Megyn Kelly’s Shocking Revelations About Roger Ailes and Sexual Harassment at Fox News: “Like Kim Jong Un Running North Korea”
In a groundbreaking interview, former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly opened up about the toxic work culture at the network, which she claims was dominated by sexual harassment, control, and manipulation under the leadership of former CEO Roger Ailes. In her interview with Deadline, Kelly revealed the disturbing details of her 12-year tenure at Fox News, shedding light on the systemic abuse she witnessed and experienced firsthand. Kelly’s candid comments have brought renewed attention to the culture of sexual misconduct in the media industry, following similar revelations in Hollywood.
Kelly’s Thrilling Start at Fox News
Kelly’s journey at Fox News began in 2004, when she was just a fresh face in television. Describing herself as a “cub reporter” at the time, Kelly was ecstatic to land a full-time position at one of the nation’s most prominent news outlets. She had barely completed a year of part-time reporting when she was given the opportunity to work at the national level. For Kelly, it felt like a dream come true. The first few years at Fox News went smoothly. She was gaining experience, earning assignments at the Supreme Court, and proving herself as a capable reporter. Things seemed to be progressing as she had hoped, and Kelly was optimistic about her future at the network.
But her career took a dark turn after receiving a call to meet with Roger Ailes in New York, a moment that Kelly thought would be a career-defining opportunity. In reality, the meeting would be anything but professional. Kelly recalled how she had been reassured by her colleague Brit Hume that Ailes had taken an interest in her work. “He’s noticed me,” Kelly remembered thinking as she prepared to meet with the Fox News chief.
The Disastrous Meeting with Roger Ailes
What followed in the meeting, Kelly said, was not a professional discussion about her career progression but an uncomfortable and inappropriate encounter. She claimed Ailes made suggestive comments that were wholly unprofessional and inappropriate for an office setting. According to Kelly, Ailes even referenced how another anchor allegedly “slept her way to the top,” suggesting that Kelly should consider doing the same to advance her career.
Kelly described the moment as one of shock and disbelief, unsure whether she had misunderstood Ailes’ intentions. “Every instinct inside of you first says no, no, no this isn’t happening,” she recalled. “Maybe I misinterpreted it. Maybe I’ve heard him wrong. Maybe it’s a joke and I could just laugh it off and pretend it never happened.” But as the conversation continued, it became clear to Kelly that the man who was once seen as a powerful mentor in her career had more nefarious intentions.
Instead of the career opportunity Kelly had hoped for, she found herself confronting a predatory figure in Ailes, who, according to her, used his position of power to manipulate and harass women under his control. “I thought I was being called up here for opportunity. I thought my hard work had been recognized. I thought this was a career trajectory kind of moment. Instead, I’m looking at a dirty old man who wants to get in my pants.”
The Culture of Fear and Suppression at Fox News
Kelly went on to explain that Ailes, as the head of Fox News, wielded significant control over the network and its employees. His power was absolute, and the culture at Fox News was one of fear and silence. She compared working at Fox under Ailes to criticizing Kim Jong Un in North Korea. “These men have actively worked to suppress them and scare the other women,” Kelly explained. She reflected on how she had initially reached out to other women at the network, trying to find support, but was met with silence and a lack of solidarity.
At the time, Kelly had few female friends at the network, which made her feel isolated as she dealt with the harassment from Ailes. She admitted to testing the waters with a few women she knew, hoping they could relate to her experience. However, the fear of retribution from Ailes kept most women at Fox News silent. “I didn’t have a lot of female friends like I did 13 years later,” Kelly said, adding that she had come to realize how dangerous it was to speak out against the powerful men running the network.
Kelly’s experience was far from an isolated case. Ailes, who was once hailed as a mastermind of conservative media, became notorious for fostering a culture of fear, manipulation, and abuse at Fox News. For many women working at the network, speaking up about their experiences was not an option, as Ailes had the power to ruin careers and reputations.
Ailes’ Resignation and the Sexual Harassment Scandal
The revelation of Kelly’s experiences at Fox News became a part of the larger sexual harassment scandal that plagued the network. In 2016, former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes, which ultimately led to his resignation. Ailes stepped down from his role as the chairman and CEO of Fox News in July 2016 after a wave of allegations came to light. Carlson’s lawsuit prompted other women, including Kelly, to come forward with their own stories of harassment.
Kelly’s decision to speak out about Ailes’ behavior was a brave one, as it contributed to the downfall of a man who had long been considered a powerful figure in the media industry. Despite the professional risks, Kelly knew that exposing the truth was the right thing to do.
Ailes died in May 2017 at the age of 77, just a few months after being ousted from Fox News. His death marked the end of an era for the network, but for many, the damage was already done. The culture of sexual harassment at Fox News had been exposed, and the industry was forced to reckon with the toxic environments that allowed such abuse to thrive.
The Broader Impact on the Media Industry
Kelly’s revelations about Ailes and the culture at Fox News are not just a personal story of overcoming adversity, but a reflection of a broader issue in the media industry. Hollywood has also been rocked by its own sexual misconduct epidemic, with prominent figures such as Harvey Weinstein facing criminal charges. The Me Too movement has brought attention to the widespread problem of sexual harassment in various industries, including media.
The fact that Ailes, one of the most powerful men in television, could operate with such impunity for years highlights the systemic nature of sexual harassment and the barriers women face when trying to speak out. Kelly’s story is a powerful reminder that even in positions of power, women are often silenced, manipulated, and subjected to abuse by those who hold the keys to their careers.
Conclusion: Megyn Kelly’s Courage and Legacy
Megyn Kelly’s decision to speak out about her experiences with Roger Ailes has cemented her legacy as not just a prominent media personality but also a trailblazer for women in the workplace. While Kelly’s career at Fox News may have been marred by the harassment she endured, her courage to confront the truth and share her story has made an indelible mark on the industry.
Her testimony adds to the growing body of evidence that reveals the deep-rooted culture of abuse and harassment that has existed in the media and entertainment industries. As more women come forward with their own stories, the hope is that future generations will not have to endure the same toxic environments that Kelly and so many others were forced to navigate.
Ultimately, Kelly’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the need for systemic change in the workplace and the importance of empowering women to speak out against abuse, no matter how powerful the perpetrators may be.
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