The Megyn Kelly Show: Markets Rip on Tariff News, Judge Grants AP WH Access, DNI Launches Intel Task Force – AM Update 4/10

Release Date: April 10, 2025

Introduction

In the April 10, 2025 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, host Megyn Kelly delves into a series of high-stakes political and economic developments shaping the United States. Covering significant market movements, immigration policies, press freedom, intelligence community reforms, and political controversies, Kelly provides a comprehensive analysis of the day's most pressing issues.

1. Economic Surge Driven by Tariff News

Market Rally on Tariff Suspension

The episode opens with a discussion on the stock market's robust performance, registering its third-largest gain since World War II. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 2,900 points (a 7.8% increase), the S&P 500 rose by 10% to 5,956, and the NASDAQ climbed above 17,000. This unprecedented market uptick was primarily in response to President Donald Trump's announcement of a 90-day pause on tariffs for cooperating nations.

President Trump's Strategic Shift

Trump's decision to moderate tariffs, initially perceived as a threat to global economic relations, was a strategic maneuver that reassured investors and international partners. At [02:53], Trump elaborates on his strategy:

Donald Trump [02:53]: "We don't want to hurt countries that don't need to be hurt. And they all want to negotiate... It's like it's, we want to do right, we want to get it right, we want to take care of them, but we have to take care of our countries and we're happy about it."

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant Endorses the Approach

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant reinforced the administration's stance, highlighting the collaborative effort with allies:

Scott Besant [03:40]: "This was driven by the President's strategy... They have shown themselves to be bad actors... We are willing to cooperate with our allies and trading partners who did not retaliate."

Criticism from Business Leaders

However, not all reactions were positive. Business magnate Kevin O'Leary criticized the administration's tariff policy as insufficient:

Kevin O'Leary [05:32]: "4% tariffs in China are not enough. I'm advocating 400%... America is the number one economy on Earth with all the cards. We will not have that forever. It's time to squeeze Chinese heads into the wall now."

2. Immigration and Border Security

Trump Administration's Hardline Measures

Kelly transitions to immigration, highlighting the Trump administration's intensified efforts to curb illegal immigration. The administration has implemented fines of $998 per day for illegal aliens and offers benefits for those choosing to self-deport through the CBP Home App. This approach comes amid a historic drop in border crossings, with DHS reporting a 95% decrease in daily apprehensions compared to the previous year.

President Trump's Claims on Biden's Immigration Policies

President Trump boasts about recent achievements in border security:

Donald Trump [07:16]: "During the same period last year, Joe Biden released more than 184,000 illegal aliens into our country... But we will continue to deport these monsters under the Alien Enemies Act."

House Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on Sanctuary Cities

The episode covers a contentious hearing by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. Democrats, led by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, criticized Republican allies' narratives on sanctuary cities. In response, Jasmine Crockett accused Democrats of hypocrisy:

Jasmine Crockett [09:03]: "This claim my Republican colleagues are here using today to continue pushing this false narrative of sanctuary cities harboring criminals... The hypocrisy coming from your side of the aisle over concerns regarding lawlessness is outrageous."

Legal Nuances of Due Process for Illegal Immigrants

Kelly clarifies the legal standings of illegal immigrants, noting that while they are entitled to certain due process rights, these are limited compared to criminal proceedings. This distinction was underscored during the hearing, which coincided with charges against a 34-count felon in Los Angeles Harboring a dangerous individual.

3. Press Freedom and White House Access

Federal Judge Orders Restoration of AP Access

A significant development discussed is a federal judge's order mandating the Trump administration to restore exclusive White House access to the Associated Press (AP). The judge, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, emphasized equal treatment for all journalists:

Judge Trevor McFadden [12:00]: "If the government opens its doors to some journalists, it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints."

Background on Press Pool Access Conflict

This ruling comes after a standoff in February when the White House barred AP from pool access following disagreements over the Gulf of America renaming. The judge's decision requires the administration to treat AP no differently than other wire services.

4. Pronouns in Media and Government Correspondence

Policy Shifts on Pronoun Usage

The discussion moves to the evolving norms around pronoun usage in professional settings. The Trump administration has banned the inclusion of pronouns in federal employees' email signatures, a move opposed by progressive Democrats who have since removed pronouns from their bios.

Megyn Kelly's Stance

Aligning with the administration's policy, Kelly shares her position:

Megyn Kelly [13:43]: "As for me, I have the same policy as the White House. No pronouns in your email or no response from me."

Public and Political Reactions

The episode highlights the backlash against prominent Democrats such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) for their continued use of pronouns in their professional bios despite the administration's stance.

5. Intelligence Community Transparency

Tulsi Gabbard Launches Transparency Task Force

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the formation of the Directors Initiatives Group, a task force aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the intelligence community. Kelly discusses the significance of this move in the context of ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and intelligence agencies.

Tulsi Gabbard [14:10]: "In order to rebuild trust in the intelligence community, I established the Directors Initiatives Group to bring about transparency and accountability across the IC."

Historical Context and Objectives

The task force seeks to address past controversies, including the release of JFK, RFK, and MLK files, and scrutinize domestic surveillance practices. It also aims to investigate the politicization and potential abuses within the intelligence sector, referencing the debunked Steele dossier and the subsequent investigations into the 2016 election interference claims.

6. Political Controversies and Scandals

AOC's First-Class Jet Incident

The episode concludes with a brief highlight of a political scandal involving Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The New York Post published photographs capturing AOC flying first class to a Bernie Sanders rally, drawing criticism for perceived hypocrisy:

New York Post [16:20]: "Nothing says power to the people like ignoring voters looking to say hello and reclining in first class while tweeting about income inequality."

Public and Media Reaction

The incident sparked debate over the accessibility and accountability of elected officials, especially those advocating for economic reforms and fighting income inequality.

Conclusion

In this comprehensive update, The Megyn Kelly Show effectively navigates through a complex landscape of economic policies, immigration reforms, press freedoms, intelligence community reforms, and political scandals. Megyn Kelly provides listeners with insightful analysis, backed by direct quotes and substantial context, ensuring a clear understanding of the multifaceted issues at play in contemporary American politics.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [02:53]: "We don't want to hurt countries that don't need to be hurt... it's having the biggest increase in the history of the stock market. That's pretty good."

• Kevin O'Leary [05:32]: "4% tariffs in China are not enough. I'm advocating 400%... It's time to squeeze Chinese heads into the wall now."

• Pramila Jayapal [08:20]: "Perhaps the chairman would have this level of concern for the victims of senseless gun violence..."

• Jasmine Crockett [09:03]: "The hypocrisy coming from your side of the aisle over concerns regarding lawlessness is outrageous."

• Judge Trevor McFadden [12:00]: "AP is not necessarily entitled to the first in line every time, but it cannot be treated worse than its peer wire service either."

For more detailed discussions and analyses, listen to the full episode of The Megyn Kelly Show on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111, YouTube, or your preferred podcast platform.