In a fiery commentary on her show, The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly didn’t hold back in blasting the recent Blue Origin space mission.
Calling it a “sexual fantasy rocket” for Jeff Bezos, Kelly expressed her disapproval of the high-profile all-female flight that took off on April 14, which included Amazon’s CEO’s fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, singer Katy Perry, CBS News host Gayle King, and several other notable women.
While the 11-minute journey reached the edge of space, it sparked significant backlash from both celebrities and social media users alike.
Reactions Pour In from Celebrities and Critics Over Blue Origin Flight
The flight, which saw the women float in weightlessness for a few minutes, was met with mixed reactions.
Some hailed the experience as a milestone, while others, including Kelly, criticized it for its lack of real achievement.
Kelly pointed out that the women, despite their fame, didn’t walk on the moon or contribute to any major scientific breakthrough, like past astronauts such as Alan Shepard.
Instead, Kelly argued, it was simply a PR stunt for Bezos, designed to promote his company rather than push the boundaries of space exploration.
Gayle King Defends the Flight Against Criticism, While Megyn Kelly Doubts the Seriousness
After the flight, Gayle King defended the mission, claiming that there was nothing “frivolous” about their journey, pointing out that no one ever called male astronauts’ trips “rides” or “fun.”
Kelly was quick to shoot down this defense, emphasizing that the flight lacked the substance and seriousness of true space exploration.
She ridiculed the notion of comparing the mission to the Apollo 11 moon landing, pointing out the lavish celebrity nature of the mission with people like Katy Perry and Oprah in the background.
Celebrities Join the Chorus of Critics, With Some Expressing Their Disdain for the Stunt
Among the critics were several well-known celebrities. Models Olivia Munn and Emily Ratajkowski called the flight a “stunt,” while Olivia Wilde jokingly commented that “a billion dollars bought some good memes.”
Comedian Amy Schumer even parodied the entire event.
These reactions from the entertainment world further fueled the debate about the purpose and significance of the flight, with many questioning whether it was truly a step forward for space exploration or just a rich and flashy publicity move.
Megyn Kelly Slams the Privileged Nature of the Space Mission, Labeling It “Vacuous”
Kelly continued her harsh critique, accusing the women involved in the flight of being part of a “vacuous” elite class that had nothing meaningful to contribute to space exploration.
She claimed the trip was a shallow display of wealth and privilege, where the participants were more interested in being celebrated for their fame than for accomplishing anything groundbreaking.
Kelly and her guest, Batya Ungar Sargon, discussed how this “empty” culture is losing its appeal, as more people turn away from what they see as superficial displays of celebrity status.
Megyn Kelly Expresses Disappointment in the Lack of Meaning Behind the Flight
Kelly also expressed her personal disappointment in the flight, stating she didn’t feel empowered by it.
She felt the mission trivialized the work of true astronauts, who undergo years of rigorous training and risk their lives to explore space.
In comparison, she criticized the women of Blue Origin for their “two days of learning how to buckle their seatbelt” and how their so-called “training” was nothing more than basic instructions to prepare them for the flight.
Critics Cite the Lack of Real Space Exploration and Training for the Women on Board
Kelly and other critics emphasized the stark difference between this mission and the real training that astronauts undergo.
While actual astronauts undergo months or years of intense preparation, the women on the Blue Origin flight had only a few days of minimal training.
This lack of preparation, Kelly argued, meant that their journey couldn’t truly be compared to that of trained space professionals.
Batya Ungar Sargon Highlights Growing Disillusionment With Elites and “Woke” Culture
Batya Ungar Sargon, who joined Kelly on her show, pointed out the growing disillusionment with the elite culture that the Blue Origin mission represented. She argued that people were increasingly turning away from what they saw as a “woke” entertainment culture and returning to a desire for substance in both culture and entertainment. This shift, she believes, will eventually mark the decline of empty celebrity-driven spectacles.
The Controversial Flight’s Legacy: Will It Mark a Turning Point in How We View Space Travel?
Despite the backlash, the women on the Blue Origin flight did achieve a notable milestone, crossing the Karman Line and experiencing weightlessness.
But the controversy surrounding their mission and the response from the public and celebrities alike raises important questions about the future of space tourism.
Will these high-profile flights be seen as a legitimate step toward space exploration, or will they continue to be viewed as expensive and frivolous displays of privilege? Only time will tell how this moment will be remembered in the broader context of space travel.
The Blue Origin Mission: A PR Stunt or a Genuine Step for Space Exploration?
While the six-person crew, which included film producer Kerianne Flynn, activist Amanda Nguyen, and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, did technically reach the edge of space, the backlash surrounding the flight points to deeper issues about the commercialization of space.
For critics like Kelly, the mission was nothing more than a PR stunt designed to flaunt wealth and fame, while true space exploration remains a rare and dangerous endeavor.