In a fiery interview that has sent shockwaves through American conservative media, veteran commentator Megyn Kelly has launched a stunning attack on fellow right-wing figures Ben Shapiro and Bari Weiss. Kelly accuses them of actively fostering antisemitic sentiments within conservative circles, marking a significant and public rupture among prominent voices on the right.
The Core Accusation: Creating Division Over Israel
Kelly's comments were made during a conversation with Vanity Fair, published on December 22. She expressed deep concern over a rapid shift among younger conservatives, noting that unwavering support for Israel is no longer a unifying principle on the political right. Kelly believes this dangerous shift is being accelerated by individuals she once held in high regard.
She did not mince words, placing direct blame on commentator Ben Shapiro and journalist Bari Weiss. "They are making antisemites… Tucker is not making antisemites. They are," Kelly stated emphatically, exonerating Tucker Carlson from similar charges. According to her, Shapiro and Weiss are fueling anger and division instead of working to calm the waters and promote unity.
Personal Grievances and Charges of Hypocrisy
Kelly's critique got deeply personal. She accused Ben Shapiro of prioritizing Israel's interests above those of American conservatives, a charge she feels his own behavior has validated. "Ben is Israel first… And I’m sorry, but his behavior has proven that charge to be correct," she asserted. She found it particularly shocking that he would choose to publicly criticize and divide conservatives, especially during a period when the movement was finding common ground after the death of Charlie Kirk.
Her criticism of Bari Weiss centered on alleged hypocrisy. Kelly argued that Weiss built her public persona and career by positioning herself as a warrior against cancel culture. However, Kelly claims Weiss now supports efforts to silence voices she personally disagrees with. "Bari in particular has made her career on the anti-cancel culture thing. Meanwhile, she’s never been canceled," Kelly pointed out, adding that Weiss backed Shapiro's attempts to marginalize her within conservative spaces.
Shapiro's Retort and the Feud Escalates
The conflict quickly moved from interviews to the public stage. Ben Shapiro responded during a speech at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, as covered by Barrett Media. He criticized Megyn Kelly for what he perceived as her refusal to strongly condemn commentator Candace Owens in related disputes.
"The same holds true of Megyn Kelly, a person I consider a friend," Shapiro said, arguing that personal relationships should not be an excuse for moral silence. He firmly rejected Kelly's stance that neutrality was an acceptable position, calling it "a non-starter" and insisting there was "only one moral side." During his address, he also voiced support for Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow.
Not one to back down, Kelly fired back during a discussion with Jack Posobiec at the Turning Point AmFest 2025, which was posted to her YouTube channel on December 21. She declared that Shapiro's tactic of calling her a friend just before labeling her a "despicable coward" had effectively ended their relationship. "He had the nerve to call me a friend right before he called me a despicable coward," she stated, highlighting the personal betrayal she felt.
This heated exchange has poured fuel on an already intense internal battle within conservative media, connecting to wider controversies involving figures like Candace Owens and organizations like Turning Point USA. As of now, Ben Shapiro and Bari Weiss have not publicly responded to Kelly's latest round of accusations. Megyn Kelly continues to host her program, The Megyn Kelly Show, on SiriusXM's Triumph channel.
