Podcast Summary: The Megyn Kelly Show | Ep. 1059
Title: Media's Sad and Smug Celebration, Gaslighting on Immigration, and Bizarre Belichick Interview
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: Emily Jashinsky (D.C. correspondent for Unherd and host of Undercurrents), Eliana Johnson (Editor-in-Chief of the Washington Free Beacon and co-host of the Inc. Sustained Wretches podcast)
Release Date: April 28, 2025
1. Trump’s Aggressive Media Strategy and the White House Correspondents Dinner
The episode opens with Megyn Kelly discussing former President Donald Trump's continued offensive posture against the media, especially highlighted during his "Trump 2.0" phase. Trump remains proactive, engaging in multiple interviews aimed at antagonizing the press. Kelly criticizes the corporate media's declining morale, exemplified by what she describes as the "saddest, most pathetic White House Correspondents Dinner ever."
Notable Quote:
"The corporate media is more depressed than ever, as seen by the saddest, most pathetic White House Correspondent's Dinner ever." – Megyn Kelly [04:10]
2. The Aldo Beckman Award Controversy
Kelly brings attention to the Aldo Beckman Award given to Axios' Alex Thompson for his coverage of President Biden's alleged mental decline. Both guests express skepticism about the media's praise, arguing that Thompson wasn't solely responsible for uncovering the story and that the mainstream media had actively suppressed such narratives.
Notable Quote:
"Alex Thompson was not the person who blew open the Biden mental decline story. And the media did not innocently miss the story. They actively worked to cover it up for years." – Megyn Kelly [07:45]
3. Media Gaslighting on Biden’s Cognitive Health
Emily Jashinsky and Eliana Johnson delve deeper into the media's handling of President Biden's cognitive health. They argue that the mainstream media not only ignored significant signs of Biden's mental decline but also actively gaslit the public by labeling legitimate concerns as misinformation. The guests highlight how conservative voices had been raising alarms years before Alex Thompson received recognition, emphasizing a systemic bias in media coverage.
Notable Quote:
"They gaslit the American public about the conservatives who were pointing this out." – Eliana Johnson [13:50]
4. Critique of the White House Correspondents Association
The discussion shifts to the role of the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) in perpetuating media biases. Kelly criticizes the WHCA president, Eugene Daniels, for dismissing journalists as "not the opposition" and questions the sincerity behind Daniels awarding Alex Thompson. The guests argue that such actions reflect a broader issue of the media aligning too closely with political power structures rather than maintaining genuine journalistic integrity.
Notable Quote:
"What they're doing is gaslighting. They're ignoring the entire right-wing ecosystem that reports on President Biden." – Megyn Kelly [10:22]
5. Bizarre Interview with NFL Coach Bill Belichick
In a surprising shift, Kelly introduces a segment on Bill Belichick, the renowned NFL coach. She critiques a recent CBS interview where Belichick appeared overshadowed by his much younger girlfriend, Jordan Hudson. Kelly finds the dynamic and Belichick's handling of the interview awkward and unbecoming of his professional stature, drawing parallels to political figures' mismanagement of public image.
Notable Quote:
"He was taken out of the halcyon Patriots era and now he's with a 24-year-old who's completely overshadowing him." – Megyn Kelly [37:15]
6. Immigration Policies and Judicial Interference
A significant portion of the episode focuses on the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies and recent legal controversies. Kelly discusses the arrest of a Wisconsin judge accused of obstructing justice by assisting in the deportation of an illegal immigrant during a criminal proceeding. The guests highlight how such incidents are emblematic of the administration's aggressive stance on immigration and the media's role in either supporting or undermining these actions.
Notable Quote:
"Arresting a judge is a sign of weakness, not strength. It is the public that is being strong here, and he cannot handle it." – Megyn Kelly [20:28]
7. Public Perception and Polls on Trump’s Approval
Kelly and her guests analyze recent polls indicating a decline in Trump’s approval ratings. They attribute this downturn to economic issues, ineffective policy implementations like tariffs, and the administration's handling of immigration cases. The discussion underscores a growing disconnect between Trump’s aggressive policies and public satisfaction, especially among older voters reliant on fixed incomes.
Notable Quote:
"He’s now down to negative 6.7 in poll averages. The public overwhelmingly wants these people out." – Megyn Kelly [78:43]
8. Media Narratives and Immigration Cases
The conversation continues with a critique of how the media portrays immigration-related legal cases. Kelly cites specific instances where the media either misrepresents facts or fails to provide balanced coverage, further fueling public distrust. The guests argue that selective reporting serves to advance political agendas rather than inform the public objectively.
Notable Quote:
"They want people to self-deport so that they have fewer of these stories to deal with in the media." – Eliana Johnson [76:04]
9. Pentagon Leaker Interview
Towards the end of the episode, Kelly introduces an interview with Colin Carroll, one of the accused Pentagon leakers. Carroll vehemently denies any wrongdoing and seeks to clear his name, expressing frustration over the administration's targeting and smear campaigns. The guests discuss the internal conflicts within the Pentagon, highlighting the challenges faced by loyalists like Carroll in a politically charged environment.
Notable Quote:
"The Pentagon is having a lot of internal fights with personnel... it's a big mess at the Pentagon." – Megyn Kelly [101:02]
10. Conclusion and Upcoming Content Tease
Megyn Kelly wraps up the episode by teasing an upcoming special segment on a recent space mission experience involving her and Maureen Callahan. She also announces the release of the trailer for the film Blonde Origin, promising provocative and entertaining content for her listeners.
Notable Quote:
"It's going to be very far out. You will see for yourselves just how far on Friday in an epic segment that is going to be unlike any other." – Megyn Kelly [55:08]
Final Thoughts
Episode 1059 of The Megyn Kelly Show offers a scathing critique of mainstream media practices, especially in their coverage of political figures and critical issues like immigration. Through engaging discussions with Emily Jashinsky and Eliana Johnson, Kelly explores the themes of media bias, governmental overreach, and the challenges faced by journalists striving for integrity in a polarized environment. The episode also ventures into unexpected territory with an analysis of sports media portrayals, showcasing Kelly’s commitment to addressing a broad spectrum of cultural and political topics.