Podcast Summary: The Megyn Kelly Show

Episode: New Details About PAST Pretti Encounter with ICE, and Michelle Obama's New Barack Complaints, with Ruthless | Ep. 1239
Date: January 27, 2026
Guests: The Ruthless podcast hosts – Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook, and Comfortably Smug

Overview

This episode centers on the fallout from the contentious encounter between ICE agents and protester Alex Preddy in Minneapolis, exploring fresh information about a prior altercation Preddy had with ICE, national media and celebrity reactions, the ongoing political battle over immigration enforcement, and an energetic critique of shifting left-wing and Democratic rhetoric. In the latter part, Megyn Kelly shifts to discuss Michelle Obama’s latest public complaints about her husband's career and their marriage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Media & Celebrity Response to the Alex Preddy Shooting

Timestamps: 00:57–14:26

• Megyn Kelly opens with a critique of celebrity commentary, specifically targeting Natalie Portman and Jimmy Kimmel for their public, emotional reactions to the death of “agitator” Alex Preddy.
• Kelly scathingly dismisses such celebrity advocacy as “performative,” noting, “No one gives a shit about Natalie Portman's political opinion, but she's representative of these far left loons.” (Megyn Kelly, 04:00)
• She alleges Preddy was not an innocent bystander, but an “anti-ICE agitator” with a history of interfering with law enforcement, referencing a CNN report that revealed a prior physical run-in with ICE where Preddy sustained a broken rib.
• Hollywood reactions are called “selective,” focused on criticizing law enforcement but dismissive toward American victims of crimes by undocumented immigrants: “Do you remember Natalie Portman crying for Lizbeth? I don't remember.” (09:15)
• The show laments how elite detachment and double standards have “corrupted the narrative.”

2. Breaking Down the New ICE/Preddy Details

Timestamps: 06:20–14:26

• Kelly presents CNN’s new revelations: Preddy was previously known to ICE, had a broken rib from a confrontation days before his death, and was already cataloged on a special “intel collection” form.
• She argues this evidence reinforces that Preddy “knew the risk” and that “assumption of the risk” is the relevant legal principle, not proof of ICE brutality.
• Kelly frames Preddy’s actions as “seeking out dangerous confrontations with federal agents.”

3. The Political & Policy Context

Timestamps: 14:26–37:00

• The Ruthless hosts emphasize a dangerous “permission slip” given by Minnesota’s governor and local officials, encouraging activists to resist federal law enforcement.
  • “It allowed for these sorts of things to happen… there’s a profound vacuum of leadership.” (John Ashbrook, 14:26)
• Comparison to Obama-era deportation policy:
  • Megyn plays a 2010 Barack Obama clip laying out the importance of enforcement. The group laughs that these views would now be “Nazi” by the left’s standards. (16:36–18:04)
  • “That guy wouldn't have a prayer of winning a Democratic primary with that point of view.” (John Ashbrook, 17:57)
• Political analysis points to a post-2012 shift on the left toward total opposition to law enforcement and border control, driven by electoral calculations about immigrant voting blocs.
  • “The foundation of which is: ‘No one is illegal on stolen land.’ … If that's your precondition, there are no laws.” (Josh Holmes, 18:04)
• Outrage over Minneapolis and other sanctuary cities’ (non-)cooperation with ICE: “They refuse to cooperate with ICE… That’s what a sanctuary city refuses to do.” (Megyn Kelly, 21:43)

4. Leftist Tactics and Media Manipulation

Timestamps: 22:19–37:20

• Panelists attack liberal celebrities (Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg) for “reading off their laptops” and peddling false narratives about law enforcement.
• “It feels fake to even debate these people at this point.” (Josh Holmes, 26:11)
• On social-media-fueled activism, the comparison is drawn to insurgency tactics overseas, with Minnesota’s situation painted as a “foreign-funded insurgency.”
• Discussion of left-wing online mobs and “signal groups” coordinating harassment and comparing ICE operations to Nazi-era atrocities.
  • “It's not a gift. It's actually a curse, sometimes, to have two brain cells.” (Megyn Kelly, 24:04)
• Critique of how the left uses “unpleasantness” as a weapon—to drive moderate voters away from supporting law enforcement, knowing the “uncomfortability Caucus” will fold.

5. The Role of Foreign Money & Manipulation

Timestamps: 62:36–66:44

• The panel highlights reporting on foreign money, particularly from billionaire Neville Roy Singham, funding U.S. leftist grassroots and media and stirring anti-ICE/pro-immigration protests.
  • “These are billionaires who want to ruin our country. They're the ones who are tearing us apart at the seams.” (Comfortably Smug, 63:52)
• They emphasize the hypocrisy versus 2016 “Russian interference” outrage, calling out the left’s indifference to foreign influence when it aligns with their goals.

Notable Quotes & Powerful Moments

“No one gives a shit about Natalie Portman’s political opinion, but she’s representative of these far left loons. The Karen Intifada that we’ve been watching in Minneapolis....”
— Megyn Kelly (04:00)

“He was not directing traffic like, hey, watch out for the federal officers. He was like, yeah, right this way. If you want to block ICE... he was obviously an agitator.”
— Megyn Kelly (05:07)

“That guy wouldn’t have a prayer of winning a Democratic primary with that point of view.”
— John Ashbrook, on Obama’s 2010 immigration stance (17:57)

“The foundation... is: ‘No one is illegal on stolen land.’ … If that's your precondition, there are no laws. You can do whatever you want.”
— Josh Holmes (18:04)

“It feels fake to even debate these people at this point. ...We're supposed to, like, study tape like the Zapruder film, and decide that these ICE agents are evil.”
— Josh Holmes (26:11)

“They will cut a bitch, man. ...They will bite a finger off. They'll kill Charlie Kirk ... No problem!”
— Megyn Kelly (35:00)

“If you have governors and you have citizens who are opposed to the rule of law, how do you have a country with these people?”
— Josh Holmes (29:05)

“They like juiced him. Look at his right bicep. ...They really went to—”
— Michael Duncan, on MSNBC’s alleged AI-enhancing of Alex Preddy’s image (60:07)

“[Michelle Obama:] ‘My husband beat her. Right. People were more comfortable with him as a newcomer.’”
— Michelle Obama, on Hillary Clinton’s loss (98:00)

“Marriage, if you marry the right person, is not constant work. ...That's a you thing, Michelle.”
— Megyn Kelly (101:02)

6. Minneapolis Operations & Political Fallout

Timestamps: 43:54–51:54

• Ruthless panel debates whether federal agents will be able to meaningfully uphold immigration law given the persistent opposition by local officials and organized activists.
• “ICE is here to remove criminal illegal aliens—they are not riot police.” (Josh Holmes, 28:59)
• Progress is noted after Trump calls Minnesota’s governor and gets local police to begin protecting ICE agents after earlier violence.
  • “That is progress. ...The ones who dispersed weren’t arrested and the ones who refused were.” (Megyn Kelly, 47:04)
• Unvarnished skepticism is expressed about political will on both sides, especially the public’s short attention span and panic at “unpleasantness,” which can cripple law enforcement efforts.

7. Media, Optics, and Narrative Control

Timestamps: 58:24–76:37

• The group exposes and ridicules MSNBC for airbrushing images of Preddy, literally making him “hotter,” and notes the power of visual manipulation.
• The media is accused of “acting,” creating heroes and villains based on political utility.
• Late night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert are lambasted for abandoning comedy for liberal activism:
  • “It’s amazing how they’ve just perverted late night comedy to be just a left wing whatever.” (John Ashbrook, 70:29)
• The “user agreement” for America is not the Declaration of Independence, “it’s the Constitution,” Michael Duncan emphasizes in response to Colbert’s segment (73:58).

8. Political Consequences, Public Opinion, and the Road Ahead

Timestamps: 76:01–87:24

• Approval ratings for ICE and its leadership (Kristi Noem) have plummeted, in part due to coordinated left-wing pressure and media portrayal.
• The panelists urge Republicans not to retreat: “If you say you’re going to do something, it’s not going to be easy.... There’s a cottage industry… to try to destroy any progress that you make.” (John Ashbrook, 79:18)
• The importance of reframing arguments and controlling the narrative is brought up—highlighting the criminality ICE is tasked with addressing, not the “victimhood” narrative of activists.
• Calls to double down on enforcement, fulfill campaign promises, and avoid being intimidated by media or activist pushback.

9. The Left, the Courts, and Selective Prosecution

Timestamps: 90:59–96:43

• Discussion of the legal approach to anti-ICE protesters and juries in blue cities.
  • “The left will stop at nothing to remove people who they consider inconvenient.... They will jail every conservative they can.” (Comfortably Smug, 95:11)
• The right is urged to learn from the ruthlessness and persistence of the opposition.

10. Detour: Michelle Obama Grievances & Public Persona

Timestamps: 97:20–104:31

• Megyn Kelly highlights recent Michelle Obama comments on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, where the former First Lady blames “misogyny” for Hillary Clinton’s loss, laments lack of control in her marriage, and is generally portrayed as perennially dissatisfied.
• The Ruthless hosts tease Obama’s recurrent negative takes on her marriage—“Marriage, if you marry the right person, is not constant work. That's a you thing, Michelle.” (Megyn Kelly, 101:02)
• They point out the contrast with old-school “dignity” of presidential families, accuse her of seeking out victimhood, and mock her complaints about being judged on fashion while simultaneously promoting a fashion book.

Additional Noteworthy Segments & Timestamps

• [32:41–34:49]: Description of violence against ICE, police inaction, and Minneapolis’s unique challenges.
• [51:54–52:23]: Trump’s measured response to the Preddy incident; points to political calculation in a “powder keg” situation.
• [54:54–57:21]: Liberal media guests comparing ICE to Nazis and invoking Holocaust analogies; panel expresses disgust and alarm.
• [102:17–103:18]: Michelle Obama laments focus on her appearance rather than career, prompting panel to point out the double standard when she herself courts fashion publicity.

Conclusion

This episode provides a blistering, highly opinionated analysis of the Alex Preddy–ICE encounter, lambasts media and celebrity responses, critiques the current Democratic approach to immigration, and highlights shifting political and cultural values. The panel is unanimous in its condemnation of what they call left-wing hypocrisy, the media's role in shaping the debate, and the dangers they see posed by both foreign and domestic activist funds. The closing segments lampoon Michelle Obama’s persistent marital grievances and how public discourse has coarsened.

For Listeners/Newcomers

This episode is fast-paced, combative, and laced with sarcasm, mockery, and irreverence—hallmarks of both Megyn Kelly and the Ruthless podcast crew. It will especially appeal to right-of-center listeners exasperated with mainstream narratives and eager for aggressive counterpoints to left-wing and liberal activism.

Highly recommended segments:

• Natalie Portman & Jimmy Kimmel tears – 00:57–12:00
• Obama 2010 immigration speech & changing Dem policy – 16:36–19:36
• Airbrushed Preddy images & media manipulation – 58:24–62:36
• Michelle Obama on “Call Her Daddy” – 97:20–104:31

(Note: Timestamps are approximate and correspond to the original transcript’s minute markers.)