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By Mandy Taheri
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Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly called out President Donald Trump on a recent episode of The Megyn Kelly Show over his recent rhetoric toward Iran in which he said, "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," saying she is "sick of this sh**!"
Why It Matters
Kelly, a former Fox News anchor, has spoken out against the president’s war in Iran, as well as her role in amplifying war messaging on Iraq and Afghanistan while at the outlet. Trump’s handling of Iran has exposed divisions within the MAGA movement and the broader Republican Party, particularly over the prospect of deeper U.S. military involvement. Other conservative commentators like Tucker Carlson and Cadance Owens have also called out the president on the matter.
Read More on Politics
Trump escalated his rhetoric toward Iran on Tuesday, writing in a Truth Social post that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," in reference to Iran. He continued that a mass bombardment "probably will" occur and called the looming deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz "one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world."
Many experts, scholars and critics said the president’s rhetoric suggested genocidal intent, while others voiced concern that his references to the scale of destruction raised fears he could consider using a nuclear weapon. Just over an hour ahead of the 8 p.m. ET deadline, Iran and the U.S. came to an agreement for a two-week ceasefire and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
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What To Know
"Can’t he just behave like a normal human?," Kelly said about Trump on her show, adding that she is sick of his behavior and public comments.
She continued, "shut up about that sh**! You don’t threaten to wipe out an entire civilization. We’re talking about civilians, just casually in a social media post," she said in reference to his Tuesday Truth Social post.
The conservative commentator went on, "I am the first to try to understand Trump and his strategy and not freak out over his weird social media posts and language that is loose and incendiary," later adding, "But this is completely irresponsible and disgusting. This is wrong. It’s wrong. He should not be doing it."
Kelly continued: "He can’t be a dignified, strong leader without threatening a bunch of war crimes? Like what is he, Genghis Khan?"
In March, Kelly said on her show, "I spent 14 years of Fox News cheerleading these wars. I mean cheerleading them.…We accepted all the administration’s bulls*** that was being shoved down our throats about Iraq and Afghanistan. It's now since come out that they just lied about Afghanistan and the alleged successes there for years, for years. And, I refuse to be a part of that."
Others, including Democrats and activists, have been outraged by Trump’s rhetoric as well. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers are calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked against Trump. The 25th Amendment is one of the most consequential constitutional mechanisms available, allowing the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president unable to perform the duties of office.
What People Are Saying
Representative Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat and Iranian-American, said in an X post early Wednesday: "I do not appreciate anyone - Democrat or Republican - taking this moment to make TACO jokes to say Trump ‘chickened out.’ The president was threatening genocide against 90 million Iranians. I’m grateful there’s a ceasefire & scores of innocent people didn’t die tonight."
Representative Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat, on X: "The President just threatened genocide. The Joint Chiefs of Staff must disregard any such military orders that violate federal and international law. Republicans in Congress can't hide anymore: we must consider all options—including impeachment—to stop Trump."
Former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger posted on X: "This is absolutely insane and 25th amendment grounds in and of itself."
Alex Jones, conservative political commentator and conspiracy theorist, said in an X post Tuesday: "WAR CRIME ALERT!!- Trump on Iran: "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. The definition of genocide is destroying an entire civilization/people! Trump literally sounds like an unhinged super villain from a Marvel comic movie. This IS NOT WHAT WE VOTED FOR!!!"
Conservative commentator Candace Owens said in an X post: "The 25th amendment needs to be invoked. He is a genocidal lunatic. Our Congress and military need to intervene. We are beyond madness."
Andrew Kolvet, Turning Point USA spokesperson, said in a Tuesday episode of The Charlie Kirk Show: "If he drops a nuke on Iran tonight, then I will absolutely call for impeachment. I will say, I'm the crazy one. I'll do all the things. I don't think that's even in the realm of possibility. He's already denied it. OK? So, I don't understand why everybody's jumping to conclusions. Let this play out. President Trump is doing what he does. "
What Happens Next
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire. Attacks in the region by both the U.S. and Iran continued early Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. Negotiations are set to take place on Friday in Pakistan.
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