Megyn Kelly drew condemnation after suggesting that the woman alleging sexual assault by seven former Cornell University fraternity members may have welcomed the encounter, using comments about the complainant's appearance to support her theory.
Speaking on the Oct. 5 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly questioned the account at the center of a civil lawsuit and a state criminal investigation. The former student, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that she was drugged with ketamine and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York, in October 2024.
Kelly suggested the woman might have enjoyed attention from the men because she was "not the most attractive gal." She referred to four men rather than the seven named in the allegations and relied partly on online material purportedly identifying the anonymous complainant.
The identity of the woman in that material has not been independently verified, IBTimes UK reported. Kelly's interpretation of the encounter was speculation, and her assessment of the complainant's appearance offers no evidence of consent.
"I'm not trying to be insulting," Kelly said. "I'm just trying to tell you the narrative that is likely to have occurred here, in my opinion."
The host also cited the woman's drinking, arrival at the fraternity house and delay in reporting the alleged assault as reasons to question descriptions of her as a victim. Those arguments did not resolve the lawsuit's central allegations that she had been drugged and assaulted.
Online critics accused Kelly of demeaning the complainant and seeking attention through inflammatory commentary. One described the remarks as "rage-baiting in a gross attempt to remain relevant," while another wrote, "I can't believe she said this out loud."
The controversy comes as New York authorities examine a case that has generated campus protests and widespread expressions of support under the phrase "I am Jane Doe." The woman, who was 20 at the time of the alleged assault, sued Cornell and seven former Chi Phi members in September.
None of the men has been criminally charged, and all have denied wrongdoing. Cornell has said it expelled some students and suspended others, and the university's Chi Phi chapter was shut down.
University officials last week disputed what they called a "false narrative that there were minimal consequences in this case." Students nevertheless have demanded greater accountability for the handling of the complaint.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said Doe had been "failed by people and institutions," including Cornell police and local District Attorney Matthew Van Houten. She appointed Attorney General Letitia James to take over a criminal investigation that Van Houten had reopened after the lawsuit and called for an independent review of Cornell's response.
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff addressed the allegations in an apologetic video Saturday, saying Doe's account "raises heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use." He supported an independent review and pledged greater transparency and a commitment to "finding the answers our community deserves."
