Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar sat down with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly Wednesday for an interview that drew sharp reaction on social media.
In the sit-down that aired on “The Kelly File,” the “19 Kids and Counting” parents detailed what happened when their eldest son Josh confessed to having touched some of his younger sisters and a babysitter inappropriately.
Social media quickly exploded with angry reactions to the Duggars’ explanation of how they handled the molestation scandal and what many perceived as Kelly’s “softball” questions.
“Jim Bob is awfully cavalier about these ‘incidents’ for a guy who ran for Senate on an incest should get death penalty platform?” commented former daytime talk show host Montel Williams, who went on to express his disgust in a string of tweets, including calling the couple “creepy, creepy, creepy.”
“Weirdest Duggar ‘safeguard’ revealed in tonight’s intv: ‘no male babysitters.’ HELLO. The threat was coming from your own family,” wrote Lisa Bloom, NBC News legal analyst and author of “Suspicion Nation.”
“They are trying to justify themselves justifying incest and sexual abuse,” wrote socialite and PR executive Lee Radziwill.
The hour-long interview became the number 1 trending topic on Twitter, and it concluded with a teaser where Duggar daughters Jessa and Jill admitted they were among Josh’s victims. Kelly promised viewers that portion of her sit-down would air on Friday.
Below is a sampling of reaction to the Fox News Channel interview.
Molesting a child isn't a "mistake" it's a crime. To call it anything else is minimizing & unfair to victims…#DuggarInterview
— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) June 4, 2015
Weirdest Duggar "safeguard" revealed in tonight's intv: "no male babysitters." HELLO. The threat was coming from your own family.
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) June 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/LeeRadziwill/status/606287280861384704
https://twitter.com/Montel_Williams/status/605909818683957249
https://twitter.com/_ToyStories/status/606282546129870848
It seems the Duggar Fox News Interview went…not well…
— David Ross Jr (@dross1705) June 4, 2015
I'm cringing bc Jessa Duggar, one of Josh's victims, spoke out saying he isn't a child molester.
— Machala (@Ma_Calla) June 4, 2015
Duggar parent interview – so much wrong, for so many reasons. Parental enabling? Ignorance? Why are they EVEN doing an interview?!
— Rose Marie B (@OKRoserock) June 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/palmerkiss/status/606273670085001216
https://twitter.com/sortofprofound/status/606305795593093120
https://twitter.com/BigtimeMcCline/status/606315990800961537
https://twitter.com/Carmeanie/status/606290782484455424
#Duggarinterview was a joke. #MegynKelly was there to help the #Duggars clear their names, not reveal the truth. Really shameful #FoxNews
— Socratease (@Socratease1) June 4, 2015
But not everyone was critical of the Duggar family. In fact, some viewers lashed out at Arkansas authorities for releasing the sealed police report and the media for disseminating the information.
Just from a legal perspective alone – it is illegal to release sealed juvenile records. #Duggar #KellyFile
— Colleen Jaeger (@cpjohnston) June 4, 2015
Great interview #MegynKelly #DuggarInterview
— Kathy Nall (@KathyNall1) June 4, 2015
Still think the Duggar family is a great family ! People make mistakes.#megynkelly
— Chris Di Palma 🇺🇸 (@ChrisDiPalma1) June 4, 2015
The pain on #MichelleDuggars face&in her voice breaks my heart.This family shouldn't have to relive this event.#KellyFile #DuggarInterview
— CJ (@nannacassie) June 4, 2015
I'm deeply grieved by the hatred that is thrown towards the #Duggars. I expect it from unbelievers but brothers & sisters in Christ? Really?
— Ruby Wives™ (@RubyWives) May 26, 2015