James Comey Indicted, Trump Paves Way for American TikTok Deal, NJ Gov Race Tightens: AM Update 9/26

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update – September 26, 2025

Episode Title: James Comey Indicted, Trump Paves Way for American TikTok Deal, NJ Gov Race Tightens
Host: Megyn Kelly
Date: September 26, 2025

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Overview

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show provides a brisk run-through of the day's major political and legal stories. Central themes include the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, the Trump administration's advance on an American-controlled TikTok, a shocking ICE facility shooting in Dallas, newly revised strong economic growth figures, and a tightening New Jersey governor’s race. Megyn Kelly keeps a critical tone, especially on perceived political hypocrisy, DOJ actions, and media coverage.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. James Comey Indicted

• Background: Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of making false statements and obstruction, relating to alleged lies under oath about the Crossfire Hurricane (Trump-Russia) investigation and press leaks ([03:10]).

• Key Details:

  • The indictment coincides closely with the five-year statute of limitations, pressing the case to a deadline ([03:10]).
  • The DOJ alleges Comey both lied to Congress in 2020 and obstructed oversight.

• Political Fallout:

  • Attorney General Pam Bondi and current FBI Director Kash Patel both stress “no one is above the law” ([03:19]).

  • Trump responds strongly on social media, calling Comey “one of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to” ([03:39]).

  • Comey posts a defiant video, alleging political prosecution and expressing faith in the judicial system.

    Quote:
    “We will not live on our knees. And you shouldn’t either… My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”
    — James Comey ([03:45])

• DOJ Shake-Up:

  • The case is brought by newly appointed Acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump attorney with minimal prosecutorial experience ([04:30]).
  • Her appointment follows the resignation (or possible firing) of Eric Siebert, who reportedly resisted moving against Trump’s political opponents ([04:53]).

• Political Polarization:

  • Prominent Democrats blast the move as “political prosecution,” claiming it marks reached authoritarianism ([05:29]).
  • Megyn Kelly notes alleged hypocrisy, recalling Biden’s reported pressure on his own DOJ to indict Trump ([06:11]).

2. Trump Advances US TikTok Takeover

• Executive Order: Trump signs a sweeping EO facilitating an American takeover of TikTok to comply with the US ban instituted under Biden ([07:11]).
• Deal Structure:
  • ByteDance, TikTok’s owner, will be forced to divest 80% of US interests.
  • American investors and a US board will control the new entity.
  • Oracle will oversee data and privacy.
  • Ownership expected to include high-profile conservative investors such as Mark Andreessen and the Murdoch family ([08:15]).
• User Data and Propaganda:
  • The administration emphasizes improved American data privacy and protection against foreign propaganda ([09:12]).
  • Critics worry the move is tantamount to a right-wing takeover of a massive social media platform.
• International Diplomacy:
  Quote:
  “I had a very good talk with President Xi, a lot of respect for him… He gave us the go ahead. You know, it’s run by American investors and American companies, great ones, great investors…”
  — President Donald Trump ([07:27])

3. Dallas ICE Facility Shooting: New Motive Details

• Incident: 29-year-old Joshua Yan opened fire on a Dallas ICE facility before taking his own life ([14:00]).

• Motive:

  • Strong anti-ICE and left-wing motivations uncovered in written statements.
  • Yan sought to “maximize lethality against ICE personnel and to maximize property damage” ([13:47]).
  • Law enforcement categorizes the attack as terrorism, noting his intention was to terrorize ICE agents and disrupt their work, while avoiding harm to detainees.

• Media Critique: Kelly accuses mainstream outlets of downplaying or ignoring the suspect’s motives ([14:00]).

• Technology & Safety:

  • Prior to the attack, Yan allegedly used an app publicizing ICE agent movements—an app recently promoted by CNN. Officials and commentators heavily criticize such technology for endangering lives ([15:40]).

• Escalation: This is the fourth such attack in Texas on federal immigration facilities this year.

  Quote:
  “He hoped his actions would terrorize ICE employees… This is the very definition of terrorism.”
  — Law Enforcement Official ([13:47])

4. Stronger than Expected Economic Growth

• New Data: Second quarter GDP revised up to 3.8%, significantly higher than first estimates and the best quarterly performance since Q3 2023 ([12:01]).

• Drivers: Consumer spending is credited for the positive revision.

• Politics: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick contrasts current growth with Biden’s era, crediting Trump’s tariffs and “America First” economic policies ([12:38]).

• Expert Analysis: CNBC expresses surprise at the size of the revision, suggesting improved economic momentum.

  Quote:
  “I’m a bit shocked… 3.8% would be the best quarter quarter going back... there’s a balance there but the momentum is moving in favor for better growth.”
  — CNBC Economic Analyst ([12:01])

5. New Jersey Governor’s Race Tightens

• Polling: Latest Emerson College poll finds Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Cittarelli tied at 43% with 11% undecided ([16:00]).

• Candidates’ Strategies:

  • Sherrill tries linking Cittarelli to Trump.
  • Cittarelli ties Sherrill to unpopular incumbent Governor Murphy and high energy costs, blaming Murphy's green policies ([16:40]).

• Scandal: News breaks that Sherrill did not walk at her Naval Academy graduation due to a classwide cheating scandal. She denies wrongdoing but refuses to release records ([17:30]).

• Potential Republican Upset: New Jersey trending more competitive; Trump touts Cittarelli as “tough on crime and cutting taxes.”

  Quote:
  “Jack is tough on crime and cutting taxes, two things that people really demand today. He will be a great governor.”
  — Donald Trump ([16:52])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• James Comey’s Defiance: “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial and keep the faith.” ([03:45])
• Trump Celebrates Charges: “One of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to is James Comey.” ([03:39])
• Democrat Lawmakers' Alarm: “Anybody who thinks we’re on the way to authoritarianism is wrong. We are there.” — Democratic Senator ([05:45])
• TikTok National Security: “We wanted to keep TikTok operating, but we also wanted to make sure that we protected Americans’ data privacy...” ([09:12])
• ICE Attack Described: “He hoped his actions would terrorize ICE employees… and interfere with their work which he called human trafficking. This is the very definition of terrorism.” ([13:47])

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Segment Timestamps

• James Comey Indictment & DOJ Politics: [03:10]–[06:20]
• TikTok American Takeover Explained: [07:11]–[09:50]
• Dallas ICE Facility Shooting Motive Details: [13:00]–[15:40]
• Revised Q2 GDP/Economic Growth: [12:01]–[12:40]
• NJ Governor’s Race, Debate, and Scandal: [16:00]–[18:40]

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Tone & Style

Megyn Kelly maintains a brisk, skeptical, and occasionally sardonic tone throughout, particularly when critiquing perceived double standards in political and media responses. The show blends rapid-fire news recaps with pointed editorial asides, maintaining an “in the know” and combative atmosphere for conservative-leaning listeners.

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Summary prepared for those seeking a detailed, balanced understanding of today’s episode of The Megyn Kelly Show without ad interruptions or extraneous detail.

Transcript

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[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Friday, September 26, 2025, and this is your AM update. Former FBI Director James Comey indicted.

[TikTok/Tech Policy Expert]

We wanted to keep TikTok operating, but we also wanted to make sure that we protected Americans data privacy.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump signs an executive order bringing the US One step closer to making a deal with China on TikTok, a new report show spring economic growth was much stronger than anticipated.

[Law Enforcement Official]

He wrote that he intended to maximize lethality against ICE personnel and to maximize property damage.

[Megyn Kelly]

Officials release more information about the motive of the alleged gunman who opened fire on a Dallas ICE facility. And the New Jersey governor's race is neck and neck. Could the GOP flip the state red? All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. You know those movies that tell the stories of real life heroes with the courage to stand up in the face of indescribable evil and hatred to protect and save others? They're important, especially now when the world seems to need heroes more than ever. Artist at War is a film about how art and love can save lives, literally and spiritually. It's the remarkable true story of Joseph Bao, a gifted artist and master forger who risked his life to save others during the Holocaust. There he not only found the strength to survive, but also an unexpected love with Rebecca, a woman whose courage matched his own. Their secret wedding, held inside a concentration camp, was later immortalized in the film Schindler's List. Bao Artist at War opens only in theaters for a limited run beginning September 26th. Go to baomovie.com, b a u movie.com to watch the trailer, read about Joseph's real life journey and find showtimes near you. Visit Bao Bau Movie.com to watch the trailer and learn more and you can also sign your organization up for group screenings. Again, that's B A u movie dot com a federal grand jury in Virginia indicting former FBI director James Comey yesterday on one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction. The investigation into Comey reportedly centering around alleged lies he told to the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 30, 2020 regarding the Trump Russia FBI probe nicknamed Crossfire hurricane. The accusation that he authorized leaks of information to the press, then lied about it under oath and obstructed justice in thwarting Congress's oversight of the FBI. The charge of lying to Congress has a five year statute of limitations, meaning prosecutors faced a Tuesday deadline to bring charges against Comey. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on social media, quote, no one is above the law, a sentiment echoed by current FBI Director Kash Patel. President Trump responding, quote, justice in America. One of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to is James Comey. Comey himself posting this video to social media.

[James Comey]

My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn't imagine ourselves living any other way. We will not live on our knees. And you shouldn't either. Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant. And she's right. But I'm not afraid, and I hope you're not either. I hope instead you are engaged, you are paying attention, and you will vote like your beloved country depends upon it, which it does. My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I'm innocent. So let's have a trial and keep the faith.

[Megyn Kelly]

The charge is brought by Acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, 36 year old Lindsey Halligan, the president's former personal attorney. Attorney General Bondi appointing Halligan to the job on Monday despite her lack of experience in the criminal law and in prosecuting cases, to replace Eric Siebert, who left the position last Friday, reportedly over his reluctance to pursue charges against the president's enemies, including New York State Attorney General Letitia James Siebert saying he resigned. President Trump saying last Saturday he fired Siebert. Later that same evening, Mr. Trump in a post on Truth Social, addressed to Pam Bondi writing, quote, what about Comey? Adam Schiffy, Schiff, Letitia, they're all guilty as hell, but nothing's being done. Justice must be served. Now the president's critics, including Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar Adem, and Connecticut Democratic Senator Dick Blumenthal sounding the alarm.

[Conservative Commentator]

This is a political prosecution, pure and simple. It's Exhibit A of the corruption of this Department of Justice in our justice system. And it comes in line with all the other lawless things President Trump is doing. Anybody who thinks we're on the way to authoritarianism is wrong. We are there.

[Megyn Kelly]

Trump ordered this prosecution. He is literally weaponizing the Justice Department.

[ExxonMobil Representative]

I think we all ought to be frightened today because if Donald Trump can populate the Department of Justice with federal prosecutors throughout the country, nobody is safe.

[Megyn Kelly]

Hmm. After Trump was indicted, all three of these lawmakers declared no one is above the law. K President's critics say they're upset this indictment appears to have been at the behest of the president. Guess they forgot the reporting in the New York Times, April 2022 of the fact that then President Joe Biden had been pressuring his attorney general before even a single indictment had been sought against Donald Trump to get more aggressive, be more decisive, and to indict Donald Trump, which the DOJ then did twice. Not to mention the state prosecutions in New York and Georgia, both of which had federal help. Attorneys Mike Davis and Dave Aronberg will be on the Megyn Kelly show later today to unpack the charges, along with just the news journalist John Solomon. President Trump signing an executive order yesterday clearing the way for American investors to run a separate US based version of Chinese app TikTok in compliance with a ban signed under the Biden administration. A deal for the app, one of the most widely used in the world, is in the works since the first Trump administration. President Trump yesterday from the Oval saying Chinese President Xi Jinping is giving the green light.

[Donald Trump]

I had a very good talk with President Xi, a lot of respect for him. Hopefully he has a lot of respect for me, too. And we talked about TikTok and other things, but we talked about TikTok and he gave us the go ahead. You know, it's run by American investors and American companies, great ones, great investors. The biggest, you know, get bigger. I don't imagine.

[Megyn Kelly]

In April of 2024, President Biden signing a bill to ban TikTok unless it was sold to a U.S. company. It was a ban first floated by President Trump during his first term upon taking office. The second time, President Trump signing an executive order postponing the ban's effective date, allowing the US More time to make a deal with China. The law requires ByteDance to divest about 80% of its U.S. assets. According to the executive order, TikTok's U.S. operations and a copy of its highly addictive, highly coveted algorithm will be spun off into a new US based joint venture. According to the executive order, ByteDance will own less than 20% of the company. The rest of the ownership will be composed of American investors and run by an American board of directors. American software company Oracle will oversee TikTok data and privacy. The remaining ownership. And just who's on that board. Not yet clear. However, CNN reporting that the ownership is likely to include several companies owned by right wing billionaires, including Mark Andreessen and the Murdoch family. Under the deal, these companies would, in cooperation with the government, monitor the U.S. algorithm to ensure content is free from improper manipulation or surveillance. Vice President J.D. vance says this will ensure user safety on TikTok.

[TikTok/Tech Policy Expert]

The fundamental thing that we wanted to accomplish is that we wanted to keep TikTok operating, but we also wanted to make sure that we protected Americans data privacy as required by law, both because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's a legal requirement of the law that was passed last year by Congress. But this deal really does mean that Americans can use TikTok but actually use it with more confidence than they had in the past because their data is going to be secure and it's not going to be used as a propaganda weapon against our fellow citizens.

[Megyn Kelly]

However, the left wing has other concerns. CNN putting it this way, quote, chances for potential Chinese manipulation of US Data would be much lower. Chances for yet another right wing takeover of a super popular social media app just went up exponentially. Coming up, Dallas officials release more information about the shooter who opened fire on an ICE facility pointing to a clear cut anti ice motive. Will the liberal media report it? And new polling shows the New Jersey governor's race. New Jersey is neck and neck. Could the Garden State actually go red? I want to talk to you about Jevoty. In my career I've learned that information is everything and the same of course applies to our health. Having the right info makes all the difference. That is where Jevoty comes in. It's not just another health app. It's a longevity and health optimization platform that uses your health data to build custom care plans for your unique needs. Gevy creates personalized supplement packs based on your specific blood work and they provide ongoing guidance to you. No more fragmented health care or wasting money on random supplements. Hoping something works. This platform analyzes essential biomarkers, giving you comprehensive health data, all accessible from home. So go to jevity.com Megan and get 20% off with code. Megan that's gojevity.com Megan all right, you gotta put the word go first. Go. G-E-V-I-T-I.com Megan In a world of one size fits all solutions, Jevoty brings clarity, personalization and scientific precision to your wellness. This is not just healthcare, it is health care reimagined with you in mind. Newly revised spring economic numbers revealing a much stronger economy than previously believed, surpassing expectations. The Bureau of Economic analysis now estimating second quarter GDP, the broad measurement of economic growth increased at a 3.8% rate, up 0.8% from the original report and 0.5% from the previous revision. This marks the final revision of Q2 data. CNBC Breaking down the significance of this.

[CNBC Economic Analyst]

Report now on the GDP side. This is our third time around the block on Q2 and we see a really solid revision. 3.8%. I'm a bit shocked to be honest. Usually the revisions as you get to second and third become smaller and smaller. So 3.8% would be the best quarter quarter going back to and we have to go back a ways here till 4.4 and that was 3Q23. Now it is important to point out that if you look at the first quarter final down half a percent, there's a balance there. But the balance is moving in favor. Momentum is moving in favor for better growth.

[Megyn Kelly]

The growth driven largely by an increase in consumer spending, a key force behind economic output. This new data showing President Trump's tariffs have not had the negative impact on consumers warned about by opponents to his economic tactic. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick posting on X Biden's economy could never reach 3%. President Trump's American first policies added 100 billion and fueled our extraordinary economic growth. The experts doubted it. Trump delivered it. Authorities releasing new details on the motive of 29 year old Joshua Yan accused of shooting up an ICE facility on Wednesday in Dallas Alice before taking his own life within hours of the shooting. FBI Director Kash Patel releasing photos of unspent ammo marked with the words anti ice. Many in the media attempting to downplay that information as ambiguous or ignore it altogether. Acting U.S. attorney for Northern Texas Nancy Larson on Thursday saying investigators executed multiple search warrants confirming Jan's clear leftist anti ICE motive.

[Law Enforcement Official]

He called the ICE employees people showing up to collect a dirty paycheck. He wrote that he intended to maximize lethality against ICE personnel and to maximize property damage at the facility. He hoped to minimize any collateral damage or injury to the detainees and any other innocent people. It seems that he did not intend to kill, kill the detainees or harm them. It's clear from these notes that he was targeting ICE agents and ICE personnel. He also hoped his actions would give ICE agents real terror of being gunned down and he did this to induce constant stress in their lives. He hoped his actions would terrorize ICE employees and and interfere with their work which he called human trafficking. And this what he did is the very definition of terrorism.

[Megyn Kelly]

Authorities say the attack was planned months in advance. The gun used in the shooting, a bolt action rifle similar to the one used to kill Charlie Kirk, was legally obtained in August. According to FBI Director Patel, the alleged shooter searched Charlie Kirk shot video multiple times in the days leading up to the attack. Investigators believe Jan traveled to the facility in his car around 3am bringing a ladder with him to access the roof. Around 6:30am Jan began firing indiscriminately toward the building, shattering windows and striking a van carrying law enforcement officials and ICE detainees. One detainee killed in the attack and two others were shot. No law enforcement agents were injured in the shooting despite the shooter's stated intent. Director Patel also confirming in the lead up to the attack, Yan used apps to track the movement of ICE agents Press Secretary Caroline Levitt posting on X Three months ago, CNN irresponsibly gave free publicity to an app that recklessly shares the location of ICE agents. Levitt calling the liberal media, quote, complicit in the increased threats and violence against ice. ICE Field Office Director Marcos Charles saying the creation of these apps publicly available to anyone is quote, no different than giving a hitman the location of their intended target. And this is exactly what we saw happen in Dallas. This week's shooting is the fourth attack in Texas this year on an ICE or CBP facility. With just over six weeks to go until Election Day, the race for New Jersey governor is in a dead heat. An Emerson College poll showing Democrat candidate and current U.S. congresswoman Mikey Sherrill tied with Republican candidate Jack Cittarelli at 43% with 11% still undecided. Cittarelli appearing to surge in recent weeks as Sheryl sits at plus 6.5% in the real Clear polling average. This latest poll surveying 935 somewhat and very likely voters and in the two days following Sunday's debate, the first matchup between the two candidates, executive director of Emerson Polling Spencer Kimball saying, quote, both President Trump and Governor Murphy are underwater among Jersey voters. Sheryl is trying to tie Cittarelli to Trump at the national level and Cittarelli is trying to tie Sheryl to Murphy and the cost of living at the state level. Cittarelli arguing during the campaign, Governor Murphy's pro wind energy policies are largely to blame for the rise in energy costs as Sheryl blames lack of transparency from utility companies advocating for building more green energy sources. President Trump who has endorsed Cittarelli posting to Truth Social quote, wow, a just out poll has Jack Cittarelli essentially beating close to incompetent Mikey Sherrill in the race for governor of New Jersey. Jack is tough on crime and cutting taxes, two things that people really demand today. He will be a great governor this election marking Cittarelli's third run for governor, narrowly losing in 2021 to Governor Phil Murphy in a 51 to 48 result, that result coming in much closer than anticipated in 2024, President Trump losing the state to Kamala Harris by about 250,000 votes, also a much closer margin than expected. Sheryl built her political brand on her service as a helicopter pilot in the Navy, her campaign logo containing a chopper, the top of her website featuring the candidate in a flight jacket. Just hours after the latest polling dropped on Thursday, the New Jersey Globe reporting Sheryl did not walk with her graduating class at the Naval Academy in 1994amid a massive cheating scandal, two dozen midshipmen expelled after the answers to an electrical engineering exam were shared among classmates in 1992. Sheryl rejected a request to release the records, though, telling the Globe, I didn't turn in some of my classmates, so I didn't walk. But I graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. navy. The candidates face off in another debate on Tuesday next week. And that'll do it for your AM Update. I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show, live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at Noon east on YouTube. Down and on all podcast platforms.

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