High Stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court Election

In this episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly delves into the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court election taking place on April 1, 2025. The outcome of this election holds significant national implications, particularly concerning the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Key Details:

• Candidates: Conservative attorney Brad Schimmel is running against liberal Judge Susan Crawford.
• Current Composition: The Wisconsin Supreme Court currently maintains a 43-judicial majority leaning liberal.
• National Ramifications: Should liberals retain control, the existing GOP-drawn congressional map could be challenged and potentially overturned, risking the loss of two Republican U.S. House seats.
• Voter Landscape: Wisconsin is characterized as a 50/50 state, making the election's outcome crucial for determining the court's majority.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly emphasizes the election's importance, stating, “What's happening on Tuesday is a vote for which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives. [...] Whoever wins is going to determine who has the majority in the Wisconsin Supreme Court” ([00:02]).
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries underscores the race’s competitiveness: “That's a 5050 race because we know Wisconsin's a 5050 state” ([00:02]).
• Elon Musk, rallying supporters, asserts, “whichever party controls the House to a significant degree controls the country, which then steers the course of Western civilization” ([00:02]).
• The Trafalgar Group’s poll reveals a tight race: “Ms. Crawford coming in at 50.8%. Mr. Schimmel 49.2” ([00:02]).

Marie Le Pen Banned from French Office

The episode highlights a significant development in French politics: the barring of right-wing presidential candidate Marie Le Pen from political office due to embezzlement charges. This verdict has stirred considerable debate, drawing parallels to perceived legal challenges faced by former President Donald Trump in the United States.

Key Details:

• Charges: Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling approximately €4.4 million in EU funds between 2004 and 2016 during her tenure as a Member of European Parliament.
• Sentence: She received a four-year prison term (with two years under house arrest) and a €100,000 fine. Additionally, her party, the National Rally, was ordered to pay €2 million.
• Allegations: Funds intended for parliamentary assistance were redirected to party staffers focused on domestic political activities rather than EU duties.
• Responses:
  • State Department Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce commented on the exclusion from the political process, stressing support for free expression in the U.S. ([Transcript Section]).
  • Legal Scholar Hans Manke described the charges as a “ludicrously contrived campaign finance dispute” ([Transcript Section]).
  • Pascal Emmanuel Gobri, a French writer and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, defended Le Pen’s practices as “perfectly normal” and emphasized that she wasn’t personally profiting ([Transcript Section]).
• Political Impact: Leading up to her conviction, Le Pen was a frontrunner in the polls for the 2027 French presidential election, challenging incumbent President Emmanuel Macron.

Notable Quotes:

• Legal scholar Hans Manke: “What the media is breathlessly calling embezzlement is nothing more than a ludicrously contrived campaign finance dispute” ([00:02]).
• Pascal Emmanuel Gobri explains, “Marie Le Pen is not even accused of personally profiting from anything” ([00:02]).
• Marie Le Pen responds to her ban: “let's be clear, I am eliminated. But in reality it is millions of French people whose voices have been eliminated” ([00:02]).

Arson Attack on New Mexico GOP Headquarters

Megyn Kelly reports on a concerning incident involving an arson attack at the New Mexico state GOP headquarters in Albuquerque. The event is under investigation as a hate crime, amidst a series of similar politically motivated attacks.

Key Details:

• Incident: An incendiary device was placed at the GOP headquarters around 1 AM, igniting at approximately 5 AM and causing significant damage to the building's entryway.
• Investigation: Authorities, including the ATF and FBI, are conducting a joint investigation. The phrase "ICE equals KKK" was found spray-painted on the building, indicating a possible political motive.
• Context: This attack follows recent vandalism targeting Tesla facilities, suggesting a pattern of politically motivated assaults.
• Democratic Response: Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico criticized aggressive tactics, advocating for peaceful discourse and organization over agitation ([00:02]).
• GOP Statement: New Mexico GOP Chairwoman Amy Barela emphasized the ongoing investigation and collaboration with federal agencies, underscoring the hate crime classification ([00:02]).

Notable Quotes:

• Amy Barela asserts, “We are in close contact with ATF and the FBI. And the attorney general did reach out to me yesterday as well” ([00:02]).
• Teresa Leger Fernandez remarks, “don't feel like we are hopeless or helpless when we express our outrage and it is universal, they are forced to put it back” ([00:02]).

President Trump's International Activities and Third-Term Speculations

The episode discusses President Donald Trump's first international trip of his second term to Saudi Arabia and the swirling rumors about his potential bid for a third term, which would defy the Constitution's 22nd Amendment.

Key Details:

• Saudi Arabia Trip:
  • Purpose: Strengthen economic ties with promises of a $1 trillion investment in American companies.
  • Statements: Trump indicated a shift from traditional early trips to the U.K. or Mexico, opting instead for Saudi Arabia as a strategic economic partner ([00:02]).
  • Saudi Commitment: The kingdom plans to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years ([00:02]).
• Third-Term Speculation:
  • Trump's Comments: In an interview with NBC News, Trump hinted at the possibility of a third term, stating, “there were methods for doing so and clarifying that he was not joking” ([00:02]).
  • Legal Experts’ Views: Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz acknowledges a convoluted path for a third term but deems it highly unlikely, labeling it a “constitutional threat” ([00:02]).
  • Trump’s Stance: During a flight on Air Force One, Trump downplayed immediate plans for a third term but left the door open for future possibilities, emphasizing popular support ([00:02]).

Notable Quotes:

• Trump on May visit: “I'm going to Saudi Arabia because normally you'd go to UK first. And last time I went to Saudi Arabia they put up $450 billion [...] their agreed to do that” ([00:02]).
• Alan Dershowitz comments: “It is against the Constitution and actually it's against what we stand for as Americans” ([00:02]).
• Trump on third term: “But despite that, so many people are saying you've got to run again. They love the job we do. Most importantly, they love the job we've done” ([00:02]).

Conclusion

In this comprehensive AM update, Megyn Kelly navigates through high-stakes political developments both in the United States and internationally. From the critical Wisconsin Supreme Court election and its potential to reshape the U.S. House of Representatives, to the legal challenges faced by French politician Marie Le Pen, and the alarming arson attack on the New Mexico GOP headquarters, the episode underscores the volatile and interconnected nature of contemporary politics. Additionally, the discussions surrounding President Trump's international engagements and the speculative discourse on a possible third term highlight ongoing debates about constitutional limits and executive power.