NBC executive defends Megyn Kelly interview with Alex Jones

Liz Cole, the executive producer of Megyn Kelly’s Sunday night NBC News show, said people should wait to judge Kelly’s interview with Alex Jones until it airs this weekend.

Kelly is facing backlash for the upcoming interview with InfoWars host Alex Jones, a noted conspiracy theorist who believes the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax and says 9/11 was orchestrated by the government.

“He’s a controversial figure for sure, but as journalists it’s our job to interview newsmakers and people of influence no matter how abhorrent their views may be,” Cole told CNN’s Dylan Byers in a Monday night exclusive.

“He is someone who is worthy of examination, by sitting down with him, there’s value in that,” she continued.

Kelly, a former Fox News host, has already taped the interview with Jones that will air this weekend on “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly,” her new program that debuted on June 4.

“Viewers will see Megyn do a strong interview where she challenges him appropriately,” Cole continued.

“That’s the benefit of putting him out there. When someone actually sits down and asks him questions and he has to come up with answers — there’s value to that.”

“Until you see the full program, in the full context, I wouldn’t judge it too much. Judge it when you see it,” she added.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. has pulled local television and online advertisements from the NBC network until after the interview airs next Sunday, according to The Wall Street Journal.