Podcaster Megyn Kelly has publicly criticized CNN anchor Abby Phillip on multiple occasions, focusing on what Kelly perceives as Phillip's biased reporting and interruptions during political interviews. These critiques, which span over a year and include a notable vocal impersonation of Phillip, highlight a recurring tension in how political figures and media personalities engage with differing viewpoints on air. The core of the dispute appears to center on Phillip's interactions with guests and her perceived alignment with liberal political stances.
Background of Criticisms
The published accounts indicate a series of critical remarks made by Megyn Kelly regarding Abby Phillip's performance as a CNN anchor. These criticisms escalated with Kelly's vocal impersonation of Phillip, which was described as "spot-on."
Vocal Impersonation: A recent report details Kelly performing a vocal imitation of Phillip, suggesting a pointed personal commentary on her speaking style or interview techniques.
Guest Handling: Kelly has repeatedly taken issue with how Phillip manages guests and conversations, particularly those involving conservative viewpoints or figures.
Perceived Bias: A consistent theme in Kelly's commentary is the accusation that Phillip exhibits a clear bias in favor of the Democratic Party and liberal perspectives.
Specific Incidents: The criticisms are tied to specific on-air events, including an exchange involving Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's foreign policy comments, a debate over labeling individuals, and an interaction with Vivek Ramaswamy.
Allegations of Bias and Unfair Interviewing
Megyn Kelly's primary objections to Abby Phillip's on-air conduct revolve around claims of bias and a tendency to interrupt or dismiss guests with opposing views.
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Defense of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Kelly criticized Phillip for defending Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after comments made at the Munich Security Conference drew criticism. Kelly implies that Phillip's defense was overly supportive, contrasting it with critical remarks made by President Trump about Ocasio-Cortez's statements.
Labeling and "Cowardly Dodge": In an incident involving a discussion about controversial figures, Kelly accused Phillip of a "cowardly dodge" when differentiating between a "neo-Nazi" and a "liberal with an opinion." Kelly argued that Phillip unfairly characterized guests by labeling one as a neo-Nazi while excusing the other's "vile things" said about political opponents. This occurred during a segment where Katie Miller questioned Phillip's handling of remarks made about Stephen Miller and others on the right.
Driving Guests Away: Kelly suggested that Phillip's on-air approach might be designed to alienate or drive away conservative-leaning guests, citing an instance where Phillip’s commentary was perceived as dismissive towards guest Scott Jennings. Kelly sarcastically remarked that Phillip needs to apologize to Jennings because CNN's audience is "overwhelmingly left" and dislikes those who express differing views.
Cutting Off Guests: Another critique focused on Phillip allegedly cutting off then-presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, with Kelly stating, "Shut the eff up. Let him make his damn point." This indicates a pattern of perceived obstruction of guest speech.
Defense of Phillip's Stance
While Megyn Kelly's criticisms are prominent, Abby Phillip has, in a separate context, offered her perspective on handling guests with whom she disagrees.
Respect for Guests' Rights: In an interview with Kara Swisher, Phillip stated she does not "like to talk negatively about guests who come on the show." She emphasized respecting guests' right to express themselves, even when she disagrees.
Avoiding Disparagement: Phillip indicated a preference for not disparaging individuals, even when she feels personally targeted or criticized online. Her approach, as she described it, is to allow guests to express their views without personal attack.
Conclusion and Implications
The documented exchanges reveal a clear divergence in opinion between Megyn Kelly and Abby Phillip regarding journalistic conduct and the presentation of political discourse. Kelly employs strong language and public impersonations to highlight what she views as bias and unfairness in Phillip's anchoring. While Phillip has articulated a philosophy of respecting guests' rights to speak, Kelly's critiques suggest a belief that this respect is not consistently applied, particularly when it involves viewpoints she considers contrary to a balanced presentation. The ongoing public commentary from Kelly raises questions about the tenor of political discussion on cable news and the perceived impartiality of anchors.
Source 1: Twitchy.com (Published: 30 minutes ago) - Article discusses Megyn Kelly's vocal impersonation of Abby Phillip and alleges that two guests are the sole reason Phillip's show is watched, with commenters predicting her eventual move to Substack.
Source 2: Dnyuz.com (Published: 1 day ago) - Article describes Megyn Kelly's "unhinged monologue" criticizing Abby Phillip for defending Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, contrasting it with President Trump's views.
Source 3: MegynKelly.com (Published: Dec 1, 2025) - Article details Megyn Kelly's reaction to an exchange between Abby Phillip and Katie Miller, accusing Phillip of a "cowardly dodge" in differentiating political labels.
Source 4: Barrettmedia.com (Published: Aug 25, 2025) - Article reports Megyn Kelly's belief that Abby Phillip is attempting to drive away guest Scott Jennings from her show due to the perceived left-leaning CNN audience.
Source 5: Nypost.com (Published: Dec 15, 2023) - Article covers Megyn Kelly's strong criticism of Abby Phillip for allegedly cutting off Vivek Ramaswamy during a segment, telling Phillip to "Shut the eff up."
