Breaking: Duggar Parents To Give Fox News Interview On Sexual Molestation Scandal

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will sit down with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly to answer questions about the Josh Duggar child molestation sex scandal. 

There have been few scandals surrounding pop culture icons more long-lasting and divisive than the revelation now almost two weeks ago that “19 Kids and Counting” star Josh Duggar sexually (and, at times forcibly) molested five girls under his parents roof when he was about 14 years old.

The scandal is so widespread, encompassing issues including gross hypocrisy, victims’ rights, conservative Christian values, parenting, the controversial Christian sect the Duggars advocate, a cash cow for a top entertainment network, and so many more.

Aside from a statement given to PEOPLE magazine several days after the news first broke, the entire Duggar clan – sans a cousin and one of the children’s father-in-law – have been wholly silent on the issue. Josh Duggar was caught by reporters in the airport a few days ago and he managed to utter the word “paparazzi,” but little else.

But now, in what is guaranteed to be a ratings treasure trove, Fox News‘ Megyn Kelly, host of “The Kelly File,” will interview Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar this coming Wednesday evening. An expanded version will air Friday evening.

LOOK: TLC May Spin Off ’19 Kids And Counting’ Into Show About Next Generation Of Duggars

“Next week we will sit down with Megyn Kelly on Fox News to share our hearts with you about the pain that we walked through as a family twelve years ago, the tears we all shed and the forgiveness that was given,” Jim Bob and Michelle wrote in a statement on the family website. We appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers for our family at this time.”

Clearly, this will be an attempt to salvage the show for TLC, despite the nearly two dozen advertisers who have already fled the show.

But, while Fox’s Kelly at times can exhibit some journalistic objectivity, it’s doubtful the interview will be as hard-hitting or revealing as America deserves, especially since Fox News has all but ignored the Duggar scandal entirely.

For starters, there’s the important issue of protecting the victims, which, no doubt, the Duggar parents will (understandably) use as a reason to not answer a wide variety of questions. 

Secondly, the Duggars couch everything in a frame of their personal, unique brand of Christianity. This interview will be all about forgiveness for Josh, and likely less in way of support for the victims – unlike daughter Jessa’s belief that the god she and her family pray to is not a merciful one, and most of us are going to hell. 

And while U.S. Senate candidate Jim Bob Duggar said those who commit rape and incest should be subject to the death penalty, he certainly will not hold his eldest son up to anything remotely close to his own extreme standard (not that anyone should.)

Related:

‘He Said It Only Happened One Time’: Cop Says Jim Bob Duggar Lied About Josh Molesting Girls

What’s ‘Quiverfull’ And What You Need To Know About The Duggars And Fundamental Christian Beliefs

Only ‘Fear Of Consequences’ Keeps Us From Sin: Jessa Duggar’s Father In Law Defends Josh

Watch: Dan Savage Blasts Duggars For ‘Demonizing’ LGBT People While Covering Up For Their Son