
A DC magistrate judge apologizes in court to the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump, raising concerns about his jail conditions as the case moves forward. A search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Morocco for two missing U.S. Army soldiers believed to have fallen into the ocean during a recreational hike. Republicans and President Trump are quietly working to flip John Fetterman as he increasingly breaks with Democrats, though he publicly insists he is staying in the party. Britney Spears pleads guilty to a reduced reckless driving charge in her DUI case, avoiding jail time while agreeing to probation, treatment, and strict new driving conditions. Birch Gold: TText MK to 989898 for a free info kit and to see if you qualify for up to $10,000 back through May 29. SimpliSafe: Visit https://simplisafe.com/MEGYN to claim 50% off any new system!
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Good morning everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Tuesday, May 5, 2026, and this is your AM update. A D.C. judge apologizing to the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Yes, you heard that right. A search and rescue effort underway to locate two missing U.S. army troops in Morocco believed to have fallen in the ocean while hiking.
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I've had Republican friends in my state say you're actually more, you're more popular than I am.
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A behind the scenes effort reportedly underway to flip Democrat Senator John Fetterman to the Republican side of the aisle.
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Should she reoffend in the future, she will not be given the benefit of this reckless driving charge and Britney Spears
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resolving her DUI case. We'll tell you what happened. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. When there are supply constraints on commodities prices surge, you see it with fuel prices, with everything happening in the Strait of Hormuz right now. And you know what else is a limited commodity? Gold. They mine it out of the ground and when it's gone, it's gone. Governments cannot just print more of it. And that's why everyone from central banks to savvy savers consider diversifying with gold. If you've been thinking about it for years, like so many, but have still never moved some of your savings into physical gold, consider Birch Gold group. Now through May 29, Birch Gold is giving first time gold buyers a rebate of up to 10,000 bucks on qualifying purchases. For details and a free information kit on diversifying into Gold. Text MK to the number 989898. Birch Gold can help you convert an existing IRA or 401K into a tax sheltered IRA in physical gold. Text MK to the number 989898 to see if you qualify for for a first time gold buyer rebate of up to $10,000. A federal magistrate judge apologizing in court yesterday to the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at last month's White House Correspondents Dinner over his treatment behind bars. Magistrate judges are not appointed by presidents, instead reaching the bench by a majority vote of the active district court judges. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruki holding his current role since 2020, previously serving as a federal prosecutor for 12 years. Judge Farooqi has previously issued rulings critical of the Trump administration, repeatedly challenging from the bench aggressive federal law enforcement tactics during the Fed's D.C. crime crackdown. For example, journalist Julie Kelly reporting in September 2025 on this magistrate's outrage after a D.C. grand jury refused to indict Edward Dana, a career criminal with nine prior convictions and 23 arrests who, upon being arrested for vandalism, allegedly committed the additional crime of saying he wanted to kill the president, a crime the grand jury rejected and which prosecutors were then forced to drop. Was Magistrate Farooqi angry that a danger to President Trump was getting away? Hardly. Instead, he blamed the decision on the people's fear of the Trump administration's crime fighting efforts, lamenting, quote, how do we re establish faith in people in D.C. that they're not going to be wrongly arrested? The people left here in Washington, D.C. who have had to suffer through whatever's happening, how am I supposed to re establish confidence in every defense lawyer and defendant that they are being treated fairly and rightly? Cole Thomas Allen appearing before this same magistrate on Monday for a hearing on conditions at the correctional treatment facility at the D.C. jail complex where he's being held ahead of trial. Allen initially placed on suicide watch, held in a solitary padded cell that remained constantly lit and denied access to phone calls, books, religious material and recreational time. His attorneys had requested Monday's hearing to challenge those conditions, arguing the placement on suicide watch was unwarranted. But after Allen was removed from suicide watch, his legal team moved to cancel the proceeding altogether. The judge denying that request, citing what he called, quote, grave concerns about the justification for Allen's confinement and the conditions to which he'd been subjected. Allen remains in restrictive housing, a placement his lawyers do not oppose, according to Reuters. Allen's legal team last week agreeing he should remain in custody, opting not to challenge prosecutors assertion that he poses a danger to the public. A jail official saying yesterday that Allen was placed on suicide watch for a short period of time following an initial medical evaluation, adding that there were ongoing psych exams and saying that a final determination on his housing assignment is still pending. Prosecutors noting that Allen told FBI agents the night of the alleged attack he did not expect to survive A statement jail officials may have used to justify placing him on suicide watch. The magistrate judge pushing back, asserting that Allen could have meant he expected to be shot rather than indicating any intent to take his own life. In yesterday's hearing, the magistrate addressing Allen, quote, I'm very troubled by what they indicate, the conditions that you have been subjected to. I'm sorry, it sounds like things have not been the way they're supposed to. Allen's lawyers claiming, for example, that he was escorted to the shower and strip searched anytime he came into or left his cell. The judge ordering corrections officials to provide Allen with a Bible as he had requested, and provide the court with an update by this morning on whether Allen will be placed in a less restrictive unit. Allen facing charges of attempted assassination of a US President and firearms violations. He was captured on security camera charging a security checkpoint at DC's White House Correspondents Dinner and seen firing his gun at police, allegedly striking one officer in the chest who thankfully was wearing a bulletproof vest. U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro indicating more charges may be coming. Her team will be appearing in front of a D.C. grand jury later this week with more video evidence against the defendant. Allen has not yet entered a plea. His preliminary hearing set for Monday. Pirro posting to X Yesterday afternoon, quote, welcome to Washington, dc, where US Magistrate Judge Faruki believes a defendant armed to the teeth and attempting to assassinate the president is entitled to preferential treatment in his confinement compared to every other defendant. Pirro Sunday on CNN saying prosecutors have a strong case against Allen.
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The defense says that the manifesto was vague about who specifically the target was. Cole Allen is being charged with attempting to assassinate the president. What is the case that you're going to build other than the obvious facts that he's there with a gun and the president is there, which is not nothing? Don't get me wrong.
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No, it's a pretty solid case if you read the manifesto, Jake and I know that you have. Yeah, it is very clear who the intended target is. As soon as this president said that he was going to be at the Hilton for the White House correspondents dinner on March 2, he then made the decision to hatch the plan. We have a lot of evidence that indicates his intent. Tracking on his phone. Is the president in the ballroom yet? Has the president sat down yet? What time will dinner be served?
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Two U.S. army soldiers missing in Morocco. A search and rescue operation now underway. CBS News reporting the troops participating in a multinational training exercise known as African Lion 2026 went missing Saturday off the southern coast of the North African nation near the city of Tantan. African lion is the largest annual U.S. joint military operation in Africa involving more than 7,000 service members from about 30 countries. Initially set to run from April 20 to May 8. That training exercise now paused as U.S. and Moroccan forces shifted to a search and rescue mission put per CBS News. A defense official telling the AP the two soldiers went missing during a recreational hike after the day's exercises had concluded. Quote, they were not actively taking part in any training. The missing soldiers last seen near ocean cliffs near the training area. According to Reuters. A U.S. defense official telling the outlet initial reports indicate the two soldiers may have fallen into the ocean, saying the incident is not believed to be related to terrorism. The search effort reportedly involving helicopters, ships, mountain rescue units and divers. Africom, the command responsible for U.S. military operations throughout Africa, releasing a statement indicating the incident is under investigation. Quote, our focus is on the service members involved and their families. The names of the missing soldiers have not yet been released. Coming up, a growing divide between Democrat Senator John Federberg and his own party now fueling a GOP effort to bring him over to their side of the aisle. And Britney Spears resolves her DUI case. Will she get jail time? We've all been there. Stuck in a rigid multi year security contract with cancellation fees so high they feel like a ransom note. It's frustrating, right? And security should not feel like a trap or like something you must do. But let me tell you about SimpliSafe. They completely changed this game by offering 24. 7 professional monitoring that's actually affordable with no long term contracts. SimpliSafe can give genuine peace of mind. With SimpliSafe, you can arm your system right from your phone. The setup is a total breeze too. You can have your whole system customized exactly to your home's layout up and running in about 30 minutes. From indoor and outdoor cameras to sensors that detect fires and floods. It's comprehensive protection backed by agents ready to dispatch help. You're going to get 50% off a new system when you sign up for professional monitoring and your first month is free. Hello free by visiting SimpliSafe.com that's simply spelled with an I. Safe.com Megan that's half off at SimpliSafe.com Megan there's no safe like SimpliSafe. As democrats hope to win a Senate majority in the upcoming midterms, control of the chamber could come down to a single vote. And Republicans believe that vote could very well be U.S. senator from Pennsylvania and current Democrat John Fetterman. According to politico, the Senate GOP, along with President Trump, now quietly working to win Mr. Fetterman over, either by flipping him outright or pulling him into an independent lane that could tip the balance of power. Senator Fetterman elected in 2022 and not up for reelection until 2028, increasingly putting distance between himself and his party. A frequent face on Fox News, Senator Fetterman often criticizing Democrats embrace of more progressive policies and candidates.
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It's ironic. I mean, these kinds of protests are being funded by billionaires against billionaires. I mean, I don't know if they realize the irony in many of those things right now. And now there is kind of a small communist takeover in Maine. You know, Platner, Platner, he's already announced that he's an avowed communist. He's made that statement and he put that online. Now he's going to be the Democratic nominee. So, so there is a resurgent about the socialism and that's becoming more and more part of it. And now there's more. It's like a marriage of the, the Palestinian, the anti ice, the abolish ice, and now turning it in to like an orgy of socialism here.
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And that's, that's a staunch supporter of Israel. Mr. Fetterman is also one of the few Dems backing the current US War in Iran, putting him at odds with much of his caucus here. A recent Fox News hit on the topic.
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It wasn't that long ago every single Democrat says, we can't let those lunatics, you know, have a nuclear bomb. That's not a shocking view for, for a Democrat, but I've become the only Democrat in the entire Congress that have supported epic fury outside of foreign policy.
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The senator also breaking with Dems on key votes, supporting several of President Trump's nominees. Just last month, Fetterman casting the deciding vote to advance Senator Mark Wayne Mullen's nomination to lead dhs. He's even endorsed construction of President Trump's proposed White House ballroom, further fueling tensions with Democrats. Last week, a Vice Chair of the dnc, Malcolm Kenyatta, attacking Senator Fetterman on social media, quote, almost every day now, my US Senator comes on this site to attack his constituents and many people who worked hard to elect him, suggesting that they may have derangement syndrome for opposing this administration. You're a mess, John Fetterman. Since taking office, Mr. Fetterman reportedly developing close friendships with GOP Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania. Senator Fetterman now reportedly spending significant Time with Republicans off the Senate floor, often joining them in the GOP cloakroom during long votes and avoiding Democrat only social events. According to Politico, those relationships have become Central to the GOP's quiet effort to pull Fetterman into their orbit. President Trump getting directly involved, recruiting Fox News host Sean Hannity to assist in the mission. During a recent interview with Fetterman, Hannity delivering a message he said came straight from the president.
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So I did talk to President Trump last night and I told him you were going to be on the show. He said, okay, I want to give you a job. Your job is to tell him he's going to be run as a Republican. He's going to have our full support, more money than he ever dreamed of, and he's going to win big. And, you know, we're going to make sure he goes. The Democrats don't appreciate him, they don't like him, they're finished with him. I mean, he went on and he tasked me with making that happen.
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All of this unfolding as Fetterman faces growing political pressure back home. Despite not being up for reelection until 2028, his standing with Democrat voters in Pennsylvania sharply declining. Here's CNN chief data analyst Harry Enton.
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Just look at this among Pennsylvania Democrats and that approval of fetterman back in 2023, he was a Democrat liberal darling. He was at plus 68 points. Look at how low he has fallen down to negative 40 points. He's down there with the titanium panic among Democrats in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And you know, put a comparison point on. You know, we always talk about how Chuck Schumer is not well liked by the Democratic base nationwide. Chuck Schumer has a net popularity rating of about minus 2 points. This is an 18 point swing.
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Despite the outreach, Fetterman publicly insisting he's not going anywhere, telling Politico, quote, I'm a Democrat and I'm staying one, adding, I'd be a shitty Republican. NBC asking the senator about party switching in late March. Would you ever consider running for office as a Republican senator?
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As much as I am friends with a lot of Republicans, including my parents, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not a Republican. And so, like, that's what it's really was. That's the truth. You know, people always say, you know,
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we have to be a big tent party.
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So that's, that's really, it's really strange. I'm mystified by it. If I'm more popular. I've had Republican friends in my state say you're actually more. You're more, more popular than I am,
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you know, with our people.
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And you know how a guy that votes a 93 second percent Dem line has that happened? I'm mystified by it.
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I can't explain it behind the scenes. However, the door may not be entirely closed. According to GOP officials, when the idea of becoming an independent was raised, Fetterman did not immediately reject it. Britney Spears pleading guilty yesterday to reckless driving involving alcohol and drugs. The pop star accepting a deal from Ventura County, California prosecutors following her DUI arrest in March. The 44 year old did not appear at her arraignment, her attorney entering the plea on her behalf. Spears arrested on March 4 on suspicion of driving under the influence after California Highway Patrol pulled her over for driving her BMW quote, erratically at a high rate of speed on Route 101 in Southern California. The singer showing signs of impairment during field sobriety tests, prompting officers to transport her to a local hospital for a blood test to determine whether drugs or alcohol were in her system. She was then booked into jail overnight and released early the next morning. At the time, a representative for the singer calling her actions, quote, completely inexcusable, adding quote, hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney's life. One month later Spears voluntarily entering a substance abuse treatment program Prosecutors formally charging Spears last week with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, a misdemeanor. Ventura County District Attorney Eric Nazarenko saying per the agreement, if Spears is stopped while driving, she will have to submit to a test. Law enforcement will be allowed to search her vehicle for drugs and alcohol and she must continue a mental health and substance abuse regimen, including twice monthly visits with a psychiatrist and weekly visits with a psychologist. More from Nazarenko Yesterday outside the courthouse
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today was a substitute charge. When there is a first time offender where there is no crash, no collision, no injury with a low blood alcohol content, we typically and routinely in Ventura county will offer the reckless driving involving alcohol and drugs. In doing so, she was given a one year informal probationary grant instead of three. She also will have to attend and come complete a 3 month alcohol school or 30 hours. I want to emphasize, however, that this charge, the reckless driving one, is indeed what we call priorable. Should she reoffend in the future, she will not be given the benefit of this reckless driving charge. Rather, she will be charged with driving under the influence and her penalties and her consequences would ratchet up. That includes potentially up to five years of formal probation and one year in Ventura County Jail.
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In addition, Spears sentenced to one day in jail, credited with time served and ordered to pay a $571 fine. Prosecutors have not disclosed what drug or drugs may have been in Spears system at the time of her arrest. Spears attorney Michael Goldstein telling reporters, quote, I don't think anybody is happy about pleading guilty to anything, but under the circumstances and to get this behind her, I think everybody is pleased with the result. And that'll do it. For your AM Update, I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the MK show live on SiriusXM's the Megyn Kelly Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megyn Kelly and on all podcast platforms.
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Episode: Judge Apology to WHCD Suspect, GOP Push to Flip Fetterman, Britney Spears Plea Deal
Host: Megyn Kelly
Date: May 5, 2026
Platform: SiriusXM
This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show AM Update covers three major stories:
Each topic is discussed in depth with commentary, interviews, and expert analysis.
Judge Zia Faruqui (to defendant):
“I’m very troubled by what they indicate, the conditions that you have been subjected to. I’m sorry, it sounds like things have not been the way they’re supposed to.” — [09:50]
On Allen’s statements and suicide watch:
“The magistrate judge pushing back, asserting that Allen could have meant he expected to be shot rather than indicating any intent to take his own life.” — [06:25]
Jeanine Pirro (U.S. Attorney) on X:
“Welcome to Washington, D.C., where US Magistrate Judge Faruqui believes a defendant armed to the teeth and attempting to assassinate the president is entitled to preferential treatment in his confinement compared to every other defendant.” — [07:18]
Senator Fetterman describing the left:
“There is kind of a small communist takeover in Maine... Platner, he's already announced that he's an avowed communist... Now there's more. It's like a marriage of the Palestinian, the anti ICE, the abolish ICE, and now turning it in to like an orgy of socialism here.” — [12:02]
On Democrat shifts:
“It wasn’t that long ago every single Democrat says, we can’t let those lunatics, you know, have a nuclear bomb... but I’ve become the only Democrat in the entire Congress that have supported epic fury.” — Fetterman [13:02]
Sean Hannity relaying Trump’s message:
“He said, okay, I want to give you a job. Your job is to tell him he’s going to be run as a Republican. He’s going to have our full support, more money than he ever dreamed of, and he’s going to win big.” — [14:39]
Harry Enton, CNN Data Analyst:
“Just look at this among Pennsylvania Democrats... he was at plus 68 points. Look at how low he has fallen down to negative 40 points. He’s down there with the titanium panic among Democrats in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania... This is an 18 point swing.” — [15:26]
Fetterman, on the possibility of switching:
“As much as I am friends with a lot of Republicans, including my parents, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not a Republican... People always say, you know, we have to be a big tent party... I’ve had Republican friends in my state say you’re actually more popular than I am, you know, with our people. And you know how a guy that votes a 93 percent Dem line has that happened? I’m mystified by it.” — [16:19–16:54]
Ventura County D.A. Eric Nazarenko, outside court:
“Today was a substitute charge... She was given a one year informal probationary grant instead of three. She also will have to attend and complete a 3 month alcohol school or 30 hours... Should she reoffend in the future, she will not be given the benefit of this reckless driving charge. Rather, she will be charged with driving under the influence and her penalties and her consequences would ratchet up.” — [18:50]
Spears’ attorney Michael Goldstein:
“I don’t think anybody is happy about pleading guilty to anything, but under the circumstances and to get this behind her, I think everybody is pleased with the result.” — [19:56]
| Segment | Speaker(s) | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-------------| | Judge apologizes to Trump assassination suspect | Megyn Kelly, Judge Faruqui | 03:10–08:00 | | Prosecutors/defense discuss Allen’s intent | Jeanine Pirro, Defense, Jake Tapper | 07:25–07:58 | | Army troops missing in Morocco | Megyn Kelly | 08:11–09:25 | | Fetterman and the Democrat divide | Fetterman, Hannity, Enton | 11:48–16:54 | | Britney Spears DUI plea deal | D.A. Nazarenko, Michael Goldstein | 17:01–19:56 |
Megyn Kelly delivers news with a brisk, candid, and direct tone—mixing legal and political insight with occasional sharp commentary from guests and herself. The atmosphere is authoritative and unflinching.
This summary highlights the core topics, provides clear attribution of commentary, and marks out quotes and timestamped segments for easy reference—helpful for listeners or readers seeking a concise but thorough rundown.