NBC News is still planning to air Megyn Kelly’s interview with Alex Jones on Sunday night despite widespread criticism over remarks the “Info Wars” host has made about the Sandy Hook shooting in the past.
“Despite Alex Jones’ efforts to distract from and ultimately prevent the airing of our report, we remain committed to giving viewers context and insight into a controversial and polarizing figure, how he relates to the president of the United States and influences others, and to getting this serious story right. Tune in Sunday,” an NBC News spokesperson told TheWrap.
On Thursday night, Jones leaked audio he recorded while Kelly was at his “Info Wars” studio to conduct the interview for “Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly.”
“I’ve never done this in 22 years, I’ve never recorded another journalist,” Jones said in the video posted to Twitter. “I’ve never done this. But I knew that it was a fraud, I knew it was a lie.”
In the recording, Kelly can be heard saying, “My goal is for your listeners and the Left, who will be watching some on NBC, to say, ‘Wow, that was really interesting.’ And the next time I want to get somebody, they’re going to say, ‘Look what you did to Alex Jones.’ It’s not going to be some ‘gotcha’ hit piece, I promise you that.”
When Kelly previewed an upcoming interview with Jones last Sunday night, critics immediately expressed concern that NBC is giving the conspiracy theorist a platform.
During a 97-second preview for the show, Jones calls the attacks of Sept. 11 an “inside job,” questions the legitimacy of the shootings at Sandy Hook and says, “Thirty years ago, they began creating animal-human hybrids. Isn’t that the big story Megyn Kelly should be doing?” A photo of Kelly and Jones appearing chummy in a car has also circulated on the internet.
CNN chief Jeff Zucker told reporters that marketing for the episode is “unfortunate.” Kelly has responded to criticism of her decision to interview Jones by referring to his views on Sandy Hook as “revolting.”
“Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly” airs on Sundays at 7 p.m. ET on NBC.