The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update – Jimmy Kimmel Pulled Indefinitely, Fired CDC Chief Testifies, Trump Honored in UK

Host: Emily Jashinsky (filling in for Megyn Kelly)
Date: September 18, 2025
Episode Highlights:
A news-driven episode dissecting major media scandals, political clashes over vaccines, federal oversight, and a high-profile Trump visit to the UK, maintaining a brisk, direct, and analytical tone throughout.

Episode Overview

This AM Update delivers a rapid-fire breakdown of the day’s political, legal, and media flashpoints. Key stories include ABC's indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel after controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the heated testimony of recently fired CDC Director Susan Minarez regarding vaccine policies, revealing exchanges during the FBI’s Epstein investigation oversight hearing, and the ceremonial treatment of former President Trump during his state visit to the UK.

Main Topics and Discussion Points

1. Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension After Controversial Remarks

• Segment Start: [02:43]
• Discussion:
  • ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel's show indefinitely after his “vitriolic” comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, which were considered insensitive in the current political climate.
  • Major local broadcaster Nexstar preempted “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” citing his comments as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our nation's political discourse.”
• Context:
  • Kimmel’s comments implied political blame-shifting for the Kirk assassination, contradicting available evidence that the shooter, Tyler Robinson, harbored left-leaning, pro-LGBTQ+ political views.
    • Jashinsky notes, “The shooter etched the bullets with antifascist messages and references to transgender furry culture...his own family telling authorities he had become very political in recent years.” [03:44]
  • No apology or retraction was issued by Kimmel as of this update.
• Regulatory Response:
  • FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called for accountability, hinting at possible further federal intervention:

    “We can do this the easy way or the hard way... These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” ([04:38], Brendan Carr)

2. Congressional Hearing: Fired CDC Director Susan Minarez Testifies

• Segment Start: [05:33]
• Key Points:
  • Minarez testified about her dismissal amid disputes with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine mandates and committee appointments.
  • She alleged she was pressured to pre-approve every recommendation of the immunization advisory committee regardless of scientific evidence and to fire career officials without cause, both orders she refused.

    “He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence. He also directed me to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without cause... Even under pressure, I could not replace evidence with ideology or compromise my integrity.” ([07:00], Susan Minarez)

• Partisan Dynamics:
  • Despite being opposed by Senate Democrats during her confirmation, some now praised Minarez as a 'resistance' symbol after her firing.
  • RFK Jr.’s administration defended the sweeping dismissal of the vaccine advisory committee, citing entrenched conflicts of interest from Biden-era appointments.
• Debate on Vaccine Policies:
  • Senator Rand Paul challenged the science behind certain vaccines and suggested the CDC’s handling of COVID contributed to vaccine hesitancy:

    “The CDC is the cause of vaccine hesitancy, that you are the problem, that because of COVID and you're forcing these vaccines on people that weren't ever really proven or justified...” ([09:07], Rand Paul) “What is the medical reason for giving a hepatitis B vaccine to a newborn? ... The burden should be on you... to prove to us that we need to give our 6 month old a COVID vaccine and that we need to give our one day old a hepatitis B vaccine.” ([09:55], Rand Paul)

  • Minarez responded:

    “I actually agree with you and I was open to the science. I just would not pre-commit to approving all the ACIP recommendations without the science.” ([10:31], Susan Minarez)

• Public Trust in the CDC:
  • Cited polling data shows trust in the CDC dropped from 88% in March 2020 to 62% in 2025.

3. FBI on the Hot Seat: The Epstein Files and Political Oversight

• Segment Start: [13:21]

• Highlights:

  • FBI Director Kash Patel faced pointed questions from Democrats on the pace and transparency of the Epstein investigation file releases.
  • Patel explained legal restrictions:

    “I literally just told you there are multiple federal court orders. I'm not going to break the law to satisfy your Curiosity. ... We are releasing as much as legally allowed.” ([13:56-14:14], Kash Patel)

  • Spat with former prosecutor Dan Goldman over release protocol and protections.

    “I was a fake one.” ([14:25], Patel in a sardonic retort to Goldman’s “real prosecutor” credentials)

  • Broader discussion about the role of NGOs and influence of donors (notably George Soros) on local prosecution, brought by Rep. Chip Roy.

    “A significant amount of the money flowing out of George Soros and other leftist organizations... putting criminals on the streets.” ([15:02], Chip Roy)

  • Patel confirmed the FBI is following financial trails “regardless of background or ideology.” ([15:39])

• Political Violence and Social Media:

  • With Charlie Kirk’s assassination as a backdrop, the segment addressed the prevalence of political violence and its justification across the spectrum.
  • A new poll: “25% of people self-identified as very liberal believe political violence can sometimes be justified, compared to just 3% of those who identify as very conservative.”
  • Patel emphasized the necessity of public-private partnerships with online companies to track threats, and support for legislation allowing companies to report criminal threats without liability. ([16:39])

4. Other Major Headlines and Quick Hits

Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates

• Segment Start: [10:40]
• Fed drops rates for the first time under Trump, from 4.5–4.75% to 4–4.25%.
• Attributed primarily to softer-than-expected job growth; markets gave a mixed reaction.
• Two more cuts anticipated later in the year.

Trump’s UK State Visit: Unprecedented Ceremonial Welcome

• Segment Start: [17:09]
• Discussion:
  • President Trump and First Lady Melania received grand honors from King Charles, including the largest military ceremony in recent memory, a horse-drawn carriage procession, and the first-ever musical Beating Retreat for a U.S. president.
  • The visit included lavish receptions, a 9-jet flyover, and high-level talks on tech investment and the war in Ukraine.
  • Noted protests 20 miles away, underscoring the polarized response to Trump’s visit.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Kimmel’s remarks and repercussions:

  “Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values.” ([05:33], Brendan Carr)

• On vaccine policy and CDC integrity:

  “Even under pressure, I could not replace evidence with ideology or compromise my integrity.” ([07:00], Susan Minarez)

• On investigating political bias:

  “We are following the money in every organization and every person that is violating the federal code. And it doesn't matter what your background or ideology is, we are following the money.” ([15:39], Kash Patel)

Useful Timestamps

• [02:43] Jimmy Kimmel suspended, details and backlash
• [04:38] Brendan Carr on consequences for ABC/Disney
• [05:33] Susan Minarez CDC testimony begins
• [07:00] Minarez on refusing political pressure
• [09:07] Rand Paul’s critique of CDC and vaccine schedules
• [10:40] Fed rate cut news
• [13:21] FBI/Patel grilled on Epstein, court orders
• [15:02] Chip Roy on Soros, NGOs and prosecutors
• [16:39] Patel, Gill, and discussion of political violence & social media
• [17:09] Trump’s UK state visit details

Conclusion

This episode encapsulates the intersection of media accountability, public health disputes, partisan legal oversight, and international pageantry, punctuated by sharp exchanges, insider testimony, and pointed data. Listeners are left with pressing questions about transparency, trust in public institutions, and the influence of media and money in American civic life.