Megyn Kelly begins her interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones with a defense of the segment

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NBC’s Megyn Kelly kicked off her newest show, “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly,” only a few weeks ago. So far, interviewees have included big, controversial names like Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But many expressed disappointment in the face of her Sunday interview with Infowars host Alex Jones, who has made quite the name for himself thanks to his conspiracy theories, including his suggestion that the deadly 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn., was a hoax.

Kelly began her interview with Jones by acknowledging those criticisms.

RELATED: Alex Jones scoops Megyn Kelly on her “exclusive” interview

She addressed his controversial conspiracy theories just before justifying her interview.

“Some thought we shouldn’t broadcast this interview because his baseless allegations aren’t just offensive, they’re dangerous,” she said. “But here’s the thing — Alex Jones isn’t going away.”

Kelly spoke of Jones’ millions of YouTube views and his growing audience, which includes the President of the United States.

Kelly and Jones then spent the remainder of the interview discussing his influence and arguing his various conspiracy theories.

RELATED: Megyn Kelly’s interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has cost her a leading role at a Sandy Hook event

Prior to the interview, Kelly defended her decision to interview Jones:

I find Alex Jones’s suggestion that Sandy Hook was “a hoax” as personally revolting as every other rational person does. It left me, and many other Americans, asking the very question that prompted this interview: how does Jones, who traffics in these outrageous conspiracy theories, have the respect of the president of the United States and a growing audience of millions?

President Trump, by praising and citing him, appearing on his show, and giving him White House press credentials, has helped elevate Jones, to the alarm of many. Our goal in sitting down with him was to shine a light — as journalists are supposed to do — on this influential figure, and yes — to discuss the considerable falsehoods he has promoted with near impunity.

What do you think?

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