J.P. Morgan Chase Pulls NBC Ads Over Controversial Megyn Kelly Interview with Alex Jones: Report
Megyn Kelly's ill-received interview with conspiracy theorist and InfoWars.com founder Alex Jones has resulted in a major advertiser pulling its ads from her NBC show.
Kelly was heavily criticized Monday after promo footage of her interview with far-right Jones, to air this coming Sunday, was released. The most vocal criticism came from the parents of children slain in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Jones has claimed the tragedy was a hoax and no one was killed.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that J.P. Morgan Chase requested its on-air and digital ads be removed from Kelly's program and "from all NBC news programming until after the show airs." NBC declined to comment to the publication, it said.
The financial firm's chief marketing officer Kristin Lemkau tweeted Monday she was "repulsed" that Kelly and NBC were giving Jones a platform on network television to promote his views.
As an advertiser, I'm repulsed that @megynkelly would give a second of airtime to someone who says Sandy Hook and Aurora are hoaxes. Why? https://t.co/luwyCwP7Ti
— Kristin Lemkau (@KLemkau) June 12, 2017
Nelba Marquez-Greene, whose daughter was one of the 20 children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, tweeted:
In @megynkelly 's America, cruelty gets u on national TV on Father's Day. #SandyHook grieving dads will go to the cemetery. #thisisnotnormal
— Nelba Márquez-Greene (@Nelba_MG) June 12, 2017
Chelsea Clinton also slammed the interview, saying there is "no justification" for allowing Jones a nationwide platform. "I hope no parent, no person watches this," she said.
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
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) June 12, 2017
The former Fox News host had a splashy premiere with her new NBC show Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly on June 4 that led with an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kelly said the interview with Jones was warranted because U.S. President Donald Trump has appeared on Jones's radio show and intends to give InfoWars media accreditation to White House briefings. "Our job is to shine a light," she said.
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
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 12, 2017
In a preview clip of Kelly's interview with Jones, she asks the provocateur about some of his more inflammatory claims. "9/11 was an inside job," he claims.
Kelly also brings up his comments about Sandy Hook saying "people get very angry" when he claims it was a hoax. When Jones says "the media doesn't cover all the evil wars it's promoted," Kelly responds, "That doesn't excuse what you said about [Sandy Hook]."
Watch the preview:
Next Sunday, I sit down with conservative radio host @RealAlexJones to discuss controversies and conspiracies #SundayNight June 18 on NBC pic.twitter.com/7bVz6Fobf5
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 11, 2017
Kelly's interview with Jones airs Sunday at 7 p.m. E.T. on NBC.
