Megyn Kelly criticized President Donald Trump’s family on her podcast and YouTube show, describing their financial activities as “grifty” [1, 2, 3].
The comments signal a rift between the conservative media figure and the Trump administration regarding the intersection of public office and private profit. Kelly's critique focuses on the perception that family members are benefiting personally from the president's position of power.
Kelly said the Trump family is profiting from the presidency through large earnings from government contracts and other personal financial gains [1, 3]. She expressed a lack of confidence in current leadership, stating, "I don’t feel great about our leaders. I’m not going to lie" [1].
During the broadcast, the pundit addressed her feelings toward the administration's trajectory. "I’m disappointed with some aspects of Trump’s presidency," Kelly said [1]. These remarks come as the president is 80 years old [3].
Kelly did not specify which family members were the primary focus of her “grifty” label, but she emphasized that the pattern of financial gain is problematic. The critique highlights a recurring tension within conservative circles regarding the ethics of presidential families engaging in business ventures while in the White House.
Because the comments were delivered via her own digital platforms, the remarks reach a wide audience of conservative viewers who typically support the president. Kelly's willingness to challenge the administration's inner circle suggests a shift in her approach to covering the current executive branch.
“They’re ‘grifty.’”
This criticism represents a notable instance of a prominent conservative voice questioning the ethics of the Trump administration's financial dealings. By labeling the family's actions as 'grifty,' Kelly is framing the issue not as a partisan political failure, but as a moral and ethical concern regarding the use of government contracts for personal enrichment.
