Megyn Kelly criticized the Navy’s use of an active-duty drag queen recruit as a “digital ambassador” for the military branch to draw recruits, saying those that approved the choice had “lost their minds.”
“He isn’t someone anyone wants with him within the trenches,” Kelly said on her SiriusXM podcast “The Megyn Kelly Show” during Thursday’s broadcast.
Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley – a self-proclaimed non-binary known by his stage name Harpy Daniels – has revealed his performances in drag shows on social media.
“Excuse me, but who’s so inspiring to hitch the Navy?” Kelly said during her podcast on Thursday.
“I’d fairly have a tricky, real woman defending the country or an atypical man.”
Kelly said being non-binary “is not a thing.”
“You are one or the opposite,” said the previous Fox News and NBC star.
![Megyn Kelly was critical of the US Navy's use of a non-binary drag queen to aid in recruitment.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010641153.jpg?w=795)
“You are usually not each female and male at the identical time. I’m sorry to interrupt you, Kelley.
Kelly lamented that the military is now “obsessive about identity” – unlike in years past when it “has historically been driven out of those guys and girls as soon as they got here along.”
“You are not black, you are not white, you are not Hispanic,” Kelly said.
“You are usually not a non-binary person. You might be a marine. You might be a SEAL. You might be a military guard.
“That was the news.”
Kelly added: “Please tell me he is not defending us [Russian President] Vladimir Putin [or Chinese President] Xi Jinping.”
![Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, a self-proclaimed non-binary, is known by his stage name Harpy Daniels.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010605021.jpg)
![Kelley, who does not identify as either male or female, shared her story on social media where they describe how they began performing in drag shows while serving in the military.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010605026.jpg?w=888)
“Please tell me this guy won’t be across the battle.”
Kelley responded to critics on Wednesday by posting a video on TikTok and Instagram.
“You simply wish to support the military if it advantages and doesn’t include queer people,” Kelly wrote within the caption.
![The Navy's campaign involving Kelley caused outrage among veterans.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010575995.jpg?w=597)
“Nevertheless, the military is the biggest diverse and versatile organization in use.”
“Well, as a servant, a queen and an outgoing queer person. You will not scare me and you will not stop the LGBTQ+ community from growing!”
Robert J. O’Neill, a decorated Navy SEAL veteran who was a part of the team that killed Osama bin Laden, has spoken out against a latest Navy recruitment campaign involving Kelley.
![](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010641152.jpg?w=809)
“Okay. The US Navy now employs Private Drag Queen as a recruit. I’m done. China will destroy us. GOT THE BLUE. I am unable to consider I fought for those bulls.” O’Neill wrote to his 590,500 followers.
The recent Navy controversy is comparable to the fierce debate sparked by Bud Light’s use of transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney to advertise his beer brand.