Rumors have spread of the first family being frustrated with Kelly after the flub over Sgt. La David Johnson and his personal attack on Rep. Frederick Wilson (D-FL). That followed with a series of missteps including calling DREAMers "too lazy to get off their asses" to apply for DACA status. Finally, it was revealed he was ignoring concerns over senior aide Rob Porter and his alleged history of domestic violence.
Kelly was seen by Republicans concerned about Trump's leadership as a moderating force, but has proven to be anything but.
Host Erin Burnett questioned whether it was responsible for Kelly to not investigate Porter when it was clear there were problems and the FBI refused to give him the adequate clearance required to do his job.
Cortes blamed "the left" saying that they are coming after Kelly as "the latest boogy-man" or the "newest Steve Bannon." He then pivoted to talk about Kelly's service and brought up his son who died in the line of duty.
"This is a hero should be honored and venerated," Cortes said. "A man who lives to serve the American public and American security. And for you, Joan, frankly, to besmirch him in this way--"
"Besmirch him? He besmirched himself," Walsh replied.
"I am not fit to shine his shoes and frankly, neither of you, quite frankly!" Cortes shouted.
"I thank him for his service, Steve, stop filibustering," Walsh said as Cortes continued to rail against the left and what a hero Kelly was. "I thank him for his service. I lament the loss of his son. Steve stop. Just shush. I lament the loss of his son I thank him for his service. And I think about the two ex-wives plus a girlfriend who told the FBI this information. It's not like he just found it out last night, Steve. And I don't know how you can live with yourself pretending."
"Oh yes he did. Oh, yes he did," Cortes disagreed, saying that Kelly only recently learned of the abuse allegations.
"No, he didn't. OK, you're calling CNN, you're calling our reporters here liars?" Walsh asked. "They have reported, they have confirmed."
Burnett cut in to say that the White House isn't even trying to deny that Kelly knew, but she argued that he likely didn't know that a photo existed. News of domestic violence is perhaps one thing while a photo of the violence is another, she said.
"Just because he's a hero in one part of his life doesn't mean he's a hero in the rest. These women were betrayed by him," Walsh said.
"I disagree. He is a hero, period, American hero, period. But here's what matters, I think, OK, Erin, here's what matters: did he know he beat his wife? Of course not. He would have never hired him. Did he know about the divorces? Yes, that was known," Cortes claimed.
The devolved into chaos from there. Porter's wives are slated to speak to the media about who they told and when they were told. Likely there will be an investigation into what was known and when it was known.
Watch below:
