The Megyn Kelly Show - Episode 970 Summary
Title: Fani Willis DQ'ed in Georgia, and Delusional Biden's Cognitive Decline
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: Victor Davis Hanson (VDH), Ashleigh Merchant, Mike Davis, Phil Holloway
Release Date: December 19, 2024
Introduction
In Episode 970 of The Megyn Kelly Show, host Megyn Kelly delves into two major topics dominating the political landscape: the disqualification of Fani Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney in Georgia, from the Trump election interference case, and concerns regarding President Joe Biden's cognitive decline. Joining Kelly are prominent guests Victor Davis Hanson, Ashleigh Merchant, Mike Davis, and Phil Holloway, who provide in-depth analysis and insights into these pressing issues.
Fani Willis Disqualification in Georgia
Key Points:
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Background of Fani Willis: Almost a year after allegations surfaced against Fulton County DA Fani Willis regarding her involvement in the Trump election interference case, a Georgia appeals court has officially disqualified her from prosecuting the case.
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Reason for Disqualification: The court found an "appearance of impropriety" due to Willis's inappropriate relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor she brought into the case. This relationship included undisclosed financial transactions, raising concerns about a conflict of interest.
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Role of Ashleigh Merchant: Ashleigh Merchant, a partner at the Merchant Law Firm and attorney representing Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, played a pivotal role in exposing Willis's misconduct. Merchant highlighted that the disqualification was a result of Willis's inability to remain impartial, given her personal connections and financial incentives tied to the case's duration.
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Legal Implications: With Willis and her deputies disqualified, the case will be reassigned to the Prosecuting Attorney's Counsel (PAC). Merchant expressed confidence that an independent prosecutor would dismiss the case, citing the lack of probable cause and the case's questionable merit.
Notable Quotes:
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Ashleigh Merchant (04:28):
"The court of appeals has said that they agreed with us that there was an appearance of impropriety and it was enough that Fani Willis should not be on the case." -
Phil Holloway (07:53):
"Adam Abadi did an excellent job pointing out how dishonest you were with the court on Monday." -
Mike Davis (10:44):
"The odor of mendacity. ... this is the type of appearance of conflict of interest that does warrant her removal from the case." -
Victor Davis Hanson (19:14):
"This is just another part of the Democrat lawfare that backfired and backfired spectacularly."
Discussion Highlights:
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Phil Holloway's Critique: Holloway criticized former ADA Anna Cross for withdrawing from the case after inconsistencies in her statements emerged, suggesting internal conflicts and dishonesty within the prosecution team.
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Mike Davis on Judicial Integrity: Davis emphasized the severity of Willis's actions, noting that her public statements and personal misconduct demonstrated a blatant disregard for impartiality, warranting her disqualification.
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Appeal Process: While Willis plans to appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court, both Davis and Holloway predict that the appeal will be rejected, solidifying the disqualification and effectively ending the case against Trump and his co-defendants.
Delusional Biden's Cognitive Decline
Key Points:
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Reports on Biden's Mental Acuity: The episode highlights increasing concerns about President Joe Biden's cognitive abilities. Reports from reputable sources like the Wall Street Journal indicate that Biden struggles with basic recollections and coherent communication, impacting his effectiveness as president.
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Impact on Administration: Biden's aides have reportedly struggled to communicate with him, leading to instances where they had to mediate his interactions. A voice coach was even brought in to assist Biden in appearing more robust and articulate during public addresses.
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Media's Role: The discussion underscores how mainstream media outlets have downplayed or failed to thoroughly investigate Biden's cognitive issues until their effects became undeniable, reflecting potential bias and negligence.
Notable Quotes:
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Victor Davis Hanson (54:08):
"When you think of the local and state judges ... they were just a different generation than these weaponized, politicized, media-hungry judges that we saw in the lawfare conducted against Trump." -
Ashleigh Merchant (18:38):
"They bought books about hatred for Donald Trump and his entire presidency. So, you can see before they even had these charges, they're reading books to try and figure out this case." -
Victor Davis Hanson (59:26):
"He just gave us the benefit of the doubt by saying Joe was confused, but he's not confused. Ergo, they should have prosecuted him for removing documents in a felonious fashion."
Discussion Highlights:
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Megyn Kelly's Observations: Kelly points out that despite Biden's declining cognitive functions, there has been minimal accountability or in-depth media coverage addressing these issues. She also highlights the contradiction in the media's treatment of Biden compared to their aggressive stance on Trump.
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Victor Davis Hanson's Analysis: Hanson critiques the judicial and prosecutorial approach towards Trump, drawing parallels to Biden's situation. He suggests that the current legal and media systems are biased and fail to hold powerful individuals accountable regardless of their actions or mental state.
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Joy Reid's Commentary: Joy Reid, representing MSNBC's perspective, praised Fani Willis as a hero, framing her actions within a narrative of justice and racial dynamics. However, Hanson and other guests contested this view, arguing that Reid's stance reflects media bias and a broader political agenda against Trump.
Additional Discussions
Media Bias and Legal Proceedings:
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George Stephanopoulos Incident: The episode touches upon an incident where ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos was allegedly instructed by his executive producer not to use the word "rape" in describing Trump's civil liability case. Despite warnings, Stephanopoulos repeated the term, leading to ABC News settling the defamation suit for $15 million.
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Joy Reid's Statements: Joy Reid lauded Fani Willis for her prosecution efforts against Trump, labeling her a national hero. However, this perspective was challenged by guests who argued that Reid's support was misplaced and indicative of broader media bias against Trump.
Impact on Public Perception:
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Trump's Rising Popularity: Despite continuous legal challenges and media scrutiny, Trump's approval ratings have improved, with favorability increasing and unfavorable ratings decreasing. Guests attribute this to Trump's resilience and the public's growing dissatisfaction with the current administration.
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Biden's Declining Support: Contrarily, Biden's approval ratings are plummeting, with concerns over his mental acuity and leadership effectiveness. This decline is compounded by economic issues like inflation and stagnant wages, which have eroded public confidence.
Notable Quotes:
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Victor Davis Hanson (78:07):
"When you look at the local and state judges... they were just a different generation than these weaponized, politicized, media-hungry judges that we saw in the lawfare conducted against Trump." -
Megyn Kelly (89:14):
"The lawfare, ironically, would prove critical, I think, to his rising again to the respect and the admiration of a lot of people toward him." -
Victor Davis Hanson (100:48):
"When you look at the e. Jean Carroll case... it's eerily very similar to a Law and Order episode."
Conclusion
Episode 970 of The Megyn Kelly Show offers a critical examination of recent legal and political developments surrounding Fani Willis's disqualification in the Trump case and President Joe Biden's cognitive challenges. Through robust discussions with experts like Victor Davis Hanson and Ashleigh Merchant, the episode underscores perceived biases within the judicial system and mainstream media, highlighting their impact on public perception and political dynamics. The episode concludes with reflections on the shifting landscape of American politics, emphasizing Trump's enduring influence and the administration's struggles to maintain credibility and effectiveness.
Note: All timestamps are referenced from the provided transcript and correspond to the points discussed above.