Former Fox News star Janice Dean has publicly unloaded on Megyn Kelly, accusing her former close friend of cruelly mocking actress Christina Applegate’s health struggles. Dean, who has battled multiple sclerosis for more than two decades, called Kelly’s comments “disgusting” and branded her a mean girl.

The dispute erupted after Applegate, 54, revealed that doctors recently determined she had been misdiagnosed with MS. The actress disclosed the development Tuesday on her MeSsY podcast, saying she was “back to square one” after publicly battling the neurological disease since 2021.

Kelly responded by questioning how Applegate had become such a recognizable advocate for people with MS. Rather than offering sympathy, the conservative commentator scrutinized the actress’s public identification with the disease.

“Christina Applegate is really the person I think most people, at least famous people, associate with this disease because she was one of the first to come out and say she had it,” Kelly said.

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After playing audio from Applegate’s emotional announcement, Kelly turned her attention to the actress’s years of public advocacy. She focused on Applegate’s podcast and repeated public statements about her health.

“I cannot keep up, you guys. I’m sorry, but like the woman who’s made like every public statement about health for the past several years all about her MS, she’s hosting an MS podcast, has now come out to tell us all she doesn’t actually have it,” Kelly said.

Kelly then broadened her criticism to celebrities who publicly advocate for specific medical conditions. She suggested that Applegate had leaned into becoming a prominent face of MS before doctors reconsidered her diagnosis.

“She has no idea what she actually has, and I just think this is like the problem with celebrities, wanting to lean into their health problems, and ‘now I will be the face of MS.’”

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Kelly continued by accusing Applegate of building her public presence around the diagnosis. “She’s crying now because I guess she no longer gets to be the face of this disease, and as she says, she’s back to ‘square one.’ She’s made like a cottage industry of talking about her MS.”

That commentary proved too much for Dean, 55, who confronted Kelly publicly on Instagram Wednesday night. “I’ve kept my mouth shut for a long time about #meangirl @megynkelly.”

Dean disclosed that she and Kelly had once shared a close friendship. Kelly “used to be one of my closest friends,” Dean wrote, alleging that Kelly “ghosted” her after Dean voiced disappointment over Kelly’s endorsement of Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor.

This time, however, Dean’s objections were rooted in the deeply personal issue of living with MS. “Having #MS for over 20 years, she knows how long it took for doctors to diagnose me,” Dean explained.

Dean defended Applegate for speaking openly about her changing diagnosis and uncertain medical situation. “I think Christina is brave for telling the truth and I’m grateful she became a voice for so many of us.”

The former Fox News personality also disclosed that she had been seriously ill during recent weeks and had required multiple hospital visits. “I will have much more to say about this when I’m well enough,” she wrote.

Dean’s response became even more pointed as she addressed Kelly’s criticism of patients who discuss their diagnoses publicly. She placed herself squarely among those who use their personal experiences to help others.

“Incase you don’t know, I have #multiplesclerosis and I am one of those loser people @megynkelly refers to as wanting to talk about my diagnosis to help others,” Dean added.

Dean was diagnosed with MS in 2005, although she did not discuss the condition publicly until 2023. At that time, she described MS as an “invisible illness.”

Her worsening symptoms eventually forced her to leave Fox News after more than two decades with the network. “Ultimately, my symptoms progressed to the point that I can no longer continue working in my role, and my doctors agreed and said stepping away was necessary for my health,” she previously explained.

The clash has exposed a bitter personal divide between two recognizable former Fox News personalities. Kelly questioned Applegate’s public identification with MS, while Dean argued that the actress’s willingness to share her medical struggles had helped people facing the disease.

Applegate’s reported misdiagnosis does not mean her symptoms were imaginary. She continues searching for answers about her health after learning that the diagnosis she had publicly discussed since 2021 was incorrect.

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