Kelly Jones, the ex-wife of Alex Jones, contacted NBC News producers and demanded to be included in Megyn Kelly’s interview with the “Info Wars” host or else she would trash the network in an op-ed, according to Mediaite.
Citing an NBC News source, Mediaite reported that Jones’ former wife wanted to attack his character in the much talked about segment that is set to air on Sunday night. The report said NBC producers left the decision to Kelly herself, who declined.
Meditaite reported that the NBC News star said including the ex-wife “would then be a hit piece without giving him the chance to respond. I said I wasn’t going to do a hit piece. I’m not going to a hit piece.”
Kelly interviewed Jones before his former wife contacted NBC, according to the report.
Jones was recently involved in a custody battle with his ex-wife who claimed he was “emotionally, sexually, physically abusive,” according to the Daily Mail. Mediaite reported that Kelly Jones penned a “scathing” op-ed that trash both her ex husband and NBC News, threatening to publish it if she was not included in the show.
Meanwhile, The “Info Wars” host has been busy publishing phone calls he recorded with Kelly, also claiming that NBC is going to edit the interview to portray him negatively.
NBC News confirmed to TheWrap early on Friday morning that the interview is still scheduled to air on Sunday.
“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.
NBC News did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment about Jones’ former wife.
13 Most-Watched Fox News Shows Since Tucker Carlson Replaced Bill O'Reilly (Photos)
Bill O’Reilly dominated the cable news industry for nearly two decades, finishing No. 1 in all of cable news for 16 straight years. But his sudden exit resulted in a programming shakeup at Fox News Channel.
TheWrap
Fox News fired O’Reilly back in April amid sexual harassment allegations and “Tucker Carlson Tonight” was shifted from 9 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET to replace “The O’Reilly Factor,” while other shows were also moved as a result. Check out the 13 most-watched programs (in reverse order) on Fox News among total viewers since the new lineup debuted on April 24.
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13. “Shepard Smith Reporting” Smith’s newscast averaged 1.5 million total viewers from April 24 through June 8 as one of Fox News Channel’s most recognizable personalities.
11. “America's News HQ” The weekday newscast is often the post-game show for Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s White House briefings and averaged 1.5 million viewers from April 24 through June 8.
10. “Your World with Neil Cavuto” Cavuto’s loyal fan base tunes in weekdays for his mixture of political and financial news and averaged 1.6 million viewers since the network shook up its lineup.
9. "Fox & Friends" Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade and Ainsley Earhardt co-host the morning show that is often complimented by President Trump during early morning Twitter sessions. “Fox & Friends” has averaged 1.6 million viewers, and at least one is typically in the White House.
8. "Outnumbered" The noon ET show features four female Fox News personalities and “One Lucky Guy” discussing the day’s headlines. Harris Faulkner and Meghan McCain are regular co-hosts of the show that averaged 1.7 million viewers from April 24 through June 8.
7. “America’s Newsroom” Shannon Bream replaced Martha MacCallum, who moved to 7 p.m. ET, as Bill Hemmer’s co-host on the morning show that has averaged 1.9 million viewers since April 24.
6. “The Fox News Specialists” Eric Bolling, Katherine Timpf and Eboni K. Williams co-host the new show that replaced “The Five” in the 5 p.m. ET timeslot. “The Specialists” has averaged 1.9 million viewers per episode with a variety of guests offering voices from both sides of the political aisle.
5. “The Story” Martha MacCallum originally had the 7 p.m. ET timeslot on a temporary basis for Trump’s first 100 days in office, but her show was made permanent and rebranded as “The Story” when the network revamped its schedule. She has averaged 2 million viewers per broadcast since the change.
4. “Special Report” Bret Baier’s nightly newscast continues to be a staple of the network’s lineup, averaging 2.2 million viewers per night from April 24 through June 8 despite new programs bookending “Special Report.”
3. “The Five” Greg Gutfeld, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Dana Perino, Jesse Waters and Juan Williams were shifted from 5 p.m. ET to primetime during the network’s schedule overhaul and “The Five” continued to be a ratings success, averaging 2.4 million viewers in its new slot.
2. “Hannity” Sean Hannity is arguably the most recognizable host on the network these days and his pro-Trump program has averaged 2.5 million viewers since “The Five” became its lead in.
1. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” Carlson has been the most-watched show on Fox News since replacing O’Reilly in the 8 p.m. ET timeslot, averaging 2.7 million viewers per evening.
From Martha MacCallum to ”The Specialists,“ the network was forced to shake things up
Bill O’Reilly dominated the cable news industry for nearly two decades, finishing No. 1 in all of cable news for 16 straight years. But his sudden exit resulted in a programming shakeup at Fox News Channel.