Journalist and podcast host Megyn Kelly said “wokeism” has experienced a significant uptick in the United States, partly due to the Democratic Party “pushing religion” out.

During a one-on-one sit-down with sports journalist Stephen A. Smith, Kelly discussed her political affiliation as an independent as well as her opposition to political correctness and “wokeness,” which she defined as “an obsession” with a person’s identity, particularly their race or gender. When asked by Smith why she believes the Democratic Party chose to prioritize this, Kelly pointed to the “death of religion among the Left.”

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“You know, they just became more and more secular, and the more they squeezed God out of the public square and out of their private lives, the emptier they felt, and the more the natural need for something, something higher than themselves, bigger than themselves, dominated,” Kelly, a lifelong Catholic, said on the Stephen A. Smith Show. “And if it wasn’t going to be Jesus, or God, or you know, Muhammad, it wound up being skin color and your lady parts and your oppression, which really worked for them.”

Kelly said Democrats’ messages fulfill party members’ “ego need,” and this messaging is a very effective tactic among voters. She added that “pushing technology,” increased isolation in the United States, and people’s “fundamental need” to belong have allowed the “false god of wokeism” to grow drastically, resulting in “dangerous effects.”

During the discussion, Kelly addressed her recent comments about the late Pope Francis. She criticized the pope’s stance on immigration shortly after he died on Monday. In reflecting on her comments, Kelly said Francis was controversial among “die-hard Christians” because he was “a very progressive guy within the Catholic Church.” She reiterated her criticism of his beliefs on welcoming immigrants, suggesting he deliver the same message “to Laken Riley’s family,” referring to the 22-year-old Georgia resident killed by an illegal immigrant last year.

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Smith also asked Kelly how her initial dislike for President Donald Trump has evolved into support. Kelly said she ultimately prioritized her professional relationship with him, which made her see the president in “a new light,” specifically his leadership during his first presidency. She also pointed to former President Joe Biden‘s leadership, deeming Trump “the anti-Biden” since he was “tailor-made” for this moment in the nation’s history.

Last month, Kelly unveiled her new podcast network, MK Media, which includes an initial lineup of independent journalist Mark Halperin, Daily Mail columnist Maureen Callahan, and influencer and political commentator Link Lauren. Additional shows are expected to follow.