Melissa Gilbert Responds to Megyn Kelly's Comments on Jeffrey Epstein

Melissa Gilbert, the actress known for her role in "Little House on the Prairie," has publicly criticized Megyn Kelly for her remarks regarding convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Kelly's comments, made during the November 12 episode of her Sirius XM program, suggested that Epstein was not a pedophile because he primarily targeted teenage girls, specifically stating, "He liked 15-year-old girls." This statement sparked backlash, leading Gilbert to share her perspective through the #iWasFifteen hashtag trend.

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In response to Kelly's comments, Gilbert posted on Instagram, expressing her discomfort with the implications of Kelly's remarks. She shared images of herself at 15, highlighting the contrast between her experiences and the troubling nature of Kelly's statements. Gilbert wrote, “I am actually nauseated,” emphasizing that she was a child during her time on the show and that the expectations placed on her were shocking when viewed through a contemporary lens. She stated, "I WAS A CHILD. I WAS FIFTEEN."

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Gilbert's post also included a critique of Kelly's insensitivity, urging her to be cautious with her words. She reflected on her gratitude for the support she received from her mother and the show's creator, Michael Landon, who ensured her safety during filming. Gilbert noted, “Can you imagine if I hadn’t had them all? I am so fortunate (Sort of). Many other young women aren’t.” This statement underscores her concern for the well-being of other young women who may not have had similar protections.

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Dean Butler, who played Gilbert's love interest on "Little House on the Prairie," also weighed in on the age difference between their characters. He expressed a wish that he had been closer in age to Gilbert during filming, acknowledging the complexities of their on-screen relationship. Butler remarked, “I wish we could have been a little closer in age when we were doing this,” highlighting the challenges of portraying a romantic relationship with such a significant age gap.

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In a follow-up response, Gilbert addressed Kelly's previous comments about a Netflix reboot of "Little House on the Prairie," stating that the original series tackled various social issues, including racism and misogyny. She urged Kelly to revisit the original episodes, asserting, “TV doesn’t get too much more ‘woke’ than we did.”

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• “I am actually nauseated” — Melissa Gilbert

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• “Can you imagine if I hadn’t had them all? I am so fortunate (Sort of). Many other young women aren’t. @megynkelly you need to be careful with your words,” — Melissa Gilbert

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• “I've often said to Melissa, ‘I wish we could have been a little closer in age when we were doing this.’ But that's not the way it really happened. Laura was 10 years younger than Almanzo. But from the perspective of playing it, I thought, wouldn't it be great if we could have [had] … a little more common ground, so we would've been able to play the loving side of this in perhaps a little bit more interesting way,” — Dean Butler

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The exchange between Melissa Gilbert and Megyn Kelly highlights the ongoing discourse surrounding age, consent, and the portrayal of young women in media. Gilbert's reflections serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in discussing sensitive topics related to childhood and exploitation.

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