The Megyn Kelly Show – Live in San Antonio

Episode 1180: Glenn Greenwald and Emily Jashinsky on No Team Jerseys, Israel, and the Left's Obsession with Race
Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: Glenn Greenwald, Emily Jashinsky

Overview

In this special live episode from San Antonio, Megyn Kelly hosts a dynamic conversation with journalists Glenn Greenwald and Emily Jashinsky. The night is shaped by themes of media mistrust, ideological infighting on the right, the American relationship with Israel, race and identity on the left, and the importance of honest dialogue across differences. The event opens with audience Q&A, continues with in-depth interviews, and develops into a broad, searching roundtable about the current state of politics and culture.

Key Topics and Highlights

1. Courage, Community, and the Role of “News Consumers”

• Opening Message (05:00–09:00):
  • Kelly commends attendees for their courage in the current climate, highlighting the necessity for conservatives and “Team Sanity” to keep showing up and speaking out.
  • She urges informed listeners to spread truth and involvement within their communities, especially given increasing social and political hostility.
  • Quote:
    • "Courage has been in short supply these days. Not on the right wing, but we need to find our voices more than ever." – Megyn Kelly (07:50)
    • "News consumers are the answer to our problems … your neighbors ... will rely on you." – Megyn Kelly (09:25)

2. Audience Q&A: DOJ, Prosecutions, Foreign Aid, Israel

• About Pam Bondi and the DOJ (10:50–12:45):
  • Kelly revisits her criticisms of Bondi’s handling of the Epstein situation but currently commends her fearlessness, noting “the more the left hates somebody, the more it's a tell that we should like them."
• Prosecution of Political Targets (11:51–12:58):
  • Acknowledges that retribution plays a role in current prosecutions but asserts there are legitimate grounds and advises those "changing the rules" should expect them to be applied in turn.
• US Foreign Aid and Alliances (13:00–14:57):
  • Questions arise about endless foreign support, the division on the right over Israel and Ukraine, and how America avoids being manipulated: “America's not the world's mommy.” (13:00)
  • Kelly: “I think Trump's probably going to ramp up a little support for Ukraine… it's a method to bring it to a close. I don't think Trump desires a forever war.” (14:00)
  • On Israel: US support has led to some right-wing division, especially as “we're getting a little close to the sun... But thank God, that seems to be coming to a close now.”
• On Foreign Manipulation (14:57–15:23):
  • “We're the world's superpower, so they're going to try to manipulate us. But we have a strong leader, so we don't have to worry about it.” – Kelly

3. Immigration and Assimilation (16:08–17:53)

• A legal immigrant couple expresses concern about anti-immigrant sentiment. Kelly differentiates between a hard line on illegal immigration policy and cultural reality:
  • “Americans are the most tolerant, accepting, loving people in the world. … I haven't seen a hint of American citizens treating immigrants badly.” (17:09)

4. The Israel Debate and Right-Wing Identity (17:53–20:04)

• Navigating the Conservative Divide over Israel:
  • Kelly identifies as a “pro-Israel Zionist” but laments the stifling of criticism (“then you’re an anti-Semite!”) and says Americans resent rhetorical overreach.
  • She encourages young conservatives: “Don’t completely abandon the cause.”

5. Style and Ad Hominem in Public Argument

• Why Resort to Personal Attacks? (20:04–21:15):
  • Kelly: “It depends on the person … I happen to believe that conservatism makes you gorgeous. I don't know what it is. It's like a fountain of youth.” (20:14)

6. Advice to the Young: Find Your Voice

• Building Courage (“Practice at every opportunity” 21:18–22:51):
  • “Never hide your true viewpoint … start in the little moments of your life … Do it daily if you can … Don’t back down from what you feel. Not even one iota. Not even if you’re wrong.” – Megyn Kelly

Special Guest Interviews

Emily Jashinsky: No Team Jerseys, Heterodoxy, and Cultural Drift

Background and Upbringing (33:47–38:34)

• Grew up in Wisconsin, not overtly political; parents from different backgrounds, union and HR.
• Describes herself as a “normal conservative” – faith and Christianity central to her worldview but open to challenges, especially post-Trump era.

Importance of Cross-Ideological Friendship and Dialogue (38:34–41:31)

• Sharing a show with leftist Ryan Grim taught her about dissolving labels and humanizing “the other.”
• “Labels ... all dissolve when you’re forced to be in close proximity with someone having challenging conversations.” – Emily Jashinsky (39:22)
• Kelly and Jashinsky agree that honest dialogue requires proximity and a willingness to see humanity across divides.

The Perils of Issue-based Extremism (43:27–45:04)

• Discusses the desperation that drives voters to the extremes, referencing New York politics.
• Notes how Trump’s economic policies, especially tariffs, are no longer taboo, and legacy Republican opposition is waning.

Israel, Government Lies, and the Media’s Role (46:19–49:53)

• Jashinsky's view on Israel was altered after covering the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh; she criticizes US politicians uncritically parroting Israeli government lines.
• Both she and Kelly stress that criticism of Israel is not tantamount to anti-Semitism; echo frustration with speech policing.

Media Misinformation, White House Renovations, and Legacy Press (51:29–56:02)

• They lampoon legacy media's hyperventilation over Trump’s White House renovations, exposing historical omissions and double standards.
• “If it weren’t for people like you in independent media, people wouldn't know these facts.” – Kelly

Glenn Greenwald: Journalism, Surveillance, and Media Betrayal

The Value of Adversarial Journalism (59:52–65:49)

• Greenwald recalls how he admired Kelly for her adversarial interviews on Fox, counter to the perception of partisan hackery.
• He and Kelly agree that journalism's first allegiance is to truth and power-scrutiny, not party loyalty.
• “It’s always dangerous for human beings to have lots of power and lots of money with no pushback, no scrutiny, no journalistic examination.” – Greenwald (65:32)

Origins: From Law to Snowden and Beyond (68:39–73:29)

• Greenwald shares his post-9/11 journey from constitutional law toward journalism, motivated by government infringements on rights.
• Describes how reporting on NSA surveillance with Edward Snowden changed US understanding of surveillance and democracy.

Leaving The Intercept: The Hunter Biden Story (77:08–80:51)

• Greenwald left The Intercept, which he co-founded, when his own editors refused to let him publish the verified Hunter Biden laptop story.
• “I had to quit my own organization because ... editors want to manipulate the outcome of our politics ... why would I stay?” – Greenwald (80:17)
• Both he and Kelly assert that current media disinformation comes from prioritizing political goals above journalistic truth.

Joe Biden’s Mental State and Media Complicity (81:16–84:09)

• Kelly and Greenwald harshly critique the media for covering up Biden’s cognitive decline, arguing that Americans were denied the truth, which had real policy consequences.
• “He was incapable of making those decisions ... the bigger question is who’s running the government?” – Greenwald (84:41)

Roundtable: The Left’s Obsession with Race, Media Decline, and Political Dehumanization

Karine Jean-Pierre’s Identity Politics (89:34–96:37)

• Kelly and co-hosts ridicule Karine Jean-Pierre’s book tour, in which she foregrounds her identity as a black queer woman to the exclusion of substantive accomplishment.
• Greenwald and Jashinsky deride the Democratic Party’s transactional approach to identity and affirmative action-style appointments.
• “Was it. I love that. In her mind, the repayment for the treatment that American blacks have received is Kamala Harris. This is like, we deserve Kamala Harris. You owe us Kamala Harris.” – Jashinsky (93:55)
• Kelly: “We are done obsessing over skin color ... The fever [on racial fixation] is broken.” (95:54)

Rachel Maddow, Elitism, and the Bubble (98:36–103:09)

• Segment on elitism of left-leaning media personalities—Maddow’s condescension, snobbery, and detachment from average Americans.
• Greenwald: “People understand when they're being condescended to ... the Democratic Party ... now look[s] down upon ... most of the country feels condescended to and patronized and can just like spewed contempt at by liberal elites.” (99:02)
• On declining relevance: cable news’ shrinking influence; Maddow’s influence now minimal.

Media Disinformation, Audience Superiority, and “Attractiveness” (103:09–105:11)

• Tongue-in-cheek riffing on “conservative attractiveness,” the effects of Trump Derangement Syndrome, and politicized uglification of left-leaning public figures.

On Political Violence and the Aftermath of Charlie’s Assassination (105:16–114:18)

• Depravity and Leftist Political Violence:
  • Kelly and Greenwald argue that the current climate is marked by escalating leftist violence, “a new paradigm” since the assassination of conservative pundit Charlie.
• The Dangers of Dehumanization:
  • Greenwald cautions against seeing all leftists as evil; notes “every political faction produces violence,” but laments a new leftist belief that “the world is better off when conservatives die.” (108:06)
• Spiritual and Communal Disconnection:
  • Glenn links rising violence and nihilism to loss of spirituality and community; calls for a re-engagement with religious and local institutions.

On Hope and Reaching the Disaffected (114:18–116:48)

• Kelly affirms that not all on the left are unreachable, and that ongoing outreach (as practiced by Charlie Kirk) remains vital.
• Jashinsky: “People are really gettable because they are starving for moral clarity. And if you can provide that, people's discontent can be channeled very productively.” (116:35)

Final Words: The Power of Speaking Truth

• Kelly relates a story of a progressive, closeted listener whose child struggles with gender issues. This listener quietly values the uncomfortable truths spoken on her show.
• “Stick to what's real ... you are helping people.” – Megyn Kelly (116:48)
• She encourages the audience to “sit in the front row of your life. Be the person who says something.”

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “Courage has been in short supply these days.” – Megyn Kelly (07:50)
• “For me, journalism is way higher for a journalist than partisan affiliation.” – Glenn Greenwald (61:18)
• "Labels ... all dissolve when you’re forced to be in close proximity with someone having challenging conversations." – Emily Jashinsky (39:22)
• "People understand when they're being condescended to ... most of the country feels condescended to and patronized by liberal elites." – Glenn Greenwald (99:02)
• "The fever [on racial fixation] is broken. That stuff's not going to work anymore." – Megyn Kelly (95:54)
• “Every political faction produces violence … but the predominant sentiment among a lot of people on the left [today] is that the world is better off when conservatives die.” – Glenn Greenwald (108:06)
• "People are really gettable because they are starving for moral clarity … if you can provide that, people's discontent can be channeled very productively." – Emily Jashinsky (116:35)
• "Sit in the front row of your life. Be the person who says something." – Megyn Kelly (116:48)

Major Segments & Timestamps

• Opening, Kelly’s Welcome, On Courage: 03:00–10:00
• Q&A on DOJ, Foreign Aid, Israel: 10:50–22:51
• Emily Jashinsky Segment: 32:16–56:02
• Glenn Greenwald Segment: 58:51–84:09
• Roundtable: Identity Politics, Media Critique, Political Violence: 89:34–116:48
• Final Words, Closing: 116:48–end

Tone and Style

The session is lively, combative, and self-aware, with a blend of humor, directness, cultural critique, and moments of earnest concern. Kelly’s signature “no BS, no agenda, no fear” posture rules the night, while Greenwald’s and Jashinsky’s participation gives the evening its range – from robust disagreement to shared warnings about tribalism and the decay of bona fide journalism.

Takeaways

1. Civic involvement and courage are critical amid intensifying ideological divides.
2. Media mistrust is justified, but the public must demand better and embrace heterodox, adversarial journalism.
3. Honest disagreement, not “team jerseys”, is necessary for a healthy public life.
4. Race and gender fixations on the left are losing persuasive power – Americans want substance, not identity politics.
5. Political violence has become a pressing concern; the answer is outreach, spirituality, and rebuilding community bonds.
6. Speaking uncomfortable truths and being willing to “say the thing” can have unseen but powerful effects.