Megyn Kelly previewed an upcoming interview with “Info Wars” host Alex Jones on Sunday night, prompting immediate backlash on Twitter from viewers upset that NBC is giving the conspiracy theorist a platform.
During the 97-second preview, Jones calls the attacks of Sept. 11 an “inside job,” questions the legitimacy of the shootings at Sandy Hook and says, “30 years ago, they began creating animal-human hybrids. Isn’t that the big story Megyn Kelly should be doing?”
Next Sunday, I sit down with conservative radio host @RealAlexJones to discuss controversies and conspiracies #SundayNight June 18 on NBC pic.twitter.com/7bVz6Fobf5
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 11, 2017
“It was a riveting exchange. Promise you that,” Kelly teases.
In the preview, Kelly calls out Jones for dodging a Sandy Hook question, but that didn’t stop Twitter from unloading on NBC for the decision to feature the “Info Wars” host on “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly.”
One journalist wrote, “Kelly’s goal here is to legitimize Alex Jones. The question is: why?”
Critics include media members, families of Sandy Hook victims and average NBC viewers. Check out some of the most powerful reactions:
This is airing on Father's Day. Imagine losing your child in a shooting while the man who denies it happened gets an interview. #ShameOnNBC
— Danielle Rogus (@daniellelrogus) June 12, 2017
Why is NBC airing an interview with Alex Jones? In prime time? On the network? They could pull it if there were enough complaints… https://t.co/qSunqZMvr5
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) June 12, 2017
This piece of actual garbage encourages people to call my mom's death a hoax and harass other Sandy Hook families. Shame on you @megynkelly. https://t.co/uGmhqQAEeR
— cristina hassinger (@chass63) June 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/Nelba_MG/status/874074847378276352
https://twitter.com/Nelba_MG/status/874085384665403392
https://twitter.com/Nelba_MG/status/874083940642037760
Disgusted & appalled @megynkelly @nbc–shaking actually! This monster's "theories" encourage listeners to torment victims & survivors. https://t.co/jm1ULWBXL9
— Abbey Clements (@abbeyclements) June 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/john_glueck/status/874084267948691462
https://twitter.com/DavidShuster/status/874141319941079040
Five Dallas police officers fatally shot in ambush. Alex Jones called it a hoax. https://t.co/WUEOMUKNPM #shameonNBC https://t.co/yBo6NljTkP
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) June 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/iskandrah/status/874127572703039493
Alex Jones says 20 dead kids at Sandy Hook were actors. @NBC and @megynkelly to give him a platform on FATHER'S DAY. https://t.co/Er20jmjj7C
— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) June 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/thrall_david/status/874265821392109569
https://twitter.com/GilRladenheim/status/874265625132236801
Of course Megyn Kelly had Alex Jones on her show. Draculas & Frankensteins are friends. They just pretend to fight in movies sometimes
— 8 Diagram Bowl Lighter (@andy_sell) June 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/texasinafrica/status/874124636052758528
Kelly's goal here is to legitimize Alex Jones. The question is: why? https://t.co/kj8FBO8UrX
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) June 12, 2017
Kelly responded to the criticism by tweeting, “Many don’t know him; our job is 2 shine a light.”
The interview airs Sunday, June 18 at 7 p.m. ET during “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly” on NBC.