Megyn Kelly heard rumors about Matt Lauer and 'hoped it wasn't true'

During an interview at Business Insider's IGNITION conference in New York on Wednesday, NBC's Megyn Kelly told us that she'd heard rumors about Matt Lauer, but she did not know the extent of the allegations until Wednesday. Following is a transcript of the video.

Alyson Shontell: We gotta address the elephant in the room first. Matt Lauer ... holy cow.

When you woke up this morning, did you know that this was brewing? What were your thoughts?

Megyn Kelly: No, I didn't. You know, I ...

Shontell: Not at all? Not like ... "Variety" and "The New York Times" have been working on stories. You don't hear about these things?

Kelly: So, I didn't have any official knowledge. But because of the work I do, and the stories I cover, and the connections I have in the industry, I have a general feel for... I mean I knew the Charlie Rose thing was coming.

And I had heard rumors about Matt, but that's all they were. And my feeling on it was a rumor is not the same as reportable fact, and it was also that I hear a lot of rumors about myself too that are completely untrue. And when you're a public figure, people do make up things about you and put them in print.

So I had no inside knowledge at all, but I knew people were sniffing around the issue. And hoped it wasn't true and wouldn't have been surprised if none of that had materialized, and he had a long... you know... and enjoyable last whatever, however many years he wanted to be at the "Today Show."