The Megyn Kelly Show – Ep. 1224 (Jan 6, 2026)

Episode Title: Kohberger Family Whitewashing, Trump on Maduro Dancing, and Symphony DEI, with Glenn Greenwald, Rich Lowry, and Clarinetist James Zimmermann

Overview

In this episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn is joined by Glenn Greenwald, Rich Lowry, and clarinetist James Zimmermann to dissect several headline-making topics:

• The New York Times’ coverage of the Kohberger family, whose son confessed to the infamous Idaho Four student murders, and journalistic integrity concerns.
• The U.S. raid in Venezuela, Trump’s remarks about ‘keeping the oil’, and the new attitude among conservatives toward American interventionism.
• Out-of-control DEI policies in symphony orchestras, told through the personal legal battle of clarinetist James Zimmermann. Other topics included New York City’s far-left tenant policies, Somali daycare welfare fraud in Minnesota, and Hilton’s controversy over refusing ICE agents.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Brian Kohberger, His Family's NYT Interview & Media Ethics

[03:05 - 19:31]

Background:

• Brian Kohberger was convicted of the 2022 Idaho student murders and confessed to avoid the death penalty.
• The New York Times published a sympathetic portrait of his family, focusing on his sister Mel (Melissa).

Megyn’s Critique:

• The NYT profile "rehabs" the Kohberger family’s image, ignores essential context, and fails to challenge contradictions.
  • "If you’ve placed your sibling in the field of possible killers, you’re actually not relieved that maybe it was a...cutoff was 2013 as opposed to 2015...I’m calling bullshit on you" [16:36, Megyn]
• Key omissions:
  • Reports that Mel suspected her brother, but did not act.
  • Evidence of the family witnessing suspicious disposal of evidence.
  • Suspicious timing and duration of calls between Brian and his mother after the murders.
• Cites Howard Blum’s reporting, which contradicts the NYT’s account.
• "It's a journalistic fail where this guy obviously let himself get used by a young woman...no business appearing in a paper of record like the Times" [16:56, Megyn]

Glenn Greenwald’s Take:

• Journalists are often seduced by access and end up acting as an advocate for their sources.
  • "One of the problems that bad journalists fall into...when you have a source giving you an important story...it's tempting to almost become their advocate" [17:18, Glenn]
• Notes broad lack of necessary skepticism and context in the NYT piece.

Notable Quote:

"The entire thing...is an attempt to rehab some suspicious behavior. I’m not blaming the murders on the family, but there is a real question about whether Mel Kohlberger had real suspicions about her brother long before the FBI showed up"
– Megyn Kelly [19:31]

2. U.S. Action in Venezuela, Trump’s Foreign Policy, and Conservative Imperialism

[19:31 - 50:23]

Trump’s Statements & Actions:

• Trump openly says: "We’re going to keep the oil" (per Scarborough, reflecting a shift to direct economic benefit as justification).
• Admits MAGA base supports his moves regardless.
  • “MAGA loves everything I do, and I love everything I do, too.” [23:49, quoted by Megyn]

Glenn’s Analysis:

• Trump’s Venezuela intervention is a "regime change war" by all but name: military strikes, abduction of Maduro, open declarations of U.S. authority.
• Criticizes lack of public debate, shifting rationales (from anti-drug to liberation to oil).
  • "Originally we were told we have to do this because drugs are coming from Venezuela...Then we were told it’s about liberating the Venezuelan people...And then what? We’re going to take their oil?"
    [24:24, Glenn Greenwald]
• Policy seems tailored to boost U.S. oil companies, not American public.
• Warns of political and long-term geopolitical fallout.

Conservative “Imperialist” Rhetoric & Glenn’s Rebuttal:

• Some on the right embrace "imperialism."
• Greenwald: Motivations are "psychological"—vicarious strength through military power, draining to America’s own prosperity in the long run.
  • "The reason that big powers...stop being imperial powers is because it sucks all your resources out of you" [31:17, Glenn]

Trump Motivated by Maduro “Dancing”:

• NYT reports that Maduro mimicking Trump’s dance was cited as a trigger for the raid.
  • "He tries to imitate my dance a little bit." [34:37, Trump, cited by Megyn]
  • Glenn: “He risked the lives of soldiers...because he didn’t like the fact that Maduro was dancing.” [35:21]
• Greenwald worries Trump, once proud he avoided war, is now caught up in the “pride” of successful violence.

“Liberation” and Latin American Realities:

• Megyn notes some Venezuelans are cheering U.S. action; Glenn counters that exiles don’t represent the on-the-ground population.
• Greenwald: Latin America has its own identity and will likely unite against U.S. control, especially if oil is taken. [41:12-42:23]

Expanding the Doctrine: Cuba, Colombia, Greenland

• Trump threatening more action: Cuba, Colombia, even “needing” Greenland.
• Stephen Miller (Trump advisor) says: "The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?" [44:25, via Rich Lowry]
• Glenn: Such actions could fracture NATO and increase anti-American sentiment—but some on the right embrace this risk.

Notable Quotes:

"If we say we’re going to steal your oil...we’re going to be dragged into the middle of a guerrilla war...for the shareholders and the executives of Exxon and Chevron..."
– Glenn Greenwald [26:34]

"This is a very damaging way to try and feel good about yourself..."
– Glenn Greenwald [31:42]

"He risked the lives of soldiers...because he didn’t like the fact that Maduro was dancing."
– Glenn Greenwald [35:21]

3. Monroe Doctrine, Trump’s Foreign Policy—Rich Lowry Responds

[53:10 - 63:11]

Rich Lowry’s Defense:

• Maduro is a "terrible person...allied with all the enemies of the United States."
• Sees Trump’s actions as a revival of the Monroe Doctrine; the U.S. has historically intervened in the hemisphere to keep out foreign threats.
  • "So the Trump Corollary is just the Roosevelt Corollary or the Lodge Corollary...This is a traditional American approach he's taken." [55:50, Rich]
• Calls operation "minimalistic" compared to Iraq, Libya, or even Panama; cautions about risks but supports assertiveness.

“Keep the Oil” Rhetoric:

• Lowry acknowledges Trump’s fixation is inappropriate (“counterproductive”), though expects any outcome would still help Venezuelans and U.S. firms.
  • “The oil in Venezuela is for the Venezuelans. If we’re going to help them develop it...our companies are going to benefit, too, that’s fine...” [57:30, Rich]

Morality, China, and Taiwan:

• Lowry draws a line between Venezuela (whose election was blatantly stolen) and Taiwan; says China would invade Taiwan regardless of U.S. behavior.

Notable Moments:

"He likes the idea of gaining assets and benefiting from any transaction. I’m not a huge fan of this..."
– Rich Lowry [57:30]

"Panama is a pretty good analog...But even compared to Panama, this is more minimalist..."
– Rich Lowry [58:39]

4. New York’s Far-Left Tenant Office and Radical DEI in Housing

[63:27 - 71:51]

Sia Weaver, Mamdani, and Anti-Ownership Rhetoric:

• Sia Weaver, appointed by new NYC Mayor Mamdani to head a tenants’ office, is exposed for radical anti-gentrification, anti-homeownership, and open race-based policy statements.
• Weaver’s posts: "No more white men in office", "Impoverish the white middle class", "Homeownership is racist, failed public policy." [65:10-65:44, Megyn]
• She advocates "treating property as a collective good"—"White families...are going to have a different relationship to property than the one that we currently have." [70:41, Sia Weaver soundbite]

Reactions:

• Rich Lowry: "Private property is not just a core individual right. It undergirds every liberty in Western civilization. And rent control...has been an abject failure..." [66:45]
• Megyn: "Where is the orchestra conductor with balls to do what's right?"

Notable Quotes:

"To really reduce the value of housing and make rents lower...need a greater supply. This is the exact opposite approach." – Rich Lowry [71:15]

5. Somali Daycare Fraud in Minnesota & Media Failures

[73:31 - 85:13]

Ongoing Fraud & Government Response:

• DHS is raiding daycares in Minnesota over massive welfare fraud, brought to wider attention by a Nick Shirley video investigation.
• Coverage is criticized for attacking the whistleblower’s credibility rather than investigating allegations.

Media’s Defensive Posture:

• The Minneapolis Star Tribune and national outlets focus on anti-Somali bias rather than fraud.
  • "Journalists should be seeking to advance the story. Instead, they focus...on attacking the guy who advanced the story." [76:50, Rich]
• Local officials, such as Peggy Flanagan, are accused of virtue-signaling and avoiding substantive action out of fear of being labeled racist.

Hilton Refuses ICE/ICE Agents:

• Local Hilton franchisee refuses DHS/ICE bookings, is publicly shamed, and Hilton corporate later severs ties with the property.

Notable Quotes:

"We need to kick the tires of every single welfare state program...if legacy outlets aren’t going to do that...we’re going to have independent guerrilla journalists doing it."
– Rich Lowry [85:13]

6. DEI and Orchestras: James Zimmermann’s Lawsuit

[89:28 - 123:30]

James Zimmermann’s Ordeal:

• Former principal clarinet of the Nashville Symphony (12+ years), Zimmermann won a blind audition for the Knoxville Symphony.
• Job rescinded after review of his "sordid history"—his 2019 opposition to DEI policies in Nashville and conflict surrounding a black oboist.

Key Backstory:

• Zimmermann advocated for the black oboist to get a fair shot, but after a year, concluded the oboist wasn’t up to standard and management was only keeping him due to race and DEI optics.
• Conflict escalated, leading to dubious HR complaints, ‘stalker/racist’ allegations, and eventually Zimmermann’s termination.

Blunt Assessment:

• "They [Knoxville] gave me reason to believe...they were going to hire me...but then they said, because of your Nashville history, we can't." [119:51, James]
• "It does have a little bit of the stench of DEI on top of it." [120:34, James]

Lawsuit & Next Steps:

• Filing suit for damages and discrimination; foundations and even DOJ’s Harmeet Dhillon have expressed interest.

Notable Quotes:

"You see how they tokenized him. Which is pretty racist, to parade somebody around like that."
– James Zimmermann [99:42]

"It’s not an algorithm. This is a real personal stylist and...the same stylist every time."
– Megyn Kelly (on Daily Look, light moment about blind auditions)

"We deserve to be able to hear you...the people in Knoxville just got robbed."
– Megyn Kelly [122:24]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "The entire thing...is an attempt to rehab some suspicious behavior...there is a real question about whether Mel Kohlberger had real suspicions." [19:31, Megyn]
• "If we say we’re going to steal your oil...we’re going to be dragged into the middle of a guerrilla war..." [26:34, Glenn]
• “He risked the lives of soldiers...because he didn’t like the fact that Maduro was dancing.” [35:21, Glenn]
• "Homeownership is a universal aspiration, and it’s good for everyone." [69:41, Rich]
• "You see how they tokenized him. Which is pretty racist, to parade somebody around like that." [99:42, James]
• "We deserve to be able to hear you...the people in Knoxville just got robbed." [122:24, Megyn]
• "It does have a little bit of the stench of DEI on top of it." [120:34, James]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Kohberger Whitewashing & NYT Critique: [03:05 - 19:31]
• Venezuela, Trump, & American Imperialism (Glenn): [19:31 - 50:23]
• Rich Lowry on the Monroe Doctrine: [53:10 - 63:11]
• NY Tenant Politics and DEI in Housing: [63:27 - 71:51]
• Minnesota Daycare Fraud & Hilton/ICE: [73:31 - 85:13]
• James Zimmermann’s Symphony DEI Lawsuit: [89:28 - 123:30]

Episode Tone

• Unapologetically direct, skeptical of mainstream narratives, and combative on issues of race, media integrity, and DEI.
• Mix of serious critique and irreverence (e.g., mockery of woke policies, asides about 'big black liberal glasses').
• Notable candor, with all guests matching the host’s no-filter, tell-it-like-it-is approach.

Summary

This episode offers a deep, provocative dive into several political and cultural controversies:

• It sharply critiques "whitewashing" and soft journalism in the coverage of high-profile crime.
• It exposes shifting, often self-serving rationales behind American foreign interventions—and how Trump’s unapologetic style has thrown old arguments into flux.
• It delivers a personal, concrete example of how DEI policies can upend careers, even for their well-intentioned opponents.
• The show maintains its brand of “no BS, no agenda, no fear”—bringing incisive analysis, bold opinions, and significant context to each story.