Next Sunday, I sit down with conservative radio host @RealAlexJones to discuss controversies and conspiracies #SundayNight June 18 on NBC pic.twitter.com/7bVz6Fobf5
@megynkelly
Megyn Kelly and NBC News sparked backlash Sunday night for "normalizing" controversial talk show host Alex Jones and his comments about Sandy Hook.
A preview for next week's "Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly" aired last night, giving viewers a taste of the full interview. But for those watching at home and online, that minute preview was all they needed to attack the decision to give Jones a platform for his beliefs.
The biggest point of contention: Jones saying the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which left 20 children dead, was faked by the parents. Though Kelly does not appear to agree with Jones' comments at all in the clip, one mother of a child killed in the shooting was among the many viewers calling out both Kelly and NBC for giving him airtime in the first place.
Nelba Márquez-Greene -- whose daughter Ana Grace was murdered -- tweeted out the following, getting a response from Chelsea Clinton as well.
Hey @megynkelly , let me know if you want to give his victims equal air time. Promoting this fool is bad news. Do not encourage his abuse. https://t.co/WTJjFuSSuG
@Nelba_MG
To give a man like this such a platform normalizes behavior that isn't normal. How do I explain this to my son? https://t.co/lEVlBR8LI6
@Nelba_MG
I promise you it's not riveting. How you you feel if someone shot your kids, some fool said it wasn't true- and I gave him a show? https://t.co/xma9Z30IjW
@Nelba_MG
Here you go @megynkelly - her name is Ana Grace Márquez-Greene. Say her name- stare at this & tell me it's worth it. @nbc #SandyHook pic.twitter.com/mKrU63KWmA
@Nelba_MG
In @megynkelly 's America, cruelty gets u on national TV on Father's Day. #SandyHook grieving dads will go to the cemetery. #thisisnotnormal
@Nelba_MG
I am so sorry Nelba you continually confront disbelief and derision. It should be obvious how very, very wrong that is.
@ChelseaClinton
There is no justification for amplifying lies (or a liar), particularly about unimaginable tragedy. I hope no parent, no person watches this https://t.co/nSt1MGGM2U
@ChelseaClinton
Shannon Watts -- who started Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America -- retweeted Márquez-Greene's message as well.
This is the mother of a child murdered at Sandy Hook - a tragedy Alex Jones says never happened. How could you @megynkelly? #shameonNBC https://t.co/gHaHEhxGCU
@shannonrwatts
Why isn't @megynkelly interviewing Sandy Hook families instead of lying, cruel man who has caused them added suffering? #shameonNBC @nbc https://t.co/yBo6NljTkP
@shannonrwatts
Shame on @MegynKelly and #shameonNBC for allowing this cruel and overexposed liar question whether Sandy Hook happened. @nbc https://t.co/yBo6NlBucn
@shannonrwatts
This is repulsive and immoral. How dare you highlight this "person" who accused Aurora and Sandy Hook parents of faking children's deaths?
@shannonrwatts
After one Twitter user criticized Kelly for helping "legitimize" Jones, she had this to say:
POTUS's 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. https://t.co/5e88BJyqnz
@megynkelly
See more slamming both the reporter and NBC below, including one popular tweet which calls for a boycott of the show.
Hi @megynkelly,
@andylassner
Will you be interviewing the parents of the kids murdered at Sandy Hook or just Alex Jones who called their deaths a hoax?
it is a horrible thing for @megynkelly to give a platform to a Sandy Hook truther. No justification. @msnbc reconsider what you are doing.
@DemFromCT
20 children dead at Sandy Hook and @megynkelly is giving voice to the man who suggested it was a hoax.
@mattmfm
This is beyond shameful, @NBCNews. https://t.co/7OPTCPQHAd
Alex Jones says 20 dead kids at Sandy Hook were actors. @NBC and @megynkelly to give him a platform on FATHER'S DAY. https://t.co/Er20jmjj7C
@BFriedmanDC
My nephew survived Sandy Hook. I am not tolerating this. Will never watch @megynkelly or @NBCNews again if they choose to air this.
@john_glueck
This Father's Day, @megynkelly will use her show to elevate "Sandy hoax" Alex Jones. @NBC, don't do this to fathers of Sandy Hook victims.
@KaivanShroff
RT if you will BOYCOTT @megynkelly & @NBCNews if they air interview with Sandy Hook truther conspiracist Alex Jones. https://t.co/55p0wVA1s2
@joncoopertweets
Hey girl, did anyone ever tell @MegynKelly how to make friends at a new job? You bring cookies, not interview a scumbag Sandy Hook denier.
@PaulRyanGosling
Truly disgusting. Even Fox isn't doing something this awful toward the Sandy Hook victims. Shame on @NBCNews and @megynkelly
@PolitikMasFina
What Alex Jones stands for is a disgrace. Your air time is better spent telling the real stories of families who lost kids at Sandy Hook.
@hayhoffman
I didn't expect Megyn Kelly's path to journalistic redemption to involve helping spread Sandy Hook and "gay bomb" conspiracy theories.
@johniadarola
Revolting. You have successfully ruined @NBC for me. Man who called sandy hook kids "props" deserves zero airtime. Shame on you @megynkelly. https://t.co/H0OTHq0ln6
@JJohnsonLaw
Kelly's full interview with Jones will air on Sunday, June 18 on NBC.
A spokesperson for NBC News' "Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly" has not yet returned TooFab's request for comment.