The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update (02/26/2026)
Docs Explore Allergy Surge, Bill Gates Addresses Epstein Ties, Crockett Surges in TX

Episode Overview

This AM Update episode, hosted by Emily Jashinsky, dives into three key news areas:

• A surge in food allergies explored by top medical experts and FDA leadership
• Public discussion around Bill Gates’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and his recent apology to Gates Foundation staff
• Important new polling in the Texas Senate primaries, with Jasmine Crockett leading among Democrats and a tight Republican race

Experts discuss the historical mistakes in food allergy policy, medical groupthink, and ongoing shifts toward prevention. The episode also covers headline-making moments from Congress and the campaign trail, rounded out by a candid look at Bill Gates’s controversies.

Food Allergy Surge: Science, Mistakes, and New Directions

The Tragic Turn in Allergy Guidance

• Dr. Marty Makary (FDA Commissioner) opens discussion on a nationwide allergy surge:
  “We made a terrible, tragic mistake as a medical profession giving parents the wrong recommendation to avoid peanut and other allergens until a child turns three years of age.” (00:45)

• Surge in allergies:

  • Food allergies now impact 1 in 10 adults, 1 in 13 children
  • Effects on daily life include allergen-free classrooms, school policies, and high costs of EpiPens (02:49)

The Harm of Old Recommendations

• Dr. Makary elaborates:

  • Cross-contamination fears: “Kids can’t go out for ice cream their entire childhood for fear that the scooper has been cross contaminated…” (03:30)
  • Life changes for families and schools, with constant need for emergency medication

• Root of the problem: Delayed introduction of allergens

  • “Ignoring a basic principle in immunology known as oral tolerance… we now know from good research… that [early exposure] helps significantly reduce peanut allergies…” (04:31)

The New Medical Consensus

• Allergists Dr. Gideon Lack & Dr. Ruchi Gupta support early exposure:

  • “Babies require early exposure through the gastrointestinal tract to achieve tolerance… throughout history… parents did with their children. They gave them the foods that they ate… the pendulum has shifted now where we are exposing early to prevent and diagnose early and treat early.” – Dr. Makary (05:35)

• Dr. Kasey Means adds parental perspective:

  • “It is challenging for parents… if your family is eating a food… then introduce it to your baby.” (06:11)

Diet, Ultra-Processed Foods, and Chronic Disease

• Diet is just “one piece of the puzzle” (06:39)
  • Link between ultra-processed foods and a rise in chronic diseases
  • “...the diet of children… has become highly ultra processed… new chemicals and exposures that were never seen before in human history.” – Dr. Gideon Lack (06:50)

Medical Groupthink: A Pattern of Mistakes

• “It’s a hazard of groupthink… not just with peanut allergy… but also with the dogma that opioids were not addictive… saturated fat… even school closures and boosters during Covid.” – Dr. Lack (07:50)
• Trump Administration’s push to fund research on root causes (08:44)
  • “I personally like the ideas that are sometimes not very popular… we need fresh new ideas when it comes to research…” (08:44)

Surgeon General Hearings: Dr. Kasey Means Faces Questions

Chronic Illness in America

• “We are now the most chronically ill high income nation in the world. We live shorter, sicker lives than peer high income nations…” – Dr. Kasey Means (10:41)
  • Focus on prevention over reactive “sick care”
  • Chronic diseases’ drivers: processed food, chemical exposures, lack of exercise, stress, overmedicalization

Contentious Exchanges

• Birth Control Comments:

  • Senator Patty Murray presses Means on past remarks about birth control risks (11:31)
  • Means clarifies position: “I absolutely believe these medications should be accessible… all medications have risks and benefits… horrifying side effects… include blood clots and stroke risk… I want… women… to have a thorough conversation with their doctor and know whether they are at higher risk…” (11:59)

• Vaccines and Autism:

  • Senator Bill Cassidy questions on autism and vaccines (12:36)
  • “We do not know as a medical community what causes autism… I think we should not leave any stones unturned.” (12:52)
  • Accepts evidence that vaccines are not implicated, but insists “science is never settled.” (13:26)

Praise from FDA

• Dr. Makary: “Kasey Means is exactly the kind of thinker this administration needs… leading the charge on the importance of food and healthy living.” (13:29, 13:36)

Bill Gates & Epstein: Apology and Fallout

Gates Addresses Staff

• Bill Gates apologizes at a Gates Foundation town hall, calling association with Epstein a “huge mistake.” (15:21)

  • “Knowing what I know now makes it, you know, a hundred times worse…” (Paraphrased at 15:21)
  • Admits to several meetings after Epstein’s conviction, acknowledges ex-wife Melinda’s concerns were ignored (15:21)
  • Gates confirms he flew on Epstein’s jet, denies “elicit” activity

• Cites current scrutiny:

  • New DOJ documents allege Epstein referenced Gates’s affairs and sought leverage
  • Gates clarifies: two admitted affairs, denies “doing anything illicit” (15:21)

Texas Senate Primary Polls: Crockett Surges

Democratic Primary

• Jasmine Crockett leads 56% to 44% over James Talarico (18:04)

  • Crockett: Known for combative Capitol Hill style (“If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody's bleach blonde, bad built, butch body…”) (paraphrased at 18:04)
  • Talarico: Pitching “joyful politics” and faith-driven messaging: “Being a Christian is about loving thy neighbor, not bullying LGBTQ people.” – Talarico (17:59)

• Key Poll Cross-tabs:

  • Crockett dominates among Black voters (87–12%), leads among women by 20 points
  • Talarico leads whites (53–47%) and young voters (18–29) by a wide margin (73–27%)
  • Viral clip: White early voter says, “I was so ready to vote for Jasmine Crockett because I love her, but I voted for Talarico because we need somebody who can win.” (19:06)

Republican Primary

• Tight race:
  • Ken Paxton: 36%
  • John Cornyn: 34%
  • Wesley Hunt: 26%
  • Among Republican-leaning independents, Paxton has larger lead (44% vs. Cornyn’s 27%) (19:01)
• March 3rd is Election Day; runoff May 26 if no one gets 50%+

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Makary: “Kids can’t go out for ice cream their entire childhood for fear that the scooper has been cross contaminated…” (03:30)
• Dr. Gideon Lack: “The diet of children… has become highly ultra processed with new chemicals and exposures that were never seen before in human history.” (06:50)
• Dr. Kasey Means: “We are now the most chronically ill high income nation in the world…” (10:41)
• Bill Gates (paraphrased): “Knowing what I know now makes it, you know, a hundred times worse…” on Epstein ties (15:21)
• Viral voter clip on Crockett vs. Talarico: “I was so ready to vote for Jasmine Crockett because I love her, but I voted for Talarico because we need somebody who can win.” (19:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Allergy Surge & Medical Guidance: 00:45–08:44
• Surgeon General Confirmation / Dr. Means: 09:51–13:36
• Bill Gates & Epstein Apology: 15:21–15:21
• Texas Senate Primary Polls: 17:59–19:01

Overall Tone:
The episode combines clinical candor with urgency, reflecting both expert debate and political realities—delivering frank appraisals of past mistakes, deep dives into prevention, and snapshot coverage of the latest political and cultural flashpoints.