A significant rift has emerged within conservative media circles following sharp criticism from podcaster Brandon Tatum directed at fellow commentator Megyn Kelly. The dispute centres on Kelly's refusal to offer full-throated support for former President Donald Trump's recent comments regarding potential U.S. action in Venezuela.
The Core of the Controversy: Neutrality vs. Leadership
The clash unfolded after Megyn Kelly discussed Trump's remarks on her own show. On January 3, Trump stated he would not rule out "boots on the ground" in Venezuela. In her response, Kelly positioned herself in what she described as "yellow light territory," arguing she needed more facts before either cheering or condemning any potential move. She expressed caution against celebrating foreign intervention too early, citing past examples that ended badly.
Kelly also voiced personal concern, noting, "Whose boots? Because I have a 16-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 14-year-old girl, and a lot of my listeners have children too, who are actually the ones who might have to fill the boots." She framed her reluctance as a refusal to jump on the "rah-rah train" of early support.
Tatum's Blunt Rebuke and Accusations of Weakness
Brandon Tatum, on his January 6 podcast, did not hold back in his disapproval. He argued that staying neutral during serious geopolitical moments is fundamentally wrong and indicative of poor leadership. Tatum asserted that true leaders must take clear positions even when outcomes are uncertain.
He interpreted Kelly's stance as a fear of public backlash and being wrong. Speaking directly to his audience, Tatum declared, "I'm going to tell you how fake these people are. They want to play in the middle because 'I don't want to be wrong.' You do what you need to do in good faith and do the best you can." His critique escalated with a line that sparked strong online reactions: "That's why, and I'm not saying women, but woman like this can't lead."
Diverging Views on Military Commitment and Trust in Trump
Tatum explicitly rejected Kelly's fears about military deployment. He contended the situation would not lead to a draft, stating, "People don't sign up for the military to sit on a base every day. You sign up to fight for the country. You don't get to pick which war you go to."
To illustrate his point, Tatum used a simple analogy: if a car breaks down, it doesn't mean people should stop driving forever; it means they need a better car. He expressed strong trust in Trump's record, suggesting the former president acts in good faith and does not pursue regime change lightly.
As a direct consequence of the disagreement, Tatham announced he has unfollowed Megyn Kelly and no longer supports her work. However, he clarified that his support for Trump is not blind, vowing to back the former president when he believes he is right and speak out when he believes he is wrong.
This public spat highlights ongoing tensions within right-wing media regarding the expectations of loyalty and the permissible boundaries of debate concerning Donald Trump and his policy positions.
