Alex Jones releases more secretly taped Megyn Kelly audio; NBC responds

Alex Jones released more pre-interview audio of Megyn Kelly late Thursday night and early Friday that includes the NBC News host saying Jones “became very fascinating” to her while separately assuring him the interview won’t be “some kind of gotcha piece.”

“The reason you are interesting to me is because I followed your custody case, and I think you had a very good point about how the media was covering it and for some reason treated you and your family and what was going on as fair game when they never would have done that if you were a mainstream media figure,” said Kelly, a former Fox News host, to Jones.

“I saw a different side of you in that whole thing and, you know, you just became very fascinating to me.”

On Thursday night, Jones, offered a preview of what was going to be released in a 2-minute, 20-second video clip that appears to include off-the-record conversation with Kelly. The interview is set to air Sunday.

“It’s not going to be some gotcha hit piece, I can promise you that,” Kelly is heard saying to Jones.

NBC News responded to The Hill’s comment request on Friday, stating it remained committed to airing the interview.

“Despite Alex Jones’ efforts to distract from and ultimately prevent the airing of our report, we remain committed to giving viewers context and insight into a controversial and polarizing figure, how he relates to the president of the United States and influences others, and to getting this serious story right. Tune in Sunday,” wrote a spokesperson in an email.

Jones, who claims 9/11 was “an inside job” and the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School included parents of 20 slain children who were “actors,” said in a video posted Thursday to Twitter that he secretly recorded the interview because the edited version of it will be “a fraud” and “a lie.”

“I’ve never done this in 22 years, I’ve never recorded another journalist,” Jones said. “I’ve never done this, but I knew that it was a fraud, that it was a lie.”

The controversy comes as Sandy Hook families threatened legal action against NBC News. 

“Airing Ms. Kelly’s interview implicitly endorses the notion that Mr. Jones’ lies are actually ‘claims’ that are worthy of serious debate, and in doing so it exponentially enhances the suffering and distress of our clients,” said a letter first obtained by the Los Angeles Times from Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder.

“NBC is not responsible for the harassment and abuse Alex Jones has cruelly visited on our clients. But, by choosing to air his interview with Ms. Kelly — at all, let alone at prime time on Father’s Day — NBC has tendered its good name and considerable influence to provide Mr. Jones with something he has never enjoyed: legitimacy,” the letter continues. 

“This decision may be driven by the simple urge to gain an edge in a well-publicized ratings war; but it has devastating human consequences as well.”

Kelly joined NBC News in January after 13 years at Fox News for a reported $17 million per year. Fox had reportedly offered her $100 million over four years.