The Megyn Kelly Show, Ep. 1227

Date: January 9, 2026
Guests: Jesse Kelly, Link Lauren
Theme: Debunking "leftist spin" on ICE shooting, cultural decay, law enforcement narratives, and media/celebrity hypocrisy.

Overview

This episode delves into escalating tensions over federal ICE operations, the highly publicized shooting of activist Renee Goode, and the cultural and media reactions that have polarized the country. Megyn Kelly, joined first by Jesse Kelly and later by Link Lauren, tackles the “false ICE shooting narrative” perpetuated by the left and mainstream media, as well as broader issues of cultural decline, transgender controversies, and the role of comedians and public figures in today's political landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The ICE Shooting Incident and Media Spin

Timestamps: 00:45–59:33

• Megyn opens by describing viral video content from Oregon, where protesters block an ICE agent (“Get behind them if you have a car… They’re trying to kidnap people. Please pull behind them.” [06:10]).
• The focus shifts to the shooting of Renee Goode, who was killed after allegedly ramming a federal agent in her SUV.
• Media outlets like the NYT and Washington Post are accused of misleading coverage, suggesting Goode was “driving away” from officers ([12:04]), and of portraying her as an innocent victim.

Jesse Kelly:

• Argues most leftist street protesters are "broken people, often drug addicted or from dysfunctional families" manipulated by Democrat and media elites.
• Quote: “The Democrat Party is the party of evil in this country… They really are the party of Satan.” [10:59]
• Claims much protest activity is organized and funded.
• Accuses the media (e.g., Anderson Cooper) of calculated ambiguity even when video evidence is clear ([18:22]).

Media Narratives and Reality:

• Megyn and Jesse dissect video coverage (including Anderson Cooper and Rachel Maddow), lampooning the notion that Goode’s actions were “nonviolent protest.”
• Comparative mention of Baltimore Officer Amy Caprio’s similar vehicular homicide, warning against second-guessing split-second police decisions ([23:34]).
• Megyn: “The absurdity of these leftists… Rachel Maddow, who makes $30 million a year… is going to sit there and second guess this ICE officer who… doesn’t make $30 million a year for one damn hour” [24:00].

Law Enforcement in Hostile Cities:

• Jesse notes a trend: city officials and DAs outright threaten federal officers, with Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner promising prosecutions ([40:19]), and woke police chiefs making identity-centric statements.
• Quote: “They are openly hostile… The leadership of those cities has declared that the deportation force… is illegal, subject to arrest… That is, yeah, civil war-ish.” (Jesse, [44:00])

2. Cultural Decay and Transgender Controversies

Timestamps: 61:00–67:37

• Megyn reports on a viral Planet Fitness incident: a man (claiming to be a woman) masturbates openly in women’s locker room; employees appear helpless due to CA law ([62:42]).
• Megyn and Jesse contrast this with the West’s criticism of Islamic countries’ treatment of women, arguing “every blue state is now a place where women are unprotected” ([64:25]).
• Megyn: “We are not safe with these perverts exploiting these laws…”

3. Men Crying on TV & the Cultural Shift

Timestamps: 35:30, 117:03–121:34

• CBS and Washington Post men visibly crying on-air over the Goode shooting are lambasted.
• Quote: “This is the kind of man who would cry during sex. Like, instant ruination.” (Megyn, [38:54])
• Jesse postulates an environmental/hormonal link to “effeminacy.”
• Later, Megyn and Link Lauren riff on the rise of “crying men” in media and workplace, questioning social media's role.

4. Leftist Activism: Organization, Victimhood, and Consequences

Timestamps: 13:03–59:33

• Megyn and Jesse provide new details on Renee Goode’s activism:
  • She was an anti-ICE activist through her son’s woke charter school ([52:43–54:10]).
  • Professional organizing, bail support, and training are discussed: “Communists… have whiteboards. This is what you’re allowed to do. This is how you can impede…” (Jesse, [54:10]).

5. Political Responses, Media Manipulation, and Public Perception

Timestamps: 75:19–80:01

• Link Lauren joins to discuss how left/protester groups attempt to make Renee Goode the new “George Floyd.”
• JD Vance’s press room statement, “this was an attack on federal law enforcement… an absolute disgrace,” is hailed and contrasted with mainstream media demonization ([78:23]).
• The panel revisits classic media demonization of Republican voices, especially when mainstream media says “JD Vance is worse than Trump” ([85:03]).

6. Housing Policy & Ideological Contrasts

Timestamps: 102:50–105:29

• Trump’s proposed ban on institutional investors buying single-family homes is described as a populist, pro-homeowner move.
• NY’s Sia Weaver and the left are criticized for advocating “worthless”—not affordable—housing, using homeownership as an “instrument of white supremacy.”

7. Celebrity, Comedy, & Cancel Culture

Timestamps: 88:34–98:14

• Jimmy Kimmel’s “near-death experience” after his show’s (brief) cancellation is mocked ([88:34]).
• Conan O’Brien’s Oxford Union takedown of political comics (“you’ve now put down your best weapon, which is being funny, and you’ve exchanged it for anger.” [92:25]) is praised.
• Rob Schneider decries the blacklisting of conservatives and the “dismantling” of Hollywood ([95:14], [97:07]).

8. Meghan Markle & Social Satire

Timestamps: 105:29–109:08

• Link Lauren reacts to news of Meghan Markle’s new cookbook, predicting it as another shallow, “grifter” celebrity product, lampooning her, “She can barely cook. It’s like taking driver’s ed from Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles.” ([107:01])
• Rainbow fruit platters and “single skillet spaghetti” (allegedly plagiarized from Martha Stewart) are mocked.

9. Sweatergate, Shame, and Social Satire

Timestamps: 110:07–116:03

• Link Lauren and Megyn trade fashion faux pas stories (e.g., Link’s “hand sweater” and Megyn’s producer’s “naked shoulder” sweater), arguing for the return of social shame as a corrective.
• Link: “We need to bring back shame in 2026… if you’ve been a bitch for 20 years, why change now?” ([110:53])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Jesse Kelly:

  • “The Democrat Party is the party of evil in this country… They really are the party of Satan.” [10:59]
  • “We are dealing with people who are, by all accounts, insane... you would not say, ‘I just need to have a conversation with him.’” [14:10]

• Megyn Kelly:

  • “The absurdity of these leftists… Rachel Maddow, who makes $30 million a year… is going to sit there and second guess this ICE officer who… doesn’t make $30 million a year for one damn hour.” [24:00]
  • “This is about women’s rights… This is about young Grace’s right to be safe… F*** you, Planet Fitness. F*** you, Gavin Newsom…” [67:09–67:37]

• Link Lauren:

  • “You're going to come to our red states, don’t bring your voting record, okay?” [104:40]
  • "It's like taking Driver's Ed from Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles." (on Meghan Markle's cookbook) [107:01]

• On crying men:

  • Megyn: “This is the kind of man who would cry during sex. Like, Instant ruination.” [38:54]

• J.D. Vance:

  • “This was an attack on federal law enforcement... The media by and large has reported this story [in a way that] puts our law enforcement officers at risk every single day.” [78:23]

• Conan O’Brien:

  • “You've now put down your best weapon, which is being funny, and you've exchanged it for anger.” [92:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• ICE agent blocked by protestors, video narration - 06:10–07:48
• Jesse Kelly on protestors and media manipulation - 08:36–11:29
• NYT and WaPo headlines on Renee Goode - 12:04–13:03
• Video evidence and Anderson Cooper's framing - 17:28–19:45
• Rachel Maddow’s "nonviolent protest" spin - 20:19–22:02
• Parallel cases: Baltimore cop run over - 23:34–25:25
• Philadelphia DA/Larry Krasner threatens to prosecute ICE - 40:19–41:02
• Planet Fitness incident: transgender controversy - 62:42–67:09
• Link Lauren on new George Floyd narrative, Tim Walls’ scandal - 74:36–77:53
• JD Vance’s press statement - 78:23–79:43
• Jimmy Kimmel’s "near-death experience" & comedy - 88:34–94:41
• Meghan Markle’s cookbook mocked - 105:29–109:08
• Sweatergate and the case for social shame - 110:07–116:03

Conclusion

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show is a rapid-fire, no-holds-barred critique of left-wing activism, media bias, and cultural decline, punctuated by biting humor and sharp observations from both guests. Critical of the mainstream media’s coverage of law enforcement incidents and activists, Kelly and her guests highlight what they see as the dangers of organized protest culture, “DEI” appointments, and “woke” cultural trends. Major stories like the ICE shooting and transgender access controversies serve as catalysts for broader commentary on the state of American society, politics, and culture.

The overall tone is acerbic, indignant, darkly comedic, and unflinchingly critical of “woke” narratives, with regular appeals for a return to social norms, personal responsibility, and common sense.