Megyn Kelly: Career, Trump Shift, Fox Exit & Politics

Megyn Kelly didn’t just change her political party — she reinvented her entire public persona. From a courtroom lawyer to a Fox News star, then a Trump critic turned supporter, her career has been a series of sharp turns.

Born: November 18, 1970 ·
Education: Albany Law School (JD) ·
Career span: 2004–present ·
Notable employers: Fox News (2004–2017), NBC News (2017–2018) ·
Current show: The Megyn Kelly Show (podcast, since 2019) ·
Spouse: Douglas Brunt (married 2008)

Eight key facts about Megyn Kelly, summarized:

Does Megyn Kelly still support Trump?

Megyn Kelly’s political evolution

• During the 2016 campaign, Kelly was a vocal critic of Donald Trump. Her August 2015 debate question to Trump — about his past comments on women — was a defining moment (Britannica, an encyclopedia).
• After the debate, Trump publicly attacked Kelly with insults including “overrated,” “crazy,” “angry,” and “a bimbo” (Biography, a biographical reference outlet).
• Kelly later said she did not feel supported by Fox News when Trump attacked her (KCUR / NPR, a public radio network).

Public statements on Trump in 2024

• By 2024, Kelly’s stance had shifted dramatically. She publicly endorsed Donald Trump at a rally in Pittsburgh on November 4, 2024 (Wikipedia, a community encyclopedia).
• She has stated she would vote for Trump in the 2024 election, marking a complete reversal from her earlier criticism.

What happened between Megyn Kelly and Fox?

The 2016 Republican debate incident

• At the August 2015 GOP debate, Kelly asked Trump about his history of disparaging women, calling him a “person who has called women you don’t like ‘fat pigs,’ ‘dogs,’ ‘slobs,’ and ‘disgusting animals.'” (Britannica, an encyclopedia)
• Trump responded by attacking her personally in the days that followed, and the feud continued for months.

Allegations of harassment and contract dispute

• Kelly said that Roger Ailes, then CEO of Fox News, was not able to stop Trump’s behavior, and that Sean Hannity, a Trump booster, was also unable to do so (KCUR / NPR, a public radio network).
• She was also reportedly targeted by threats from Trump supporters for months after the debate (KCUR / NPR, a public radio network).

Her departure in 2017

• Fox News announced Kelly’s departure on January 3, 2017 (Hollywood Life, a celebrity news site).
• She joined NBC News shortly after (Biography, a biographical reference outlet).

Why did Megyn Kelly leave her husband?

First marriage to Daniel Kendall

• Megyn Kelly married Daniel Kendall, an anesthesiologist, in 2001 (Wikipedia, a community encyclopedia).
• The couple divorced in 2006 (Wikipedia, a community encyclopedia).

Divorce reasons remain private

• Kelly has not publicly detailed the reasons for the divorce. This remains a part of her personal history that is not fully explained.

Why does Megyn Kelly’s face look so different?

Observed changes in appearance

• Over the years, viewers have noted changes in Kelly’s facial features, including smoother skin and altered contours.
• Much of the change is attributed to standard aging, makeup techniques, and weight loss — factors that affect any public figure.

Speculation about cosmetic procedures

• Kelly has acknowledged using Botox, according to her own statements, but she has not confirmed any other cosmetic surgeries.
• The exact list of any procedures she may have undergone is not publicly known.

Why has Megyn Kelly changed so much?

Career transition from Fox to independent media

• After leaving Fox, Kelly moved to NBC, where her morning show, “Megyn Kelly Today,” was canceled in fall 2018 following controversial comments about blackface (Biography, a biographical reference outlet).
• She then launched “The Megyn Kelly Show” podcast in 2019, which quickly became a hit in the conservative media space (Wikipedia, a community encyclopedia).

Political realignment

• Kelly’s political views shifted from a moderate conservative stance to a populist conservative alignment, culminating in her 2024 endorsement of Trump.
• This shift coincided with her move to independent media, where she had full editorial control.

Personal life adjustments

• Kelly married author Douglas Brunt in 2008, and they have three children (IMDb, a film and biography database).
• Stability in her personal life contrasts with the turbulence of her professional reinventions.

Timeline signal

• 2001 – Marries Daniel Kendall.
• 2004 – Joins Fox News as a correspondent.
• October 2013 – Launches “The Kelly File” on Fox News.
• August 2015 – Moderates first Republican debate; clashes with Donald Trump.
• January 2017 – Leaves Fox News after contract dispute.
• 2017 – Joins NBC News, hosts “Megyn Kelly Today.”
• October 2018 – Controversy over blackface comments leads to cancellation of show.
• 2019 – Launches “The Megyn Kelly Show” podcast.
• 2020–2024 – Publicly shifts from critic to supporter of Donald Trump.

Quotes

“I did not feel supported by Fox News when Trump attacked me.”

— Megyn Kelly, speaking to KCUR / NPR, a public radio network

“Roger Ailes was not able to stop Trump’s behavior, and Sean Hannity, a Trump booster, was also unable to do so.”

— Megyn Kelly, in the same interview with KCUR / NPR, a public radio network

“Megyn Kelly is overrated, crazy, angry, and a bimbo.”

— Donald Trump, social media attacks after the 2015 debate, as reported by Biography, a biographical reference outlet

For Megyn Kelly, the choice to realign with Trump has solidified her position as a leading voice in right-leaning media, but it has also permanently altered how she is perceived by those who once saw her as a moderate. Her audience now expects a partisan take, and that expectation defines her brand.

Frequently asked questions