Megyn Kelly turns on Trump over growing voter frustration

Megyn Kelly has turned her attention to growing frustration with President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The former Fox News anchor now hosts “The Megyn Kelly Show” on SiriusXM, where she recently discussed polling showing economic concerns among voters.

Kelly pointed to tariffs, the war involving Iran, and household finances as sources of frustration. A July Fox News poll found that 54% of registered voters said Democrats would do a better job handling the economy, compared with 45% who chose Republicans.

Megyn Kelly turns sharply on Trump’s record

In an April 2026 segment, Kelly said Americans felt they had given Trump “a year and a half” and believed conditions had worsened. She pointed to dissatisfaction with tariffs, the war involving Iran, and household finances.

Kelly also cited polling showing that Democrats had gained an advantage over Republicans in terms of which party voters trusted more to handle the economy. She previously worked at Fox News and later joined NBC News before launching her current SiriusXM program.

Republican voters grow frustrated with rising costs

The economy and cost of living remain major concerns for voters. Many voters say inflation and the cost of living are creating financial pressure. Many voters say their paychecks are not keeping pace with these costs.

Fox News polling found that a majority of voters rate the economy negatively. Even a large share of Republicans shares this negative view. The negative economic ratings reflect growing concerns about the cost of living under Trump.

Kelly said supporters are simply reacting to what they see in their bank accounts. She noted that patience among these voters is running out fast. Kelly said some voters are beginning to consider Democrats a better option on the economy.

Fox News poll shows a stark shift

Kelly cited an April Fox News poll showing Democrats ahead of Republicans 52% to 48% on which party voters thought would better handle the economy.

The April survey included 1,001 registered voters nationwide and was conducted by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research. A newer Fox News poll conducted in July found Democrats leading Republicans 54% to 45% on the economy, showing that the Democratic advantage had widened ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump’s economic approval has also remained deeply negative. A September Quinnipiac poll found that 32% approved of his handling of the economy, while 65% disapproved.

Tariffs and the Iran war fuel anger

Kelly pointed to tariffs, the war involving Iran and household finances as reasons some voters are frustrated with Trump and Republicans. Recent polling also shows continued concern about the economic effects of the conflict and trade policies.

A September 2026 Quinnipiac poll found that 29% of voters approved of Trump’s handling of the situation with Iran, while 65% disapproved. The same poll found 32% approved of his handling of the economy, compared with 65% who disapproved.

Democrats gain ground on economic trust

Recent Fox News polling shows Democrats with an advantage over Republicans on handling the economy. In July, 54% of registered voters said Democrats would do a better job handling the economy, compared with 45% who chose Republicans.

Other polling also shows continued economic dissatisfaction. Pew Research Center found in July that 60% of Americans said Trump’s economic policies had worsened conditions, up from 52% in January. The findings show that economic concerns remain a significant issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Fun fact: Megyn Kelly was named to TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in 2014

Kelly’s career reflects a long public journey

Kelly spent more than a decade at Fox News before moving to NBC News. She later launched her own media operation and now hosts “The Megyn Kelly Show” on SiriusXM, which airs weekdays.

Kelly’s relationship with Trump has included both criticism and periods of engagement. Their public conflict began during the 2015 Republican primary campaign, when Kelly questioned Trump on a televised debate. They later sat down for a nationally televised interview in 2016.

Kelly urges Republicans to notice the warning

Kelly argued that Republicans should pay attention to the frustration reflected in recent polling. She said ignoring voter frustration could carry real political costs. Her tone throughout the segment was direct and pointed.

Kelly presented the frustration as broader than a small group of voters. Instead, she described a broader pattern showing up across multiple surveys. Kelly said the party should treat this as an early warning sign.

Her final message centered on listening rather than dismissing voter concerns. She suggested that ignoring the data could deepen the divide.

What this shift could mean for midterms

The economy remains one of the major issues heading into the midterm elections. Both parties recognize how much this issue could shape the results.

The polling presents a challenge for Republicans as they prepare for the midterm elections. Some worry that ignoring voter frustration could cost seats in Congress. Others believe conditions could improve before voters head to the polls in November.

Kelly’s comments add a notable voice to this broader conversation. Her audience includes many conservative and independent listeners. Her warning may reflect concerns shared privately among party leaders as well.

Little-known fact: Megyn Kelly has been registered as a political independent since 2008 rather than a party member.

TL;DR

• Megyn Kelly said in April that Americans felt they had given Trump “a year and a half” and were frustrated with tariffs, the war involving Iran, and their finances.
• Fox News polling showed Democrats leading Republicans 54% to 45% on handling the economy in July, widening the 52% to 48% Democratic lead recorded in April.
• The war involving Iran remains ongoing, while the conflict and tariffs continue to affect economic and political concerns.
• Recent polls show strong dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of the economy, including 32% approval and 65% disapproval in a September Quinnipiac poll.
• Republicans face a competitive midterm environment, as economic dissatisfaction and Trump’s approval ratings remain major political issues.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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