Megyn Kelly on Matt Lauer: A Tale of Two Careers and a Shared Scandal

In the realm of broadcast journalism, few names have been as synonymous with their respective networks as Megyn Kelly and Matt Lauer were with Fox News and NBC, respectively. However, their careers took starkly different turns in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations that rocked the industry. Let's delve into the fascinating, albeit tumultuous, journeys of these two titans of news and their entanglement in one of the most high-profile scandals of our time. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and megyn kelly on matt lauer.

Megyn Kelly: A Rise to Prominence

Megyn Kelly, born in 1970, began her career as a corporate attorney before transitioning into journalism. She joined Fox News in 2004 and quickly rose through the ranks, hosting shows like The Kelly File and becoming a prominent figure in the network's prime-time lineup. Known for her no-nonsense attitude and sharp questioning style, Kelly was a formidable presence in the world of political punditry.

Her Breakthrough Moment: Kelly's star power truly shone during the 2016 Republican presidential debates. She earned widespread praise and criticism for her tough questioning of then-candidate Donald Trump, who later infamously dismissed her as having "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."

Matt Lauer: A Longstanding NBC Fixture

1. 1997. He co-anchored the Today show from 1994 until his abrupt firing in
2. 2017. Lauer was a mainstay in American living rooms, known for his affable demeanor and extensive interviewing skills. His career seemed unstoppable, with the Today show consistently topping the ratings under his watch.

Megyn Kelly and Matt Lauer: A Shared Scandal

Both Kelly and Lauer found themselves at the center of the #MeToo movement, albeit in different ways. While Kelly was a vocal critic of the culture of sexual harassment in the industry, Lauer became one of its most high-profile casualties.

Megyn Kelly's Role in the #MeToo Movement

Kelly's experiences with sexual harassment were well-documented. In her 2016 memoir, Settle for More, she recounted being sexually harassed by then-Fox News CEO Roger Ailes. Her allegations, along with those of other women, led to Ailes' resignation and paved the way for the broader reckoning with sexual misconduct in the industry.

Kelly continued to speak out about the issue, using her platform to amplify the voices of other victims. She famously asked then-presidential candidate Donald Trump about his history of making inappropriate comments about women during a 2016 presidential debate, saying, "You've called women you don't like 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' 'slobs,' and 'disgusting animals.' Your Twitter account has several tweets attacking the appearance of women on Twitter, including those that are critical of you. Do you think that you have treated women with respect?"

Matt Lauer's Downfall

In November 2017, just one month after the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke, NBC received a detailed complaint from a colleague about Lauer's inappropriate sexual behavior in the Olympic coverage village in Sochi in 2014. Following an investigation, NBC fired Lauer within 24 hours, marking a stunning fall from grace for one of the most powerful men in broadcast journalism.

The allegations against Lauer were damning. Multiple women came forward with stories of unwanted advances, sexual assault, and a culture of harassment at NBC. Lauer's former colleagues were left reeling, and the Today show's ratings plummeted in the wake of the scandal.

Megyn Kelly and Matt Lauer: Where Do They Stand Now?

Megyn Kelly's Post-Fox Career

After leaving Fox News in 2017, Kelly signed a lucrative deal with NBC, taking over the 9 a.m. hour of the Today show and hosting a Sunday night news magazine show, Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly. However, her time at NBC was tumultuous. She faced backlash for her comments about the #Blackface debate on her show, and NBC ultimately canceled Megyn Kelly Today in 2018.

Kelly's career since then has been quieter. She launched her own production company, and in 2020, she returned to the airwaves with a podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, which focuses on news and politics.

Matt Lauer's Life After Scandal

Lauer has maintained a low profile since his firing. He released a statement in the wake of the allegations, expressing "sorrow and regret" for his actions and acknowledging the pain he had caused. He has since settled with several of his accusers and has been working on a tell-all book about his experiences, though its publication has been delayed.

In 2020, Lauer's former colleague Ann Curry published a book, Tell Me More: Stories About the Science of Self-Discovery, in which she detailed her own experiences with sexual harassment at NBC and her belief that Lauer had played a role in her ouster from the Today show.

Lessons Learned: The Impact of the Scandals on Broadcast Journalism

The scandals involving Megyn Kelly and Matt Lauer, and the broader #MeToo movement, have had a profound impact on the world of broadcast journalism. Networks have been forced to reckon with their own cultures of harassment and take steps to prevent future misconduct. The industry has seen an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, with more women and people of color being hired into prominent roles.

Moreover, the scandals have sparked a conversation about the power dynamics at play in the industry, and the ways in which they can be exploited. As Megyn Kelly noted in her memoir, "The truth is, the system is rigged. It's set up to benefit those who are already powerful, and to keep those who are not from gaining power."

As for Kelly and Lauer, their careers serve as a reminder that even the most powerful figures in the industry are not immune to the consequences of their actions. The road to redemption is a long and difficult one, but it is a journey that both of these figures will likely continue to navigate in the years to come.

In Conclusion:

The entanglement of Megyn Kelly and Matt Lauer in the #MeToo movement serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in the world of broadcast journalism. While Kelly's career has been marked by her advocacy for victims of sexual harassment, Lauer's has been defined by his sudden and dramatic fall from grace. The lessons learned from their experiences, and those of the broader #MeToo movement, will continue to shape the industry in the years to come.