Ben Shapiro hits back after Megyn Kelly accuses him of attacking her: 'Fake victim routine'

WASHINGTON, DC: Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro pushed back against criticism from podcaster Megyn Kelly, accusing her of misrepresenting his remarks and engaging in what he described as a "fake victim routine".

Shapiro addressed the dispute during an episode of 'The Ben Shapiro Show' on Thursday, March 12, responding to comments Kelly made after he criticized several high-profile commentators recently.

Kelly had earlier criticized Shapiro after he called out media figures including Piers Morgan and Tucker Carlson, arguing that Shapiro’s criticism stemmed largely from disagreements over Israel.

Shapiro rejected that characterization and said the claim was inaccurate.

Ben Shapiro says Megyn Kelly is 'just lying'

During his response, Shapiro said critics were attempting to frame his disagreements as being about Israel rather than the issues he says he has raised about other commentators.

“Megyn is lying and so is Tucker. I mean, period. They're just lying.” Shapiro said his criticism of Carlson began years earlier over economic issues and later expanded to other concerns.

He added that his disagreements with Kelly began after an event appearance where he questioned her reluctance to criticize commentator Candace Owens over comments involving the family of activist Charlie Kirk.

“My critique of Megyn on the stage was, why don't you call out Candace Owens for implicating Erika Kirk in the murder of Charlie Kirk?”

Shapiro argued that his criticism had nothing to do with Israel, contrary to Kelly’s suggestion. “I've literally never, not once, mentioned Megyn Kelly in the context of Israel. Ever.”

He also claimed some commentators attempt to pre-empt criticism by suggesting they are being unfairly accused of anti-Semitism.

“The game goes something like this: I don't accuse you of anti-Semitism. You instead claim that I did.”

Posting the clip on X, Shapiro wrote in the caption: “Megyn Kelly is a coward. Piers Morgan only cares about clicks he gets. None of that has anything to do with Israel or Jews. And criticism isn’t censorship. Stop with your whiny fake victim routine.”

Megyn Kelly escalates attacks against Ben Shapiro

Earlier, Kelly had publicly criticized Ben Shapiro after he targeted several media figures, including Piers Morgan.

Speaking on 'The Megyn Kelly Show', Kelly said she was surprised by Shapiro’s criticism, noting that the two had been close for years.

“I was very good friends with Ben, and then he attacked me to my surprise, utter shock,” she said, adding that she believed she had been unfairly lumped into broader accusations related to anti-Semitism despite repeatedly condemning it on her program.

Kelly also defended Morgan after Shapiro mocked his show, arguing there was “absolutely no point in attacking him” simply for hosting a wide range of guests.

She further pointed to their past professional relationship, saying Shapiro “became a star on my show, The Kelly File,” and criticized what she described as his growing tendency to publicly attack other commentators within the broader conservative media space.

Ben ​Shapiro reiterates criticism of Piers Morgan

During the same segment, Shapiro reiterated his criticism of Morgan’s debate format, which he had previously described in blunt terms.

“I said that his show is the Jerry Springer of politics, a clown car of stupidity.”

Shapiro said declining to appear on Morgan’s program should not be framed as an attempt to silence anyone.

“I did not say that people should stop watching his show, I said I did not wish to appear.”

He argued that critics portraying his refusal as censorship were mischaracterizing the situation. 

Talking about Morgan's show, he said “I think your show is Jerry Springer, that you fill up the screen with a six box of people, none of whom you would want to talk to in a cafe. And then you have them argue with each other and yell at each other and scream”.