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Megyn Kelly leads growing chorus of outrage against Jeff Zucker and CNN amid resignation

'That he was sleeping w/her while promoting her up the ranks over other qualified folks,' Megyn Kelly lashed out to Jeff Zucker in her tweet

CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker announced his decision to resign from the network, after an internal probe on Chris Cuomo unveiled his romantic affair with CNN's Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Allison Gollust. In a memo submitted to the team, 56-year-old Zucker admitted that he was "wrong" in not disclosing his relationship to the management, as workplace protocols mandate. "I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn't. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today," he noted.

Zucker faced a barrage of criticism and backlash soon after announcing his decision to step down. Leading the growing chorus of outrage was Megyn Kelly, who accused Zucker of favoring Gollust at the workplace due to their affair. The former FOX host tweeted, "To those confused re: why J. Zucker’s affair w/an employee is a big deal: let’s imagine that it actually began earlier than they say. That he was sleeping w/her while promoting her up the ranks over other qualified folks. That he made her an EVP w/o disclosing any of it. Problem?"

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Zucker, who was previously married to Caryn Zucker for 21 years, has had a consensual relationship with Allison Gollust for the past few years. As part of the Cuomo probe, Zucker was inquired about his alleged romance with the executive, when he revealed that their relationship "evolved in the recent years." Without disclosing her identity, Zucker added that he has been working with the person for the past two decades. Later, Gollust herself issued a statement in this regard, saying, "Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently, our relationship changed during Covid. I regret that we didn't disclose it at the right time."

However, Zucker and Gollust's apologies did little to curb the increasing criticism against them. Joining Kelly, CPAC host Mercedes Schlapp tweeted, "CNN spent a year giving cover to the many scandals involving the Cuomos while the president of the network was having an affair with his colleague, who happened to be Andrew's former comms director.  And corporate media wonders why we trust Joe Rogan more than them."

Janice Dean from Fox News shared, "I remember when a former coworker who now works at @CNN said we were rotten to the core. What an interesting turn of events…"

Washington Post journalist Jennifer Rubin tweeted, "what a total mess. feel sorry for all the quality news people. He botched Cuomo and helped put Trump on the map. Good riddance."

"So part of the reason Chris Cuomo lasted so long at CNN despite repeated ethical violations is that Jeff Zucker's mistress/CNN's EVP Allison Gollust was Andrew Cuomo's former comms director! There is no bottom at CNN," podcast host Saagar Enjeti noted.

Given the startling links between Zucker, Allison Gollust and the embattled Cuomo brothers, his resignation is likely to lead to a bigger scandal, as many top media executives are predicting.