Former Trump Aide Hope Hicks has taken on a new role in conservative media. Hicks joined Megyn Kelly’s Devil May Care Media as chief operating officer, marking a significant addition to Kelly’s growing media empire. The 36-year-old will lead business development and daily operations for the company that Kelly launched in 2020.
This partnership brings together two prominent figures from conservative media and politics. Kelly praised Hicks as “strong, smart, strategic and the embodiment of class and poise” in announcing the hire. Hicks will help expand Kelly’s media ventures beyond her flagship podcast into new programming areas.
The move highlights the continued growth of independent conservative media companies. Kelly’s Devil May Care Media has already expanded from a single podcast to multiple shows and plans for a true-crime channel. Hicks brings her experience from both political communications and corporate consulting to help drive the company’s next phase of growth.
Key Takeaways Former Trump Aide Hope Hicks
- Hope Hicks became chief operating officer of Megyn Kelly’s Devil May Care Media company
- Kelly’s media empire is expanding beyond podcasts into multiple show formats and new content areas
- The hiring reflects the growing trend of independent conservative media companies building larger operations
Hope Hicks Joins Devil May Care Media
Hope Hicks has officially joined Megyn Kelly’s Devil May Care Media as the company’s first chief operating officer. The announcement marks a significant expansion move for Kelly’s independent media company, with Hicks taking on responsibility for business development and operational growth.
Official Announcement and Reactions
Megyn Kelly announced Hope Hicks’ hiring through her show on Monday. Kelly expressed enthusiasm about bringing Hicks onto her team at Devil May Care Media.
“I am absolutely thrilled that she has joined our team,” Kelly stated during the announcement. She praised Hicks as “incredibly smart” and a “strategic thinker.”
Kelly emphasized that this hire represents getting “the best of the best” for her growing media company. She noted that the company had grown organically but needed proper staffing to support continued expansion.
The announcement comes as Kelly’s media empire continues to expand. Her company has been adding new talent and preparing to launch additional content channels.
Hope Hicks’ Role as Chief Operating Officer
Hope Hicks will serve as Devil May Care Media’s first chief operating officer. Her appointment represents a major addition to the company’s leadership structure.
Hicks brings significant media and communications experience to the role. She previously served as White House communications director during President Trump’s first administration.
Her background also includes executive positions at Fox Corporation. This combination of political communications and media industry experience positions her well for the COO role.
As chief operating officer, Hicks will help streamline operations across Kelly’s expanding media properties. Kelly described spending “hours and hours” with Hicks planning the company’s growth strategy.
The hire reflects Kelly’s commitment to professional management as her media company scales up.
Business Development and Future Growth
Hicks will oversee business development initiatives at Devil May Care Media. The company has been expanding its content offerings and talent roster significantly.
Recent additions include MK Media and various new personalities. Kelly mentioned Emily Jashinsky, Mark Halperin, Maureen Callahan, and Link Lauren as new team members.
The company is also launching “MK True Crime” as a new content channel. This expansion demonstrates the company’s move toward becoming a broader media conglomerate.
Kelly maintains full ownership of Devil May Care Media without outside investors. This structure allows her to keep editorial control while expanding operations.
Hicks’ role will focus on scaling these growth initiatives effectively. Her experience will help the company manage its rapid expansion while maintaining quality standards.
Megyn Kelly’s Expanding Media Ventures
Kelly has built Devil May Care Media into a growing podcast network with multiple shows and upcoming programming. The company now operates several regular programs and plans to launch new content channels.
The Megyn Kelly Show
The Megyn Kelly Show serves as the flagship program for Devil May Care Media. The show features Kelly discussing current events, politics, and cultural topics.
The podcast has gained a strong following since Kelly left traditional television news. She interviews guests and provides commentary on major news stories.
Kelly launched the independent media company after departing from mainstream outlets like Fox News and NBC. The show allows her to operate without network restrictions.
AM Update with Megyn Kelly
AM Update with Megyn Kelly provides shorter daily content for listeners. This program offers quick news updates and commentary in a more condensed format than the main show.
The morning update format targets busy listeners who want news analysis in shorter segments. It complements the longer-form content of her primary podcast.
This dual programming approach helps Kelly reach different audience preferences. Some listeners prefer brief daily updates while others want in-depth discussions.
New Programming and Strategic Direction
Devil May Care Media plans to expand beyond Kelly’s current shows. The company will launch an MK True Crime channel as part of its growth strategy.
The MK Media podcast network represents Kelly’s broader vision for content creation. This network structure allows for multiple shows and diverse programming.
With Hope Hicks joining as chief operating officer, the company aims to strengthen its business operations. Hicks will handle day-to-day management and business development.
The expansion reflects Kelly’s goal to build a significant presence in independent media. She joins other media personalities who have created their own podcast networks and content companies.
Hope Hicks’ Career Journey and Media Influence
Hope Hicks built her career through high-profile roles in politics, media, and corporate communications. She served in Trump’s White House, worked at Fox Corp, and provided consulting services before joining Kelly’s media company.
White House and Trump Administration Experience
Hope Hicks served as White House communications director from 2017 to 2018 during Trump’s first term. She returned to the administration in 2020 and worked until 2021.
Her role involved managing the president’s messaging and media strategy. She was one of Trump’s most trusted advisors during his time in office.
Hicks handled daily communications operations and worked closely with the press. She helped shape how the administration presented its policies to the public.
Before her White House role, she worked on Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. This experience gave her deep knowledge of Trump’s communication style and preferences.
Tenure at Fox Corp and Fox News
After leaving the Trump administration, Hicks joined Fox Corp as communications chief. This role put her in charge of the company’s public relations strategy.
At Fox Corp, she managed corporate communications for the media company. Her job included handling press relations and internal communications.
She worked to protect the company’s reputation during various challenges. Her political background helped her navigate complex media situations.
Hicks used her White House experience to guide Fox Corp’s messaging. She understood how political and media worlds work together.
Roles in Corporate Consulting and Public Relations
Hicks worked as a corporate consultant after her time at Fox Corp. She provided advice to companies on communications and public relations.
Her consulting work focused on crisis management and strategic communications. Companies hired her for her expertise in handling difficult situations.
She helped businesses develop their media strategies. Her background in both politics and media made her valuable to corporate clients.
Hicks worked with various companies before joining Kelly’s media company. This experience gave her knowledge of business development and operations.
Notable Public Moments and Testimony
Hicks testified in Trump’s New York criminal trial in 2024. Prosecutors asked her about her knowledge of communications during the 2016 campaign.
Her testimony focused on her role in campaign messaging. She answered questions about how the campaign handled media coverage.
This court appearance brought her back into public attention. She had mostly stayed out of the spotlight since leaving the White House.
Hicks has generally kept a low profile compared to other former Trump officials. She rarely gives interviews or makes public statements about her work.
Industry Context and Media Landscape
The hiring of Hope Hicks reflects broader changes in media ownership and talent movement between traditional networks and independent platforms. Kelly’s career shift from Fox News to NBC and then to independent media mirrors industry trends toward creator-owned content companies.
Independent Media Companies’ Rise
Independent media companies have gained significant ground against traditional networks in recent years. Podcasting platforms like Spotify and Apple have created new revenue streams for creators who leave major networks.
The Megyn Kelly Show became one of the top independent programs in the nation. The show ranks high on both Apple and Spotify podcast charts. Kelly’s YouTube channel has over 3.7 million subscribers.
Content from Kelly’s show gets hundreds of millions of views per month across all platforms. The company reports millions of followers on Instagram, TikTok and X.
Devil May Care Media launched MK Media in March 2025. The network features shows from journalist Mark Halperin, Daily Mail columnist Maureen Callahan, and political commentator Link Lauren.
Megyn Kelly’s Brand Post-NBC
Kelly left NBC in 2018 after her contract ended following ratings struggles and internal conflicts. Her NBC show “Megyn Kelly Today” was cancelled after she made comments about blackface costumes during Halloween.
She launched her independent podcast in September 2020. The show started as audio-only before partnering with SiriusXM in 2021. This partnership expanded the program to live daily radio and video formats.
Kelly has positioned herself as a conservative voice willing to challenge both parties. She supported Trump’s return to the White House despite their past conflicts during the 2016 election cycle.
Fox News and the Blackface Controversy
Kelly’s departure from NBC stemmed from her October 2018 comments about blackface Halloween costumes. She suggested that blackface was acceptable when she was growing up. The comments sparked immediate backlash from NBC staff and viewers.
NBC cancelled her show within days of the controversy. The network paid out her contract, which was reportedly worth $69 million over three years.
Fox News, Kelly’s former employer, did not offer her a return despite the opening. The network had moved on with new talent after Kelly left for NBC in 2017.
