In a fiery exchange on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, Megyn Kelly made a bold claim that left Maher visibly frustrated, as she called Hillary Clinton the “original election denier.”

The remark, made during a heated discussion about the legitimacy of political elections, sparked an intense back-and-forth between Kelly and Maher, with the former Fox News anchor doubling down on her statement, forcing Maher to confront uncomfortable facts about Clinton’s past actions.

The conversation started innocently enough as the pair discussed the fallout from the 2016 presidential election and the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory.

However, Kelly quickly shifted gears, pointing the finger at Clinton, accusing her of undermining the legitimacy of the election results.

“Hillary Clinton, of course, is the original election denier,” Kelly said, her tone sharp and unrelenting.

Maher, typically known for his biting wit and liberal perspective, shot back immediately, defending the former Secretary of State.

“She’s not an election denier,” he countered, as the tension in the room grew palpable.

But Kelly wasn’t finished. “Then she spent the next four years saying he was an illegitimate president,” she continued, emphasizing the former First Lady’s continued doubts about Trump’s victory. Maher seemed momentarily caught off guard by the accusation, responding, “She didn’t say he was ‘an illegitimate president.’”

Kelly then took the conversation to a new level, refusing to let Maher off the hook. “She said those exact words,” Kelly fired back.

At that point, the show cut to a video clip of Clinton from 2017, where she did indeed use the phrase “illegitimate president” in reference to Trump, further fueling the tension between the two hosts.

The Controversial Election Denial Debate

The exchange between Kelly and Maher isn’t just an isolated incident but rather a reflection of the long-running debate surrounding the 2016 election and the consequences it had on American political discourse.

Clinton, after her defeat to Donald Trump, became one of the most prominent figures in perpetuating the idea that Russia had interfered in the election to secure Trump’s victory.

Her claim that Trump was an “illegitimate president” became one of the most widely discussed issues in American politics.

Clinton’s statements, along with the Russian collusion narrative that dominated the mainstream media for years, created a sense of distrust in the election’s outcome among many of her supporters. The notion of “election denial” — once thought to be solely associated with Trump’s refusal to accept his loss in 2020 — now has a historical precedent.

Kelly’s statement highlights a controversial aspect of Clinton’s post-election actions that has often been overlooked.

Despite the absence of concrete evidence of widespread voter fraud in 2016, Clinton and many of her allies, including top Democratic figures, maintained that Russian interference and other factors made Trump’s win illegitimate.

Maher’s Response and the ‘Russian Collusion’ Hoax

While Kelly’s claim left Maher visibly frustrated, the exchange also led to a broader conversation about the enduring impact of the so-called “Russian collusion” hoax.

Maher, who has long been an advocate for left-leaning causes, stood by Clinton’s stance on the issue. “She was right about Russia, and it did affect the election,” Maher asserted, defending Clinton’s repeated claims about the Russian influence on the 2016 results.

However, Kelly’s sharp retort about Bill Maher’s continued defense of the “Russian collusion” narrative was a reminder that some key figures in the media still refuse to acknowledge the evidence against it.

Despite the fact that the Robert Mueller investigation found no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, Maher continues to support Clinton’s claims. This stance has led to widespread criticism from both conservative and centrist commentators who argue that the Russian collusion narrative was used as a tool to discredit Trump’s presidency.

The Fallout: What Does This Mean for Clinton’s Legacy?

Kelly’s statement and the ensuing argument with Maher were more than just a moment of on-air drama. The clash touched on the deeper issue of how history will view the events surrounding the 2016 election.

Many on the right continue to argue that Clinton’s refusal to accept the outcome of the election is one of the reasons that American political polarization deepened. Her statements, coupled with the subsequent Russia investigation, created a political environment where distrust and suspicion flourished — a condition that has lasted to this day.

While Clinton’s political legacy will likely remain tied to her groundbreaking achievements as the first woman to win a major party’s presidential nomination, these controversies may have long-term effects on how future generations view her place in history.

For Kelly, highlighting Clinton’s role in this controversy is a deliberate effort to bring attention to the inconsistencies in how political figures on the left have handled electoral legitimacy.

Clinton and the Left: A History of Election Doubts

It’s important to note that Clinton is not the only prominent figure on the left to question the legitimacy of an election.

Following the 2000 presidential election, which saw George W. Bush win under controversial circumstances, many prominent Democratic figures voiced concerns about the results and the role of the Electoral College.

However, it was the aftermath of the 2016 election — particularly Clinton’s insistence on Trump’s illegitimacy — that further fueled tensions over electoral trust and integrity.

The 2020 election and Trump’s refusal to concede have further complicated this debate, as Trump himself and many of his supporters continue to claim that the 2020 election was “stolen.”

These assertions, along with the events of January 6, 2021, have made the conversation about election integrity even more contentious.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Debate

Megyn Kelly’s remark on Real Time with Bill Maher has sparked a renewed conversation about the legacy of Hillary Clinton’s post-election rhetoric. Despite Maher’s defense of Clinton’s stance on Russian interference,

Kelly’s sharp critique brings attention to the long-lasting impact of election denialism on both sides of the political spectrum. Clinton’s actions after the 2016 election, including her repeated assertions of Trump’s illegitimacy, highlight a critical moment in American politics that continues to shape the national conversation about elections, political trust, and public accountability.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: election legitimacy remains a topic that continues to divide the nation. Whether Clinton’s statements were justified or whether they contributed to a deeper political divide is a matter that will likely be discussed for years to come.