Megyn Kelly, once a prominent figure in cable news, experienced high-profile departures from two major networks—Fox News in 2017 and NBC in 2018. Her exits were marked by internal tensions, public scandals, and shifting career ambitions.

While Kelly has since reinvented herself as an independent podcaster and commentator, her time at these networks reveals a pattern of clashes with colleagues, management, and cultural flashpoints.

This article examines the key events, drawing on documented accounts to clarify the stories behind her “double downfall,” including her alleged efforts to sideline NBC’s Savannah Guthrie and her indirect role in the ousting of Fox News host Bill O’Reilly.

Kelly’s tenure at Fox News spanned 12 years, where she rose to stardom as a tough interviewer on shows like The Kelly File. Her departure in January 2017 was influenced by a toxic environment exacerbated by her public feud with then-candidate Donald Trump. During the 2015 Republican primary debate, Kelly grilled Trump on his derogatory comments about women, prompting him to label her a “bimbo” and unleash a barrage of attacks.

This incident turned Kelly into a target for Trump’s supporters and some within Fox’s conservative ecosystem. In later interviews, Kelly cited the “snake pit” of prime-time news and the divisiveness surrounding Trump as primary reasons for leaving. She also turned down a $20 million annual offer from Fox to join NBC, seeking a broader audience and a shift toward lifestyle-oriented programming.

The backdrop to her Fox exit was the network’s sprawling sexual harassment scandal. In 2016, former anchor Gretchen Carlson sued Fox CEO Roger Ailes for harassment, triggering an internal investigation. Kelly later revealed in her memoir Settle for More that Ailes had harassed her too, including asking her to “twirl” during a meeting. Her testimony bolstered the case against Ailes, who was forced out in July 2016. Around the same time Kelly left, another major figure fell: Bill O’Reilly, host of The O’Reilly Factor.

O’Reilly was fired in April 2017 amid revelations of multiple sexual harassment settlements totaling over $45 million, including a $32 million payout to analyst Lis Wiehl. Kelly played a pivotal role here, having previously complained to Fox executives about O’Reilly’s behavior. She accused him of shaming women who spoke out against harassment and publicly rebuked him on her NBC show in October 2017, stating that the “abuse and shaming of women has to stop.”

While Kelly didn’t directly “oust” O’Reilly, her advocacy against the network’s culture of silence contributed to the pressure that led to his dismissal. O’Reilly, in turn, called her comments “incomprehensible” and accused her of disloyalty. This episode highlighted Kelly’s willingness to challenge powerful men, but it also alienated allies at Fox.

Transitioning to NBC in 2017 with a reported $69 million deal, Kelly aimed for a fresh start on Megyn Kelly Today, a third-hour extension of the Today show. However, her stint lasted less than two years, ending abruptly in October 2018.

The catalyst was a controversial segment on Halloween costumes where Kelly defended the use of blackface, asking, “But what is racist?” and recalling it being acceptable in her childhood if portraying a character. The remarks sparked immediate backlash, with critics labeling them insensitive and out of touch.

Kelly issued an on-air apology the next day, but it wasn’t enough; NBC canceled her show and severed ties, though she received the full contract payout.

Behind the scenes at NBC, tensions simmered with colleagues, particularly Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Reports suggest Kelly’s arrival disrupted the show’s dynamic, with her hard-edged style clashing against the program’s lighter tone. Insiders claimed Kelly sought to expand her influence, potentially at the expense of established hosts like Guthrie.

There were whispers of Kelly attempting to undermine Guthrie subtly—through scheduling conflicts or by positioning herself as the network’s star anchor—which nearly jeopardized Guthrie’s role amid rating slumps. However, Guthrie emerged unscathed and even publicly expressed disgust at Kelly’s blackface comments, emphasizing that the issue transcended personal jobs.

Post-departure, the feud lingered: In 2023, Kelly mocked Guthrie on her podcast after the latter tested positive for COVID mid-broadcast, questioning her vaccinations. More recently, in January 2025, Kelly accused Guthrie’s husband, Mike Feldman, of privately smearing her, calling the industry “disgusting.” Despite these barbs, Guthrie has thrived as Today‘s lead anchor, outlasting Kelly at NBC.

Years later, Kelly’s independent career has not escaped controversy. Now hosting The Megyn Kelly Show on SiriusXM and YouTube, she has embraced a more partisan stance, endorsing Trump in 2024 and criticizing progressive policies. In 2025, fresh scrutiny arose from her discussions on high-profile scandals. At the Student Action Summit in July, Kelly joined conservative activist Charlie Kirk to dissect the Jeffrey Epstein case, amplifying claims of elite cover-ups.

This drew backlash for promoting unverified theories, with critics accusing her of sensationalism. Additionally, her quick retort to detractors—”You haven’t been paying attention”—following controversial remarks on topics like transgender athletes and celebrity influence (e.g., slamming Blake Lively at the Time100 Gala) reignited debates about her role in media polarization.

In August 2025, Kelly commented on a declassified FBI annex alleging Clinton campaign interference in 2016, framing it as vindication for Trump supporters. These episodes have prompted calls for accountability, with some viewers seeing “justice knocking” as renewed boycotts and advertiser pullouts threaten her platform.

Kelly’s story underscores the challenges of navigating media’s ideological divides. Her downfalls at Fox and NBC stemmed not just from isolated gaffes but from deeper conflicts over power, culture, and accountability. While she positions herself as a truth-teller, her critics argue her actions— from enabling exposes at Fox to alienating colleagues at NBC—reveal a more complex figure. As scandals resurface, American audiences continue to grapple with the industry’s biggest reckonings.