$200 Billion Iran Question, Intel Heads on "Imminent" Threat, Mamdani's Wife's Posts: AM Update 3/20

Summary

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The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 3/20/2026: "$200 Billion Iran Question, Intel Heads on 'Imminent' Threat, Mamdani's Wife's Posts"

Host: Emily Jasinsky
Date: March 20, 2026
Platform: SiriusXM Channel 111

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Episode Overview

This episode provides a brisk yet comprehensive update on major political and global news, zeroing in on the ongoing U.S.-Iran-Israel conflict, debates over military funding, intelligence community testimony on Capitol Hill, and domestic controversies such as a ballooning California wildlife crossing project and the resurfacing of incendiary social media posts by the wife of NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani. The tone is urgent and analytical, reflecting fast-moving developments and high-stakes debates.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalation in the Middle East – Iran, Israel, and U.S. Involvement

• Oil and Gas Strikes Spike Markets (02:20 - 03:30)

  • Iranian missile strikes on Qatar’s major LNG facility and other Gulf targets followed an Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field.
  • Brent crude oil briefly soared to $119/barrel amid fears of broader regional destabilization.

• Trump Administration's Position

  • President Trump posts on Truth Social refuting advance knowledge of the Israeli strike, emphasizing that the U.S. opposes attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
  • U.S. aims to prevent further escalation, with Trump warning Iran against attacks on Arab allies like Qatar.

• Questions About U.S.-Israel Coordination
  (03:30 - 04:53)

  • Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe address discord between Israeli and American strategic priorities.
  • Trump reiterates (in Oval Office conversation) that while U.S.-Israeli relations are strong, actions such as Israel’s strike sometimes happen without U.S. approval:

    “We’re independent, we get along great, it’s coordinated. But on occasion he’ll do something and if I don’t like it, ... we’re not doing that anymore.”
    — President Trump (04:36)

• Congressional Funding and Troop Deployment

  • Pentagon formally seeking over $200 billion to replenish arms and sustain Operation Epic Fury, mainly due to depleted stockpiles from extended support to Ukraine.
  • Trump refutes troop deployment rumors:

    “No, I’m not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you, but I'm not putting troops, and we will do whatever is necessary to keep the price.”
    — President Trump (05:58)

• Allies’ Response and Coordination Gaps
  (06:09 - 06:39)

  • Joint statement by G7 allies condemns attacks on civilian infrastructure and urges safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Trump jokes about “surprise” in military operations, referencing Pearl Harbor in a pointed exchange with Japan’s Prime Minister:

    “You know, when we go in, we went in very hard and we didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Okay. Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”
    — President Trump (06:39)

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2. Intelligence Committee Hearing: Was There an "Imminent" Threat?

• “Imminent Threat” Debate
  (07:06 - 08:10)

  • Congressional Democrats press intelligence leaders: Was Iran actually about to attack the U.S.?
  • Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard affirms that only the President determines what’s “imminent.”

• Iran’s Intentions and U.S. Intelligence

  • CIA Director John Ratcliffe testifies that intelligence indicates:

    “...in the likely event of a conflict between Iran and Israel that the U.S. would be immediately attacked regardless of whether the United States stayed out of that conflict.”
    — John Ratcliffe (08:10)

• Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions

  • Rep. Joaquin Castro:

    “Director, what nation State has achieved 60% enrichment and then not produced a nuclear weapon?”
    — Joaquin Castro (08:34)
    “I’m not aware of any.”
    — John Ratcliffe (08:42)

  • Ratcliffe affirms Iran retains nuclear ambitions and continues to reconstruct its nuclear facilities.

• Diverging U.S.–Israel Objectives
  (09:49 - 10:44)

  • DNI Gabbard explains the U.S. and Israel are not fully aligned:

    “The objectives that have been laid out by the President are different from the objectives that have been laid out by the Israeli government.”
    — Tulsi Gabbard (09:58)

  • Israel focuses on Iranian leadership decapitation; the U.S. prioritizes ballistic missile and naval capabilities.

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3. Domestic Terror Threats and Homeland Security

• FBI Director Kash Patel on U.S. Threats
  (10:48 - 11:39)
  • Outlines scale of concern:
    • 2,300 arrests for foreign terrorist ties last year
    • 700 counterterrorism arrests
    • 640 disruptions, with four imminent attacks prevented in December
  • Calls for tougher sentencing and denaturalization measures for convicted terrorists:

    “...work on the denaturalization process for someone who should not be in this country, who wants to attack and kill American citizens and American service members.”
    — Kash Patel (11:21)

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4. The Controversial California Wildlife Bridge

• Cost Overruns and Delays
  (12:59 - 14:11)

  • What began as a $64 million project to allow wildlife safe passage over LA’s 101 freeway has ballooned to $114 million, with only partial completion reported.
  • Beth Pratt, project official, pleads for public donations to finish the build:

    “The world changed beneath us though... We need your help one more time to get us to the finish line ... and help us build back those reserves...”
    — Beth Pratt (14:11)

• State and Public Backlash

  • Critics compare project to more efficiently completed, lower-cost wildlife crossings in other states.
  • Governor Newsom’s office points to tariffs, inflation, and environmental needs as justifications, sharply rebutting criticism as MAGA outrage.

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5. Social Media Scandal: NYC Mayor Mamdani’s Wife’s Posts Surface

• Revealed Posts
  (14:52 - 17:54)

  • Washington Free Beacon publishes archived posts by Rama Duaji, Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s wife, lauding Palestinian terrorists and using offensive anti-Semitic, racist, and homophobic slurs.
  • Posts dated from her teenage years and early 20s; some as recently as 2017 celebrate figures in U.S.-designated terror groups.

• Mayor’s Response
  (17:54 - 18:14)

  • Mayor Mamdani, when questioned, responds with a statement emphasizing his wife’s privacy and his own responsibility as an elected official:

    “My wife is the love of my life, and she's also a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall. I, however, was elected to represent all eight and a half million people in this city, and I believe that it’s my responsibility...to answer any questions about my thoughts and my policies and my decisions.”
    — Mayor Zoran Mamdani (17:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. Military Posture and Iran:
  “We want to have vast amounts of ammunition, but it was taken down by giving so much to Ukraine. ... Raytheon is building four factories. Lockheed is building five or six factories, and they're building them fast.”
  — President Trump (05:11)

• On U.S. and Israel Coordination:
  “Why are we helping Israel prosecute this war if they're going to pursue their own objectives?”
  — Pete Hegseth (03:30)

• Pearl Harbor Quip:
  “Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Okay. Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”
  — President Trump (06:39)

• On the Bridge to Nowhere:
  “Magas outrage over a project that literally saves lives tells you everything.”
  — Governor Newsom’s office statement (paraphrased, 14:52)

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Timestamps for Significant Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------| | Oil Market Reaction to Strikes | 02:20 | | U.S.-Israel Coordination and White House Views| 03:30-04:53| | Funding and Troop Deployment Questions | 05:11-05:58| | Allies’ Joint Statement | 06:09 | | Senate/Congress Imminent Threat Hearings | 07:06-08:10| | Iran’s Nuclear Program and Intelligence | 08:34-09:30| | U.S. vs Israel War Objectives | 09:49-10:44| | Domestic Terror Threats (FBI Director) | 10:48-11:39| | Wildlife Bridge Controversy | 12:59-14:52| | Mamdani Social Media Scandal | 14:52-18:14|

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Summary Takeaways

• The U.S. administration under President Trump is facing complex choices amid a rapidly escalating Middle East conflict—trying to support Israel while discouraging strikes on energy infrastructure and maintaining alliances.
• Both congressional oversight and intelligence leadership reveal cracks in U.S.-Israel coordination and longstanding worries about Iranian nuclear ambition.
• Domestically, massive military funding requests, surging terror arrest statistics, and state infrastructure snafus add to the sense of high-stakes uncertainty.
• Online scandals and controversial statements from public figures (and their families) continue to drive political debate and media scrutiny.

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This summary is intended to provide a comprehensive, structured overview of the episode's major topics, significant exchanges, and underlying context, retaining the tone and language of the original podcast where possible.

Transcript

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[Emily Jasinsky]

Good morning everyone. I'm Emily Jasinsky, host of Afterparty and the Megyn Kelly Wrap Up show on Sirius XM channel 111. It's Friday, March 20, 2026, and this is your AM update.

[President Donald Trump]

No, I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you.

[Emily Jasinsky]

President Trump delivering updates on several new reports relating to Operation Epic Fury, including possible troop deployments, budget requests and more.

[Congressman Jimmy Gomez]

The American people need to know if this was an imminent threat or not.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Top intelligence officials pressed on Iran threats in a hearing in front of the House Intel Committee. A California bridge intended to save wildlife now sparking backlash over soaring costs and delays. New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani's wife under fire for old social media posts praising terrorists and using offensive slurs. All that and more coming up in just a moment. On your AM Update,

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[Emily Jasinsky]

Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, briefly spiking to $119 per barre barrel Thursday before settling near $103 as Iran launches retaliatory strikes targeting oil and gas infrastructure across the Gulf. The barrage coming after a Wednesday Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field, part of the largest natural gas reserve in the World Iran responding by striking Qatar's Ras Leifen industrial city, the world's largest liquefied natural gas facility, responsible for roughly 20% of global liquid natural gas, or LNG, supply. The escalation marking a significant expansion of the conflict into global energy markets. President Trump with a lengthy post on Truth Social Wednesday night explaining the US had no prior knowledge of Israel's strike, warning Iran against further attacks on Qatar, threatening additional consequences if escalation continues. The development's raising new questions about coordination between the US And Israel after President Trump has recently said he does not want Iranian oil and gas infrastructure targeted. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth asked about the Israeli strike at a briefing yesterday.

[Secretary of War Pete Hegseth]

It kind of seems like a trend of Israel apparently pursuing their own objectives over US objectives. Why are we helping Israel prosecute this war if they're going to pursue their own objectives?

[CIA Director John Ratcliffe]

We hold the cards. We have objectives. Those objectives are clear. We have allies pursuing objectives as well. And the truth speaks for itself. I mean, President Trump was very clear about that. Iran has weaponized energy for decades. Israel clearly sent a warning and POTUS has made it clear, very clear. Iran knows when you hit Kharg island and you hit military capabilities on Kharg island, which is the only thing we hit, we can hold anything at issue, anything. The United States military controls the fate of that country. Iran has the ability to make the right choices. It should not, going forward, target Arab allies, Arab countries.

[Emily Jasinsky]

President Trump also addressing the issue yesterday in the Oval Office during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

[New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani]

Have you talked to Prime Minister Netanyahu

[CIA Director John Ratcliffe]

about attacking the oil and gas fields?

[President Donald Trump]

Yeah, I did. I did. I told him don't do that. And he won't do that. We didn't discuss, you know, we do, we're independent, we get along great, it's coordinated. But on occasion he'll do something and if I don't like it, and so we're not doing that anymore.

[Emily Jasinsky]

As the conflict nears entering its fourth week, the Pentagon now seeking more than $200 billion from Congress to fund Operation Epic Fury. According to a Washington Post report, the request aimed in part at ramping up weapons production and replenishing US Stockpiles. President Trump also asked yesterday about that reporting.

[President Donald Trump]

We're asking for a lot of reasons beyond even what we're talking about in Iran. We want to have vast amounts of ammunition, but it was taken down by giving so much to Ukraine. They gave so much. Our manufacturers of military equipment are building at a level they've never seen. Before, they've never done before. Raytheon is building four factories. Lockheed is building five or six factories, and they're building them fast. So we're in very good shape. But we want to be in the best shape, the best shape we've ever been in. So we want to be sure, and it's a small price to pay to make sure that we stay Tippy top.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Meanwhile, Reuters reporting this week the president is considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops to the region. President Trump responding.

[President Donald Trump]

No, I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I, if I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you, but I'm not putting troops, and we will do whatever is necessary to keep the price.

[Emily Jasinsky]

The escalation also drawing a response from U.S. allies, Germany, the U.K. france, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan, issuing a joint statement condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure and calling for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The statement expressing readiness to support efforts to secure the vital waterway but stopping short of committing military assets. Mr. Trump also asked about coordination with allies following the initial strikes, including why key partners like Japan were not notified in advance.

[President Donald Trump]

One thing, you don't want to signal too much. You know, when we go in, we went in very hard and we didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Okay, why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor? Okay. Right. He's asking me, don't you believe in surprise? I think much more so than US

[Emily Jasinsky]

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Cash Patel, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and other top national security officials back on Capitol Hill yesterday, this time before the House Intelligence Committee, Operation Epic Fury dominating the hearing with Democrats zeroing in on whether the administration had clear intelligence of an imminent threat from Iran and whether the president's military response was justified. Here, two Democrats, Congressman Jimmy Gomez of California and Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana.

[Congressman Jimmy Gomez]

The American people need to know if this was an imminent threat or not, if there are weeks away or not, if they're months away or not. None of this dodging. Were they an imminent threat? Yesterday you said that only the president, only the only person who can determine what is an imminent threat is the President of the United States. Do you stand by that statement?

[Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes, I do.

[Secretary of War Pete Hegseth]

So is there any evidence that Iran intended to conduct a preemptive attack on the US Prior to beginning this war? Yes or no?

[CIA Director John Ratcliffe]

There's a body of intelligence that we'll be able to cover in the classified portion of this hearing that does reflect that in the likely event of a conflict between Iran and Israel that the US Would be immediately attacked regardless of whether the United States stayed out of that conflict.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Republican Congressman Pat Fallon of Texas questioning CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Iran's nuclear ambitions.

[Congressman Joaquin Castro]

Director, what nation State has achieved 60% enrichment and then not produced a nuclear weapon?

[CIA Director John Ratcliffe]

I'm not aware of any.

[Congressman Joaquin Castro]

There's none. You get to 60%. There's a reason you're at 60% because you are pursuing nuclear ambitions. So last June we have Midnight Hammer. And not only did they see the resolve, I mean, they saw that we were committed to actually taking action and not just the words this time. And even after all of that, did they abandon their pursuit and their nuclear program?

[CIA Director John Ratcliffe]

They absolutely did not. Our intelligence is also clear that they have not lost their ambition and that the activities to rebuild or reconstitute their nuclear facilities and centrifuges is something that the intelligence. There's a body of intelligence that I think confirms that.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Tensions also rising over a growing disconnect between US and Israeli objectives after Israel struck Iran's South Pars gas field. Despite President Trump signaling that energy infrastructure should be off limits. Democrat Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas pressing Director Gabbard on whether the two allies are still aligned.

[Congressman Joaquin Castro]

What does the intelligence community assess Israel's goals in this world, in this war to be, and are those goals aligned with the goals of the United States?

[Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard]

The objectives that have been laid out by the President are different from the objectives that have been laid out by the Israeli government.

[Congressman Joaquin Castro]

And how do they differ?

[Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard]

The Israeli government has been focused on disabling the Iranian leadership and taking out several members and they continue to focus on that effort.

[Congressman Joaquin Castro]

How does that differ from our goals?

[Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard]

The President has stated that his objectives are to destroy Iran's ballistic missile launching capability, their ballistic missile production capability, and their navy, the IRGC navy and mine laying capability.

[Congressman Joaquin Castro]

To the best of your knowledge, do you know whether Israel is supportive of the President's call to make a deal with Iran?

[Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard]

I don't know the answer to that. I don't know Israel's position on that.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel outlining the scale of the domestic terror threat in the wake of multiple recent Islamic inspired attacks.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

Last year we had 2,300 arrests related to foreign terrorist organizations. We had 700 counterterrorism arrests and the FBI had 640 counterterrorism disruptions where we stopped attacks on the homeland, specifically in December, we stopped four in an 18 day span. What I need is specifically highlighted in the Norfolk attack in Norfolk, an individual who is convicted of terrorism and sentenced based upon that conviction should have still been in prison. I want to work with the legislature to figure out how to increase the sentencing for convicted terrorists and also work on the denaturalization process for someone who should not be in this country, who wants to attack and kill American citizens and American service members.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Coming up, A California wildlife bridge drawing backlash over soaring costs and construction delays New reporting surfacing past social media posts tied to New York City Mayor Zoram Hamdani's wife praising terrorists and using offensive slurs.

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[Emily Jasinsky]

California Governor Gavin Newsom facing criticism over a costly state infrastructure project now dubbed a Bridge to Nowhere. City Journal reporting on a wildlife crossing over the 101 freeway in southern California designed to allow cougars, butterflies and other animals to safely pass over one of the busiest highways in the country. The project breaking ground in 2022, with Governor Newsom announcing $54 million in state funding at the time and suggesting it could be completed for roughly $10 million more. But the timeline's slipping, the original completion date passing last year and costs continuing to climb, according to City Journal, the total price TAG now reaching $114 million, about $21 million over previous estimates, with approximately $77 million coming from state funds. Photos of the site showing a landscaped structure spanning the freeway but no ramps yet for animals to access it. Beth Pratt, a member of the project's leadership team, attributing the overruns to inflation, tariffs and rising construction costs, and issuing pleas to the public on social media for donations to help finish the project.

[Beth Pratt]

When we started Stage one and we're waiting to start Stage two. The world changed beneath us though. This spring, construction costs increased considerably. Although we were holding reserves to finish construction, all those are exhausted at this point because of tariffs, inflation and so many other factors impacting construction projects, not just ours. So we need your help one more time to get us to the finish line and help us build back those reserves so that we can ensure that we finalize construction by November. Please donate today to Save LA Cougars. And we're going to complete this together, this dream that we started. Thank you for being a part of it.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Supporters argue the crossing is critical to preventing deadly vehicle collisions and preserving the region's endangered cougar population. City Journal pointing out the state could pursue the lower cost alternative of importing cougars to bolster the population. Governor Newsom's office pushing back on the reporting on X Maga's outrage over a project that literally saves lives tells you everything. This freeway project, grounded in decades of research, restores a critical wildlife corridor and reduces deadly collisions on one of the busiest highways in the country, protecting both drivers and animals. The Post going on to blame rising construction costs due to tariffs and inflation and weather delays for project extensions, noting quote, five years of work is far from a boondoggle. Online critics pointing to similar projects in other states completed at a fraction of the cost and in a fraction of the time, including a roughly $15 million wildlife crossing over Interstate 25 in Colorado completed in just one year. The Washington Free Beacon uncovering social media accounts tied to New York City Mayor Zoram Hamdani's wife, Rama Duaji, featuring posts praising Palestinian terrorists and using racist and homophobic slurs. In one 2017 Tumblr post, Diwaji, now 28 years old, sharing a picture of Palestinian terrorist Laila Khaled with her quote, if it does good for my cause, I'll be happy to accept death. Khaled, a member of the US Designated terror organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, or pflp, praised by her supporters as the first woman to hijack a plane. According to the Free Beacon, the majority of the posts made by Duaji are from her late teens and early twenties. The accounts, though still accessible, appear inactive. A repost from 2015 criticizing American service members quote, american soldiers fighting in imperialist wars are not brave, nor are they fighting for anyone's freedom. They are mercilessly slaughtering third World civilians and fighting to maintain American hegemony. In a post from 2013, then 15 year old Duaji responding to another user writing quote Hell yeah. N word soft. A super duper genius. Following this reporting, X users digging up more posts, including one from 2013 appearing to use an abbreviated pejorative for gay men. Why are all these F words following me? The mayor's office did not respond to the Free Beacon's request for comment. The Free Beacon also reporting last week that Dawaji provided illustrations for an essay by an author who called the October 7th attack quote spectacular and frequently refers to what she calls Jewish supremacist vampires. In early March, Jewish Insider reporting, Mamdani's wife liked social media posts celebrating the October 7, 2023 attacks, when Hamas terrorists killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 251 people. Mayor Mamdani asked about that reporting on

[New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani]

March 6 My wife is the love of my life, and she's also a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall. I, however, was elected to represent all eight and a half million people in this city, and I believe that it's my responsibility because of that role to answer any questions about my thoughts and my policies and my decisions.

[Emily Jasinsky]

We reached out to the mayor's office for comment on this latest reporting and have not heard back. That'll do it. For your AM update, I'm Emily Jasinsky, host of Afterparty. Catch the Megyn Kelly show live on Sirius XM's the Megyn Kelly Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megyn Kelly and on all podcast platforms.

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