Megyn Kelly Criticizes Jake Tapper for Defending Jimmy Kimmel Amid Controversy Over Melania Trump Joke

Megyn Kelly escalated her criticism of Jimmy Kimmel’s defenders following fallout over his controversial Melania Trump “widow” joke on Thursday. On her Tuesday episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly singled out CNN anchor Jake Tapper for defending Kimmel’s free speech rights.

Kelly argued that Tapper’s support for Kimmel was compromised by their apparent friendship, questioning the CNN anchor’s integrity in reporting on the matter. She shared an image of Tapper at a 2023 party at Kimmel’s lodge in Idaho, stating:

“It’s no surprise Tapper’s coming to the defense of Jimmy Kimmel. Here’s Jake at a 2023 party at Jimmy Kimmel’s lodge in Idaho. My friends, this is why you don’t get too close with the people who you might be covering.”

Kelly emphasized her own approach to maintaining objectivity, saying:

“Honestly, there’s a reason I say no to virtually every invitation that comes my way. I don’t want to be chummy with these people. I don’t want to. I know the odds are high that I’ll have to cover them, and that includes the Trump administration. As you guys well know, there will be times when I have to criticize them, as I’ve done.”

She continued, targeting Tapper’s perceived bias:

“I don’t want to get too chummy with any of these folks. Arms length, cordial, friendly, but this? Hanging out with Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox, Jimmy Fallon. Oh, yeah, OK, I’m sure, I’m sure you did defend Jimmy Kimmel, super quick. I’m sure you’re looking for another invitation out to Idaho, where you should never have gone, and you should not be hoping to go again. And that way, you might still have your objectivity about the people that are obviously going to come within your coverage ambit as a news anchor.”

In a clip Kelly shared, Tapper had denounced calls for violence in media and journalism, stating:

“It is a big problem of calls for violence and dehumanization and it’s getting worse. But it is not a problem to be wielded like a cudgel to try to stop journalism or jokes. Journalism and jokes are not calls for violence. Calls for violence are calls for violence. And far too many Americans in position of power and influence are too blasé and too glib about those who make them.”

Kelly also took aim at Kimmel, accusing him of never missing “a moment to be crass” after his Melania Trump joke at a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) on Thursday. She mocked Kimmel’s joke, where he claimed Melania had the “glow of an expectant widow,” questioning his sensitivity.

The host also pointed to Kimmel’s past suspension in September 2023 for jokes made after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, suggesting he had failed to learn from prior controversies. She remarked:

“For this guy to get up there and say she’s ‘got the glow of an expectant widow,’ like how insensitive can you be? Honestly,”