Megyn Kelly tore into Joy Reid over the former MSNBC host’s comments that “nobody black I know is really excited about the 4th of July,” calling her a “race hustler” and arguing that Reid is wildly out of touch with most black Americans.
Kelly blasted Reid on her podcast while reacting to a clip in which Reid described Independence Day as “the celebration of slaveholders who freed themselves from having to pay taxes to the Crown for their slave empire.”
“Why don’t we go to Joy Reid?” Kelly said on Monday’s edition of her SiriusXM show.
“She’s also a race hustler, so the flow is okay, but she’s a nutcase, and she kind of makes me laugh.”
Kelly added that she was relieved Reid no longer hosts a primetime show on MSNBC, which has rebranded as MS NOW following its spinoff from Comcast.
“Thank God, she no longer has that show on MS NOW,” Kelly said. “I realize nobody watches MSNBC, but they shouldn’t be platforming people like that, Tiffany Cross and Joy Reid. These are nutcases.”
The comments were prompted by Reid’s appearance on the MeidasTouch program “On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella,” where she argued that many black Americans do not view July 4 the same way as other Americans.
“With apologies to my dear spicy white friends, ’cause I know that my white brothers and sisters do love a 4th of July,” Reid said.
“But black people — nobody black I know is really excited about the 4th of July, ’cause it is what Frederick Douglass said it is.”
Reid went on to describe Independence Day as “the celebration of slaveholders who freed themselves from having to pay taxes to the Crown for their slave empire.”
Kelly sharply rejected the premise.
“You need to meet other black people, Joy Reid, because there’s not a black person I know who won’t be celebrating July 4th as avidly and excitedly as most of their fellow Americans,” she said.
Kelly also pushed back on the broader historical argument, saying Americans can celebrate the country’s founding while acknowledging its flaws.
“America’s not perfect. We didn’t get it right right from the founding,” Kelly said.
“That doesn’t mean you don’t celebrate the country.”
Kelly compared Reid’s argument to complaints that women were not explicitly included in the Declaration of Independence, saying most Americans recognize that the country’s founding ideals eventually expanded to include groups that were initially excluded.
“Most of us have moved on,” Kelly said.
“We understand the spirit of change was in the air, and that eventually we would be recognized as full equal citizens here in America. And same is true for black people.”
Kelly closed by suggesting Reid broaden her circle.
“You need to meet better black people,” she said. “Joy Reid, spend some time with [conservative intellectual] Glenn Loury, for example. He’ll give you a little lesson.”
The Post has sought comment from Reid.