On Wednesday’s episode of The Megyn Kelly Show on SiriusXM, host Megyn Kelly strongly criticized CNN commentator Catherine Rampell for her dismissal of Secretary of Defense-nominee Pete Hegseth’s extensive military service.
Kelly accused Rampell of undermining Hegseth’s qualifications and reducing him to being just “a TV host,” despite his years of service in the military and his work advocating for veterans.
Hegseth, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the role of Secretary of Defense, faced sharp questioning from Senate lawmakers on Tuesday.
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During the hearing, some Democrats, including Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, scrutinized Hegseth’s personal history, raising issues of alleged infidelity, alcoholism, and abuse. The contentious session prompted reactions from across the political spectrum.
Kelly took issue with Rampell’s comments about Hegseth on CNN, where Rampell downplayed his military credentials and emphasized his role as a Fox News host.
Kelly highlighted Rampell’s lack of experience in military matters, stating, “In any event, CNN thought she’d be an adequate commentator. Why? Because of her long history in the military? No, she has absolutely nothing to do with the military, the Pentagon, etc. In fact, before she was at The Washington Post, she was at The New York Times as a theater critic! But here she is telling us why Pete was chosen for this job.”
During her show, Kelly played a clip of CNN’s Scott Jennings, who also criticized Rampell’s comments.
Kelly then questioned how such remarks could not be seen as disrespectful to Hegseth’s service. “How is it not denigrating his tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gitmo?” she asked.
She continued with a strong rebuke: “The vast majority of his adult life by saying his main qualification for this job was his stint on Fox & Friends. F**k you, Catherine Rampell, because that is denigrating his service. His service is the reason he got the job.”
Kelly emphasized that Hegseth’s military service and his work with veterans’ organizations were the key factors in his nomination.
“It’s Pete’s lifetime of service while in the armed services and afterward working for veterans that got him this job. Perhaps Trump wouldn’t know about him if he hadn’t gotten a job on Fox. But that’s what opened the door, not what got him the job,” she said.
“You’re so disrespectful and disgusting. But that is what the elite thinks of our military and certainly of any Trump supporter.”
Watch the video:
Megyn Kelly Drops an F-Bomb on CNN Panelist Over Ridiculous Hegseth Comment…
On Wednesday’s episode of The Megyn Kelly Show on SiriusXM, host Megyn Kelly strongly criticized CNN commentator Catherine Rampell for her dismissal of Secretary of Defense-nominee Pete Hegseth’s… pic.twitter.com/FalzqRjCJT
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President-elect Trump announced Hegseth’s nomination in November, highlighting his service with the Minnesota National Guard, during which he deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Hegseth’s military career earned him two Bronze Stars.
He also led two veteran organizations, Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America, advocating for veterans’ causes on a national level.
Following the hearing, Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, who had previously expressed skepticism about Hegseth, voiced her support for the nominee during a local radio interview.
Ernst’s endorsement adds to the momentum behind Hegseth’s confirmation, which is expected to face partisan debates in the Senate.
Kelly’s defense of Hegseth underscores the divide over his nomination and the broader issue of how military service is perceived in political and media circles.
Hegseth’s confirmation process continues to attract significant attention as the Trump administration prepares for its transition into office.
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