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Megyn Kelly and Andrew Klavan Discuss Politics, Hollywood, and the Career Risks of Conservative Voices


Top Points

  • Kelly said Zachary Levi’s political endorsements revealed the risks of being openly conservative in Hollywood: She explained that Levi was warned his support for RFK Jr. and later Donald Trump could cost him work, which sparked her conversation with Andrew Klavan about ideological pressures in the entertainment industry.

  • Klavan argued that Hollywood operates within a narrow ideological culture that penalizes views outside its mainstream: He said entertainers who openly express conservative positions often face professional consequences, not because of merit, but because their beliefs conflict with the dominant political norms of the industry.

  • Kelly and Klavan agreed that the climate discourages ideological diversity: They said that actors, writers and creators often feel they must remain silent or conform politically to avoid being marginalized, and that Levi’s situation illustrates the broader cultural pressures at play.


Full Report:

On a recent episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, host Megyn Kelly and guest Andrew Klavan explored the relationship between political expression and career dynamics in Hollywood, prompted in part by actor Zachary Levi’s public discussion of his political endorsements and how they intersect with industry perceptions.


Zachary Levi’s Hollywood Experience Highlights the Issue

Kelly referenced her earlier conversation with actor Zachary Levi, in which Levi explained his decision to support former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election after initially endorsing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and how that decision intersected with his career. Levi said he was told by advisors that publicly supporting Trump could hurt his career but that he ultimately felt it was more important to stand by his convictions than to prioritize professional preservation. He told Kelly that at that point in his career he had not seen his work be compromised.


Levi’s appearance on Kelly’s show brought attention to a broader cultural question about whether entertainers who take conservative positions, or make political endorsements outside of mainstream expectations in Hollywood, face professional backlash or diminished opportunities.


Klavan and Kelly Examine Hollywood’s Cultural Climate

In the subsequent discussion with Andrew Klavan, Kelly and Klavan addressed the general climate for conservative voices in Hollywood. Klavan, a conservative author and commentator, has discussed whether conservative viewpoints are gaining traction or facing resistance within entertainment circles. These conversations often revolve around cultural and ideological pressures that inform which viewpoints are amplified or marginalized within the industry.


Kelly and Klavan’s exchange reflected a recurring theme in cultural commentary about Hollywood’s influence on public discourse. They examined whether actors, writers, and other creatives who express views outside dominant industry norms encounter informal pressures in casting, public relations, or professional networks.


Kelly Emphasizes the Importance of Ideological Diversity

Kelly noted that the case of Levi’s endorsement and public alignment with particular political figures illustrates how entertainers weigh personal beliefs against career considerations. She argued that an open cultural environment should allow for ideological diversity without fear of professional penalty.


Klavan added that the conversation about politics in Hollywood is part of a larger debate over cultural power and narrative control. He suggested that understanding the incentives and disincentives that shape public expression within the entertainment industry is essential to broader discussions about free expression and artistic freedom.


Audience Reaction and Broader Cultural Implications

The segment resonated with many viewers who see Hollywood as a cultural engine whose attitudes towards politics can influence public perceptions beyond entertainment. Kelly and Klavan’s exchange did not conclude that all conservatives are universally “blacklisted” in Hollywood, but it underscored how political expression can have professional implications depending on context, audience, and industry dynamics.


The conversation contributed to ongoing discussions about how political alignment, personal conviction, and professional opportunity intersect in high-profile industries like Hollywood, where public image and commercial success are deeply intertwined.


References

  • The Megyn Kelly Show. Segment discussing Zachary Levi’s political endorsements and the risks of being conservative in Hollywood. Megyn Kelly, SiriusXM.

  • Kelly, Megyn. Commentary on ideological pressures in the entertainment industry and the professional consequences for conservative voices. The Megyn Kelly Show, SiriusXM.

  • Klavan, Andrew. Interview with Megyn Kelly examining Hollywood’s cultural climate and its treatment of non-progressive viewpoints. The Megyn Kelly Show, SiriusXM.

  • “The Real Reason Zachary Levi Supports Donald Trump.” The Wrap, reporting on Levi’s conversation with Megyn Kelly regarding political endorsements and Hollywood’s reaction.


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