Megyn Kelly Draws Backlash After Disparaging Comments About Cornell Gang-Rape Lawsuit

Media host Megyn Kelly is facing widespread public backlash following remarks she made on her SiriusXM show regarding an alleged gang-rape case involving a former Cornell University student, according to reporting by Hollywood Unlocked. The legal matter involves a former student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted at a fraternity house in 2024 when she was 20 years old. According to the report, the case was reopened after Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell University and seven former students who were members of the Chi Phi fraternity.

The former fraternity members named in the lawsuit have denied all allegations of wrongdoing, with some asserting that the sexual encounter was consensual and others stating they did not participate at all. On Monday's broadcast of her SiriusXM show, Kelly openly questioned whether the assault occurred and criticized the plaintiff's physical appearance, according to reporting from Hollywood Unlocked. During the segment, Kelly questioned why the situation was immediately classified as an assault, suggesting that the plaintiff may have engaged in consensual activity with four men rather than seven and enjoyed it, while adding disparaging remarks about her physical attractiveness.

Kelly also scrutinized the timing of the victim's reporting, questioning why it took several weeks for the allegations to be formally raised. She further suggested that the student may have simply appreciated receiving attention from members of the fraternity. In response to Kelly's public statements, Thomas P. Giuffra, the attorney representing Jane Doe, strongly condemned the host's comments. In a statement reported by The Daily Beast and cited by Hollywood Unlocked, Giuffra described Kelly's remarks as mean-spirited and argued that they objectified and minimized his client's experience.

Giuffra emphasized the potential harm of public figures making such statements, noting that when individuals with large followings launch public attacks, it gives others permission to do the same. Giuffra also referenced Kelly's own career history, pointing to her past allegations of workplace sexual harassment against former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes. The attorney questioned why Kelly would criticize a victim for a delayed report when Kelly herself took more than a decade to publicly come forward with her own allegations against Ailes, according to the report.

Kulture Newz has not independently confirmed the specific court filings of the ongoing civil lawsuit beyond the statements reported by the press. As of now, the civil litigation against Cornell University and the seven former Chi Phi fraternity members remains pending.