The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 02/16/2026

DNA Lead in Guthrie Case, Rubio Shines While AOC and Whitmer Slip on World Stage

Host: Megyn Kelly
Podcast: The Megyn Kelly Show (SiriusXM)
Date: February 16, 2026

Overview

This AM update episode centers on three main stories: the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie with a new DNA lead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s highly-praised speech at the Munich Security Conference, and the less-flattering performances of prominent Democrats — notably Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer — on the international stage. The episode wraps up with discussion of former President Obama’s comments about aliens.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nancy Guthrie Missing Persons Case: New Developments

• [00:33 - 08:50]
• Status Update: Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing from Tucson, Arizona since January 31st.
• Surveillance Video: Previously released footage showed a masked individual on Guthrie’s porch.
• DNA Lead:
  • FBI found a glove about two miles from the home that matches the type seen in the video.
  • Glove contains DNA; will be checked against the national FBI database after quality confirmation (process takes ~24 hours).
  • Quote (Megyn Kelly, 03:06):
    “Preliminary results do show one of these gloves they found contains DNA, which the FBI plans to check against its national database... Let’s hope there’s a match.”
• Technology in Use:
  • Authorities employing a “signal sniffer” attached to a helicopter in attempt to track Guthrie via her pacemaker signal, which disconnected from her phone at 2:28am on Feb 1.
  • Potential to detect device even postmortem if close enough.
• Other Investigative Updates:
  • Recent search warrant led nowhere.
  • Suspects being ruled out: man whose home was searched, “Carlos the delivery man,” and any relatives.
  • Sheriff Chris Nanos:
    Quote (06:53): “Maybe it’s an hour from now, maybe it’s weeks or months or years from now, but we won’t quit. We’re going to find Nancy. We’re going to find this guy.”
• Impact on Savannah Guthrie:
  • Reportedly considering leaving the Today Show, feeling the public nature of her career may have contributed to her mother’s abduction.

2. Rubio at the Munich Security Conference: “Make the West Great Again”

• [08:50 - 13:13]
• Rubio’s Speech:
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed a packed forum in Munich, Germany.
  • Emphasized shared US-European history and the importance of Western civilization.
  • Criticized “post-Cold War policies on energy, trade, and immigration,” blaming them for weakening the West.
  • Praised President Trump’s efforts to reverse these “mistakes.”
  • Urged European allies to stand with the US in revitalizing shared civilization.
  • Notable Quote (Rubio, 08:52):
    “To appease a climate cult, we have imposed energy policies on ourselves that are impoverishing our people, even as our competitors exploit oil and coal and natural gas... In a pursuit of a world without borders, we opened our doors to an unprecedented wave of mass migration that threatens the cohesion of our societies...”
  • Notable Quote (Rubio, 10:02):
    “We are part of one civilization, Western civilization. We are bound to one another by the deepest bonds... forged by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry....”
  • Notable Quote (Rubio, 12:19):
    “For us Americans, our home may be in the Western Hemisphere, but we will always be a child of Europe.”
• Audience Reaction:
  • Rubio received a standing ovation (“lots of love on Valentine’s Day in Germany” – [12:20]), and his remarks quickly went viral on social media.

3. Democrats on the World Stage: AOC and Whitmer Falter

• [13:13 - 17:13]
• Munich Panel Moderated by Bloomberg TV:
  • Panel featured AOC, Governor Whitmer, and Ambassador Matthew Whitaker.
  • AOC on Taiwan Policy:
    • Stumbled when asked about military commitment to Taiwan.
    • Quote (AOC, 14:06):
      “You know, I think that this is such a. You know, I think that this is a. This is, of course, a very long standing policy of the United States. And I think what we are hoping for is that we want to make sure that we never get to that point and we want to make sure that we are moving in all of our economic research and our global positions to avoid any such confrontation and for that question to even arise.”
    • Megyn Kelly’s comment: “Not the congresswoman’s finest hour.”
  • Governor Whitmer on Ukraine:
    • Admitted being out of her depth on foreign policy.
    • Gave an imprecise answer on what Ukrainian victory means.
    • Quote (Whitmer, 15:16):
      “Ukraine’s independence, keeping their land mass, and having the support of all the allies, I think is the goal from my vantage point. Go ahead, Ambassador, do a better job.”
  • Megyn Kelly’s Critique:
    Noted the difference in preparation and substance between the Democratic participants and Rubio’s speech, describing the moment as Democrats "faceplanting" on the world stage.

4. Clinton & Identity Politics Panel

• [16:00 - 17:23]
• Hillary Clinton’s Appearance:
  • Moderated “Girls Just Want to have Fundamental Rights – Fighting the Global Pushback.”
  • First panel guest: Sarah McBride, the first openly trans-identifying member of Congress.
  • Quote (Clinton, 16:15):
    “I want to underscore how truly effective Sarah has been in talking with her colleagues, first in the legislature, the state legislature in Delaware, now in Congress. And you have shown immense grace in the face of attacks, even from your fellow members of Congress.”
  • McBride responded by framing current US politics as a “well-organized, well-funded right wing regressive movement.”
• Clinton’s Pivot on Immigration:
  • On another panel, she called for “secure borders”:
    Quote (Clinton, 17:33):
    “It went too far. It’s been disruptive and destabilizing and it needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders that don't torture and kill people.”
  • Megyn’s commentary: “Funny, she didn’t seem to have much to say during the Biden administration when all of that was happening.”

5. Obama on Aliens: Controversy Erupts

• [17:53 - 18:45]
• Obama Interviewed by Brian Tyler Cohen:
  • When asked “Are aliens real?” Obama answered: Quote (Obama, 18:15):
    “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them and they’re not being kept in, what is it, Area 51? Area 51? There’s no underground facility. Unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the President of the United States...”
  • Cohen failed to ask a follow-up, leading to mockery online.
  • Obama clarified later on Instagram: likelihood of life in universe is high, but "chances we've been visited are low" and "I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us."
  • Megyn Kelly’s skeptical rejoinder: “Do we believe him?”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sheriff Chris Nanos, on finding Nancy Guthrie:
  “Maybe it’s an hour from now, maybe it’s weeks or months or years from now, but we won’t quit. We’re going to find Nancy. We’re going to find this guy.” (06:53)

• Rubio, on the Western alliance:
  “We do not seek to separate, but to revitalize an old friendship and renew the greatest civilization in human history.” (12:12)

• AOC, struggling on Taiwan:
  “You know, I think that this is such a. You know, I think that this is a. This is, of course, a very long standing policy of the United States...” (14:06)

• Hillary Clinton, about borders:
  “It went too far. It’s been disruptive and destabilizing and it needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders that don't torture and kill people.” (17:33)

• Obama, on aliens:
  “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them and they’re not being kept in, what is it, Area 51? ...unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the President of the United States.” (18:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Nancy Guthrie Case – New DNA lead: [00:33 – 08:50]
• Rubio’s Speech in Munich: [08:50 – 13:13]
• AOC & Whitmer at Munich Panel: [13:13 – 17:13]
• Hillary Clinton’s Panels & Immigration Remarks: [16:00 – 17:53]
• Obama on Aliens: [17:53 – 18:45]

Tone & Style

Megyn Kelly delivers the news with her characteristic sharpness and frankness, alternating between detailed news narration and pointed, sometimes sardonic, commentary. The episode features substantial coverage of developing news but is laced with opinion and wry asides throughout.

Summary

This AM update episode showcases the latest in the Nancy Guthrie case, prominent moments from the Munich Security Conference (with Rubio shining and Democrats struggling for footing), and a viral moment with Barack Obama commenting on extraterrestrials. The episode serves as both a news update and a critique of current American political leadership on the global stage, while maintaining Megyn Kelly’s signature clarity and skepticism.