Summary of "The Megyn Kelly Show" Episode 968: ABC Host "Humiliated" After Settlement, and Trump's Victory Ending the Cancel Era

Release Date: December 18, 2024

In Episode 968 of The Megyn Kelly Show, hosted by Megyn Kelly on SiriusXM, guests Adam Carolla and Justine Bateman engage in a robust discussion covering a range of pressing political and cultural issues. The conversation delves into the ramifications of ABC News' settlement with former President Donald Trump, the current state of the presidency under Joe Biden, the rise of "woke" culture on Broadway, and the pervasive influence of social media and AI on society. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key topics, insights, and notable moments from the episode.

1. ABC News' Defamation Settlement with Trump

[00:32] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn initiates the discussion by highlighting the evolving media story where George Stephanopoulos of ABC News is reportedly "defiant and humiliated" following ABC's decision to settle Donald Trump's defamation lawsuit for $15 million. The settlement arose from allegations that ABC's segment with Representative Nancy Mace contained false and misleading statements.

[05:28] Adam Carolla:
Adam criticizes ABC News' credibility, emphasizing their perceived track record of inaccuracies over the past decade, particularly regarding Russian collusion and COVID-19 reporting. He states:

"They got every single story wrong and or lied about every single story. So I will not be listening to ABC News. Not because they're cowards and not standing up to this lawsuit just because they're wildly inaccurate and probably beyond inaccurate. They're liars."

[07:27] Adam Carolla:
Continuing his critique, Adam accuses ABC of "hijacking the language" by labeling resignation as "defiant," arguing that true defiance would involve taking more substantial actions, such as quitting the job rather than merely deactivating a social media account.

2. Presidential Health and Biden’s Leadership

[03:33] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn shifts focus to President Joe Biden, referencing a New York Times report on Biden's declining health and the administration's attempts to portray him as capable despite unfolding revelations of his infirmity.

[08:37] Megyn Kelly:
She discusses ABC’s portrayal of Biden, noting instances where Biden appears incapacitated, such as falling asleep at international events, and criticizes media outlets for not adequately addressing these concerns.

[49:32] Adam Carolla:
Adam aligns with Megyn, labeling Biden as "corrupt and a thief," and elaborates on his perception of Biden's administration as deceitful.

3. Drone Sightings and Speculations

[42:44] Adam Carolla:
The conversation shifts to mysterious drone activities in the Northeast. Adam expresses skepticism towards official explanations, citing a missing shipment of radioactive material in New Jersey and speculating about potential threats.

[43:47] Donald Trump (SOT):
A snippet features Trump discussing drone patterns and speculating about their purpose, hinting at possible threats involving radioactive material.

[44:37] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn underscores public anxiety over the unidentified drones, comparing the situation to a scene from Back to the Future, and questioning the government's transparency.

4. Critique of Mainstream Media and ABC’s Credibility

[06:47] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn elaborates on ABC News' damaged reputation, attributing it to their handling of major stories like Russian collusion and COVID-19, which Adam supports by labeling ABC as "liars."

[24:12] Adam Carolla:
Adam reiterates his distrust of ABC, asserting that their repeated misinformation has eroded public trust to such an extent that they are no longer a reliable news source.

5. Woke Culture on Broadway

[10:42] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn shares her disillusionment with Broadway, describing recent productions as overtly "woke" with diverse casting and unconventional interpretations of classic plays.

[14:53] Justine Bateman:
Justine echoes Megyn's sentiments, criticizing the infusion of "transgender" themes into traditional narratives and expressing frustration over the perceived overrepresentation of trans roles.

[15:38] Adam Carolla:
Adam expands on the topic, suggesting that Broadway has become the epicenter of unbridled progressivism, lacking the impartiality once expected in the arts.

6. Supreme Court and Defamation Lawsuits

[10:42] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn raises concerns about the potential Supreme Court challenges to the New York Times v. Sullivan standard, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high barriers for defamation suits involving public figures.

[20:39] Megyn Kelly:
She highlights an incident involving Sonia Sotomayor, critiquing her comments on puberty blockers for minors and questioning the logic behind equating their use with benign over-the-counter medications like aspirin.

[21:23] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn argues that narratives allowing for the "conversion therapy" of transgender children should not be permissible, underscoring the need for legal and societal boundaries.

7. Me Too Movement and Cultural Shifts

[53:08] Justine Bateman:
Justine discusses the Me Too movement, suggesting it initially had noble intentions but became corrupted as the momentum diminished, leading to widespread "mob mentality" and the exploitation of the movement for personal agendas.

[60:12] Justine Bateman:
She elaborates on how overcorrection of movements like Me Too can alienate genuine victims and turn advocacy into a means of personal vendetta, likening it to a loss of constructive momentum.

8. Influence of Social Media and AI on Society

[52:44] Justine Bateman:
Justine critiques the impact of social media and AI on cultural cohesion and individual behavior, highlighting how platforms can amplify negative behavior and erode genuine human connections.

[85:40] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn underscores the importance of humility and reliance on a higher power to navigate the complexities introduced by AI and social media, advocating for personal discernment over media consumption.

9. Satire and Public Discourse

[88:16] Justine Bateman:
Justine discusses her satire of viral videos portraying public meltdowns post-Trump victory, emphasizing the artificiality and performative nature of such displays in the digital age.

[92:07] Justine Bateman:
She defends her satirical approach, arguing that humor and satire are essential for maintaining societal balance and holding authorities accountable.

10. Closing Thoughts

[98:13] Justine Bateman:
Justine offers a closing message urging listeners to keep personal relationships free from political and cultural conflicts, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections over divisive topics.

[99:30] Adam Carolla:
Adam concurs, reinforcing the notion that personal integrity and focusing on factual truths are paramount in an era of widespread misinformation.

Notable Quotes:

• Adam Carolla [05:28]:
  "They got every single story wrong and or lied about every single story. So I will not be listening to ABC News... They're liars."

• Megyn Kelly [08:37]:
  "It was just like Revenge of the Hall Monitors. It was the fucking Debbie Downers, the party poopers..."

• Justine Bateman [61:15]:
  "You have to get some kind of foundation spiritually, however, you're going to pull that together."

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show offers a critical examination of current media practices, political leadership, and cultural trends, enriched by the candid insights of Adam Carolla and Justine Bateman. Their perspectives highlight a growing distrust in mainstream media, concerns over political integrity, and the societal shifts driven by pervasive social media and cultural movements.