Megyn Kelly tells Anderson Cooper how threats from Team Trump led to a year of security guards


Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Wednesday night that nothing could have prepared her for the firestorm that erupted after she confronted Donald Trump at an early GOP primary debate about his history of disparaging women. Trump had spoken with her four days earlier on the phone, angry about one of her segments, and he called her a disgrace and threatened to unleash his Twitter account on her. He was only angrier after the debate, and insisted on going on CNN at the same time her show aired on Fox. It was on that CNN segment he made his "blood coming out of her whatever" comment, Kelly said, and "things would never be the same. It was a game-changer."
The changed game included security for her and her family. "We had security guards the whole year," Kelly said. "I mean, the threat level got so high that it was impossible not to take that seriously." It wasn't just Trump, either. Michael Cohen, a Trump surrogate and lawyer, had retweeted a threat to "gut" Kelly, earning a scolding from Fox executive Bill Shine. "He didn't much care, and what Bill Shine said to Michael Cohen was, 'Let me put it to you in terms you can understand: If Megyn Kelly gets killed, it's not going to help your candidate,'" Kelly recounted.
"There's no question that some of the tactics engaged in by those supporting — in Team Trump, were questionable," she added. "Corey Lewandowski specifically threatened me if I showed up at the second debate hosted by Fox News," and various threats continued until the election. "The point is," Kelly said, "these are not your normal tactics that we see in a presidential race unleashed against a journalist who asked a tough question."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cooper asked about allegations of serial sexual harassment by ousted Fox News chief Roger Ailes, and Bill O'Reilly's comment that Kelly should have gone to HR instead of spilling the story in a book. "At Fox News it's very true that Roger Ailes was very much a king of sorts," Kelly said. "He had loyalists placed throughout the company and he demanded loyalty. I mean, O'Reilly speaks of loyalty — that is the culture that Roger demanded, that that should be placed above all things." Cooper and Kelly ended with their shared experience of losing a father at a young age. Watch below. Peter Weber
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How will Trump's spending bill impact student loans?
the explainer Here's what the Republicans' domestic policy bill means for current and former students
-
Can the US economy survive Trump's copper tariffs?
Today's Big Question Price hike 'could upend' costs of cars, houses, appliances
-
Film reviews: Superman and Sorry, Baby
Feature A hero returns, in surprising earnest, and a woman navigates life after a tragedy
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department
-
Cuomo announces third-party run for NYC mayor
Speed Read He will go up against progressive Democratic powerhouse Zohran Mamdani and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams
-
Secret Service 'failures' on Trump shooting
Speed Read Two new reports detail security breakdowns that led to attempts on the president's life
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl
-
Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention
Speed Read This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters