Lahren, who last month boarded Kelly’s old stomping ground at Fox News Channel after an ugly split from Glenn Beck’s The Blaze, has weighed in on Kelly’s bumpy first week at NBC’s “Today.”
To perhaps nobody’s surprise, Lahren laid the blame for the negative reception Kelly has received on the liberal-conservative divide.
“First of all, I wish her the best,” Lahren told TMZ. “I can tell you this: For me, I know when you try to appease the liberals and they give you a little love at first because you’re anti-Trump — but don’t forget, you’re still a conservative at heart. So when you go to a more liberal network, don’t be surprised if they turn on you.”
Lahren continued, “It’s harder for a conservative, especially when you’re on a liberal network.”
Kelly’s maiden week at NBC has been littered with hiccups and awkward moments. Debra Messing said she was “dismayed” by her appearance on the show, in which the host asked an audience member if he “became” gay after watching “Will & Grace.” Later in the week, Jane Fonda bristled at Kelly’s question about plastic surgery.
And then there was the moment when a camera man inadvertently wandered into the camera frame and dropped an S-bomb when he realized what he had done.
During Friday’s episode, Kelly reflected on the negative media coverage she’s received during her first week at the new gig.
“I just want to take a moment to thank all of you so much for watching this week,” she said as she signed off the Friday broadcast. “It’s been very exciting. It has been educational.”
“I’ve just been so delighted at the media response, which is really — no,” she added. “But the viewer response has been awesome, and I am so grateful to have all of you giving us a chance.”
Check out the video below.
11 Women Who Have Left Fox News Shows, From Megyn Kelly to Laurie Dhue (Photos)
Fox News has enhanced the careers of numerous women who have served as hosts. All were hired by Roger Ailes, the former network boss who exited in August 2016 amid a sexual harassment scandal.
Greta Van Susteren -- who had been one of Ailes' most stalwart defenders -- left in early September 2016 after saying that Fox had "not felt like a home" for years.
Laurie Dhue was a familiar presence on Fox in the early 2000s but left the network in 2008. She has reportedly been shopping a tell-all book this year.
Outspoken host Elisabeth Hasselbeck left "The View" to join "Fox & Friends" in 2013, which she exited at the end of 2015.
Andrea Tantaros, former co-host of "The Five," filed a lawsuit saying that Fox News operated like a "sex-fueled, Playboy-Mansion-like cult."
Alisyn Camerota hosted a number of Fox News programs during a 16-year run that ended in 2014. She now hosts "New Day" on CNN.
Rudi Bakhtiar jumped from CNN to Fox News in 2006. She claimed she was sexually harassed by correspondent Brian Wilson and later spoke out against Fox News' culture after the Ailes scandal broke. She now works at Reuters.
Kiran Chetry was a Fox News host from 2001 to 2007. She was reportedly also an aspirant for a role on "Fox & Friends," the network's morning show.
Libertarian commentator Jedediah Bila appeared on Fox's "Outnumbered" and later turned up on ABC's "The View."
Her lawsuit started it all: Former Fox host Gretchen Carlson claims Ailes repeatedly sexually harassed her. Her suit was later settled for a reported $20 million.
Megyn Kelly ended her 12-year run with Fox News in early 2017 in exchange for a weekday show at NBC. She turned down a four-year, $100 million offer to stay with Fox News saying that one of the reasons for her departure was to spend more time with her kids. Kelly said she was among those at Fox News sexually harassed by Ailes.
"Happening Now" anchor Jenna Lee announced that she was leaving the Fox News after working there for 10 years. Lee said she still loves being a journalist and that she has "some really big ideas on how to better serve you in that particular arena" without Fox News.
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The Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly scandals have cast even some old departures in a new light
Fox News has enhanced the careers of numerous women who have served as hosts. All were hired by Roger Ailes, the former network boss who exited in August 2016 amid a sexual harassment scandal.
