Full Breakdown
Megyn Kelly Accuses Donald Trump of Serial Infidelity and Revives Rape Allegation Amid MAGA Rift
5/25/2026, 8:00:24 PM
Kelly’s Accusations on the Hodgetwins Podcast
During a Friday episode of the Hodgetwins Podcast, former Fox News anchor Meg Megyn Kelly asserted that former President Donald Trump “has cheated on every wife he’s had.” She cited his 1993 affair with Marla Maples while still married to Ivana Trump and resurfaced Ivana’s earlier claim that Trump raped her. Kelly framed Trump’s recent mockery of former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent’s remarriage as hypocritical, noting the “glass house” inconsistency.
Background: Trump’s Marriages and Prior Allegations
Donald Trump, age 79, has been married three times: to Ivana Trump (1977-1992), Marla Maples (1993-1999), and Melania Trump (2005-present). In 1993, Harry Hurt III’s biography *Lost Tycoon* reported that Ivana described a violent sexual encounter and used the word “rape” in a sworn 1990 divorce deposition. Ivana later retracted the criminal characterization, stating she felt “violated” but did not intend a literal meaning, and in 2015 dismissed the claim as “totally without merit.” Trump has consistently denied the allegation.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1990 – Ivana Trump’s deposition describing a violent encounter.
- 1993 – Publication of *Lost Tycoon*; Trump’s Newsday interview denying the rape claim.
- 2015 – Ivana reiterates that the allegation lacks merit during Trump’s presidential campaign.
- 2023 – Joe Kent marries Heather Kaiser Kent, four years after his first wife Shannon Kent’s 2019 death.
- March 2024 – Kent resigns from the administration over the Iran war.
- April 2024 – Trump posts on Truth Social criticizing Kent’s remarriage.
- Early April 2024 – Kelly condemns Trump’s Iran-war rhetoric.
- Friday, April 2024 – Kelly delivers the accusations on the Hodgetwins Podcast.
Official Statements & Responses
- Donald Trump (1993, Newsday): “It’s obviously false. It’s incorrect and done by a guy without much talent…”
- Donald Trump (April 2024, Truth Social): Criticized Kent’s remarriage as occurring “quite quickly” after his first wife’s death.
- Donald Trump (post-podcast): Dismissed Kelly’s remarks, labeling MAGA rebels as “insurrectionists.”
- Ivana Trump (1990 deposition): Described the encounter as a violent sexual act, using the term “rape.”
- Ivana Trump (later statements): Clarified that she did not intend a criminal interpretation and later called the claim meritless.
Criticism & Opposition
Kelly’s commentary represents a marked departure from her earlier support of Trump and the MAGA movement. She characterized Trump’s moral authority as compromised, suggested that “MAGA is shrinking,” and positioned herself as a critic of the president’s personal conduct and public statements regarding the Iran conflict.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the nature of Ivana Trump’s allegation: the 1990 deposition uses “rape,” later statements qualify it as non-criminal, and Trump’s denial persists. No judicial finding has adjudicated the claim, leaving the allegation unresolved in the public record.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Talk about a glass house!” — Megyn Kelly, Hodgetwins Podcast
- “I mean, he met Marla Maples while he was still married to the mother of his children, Ivana. It was all over the New York papers ... Like he was proud of the affair!” — Megyn Kelly
- “ “And by the way,” Kelly continued, “Ivana, his first wife, accused him of raping her.” — Megyn Kelly
- “I don’t know whether that’s true or not, but just saying, clearly not a great relationship there.” — Megyn Kelly
- “If you think Trump’s been faithful to Melania, that’s great. You’ve got bigger issues than I can solve here.” — Megyn Kelly
Why It Matters
The accusations intersect with Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, potentially influencing voter perceptions of his personal integrity. Kelly’s remarks also highlight internal dissent within the MAGA coalition, suggesting a fracturing of previously unified support. Resurfacing the rape allegation adds a historical dimension to ongoing debates about Trump’s conduct.
What’s Next
As the 2024 election approaches, both Trump and Kelly are likely to issue further statements. Continued media scrutiny of past personal allegations may shape campaign narratives, while the internal dynamics of the MAGA movement remain a focal point for political analysts.
