Summary
This Newsmax article, published just two days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University, focuses on a recent episode of Megyn Kelly’s podcast where she criticizes Fox News for allegedly banning Kirk from appearances due to his vocal support for Tucker Carlson following Carlson’s 2023 firing. Kelly accuses Fox of falsely claiming Kirk as “theirs” in tributes after his death, while highlighting the network’s leadership—implied to be influenced by the Murdoch family—kept him off-air for years. The piece draws on Kelly’s on-air comments, Kirk’s own 2023 Breitbart interview complaining about the ban, and broader context of Fox’s treatment of Trump allies like Rudy Giuliani and Kari Lake. It contrasts this with Newsmax’s consistent platforming of Kirk, ending on a note of Kirk’s independence and resilience.
The article is timely, leveraging the national mourning over Kirk’s death—where suspect Tyler Robinson remains in custody—to revisit old media grudges. It’s structured as standard news reporting: quotes, background, and related stories, with promotional sidebars for Newsmax content.
Fact-Check
The core claims hold up under scrutiny:
- Kelly’s Criticism: Verified via her podcast transcript and clips shared across platforms. She explicitly says Fox “wouldn’t put Charlie on” and labels their post-death narrative a “lie.” This aligns with Daily Mail coverage of the episode.
- Kirk’s Ban: Kirk did go dark on Fox for about nine months post-Carlson (April-December 2023), as he noted in Breitbart, attributing it to his pro-Carlson stance. He returned sporadically in mid-2024 (e.g., co-hosting Fox & Friends in July), but appearances were limited compared to pre-2023 levels. Video archives like Grabien confirm the gap.
- Broader Context: Fox has faced similar accusations from Trump allies (e.g., Giuliani family, Kari Lake). Abby Grossberg’s 2023 lawsuit mentioned a “banned list” including Lake, Matt Gaetz, and Steve Bannon; Fox settled for $12 million without admitting fault. Caroline Wren’s X post (quoted in the article) recirculated last week amid tributes.
- Newsmax’s Role: Accurate—Kirk was a frequent guest on Newsmax post-2020, and a TPUSA exec’s thank-you note to CEO Chris Ruddy is plausible given the network’s pro-Trump tilt.
No major inaccuracies, though the article amplifies unverified “behind-the-scenes” details from Kelly without naming sources. Kirk’s death is referenced indirectly (e.g., via tributes), but the Wikipedia entry confirms the shooting as politically motivated, with Robinson charged on multiple counts.
Bias and Tone
Newsmax, a right-leaning outlet often positioned as a Fox alternative, uses this piece to settle scores. The tone is indignant toward Fox (“It’s a lie. Just stop”), portraying it as elitist and disloyal to conservatives, while subtly elevating Newsmax (“Newsmax continually had Kirk on without interruption”). This fits Newsmax’s narrative of being the “true” voice for Trump-era figures, especially poignant after Kirk’s death sparked conspiracy theories on X (e.g., blaming Democrats or even Israel). Kelly, a former Fox star turned critic, is the hero here—her quotes dominate, reinforcing anti-establishment vibes.
It’s not outright propaganda, but selective: Minimal counterpoints (e.g., Fox’s denial of bans), and promotional hooks (e.g., “Charlie Kirk Feared for Himself”) push Newsmax’s ecosystem. In the post-Kirk era, this amplifies divisions, with X chatter showing raw grief mixed with partisan finger-pointing (e.g., calls to disavow “celebrators” of the assassination).
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Timeliness and Relevance: Published amid vigils and debates over Kirk’s legacy, it humanizes him as a “rising star” snubbed by corporate media.
- Engaging Quotes: Kelly’s fiery language and Kirk’s self-reflection make it readable.
- Contextual Depth: Ties into larger themes like media blacklists and Trump loyalty tests.
Weaknesses:
- Sensationalism: The death looms large but isn’t deeply explored—feels like a hook for intra-conservative drama.
- Lack of Balance: No Fox response beyond past denials; could’ve included recent statements on Kirk.
- Length and Focus: At ~800 words, it meanders into lawsuit recaps without tying back tightly to the thesis.
Overall Assessment
A solid 7/10 for conservative media—factually sound, emotionally resonant in the wake of tragedy, but transparently agenda-driven. It underscores media ecosystem fractures: Fox as “old guard,” Newsmax as insurgent, with Kirk as martyr. For readers outside the bubble, it’s a window into right-wing infighting; for insiders, cathartic score-settling. Worth reading if you’re tracking post-assassination fallout, but cross-reference with neutral sources like CNN for the full picture on Kirk’s death. If this sparks broader scrutiny of “banned lists,” it could have lasting impact on how networks handle firebrands.