The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 4/15, 2025

Hosted by Megyn Kelly on SiriusXM

1. Arson Attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Residence

Overview: The episode opens with a harrowing report on an arson attack targeting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence. The suspect, 38-year-old Cody Ballmer, orchestrated an attack that posed a significant threat not only to the Shapiro family but also to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Details of the Attack: Ballmer voluntarily surrendered to authorities and is currently facing state charges, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, and terrorism. Investigators suspect that mental health issues may have influenced his actions. Ballmer confessed to creating Molotov cocktails using a lawnmower, gasoline, and beer bottles, and admitted to walking approximately one hour from his home in Harrisburg to the governor's residence early Sunday morning ([02:13]).

Security Footage and Aftermath: Security camera footage revealed Ballmer breaking two windows with a hammer, throwing a Molotov cocktail through one, and entering the residence through the other window. Inside, he ignited a second bottle to amplify the fire. Governor Shapiro and his family were awakened around 2 a.m. by state troopers who alerted them to the fire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, although the residence sustained extensive damage.

Governor Shapiro’s Response: In a press conference, Governor Shapiro expressed gratitude for the support received, stating:

“Press conference last night we experienced an attack not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania here at the governor's residence. I spoke a couple hours ago with Director Kash Patel of the FBI. He promised all of the resources of the federal government... Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that we've received from all across Pennsylvania and all across the United States.” ([03:16])

Political Reactions: Leaders from both major political parties denounced the attack. Former President Biden emphasized unity against such violence:

“There is no place for this type of evil in America and as I told the governor yesterday, we must stand united against hatred and violence.” ([04:07])

Vice President JD Vance also condemned the violence, expressing relief that the Shapiros were unharmed and calling for swift justice.

President Trump addressed the incident, dismissing the attacker as a general anti-social individual rather than someone targeting him specifically:

“The attacker was not a fan of Trump. I understand... It's probably just a whack job and certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.” ([05:05])

Ballmer’s Background: Ballmer has a history of criminal activity, including guilty pleas for forgery and theft in 2015 and 2016. He was also facing court proceedings related to a 2023 assault charge. His social media activity revealed anti-government sentiments against both Democrats and Republicans, including posts that glorified Molotov cocktails, suggesting a propensity for political violence ([04:07]).

2. Nayib Bukele’s White House Visit and Deportation Controversy

Background: El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, visited the White House to discuss cooperation with the Trump administration regarding the deportation of foreign gang members residing illegally in the United States. The focus was on the case of Kilmar Albrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador with ties to the MS-13 gang.

Legal and Diplomatic Tensions: Garcia was ordered deported in 2019 but successfully lobbied an immigration court to prevent his return to El Salvador, citing potential gang violence threats. Despite the Department of Justice declaring Garcia deportable in March, he was inadvertently loaded onto a plane to El Salvador due to an "administrative error." A recent Supreme Court ruling criticized a lower court's mandate requiring the federal government to facilitate Garcia's return, asserting that neither the Secretary of State nor the President can be compelled to forcibly retrieve a foreign citizen ([06:56]).

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Statement: Pam Bondi clarified the administration's stance:

"That's up to El Salvador. If they want to return him, that's not up to us... If they wanted to return him, we would facilitate it, meaning provide a plane." ([06:56])

Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller’s Elaboration: Stephen Miller reinforced the administration's position, highlighting the legal impossibility of forcibly returning Garcia:

“The Supreme Court said the district court order was unlawful and its main components were reversed 90 unanimously stating clearly that neither Secretary of State nor the president could be compelled by anybody to forcibly retrieve a citizen of El Salvador.” ([07:20])

Nayib Bukele’s Response: When pressed by reporters on how he plans to ensure Garcia's return, Bukele responded dismissively:

“Him to the United States? Like I smuggle him into the United States or what do I do?... How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I don't have the power to return him to the United States.” ([08:26])

President Trump’s Stance: President Trump sided with the administration's approach, emphasizing the importance of keeping criminals out of the country and collaborating with El Salvador to remove illegal aliens:

“Why don't you just say, isn't it wonderful that we're keeping criminals out of our country?” ([08:51])

3. Investigation of Wisconsin Teen's Plot to Assassinate President Trump

Case Overview: Federal authorities are investigating a 17-year-old Wisconsin resident, Nikita Kassap, suspected of plotting to assassinate President Trump. The investigation unveiled a disturbing sequence of events leading up to the alleged plot.

Discovery of the Crime Scene: In March, authorities conducted a wellness check at the home of Kassap’s mother and stepfather after a family member reported being unable to contact them. They discovered both victims deceased, showing signs of bullet wounds and neglect, suggesting Kassap had been living with their bodies for weeks.

Kassap’s Arrest and Evidence: Kassap was apprehended in Kansas with substantial amounts of cash, a smashed home safe, multiple electronic devices, his stepfather’s gun, and ammunition. Charges include two counts of first-degree murder, hiding a corpse, theft of property, and unauthorized operation of a vehicle ([10:08]).

Manifesto and Motive: A 34-page manifesto found among Kassap’s possessions revealed his intent to assassinate President Trump to "foment a political revolution in the United States" and "save the white race from Jewish controlled politicians." The document also contained instructions on using drones and Molotov cocktails for attacks, indicating premeditation and a desire to evade detection ([10:08]).

Current Status: While awaiting formal charges, Kassap remains in Waukesha County Jail on a $1 million bond, with an arraignment scheduled for May 7th. Federal authorities continue to review the case, assessing the breadth of Kassap’s plans and potential threats.

4. Blue Origin’s All-Female Spaceflight Triumph

Mission Success: In a groundbreaking mission, Blue Origin launched an all-female crew aboard the New Shepard rocket. The mission, which lasted a mere 10 minutes and 21 seconds, successfully took the crew to the edge of space and returned them safely to Earth in an unprecedentedly short time frame.

Crew Composition: The diverse team included Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos's fiancée Lauren Sanchez, pop star Katy Perry, TV host Gayle King, film producer Carrie Anne Flynn, civil rights activist Amanda Wynn, and NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe. The mission garnered widespread praise from the media for its efficiency and the crew's camaraderie.

Crew Experience and Reflections: Journalists observed that the team dynamic resembled that of an Apollo mission, highlighting the intense training and teamwork required for such endeavors. Upon landing, the crew members expressed profound reflections on their experience:

Lauren Sanchez shared her awe of Earth from space:

“Earth looked so. It was so quiet. It was just quiet. And is it what you expected? No. No.” ([13:37])

Her colleague elaborated:

“Yeah. I don't think you can describe it. Cause you know what I was saying, it was like quiet, but then also really alive. And you look at it and you're like, we're all in this together.” ([13:49])

Impact and Future Missions: The mission not only underscored Blue Origin's technological advancements but also emphasized the growing role of women in space exploration. The swift duration of the flight showcased Blue Origin's capability to streamline space travel, potentially paving the way for more frequent and accessible missions in the future.

Conclusion: In this episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly navigated through a spectrum of intense and varied topics, from a violent attack on a political figure to high-stakes international deportation negotiations, a chilling assassination plot, and groundbreaking achievements in space exploration. Each segment was enriched with direct quotes and insights from key players, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the day's most pressing issues.

For those interested in further details, the full transcript and additional context are available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.