Megyn Kelly Condemns Natalie Portman's Emotional Sundance Response
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly has launched a scathing attack on actress Natalie Portman, accusing her of shedding "crocodile tears" over the death of Alex Pretti while ignoring other victims of violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants. The controversy erupted after Portman became visibly emotional during an interview at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, discussing Pretti's fatal shooting by border patrol agents.
Portman's Emotional Festival Appearance Questioned
During her festival appearance on Saturday, the same day Pretti died, Portman wiped away tears while stating: "Sorry, I'm getting emotional because it's really been - it's a horrible day. What is happening in our country is just obscene and what Trump and Kristi Noem and ICE are doing to our citizens and to undocumented people is outrageous and needs to end."
However, Kelly dismissed this display as theatrical performance during Tuesday's episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, bluntly noting: "She managed to gin up some tears - she's an actress, so yeah." The right-wing host labelled Portman as one of "these far-left loons" and part of "the Karen intifada we've been watching in Minneapolis."
Selective Outrage Over Immigration Victims
Kelly pressed Portman on her apparent lack of emotional response to other high-profile cases involving illegal immigrants:
- Laken Riley: The 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student was murdered in February 2024 while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Investigators say 26-year-old Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra attempted to sexually assault her before striking her head with a rock.
- Jocelyn Nungaray: The 12-year-old was sexually assaulted and murdered in Houston in June 2024. Two undocumented immigrants from Venezuela, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and Franklin Pena, have been charged with the crime.
"Where were her tears for Laken Riley?" Kelly questioned. "I don't remember her tearful video over Jocelyn Nungaray down in Texas. Did you cry for her?"
Privilege and Political Narratives
Kelly painted Portman as tone-deaf and privileged, describing her as a "rich b*tch who's protected by guards and fences and multimillion dollar estates" who has no understanding of "what these border patrol agents are going through." She added: "Tell it to Jocelyn's mother as you cry while these guys are trying to deport molesters of children, you f**king idiot know-nothing Hollywood starlet."
The commentator also targeted late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who appeared emotional discussing Pretti's death during his Monday monologue. Kelly accused him of "fake tears" and suggested he was primarily concerned about his own career.
Divergent Accounts of Pretti's Death
The death of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis has become a source of intense political debate:
- Conservative perspective: Many conservatives, including Kelly, depict Pretti as a threatening "agitator" who was carrying a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and interfering with law enforcement operations.
- Liberal perspective: Liberals cite witness accounts and videos suggesting Pretti was disarmed before shots were fired, contradicting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's assertion that he had been "brandishing" his weapon.
President Donald Trump commented to The Wall Street Journal: "I don't like any shooting. I don't like it. But I don't like it when somebody goes into a protest and he's got a very powerful, fully-loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also. That doesn't play good either."
Political Fallout and Policy Response
Following Pretti's death, Minneapolis has seen significant protests, with demonstrators marching through downtown streets. The city's Democrat Mayor Jacob Frey announced on Monday that Trump had agreed to begin removing ICE agents from Minneapolis following a direct conversation between the two leaders.
The Daily Mail has reached out to publicists representing both Jimmy Kimmel and Natalie Portman for comment regarding Kelly's accusations. The incident highlights deepening political divisions over immigration enforcement and the selective outrage displayed by public figures regarding victims of violence.
