First American Pope, Bidens Defensive on The View, Casey Means as Surgeon General: AM Update 5/9

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show - Episode Summary: "First American Pope, Bidens Defensive on The View, Casey Means as Surgeon General: AM Update 5/9"

Release Date: May 9, 2025

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1. Historic Apostolic Election: First American Pope

White Smoke at the Vatican marked a groundbreaking moment in Catholic history as Robert Francis Prevost emerged as the new Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. This unprecedented selection makes him the first American-born pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

• Megyn Kelly (00:49): "White smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel late Thursday afternoon, signaling a new leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. But unlike every other time in history, an American born man walked out on that balcony to the cheering crowds below."

Background and Credentials: Pope Leo XIV hails from Chicago and is an alumnus of Villanova University in Philadelphia. He holds dual citizenship and has spent significant time in Peru, serving as the head of the Dicastery for Bishops since 2023. This role involves overseeing the selection of new bishops, underscoring his influence within the Church.

• President Trump (00:52): "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement and what a great honor for our country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment, a shock pick."

Speculations and Reactions: While little information is available about Pope Leo XIV's future policies, online speculation suggests he may lean centrist. Notably, despite his ties to Illinois, a state known for its non-partisan voter registration, his voting record includes participation in several Republican primaries. However, his limited social media presence reveals nuanced political views:

• Pope Leo XIV's X Account (02:10): "JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."

Despite some conservative optimism due to his traditional papal name and attire reminiscent of Benedict XVI, others remain uncertain about his potential influence on Church policies.

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2. Former President Biden's Defensive Appearance on "The View"

Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden faced intense scrutiny during their lengthy appearance on "The View", addressing allegations from newly released books that suggest a cover-up of the President's cognitive decline during his final years in office.

• Megyn Kelly (01:52): "Former President Biden appearing for a lengthy interview on the View on Thursday alongside his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, for part of it. This comes as several books are being released about his final years in the White House with implications of a cover up of his cognitive decline."

Biden's Responses: Under pre-scripted questions, Biden's answers were perceived as rambling and sometimes incoherent. When pressed about Vice President Kamala Harris's loss to President Trump, Biden attributed it to sexism and racism.

• Joe Biden (04:27): "I was surprised because they went the route of the sexist route all whole route. I mean this is a woman, she's this, she's that. I mean it really I've never seen quite as successful and consistent campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldn't lead the country and a woman of mixed race."

Dr. Jill Biden's Defense: Interrupting her husband, Dr. Jill Biden vehemently defended Joe Biden's work ethic and leadership, dismissing claims of cognitive decline.

• Dr. Jill Biden (06:35): "The people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us and they didn't see how hard Joe worked every single day. I mean, he'd get up, he put in a full day and, and then at night he would... it's nonstop. It's a lifestyle."

She further addressed criticisms labeling her as "Lady Macbeth," emphasizing her constant presence and support.

• Dr. Jill Biden (07:21): "I was with Joe day and night. I saw him more than any other person... They were describing you as Lady Macbeth. It was very hurtful."

Future Developments: Given the contentious nature of their appearance, Megyn Kelly hinted at potential future revelations, including the possible release of the full audio from Special Counsel Robert Her's interview with Joe Biden from October 2023.

• Megyn Kelly (07:57): "We may be hearing more from former President Biden soon. Political reporting."

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3. President Trump's Surgeon General Pick: Casey Means Controversy

In a surprising move, President Trump announced the replacement of Dr. Jeanette Neshawat with Dr. Casey Means as his new Surgeon General just before the confirmation hearing.

• Megyn Kelly (09:40): "President Trump announcing Wednesday a last minute switcheroo for his Surgeon general pick..."

Casey Means' Credentials and Support: Dr. Casey Means is recognized as a functional medicine doctor and co-author of the best-selling book "Good Energy," written with her brother, Cali Means. Trump's endorsement highlights her alignment with the MAHA movement.

• President Trump (09:45): "Casey has impeccable MAHA credentials and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr...."

Support from Trump Allies: Prominent figures from the Trump administration and MAGA movement have lauded Means' appointment:

• Mark Halperin: Described the Board of Directors as the most influential voices approving her as a "phenomenal pick."
• Charlie Kirk: Praised her as an "excellent pick. Huge for MAHA."
• Tucker Carlson: Featured her and her brother Cali on his podcast, enhancing her national profile.

Criticism and Challenges: The appointment has sparked significant backlash:

• Nicole Shanahan (11:37): Criticized both Casey and Cali Means on X, accusing them of being "Manchurian assets" and challenging their qualifications.
• Laura Loomer: Attacked Means over her stance on gender issues and questioned the validity of her medical license, revealing it is inactive.

Public Reaction: While some MAGA supporters celebrate the appointment, others express concern over Means' qualifications and political affiliations. The confirmation hearings are anticipated to be contentious, with The Megyn Kelly Show pledging comprehensive coverage.

• Nicole Shanahan (11:37): "Something very artificial and aggressive about them, almost like they were bred and raised Manchurian assets."

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4. President Trump's Trade Deal with the United Kingdom

In a significant economic development, President Trump unveiled his first official post-Liberation Day trade deal with the United Kingdom.

• Megyn Kelly (11:37): "President Trump announcing the first of his post Liberation Day trade deals with the United Kingdom."

Key Provisions of the Deal: The agreement focuses on enhancing market access for American exports, particularly in agriculture, including:

• Increased access for American beef and ethanol.
• Elimination of the 25% tariff on UK steel and aluminum.
• Exemption of the first 100,000 vehicles imported from the UK from additional tariffs.

In return, the UK has agreed to remove tariffs on U.S. ethanol and provide reciprocal market access for beef.

• Howard Lutnick (13:42): "This was the president's deal... He gets deals done that we could never get done because he understands business, he understands deals."

International and Domestic Reactions: Both sides lauded the deal as a tribute to their longstanding relationship.

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (14:16): "Fantastic, historic day in which we can announce this deal between our two great countries."

Future Negotiations: President Trump indicated that this deal is just the beginning, with "many other deals" in the pipeline.

• President Trump (15:40): "Many other deals which are in serious stages of negotiation to follow."

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized Trump's role as the key negotiator, highlighting his proficiency in securing favorable terms.

• Howard Lutnick (15:15): "He gets deals done that we could never get done because he understands business, he understands deals."

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Conclusion

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show provided a comprehensive overview of significant political and cultural developments:

• The election of the first American Pope, Pope Leo XIV, and the ensuing speculation about his influence.
• Former President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden's defensive stance against allegations of cognitive decline during their appearance on "The View".
• President Trump's controversial appointment of Casey Means as Surgeon General amidst both support and criticism.
• The establishment of a trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom, marking Trump's first major post-Liberation Day economic agreement.

Throughout the episode, Megyn Kelly ensured that listeners were informed of the latest updates while providing critical analysis and presenting diverse viewpoints. The discussions encapsulate the dynamic interplay of religion, politics, and international relations shaping the current landscape.

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Notable Quotes:

• President Trump (00:52): "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope."
• Joe Biden (04:27): "I have never seen quite as successful and consistent campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldn't lead the country and a woman of mixed race."
• Dr. Jill Biden (06:35): "Being president is not like a job, it's a lifestyle."
• Howard Lutnick (15:15): "He gets deals done that we could never get done because he understands business, he understands deals."

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This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a thorough understanding of the topics covered.

Transcript

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Friday, May 9, 2025, and this is your AM update. White Smoke at the Vatican. There's a new pope, and for the first time ever, he's from America.

[Dr. Jill Biden]

The people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us, and they didn't see how hard Joe worked.

[Megyn Kelly]

Every single day, former President Joe Biden plus Dr. Jill sit through a rambling and defensive appearance on the View. And President Trump's new pick for surgeon general, Casey Means gets attacked by some in the Maha movement. All that and more coming up in just a moment. On your AM update.

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[Megyn Kelly]

White smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel late Thursday afternoon, signaling a new leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. But unlike every other time in history, an American born man walked out on that balcony to the cheering crowds below. Robert Francis Prevost is now Pope Leo xiv. Born in Chicago, an alum of Villanova University in Philadelphia, he has spent most of his time in Peru and is a dual citizen. He has been serving as head of the Dicastery for bishops since 2023. The powerful position means he oversees the selection of new bishops. President Trump giving his congratulations shortly after the announcement, writing on Truth Social quote, it is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement and what a great honor for our country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo xiv. It will be a very meaningful moment, a shock pick. Little has been written in the weeks since Pope Francis death about what sort of Pope Leo XIV might be, but that has not slowed down the Internet speculation. Many reports describing him as a centrist. His home state of Illinois does not register voters by party, but he appears to have voted in several Republican primaries. However, an X account believed to belong to Prevost used sparingly, sharing an article in February headlined JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others. Additional tweets and retweets have been critical of Mr. Trump or his policies. Still, some conservatives see the fact that he chose a traditional papal name and wore the traditional people garb as Benedict XVI did and Francis did not, as encouraging signs. Much more on this historic day for Catholics and the world and on the new American Pope in the days and weeks ahead. Former President Biden appearing for a lengthy interview on the View on Thursday alongside his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, for part of it. This comes as several books are being released about his final years in the White House with implications of a cover up of his cognitive decline. Through pre scripted questions from the hosts, the former president gave rambling, at times incoherent answers. At one point, President Biden, asked to address why his Vice president, Kamala Harris lost to President Trump, pointed to sexism and racism.

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Why do you think the Vice President.

[Dr. Jill Biden]

Lost and were you surprised?

[Joe Biden]

I wasn't surprised. Not because I didn't think the Vice President's the most qualified person to be president. She is. She's qualified to be President of the United States of America. But I was surprised. I wasn't surprised because they went the route of the sexist route all whole route. I mean this is a woman, she's this, she's that. I mean it really I've never seen quite as successful and consistent campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldn't lead the country and a woman of mixed race.

[Megyn Kelly]

Yeah. Sunny Hostin asked Mr. Biden about the way Ms. Harris answered Hostin's questioning to during a campaign appearance on the View. She said that answer had been weaponized against Ms. Harris when Harris refused to name an area of disagreement with her boss.

[Joe Biden]

First of all, I did not advise her to say that. Number one, like I said, I was vice president. I understand the role, number one. Number two, I think it was, I think she was talking about she was wouldn't have changed the successes we've had. Not opposed to that. We wouldn't change anything at all. She has to be her own person. And she was, she was. And so I think that that was used In a way that is contrary to what she meant by when she said that. And I think that, you know, she was part of every success we had. We'd argue like hell, by the way. No, no, that's good.

[Megyn Kelly]

Yeah.

[Joe Biden]

We sit and say, well, what about this version, Joe? I don't like that. Well, why? Anyway, we worked it out.

[Megyn Kelly]

When Jill Biden joined the show, she cut in and interrupted her husband to respond herself to accusations of cognitive decline laid out in these recent books.

[Joe Biden]

We're also in a situation where we found ourselves unable to deal with a lot of just basic issues and which I won't go into. It's interesting time. And so we went to work and we got it done. And you know, one of the things.

[Dr. Jill Biden]

That, that, well, and Alyssa, you know, one of the things I think is that the people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us and they didn't see how hard Joe worked every single day. I mean, he'd get up, he put in a full day and, and then at night he would, I'd be in bed, you know, reading my book. And he was still on the phone, reading his briefings, working with staff. I mean, it was nonstop. It's the White House. Being president is not like a job, it's a lifestyle.

[Megyn Kelly]

And later, Dr. Jill addressed critics who said she was like Lady Macbeth during the last year of her husband's administration.

[Dr. Jill Biden]

I was with Joe day and night. I saw him more than any other person. I went, woke up with him, went to bed at night with him. So I saw him all throughout the day and I did not create a cocoon around him. I mean, you saw him in the Oval Office. You saw him making speeches. He wasn't hiding somewhere. I didn't have him, you know, sequestered in some place. I mean, that's.

[Megyn Kelly]

Hurtful to you, when.

[Dr. Jill Biden]

They were describing you as Lady Macbeth. It was very hurtful. It was very hurtful, especially from some of our so called friends.

[Megyn Kelly]

And we may be hearing more from former President Biden soon. Political reporting. The Trump administration is weighing the possible release of the full audio from special counsel Robert Her's interview with then President Biden that took place in October 2023. The transcript was released last year. Coming up, President Trump picks Casey Means as his next Surgeon General. How'd that go? And Mr. Trump announces his first official trade deal with the UK.

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[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump announcing Wednesday a last minute switcheroo for his Surgeon general pick, pulling Dr. Jeanette Neshawat just before her confirmation hearing and instead picking Dr. Casey Means, a functional medicine doctor and co author of the best selling book Good Energy, which she co wrote with her brother Cali Means. In making the announcement, President Trump wrote, quote, casey has impeccable MAHA credentials and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. To ensure a successful implementation of our agenda in order to reverse the the chronic disease epidemic and ensure great health in the future for all Americans. On the Megan Kelly Show Last month, host of the MK Media show Next up, Mark Halperin described the Board of Directors for the Trump administration as the three most influential voices on the outside and all three board members approve of Casey Means, quote, phenomenal pick by President Trump, wrote Charlie Kirk, while Donald Trump Jr. Posted excellent pick. Huge for Maha. Tucker Carlson, the third member, hosted Casey and her brother Cali on his podcast last year in a viral episode that introduced them onto the national scene. Casey has also been a regular guest on the Megyn Kelly Show. In November, she joined the show to talk about the headwinds RFKJ would face when he took over HHS in the new administration. Headwinds she'll no doubt face too, if confirmed.

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[Megyn Kelly]

However, the positive response to the announcement has been far from universal. Nicole Shanahan, who was RFKJ's running mate and a leading voice of the Maha movement, posted a lengthy critique of both Casey and Cali Means on X writing quote doesn't make any sense. I was promised that if I supported RFKJ in his Senate confirmation that neither of these siblings would be working under HHS or or in an appointment and that people much more qualified would be. I don't know if RFK very clearly lied to me or what's going on. It has been clear in recent conversations that he is reporting to someone regularly who is controlling his decisions and it isn't President Trump. With regards to the siblings, there is something very artificial and aggressive about them, almost like they were bred and raised Manchurian assets. Meanwhile, MAGA influencer Laura Loomer attacked Casey over a book her father wrote which says it is for kids confused about their gender and sexual identities. Your humble reporter has spoken directly to Casey Means about the gender issue and children and can report that she is against the transing of children and will not support puberty blockers, cross sex hormones or surgical procedures in this lane on minors. Ms. Loomer also attacked Dr. Means for using psychedelics and for not having an active medical license. Doctor Means allowed it to go inactive when she stopped seeing patients years ago. Like the confirmation hearings for RFKJ and others in the Trump administration, this one will be contentious and we'll have it covered for you. President Trump announcing the first of his post Liberation Day trade deals with the United Kingdom. In a morning post on Truth Social, he explained why he started with the UK writing quote, because of our longtime history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United Kingdom as our first announcement. President Trump joined in the Oval Thursday morning to mark the occasion by his Vice President J.D. vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and others. With UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer phoning.

[Howard Lutnick]

In with this deal, the UK Joins the United States in affirming that reciprocity and fairness is an essential and vital principle of international trade. The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially in agriculture, dramatically increasing access for American beef, ethanol and virtually all of the products produced by our great farmers.

[Megyn Kelly]

Prime Minister Starmer echoing President Trump's sentiments on the deal, this is a really.

[Keir Starmer]

Fantastic, historic day in which we can announce this deal between our two great countries and I think it's a real tribute to the history that we have of working so closely together. Can I pay tribute, Donald, to your negotiating team as well, particularly Howard and Jameson, who've done an incredible job, a very professional job.

[Megyn Kelly]

The deal keeps the 10% across the board tariffs that the Trump administration put into place, but removes some of the additional tariffs that that were on top of that 10%. For example, the 25% tariff on UK steel and aluminum will be removed and the first 100,000 vehicles imported into the US will not be subject to the additional 25% rate. In return, the UK government will be removing the tariff they had on ethanol from the US and agreed to, quote, reciprocal market access on beef. Commerce Secretary Lutnick pointing to President Trump as the closer in getting his first deal done.

[Howard Lutnick]

This was the president's deal and people think, oh, that's not the way it works. If you got to sit next to him, I have the best dealmaker to my left. And if you don't think that we take advantage of him calling the prime minister, getting that deal done, you don't understand who's the president. So he's the closer. He gets deals done that we could never get done because he understands business, he understands deals.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump posting on Truth Social, quote, many other deals which are in serious stages of negotiation to follow. In other news, the Golden Globes just added a best podcast category to its awards. Could AM Update be in contention? Who cares? The only good opinion we want is yours. Thanks for listening. That'll do it for your AM Update. I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here on the Megyn Kelly show live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com megankelly and on all podcast platforms.

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