The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update, March 26, 2026

Host: Emily Jasinsky
Key Themes: Big Tech liability, US-Iran conflict sentiment, DHS contract scandal, Democratic wins in Florida

Episode Overview

Emily Jasinsky hosts a news-driven AM update covering three headline stories: landmark verdicts against Big Tech for youth harms and child safety failures, declining US public support for the Iran war effort and shifting diplomacy, a mounting DHS contracts scandal, and surprising Democratic wins in traditionally Republican Florida legislative seats.

Major Verdicts Against Big Tech

[02:28–06:32]

Key Points

• Historic Lawsuits:
  Both Meta (parent company of Facebook, Instagram) and YouTube have been found liable in separate lawsuits:

  • Los Angeles Case: Meta and YouTube held responsible for harming a young woman, "KGM," due to platform designs (infinite scroll, autoplay, constant notifications) connected to deteriorating child mental health.
  • Bellwether trials: This is the first in a series expected to influence thousands of similar cases.

• Damages Ordered:

  • $3 million in compensatory damages to KGM — 70% paid by Meta, the rest by YouTube
  • Jury deliberating punitive damages related to alleged malice or fraud

• Legal Comparison:

  • Analysts draw parallels with “big tobacco” cases from the 1990s for precedent and potential industry-wide changes.

• New Mexico Verdict:

  • Separate civil suit: Meta ordered to pay $375 million for failing to protect children from predators.
  • 37,502 willful violations found under a consumer fraud statute.

Notable Quotes

• On calculated platform harms:
  “Features like infinite scrolling, constant notifications, and autoplaying videos are engineered to keep kids on social media, driving compulsive use linked to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide.”
  – Emily Jasinsky (02:28)

• On the magnitude of violations:
  “How many willful violations did Meta commit by engaging in unfair or deceptive trade practice? The jury’s answer is 37,502.”
  – Legal Analyst/Court Reporter (00:29, 05:59)

• Analyst Commentary:
  “It was done purposefully for the point of maximizing profit.”
  – Misty Maris, NBC News Legal Analyst (05:09)

• Signal to industry:
  "It should be a clear signal to everyone in this space, and to Mr. Zuckerberg in particular, that enough is enough. It's time to change the way they do business."
  – AG Raul Torres, New Mexico Attorney General (06:32)

Additional Points

• Meta and Google (YouTube) both plan to appeal.
• Eight similar cases are pending in New Mexico alone.
• A case targeting Snapchat is in the discovery phase.

Iran: Public Opinion, Peace Talks & Policy Tensions

[06:32–08:52]

Key Points

• Polling Shifts:

  • Majority souring: 61% of Americans disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the war with Iran; only 38% think launching Operation Epic Fury was the right decision.
  • Sharp partisan divide: Only 69% of Republicans approve, and 90% of Democrats disapprove.

• Diplomacy and Uncertainty:

  • NYT reports of a US 15-point peace proposal addressing Iran's missiles and nuclear issues—but the White House urges caution, refusing to confirm specifics.
  • Iran’s Foreign Minister says no negotiations are happening, directly contradicting US statements.

• War Developments:

  • Pentagon signals possibility of a new ground operation and plans for paratrooper deployment.
  • Operation Epic Fury enters week five.

Notable Quotes

• White House caution:
  “I saw a 15 point plan that was floated in the media. I would caution reporters...from reporting about speculative points...There are elements of truth to it, but some of the stories I read were not entirely factual.”
  – Press Secretary Caroline Levitt (08:15)

• Iranian response:
  “No negotiations have happened with the enemy until now and we do not plan on any negotiations.”
  – Former Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragtri (08:52)

DHS Scandal: Kristi Noem Under Investigation

[10:57–12:05]

Key Points

• Investigation Launched:

  • Kristi Noem, former DHS Secretary, faces investigation (with ex-aide Corey Lewandowski) over billions in no-bid federal contracts and a $220M taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
  • Probe initiated by DHS Inspector General; officials ordered to preserve communications related to contract approvals and the ad blitz.

• Wider Contract Scrutiny:

  • Noem had a policy requiring personal approval for all expenses over $100,000.
  • Allegations emerge of a so-called “Lewandowski tax”—financial incentives sought for contract access, which Lewandowski denies.

Notable Quotes

• Hearing confrontation:
  “No, ma'am, I'm asking you...Did the president approve ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?”
  – Legal Analyst/Court Reporter to Noem (11:43)

• Noem’s response:
  “Yes, sir. We went through the legal processes. Did it correct the president working with OMB? Yes, he did, yes.”
  – Kristi Noem (11:58)

Florida: Surprises for Democrats in Special Elections

[12:05–15:13]

Key Points

• Democratic Upsets:

  • Democrats win two of three contested legislative seats. Notably, they flip Palm Beach County’s House district (Mar-a-Lago area—Trump’s district) and a Tampa-area Senate seat.
  • Democrat Emily Gregory (Army wife, small business owner) wins the seat previously carried by Trump by 10 points in 2024, focusing her campaign on affordability, healthcare, and insurance.

• Political Implications:

  • The wins are perceived as warning signs for Republicans’ hold on Florida and an energizer for Democrats going into the 2026 election.

Notable Quotes

• Emily Gregory’s message:
  “I think it's a real reaction to the current policies at the national and state level and I think that is a clear indication from voters it's the wrong track...Representatives focus on property, insurance, healthcare, education. Focus on the things that Floridians care about.”
  – Emily Gregory, victorious Democrat (14:54)

• National implications:
  “If Mar A Lago is vulnerable, imagine what's possible this November.”
  – Heather Williams, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (15:13)

Timestamps — Segment Guide

• Big Tech Verdicts: 02:28–06:32
• Iran Update: 06:32–08:52
• DHS/Noem Scandal: 10:57–12:05
• Florida State Elections: 12:05–15:13

Summary

This AM Update spotlights seismic legal shifts for Big Tech, a weakening public mandate for US military action in Iran, intensifying scrutiny of DHS contracting, and signs of shifting political winds in Florida. The discussion is fast-paced, loaded with analysis and first-hand quotes, and frames each story with a mix of legal detail, political context, and electoral stakes. The tone remains direct and driven by primary source statements throughout.