Megyn Kelly Discusses Now Deleted Viral Video
Selena Gomez sparked a firestorm of controversy after posting—and swiftly deleting—a tearful Instagram video in which she lamented Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deporting illegal alien criminals under President Donald Trump’s new immigration policies. What followed was a sharp critique from Sirius XM’s Megyn Kelly, who took the actress to task on her podcast, describing Gomez’s actions as misguided, performative, and, in Kelly's words, evidence of being "a sick person."
The uproar began when Gomez, visibly emotional, claimed that "all my people are getting attacked" in a video that reportedly included imagery of a Mexican flag and a caption reading, “I’m sorry.” She wept over the deportations, particularly of children, though she didn’t appear to mention the context of ICE’s operations: a focus on removing individuals convicted of heinous crimes such as rape, child exploitation, gang activity, and even terrorism.
Gomez’s tearful plea ignited backlash from her own fanbase, many of whom pointed out the importance of enforcing immigration laws and the overwhelming support among Americans for cracking down on violent offenders.
Kelly’s criticism was swift and pointed. On The Megyn Kelly Show, she not only condemned Gomez’s video as performative but also highlighted what she views as the actress’s selective empathy. “Where’s her empathy for the American children and families whose lives have been shattered by these criminals? It’s not present,” Kelly remarked.
She also tied Gomez’s public display to a broader cultural problem, noting that self-filmed videos of crying are often more about seeking attention than genuine advocacy. “Anybody who takes their phone, works up the tears, and posts a video of themselves crying into their phone is sick,” Kelly said bluntly.
Kelly also took aim at Gomez’s broader activism, connecting her emotional outburst to her involvement in Hollywood’s promotion of progressive causes. The actress, who starred in Emilia Perez—a film lauded for its focus on transgender themes and reportedly up for multiple Academy Awards—was accused by Kelly of pushing a “cult-like” ideology onto young audiences. Kelly questioned why Gomez, who champions causes like trans activism, doesn’t display similar concern for the American families harmed by illegal alien criminals.
Despite her attempt to show "empathy," Gomez’s video backfired spectacularly. The backlash forced her to delete the video and replace it with a simple, passive-aggressive text post: “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people.” What Gomez failed to address, however, is that her tear-filled reaction ignored the reality of ICE’s operations under Trump’s leadership.
Border Czar Tom Homan provided clarity, revealing that since the inauguration, over 1,300 arrests had been made in targeted operations aimed primarily at individuals convicted of serious crimes. These included pedophiles, gang members, and even a terrorist. Yet, these crucial details were absent from Gomez’s public plea.
Gomez’s emotional video—and the subsequent fallout—highlights a growing divide in public discourse around immigration. On one hand, there’s the performative activism embraced by celebrities, which often oversimplifies complex issues into soundbites and emotional appeals. On the other, there’s the reality of enforcing laws to protect American citizens from criminals who exploit the broken immigration system. ICE’s focus on dangerous offenders underscores a policy aimed at safety and justice, not indiscriminate cruelty.