Megyn Kelly slammed the Navy’s use of an active-duty drag queen enlistee to be the military branch’s “digital ambassador” in an effort to draw recruits, saying that people who approved the choice have “lost their minds.”
“This shouldn’t be anyone anybody wants in a foxhole with him,” Kelly said on her SiriusXM podcast “The Megyn Kelly Show” during Thursday’s broadcast.
Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley — a self-identified non-binary, who is understood by the stage name Harpy Daniels — had taken to social media to disclose performing in drag shows.
“I’m sorry, but who is that this inspiring to affix the Navy?” Kelly said during her podcast on Thursday.
“I might much quite have a badass, actual woman defending the country or an everyday man.”
Kelly said that being non-binary is “not a thing.”
“You’re one or the opposite,” the previous Fox News and NBC star said.
Megyn Kelly was critical of the US Navy’s use of a non-binary drag queen to assist its recruitment drive.Megyn Kelly/YouTube
“You will not be each female and male. Sorry to interrupt it to you, Kelley.”
Kelly lamented that the military has change into “obsessive about identity now” — unlike in years past when it was “historically beaten out of those guys and gals as soon as they showed up.”
“You’re not black, not white, not Hispanic,” Kelly said.
“You’re not non-binary. You’re a Marine. You’re a SEAL. You’re an Army Ranger.”
“That’s what the messaging was.”
Kelly added: “Please tell me he’s not defending us against [Russian President] Vladimir Putin [or Chinese President] Xi Jinping.”
Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, a self-identified non-binary, is understood by the stage name Harpy Daniels.instagram/Harpy Daniels
Kelley, who neither identifies as a person or a lady, shared their story on social media, where they describe how they began performing in drag shows while doing military service.instagram/Harpy Daniels
“Please tell me that guy might be nowhere near the battle.”
Kelley hit back at critics on Wednesday, posting a video to TikTok and Instagram.
“You simply wish to support the military when it advantages you and doesn’t involve queer people,” Kelly wrote within the caption.
The Navy’s campaign featuring Kelley has triggered outrage from veterans.Instagram / @harpy_daniels
“Yet the military is the most important diverse, and adaptable organization within the use.”
“Well as a service member, a queen, and an open queer person. You don’t scare me and also you won’t stop the LGBTQ+ community for thriving!”
Robert J. O’Neill, the decorated Navy SEAL veteran who was a part of the team that killed Osama bin Laden, spoke out against the Navy’s latest recruitment campaign featuring Kelley.
“I might much quite have a badass, actual woman defending the country or an everyday man,” Kelly said on her podcast on Thursday.Megyn Kelly/YouTube
“Alright. The US Navy is now using an enlisted sailor Drag Queen as a recruiter. I’m done. China goes to destroy us. YOU GOT THIS NAVY. I can’t imagine I fought for this bulls-t,” O’Neill wrote to his 590,500 followers.
The newest controversy involving the Navy is analogous to the fierce debate stirred by Bud Light’s use of transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney to advertise its beer brand.