Overview
- On her SiriusXM show, Kelly cited an unnamed person she said was close to the case to argue Epstein “was not a pedophile,” claiming he preferred “barely legal” teens such as 15-year-olds.
- Kelly contrasted teens with “8-year-olds” and said there is “a difference between a 15-year-old and a 5-year-old,” comments critics said minimized the abuse of minors.
- She referenced Pam Bondi’s past assertion about “tens of thousands” of child sexual abuse videos tied to Epstein, then said she no longer trusts Bondi’s statements.
- The clip drew broad condemnation across social media and broadcast media, with The Daily Show airing and mocking the segment; Kelly did not substantively walk back the remarks on her next show.
- The discussion followed House Oversight’s latest Epstein emails, including messages referencing Donald Trump “knowing about the girls,” and comes as the House prepares to vote next week on urging the Justice Department to release full records.