• Anthony criticizes Kelly for distinguishing between teen and child victims of Epstein
• Former defendant positions herself as researcher-consultant in rising public voice
• Kelly’s comments spark widespread backlash among advocacy groups and media critics

ORLANDO, Fla. (TDR) Former defendant Casey Anthony, acquitted in 2011 of murdering her daughter, has emerged publicly in a new role as a researcher, consultant, and advocate — and she has now targeted journalist Megyn Kelly for her controversial remarks regarding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a Nov. 12 appearance on her Sirius XM program, Kelly commented that while Epstein’s abuse of underage girls was “disgusting,” “there’s a difference between a 15-year-old and a 5-year-old, you know?”—a distinction quickly lambasted by former victims and critics alike.

Anthony, who now promotes herself as a social-media advocate for survivors and legal change, responded with a public post accusing Kelly of minimizing the trauma of teenage victims. She said that Kelly’s words “undermine survivors” and create a harmful hierarchy of abuse. Matthias Cormac, an advocacy-group director, described the remarks as “a harmful misframing of childhood victimization.”

Anthony’s reinvention and commentary

Over the past year Anthony announced she is consulting on legal-policy issues and digital-media strategy. Her engagement with Kelly’s remarks marked her most visible foray into commentary, signaling what some observers are calling a major attempt at reinvention. She said she now works with clients and causes connected to survivors of abuse, and views Kelly’s comments as a teaching moment about media tone and responsibility.

Kelly’s remarks trigger backlash

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Kelly’s pending segment prompted significant uproar across social-platforms and in media circles. Analysts pointed to her choice of language as emblematic of a trend where public figures distinguish “levels” of abuse rather than focusing on harm itself—a debate over what constitutes responsible journalism. Kelly defended herself, saying her statement about Epstein was based on data from legal sources, but critics noted that her interpretation aligned with harmful hierarchy thinking.

Implications for media and survivors

The exchange highlights a broader tension in both advocacy and media: how language frames victimhood, age, and trauma. For advocacy groups, Kelly’s remarks raised alarms that teenage victimization is perceived as somehow lesser. For Anthony, it was a chance to spotlight how survivors are treated in the public eye, especially by high-profile commentators. It is part of a larger narrative about trauma visibility and the intersection of media, memory and reputation.

Looking ahead

Anthony’s public intervention may reflect a new chapter in her personal brand — one tied to consultation, advocacy and commentary. Whether this moment will strengthen her credibility or open her to renewed criticism remains to be seen. Kelly, meanwhile, finds herself navigating a new kind of backlash that questions how mainstream commentators discuss sex-trafficking and power dynamics involving prominent offenders.

This content includes subject matter related to child abuse, which some readers may find upsetting. Please proceed with caution. If you believe a child is at risk, you can find information on how to report it by state here. For support, the National Child Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-422-4253.

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Can Anthony leverage this moment for genuine influence—or will her controversial past continue to overshadow her present-day ambitions?

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