Jimmy Kimmel Pulled Indefinitely, Fired CDC Chief Testifies, Trump Honored in UK: AM Update 9/18

Summary

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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])

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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.

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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)

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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

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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.

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Transcript

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[Emily Jashinsky]

Good morning everyone. I'm Emily jaszynski, host of Afterparty, filling in for Megyn Kelly. Today, it's Thursday, September 18th, 2025 and this is your AM update. Kimmel is out Disney's ABC indefinitely yanking the bitter late night host's show following vile remarks relating to Charlie Kirk's assassination.

[Republican Senator Rand Paul]

The CDC is the cause of vaccine hesitancy that you are the problem.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Recently fired former CDC director Susan Minarez battles with Republicans on the Hill over vaccine mandates and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr's efforts to restore transparency to government health institutions.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

Anyone released more information on Epstein than I have? Has anyone?

[Emily Jashinsky]

Democrats doubling down on the Epstein inquiry in an FBI oversight hearing and President Trump visits the King of England in a day full of pomp and circumstance. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.

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[Emily Jashinsky]

Disney's ABC reportedly pulling Jimmy Kimmel's show indefinitely yesterday evening. That news coming after Nexstar Media Group announced the company and its partner stations were would preempt Jimmy Kimmel live beginning with last night's show. Nexstar is the largest owner of local TV stations in America with more than 200 stations with a reach of 220 million people. Nexstar releasing a statement, quote, Mr. Kimmel's comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our nation's political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions and views or values of the local communities in which we are located. Kimmel on Monday spewing vitriolic comments about Charlie Kirk's assassination.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.

[Emily Jashinsky]

All of the evidence which was readily available in the days before those comments were made completely contradicts Kimmel's statement. The shooter etched the bullets with antifascist messages and references to transgender furry culture. He was also in a relationship with a male partner, his own family, telling authorities he had become very political in recent years. From Robinson's charging document, quote, Robinson's mother explained that over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro gay and trans rights oriented. The charging document also says Robinson accused Kirk of spreading hate. And in the days since, with even more evidence coming to light, not a word of apology or retraction from Kimmel. Earlier on Thursday, Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr appearing on the Benny show, calling for action.

[Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr]

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. Look, there's calls for Kimmel to be fired. I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this. You could make a strong argument that this is sort of an intentional effort to mislead the American people about a very core fundamental fact to a very important matter. Disney needs to see some change here. But the individual licensed stations that are taking their content, it's time for them to step up and say this garbage. To the extent that that's what comes down the pipe in the future isn't something that we think serves the needs of our local communities. But this sort of status quo is obviously not acceptable where we are. This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Carr posting to X on Thursday, quote, I want to thank nexstar for doing the right thing. 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. I hope that other broadcasters follow Nextstar's lead. Since the announcement, a 2017 tweet of Kirk's going viral quote, jimmy Kimmel isn't funny. Well said, Charlie Fired CDC Director Susan Menarez Appearing yesterday before the Senate House Education, labor and Pensions Committee, the body responsible for overseeing hhs. Manara's was dismissed from her position last month, about one month after her Senate confirmation over vaccine policy disputes with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Democrats, not a single one of whom voted to confirm Minares rallying around her now that she has become a resistance symbol.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

So I want to thank you for your courage. I also want to thank you for your commitment to the truth.

[Republican Senator Rand Paul]

I had concern about your backbone and.

[Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr]

I was wrong and I apologize to.

[Emily Jashinsky]

You for being wrong.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

You are standing up for science, standing.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Up for facts, standing up for the.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

Protections which our children and families need.

[Emily Jashinsky]

In yesterday's hearing, Manara's clinging to her position that she was fired for refusing to compromise her integrity as a member of the scientific community.

[Former CDC Director Susan Minarez]

I heard concerns that the ACIP might alter childhood vaccine schedule at its September meeting, potentially without credible supporting data. On the morning of August 25th, Secretary Kennedy demanded two things of me. They were inconsistent with my oath of office and the ethics required of a public official. 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. He said if I was unwilling to do both, I should resign. Even under pressure, I could not replace evidence with ideology or compromise my integrity.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Top adviser to RFKJ Callie Means posting on X quote, she refused to fire employees who were openly antagonistic to the agenda Americans voted for. The crisis of trust at the CDC is not because of Secretary Kennedy. He was brought in to fix it and he is winning. A June poll from axios Ipsos finding 62% of Americans have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the CDC, about a 25% drop from March of 2020 when 88% of Americans trusted the CDC. One of Menara's chief complaints against Secretary Kennedy the dismissal of the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Secretary Kennedy replacing the entire panel, citing the dismissed group's conflicts of interest and the need to restore public trust. According to a press release, each member of the committee had been appointed by the Biden administration, preventing the Trump administration from choosing a majority of the committee until 2028. Secretary Kennedy's HHS accusing the previous administration of making a, quote, concerted effort to lock in public health ideology and limit the incoming administration's ability to take the proper actions to restore public trust in vaccines. Republican Senator from Kansas Roger Marshall, also a physician, yesterday saying the CDC is the cause of growing vaccine hesitancy nationwide.

[Republican Senator Rand Paul]

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, that the benefits didn't outweigh the risk and you all sat there with your hands in your pockets and you let that happen.

[Emily Jashinsky]

As questions about the COVID shock grew, so too did questions about vaccines. Kentucky Senator Republican Rand Paul, also a doctor, zeroing in on the vaccine committee members. Minara says she was asked to fire without cause. Senator Paul focusing on the hepatitis B vaccine typically administered to newborns on their first day of life regardless of their mother's status. Critics question the practice given hepatitis B is primarily spread through sexual contact and exposure to infected blood.

[Republican Senator Rand Paul]

What is the medical reason for giving a hepatitis B vaccine to a newborn? See, everybody's like blithely going along, we can't change the childhood. You're somehow terrible. If you want to change the childhood, we should be discussing what is the childhood vaccine schedule. And you should be. The burden should be on you. You want to make all the kids take this. The burden is upon you and the people you wouldn't fire to prove to us that 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. That's what the debate ought to be about, not whether all vaccines are good or whether we live in Alice in Wonderland.

[Former CDC Director Susan Minarez]

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.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Untrue. The newly formed vaccine Advisory committee is set to meet later today to discuss childhood vaccine schedule recommendations including COVID 19 and Hepatitis B. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors on Wednesday voting to cut interest rates by a quarter of a point down to a range of 4 to 4.25%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell citing weak job growth as the primary factor. A recent revision showing job gains under President Biden were much softer than originally predicted. This marking the first rate cut since President Trump took office. Mr. Trump waging an intense public pressure campaign for months urging the Fed to cut rates in order to spur economic growth and ease borrowing costs. The final vote coming in at 11 to 1. The only dissenting vote from Stephen Myron, sworn in earlier this week. Myron favoring a larger half point cut. Embattled Fed Governor Lisa Cook present for the vote as an appellate court temporarily blocked her firing. Markets closing out with a mixed response. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ ending the day in the red. The Dow closing in the green. Fed officials indicating two more cuts likely to come later this year. At the October and December meetings coming up, FBI Director Kash Patel clashes with Democrats on the Hill over Epstein. And the royal family rolls out the red carpet for President Trump's second state.

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[Emily Jashinsky]

FBI Director Cash Patel appearing yesterday before the House Judiciary Committee for round two of questioning House Democrats largely focusing on Jeffrey Epstein, leading to several combative moments. Here are some exchanges with Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin and New York Congressman Dan Goldman.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

Has anyone released more information on Epstein than I have? Has anyone much more Comey did Ray.

[ExxonMobil Representative]

Much, much more. Excuse me. Much more has come out in the days since the American people in Congress have been demanding it. But it's coming out in dribs and drabs. Why don't you just release the entire file and as you promised to do?

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

I literally just told you there are multiple federal court orders. I'm not going to break the law to satisfy your Curiosity. You didn't join us when we filed court to release the court orders. You could have, you have lawyers. You could have shown up. You didn't do that. We are releasing as much as legally allowed. That's why we went.

[Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr]

How is that, how is that not legally allowed, sir?

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

Do you know how court orders work? Do you know how protective orders.

[Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr]

Actually, Mr. Patel, I was a prosecutor, a real prosecutor, for 10 years. I know exactly how.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

So I was a fake one.

[Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr]

And I want to understand what the court order prevents you from releasing witness statements that the FBI took.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

You should know that as a real prosecutor, when the court hand downs a protective order and a motion to seal, the material is sealed.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Unless that's it elsewhere in the hearing. Republican Congressman from Texas, Chip Roy pressuring Director Patel on the vast network of well funded NGOs and nonprofits working to usurp American values. Congressman Roy pointing to a recent study exposing George Soros influence on left wing prosecutors offices across the country.

[Republican Congressman Chip Roy]

Significant amount of the money flowing out of George Soros and other leftist organizations and funders has been funding DAs and prosecutors. And these progressive district attorneys have outsourced core parts of the American criminal justice system to activists and political donors, taking direction and advice on everything from staffing decisions and communication strategy organizations. A complex web of donors going in through these organizations to radical. I put radical DAs and prosecutors out there, putting criminals on the streets. Does the FBI director agree that this exists and is a problem?

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

I will accept the factual representation and if that exists, it is a problem. 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. And when we have results to recommend for prosecution to the Department of Justice, we will do that.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Republican Congressman Brandon Gill, also of Texas, noting there have been instances of political violence emanating from both sides of the aisle. Congressman Gill pointing out, however, that the vast majority of conservatives squarely disavow political violence. According to a new YouGov 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. In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, in which many people openly celebrated his death on social media, Congressman Gill asking Director Patel what the FBI can do to address the rising threat of political violence.

[FBI Director Kash Patel]

We need to get online partnerships with these companies in the public space, on these gaming sites and on these social media sites. As I was saying earlier, there is no way to triage the amount of information generated on these sites by the FBI alone. And we need the public private partnership. And there's another law that's expiring, I think at the end of this month, which I believe we need renewed, that allows private sector companies to report into the FBI without liability for criminal investigatory purposes. And that's the kind of stuff we need to keep going.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Tyler Robinson, the suspect charged with Kirk's assassination, leaving a large digital footprint in his wake. Investigators looking into online chat rooms to determine whether others knew about plans for the attack ahead of time. House Oversight Committee Chairman James comer inviting the CEOs of some of these messaging platforms, Discord Stream, Twitch and Reddit to testify in early October. President Trump to meet with UK Prime Minister Kennedy here Starmer today where they are expected to sign a tech investment deal before holding a joint press conference. This comes after a day full of royal pomp and circumstance. King Charles yesterday honoring President Trump with an unprecedented second state visit. President Trump and First Lady Melania welcomed to Windsor Castle. Awaiting them, the largest military ceremony in living memory. 1300 British service members decked out in the iconic red uniforms and more than 100 horses utilized in the ceremonial welcome. The royal family pulling out all the stops ahead of important political discussions centering around key trade deals and bringing an end to the war in Ukraine. Prince William and Princess Catherine greeting the president and first lady as they arrived on castle grounds in Marine One. President Trump then joining King Charles in a horse drawn carriage procession through the grounds, followed by Melania and Queen Camilla in a carriage of their own flanked by dozens of mounted troops. President Trump then laying a wreath at the final resting site of Queen Elizabeth II in the afternoon. The monarch honoring President Trump with another first a musical ceremony called the Beating Retreat. 200 Military band members performing a now purely ceremonial piece dating back to the 17th century, symbolizing when troops on the battlefield were called to end fighting and returned to camp for the night. The afternoon ceremony concluding with a 9 jet flyover releasing red, white and blue smoke. The royals then hosting a state banquet in the evening. Of course, the visit not without some controversy. Approximately 20 miles to the east of the countryside Castle, hundreds of protesters turning out into the streets to express their displeasure. President Trump set to depart from the UK at the conclusion of today's press conference. That'll do it for your AM update. I'm Emily Jashinsky, host of After Party. The great Megyn Kelly is back tomorrow. Catch the Megyn Kelly show today live on SiriusXM triumph channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megyn Kelly and on all podcast platforms.

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