Do not make Megyn Kelly seem reasonable, plus save 31%
To liberals and Democrats, the temptation is overwhelming. We can't help ourselves. When a representative of the opposition seems to speak out against the president and his party, we tend to elevate that person as if their criticism proves a point we have been making all along.
Megyn Kelly, the former Fox anchor and maga media personality, said recently that:
The American public gave Trump a year and a half, he's done nothing other than make things worse. That's how they feel if you read the polls. And they're pissed. They're not feeling pro-GOP right now for a variety of reasons. They don't like the tariffs. I still am open-minded to them, but I don't speak for the independents, even though I am one. They don't like the war. They don't like what's happening in their bank accounts. They're starting to think the Democrats might be the better option on the economy.
In response, the social media account run by former staffers in Kamala Harris' presidential campaign shared a clip of Kelly's remarks with its more than 1 million followers as if to suggest that what Kelly was saying is evidence that the former vice president was right.
Megyn Kelly: The American public feels like they gave Trump a year and a half, he's done nothing other than make things worse, and they're pissed. They don't like the tariffs, they don't like the war, they don't like what's happening in their bank accounts. They're starting to… pic.twitter.com/fT7sWPqzGu
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) April 24, 2026
Thing is, though, Harris was right. Periodt. Liberals and Democrats do not need Kelly to affirm that. The American people are feeling all kinds of pains due to illegal taxes and illegal deportations and an illegal war. The pain itself is the affirmation. Liberals and Democrats do not need to appeal to a defender of tyranny like Kelly to prove they are defenders of liberty.
There is short-term gain in showing that the maga base is breaking. The long-term consequences, however, do not get enough attention. By holding up a figure like Kelly, liberals make her seem reasonable. They give a quintessentially bad-faith actor the appearance of good faith. Truth is, Megyn Kelly is a fascist. She's in a fight with other fascists. Liberals should not be in the business of saying one side in that fight is making a good point.
That's a tacit endorsement of fascism.
Liberals should be in the business of arguing that maga media personalities who seem to be losing faith in Donald Trump never had faith to begin with. Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owen, Alex Jones, Tim Pool – all of them are opportunists, con artists and grifters.
None of them sincerely believed anything they said before Trump was elected a second time. They do not sincerely believe anything they are saying now that the public has turned on him. They're covering their own asses while scoping out the next scam. Instead of pointing to their criticism as proof that liberals were right about Donald Trump, liberals should be pointing to it as proof that you can't trust anything coming out of the mouth of a liar.
If I'm wrong, leave your thoughts in the comments below. If I'm right, do the same. Liberals and Democrats should have our own conversations on our own terms. We don't need a bunch of swindlers and propagandists to affirm our loyalty to our values and the truth.
In the meantime ...
I started the Editorial Board almost eight years ago, because I was frustrated. Existing commentary seemed to talk over people's heads while looking over and under the truth. I felt like there was a need for politics in plain English for normal people and the common good.
The mission hasn't changed. Nearly every weekday, I send a dispatch in which I do the best I can to put the moment into a coherent order so caring people can take action as they see fit. It takes dedication, focus and hard work, but I think it's worth it – and I hope you do too.
Try a 7-day trial subscription for FREE.
For just $9 a month, you get:
• Fresh daily analysis and commentary straight to your inbox.
• More than 20 editions a month, more than 260 times a year.
• A feeling of understanding, clarity and hope in America.
• Lots of ammunition for your next kitchen-table argument!
A little about me
I’m not a political scientist, but I have taught political science. I’m not a partisan, but for the moment the Democrats care about what I care about. I’m a journalist, writer and citizen. I’m a fellow at Yale’s Ezra Stiles College; a contributing writer for the Washington Monthly; a contributing editor for Religion Dispatches; and senior editor at Alternet. My byline has been in news outlets big and small, but mostly small. Follow me @editorialboard.bsky.social.
Selections from the Editorial Board archives
John Stoehr
John Stoehr
John Stoehr
