Podcast Summary: The Megyn Kelly Show – "Clooney Lectures About Journalism, and Dems Lean on Bernie and AOC, with Ben Shapiro and Stephen A. Smith | Ep. 1033"

Release Date: March 24, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: Ben Shapiro and Stephen A. Smith
Description: The Megyn Kelly Show engages in open, honest, and provocative conversations with influential political, legal, and cultural figures. In Episode 1033, Megyn Kelly hosts Ben Shapiro and Stephen A. Smith to discuss the current state of the Democratic Party, George Clooney's recent commentary on journalism, and the evolving dynamics within American politics.

Introduction

[01:26] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn Kelly opens the episode by sharing personal anecdotes about vacationing with her children and remarks on their growth, making them more enjoyable travel companions. She transitions into the pressing news topics of the day, setting the stage for a robust discussion.

Democratic Party in Disarray

[02:30] Megyn Kelly:
Kelly asserts that the Democratic Party is in a state of "abject hatred" of its own members, citing various polls and internal conflicts as evidence of its implosion. She expresses skepticism about the party's future and hints at upcoming discussions with her guests.

Notable Quote:
"The Democratic Party is the only one that's left standing. Unfortunately for them, it's a very, very small slice of their party, but within it, they're stars." – Megyn Kelly [06:00]

George Clooney's Critique of Journalism

[07:18] Megyn Kelly:
Kelly introduces George Clooney's latest Broadway production, Good Night and Good Luck, where Clooney delivers a lecture on the state of journalism. She criticizes Clooney for portraying himself as a journalism expert despite his acting background.

Notable Quotes:
"No one gives a shit what you think is wrong with journalism." – Megyn Kelly [07:18]
"George Clooney is not a journalist because he's in Good Night and Good Luck." – Stephen A. Smith [14:03]

Discussion with Ben Shapiro and Stephen A. Smith

[11:32] Stephen A. Smith:
Stephen A. Smith challenges Clooney's credibility, detailing instances where Clooney remained silent on critical political moments, suggesting hypocrisy in his stance on journalism.

[16:38] Ben Shapiro:
Shapiro argues that George Clooney misrepresents his influence and critiques the journalistic establishment's failure to uphold truth, highlighting declining public trust.

Notable Quotes:
"He's speaking beyond a point where people have any respect for the journalistic establishment at all." – Ben Shapiro [08:14]
"George Clooney is not a journalist because he's in Good Night and Good Luck." – Stephen A. Smith [14:03]

The Role of Bernie Sanders and AOC in the Democratic Party

[19:02] Stephen A. Smith:
Smith questions the Democratic Party's reliance on figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), examining their influence and the potential consequences for the party's future.

[20:24] Ben Shapiro:
Shapiro discusses the rising prominence of Sanders and AOC, suggesting that their alignment with left-wing populism could be a strategic move by Democrats to consolidate their remaining base.

Notable Quotes:
"The Bernie AOC movement is something that really needs to be watched here." – Ben Shapiro [20:24]
"They are the only ones they've got left." – Stephen A. Smith [20:24]

College Sports and NIL Policies

[55:35] Stephen A. Smith:
Smith delves into the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies on college basketball, arguing that increased financial incentives have undermined the traditional Cinderella narratives in NCAA tournaments.

[58:19] Ben Shapiro:
Shapiro concurs, stating that NIL has compromised the authenticity of college sports by encouraging top athletes to migrate to bigger programs for financial gain.

Notable Quotes:
"If this continues, it's going to be the death of college basketball." – Stephen A. Smith [55:35]
"College basketball is all about March Madness." – Ben Shapiro [55:35]

Gen Z Knowledge and Education

[68:40] Stephen A. Smith:
Smith highlights a segment where spring breakers demonstrate a lack of knowledge about basic civics, emphasizing concerns about Gen Z's educational foundations.

[73:20] Stephen A. Smith:
Smith discusses the challenges posed by a generation focused on immediate gratification, lamenting the decline in deep learning and critical thinking skills.

Notable Quotes:
"This is something that's going on universally and it's just a challenge that adults in the room have to face." – Megyn Kelly [67:20]
"Girls, call me. You can email me right now. It's Meganagelly.com I will help you." – Stephen A. Smith [73:20]

Trump Administration's Policies and Judicial Thwarting

[30:42] Stephen A. Smith:
Smith praises President Trump's efforts to enforce immigration policies, criticizing the Biden administration's inconsistent stances and the judiciary's role in hindering executive actions.

[33:44] Ben Shapiro:
Shapiro analyzes the Trump administration's strategies to counteract Democratic pressures, particularly in immigration enforcement, and anticipates continued legal battles up to the Supreme Court.

Notable Quotes:
"Only in George Clooney's world does he have to come out now and lecture the press on how important they are." – Stephen A. Smith [14:03]
"I'm very much focused on, like, the Trump administration needs to focus first more than anything else." – Ben Shapiro [22:10]

Closing Remarks and Final Discussions

[85:57] Stephen A. Smith:
Smith underscores the importance of bipartisan dialogue and criticizes the Democratic Party's inability to adapt and mend internal fractures, which he believes contributed to their losses.

[92:23] Ben Shapiro:
Shapiro asserts that President Trump is redefining the executive branch's power, challenging the traditional growth of governmental authority that predominantly benefited the left.

[103:56] Megyn Kelly:
Kelly wraps up with light-hearted anecdotes and emphasizes the need for respectful political discourse, advocating for centrism and common-sense approaches over partisan extremes.

Notable Quotes:
"If you don't have a lot of kids looking at that today, the late, great coach John Chaney from Temple University lamented decades ago that we're living in a microwave society." – Megyn Kelly [67:20]
"President Trump is Donald Trump." – Stephen A. Smith [101:33]

Conclusion

In Episode 1033 of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly facilitates a critical discussion with Ben Shapiro and Stephen A. Smith about the internal struggles plaguing the Democratic Party, the questionable authority of figures like George Clooney in journalism, and the strategic positioning of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez within the party. The conversation extends to the implications of NIL policies on college sports and raises concerns about the educational foundations of Gen Z. Additionally, the guests analyze the Trump administration's policy enforcement and its confrontation with the judiciary, forecasting ongoing legal challenges. Throughout the episode, Kelly emphasizes the necessity for balanced, respectful political discourse and the importance of centrist voices in navigating the polarized American political landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• The Democratic Party is experiencing significant internal conflict and loss of coherence.
• Celebrities like George Clooney may lack the credibility to critique journalism effectively.
• Bernie Sanders and AOC represent a strategic, though limited, faction within the Democrats.
• NIL policies are disrupting the traditional dynamics of college sports, threatening the essence of March Madness.
• There is growing concern over the educational gaps observed in Gen Z.
• The Trump administration is actively reshaping executive power, setting up potential Supreme Court battles.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "The Democratic Party is the only one that's left standing... they're stars." – Megyn Kelly [06:00]
• "No one gives a shit what you think is wrong with journalism." – Megyn Kelly [07:18]
• "George Clooney is not a journalist because he's in Good Night and Good Luck." – Stephen A. Smith [14:03]
• "If this continues, it's going to be the death of college basketball." – Stephen A. Smith [55:35]
• "College basketball is all about March Madness." – Ben Shapiro [55:35]
• "This is something that's going on universally and it's just a challenge that adults in the room have to face." – Megyn Kelly [67:20]
• "President Trump is Donald Trump." – Stephen A. Smith [101:33]

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Episode 1033, providing listeners with a thorough overview of the topics covered without delving into advertisements or non-content segments.