Donald Trump, Megyn Kelly, that headline-making speech and why it matters

Megyn Kelly and Donald Trump embraced at his last Pennsylvania rally Monday night, and then she proudly endorsed him for president in an enthusiastic speech.

Wait, what?

That's a sentence you wouldn't expect to read if you were paying attention in the lead up to the 2016 election.

After Kelly asked him at a Republican primary debate during that election cycle whether he had a presidential temperament, he later said of her questions: "There was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever." A heated feud between the two ensued. She said last year that the past "nonsense" between the pair "is under the bridge," according to the Associated Press.

During her Pennsylvania speech on Monday, she touted Trump's stances on immigration and transgender rights as reasons to vote for him. "He got mocked by the Left for saying he would be a protector of women," she said. "He will be a protector of women, and it's why I'm voting for him."

Some are taking the moment as a lesson in forgiveness – though those most enthused about her reversal are likely the same people that turned on her years ago.

The varied reactions to the speech speak to how polarized this country remains on Election Day. It's also a good reminder that while forgiveness can be healthy, you may risk alienating others in the process.

'We should all learn from this'

"Beautiful! A testament to how far you’ve both come in this journey together and you make the women of this country proud," wrote one commenter on Instagram. "Thank you for being a courageous voice…your speech tonight was incredible." Another added: "What a long way you two have come! Let it be a unifying message to us all! Great speech, Megyn!!"

One person chimed in, "Here is an incredible picture of two people who were able to see past their differences and give forgiveness. We should all learn from this. Love you both."

Others are scratching their heads, like feminists who stood by Kelly after Trump's past comments: "You’ve betrayed everyone you ever supported many of whom stood up for you. You are a disgrace," one wrote on X.

"Hmmmm, you don’t remember what he said about you/did to you in 2015?" one commenter asked. That sentiment was echoed by many who wondered if Trump had earned Kelly's forgiveness.

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What we can learn about forgiveness

But it is common for people to make amends in trying times – though experts note that coming together despite differences does not mean a relationship has magically healed overnight.

"You can absolutely forgive someone without wanting to rebuild a relationship with them, or have them in your life," T.M. Robinson-Mosley, counseling psychologist, previously told USA TODAY. This may have been such a moment for Kelly in a consequential election.

Still, forgiveness is never mandatory. "There's this idea that we have to forgive in order to move on, we have to forgive, because we're supposed to forgive and that people expect that forgiveness," Robinson-Mosley says.

If that lack of forgiveness takes up a lot of space and you feel resentful, that's when it becomes a problem.

Perhaps Kelly needed to take a stand – even if it meant upsetting those who welcomed her previously.

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To her fans, she offered up this explanation: "I really gave a lot of thought to this," Kelly said on her SirusXM show ahead of her appearance alongside Trump. "This election for the first time ever, I told the audience who I am voting for... In particular, I hope women will listen to me. Wish me luck tonight."

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