Conservative political commentator Megyn Kelly is being criticized online after attacking California singer Olivia Rodrigo for defending the victim in the Cornell 7 case.
The “Cornell 7” case involves a former Cornell University student who alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at a fraternity house in October 2024. The woman, identified as Jane Doe in a 2026 civil lawsuit, has also accused the university and others of failing to properly respond to her allegations.
Several celebrities have spoken about the case, including Olivia Rodrigo, who shared her support for Jane Doe on her Instagram Story. Rodrigo wrote, “Shame on Cornell and on every institution who protects rapists and abusers over women. I stand with Jane Doe. Her bravery reverberates across the country and the crimes against her will not go unpunished. What she lived through matters, and so does the failure of those who could have intervened but chose not to. She deserves answers, consequences, and lasting change.”
On her YouTube show, Kelly later criticized Rodrigo for defending the victim. After reading the singer’s statement, Kelly told her, “You don’t know what the [expletive] you are talking about.” She then added, “Shut up and stick to singing.”
“I liked you better when you were in front of a microphone singing your weird little depressing songs,” Kelly continued. She went on to say, “Shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people suspect you’re an idiot than to open it and prove them right. Ever hear that saying? It applies to you, sweetheart.”
The political commentator continued criticizing Rodrigo and called her a “know-nothing moron.” Kelly concluded her remarks by saying, “Sit down and be quiet. Or I’m going to have to start pulling your music and your lyrics and take a deep dive into exactly the kind of messaging that you are pushing on young women. I guarantee it’s not going to end well for you.”
Kelly’s comments drew backlash online, with many social media users criticizing the conservative commentator for attacking Rodrigo after the singer expressed support for Jane Doe. Some questioned why Kelly focused her criticism on Rodrigo rather than the allegations at the center of the case, while others objected to the language she used toward the singer.
Kelly has also faced accusations of hypocrisy because of her previous public discussions about sexual harassment and her support for women who came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2016, she revealed that former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes had sexually harassed her early in her career and later encouraged other women to speak about their own experiences.
Some viewers have pointed to Kelly’s own experience while criticizing her comments about the Cornell accuser, particularly after Kelly questioned why the woman waited three weeks to report the alleged assault. Critics have consequently accused Kelly of holding the Cornell accuser to a different standard than the one she previously applied to women who reported sexual misconduct.
Viewers Slam Megyn Kelly for Attacking California Singer
After hearing Kelly’s comments about California singer Olivia Rodrigo, many viewers criticized the conservative commentator online. “A ghoul, through and through,” one person wrote. Another said, “#MeToo for me but not for thee.” Someone else agreed, writing, “Right? Like I keep asking myself ‘THE Megyn Kelly’? [Expletive] was all of that Roger Ailes expose stuff for if you’re just going to turn around and undo the discourse you tabled?”
More people continued criticizing the political commentator, with one person saying, “We should just ignore her. Does she believe the [expletive] she’s spewing? Quite probably, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s largely spewing it for attention. Before this week, when was the last time you thought of or heard about this ghoul?” Another person wrote, “What a vile woman, she was a victim of sexual harassment by fox news hosts and sexist comments by Trump, yet she constantly side with the aggressors.”
Kelly’s comments led to discussion about whether people who have experienced sexual harassment or misconduct should be more understanding toward other alleged victims. Some viewers also discussed the role celebrities can play in publicly supporting people who come forward with allegations of sexual assault.
