The feud between conservative activists Ben Shapiro and Megyn Kelly exploded into open warfare this week.
The two media figures have been blasting each other across social media and on their respective shows — and a 15-year friendship apparently paying the price.
The clash grew out of Shapiro’s recent criticism of Piers Morgan, whose show Shapiro labeled the “Jerry Springer of politics” for hosting guests he called anti-Semites, including commentator Dave Smith and white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
Kelly came to Morgan’s defense Wednesday on her SiriusXM show, accusing Shapiro of policing others and pushing people out of the conservative movement.
Shapiro fired back Thursday, accusing Kelly of being a dishonest liar and compared her to Tucker Carlson, whom President Donald Trump said was “kicked out” of the MAGA movement a few weeks ago.
“So yes, they’re lying. Megyn is lying, and so is Tucker. I mean, period. They’re just lying,” Shapiro said on his show.
Shapiro rejected Kelly’s claim — and Tucker Carlson’s — that his disputes with them boil down to support of Israel, and said his criticism of Carlson dates to 2018 over economic policy.
“I’ve literally never — not once — mentioned Megyn Kelly in the context of Israel,” Shapiro said. “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?”
“I have never remotely called Megyn Kelly an anti-Semite,” Shapiro said, and accused Kelly of being the “Jussie Smollett of political claims.”
The fight boiled over onto social media –
Wow… the comments below this say it all.. @grok says 90% are negative towards Little Benji! People see right through his pathetic ‘If you criticise the Israeli govt then you’re antisemitic!’ propaganda. https://t.co/MsBP5aQ03L
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 13, 2026
Kelly blasted back herself on Thursday, when she accused Shapiro of trying to “cancel” people in the conservative movement.
“I had a text, literally four weeks earlier, saying, ‘No matter what, who we’re friends with — because he was mad I was friends with Tucker — our friendship means more to us than it, and we won’t do anything to f*** it up,'” Kelly said. “Next thing I know, I get attacked by him on stage at Turning Point.”
She also took a shot at Shapiro’s low ratings.
“Ben’s numbers are very bad right now, but he’s got some influence with some crew,” she said.
Kelly credited herself with helping launch Shapiro’s career, saying he “became a star on my show at The Kelly File” — a claim Shapiro attacked later.
“Now I see she’s taking credit for my entire career. Well, you know, congrats, Megyn, I suppose,” Shapiro said.
What’s going on between Megyn Kelly and Ben Shapiro?
Here. This video explains. Receipts 👇 .
In short:
• Candace Owens implicated Erika Kirk and TPUSA in the assassination of Charlie.
• Ben asked Megyn why she wouldn’t publicly push back against these attacks.
• Megyn… pic.twitter.com/qb1cd6hwVj
— Bren (@bren45000) March 12, 2026