News Anchor Of The Year Megyn Kelly

From Trump to ailes, the fox news personality fearlessly faces off with the powers that be—and ends up crushing the cable ratings race.

- Chris Ariens

The week of Nov. 14 has been a blur. Megyn Kelly has sat for nine TV interviews in three days before doing this one. There were appearances on Dr. Oz and Jimmy Fallon, too. Kelly is publicizing her new memoir, Settle for More, about life before and after becoming the undisputed (and unintentional) media star of the 2016 election. In her book, Kelly recounts her months at the wrong end of Donald Trump’s temperament and Twitter account and how, with simple and agonizing truth, she helped to bring down one of the biggest names in TV news— her Fox News Channel boss Roger Ailes. Through it all, the mother of three has continued to host the network’s The Kelly File, the most watched cable news show in the 25-54 demo in Q3. (She also won October.) Here, Kelly—Adweek’s News Anchor of the Year for 2016— talks about her surreal year.

Have you talked with President elect Trump since the election?

Not at all, no.

How about his family? I suspect you’ve put in an interview request?

I’ve corresponded with Ivanka. I’m going to assume that I won’t be the very first that he would sit down with after [CBS’ 60 Minutes’] Lesley Stahl, but I actually think he will sit with me. I just want to give him some time.

Would you ever consider joining the Trump administration?

No, no. I think first of all, that’s a younger person’s game. But second of all, I don’t need that kind of aggravation in my life, and I have a great job that I don’t want to give up.

You’re in the midst of a contract negotiation and Rupert Murdoch very much wants you to stay. Are you leaning toward staying?