The Megyn Kelly Show – Episode 1005 Summary

Title: Left Pushes "Constitutional Crisis" Narrative, and Trump Brings Back Plastic Straws, with Charles Cooke, Rich Lowry, and Carol Swain
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: Charles Cooke, Rich Lowry, and Carol Swain
Platform: SiriusXM Channel 111

I. Introduction

In Episode 1005 of The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly engages in a robust discussion with guests Charles Cooke, Rich Lowry, and Carol Swain about the ongoing political turbulence surrounding the Trump administration's executive actions and the left's reaction, which some characterize as pushing a "constitutional crisis" narrative. The conversation delves into the administration's use of executive power, comparisons with the Biden administration's past actions, and the broader implications for American democracy.

II. The Alleged Constitutional Crisis

A. Trump's Executive Actions and Democratic Lawsuits

Rich Lowry opens the discussion by addressing the rapid pace of the Trump administration's actions within its first 22 days, noting that Democrats have responded with approximately 40 lawsuits aiming to halt or modify executive orders. He asserts, “The Democrats think they've found the speed bump they've been looking for” ([02:30]).

Lowry contends that these lawsuits largely involve temporary restraining orders and requests for full hearings, which Democrats herald as victories to curb Trump’s power. However, he argues that most cases will ultimately favor Trump, stating, “nine out of ten of these cases is going to go Trump's way” ([04:10]).

B. Comparing Trump with Biden’s Past Actions

Kelly interjects, pushing the narrative that Trump is intentionally causing a constitutional crisis through his defiance of court orders. Lowry counters by referencing Biden’s previous disregard for Supreme Court rulings, such as the student loan forgiveness program and the eviction moratorium, highlighting a double standard in media coverage ([05:32]).

Carol Swain adds to this by emphasizing that “there is nothing that gets close to a constitutional crisis” under Trump’s administration, contrasting it with Biden's overt defiance of the Supreme Court ([08:40]).

C. Specific Cases Highlighting the Dispute

Lowry details specific instances where the Trump administration has been ordered by federal judges to resume funding or alter policies but has complied or is in the process of complying:

• Federal Funding Cases: Lowry discusses a case where the Trump administration was ordered to resume all federal payments, noting the administration’s cautious approach and the judge’s expectations for full compliance ([04:10]-[05:32]).

• Elon Musk’s Influence: Mention is made of Elon Musk's role in overseeing certain government payments, suggesting limited effectiveness and highlighting partial compliance ([07:00]).

D. Public Opinion and Polling Data

Megyn Kelly references a CBS News poll indicating high approval ratings for Trump’s actions:

• Overall Approval: 53% approval three weeks into his second term ([50:03]).
• Demographics: Strong support across various age groups, including a significant 50% approval among Boomers.
• Specific Policies: High approval for decisions like terminating DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and influencing government operations ([50:27]).

This data, Lowry argues, underscores that Trump’s policies resonate with a substantial segment of the population, countering the narrative of a constitutional crisis.

III. Trump's Policy Reversals: Plastic Straws and Incandescent Light Bulbs

Megyn Kelly shifts the conversation to Trump’s executive orders aimed at reversing previous environmental regulations:

• Plastic Straws: Trump declares a policy to end the use of paper straws, citing inefficiency and public annoyance ([70:57]). Carol Swain supports this move, labeling the federal government's regulation of everyday items like straws as “completely insane” and praising Trump for restoring “common sense” ([72:03]).

• Incandescent Light Bulbs and Water Flow: Similar reversals include policies on light bulbs and water flow in household appliances. Swain reiterates the overreach of federal regulation in these minor aspects of daily life ([74:21]).

Lowry emphasizes the popularity of these reversals, noting that policies like the return of plastic straws are widely supported by the public ([71:17]).

IV. Misallocation of USAID Funds

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the mismanagement of USAID funds by the previous administration, highlighting examples of questionable expenditures:

• Examples of Misuse:
  • $1.5 million for DEI programs in Serbia and other countries.
  • $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia.
  • Millions allocated to projects like ecohealth alliances tied to controversial research.

Lowry criticizes these expenditures as "reckless spending on causes that no one over here supports" ([25:38]), arguing that Trump is rectifying these misallocations by halting funding for such programs.

Swain reinforces this by explaining the discretionary nature of these funds, asserting that Trump is within his rights to redirect money as he sees fit, whereas Democrats are enforcing previously allocated funds irrespective of effectiveness or public support ([25:38]-[26:30]).

V. Tom Goldstein’s Legal Troubles

The episode briefly touches on the legal issues surrounding Tom Goldstein, a prominent member of the Supreme Court bar:

• Allegations: Goldstein is arrested for violating pre-trial release terms by transferring millions in cryptocurrency assets and attempting to obstruct a witness ([63:03]).

• Implications: Lowry suggests that such high-profile cases underscore systemic issues and further politicize legal proceedings ([63:09]).

Carol Swain shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the extremity of Goldstein's actions, contrasting it with her own cautious approach to finances ([68:19]-[70:15]).

VI. Interview with Carol Swain: The Gay Affair and Academic Integrity

A. Background on the Clashing Narratives

Carol Swain discusses her recent experiences with alleged plagiarism by Claudine Gay, former president of Harvard University:

• Discovery: Swain learned of the accusations through Rich Lowry and recognized similarities between Gay’s work and her own book, Black Faces, Black Interests ([82:05]).

• Harvard’s Response: Despite evidence of plagiarism, Harvard defended Gay, leading to her resignation. Swain expresses frustration over the institution’s failure to hold Gay accountable ([85:58]).

B. Impact on Academic Integrity

Swain elaborates on how privileged individuals within elite institutions can evade consequences for ethical breaches, perpetuating a culture of favoritism and systemic racism:

• Plagiarism Details: Swain points out specific instances where Gay used her work without proper attribution, arguing that this constitutes intellectual theft rather than mere duplication ([86:44]-[88:35]).

• Systemic Issues: She criticizes academia for allowing such misconduct to go unchecked, especially among high-ranking individuals, thereby undermining the integrity of educational institutions ([88:35]).

C. Personal Journey and Advocacy

Swain reflects on her journey from poverty to academia, highlighting the challenges she faced and the lack of support from progressive peers when her work diverged from mainstream leftist thought:

• Academic Career: From dropping out of high school to earning a PhD from UNC and tenure at Princeton, Swain underscores her resilience and dedication ([80:45]-[84:27]).

• Shift in Ideology: Her research led her to question affirmative action and explore topics like white nationalism, which strained relationships with academic and progressive circles ([85:58]).

• Legal Actions: Swain explains her decision not to pursue a lawsuit due to financial constraints, despite the clear ethical violations by Gay ([88:35]-[91:32]).

Lowry supports Swain’s stance, emphasizing the need for accountability and criticizing the elitist tendencies within academia that allow misconduct to flourish unchecked ([97:55]-[99:21]).

VII. Conclusion

Megyn Kelly wraps up the episode by reiterating the themes of restoring common sense policies, challenging misallocations of funds, and advocating for integrity both in government and academia. The guest discussions underscore a broader narrative of combating perceived overreach by leftist agendas and promoting accountability within established institutions.

Notable Quotes

• Rich Lowry: “nine out of ten of these cases is going to go Trump's way” ([04:10]).
• Megyn Kelly: “It's a constitutional crisis” ([04:10], [15:43]).
• Carol Swain: “We have a pandemic in academia of plagiarism” ([90:00]).
• Rich Lowry: “Trump is doing what he promised or different from promised” ([50:27]).
• Carol Swain: “Trust no one” ([63:09]).

Key Takeaways

1. Trump Administration’s Executive Actions: Rapid implementation of executive orders leading to significant policy reversals and misallocation of funds, met with substantial Democratic legal challenges.

2. Constitutional Crisis Narrative: Debate over whether Trump’s actions constitute a constitutional crisis, with guests arguing that while dangerous rhetoric exists, a true crisis has not yet materialized.

3. Public Support: Polling data indicates strong public approval for Trump’s reversal of policies like DEI programs and environmental regulations, challenging media portrayals of widespread backlash.

4. Academic Integrity Issues: Carol Swain exposes alleged plagiarism by Harvard’s Claudine Gay, highlighting systemic issues within elite academic institutions that allow ethical violations to persist.

5. Systemic Problems in Governance and Academia: The episode underscores ongoing tensions between executive power and judicial oversight, as well as between established elitist norms and grassroots accountability.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the core discussions and arguments presented in Episode 1005 of The Megyn Kelly Show, providing a detailed overview for those who have not listened to the full episode.