Megyn Kelly Tweets for the First Time Since ‘Blackface’ Fallout

Megyn Kelly, the former host of NBC’s “Megyn Kelly Today,” has tweeted for the first time since the network’s executives announced she would be cut from the show.

Kelly took to Twitter on Saturday, Oct. 27, to express condolences for the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre.

“Prayers for the victims and their suffering loved ones at the Tree of Life Synagogue,” she wrote.

“Lord, help us heal,” said Kelly.

Eleven people were killed in a 20-minute attack at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Oct. 27, and six people wounded. Federal prosecutors have charged the suspected gunman, Robert Bowers, with 29 charges, including 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder.

Numerous people responded to Kelly’s post, some echoing her condolences for the shooting victims.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families at this very sad time,” tweeted one commenter.

NBC Cancels ‘Megyn Kelly Today’

NBC has canceled “Megyn Kelly Today” amid speculation about the show’s future, and reruns were aired on Thursday and Friday.

“‘Megyn Kelly Today’ is not returning,” an NBC News representative said on Oct. 26. “Next week, the 9 a.m. hour will be hosted by other TODAY co-anchors.”

The cancellation was ostensibly over comments Kelly made earlier in the week questioning whether blackface or whiteface is racist, but a number of other reasons have emerged or been known for a while, such as the show’s mediocre ratings and Kelly’s clashes with network executives.

In this file photo, Megyn Kelly poses for a portrait shot in New York, on May 5, 2016. Victoria Will/Invision/AP/File

A number of reports have said Kelly will definitely leave NBC entirely but wants the remainder of her three-year contract, which owes her approximately $50 million.

Kelly signed an approximate 3-year, $69 million contract with the network in late 2017, and ended up making about $25 million a year.

She has around one year and 10 months to go in the contract, and wants $50 million to sever ties with NBC, sources familiar with the negotiations told TMZ.

Kelly’s exit from NBC isn’t completely official, but NBC’s “Today” show confirmed the news on Friday morning, and a report from NBC said that Kelly and the network were discussing her exit.

“This morning, NBC News host Megyn Kelly is in talks with the network about her imminent departure, according to a source familiar with the situation,” revealed a tweet from the “Today” show’s Twitter account.

Kelly’s lawyer Bryan Freedman was scheduled to meet with executives to negotiate an exit, though it wasn’t clear when the meeting was scheduled for.

Background

Kelly has also not commented on her contract or possible break with NBC publicly. She last appeared on her show on the network on Oct. 24, apologizing at the top of the segment for her comments the previous day about blackface and whiteface. She said she wasn’t clear on why some consider the practices racist.

In her apology, she said she listened to the criticism and has decided that the practices are racist.

“I defended the idea saying as long as it was respectful and part of a Halloween costume it seemed okay. Well, I was wrong and I am sorry,” she said. “I learned that given the history of blackface being used in awful ways by racists in this country, it is not OK for that to be part of any costume, Halloween or otherwise.”

Kelly also apologized via email to colleagues, according to Variety.

“One of the wonderful things about my job is that I get the chance to express and hear a lot of opinions,” she wrote. “Today is one of those days where listening carefully to other points of view, including from friends and colleagues, is leading me to rethink my own views,” she wrote, adding “This is a time for more understanding, love, sensitivity and honor, and I want to be part of that. I look forward to continuing that discussion.”