The timing makes it hard to discount some connection to the election.
Yes it does, why a few hours before Trump's acceptance speech?
Yes. The left has had taking down FOX on their to-do list for a long time. They've been termiting away internally and wooing the Murdochs. Kelly is the sleeper agent that administered what they hope is the coup de grâce.
Or, more likely trying to make the shift while the news is otherwise filled with Trump’s speech.