Sandy Hook Group Drops Megyn Kelly As Gala Host Over Alex Jones Interview
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An organization founded by parents of children killed during a shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School has dumped Megyn Kelly as host of an event in Washington.
As WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported, Nicole Hockley said she invited Kelly to speak at the gala for her foundation. Hockley said she has always respected Kelly as a broadcast journalist.
"You know, I've always considered her to be an intelligent and passionate woman," Hockley said.
But she has been uninvited because due to her interview set to air Father's Day with Alex Jones, conspiracy theorist and host of "InfoWars."
Jones has questioned whether the December 2012 massacre at the school, in which 20 first graders and six educators were murdered, was a hoax.
Hockley's son, Dylan, was one of the first graders who was killed in the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. Of Jones and his fellow conspiracy theorists, Hockley said, "They have no idea how much pain they're causing, and i wish they could be held accountable for their actions."
Here is my statement regarding Sunday night's interview: pic.twitter.com/iS2VfyLt6S
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 13, 2017
Sandy Hook Promise is a national non-profit organization founded and led by Hockley and several other family members whose loved ones were killed at the school.
"Sandy Hook Promise cannot support the decision by Megyn or NBC to give any form of voice or platform to Alex Jones and have asked Megyn Kelly to step down as our Promise Champion Gala host," said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director. "It is our hope that Megyn and NBC reconsider and not broadcast this interview."
Kelly said Tuesday that she understands and respects the decision by Sandy Hook Promise to disinvite her as host of its Wednesday gala, but is disappointed. She said reporting on Jones' falsehoods is what journalists are supposed to do.
Kelly also said she finds Jones' comments about Sandy Hook personally revolting, but she wants to shed light on how a man like that managed to get the ear of millions – including President Donald Trump.