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Fact check: How did Megyn Kelly's departure from Fox News impact her subsequent career, including her time at NBC News?

Checked on July 3, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Megyn Kelly's departure from Fox News significantly impacted her subsequent career trajectory. Kelly left Fox News after 12 years due to multiple factors, including Donald Trump's persistent criticism and the toxic work environment [1]. Her departure was also influenced by Bill O'Reilly's behavior, who criticized her for discussing sexual harassment issues, and Fox News' handling of workplace harassment situations [2].

Kelly's move to NBC News represented a major career shift, given her conservative background transitioning to a network with perceived liberal leanings [3]. At NBC, she was offered a triple role that included hosting her own daytime news and discussion program and participating in breaking news coverage [1] [3]. However, her NBC tenure ultimately ended with her walking away with the remainder of her $69 million contract [4], suggesting the arrangement was not successful for either party.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several gaps in understanding the full impact of Kelly's career transition:

  • Financial implications: While one source mentions Kelly received a $69 million deal at NBC [4], there's no detailed analysis of how her departure from Fox News affected her earning potential or market value in the long term.
  • Audience reception: The analyses don't provide specific information about how Kelly's conservative audience from Fox News responded to her move to NBC, or whether she successfully attracted NBC's typical viewership.
  • Professional reputation impact: Missing is analysis of how the departure affected Kelly's standing within the journalism industry and her ability to secure future opportunities.
  • Timeline and duration: While the sources mention her NBC contract payout, they don't clearly establish how long Kelly actually worked at NBC before her departure or the specific circumstances that led to the end of that arrangement.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and factual, simply asking about the impact of Kelly's career move. However, the analyses reveal potential areas where incomplete information could lead to misunderstanding:

  • Oversimplification of departure reasons: The question doesn't acknowledge that Kelly's departure from Fox News involved multiple complex factors including Trump's criticism, workplace harassment issues with colleagues like Bill O'Reilly, and the overall toxic environment [1] [2].
  • Lack of outcome context: The question doesn't hint at the fact that Kelly's NBC tenure ended prematurely with a significant contract payout, which suggests the career move may not have been as successful as initially anticipated [4].
  • Missing industry dynamics: The analyses suggest that Kelly's move was notable specifically because of the ideological contrast between her conservative background and NBC's liberal reputation [3], which adds important context to understanding the challenges she may have faced in the transition.
Want to dive deeper?
What were the circumstances surrounding Megyn Kelly's departure from Fox News in 2017?
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What were the reasons behind Megyn Kelly's exit from NBC News in 2018?
How has Megyn Kelly's career evolved since her departure from NBC News, including her podcast and other ventures?
What role did Megyn Kelly's controversy surrounding blackface comments play in her departure from NBC News?