New Details About Cause of Helicopter-Plane Crash, Trump and Zelensky Face-To-Face: AM Update 4/28

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show - Detailed Summary Episode: New Details About Cause of Helicopter-Plane Crash, Trump and Zelensky Face-To-Face: AM Update 4/28 | Released April 28, 2025

---

1. Tragic January Helicopter-Plane Crash Unveiled

Megyn Kelly opens the episode by discussing a comprehensive investigative report from The New York Times regarding the fatal crash on January 29th at Ronald Reagan National Airport. The crash involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet, resulting in 67 fatalities.

• Key Findings:

  • Mission Details: The Black Hawk was conducting an annual evaluation of Captain Rebecca Loback, tasked with simulating emergency evacuations of senior officials post-attack.
  • Pilot Experience: Although Captain Loback was in command, her instructor, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Lloyd Eaves, had significantly more flight hours.
  • Chain of Failures: Contributing factors included overburdened air traffic controllers, impaired depth perception due to night vision goggles, and the activation of an unused runway.
  • Communication Breakdown: Critical instructions to reroute were lost, leading to a collision course with Flight 5342 just 15 seconds before impact.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Warrant Officer Eaves: (05:00) "The Black Hawk was at 300ft and needed to descend."
  • Captain Loback: (05:10) "I will descend as instructed."

Marco Rubio responds, emphasizing the administration's commitment to learning from the tragedy to prevent future losses:

“We’re going to make sure we’ve learned from this air disaster and we’re going to pay it forward so there are not other families that have to go through the pain and anguish of losing a loved one like these families had to go through.” (05:18)

Kelly also notes the FAA’s response, which includes banning most helicopter flights near Reagan National Airport, and mentions the upcoming National Transportation Safety Board’s report expected by early 2026.

---

2. Controversial Arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan

The show delves into the surprising arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan by the FBI on charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.

• Incident Breakdown:

  • On April 18th, ICE agents attempted to apprehend Eduardo Flores Ruiz in court.
  • Judge Dugan reportedly escorted Ruiz out through a secured door, bypassing standard procedures.
  • This act led to Ruiz evading immediate capture, culminating in his arrest after a brief pursuit.

• Political Reactions:

  • Marco Rubio criticizes the arrest as a new flashpoint in the administration's attacks on judges who have opposed Trump’s immigration policies:

    “Her arrest also marks a new flashpoint in the administration's verbal attacks on judges.” (07:34)

• Legal Perspectives:

  • Ellie Hoenig, CNN Legal Analyst, advocates for separating politics from the legal aspects:

    “Let's strip the politics out of it. This is a crime. If they can prove what happened here, it is a crime.” (07:45)

• Administration’s Stance:

  • Attorney General Pam Bondi asserts a strong stance against harboring fugitives:

    “If you are harboring a fugitive, we don’t care who you are. If you are helping hide one, we will come after you and we will prosecute you.” (08:33)

Kelly highlights the media's polarized reactions, with commentators like Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes expressing alarm, while others see it as an overreach by the Trump administration.

---

3. Global Farewell to Pope Francis

A significant portion of the episode covers the global mourning and funeral proceedings for the late Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 due to stroke and heart failure.

• Funeral Details:

  • Held in St. Peter's Square with over 250,000 mourners from 164 countries in attendance.
  • Notable attendees included President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
  • The Pope was laid in a simple wooden coffin, a testament to his humility, and was moved to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial, diverging from traditional locations beneath St. Peter's Basilica.

• Ceremony Highlights:

  • Cardinal Giovanni Battista Rey led the funeral mass, emphasizing Pope Francis’s commitment to humility.
  • Pope Francis’s Last Words: (10:06)

    “Human existence does not end in the tomb, but in our father's house. In a life of happiness that will know no end.”

• Vatican’s Next Steps:

  • The Vatican is preparing for the conclave to elect the next pope, with cardinals set to begin deliberations soon, marked by the traditional smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel.

• Procession Imagery:

  • Kelly describes the emotional procession through Rome, with thousands of mourners experiencing a blend of celebration and sorrow as the Pope’s mobile passed by, culminating at his chosen resting place in St. Mary Major.

---

4. Trump and Zelenskyy's Pivotal Meeting Amid Peace Talks

Central to the episode is the face-to-face meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at Pope Francis's funeral, set against the backdrop of ongoing peace negotiations with Russia.

• Meeting Insights:

  • The presidents met privately in St. Peter's Basilica, highlighting the administration's active role in facilitating peace.
  • President Trump’s Statement on Truth Social: (13:03)

    “The two sides should now meet at very high levels to finish it off. Most of the major points are agreed to stop the bloodshed now.”

• Conflict Context:

  • Following Ukraine’s rejection of a US-backed peace proposal and Russia’s subsequent missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, the administration faces critical weeks ahead for peace talks.

• Secretary Rubio’s Update: (14:25)

  “This is not an issue of trust, it’s an issue of building verification, security guarantees... We just want all this to stop. Instead of rooting against President Trump, everyone should be hopeful that President Trump can bring this war to an end because it truly at this point is not good for anybody.”

• Administration’s Position:

  • Rubio emphasizes the need for timely progress in negotiations, warning against indefinite US involvement without tangible results:

    “We cannot continue pouring time and resources into the negotiations indefinitely and will reassess our involvement if real progress is not made in the days ahead.” (15:07)

---

5. White House Correspondents Dinner: A Shift in Tradition

The episode examines the notable changes at the White House Correspondents Association's annual dinner, reflecting the current political climate.

• Event Changes:

  • Absences: President Trump and White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt both declined invitations, mirroring Trump’s previous term behavior.
  • Comedian’s Set Canceled: Comedian Amber Ruffin’s performance was scrapped following backlash over her remarks about the Trump administration.
  • Keynote Speech: Delivered by Eugene Daniels, a journalist known for his tenure at Politico and now co-hosting on MSNBC.

• Keynote Message: (16:18)

  “We are competitive and pushy. We are impatient and sometimes we think we know everything. But we’re also human... What we are not is the opposition. What we are not is the enemy of the people, and what we are not is the enemy of the state.”

• Media Reactions:

  • The Washington Post described the event as lacking comedy or presidential presence.
  • The New York Times noted journalists feeling "besieged."
  • ABC News and NBC News highlighted the absence of traditional elements and focused on the role of journalists and the First Amendment.

• Award Presentation: Reporter Alex Thompson received an award for excellence in White House coverage. In his acceptance, he acknowledged media shortcomings:

  “We missed a lot of this story... We bear some responsibility for faith in the media being at such lows. We should have done better.” (17:42)

• Megyn Kelly’s Response: (18:22)

  “Except we, Alex, didn’t really miss the Biden story at all. The entire corporate media intentionally ignored or actively buried or downplayed it. So it’s not really a matter of acknowledging errors. How about we start with, 'what’s true there?' And that’ll do it for your AM update.”

---

Conclusion

Megyn Kelly wraps up the episode by emphasizing the need for truth and accountability in media coverage, especially in light of the discussed events. She encourages listeners to seek truth and not rely solely on media narratives, underscoring the importance of informed discourse.

---

This summary captures the key discussions and insights from The Megyn Kelly Show's April 28, 2025 episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.

Transcript

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Monday, April 28, 2025, and this is your AM update. New reporting on January's crash between a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial airliner reveals a chain of failures that led to disaster.

[Pope Francis]

Human existence does not end in the tomb, but in our father's house. In a life of happiness that will know no end.

[Megyn Kelly]

Thousands of mourners gather in Rome to celebrate the funeral of the late Pope Francis.

[Marco Rubio]

The last thing you want to do is give some side, one of the two sides, an excuse to walk away from this effort.

[Megyn Kelly]

Secretary Rubio says Ukraine and Russia are closer to peace than ever before, following a face to face meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky in Rome at this year's White House Correspondents Dinner. No jokes, no president, no fun of any kind. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.

[Tax Network USA Representative]

Tax day may have passed, but for millions of Americans, the real trouble is just the beginning. If you miss the April 15 deadline or still owe back taxes, the IRS is ramping up enforcement. And every day you wait might make things worse. With over 5,000 new tax liens filed daily and tools like property seizures, bank levies and wage garnishments, you don't want to mess around. Okay, the good news is that there's still time for Tax Network USA to help self employed or a business owner. Even if your books are a mess, they've got it covered. Tax Network USA specializes in cleaning up financial chaos and getting you back on track fast. Even after the deadline, it's not too late to regain control. Your consultation is completely free, and acting now could stop penalties, threatening letters and surprise levies before they escalate. Call 1-800-958-1000 or visit tnusa.com megan. You may have missed April 15, but you haven't run out of options. Let Tax Network USA help before the IRS makes the next move.

[Megyn Kelly]

The New York Times with a massive investigative story over the weekend on the fatal January 29th crash at Ronald Reagan National Airport involving an Army Blackhawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet resulting in the deaths of 67 people. The report, based on government documents, audio recordings of the air traffic controllers in the moments leading up to the crash, and expert interviews, outlines a series of missteps leading to the tragedy. We are learning for the first time that the helicopter's mission that night was conducting an annual evaluation of Captain Rebecca Loback, who joined the army in 2019. Her assignment simulating an emergency evacuation of senior Government officials from Washington after an attack. The Times report marks the first public confirmation that Captain Lobach was at the controls of the Black Hawk at the time of the crash. While Captain Lobach was the highest ranking soldier on board, her instructor, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Lloyd Eaves, had logged more than twice as many flight hours. The report describes a series of factors leading up to the crash, including an air traffic control operator potentially stretched too thin, the use of night vision goggles potentially distorting the pilot's depth perception at critical moments, and the activation of a rarely used Runway. The Times also reporting the Blackhawk was flying above its authorized altitude quote. As the helicopter approached the key bridge from which it would fly south along the river, Warrant Officer Eve stated that it was at 300ft and and descending to 200ft, necessary because the maximum height for this route closer to the airport had dropped to 200ft. But even as it reached that juncture, Warrant Officer Eaves evidently felt obliged to repeat his instruction. The Black hawk was at 300ft, he said, and needed to descend. Captain Lobach said she would. But two and a half minutes later, the Black Hawk still was above 200ft, a dangerously high level. The report also indicating a breakdown in radio communication as the controller attempted to guide them. Cockpit recordings suggest key instructions to reroute were cut off. The Blackhawk crew again confirming they had the passenger jet in sight and for the second time requested visual separation when they asked the first time they had received approval, meaning they on the helicopter would take responsibility for avoiding the jet. From the report quote, the Black Hawk was 15 seconds away from crossing paths with the jet. Warrant Officer Eaves then turned his attention to Captain Lobock. He told her he believed that air traffic control wanted them to turn left toward the east river bank. Turning left would have opened up more space between the helicopter and Flight 5342, which was heading for Runway 33 at an altitude of roughly 300ft. She did not turn left. The Black Hawk collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 as it was moments away from landing at Reagan National Airport. In the wake of the crash, the FAA banned most helicopter flights near this airport. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in March, saying the tragedy must serve as a lesson.

[Marco Rubio]

We're going to make sure we've learned from this air disaster and we're going to pay it forward so there's not other families that have to go through the pain and anguish of losing a loved one like these families had to go through.

[Megyn Kelly]

The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release its final report on the crash by early 2026. On Friday, the FBI arresting Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, charging her with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. According to the criminal complaint, six ICE task force agents arrived dressed in plain clothes and at the courthouse on April 18. They were armed with an active warrant for 30 year old Eduardo Flores Ruiz, who was appearing that morning on three domestic abuse charges. Upon learning the task force was in the building, Judge Dugan became visibly angry, initially ordering the agents to leave, then directing them to go and speak with the chief judge. One member of the task force, a DEA agent not initially recognized as part of the group, remained stationed outside of the courtroom while the others were directed to the chief judge's office. Another agent returned to the hallway shortly thereafter. While most of the agents were in discussion with court leadership, the complaint alleges, Judge Dugan personally escorted Mr. Flores Ruiz and his attorney out of the courtroom through a secured jury door leading into a restricted area. Mr. Flores Ruiz and his attorney then made their way to a different elevator farther from the courtroom and exited the building. Two DEA agents not occupied by the chief judge spotted Mr. Flores Ruiz moving through the hallway and alerted the rest of the team. Agents then scrambled to locate Mr. Flores Ruiz outside the courthouse, and when law enforcement identified themselves, he ran. Agents apprehending Mr. Flores Ruiz after a short chase. Judge Dugan's arrest one week later, sending shockwaves through the media, though I don't know why Rachel Maddow, Lester Holt and Chris Hayes sounding the alarm. But if this feels like a insane and reckless escalation from the Trump administration arresting a judge, I will tell you you are not alone.

[Marco Rubio]

Her arrest also marking a new flashpoint in the administration's verbal attacks on judges.

[Megyn Kelly]

Who have ruled against parts of the Trump immigration agenda.

[Marco Rubio]

Much of what this is about, which.

[Alex Thompson]

Became almost immediately clear, is making an.

[CNN Legal Analyst Ellie Hoenig]

Example out of her for other judges around the country.

[Megyn Kelly]

CNN legal analyst Ellie Hoenig taking a more measured approach. You know, the legal one looking at.

[CNN Legal Analyst Ellie Hoenig]

The complaint, let's strip the politics out of it. This is a crime. If they can prove what happened here, it is a crime. This judge. Let's, let's strip the Trump of it all out. Let's strip the immigration of it all out. Let's say law enforcement shows up at a building with an arrest warrant. They're looking for person A, person B, then says, hey, there's a secret escape door out back. I'm going to show you the way. And then ushers that person out the back door. That is textbook obstruction.

[Megyn Kelly]

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday sending a warning. The Trump administration will not tolerate anyone getting in the way of lawful deportation efforts.

[Pam Bondi]

They're deranged is all I can think of. I cannot believe, I think some of these judges think they are beyond and above the law and they are not. And we're sending a very strong message today. If you are harboring a fugitive, we don't care who you are. If you are helping hide one, we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you.

[Megyn Kelly]

On Saturday, more than 250,000 mourners flocking to the Vatican paying respects to the late Pope Francis the Pontiff passing away one week ago at 88 from stroke and heart failure. Foreign delegations from 164 countries attending the funeral held in St Peter's Square, including President Trump and First lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain's Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The pontiff lying in state for three days in a simple wooden coffin resting at floor level, emphasizing Pope Francis view of himself as a humble shepherd. Public viewing of the Pope's body ending on Friday evening with church officials led by the acting head of the church, Cardinal Kamerlengo Kevin Farrell, performing the traditional sealing of the coffin. A ritual formally closing the period of mourning and preparing the body for burial. The funeral mass celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Rey, the dean of the College of Cardinals, reflecting Pope Francis lifelong commitment to humility marked by simple rituals, solemn prayers and a stripped down ceremony by Vatican standards.

[Pope Francis]

We are gathered with sad hearts in prayer around his mortal remains. Yet we are sustained by the certainty of faith which assures us that human existence does not end in the tomb but in our Father's house in a life of happiness that will no no end.

[Megyn Kelly]

The funeral procession departing St. Peter's Square, winding through the streets of Rome. Tens of thousands of mourners lining the route. Many cheering and waving at the sight of the Pope mobile carrying the late pontiff. Others overcome with tears. A mix of celebration and deep sorrow. The nearly four mile procession ending at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of Pope Francis most beloved places of prayer. Breaking with tradition, Pope Francis choosing to be laid to rest there rather than beneath St. Peter's Basilica like most of his predecessors. Now the Vatican turning its focus to the conclave that will elect the next pope. The highly secretive deliberations among cardinals, the senior leadership of the Catholic Church set to begin within 15 to 20 days of the pope's death, though the timeline could move faster if all eligible cardinals arrive in Rome and agree to proceed. The only glimpse into the deliberations comes through smoke signals issued twice a day from the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke signaling no decision, white smoke signaling we have a new pope. Cardinals meeting this morning in Rome to set the official start date for the Conclave. Coming up, President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky meet face to face at Pope Francis funeral as the administration enters a critical week for peace talks with Russia and the corporate media celebrates itself in D.C.

[Tax Network USA Representative]

There'S a lot of talk about government debt, but after four years of inflation, another real crisis is personal debt. Some people are working harder than ever and still drowning in credit card debt and overdue bills. But there's Done With Debt now. Done With Debt has unique escape strategies to help end your debt fast so you keep more of your hard earned money. And Done With Debt doesn't try to sell you a loan or bankruptcy. Their tough negotiators will go one on one with your credit card and loan companies, with one goal to drastically reduce your bills, eliminate interest and erase penalties. Most clients wind up with more money in their pocket month one and they don't stop until they break you free from debt permanently. Take a few minutes and visit donewithdebk.com, speak with one of their strategists. It's free, but listen up. Some of their solutions are time sensitive so you got to move quickly. Go to donewithdebt.com that's donewithdebt.com.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky on Saturday meeting face to face in St. Peter's Basilica ahead of Pope Francis funeral. The two presidents seated practically knee to knee in chairs set out by church officials specifically for their private conversation earlier in the day. President Trump posting on Truth Social quote, the two sides should now meet at very high levels to finish it off. Most of the major points are agreed to stop the bloodshed now. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the end to this cruel and senseless war. The backdrop to Saturday's meeting last week, Ukraine rejecting a U. S backed peace proposal, criticizing it as too biased toward Russia. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin launching a wave of missile strikes against Ukrainian civilian targets. Shortly after the conversation with President Zelensky, President Trump again posting to Truth Social writing quote, there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to stop the war. He's just tapping me along and has to be dealt with differently through banking or secondary sanctions. Too many people are dying, Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday telling NBC the U S led peace effort between Ukraine and Russia has made real progress, but warning that the coming week will be critical.

[Marco Rubio]

This is not an issue of trust, it's an issue of building in these sorts of things, verification, security guarantees, things that have been discussed in the past. All these things are being talked about here. All of these things. The last thing you want to do is give some side, one of the two sides an excuse to walk away from this effort. We're just trying to achieve peace. At the end of the day, let me remind everybody, what we are trying to do is end a war that has cost a lot of money to us, to our allies, cost a lot of lives, destroyed a lot of lives, forced people by the millions to leave their country, millions of Ukrainians that no longer live in the country and have not been able to come back. We just want all this to stop. Instead of rooting against President Trump, everyone should be hopeful that President Trump can bring this war to an end because it truly at this point is not good for anybody.

[Megyn Kelly]

The secretary adding that while both sides are closer to a deal than at any time in the past three years, the final steps remain the hardest. Mr. Rubio Making clear the US cannot continue pouring time and resources into the negotiations indefinitely and will reassess its involvement if real progress is not made in the days ahead. On Saturday In Washington, Washington, D.C. the White House Correspondents association holding its annual fundraising dinner striking a noticeably more somber tone this year. Per tradition, the evening usually features remarks from the president and a comedian roasting both the administration and the press. But this year comedian Amber Ruffin's set was canceled after backlash over comments she made referring to members of the Trump administration as murderers. President Trump and White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt both declining their invitations just as President Trump did in his first term. Also notably absent, the usual roster of a list celebrities, a sharp contrast from years past when personalities like Bradley Cooper and Scarlett Johansson filled the room. President of the association Eugene Daniels choosing to deliver the keynote speech instead.

[Eugene Daniels]

We journalists are a lot of things. We are competitive and pushy. We are impatient and sometimes we think we know everything. But we're also human. We miss our families and significant life moments in service to this job. We care deeply about accuracy and take seriously the heavy responsibility of being stewards of the public's trust. What we are not is the opposition. What we are not is the enemy of the people, and what we are not is the enemy of the state.

[Megyn Kelly]

Daniels recently left Politico to co host a weekend show on left wing cable news network msnbc, a network devoted to criticizing and demonizing President Trump. Media summarizing the event about themselves as follows. The Washington Post writing, quote, without comedy or the president, correspondents dinner presses on from the New York Times, quote, washington's besieged journalists raise a cocktail glass darkly. ABC News writing, quote, there was no president, there was no comedian. What remained at the White House Correspondents Association's annual dinner on Saturday night were the journalists and the First Amendment. NBC anchor Kristen Welker presenting an award for overall excellence in White House coverage to reporter Alex Thompson of Axios. In accepting the award, Mr. Thompson acknowledging the media's failures and delivering a blunt message about the responsibility journalists owe the public.

[Alex Thompson]

President Biden's decline and its cover up by the people around him is a reminder that every White House, regardless of party, is capable of deception. But being truth tellers also means telling the truth about ourselves. We, myself included, missed a lot of this story, and some people trust us less because of it. We bear some responsibility for faith in the media being at such lows. I say this because acknowledging errors builds trust and being defensive about them further erodes it. We should have done better.

[Megyn Kelly]

Yeah, except we, Alex, didn't really miss the Biden story at all. The entire corporate media intentionally ignored or actively buried or downplayed it. So it's not really a matter of acknowledging errors. How about we start with, quote, what's true there? And that'll do it for your AM update. I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on SiriusXM Triumph channel 111@unist on YouTube.com MeganKelly and on all podcast platforms.

[Eugene Daniels]

Hataday presents in the red corner, the undisputed, undefeated weed whacker guy, champion of hurling grass and howling everywhere. And in the blue corner, the challenger, extra strength hadiday eye drops at work all day to prevent the release of histamines that cause itchy allergy eyes. And the winner by knockout is Pataday. Pataday. Bring it on.