Megyn Kelly delivered a blistering critique Tuesday, taking aim not only at Sen. Lindsey Graham but also at her former employer, Fox News, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, as debate intensifies over the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Kelly’s remarks came during a sharp rebuke of Graham’s comments on Fox News Sunday, where the South Carolina Republican suggested the United States could take Iran’s Kharg Island. In a clip Kelly aired, Graham invoked World War II imagery, saying, “We did Iwo Jima. We can do this. The Marines, my money is always on the Marines.”
Kelly reacted forcefully, pointing to the human cost of that historic battle. She noted that 6,821 U.S. service members died and more than 19,000 were wounded at Iwo Jima, questioning what she described as a casual tone toward war. She also criticized Graham personally, arguing that he was too removed from the consequences of sending troops into combat.
Echoing criticism from Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Kelly highlighted concerns that troops are being treated as expendable. Luna had posted on X that Graham was acting as if American service members were “expendable cattle,” a sentiment Kelly endorsed. She added that other Republicans, including Rep. Nancy Mace, have also begun pushing back against what they see as overly aggressive calls for military escalation.
Kelly didn’t stop with lawmakers. She turned her focus to Rupert Murdoch, claiming he had been among those encouraging President Donald Trump toward war. She criticized Murdoch’s position, arguing that those advocating for military action would not have to live with its consequences. Her comments underscored a broader frustration among some conservatives who are increasingly wary of prolonged or expanded conflicts abroad.
Later in her more than two-hour program, Kelly addressed what she described as efforts to silence dissenting voices, specifically referencing criticism directed at Tucker Carlson. Carlson has faced accusations of being influenced by foreign adversaries for opposing Trump’s war stance—claims Kelly dismissed while drawing parallels to her own experience in media.
Reflecting on her departure from NBC, Kelly said that expressing unfiltered opinions often comes with professional consequences. Still, she defended the importance of speaking freely, emphasizing that her views are not shaped by outside pressures, financial interests, or political obligations. She stressed that she does not take money from foreign sources or the government and does not owe allegiance to anyone in the Trump administration.
That independence, she argued, allows her to present what she called an “unvarnished view,” even when it risks controversy. Kelly suggested that audiences benefit from hearing a range of perspectives, particularly on high-stakes issues like war, where the costs are significant and the outcomes uncertain.
She then broadened her critique to include major cable networks, singling out both Fox News and CNN. Kelly questioned whether viewers could expect objective analysis from outlets she claimed have prominent voices advocating for military action, including Graham and others.
“Do you really think you’re going to get objective analysis now?” she asked, expressing skepticism about the coverage. She argued that audiences should seek diverse viewpoints rather than rely on a single narrative, especially during times of conflict.
Kelly closed by reiterating her belief that Americans must navigate these debates together, weighing competing perspectives while remaining mindful of the real-world consequences of war.
