Megyn Kelly is under intense fire online after suggesting on her podcast that Jeffrey Epstein may not technically fit the definition of a pedophile, despite Epstein’s convictions for sex crimes involving minors.
Critics quickly brought up past comments from Kelly that appear to contradict her new stance, intensifying the backlash.
Social media users pointed out a 2018 episode of Megyn Kelly TODAY, in which the former Fox News anchor emphasized that the legal age of consent in California is 18 and stressed that “there’s no consenting for a 14 or even a 17-year-old in these circumstances”.
That firm stance from six years ago has now been contrasted with her latest comments, which many say minimize the gravity of Epstein’s offenses.
On the November 13 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly told listeners that a friend with alleged insider knowledge believed Epstein was “not a pedophile”, but instead preferred “the barely legal type”.
She continued: “He liked 15-year-old girls. I realise this is disgusting… I’m not trying to make an excuse for this. I’m giving you facts. He wasn’t into, like, 8-year-olds. He liked very young teens who could pass for younger but might look legal to a passerby.”
Claims About Bondi and Epstein’s Computer Add Fuel to the Fire
Kelly then cited former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who recently claimed Epstein possessed “tens of thousands” of videos of child sexual abuse material.
The host said those remarks made her think “for the first time… he was an actual pedophile”, but she immediately cast doubt on Bondi’s credibility, adding that she doesn’t “trust” the former AG.
The host concluded her argument by asserting that no victims have publicly stated they were “under 10” or even “under 14” when they encountered Epstein, suggesting that age differences matter.
When her guest, Batya Ungar-Sargon, pushed back with, “No, it’s not,” Kelly insisted, “There’s a difference between a 15-year-old and a 5-year-old.”
Internet Outrage Erupts: “Fifteen-Year-Olds Are Children”
Kelly’s comments triggered a massive reaction on X, where both “Epstein” and “Megyn Kelly” quickly shot to the top of the trending list. Users accused her of downplaying abuse and using language that echoes common grooming-related rationalizations.
Comedian Gianmarco Soresi wrote: “It cannot be remembered enough that these were the same people who got worked up about drag brunches.”
Another user stated: “Fifteen-year-olds are underage, and that is statutory rape. Pretty simple.”
Credit: Gary Gershoff / Getty Images.
One X user summed up the general sentiment: “‘He wasn’t a pedophile, he just liked 15-year-olds’ is not the defense you think it is.”
An educator added: “I teach 15-year-olds. They are literal children.”
As of now, Kelly has not issued any public follow-up or clarification.
Backlash Coincides with New Epstein Records Release
Kelly’s comments landed on the same day the House Oversight Committee released another batch of documents connected to the Epstein case.
In one newly revealed email, Epstein allegedly wrote that Donald Trump is “the dog that hasn’t barked”, and claimed Trump “knew about the girls” and once asked Ghislaine Maxwell to stop certain behavior.
Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing and has repeatedly dismissed the entire scandal as the “Jeffrey Epstein hoax”.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is preparing to vote next week on whether the Department of Justice must release all remaining files tied to Epstein.