Baller Alert Entertainment & Lifestyle
The families of the Sandy Hook victims and NBC News are battling it out over the airing of Megyn Kelly’s interview with hoaxer Alex Jones. Jones suggested that the murder of 26 people at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 was a hoax. As a result, critics believe Kelly’s decision to host the conspiracy theorist is insensitive to the families of the victims. The families have threatened to sue if the network goes forward with airing the interview.
Kelly has faced major backlash since her interview with the conspiracy theorist. She’s also compromised work relationships with Sandy Hook benefit and has been dropped by J.P. Morgan Chase over her decision to host Jones and air the interview, amid controversy.
Now, in a letter to the network, families of the victims say the network is damaging the situation by displaying Jones’ views, even though they know that they are false.
“Airing Ms. Kelly’s interview implicitly endorses the notion that Mr. Jones’ lies are actually ‘claims’ that are worthy of serious debate, and in doing so it exponentially enhances the suffering and distress of our clients,” the law firm representing the families said.
On Monday Sandy, Hook Promise released a statement to announce its decision to severe business ties with the Kelly, who was scheduled to host the organization’s annual Promise Champions Gala in D.C.
“This decision was spurred by NBC’s planned broadcast of Kelly’s interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who believes the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newton, CT, was a hoax,” the statement read.
“Sandy Hook Promise cannot support the decision by Megyn or NBC to give any form of voice or platform to Alex Jones and have asked Megyn Kelly to step down as our Promise Champion Gala host. It is our hope that Megyn and NBC reconsider and not broadcast this interview,” the co-Founder of the gun violence prevention organization said in a statement.
Shortly after, the chief marketing officer at J.P. Morgan Chase released a statement saying that she was “repulsed” at Kelly’s decision to give Jones airtime. The company has decided to pull its TV and digital ads from the network until after the controversial interview airs.
“As an advertiser, I’m repulsed that @MegynKelly would give a second of airtime to someone who says Sandy Hook and Aurora are hoaxes. Why?” Kristin Lemkau tweeted.
Although, Jones has since called for his interview, which is scheduled to air on June 18, to be nixed for “misrepresenting my views on Sandy Hook,” Kelly has defended her decision to air the interview.
“POTUS’ been on & praises @RealAlexJones’ show. He’s giving Infowars a WH press credential. Many don’t know him; our job is 2 shine a light,” Kelly tweeted, adding that she wanted to shed light on Jones’ views since many are not aware.
