpretations of law enforcement statements regarding potential family involvement.
Cuomo's Allegations Spark Fiery Response
Chris Cuomo, the 55-year-old former CNN personality, took to social media platform X on Tuesday to condemn what he characterized as sensationalized coverage. "It is shameful to play this story for click bait and hint that videos are fake and the family is in focus," Cuomo wrote in his initial criticism. He further suggested Kelly's approach might represent "payback for NBC paying Kelly to gtfo," referencing her controversial $30 million departure from NBC in 2019 following remarks about blackface.
Divergent Interpretations of Police Statements
The core disagreement revolves around conflicting readings of official communications from Pima County authorities. Sheriff Chris Nanos stated Monday that the Guthrie family members, including in-laws, had been "cleared as possible suspects" in the investigation. However, Kelly pointed to nuanced language in a revised Tuesday press release that stated "the Guthrie family has not been identified as suspects" rather than using the term "cleared."
Kelly also highlighted a concerning quote provided to the Daily Mail from Sheriff Nanos stating "nobody" had been cleared in the case. This apparent contradiction has fueled Kelly's continued skepticism about completely ruling out family connections to the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
Kelly's Scathing On-Air Retort
During her Tuesday broadcast, Kelly delivered a lengthy and pointed response to Cuomo's accusations. "It didn't work," she declared regarding his attempt to label her coverage as click-driven sensationalism. The conservative commentator then turned her attention to Cuomo's professional standing, employing the derogatory nickname "Fredo" borrowed from The Godfather films.
"Let me tell you what Fredo is really upset about," Kelly began. "Fredo No-Rate-O, that's his real problem. Nobody watches his show on NewsNation, and I mean nobody. Nobody watches his failed podcast either." She contrasted this with her own program's success, noting The Megyn Kelly Show consistently ranks among the top three conservative podcasts nationally and garners over 100 million monthly YouTube views.
Personal Connections and Professional Credentials
Kelly emphasized her personal and professional connections to the case, stating: "I too am a news woman, like Savannah. I too worked at the Today Show like Savannah Guthrie, I too have been the victim of a deranged stalker, which may be one of the possibilities here." She also defended NewsNation colleague Ashleigh Banfield, who had previously identified Nancy Guthrie's son-in-law Tommaso Cioni as "a prime suspect," saying: "When she tells me she's got a solid source, I take her very seriously."
Kelly revealed an additional personal dimension to the conflict, alleging that Cuomo had contacted her lawyer "and begged the lawyer to get me to stop mentioning him. He didn't want me to attack him, because it hurt his little feelings." She also referenced Cuomo's 2021 firing from CNN for improperly assisting his brother Andrew Cuomo during sexual harassment allegations.
The Ongoing Investigation
Nancy Guthrie was last seen entering her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31. Despite nearly three weeks of investigation, law enforcement officials have not named any suspects in her disappearance. The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues its search for the missing octogenarian, with conflicting public statements creating confusion about the status of family members in the investigation.
The media clash between Kelly and Cuomo highlights broader tensions in journalism between cautious reporting and aggressive investigation, particularly in high-profile missing persons cases involving celebrity-adjacent families. Both commentators have staked professional credibility on their divergent approaches to the Guthrie case coverage.
