#MegynKelly
Megyn Kelly’s defense of blackface Halloween costumes ended her NBC career.
Origin & Impact
On October 23, 2018, Megyn Kelly defended blackface Halloween costumes on her NBC morning show, asking “what is racist?” about white people darkening skin for costumes. The hashtag erupted with condemnation as Kelly’s comments revealed profound ignorance about blackface’s minstrel show history. NBC immediately distanced itself, and her show was canceled within days.
Kelly issued a tearful apology, but damage was done. Her $69 million contract was terminated, ending her NBC tenure after less than a year. The hashtag discussed whether Kelly’s comment was fireable or overreaction, with overwhelming consensus supporting NBC. It represented a cultural shift where racist ignorance, even claimed as unintentional, had immediate career consequences. Kelly’s fall from Fox News star to canceled demonstrated that not all platforms tolerate what Fox does.
Related Hashtags
#Blackface #NBC #CancelCulture