The Megyn Kelly Show – Episode 1049: Media's False "Maryland Dad" Narrative and Left's Spin on Illegal Gang Members
Release Date: April 15, 2025
In Episode 1049 of The Megyn Kelly Show, host Megyn Kelly engages in a comprehensive and impassioned discussion with guests Steve Dase, bestselling author and BlazeTV host; Delano Squires, a contributor to Blaze and research fellow at the Heritage Foundation; and poet Joseph Massey. The episode delves into the pervasive misrepresentation of immigration cases by the media, the politicization of gang affiliations, and broader cultural and legal battles facing America today.
1. The Misrepresented Case of Albergo Garcia: "Maryland Dad"
Overview: Megyn Kelly opens the discussion by highlighting the media's distorted portrayal of Albergo Garcia, an El Salvadorian national deported from Maryland. Contrary to media narratives painting him as a "Maryland dad" or "American man," Garcia was illegally present in the United States and suspected of being affiliated with the MS-13 gang.
Key Points:
- Garcia was brought to the U.S. at age 16 and arrested in 2019 in Hyattsville, Maryland.
- He was implicated as a member of MS-13, leading to his deportation despite a previous withholding of removal status granted in October 2019 (Transcript [03:00]–[09:26]).
- The media rebranded him to downplay his illegal status and gang affiliation, obscuring the facts of his deportation (Transcript [09:26]–[11:50]).
Notable Quotes:
- Megyn Kelly (04:15): "There’s no question he entered illegally."
- Steve Dase (09:26): "This entire story... is way more due process than the state of Colorado is apparently willing to grant."
2. Immigration Policy and Legal Implications
Discussion: Steve Dase and Delano Squires dissect the legal intricacies of Garcia’s case, emphasizing President Trump's authority to deport individuals suspected of gang membership under new policies that categorize MS-13 as a terrorist organization.
Key Points:
- Stephen Miller’s recent declarations position MS-13 members for expedited removal (Transcript [03:00]–[09:26]).
- The alignment between Trump and El Salvador’s President Bukele, who took a hard stance against gangs, influencing Garcia’s deportation (Transcript [09:26]–[16:41]).
- Media outlets like the New York Times and Politico downplay Garcia’s El Salvadorian citizenship and illegal status, misleading the public narrative (Transcript [16:41]–[18:32]).
Notable Quotes:
- Steve Dase (10:50): "When your opponent is making a fool out of themselves, let them."
- Delano Squires (11:50): "We are a nation of laws. People have rights."
3. The Rachel Morin Tragedy: A Case Highlighting Immigration Failures
Overview: Megyn Kelly shifts focus to the brutal murder of Rachel Morin by an illegal migrant in Maryland, underscoring the dire consequences of lax immigration policies.
Key Points:
- Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was brutally murdered by Victor Martinez Hernandez, an illegal migrant from El Salvador (Transcript [27:26]–[33:05]).
- The Hartford County Sheriff criticized the U.S. immigration system for allowing Hernandez to enter and remain in the country, linking it directly to the Morin tragedy.
- This incident exemplifies the broader argument against lenient immigration policies and reinforces the necessity of stringent deportation measures (Transcript [33:05]–[35:59]).
Notable Quotes:
- Megyn Kelly (32:45): "This guy killed her, then fled the scene."
- Delano Squires (33:05): "The United States immigration system failed Rachel Morin."
4. The Carmelo Anthony Incident: Racial Dynamics and Judicial Disparities
Overview: The episode examines the case of Carmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old released on reduced bail after admitting to stabbing Austin Metcalf, raising questions about racial biases in the judicial system.
Key Points:
- Carmelo Anthony was released on a reduced $250,000 bond from an initial $1 million, sparking controversy over his treatment compared to similar cases (Transcript [36:56]–[43:21]).
- The conversation highlights perceived inconsistencies in bail settings and the influence of public support through platforms like GiveSendGo (Transcript [43:21]–[50:25]).
- Delano Squires discusses the dangers of racial biases influencing legal outcomes and the media’s role in shaping public perception (Transcript [50:23]–[58:13]).
Notable Quotes:
- Megyn Kelly (41:51): "A 17-year-old boy stabs another through the heart... something's wrong in our society."
- Delano Squires (50:24): "Rachel's case gets national attention because of racial dynamics."
5. Colorado's Controversial Gender Pronoun Legislation
Overview: Megyn Kelly addresses Colorado's newly passed bill punishing parents in custody disputes for refusing to use their child's chosen gender pronouns or names, igniting debates over parental rights and free speech.
Key Points:
- The bill aims to enforce the use of gender pronouns in custody arrangements, effectively penalizing non-compliance (Transcript [52:26]–[63:49]).
- Steve Dase and Delano Squires critique the legislation as unconstitutional and a tool of totalitarian control, arguing it infringes on fundamental parental rights and free speech (Transcript [55:30]–[62:56]).
- The discussion ties the bill to broader concerns about leftist policies undermining traditional family structures and individual freedoms (Transcript [62:56]–[67:16]).
Notable Quotes:
- Megyn Kelly (55:30): "If your child changes their name and pronouns without your knowledge, you should fight that."
- Delano Squires (63:49): "Every damage we see is because the left has turned the children against their parents."
6. AOC’s Defamation Claims Against Trump: Legal and Political Repercussions
Overview: The conversation shifts to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (AOC) defamatory statements against former President Trump, labeling him a rapist and criminal, and the potential legal consequences thereof.
Key Points:
- AOC publicly accuses Trump of being a rapist, a claim unfounded and legally dismissed (Transcript [67:16]–[75:32]).
- Steve Dase advocates for legal action against AOC for defamation, arguing that such baseless accusations necessitate accountability (Transcript [68:04]–[74:31]).
- Delano Squires emphasizes the importance of evidence-based accusations and criticizes the left’s weaponization of the legal system for political vendettas (Transcript [74:31]–[86:02]).
Notable Quotes:
- Megyn Kelly (67:04): "Trump is not above the law, but he’s not below it either."
- Steve Dase (70:37): "AOC is using stand-off stance against Trump and making defamatory claims."
7. Interview with Joseph Massey: Overcoming Cancellation and Embracing Patriotism Through Poetry
Overview: In a heartfelt segment, poet Joseph Massey shares his experiences with being canceled by the poetry community due to false accusations, his resurgence through faith and personal resilience, and his new book, America is the Poem.
Key Points:
- Joseph recounts being defamed through a forged letter, leading to loss of employment, book deals, and social connections (Transcript [75:32]–[82:41]).
- His faith in the Catholic Church and perseverance in writing poetry under his own imprint enabled his comeback (Transcript [82:41]–[89:40]).
- Massey highlights the importance of art as a form of meditation and spiritual nourishment, advocating for poetry as a healing force against societal toxicity (Transcript [89:40]–[91:51]).
Notable Quotes:
- Joseph Massey (75:50): "I lost all my friends. It took a year to rebuild a sense of self through God and poetry."
- Megyn Kelly (91:51): "Poetry is almost a way of meditating without meditating."
Excerpts from America is the Poem:
- "Rain washes the dust from train windows as we barrel through the poem of America... There is no other time to watch her rise again."
8. Final Remarks and Upcoming Topics
Conclusion: Megyn Kelly wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of countering misleading media narratives, supporting those unfairly targeted, and promoting authentic voices like Joseph Massey’s. She previews future discussions, including Batya Ungar Sargan's insights on a defamation lawsuit against NBC.
Notable Statements:
- Megyn Kelly (96:08): "You are not canceled. We are the answer."
Overall Summary:
Episode 1049 of The Megyn Kelly Show presents a critical analysis of how mainstream media distorts immigration-related narratives to fit prevailing political agendas. Through the lens of specific cases like Albergo Garcia and Rachel Morin, the discussion underscores the dangers of biased reporting and lax immigration policies. The episode also tackles the complexities of racial dynamics in the justice system, exemplified by the Carmelo Anthony case, and condemns legislative overreach into parental rights as seen in Colorado's pronoun bill. Additionally, the show addresses the misuse of defamation in political rhetoric, spotlighting AOC's unfounded claims against Trump. Amid these heavy topics, Joseph Massey's personal journey from cancellation to poetic resurgence offers a narrative of resilience and patriotism, embodying the episode's overarching theme of fighting against systemic misrepresentations and upholding American values.
Listeners are encouraged to critically assess media portrayals, support just immigration policies, and stand firm against political defamation. The episode blends legal insights, personal testimonies, and cultural critiques, providing a nuanced perspective on current American socio-political issues.
