Host Questioned Whether Convicted Child Sex Offender Jeffrey Epstein Met the Definition of a Pedophile

Kelly’s Controversial On-Air Statements

November 18, 2025: SiriusXM, the satellite radio platform that hosts The Megyn Kelly Show, has declined to issue a public statement or comment following controversial remarks made by host Megyn Kelly regarding convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The host faced widespread public backlash for comments made on the Wednesday, November 12th episode of her show, where she appeared to question whether Epstein fit the definition of a “pedophile.”

During a discussion about the newly released Epstein emails, Kelly cited an anonymous source “very, very close to this case” who allegedly told her Epstein was “not a pedophile.”

Kelly elaborated on the claim: “He was into the barely legal type. Like, he liked 15-year-old girls. And I realize this is disgusting. I’m definitely not trying to make an excuse for this. I’m just giving you facts, that he wasn’t into, like, 8-year-olds. But he liked the very young teen types.”

Kelly went on to say that she believed there was a “difference between a 15-year-old and a 5-year-old.”

SiriusXM Maintains Public Silence

The comments instantly went viral, sparking outrage and leading to social media campaigns urging SiriusXM to drop the program. Critics pointed out that sexual abuse of any minor, regardless of the child’s age, is criminal and abusive, and that pedophilia is defined by sexual attraction to prepubescent children, not the age of the victim.

Despite multiple inquiries from major media outlets seeking clarification or a response to the controversy, SiriusXM has refused to comment publicly on Kelly’s statements. This decision to remain silent aligns with a strategy often adopted by platforms who host controversial personalities, choosing not to amplify the controversy or directly challenge their talent.

Kelly’s show is broadcast on the SiriusXM Triumph channel, which carries programming from various conservative and opinion-based commentators.

Backlash and Accusations of Hypocrisy

The comments were widely condemned as attempting to minimize the severe nature of Epstein’s crimes, which involved the sexual abuse of numerous underage girls. Advocacy groups like UltraViolet Action called Kelly’s comments “reckless and irresponsible.”

The criticism was further fueled by social media users who circulated clips of Kelly in 2023 strongly condemning sexual relations with a 16-year-old, leading to accusations of a hypocritical shift in her position when discussing Epstein.