Megyn Kelly mocks Christina Applegate over MS misdiagnosis revelation
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The gist
Actress Christina Applegate said her 2021 MS diagnosis was wrong; host Megyn Kelly mocked her for it.
A former friend of Kelly's with MS called the comments disgusting, widening the backlash.
Background
Christina Applegate, the 54-year-old Emmy-winning actress known for the sitcom Samantha Who, first disclosed a multiple sclerosis (MS, a disease affecting the brain and nerves) diagnosis in 2021 and has spoken about it publicly for years, including co-hosting the MS-themed podcast "MeSsy" with Jamie-Lynn Sigler. On the October 20 episode of that podcast, she said the 2021 diagnosis was a misdiagnosis and that she is "back to square one." Megyn Kelly, a 55-year-old conservative journalist and host of The Megyn Kelly Show, discussed the revelation on her show that day with the hosts of the Ruthless podcast, questioning Applegate's public role as a face of the disease.
How it unfolded
- 2021Christina Applegate is first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and later speaks publicly about the condition for years.
- Oct 20, 2026Applegate reveals on her "MeSsy" podcast, co-hosted with Jamie-Lynn Sigler, that the 2021 MS diagnosis was a misdiagnosis and she is "back to square one."
- Oct 20, 2026On that day's episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly criticizes Applegate, joined by Ruthless podcast hosts Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook.
- Oct 22, 2026Janice Dean, a former Fox News broadcaster and former close friend of Kelly, publicly slams Kelly over the comments.
Who’s saying what
- Caution
- Megyn Kelly said Applegate has made "a cottage industry" of talking about her MS and that "this is like the problem with celebrities, wanting to lean into their health problems."
- Support
- Janice Dean, who says she has had MS for over 20 years, called Kelly's comments "disgusting" and said Applegate is "brave for telling the truth" and brought awareness to the disease.
Still unverified
Applegate says she does not know what is actually wrong with her; the cause of her ongoing severe symptoms is not identified in the sources.