Alex Jones released audio from what he says is a phone call with Megyn Kelly that he recorded before she conducted the interview that has drawn criticism because of the “Info Wars” host’s past view regarding the shooting at Sandy Hook.
“All I can do is give you my word… You just became very fascinating to me,” Kelly appears to say to Jones.
The recording continues: “My goal is for your listeners and the left, who will be watching some on NBC, to say, ‘Wow that was really interesting.’ And then the next time I want to get somebody, they’re going to say, ‘Look what you did to Alex Jones.’ It’s not going to be some ‘gotcha’ hit piece, I promise you that.”
Jones released a portion of the alleged call on Thursday night, but Friday morning he dropped a 30-minute extended version that is more damaging to Kelly if we find out that the audio is genuine (Jones is a conspiracy theorist, after all). The video has commentary from Jones throughout portions of the recording.
The recording features Kelly appearing to compliment the way Jones handled himself during a recent custody case, telling him, “I saw a different side of you in that whole thing…. You’re a dad. You go through the same things we go through.”
Kelly appears to promise Jones a fair interview throughout the conversation, even telling him, “I’m not going to go out there and be Barbara Walters.” She can also be heard urging Jones to do an interview on television instead of in print media, in an attempt for the “Info Wars” host to reinvent himself.
Kelly later says: “It really will be about who is that guy. I’ll ask you about some of the controversy and I’ll ask you and you can respond… If there’s one thing about me, I do what I say I am gonna do. I don’t double-cross.”
“Despite Alex Jones’ efforts to distract from and ultimately prevent the airing of our report, we remain committed to giving viewers context and insight into a controversial and polarizing figure, how he relates to the president of the United States and influences others, and to getting this serious story right. Tune in Sunday,” an NBC News spokesperson told TheWrap.
When Kelly previewed an upcoming interview with Jones last Sunday night, critics immediately expressed concern that NBC is giving him a platform.
During a 97-second preview for the show, Jones calls the attacks of Sept. 11 an “inside job,” questions the legitimacy of the shootings at Sandy Hook and says, “Thirty years ago, they began creating animal-human hybrids. Isn’t that the big story Megyn Kelly should be doing?”
CNN chief Jeff Zucker told reporters that marketing for the episode is “unfortunate.” Kelly has responded to criticism of her decision to interview Jones by referring to his views on Sandy Hook as “revolting.”
Check out the video above.