The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update 9/16

Episode Title: Alleged Kirk Assassin May Have Confessed Online, National Guard Heading to Memphis
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly, SiriusXM

Episode Overview

This episode provides a morning update on two leading stories:

1. The ongoing investigation into the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, including new evidence of an online confession by the accused, Tyler Robinson, and probing of social media networks for signs of foreknowledge and ideological motivation.
2. President Trump's initiation of a federal crime crackdown in Memphis, Tennessee, with plans to deploy National Guard troops and establish a dedicated task force, sparking political debate between local and national leadership.

The show features segments with guests such as FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, Vice President J.D. Vance, President Donald Trump, White House and Memphis officials, and includes reactions from affected communities.

Key Points & Segment Breakdown

1. Tyler Robinson’s Alleged Online Confession & Social Media Evidence

[00:00–07:20]

• Breaking News: Screenshots from Discord, cited by the Washington Post, reportedly show Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, confessing in a group chat:

  "Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this... I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments. Thanks for all the good times and laughs. You've all been so amazing. Thank you all for everything."
  (Megyn Kelly, 03:07)

• Details:

  • Confession was reportedly shared in a separate chat from the one previously referenced.
  • Robinson joked about the shooting, dismissing an FBI-released video as featuring "his doppelganger".
  • The FBI and law enforcement are investigating whether Robinson acted alone and whether online trans groups had prior knowledge or involvement.
  • Embedded potential warning posts include:
    • "You guys, I have something big coming soon... Just be sure to check the news. You'll know it when you see it."
      (From account 'osamu bin Tezuka', 04:13; five days before incident)
    • "September 10th will be a very interesting day." (04:37)
    • After the assassination: "I plead the fifth." (04:43)
    • "We effing did it." (04:51)
    • "Charles James Kirk does not know what's coming tomorrow... This is not a threat, it's a promise." (04:59)

• Law Enforcement Take (Dan Bongino, FBI Deputy Director):

  "There was a significant ideological component to this attack. There appears to be a real significant anger at Charlie Kirk because of some of his ideas..." (05:41) "When you look at some of the bullet casings... and some of the digital traffic... it appears that may have been a part of it. It appears pretty significant in this case..." (06:19)

• Official Response (President Trump):

  "I mean, I could tell you he didn't work alone on the Internet. Because it seems that he became radicalized on the Internet... Looks like he was radicalized over the Internet and it's radicalized on the left." (06:51)

2. Aftermath & Political Response

[07:20–11:48]

• Robinson Charges: Robinson to be charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice.

• Charlie Kirk’s Legacy:

  • Erica Kirk (widow) vows the Charlie Kirk Show will continue.

  • Vice President J.D. Vance guest-hosts, sharing memories and calling for unity rooted in "climbing the mountain of truth":

    "I really do believe we can come together in this country. I believe we must. But unity, real unity, can be found only after climbing the mountain of truth... 24% of self described, quote, very liberals believe it is acceptable to be happy about the death of a political opponent, while only 3% of self described, very conservatives agree."
    (J.D. Vance, 10:11–11:04)

  • White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt:

    "He had an army of good people who were motivated and passionate. They delivered 110%. And I don't know that Charlie gets enough credit for that." (08:21)

  • Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, HHS Secretary RFKJ, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reflect on Kirk’s unifying role and urge the administration to combat left-wing violence:

    "There's incredible sadness, but there's incredible anger... We are going to channel all the anger... to uproot and dismantle these terrorist networks..." (Stephen Miller, 08:58–10:07)

3. Consequences for Celebrating Political Violence

[11:04–12:29]

• Public Backlash: Multiple incidents of people celebrating Kirk’s death on social media lead to firings and suspensions—including an American Airlines pilot, a Secret Service agent, and professors.

• Lexi Kunzel (New Jersey Nurse):

  "I saw this guy... standing there celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk... I look down, I see his badge and it says doctor. And I said, you're a doctor... how are you saying... that someone deserved to die? I mean, to me I was just mind blown."
  (11:48–12:29)

• Legal Action: Kunzel suspended after reporting the doctor's remarks, later reinstated following media attention and legal proceedings. Hospital issues statement supporting a respectful environment after accepting the doctor's resignation.

4. Federal Crime Crackdown: Memphis Edition

[15:29–17:51]

• President Trump Announces Memphis SAFE Task Force:

  "At the request of Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee... I'm signing a presidential memorandum to establish the Memphis SAFE Task Force. This task force will be a replica of our extraordinarily successful efforts here. The effort will include the National Guard as well as the FBI, ATF, DEA, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations and the US Marshals..."
  (Donald Trump, 15:29)

• Details:

  • Task force to focus on major crime reduction using federal and military resources.
  • President previously targeted Chicago, but plans paused for legal reasons.

• Local Leader Response – Memphis Mayor Paul Young:

  "I'm certainly not happy about the National Guard. I am looking forward to trying to find ways to invest in the things that we're already doing to address crime in our city..."
  (Paul Young, 17:08)

  • Mayor underscores recent local progress and prefers support for community initiatives and law enforcement rather than military deployment.
  • On potential roles for the Guard:

    "...support major events, traffic... helping law enforcement review cameras... beautification in our neighborhoods..."
    (18:01)

5. Political & Community Reaction

[17:51–21:16]

• Crime Data:

  • Memphis crime at a 25-year low (locally reported), but highest national rate per FBI.

• State Rep. Justin Pearson (Progressive leader):

  "The white supremacist, authoritarian dictator wannabe of Donald Trump is using Memphis as a test case for taking and stripping away power from black communities... This is a dangerous impediment on our democracy."
  (19:15)

• Megyn Kelly’s Counterpoint:

  • Reports a series of recent violent incidents in Memphis, interviewing residents grateful for federal intervention:

    "We’re grateful for the National Guard coming. It's just so dangerous you can't get out of your car..."
    (20:54)

• Paul Young & Stephen Miller echo the complexity:

  • "There's a need for more boots on the ground..." (Stephen Miller, 21:15)
  • "And evidently this is the way that they plan on getting them." (Paul Young, 21:16)

Notable Quotes

• Dan Bongino, on ideology and online footprints:

  "...it appears that may have been a part of it. It appears pretty significant in this case, especially given the relationship." (06:19)

• Vice President J.D. Vance, on unity and political violence:

  "The data is clear. People on the left are much likelier to defend and celebrate political violence. And while our side of the aisle certainly has its crazies, it is a statistical fact that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the far left." (11:04)

• Stephen Miller, on focused anger:

  "Focused anger, righteous anger directed for a just cause is one of the most important agents of change in human history." (09:34)

• Justin Pearson, on federal intervention in Memphis:

  "This is a dangerous impediment on our democracy. We can't pretend like these are reasonable people. They are not. And they are coming to hurt, harm, destroy, disrupt and confuse our citizens." (19:15)

• Memphis resident (via Megyn Kelly):

  "We're grateful for the National Guard coming... If the National Guard is going to stop the crime, bring them out." (20:54)

Conclusion & Flow

This episode captures a tense national moment, focusing on the intersection of digital radicalization, ideological violence, and debates over the appropriate methods for restoring public safety. With detailed reporting and direct quotes from both law enforcement and political leaders, Megyn Kelly moves from the deeply personal aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination to broader cultural and political battles—laying out the competing narratives over unity, safety, and freedoms in a tumultuous America.