The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 12/18/2025

Host: Emily Jashinsky (SiriusXM)
Date: December 18, 2025
Episode Highlights:

• Nick Reiner’s court appearance in the murder of Rob and Michelle Reiner
• MIT professor’s homicide shocks Brookline
• FCC Chair Brendan Carr testifies before Senate on free speech and media regulation
• President Trump moves to reclassify marijuana

Episode Overview

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show's AM Update, hosted by Emily Jashinsky, takes listeners through a packed news cycle with a focus on justice, regulation, and policy. The episode covers the court debut in a high-profile double homicide, a chilling academic murder in Massachusetts, debates on censorship and independence at the FCC, and breaking developments on federal marijuana regulations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nick Reiner’s First Court Appearance (02:42–04:16)

• Summary: Nick Reiner, son of director Rob Reiner and Michelle Reiner, appeared in court after being charged with their murders. He wore an anti-suicide smock and waived his right to a speedy arraignment, with the next hearing scheduled for January 7.
• Charges: Two counts of first-degree murder, special circumstance (multiple murders), plus an enhancement for use of a deadly weapon (knife). The DA has not yet determined if the death penalty will be sought, considering the family’s wishes (04:16).
• Family Discovery: Daughter Romy discovered her father's body after being called by a massage therapist; a roommate called 911. Both children asked for “respect and privacy” and for their parents to be remembered with “compassion and humanity" (see full quote below).

Notable Quote:

• "This is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family... There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case. These need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed. We ask that during this process you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity..."
  — Alan Jackson (Reiner’s defense attorney), 03:17

• Victims' Children Statement:
  “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents. They were our best friends. We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”
  — Family statement, paraphrased by Emily Jashinsky (04:16)

2. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Faces Senate Scrutiny (06:40–11:01)

• Background: Carr was grilled regarding his public comments about Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and whether he exerted improper FCC pressure on broadcasters.
• Key Issues:
  • Threats to revoke licenses over broadcast content (06:40–08:32)
  • The role of the FCC and its alignment with First Amendment protections
  • Independence of the FCC from the White House—debated sharply amid recent language changes on the FCC’s website about agency independence.

Memorable Exchanges:

• “Will you commit here today that you will not move to revoke any media license for broadcasters or retaliate in any way against broadcast companies merely for choosing to host content that is critical of the President...?”
  — Senator Gary Peters (07:32)

• "There is no First Amendment right to an FCC license. The Supreme Court has said that the FCC enforcing the public interest standard on licensees is not a violation of the First Amendment or censorship."
  — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr (08:20)

• "Democrat or Republican, we cannot have the government arbitrating truth or opinion... shouldn't it [public interest standard] be understood to encompass robust First Amendment protections...?"
  — Senator Ted Cruz (08:32); Carr affirms agreement

• FCC Independence Debate:

  • Carr and commissioner Olivia Trustee provide ambiguous answers regarding FCC independence, highlighting recent White House influence and legal ambiguity (10:07–11:01).
  • The agency’s website reportedly changed in real-time to reflect new language diminishing FCC’s independence, amidst a broader trend of presidential control over agencies.

Notable Quote:

• “The president is the chief executive... FCC commissioners are not. We do not have for cause removal protections, which means that we aren’t independent.”
  — FCC Commissioner Olivia Trustee (10:45)

3. MIT Professor Murdered in Brookline, Massachusetts (12:38–13:49)

• Event: Professor Nuno Larero, head of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was found shot in his affluent Brookline apartment. He died in hospital; police are investigating as a homicide, with no suspects in custody.
• Community Impact: Residents expressed shock as Brookline is "supposed to be the safe town."
• Professional Legacy: Larero’s work was pivotal in fusion energy research for sustainable power.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's scary to be in Brookline. It's supposed to be the safe town and it's terrible."
  — Brookline Neighbor (13:23)

• "I don't know what happened or why it happened. It's very scary, though... violence is just happening everywhere."
  — Brookline Neighbor (13:38)

4. Cannabis Reclassification: President Trump's Executive Order (15:28–18:15)

• Federal Action: President Trump is expected to sign an executive order moving marijuana from a Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 drug—facilitating medical research but not legalizing recreational use federally.
• Rationale: "A lot of people want to see it... it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can't be done unless you reclassify."
  — President Trump (15:28)
• Historical Context: 40 states and D.C. allow medical marijuana; 24 states and D.C. allow recreational use.
• Medical Risks: Journalist Alex Berenson raises alarms about increased potency and links to psychosis and schizophrenia.
• Trump’s Consistent Message: Despite supporting research, Trump has cautioned youth against all drugs and alcohol.

Notable Quotes:

• "THC is addictive. Cannabis is addictive... there's a very, very strong risk that if you smoke too much when you're in your teens, you're more likely to develop schizophrenia... and furthermore, there's a downstream link between psychosis and violence. So Reefer madness basically is real."
  — Alex Berenson (16:57)

• “Never take drugs. Don't drink alcohol, don't smoke. Enjoy your life.”
  — President Trump (18:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Nick Reiner Court Case: 02:42–05:00
• FCC/Jimmy Kimmel Controversy: 06:40–11:01
• Brookline MIT Professor Homicide: 12:38–14:00
• Cannabis Reclassification & Debate: 15:28–18:15

Memorable Moments

• FCC chair and senators trading pointed, procedural questions about media freedom and agency independence (08:20–10:45).
• First public statement from the Reiner children, expressing their devastation and calling for privacy (04:16).
• Shocked Brookline residents commenting on increasing community violence after MIT professor’s murder (13:23).
• President Trump and Alex Berenson outlining contrasting stances on marijuana: access to research vs. health cautions (16:57, 18:06).

Summary

In this news-dense episode, Emily Jashinsky guides listeners through the intersecting worlds of crime, politics, regulation, and public policy. The episode offers nuanced perspectives on the Reiner family tragedy, the responsibilities and limits of government oversight, the shockwaves of academic violence, and the broader consequences of evolving drug policies. Through robust reporting and direct quotes, the episode delivers the facts, the debates, and the undercurrents shaping today's headlines—providing context and commentary in a brisk, informative tone.