The Megyn Kelly Show — AM Update 2/18/2026

Episode: Colbert Censorship Spin, Guthrie Sheriff Changes Story Again, US-Canada Hockey Final
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)

Episode Overview

In this jam-packed AM Update, Megyn Kelly tackles a trio of headline stories: Stephen Colbert’s accusation of censorship by CBS and the FCC, the constantly shifting investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, and the heated anticipation for the US-Canada women's hockey Olympic gold medal match. Alongside these, Kelly reports the passing of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, blending politics, true crime, and sports with her signature frank and incisive style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stephen Colbert’s FCC “Censorship” Spin

Background & Colbert’s Claims

• Stephen Colbert alleged on The Late Show that CBS blocked him from interviewing Texas Senate Democratic contender James Talarico under White House pressure, pointing to a possible retraction of the FCC "equal time" exception for talk shows.
  • Colbert: "Let's just call this what it is. Donald Trump's administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV because all Trump does is watch TV." (04:40)
• Per Colbert, the interview ended up exclusive to YouTube rather than broadcast, which he characterized as censorship motivated by the Trump-era FCC.

Explanation of the Equal Time Rule

• Megyn explains the legal nuances: the FCC equal time rule requires broadcast networks hosting a political candidate to give "equal time" to their opponents, unless under a news or talk show exception – the latter recently questioned by FCC Chairman Brendon Carr.
• CBS denied censorship, stating no prohibition occurred, but rather they opted against the broadcast to avoid obligations to provide airtime to other candidates.
  • CBS Statement (paraphrased by Megyn): "No ban, no government censorship, merely a private business decision … the Late Show did not want to give Congresswoman Crockett equal time." (09:09)

Reactions & Legal Expert Commentary

• Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Talarico opponent, insisted the government didn’t prevent her appearance and suspected internal network business reasons.
  • Crockett: "I have done Colbert a number of times ... it was my understanding that someone somewhere decided, we just don't want to do that." (10:30)
• Daniel Sir, constitutional attorney:
  • Sir: “Broadcast television signals belong to the American people ... the FCC was created to regulate ... who uses those airwaves.” (11:30)
  • He recalls a precedent: when VP Harris appeared on SNL, Trump received a “free two minute ad at the beginning of a NASCAR race to compensate for his equal time.” (12:45)
  • Sir: "The irony ... is that Colbert is attacking Chairman Carr for supposedly being a Republican hatchet man ... But had the rule been followed, Democrats would have had more free airtime to attack President Trump ... the rule protects all candidates from all parties." (14:30)

Election Context

• The Texas Democratic Senate primary is tight, with early voting underway. Talarico trails Crockett by eight points (University of Houston poll), but other metrics suggest a closer race.

2. Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: DNA, Gloves, and Sheriff’s Shifting Story

Latest Forensic Developments

• The DNA from a glove found near Guthrie's home yielded no hits in the FBI’s CODIS database. (16:55)
• Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed the glove DNA doesn’t match DNA from inside the house, nor does that sample match CODIS either.
  • Hunt (Fox News): “So you are no closer to a suspect as a result of the DNA test, at least as a result of CODIS.”
  • Nanos: “But we do have somebody’s DNA in those gloves.” (17:30)
• Both DNA samples will now undergo genealogical testing, hoping to use extended family links in specialized databases to generate new leads.
  • Phil Holloway, True Crime Host: “They use genome sequencing to examine hundreds of thousands of markers ... to identify relatives ... and then use that information like an arrow.” (18:30)

Law Enforcement Activity

• The FBI visited local gun shops with photos of 18-24 people, trying to connect possible suspects to weapon purchases.
  • Philip Martin, gun shop co-owner: "My intuition is telling me based on how these, these people's facial hair looks like, it looks like the guy that was on camera at that house doing the kidnapping ... FBI agent just smirked and took a deep breath and was like, yeah, that's why I'm here." (19:30)

Sheriff’s Back-and-Forth Statements

• Ongoing confusion over the Guthrie family’s status as suspects:
  • Sunday: "Nobody had been cleared." (20:00)
  • Monday: "The family ... has been cleared as possible suspects."
  • Latest update: “At this time, the Guthrie family ... has not been identified as suspects.” (20:20)
• Megyn’s take: "What a mess." (20:40)

3. Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Dies (22:30)

Life, Legacy, and Reactions

• Jackson died at 84 after a battle with a progressive neurodegenerative condition.
  • Family statement: "...a servant leader not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless and the overlooked around the world." (23:00)
• President Trump posted a surprisingly warm tribute, highlighting a personal history of support and generosity to Jackson and his causes—despite “being falsely and consistently called a racist by the scoundrels and lunatics on the radical left.” (quote read by Megyn, 24:15)
• Jackson’s legacy covers work with MLK Jr., founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and breaking barriers as a two-time presidential candidate.
• Memorable convention quote:
  • Jackson (1988): “I understand you whether you’re black or white. I understand work. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had a shovel program for my hand. My mother a working woman..." (25:10)

4. Olympic Women’s Hockey: US vs Canada Gold Medal Showdown (27:35)

Rivalry and Preview

• Team USA faces Team Canada for gold in Milan—the seventh such showdown.
• Recent history: USA beat Canada 5-0 in the prelims (Canada’s worst Olympic loss) and remains undefeated in the tournament.
  • Team USA player: “These are the moments you dream of as being a little kid ... the big moments ... to be able to do it with this room and this type of people is just so much fun. Really looking forward to the opportunity...” (28:40)
  • Another player: “It’s going to be a dog fight. Always excited to face off against Canada ... a huge rivalry.” (29:15)
• Megyn adds: “We’re rooting for you ladies to defeat our evil top hat!” (playfully referencing Canada's stereotype, 29:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Stephen Colbert: “Let’s just call this what it is. Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV because all Trump does is watch TV.” (04:40)
• Megyn Kelly: “No ban, no government censorship, merely a private business decision and one made because the Late Show did not want to give Congresswoman Crockett equal time. Can you blame them?” (09:10)
• Daniel Sir: “The irony ... is that Colbert is attacking Chairman Carr for supposedly being a Republican hatchet man ... And had the rule been followed ... Democrats would have had more free airtime to attack President Trump.” (14:30)
• Sheriff Nanos: “But we do have somebody’s DNA in those gloves.” (17:30)
• Phil Holloway: “They use genome sequencing ... to identify relatives ... and then use that information like an arrow ...” (18:30)
• President Trump (via Megyn): “He was a good man with lots of personality, grit and street smarts ... it was always my pleasure to help Jesse along the way.” (24:15)
• Jesse Jackson (1988): “I had a shovel program for my hand. My mother a working woman ... She rolled Ron’s in her stockings so that my brother and I could have matching socks and not be laughed at at school. I understand.” (25:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 — Episode starts, headlines preview
• 04:40 — Stephen Colbert’s FCC censorship claims
• 09:10 — CBS statement on the Late Show’s legal guidance
• 10:30 — Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s comment on the incident
• 11:30 — Daniel Sir explains FCC equal time rules
• 14:30 — Sir on the political irony of the situation
• 16:55 — New DNA developments in Nancy Guthrie case
• 18:30 — Genealogical DNA testing explained by Phil Holloway
• 19:30 — FBI checks with local gun shops, Philip Martin recounts
• 20:00-20:40 — Sheriff Nanos’s shifting statements on Guthrie family
• 22:30 — Jesse Jackson’s death, legacy, and Trump’s tribute
• 25:10 — Jackson’s 1988 DNC speech excerpt
• 27:35 — Olympic hockey: Team USA vs Canada preview & player voices
• 29:40 — Megyn’s sign-off and encouragement for Team USA

Tone, Style, and Final Thoughts

Megyn’s tone is brisk, sardonic, sometimes playful (“defeat our evil top hat”), but serious when discussing politics and true crime. She emphasizes accountability and clarifies complex legal or procedural matters (like the equal time rule), highlighting inconsistencies and ironies in news narratives.

This episode offers a sharp, multi-angled breakdown of trending U.S. news — ideal for listeners wanting both context and commentary without bias or hand-wringing, in Megyn’s “No BS, No agenda, No fear” approach.