The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update - September 17, 2025

Brief Overview

In this AM Update episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly covers explosive developments in the political and legal arenas. The main focus is on the formal charging of Tyler Robinson with the assassination of political figure Charlie Kirk, including new revelations about Robinson’s motivations and actions. The episode also delves into disturbing new allegations against another man arrested near the scene, and features highlights from a highly combative Senate Judiciary hearing where FBI Director Kash Patel faces fierce questioning from Senate Democrats.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Kirk Assassination: Charges and Details (00:40–07:30)

• Suspect Charged:
  • Tyler Robinson, 22, formally charged with seven counts (including aggravated murder) for the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
  • [00:46] Megyn Kelly: "Tyler Robinson formally charged with seven counts including aggravated murder for the assassination of Charlie Kirk. A disgusting twist."
• Aggravating Factors:
  • Prosecutors allege the killing was a targeted political assassination.
  • [03:17] Court Reporter: "The defendant is believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on Charlie Kirk's political expression and did so knowing that children were present and would witness the homicide."
• Charge Details:
  • Aggravated murder (capital offense)
  • Felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury
  • Obstruction of justice (ditching the rifle, changing clothes)
  • Witness tampering (instructing his roommate to hide evidence)
  • Commission of a violent offense in presence of a child

2. Revelations from Evidence and Witness Communications (04:34–07:30)

• Text Exchanges with Roommate:
  • Robinson’s roommate (a transgender male, identified as Lance Twigs) provided key messages.
  • [04:34] Court Reporter: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
  • [05:34] Megyn Kelly: "Twigs asking why? Robinson replying, quote, 'I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out.'"
  • Robinson details retrieving his grandfather's rifle and efforts to evade detection.
  • Instructs roommate to delete messages and avoid talking to police or media.
• Family and Motivational Insights:
  • Robinson’s parents, upon realizing his involvement from FBI photos, confronted him. He told them: "there is too much evil in the world and Charlie Kirk spreads too much hate." ([07:30])

3. Aftermath: Secondary Arrest and Shocking New Allegations (07:38–12:10)

• George Zinn’s Arrest:
  • The elderly man originally detained at the scene, George Zinn, 71, is now investigated for possession of child sexual abuse material.
  • Zinn claimed responsibility for Kirk’s assassination to buy time for the real suspect to escape.
  • [08:55] Police found more than 20 images on Zinn’s phone; he remains in jail.
  • Zinn’s history includes multiple arrests and prior threats, but no connection to Robinson or the assassination itself.

4. FBI Director Kash Patel’s Fiery Senate Hearing (12:23–16:47)

• Patel Under Fire:
  • Senate Democrats criticized Patel’s conflicting early statements during the manhunt for Kirk’s killer.
  • [12:38] Sen. Dick Durbin: “You made an announcement that the suspect was in custody...that was not true. That was a mistake.”
  • [12:57] Analyst: “Mr. Patel was so anxious to take credit...he violated one of the basics of effective law enforcement...Shut up and let the professionals do their job.”
  • Patel acknowledged imprecise wording but defended real-time updates.
• Confrontation with Sen. Adam Schiff:
  • Schiff grilled Patel on the handling of Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison transfer; Patel deflected responsibility ([13:45]).
  • Patel’s rebuttal was sharply personal:
  • [13:47] Patel: “No, I think the American people believe the truth...You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are disgraced to this institution and an utter coward.”
  • [14:18] Patel (to Schiff): “You are a political buffoon at best.”
• Other Hearing Highlights:
  • Debate over new FBI physical standards: starting November 2025, pull-ups will be required for all new agents (females: 1; males: 2-3).
  • [15:20] Sen. Mazie Hirono: “You are now requiring applicants to be able to do a certain kind of pull ups which a lot of women cannot because of physiological differences.”
  • [15:55] Patel: “Doing one pull up is not harsh.”
  • Sen. Katie Britt seized on the discussion to argue for biological distinctions in women’s sports ([16:10]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Robinson’s Motive:
  • [05:34] Robinson (via text): “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out.”
• On Political Expression as Target:
  • [03:17] Court Reporter: “The defendant is believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on Charlie Kirk's political expression…knowing that children were present and would witness the homicide.”
• Roommate’s Loyalty:
  • [06:38] Robinson: “Again, you are all I worry about. Love that came from Robinson roommate. I'm much more worried about you.”
• Patel Sparks Outrage in Senate:
  • [13:47] Kash Patel (to Adam Schiff): “You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are disgraced to this institution and an utter coward.”
  • [14:18] “I’m not surprised that you continue to lie from your perch and put on a show so you can go raise money for your charade. You are a political buffoon at best.”
• Physical Standards Debate:
  • [15:55] Kash Patel: “Doing one pull up is not harsh.”
  • [16:10] Sen. Katie Britt: “I want to thank Senator Hirono…that there's a thing called Title IX and this is why we continue to say we should have biological men and men's sports and biological women and women's sports.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:40: Initial update on Kirk assassination and Robinson’s charging
• 02:18–07:30: Charges, evidence, and text conversations
• 07:38–12:10: Sex abuse allegations against George Zinn
• 12:23–14:30: Senate hearing, Patel’s confrontations with Democrats
• 15:20–16:47: FBI fitness requirements debate

Episode Flow & Tone

• Language/Tone: Blunt, urgent, and direct—true to Megyn Kelly’s “no BS, no agenda” promise.
• Structure: Rapid-fire progression from breaking news on criminal charges, to shocking side developments, to partisan fireworks on Capitol Hill.
• Speaker Attribution: Frequent direct quotes and paraphrased insights keep listeners in the moment.

This episode offers a dense and intense snapshot of the key legal, political, and cultural flashpoints shaping the day’s headlines.