The controversy surfaced alongside the renewed inquiry into the Cornell University assault case.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: As investigations into the Cornell University assault case were reopened, social media platforms flooded with claims that conservative commentator Megyn Kelly suggested the victim “enjoyed” the assault due to her physical appearance. The viral statements immediately sparked widespread criticism and prompted a closer look at the facts.
Claim: Megyn Kelly alleged that the Cornell case victim enjoyed the assault
Over the past week, numerous online users targeted Kelly following reports that she claimed the victim in the Cornell University incident willingly participated and enjoyed the encounter because she was supposedly “not very attractive.”
Screenshots and transcripts of the alleged commentary circulated extensively across X, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
According to these circulating transcripts, Kelly reportedly stated that the anonymous plaintiff—legally referred to as Jane Doe—chose to engage with four of the accused male students and “enjoyed it,” while also making disparaging remarks about the woman’s appearance.
*(Note: “Jane Doe” is a standard legal placeholder used to protect the identity of an anonymous female victim.)*
Fact Check: The statements were indeed made by Megyn Kelly
Verification confirms that the allegations are accurate; Kelly did make these remarks during a broadcast of “The Megyn Kelly Show.”
The specific comments can be found roughly 15 minutes into the corresponding YouTube upload of the episode.
In the footage, Kelly remarks, “No one will even consider the possibility that this woman made a decision to get it on with four men total, not seven, and enjoyed it because, I’m just going to be honest, she’s not the most attractive gal.”
She framed her commentary by presenting it as her own perspective on what “is likely to have occurred here.”
The victim’s legal representative strongly condemns Megyn Kelly
The controversial statements drew sharp condemnation from Thomas Giuffra, the attorney representing the victim. Giuffra criticized the media personality as “mean-spirited,” accusing her of leveraging her platform to direct “abusive” behavior toward women.
“When people with a following attack, it permits others to attack. It goes without saying that Jane Doe has been through enough,” Giuffra stated.
Highlighting Kelly’s public criticism of the victim for waiting two weeks to contact law enforcement, Giuffra fired back: “I would ask Ms. Kelly why it took her over a decade to report unwanted advances from her boss?”—a reference to disclosures Kelly previously made in her memoir.
“Perhaps she should reflect on why it is difficult for women to come forward under these circumstances and honor the courage that it takes,” he concluded.