The Megyn Kelly Show — AM Update, February 17, 2026

Episode Theme:
A fast-paced AM Update episode covering developments in three headline stories: the delayed DNA results and shifting police statements in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case; Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s moves to crack down on ultra-processed foods; and controversy as both Canadian Olympic curling teams face cheating allegations.

1. Guthrie Case: DNA Delays and Sheriff’s Reversal

(Main Segment: 00:32–06:01)

Key Discussion Points:

• Sheriff’s Sudden Shift:
  • Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, for the first time, publicly ruled out Nancy Guthrie’s family (siblings and spouses) as suspects in her disappearance.
  • “The Guthrie family, to include all siblings and spouses, has been cleared as possible suspects in this case. The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case. To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel.” (Sheriff Nanos Statement, 02:38)
  • This statement marked a reversal from earlier declarations—just a day prior, both Nanos and sources speaking to The Megyn Kelly Show said no one had yet been cleared.
• Lack of New Evidence:
  • NBC’s Tom Winter reports there’s no indication this reversal resulted from new evidence. Questions to the sheriff’s office about what changed went unanswered.
  • When asked if DNA evidence helped clear the family, Sheriff Nanos declined to answer: “Not going there. They’re victims and I will not stand quiet when they are revictimized.” (03:58)
  • The DNA from gloves found near Nancy’s home remains in quality control at a Florida lab and hasn’t entered the national CODIS database yet. The reasons for the delay are unclear.
• Analysis from Phil Holloway (True Crime Host, Ex-Law Enforcement):
  • On the wisdom of the sheriff’s public clearing of the family:
    • “It seems like it might be a little premature… to issue a blanket clearance like that until you know who your suspect or suspects in the plural might be.” (Phil Holloway, 04:27)
    • He suggests the move stems from political and media pressure but could backfire: “I think he may have miscalculated because this statement is simply, I think, doing the opposite. It’s drawing more attention to the issue people were trying to make go away.” (04:54)
    • Criticizes Sheriff’s inconsistent messaging:
    • “There’s one thing that’s been consistent with this sheriff’s department from the beginning, and that is that they’re inconsistent in their messaging.” (05:32)
    • Suggests media-savvy professionals should be directing the department’s communications.
• Political Overtones:
  • President Trump tells the New York Post he’ll instruct the DOJ to seek the death penalty for Guthrie’s kidnappers if she is found dead, signaling “very, very severe consequences.” (06:01)

2. US-Hungary Relations — Rubio’s Budapest Visit

(Segment: 00:49, 06:01–09:05)

Key Discussion Points:

• Rubio’s Focus on Personal Diplomacy:
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Hungary, reiterates the importance of close ties between leaders as central to national alliances, referencing his strong relationship with Prime Minister Viktor Orban (a polarizing figure in European politics).
  • Notable Quote:
    • “We are entering this golden era of relations between our countries… because of the relationship that you have with the president of the United States. And that relationship’s grown even closer.” (Marco Rubio, 07:05)
  • U.S. to support Hungary in facing “impediments to growth” or financial struggle, emphasizing intertwined interests.
• Handling Ties with China:
  • Rubio is pressed about Hungary’s relationships with China, a major U.S. adversary.
  • He frames differences as normal given national interests, stressing strong relationships let allies work through disagreements.
  • Notable exchange:
    • “It is our expectation that every nation on earth is going to act in their national interest… Where we have some differences, that’s where these deep ties… are so important.” (Marco Rubio, 08:18)
    • “It would be crazy. It’s insane for the United States and China not to have relations and interact with one another.” (Marco Rubio, 08:53)

3. RFK Jr. & Ultra-Processed Foods Crackdown

(Segment: 09:41, 10:41–13:21)

Key Discussion Points:

• Major Regulatory Petition:
  • The Trump administration, via HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will act on a high-profile petition calling for stricter regulation of ultra-processed foods.
  • Petition initiated by Dr. David Kessler (former FDA chief under Bush and Clinton), particularly targets highly refined sweeteners, specific flours, and chemical additives.
  • Criticism: The current ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) standard lets companies self-certify ingredients, leading to thousands of additives in the U.S. food supply, compared to just 400 in Europe.
    • Notable Quotes:
      • “That loophole was hijacked by the industry and it was used to add thousands upon thousands of new ingredients into our food supply… This agency does not know how many ingredients there are in American food.” (Dr. David Kessler, 11:50)
      • “The estimates are between 4,000 and 10,000. We have no idea what they are.” (Dr. David Kessler, 12:12)
      • “There is no way for any American to know if a product is safe if it is ultra processed.” (Dr. David Kessler, 12:22)
  • Dr. Kessler and RFK Jr. link the proliferation of these foods to the U.S.’s rise in chronic illnesses:
    • “Energy dense, highly palatable, rapidly absorbable, ultra processed foods… have resulted in the greatest increase in chronic disease in our history. Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension… heart attacks, stroke, heart failure. From our food, from our food.” (RFK Jr., quoting Dr. Kessler, 12:38)
• Administration Response:
  • HHS working with food companies to voluntarily remove petroleum-based dyes and rolling out a new food pyramid prioritizing whole foods—“flipping the past pyramid literally on its head.” (13:21)
  • RFK Jr. vows a review of food ingredients “using gold standard science,” but offers no specifics.
  • Separately, the FDA will propose a rule (in 2026) requiring companies to formally notify FDA of new GRAS claims.

4. Canada Curling Scandal — Olympic Cheating Allegations

(Segment: 09:21, 13:21–17:06)

Key Discussion Points:

• Rules & Context:
  • In Olympic curling, players must release the stone handle before it crosses the ‘hog line’ and cannot touch the stone while it’s moving; infractions could see the stone removed from play.
• Canadian Men’s Team Under Fire:
  • Incident in Canada vs. Sweden: Mark Kennedy (Canada) appeared to obey the initial release rule but allegedly touched the granite after release, drawing sharp protest from Team Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson.
    • On-ice exchange:
      • Oskar Eriksson: “Apparently it’s okay touching the rock after the hogline.”
      • Mark Kennedy: “I haven’t done it once. You can off.”
      • Oskar: “You haven’t done it once?”
      • Mark: “I haven’t done it once.”
      • Oskar: “Okay, I’ll show you a video after the game.” (15:11–15:25)
    • The confrontation was heated, with Kennedy and Eriksson trading barbs.
    • No technical penalty was given (only a warning for language), and Canada beat Sweden 8–6.
• Repeat Complaints & More Accusations:
  • The following day, Team Switzerland also accuses Mark Kennedy of a similar “double touch” infraction—this time in a 9–5 Canadian loss. Kennedy contests both accusations and objects to being videotaped by the Swiss defenders.
• Women’s Team Involved:
  • Canada’s Rachel Homan is caught illegally touching her stone during a match against Switzerland; the stone is removed, and Canada narrowly loses 8–7.
• Enforcement & Culture:
  • Olympic curling relies heavily on the honor system and self-policing—there’s no instant replay, so officials only issued warnings.
• Ongoing Competition:
  • Despite the scandals, both Canadian teams are still expected to advance to the medal rounds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• “It seems like it might be a little premature… to issue a blanket clearance like that until you know who your suspect or suspects in the plural might be.” — Phil Holloway (04:27)
• “There’s one thing that’s been consistent with this sheriff’s department from the beginning, and that is that they’re inconsistent in their messaging.” — Phil Holloway (05:32)
• “We are entering this golden era of relations between our countries, and not simply because of the alignment of our people, but because of the relationship that you have with the president of the United States.” — Secretary Marco Rubio (07:05)
• “This agency does not know how many ingredients there are in American food.” — Dr. David Kessler (11:50)
• “There is no way for any American to know if a product is safe if it is ultra processed.” — Dr. David Kessler (12:22)
• “Energy dense, highly palatable, rapidly absorbable, ultra processed foods… have resulted in the greatest increase in chronic disease in our history… From our food, from our food.” — RFK Jr. via Dr. Kessler (12:38)
• “Apparently it’s okay touching the rock after the hogline.” — Oskar Eriksson (15:11)
• “I haven’t done it once. You can off.” — Mark Kennedy (15:21)

Segment Timestamps for Key Topics

• Guthrie Case & Sheriff's Statements: 00:32–06:01
• Rubio on U.S.-Hungary Relations: 06:01–09:05
• Ultra-Processed Foods Petition: 10:41–13:21
• Canada Curling Cheating Scandal: 13:21–17:06

Overall Tone & Takeaway

The episode delivers a brisk, fact-driven update with Megyn Kelly’s signature directness and occasional wry asides. There’s a focus on inconsistencies from officials, political maneuvering, regulatory battles over food safety, and the cultural and procedural drama surrounding Olympic sportsmanship. The episode also features sharp soundbites, insider commentary, and a balance between hard news and lighter moments, making it accessible for both new listeners and regular followers.