The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update (December 5, 2025)

Episode Theme:
This AM Update episode delivers a rapid-fire rundown of the day’s major headlines: the FBI’s breakthrough arrest of the DC pipe bomber from January 2021, a deep dive into the criminal record of a recently apprehended NYU assault suspect, a combative inquiry into the cause of the deadly Air India crash, and the retraction of a prominent climate change study. Megyn Kelly employs her signature direct, critical tone throughout.

1. DC Pipe Bomber Arrest After Five Years

[00:43–08:36]

Key Points & Insights

• Breakthrough Arrest:
  After a five-year investigation, the FBI arrests Brian Cole Jr., 30, in Woodbridge, Virginia, accused of planting the pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC on January 6, 2021. Neither device detonated.
• Forensic Evidence:
  The FBI’s 7-page affidavit details an exhaustive investigation tracking millions of data points, credit card purchases of bomb components, and cell tower records placing Cole in the area during the time of the bomb placements.
• Quote:
  “This case involved millions of pieces of data and it is a huge win because it was like finding a needle in a haystack.” – Megyn Kelly [04:13]
• Family & Background:
  • Cole’s family runs a bail bonds company specializing in posting bail for illegal immigrants, and has a history of litigation against authorities, including employing Benjamin Crump as an attorney in a previous case.
  • Cole described as “very antisocial” and reclusive by neighbors.
• Search Results:
  FBI search of Cole’s home recovered further bomb-making materials.
  Jeanine Pirro: “They found a lot of other products and pieces for pipe bombs…He was into this, very much into this.” [05:53]
• Institutional Critique:
  The case had languished during the Biden administration, with a renewed drive only after the new leadership.

Notable Moments

• Press Conference Rhetoric:
  Cole Sr., with lawyer Benjamin Crump:
  "We hope that the Department of Justice can come in and do a brief investigation because what we see and what we've seen is a lot of questionable acts that Mr. Zimmerman has demonstrated towards minority owned companies." [07:46]
• Upcoming:
  FBI Director Kash Patel to appear on the Megyn Kelly Show to discuss the case.

2. NYU Assault Suspect’s Extensive Criminal History

[08:36–11:18]

Key Points & Insights

• Incident Recap:
  James Rizzo, 45, is arrested for attacking 20-year-old NYU student Amelia Lewis in a daylight assault caught on security video. He is also charged for attacking another woman and for a separate Thanksgiving assault.
• Rap Sheet:
  Rizzo is a career criminal with 16 prior law enforcement encounters, a history of sexual offenses, and was recently released from prison in September 2025. He is a registered Level 2 sex offender.
• Repeat Failures:
  • At the time of the attack, Rizzo was squatting in NYU housing, unmonitored, while on parole and noncompliant with his officer.
  • Despite this, "no one did anything to track him down or turn him in."
• Quote:
  “Just to be clear, he was a repeat sex offender on the sex offender registry, newly out of jail on parole but already delinquent... Great job, New York City. Great job.” – Megyn Kelly [11:08]
• Court Proceedings:
  Rizzo’s lawyer attempted (unsuccessfully) to argue for release based on "mental illness and housing instability." The judge ordered psychiatric evaluation and Rizzo remains in custody.

3. Air India Crash: U.S.–India Clash Over Pilot’s Role

[12:40–19:08]

Key Points & Insights

• Crash Overview:
  Air India Flight 171’s June disaster killed 241 onboard and 19 on the ground. U.S. officials now say the pilot, Captain Sumit Sabarwal, deliberately crashed the plane.
• International Dispute:
  The U.S. NTSB, FAA, Boeing, and GE clashed with Indian authorities over forensic access and investigative control. The black box analysis indicated intentional fuel shutoff by the captain.
• Quote:
  "The data showed someone in the cockpit moved the switches that cut off the engine's fuel supply." – Megyn Kelly [13:18] "It was the captain who cut the engines… the first officer did pull up before the plane crashed." – Megyn Kelly [13:59]
• Expert Analysis:
  Wiz Buckley, former Navy pilot:
  • "Modern day jets are cattle tales… They're all electronic. They will let us know if something is wrong with a system… The facts right now say the guy killed all of them." [15:14 / 17:30]
• Cultural & Political Reluctance:
  Both Air India and the Indian government are reluctant to accept intentional pilot action, much like Egypt Air Flight 990's case.
  • "All interest is self interest… If you take out all the politics... it’s clear based on the evidence that the pilot did it." – Wiz Buckley [17:30]
• Safety Measures:
  Two-person cockpit rule in the U.S. is cited as a safeguard.
  "It is so much more dangerous driving to and from the airport than... a suicidal pilot is near zero." – Wiz Buckley [18:23]

4. Climate Doomsday Study Retracted

[19:08–21:07]

Key Points & Insights

• Study Background:
  Nature published a headline-grabbing study last year predicting a 62% drop in global GDP by 2100 due to climate change—far worse than previous estimates.
• Retraction Details:
  Economists flagged data errors (notably regarding Uzbekistan) that drastically inflated projections. Removing the flawed data brought projections in line with previous estimates (down to a 23% decline).
• Quote:
  "The authors acknowledge that these changes are too substantial for a correction. The authors intend to submit a revised version..." (Nature retraction note) [20:33]
• Wider Context:
  The paper’s retraction coincided with Bill Gates’ recent call for moderation in climate alarmism:
  "[Climate change] will not lead to humanity's demise. The biggest problems are poverty and disease, just as they always have been." – Paraphrased from Bill Gates via Megyn Kelly [20:54]

Notable Quotes by Timestamps

• On Pipe Bomb Case:
  “This case involved millions of pieces of data and it is a huge win because it was like finding a needle in a haystack.” – Megyn Kelly [04:13]
• On NYU Assault Suspect:
  “Just to be clear, he was a repeat sex offender on the sex offender registry, newly out of jail on parole but already delinquent... Great job, New York City. Great job.” – Megyn Kelly [11:08]
• On Air India Crash Investigation:
  "The data showed someone in the cockpit moved the switches that cut off the engine's fuel supply." – Megyn Kelly [13:18]
  “Modern day jets are cattle tales… They will let us know if something is wrong with a system… The facts right now say the guy killed all of them.” – Wiz Buckley [15:14, 17:30]
• On Safety After Crash:
  "It is so much more dangerous driving to and from the airport than the odds of having a suicidal pilot is near zero." – Wiz Buckley [18:23]
• On Climate Study Retraction:
  "The authors acknowledge that these changes are too substantial for a correction." – Megyn Kelly reading Nature [20:33]

Segment Timestamps for Quick Reference

• [00:43] – FBI Arrests DC Pipe Bomber
• [08:36] – NYU Assault: Suspect’s Criminal History
• [12:40] – Air India Crash: Deliberate Pilot Action & Investigation Tensions
• [19:08] – Climate Change Study Retraction

Tone:
Direct, skeptical, and critical of institutional failures, with frequent jabs at perceived bureaucratic or political reluctance to act or admit inconvenient truths.