Former news anchor and podcast host Megyn Kelly has taken to Twitter to criticize transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney after Mulvaney expressed frustration that companies only want to work with him because of his transgender identity.
Mulvaney, a biological male who identifies as female, stated in a recent interview that many brands ask him to tie his struggles growing up to their partnership, which he feels is exploitative.
Mulvaney remarked, “A lot of brands will ask, ‘Could you relate a little bit of your struggle growing up into this?’ Like, no! If you want me, you want me because I’m Dylan, not because I’m trans.”
He added, “That’s when you know they were just trying to check a box.” Mulvaney also expressed concerns about venturing too far into activism or politics, as he could potentially misspeak or disseminate incorrect information.
Kelly responded on Twitter, saying, “You tried that. It didn’t work.”
She went on to criticize Mulvaney for seeking recognition for his transgender identity while simultaneously wanting to be acknowledged for who he is beyond that aspect of his life.
Kelly questioned, “How much pretending would you like us to do?”
The exchange comes after Kelly previously criticized Mulvaney for complaining about news outlets misgendering him.
Kelly suggested that Mulvaney should “move to Canada,” seemingly in reference to a 2021 Canadian court ruling that deemed deliberate misgendering in the workplace a violation of human rights under British Columbia’s Human Rights Act.
Violations of the Act can result in substantial fines and mandatory inclusion training.
Mulvaney recently addressed fans in a video following the controversy surrounding his partnership with Bud Light.
He expressed confusion and frustration over the negative attention, saying, “A lot has been said about me.
Some of which is so far from my truth that I was like hearing my name and I didn’t know who they were talking about sometimes.”
Mulvaney went on to criticize the “dehumanization” and “cruelty” he has experienced, stating, “Dehumanization has never fixed anything in history.”
