Nick Reiner Appears In Court, MIT Professor Murdered, FCC Chair Carr on the Hill: AM Update 12/18

Summary

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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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).

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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.

Transcript

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[Emily Jashinsky]

Good morning everyone. I'm Emily Jaszynski, host of After Party and the Megyn Kelly Wrap up show on SiriusXM channel 111. It's Thursday, December 18, 2025. This is your AM update.

[Alan Jackson]

There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Nick Reiner appearing in court for the first time after being charged with murdering his parents, Director Rob Reiner and wife Michelle. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr in the hot seat on Hill. Senators grilling him over his role in the Jimmy Kimmel suspension.

[Brookline Neighbor]

It's scary to be in Brookline. It's supposed to be the safe town.

[Emily Jashinsky]

An MIT professor shot in his home. Police investigating as a homicide, and President Trump preparing to reclassify marijuana to a lower level. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update.

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[Emily Jashinsky]

Nick Reiner appearing briefly in court yesterday morning after being charged with murdering his parents. Legendary director Rob Reiner and wife Michelle, 32 year old Nick originally set to appear on Tuesday but was not medically cleared for transfer from the jail to the courthouse in Los Angeles. The judge allowing cameras in the courtroom but saying they are not allowed to show Nick who appeared in court wearing an anti suicide smock. Nick waiving his right to a speedy arraignment. His criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson, addressing reporters outside the courthouse yesterday morning.

[Alan Jackson]

This is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family. We all recognize that our hearts go out to the entire 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 and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves. So with that, we are set for January 7th for an arraignment. This was a continuance of arraignment. Nothing happened today substantively. We'll be back for an arraignment in the same department on the 7th of January.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Nick will remain in custody without bail at least until that next hearing. Prosecutors charging Nick with two counts of first degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders. An enhancement allowing prosecutors to seek life without parole or the death penalty. Nick also charged with a special allegation of using a dangerous and deadly weapon, that being the knife he allegedly used to stab his parents to death. Louisiana County District Attorney Nathan Hockman saying on Tuesday prosecutors have not yet decided if they will pursue the death penalty but will take surviving family members wishes into consideration. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat issuing a moratorium on executions in 2019, but prosecutors are still allowed to seek the death penalty. The New York Times citing a source close to the family reporting daughter Romy discovered her father's body on Sunday. Romy receiving a call from a massage therapist saying there was no response at the gate for a scheduled appointment. Romy and her roommate then going to the house where she fled after seeing her deceased father. The roommate placed the 911 call. Romy did not see her mother, but was later told by paramedics that that Michelle too was deceased. Romy and brother Jake issuing a statement on Wednesday, quote, 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. Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission or fcc Brendan Carr testifying yesterday in front of the Senate Commerce Committee along with Olivia Trustee and Anna Gomez, both FCC commissioners. Carr making headlines earlier this year by publicly commenting on whether ABC should discipline Jimmy Kimmel in the wake of the host's comments about Charlie Kirk's murder on his late night show. Carr saying on the Benny Johnson podcast, quote, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly on Kimmel and or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead. Later that day, nexstar, the largest owner of local TV stations in the US announcing it would preempt Kimmel show. Sinclair, another large station operator also following suit, blacking out Kimmel in millions of homes. ABC then suspending the host for six days. Broadcast networks like ABC which use public airwaves are subject to FCC oversight and required to operate in the public interest. The FCC can yank a company's license if it violates laws and regulations. Carr at the time and again in yesterday's hearing maintaining he was not threatening to pull ABC's license if it did not fire Kimmel, rather was encouraging other companies to choose not to air the show if they deem that best for the business. That subject taking much of the hearing's time. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, a Democrat challenging Carr.

[Senator Gary Peters]

I'm just going to ask you just a simple yes or no question. 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 or says something that he may not like? Yes or no? Very simple, sir.

[FCC Chairman Brendan Carr]

Any broadcaster that complies with the public interest standard is not in any risk at all if a broadcaster is engaging in broadcast hoax or violation of news distortion, policy or political equal opportunity. There's going to be work for the FCC potentially there.

[Senator Gary Peters]

You will not revoke licenses so we can go back that. You will do that. You will revive licenses or retaliate if they're simply engaging in free speech.

[FCC Chairman Brendan Carr]

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.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a Republican who roundly criticized Carr's pressure campaign in September questioning the chairman on free speech.

[FCC Chairman Brendan Carr]

Democrat or Republican, we cannot have the government arbitrating truth or opinion. Mr. Chairman, my question is this. So long as there is a public interest standard, shouldn't it be understood to encompass robust First Amendment protections to ensure that the FCC cannot use it to chill speech? Yes, Senator, I agree with you there. So first and foremost, we have to make sure the FCC is hewing to precedent. Similarly, we saw Democrats in Congress write letters to cable companies pressuring them to drop Fox News, OAN and Newsmax because they disagreed with the political perspectives of those cable channels. And there again, it was cable, no broadcast license, no public interest standard. So the FC has to write within the four corners of our precedents to be consistent with the Communications act and the First Amendment concerns as well.

[Emily Jashinsky]

In an exchange with Democrat Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Carr expanding on the FCC's role in regulating broadcast networks well.

[FCC Chairman Brendan Carr]

My position on this is pretty clear. We have a public interest standard that Congress has put into the law and there's a number of very specific rules and doctrines that flow from that the broadcast hoax rule, the news distortion rule. And my position, and I think the Trump administration position, is that we should be enforcing those rules and policies. If Congress wants to change that, you're free to change it.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Carr also making waves when questioned about the FCC's independence from the White House in this round with Senator Ben Ray Lujan, Democrat from New Mexico Chairman Carr, yes or no and please, yes or no, is the FCC an independent agency?

[FCC Chairman Brendan Carr]

Well, there's a test for this in the law. In the key portion of that test.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Yes or no, Brendan, the key portion.

[FCC Chairman Brendan Carr]

Of that test is okay, I'm going.

[Emily Jashinsky]

To go to commissioner trustee. So just so you know, Brendan, on your website it just simply says, man, the FCC is independent. This isn't a trick question.

[FCC Chairman Brendan Carr]

Okay. The FCC is yes or no? Is not okay?

[Emily Jashinsky]

Is not so is your website wrong? Commissioner Olivia, Trustee expanding on the answer.

[FCC Commissioner Olivia Trustee]

Senator, thank you for the question. The president is the chief executive vested with all executive power in our government and FCC commissioners are not. We do not have for cause removal protections, which means that we aren't independent.

[Emily Jashinsky]

So is the is your website line?

[FCC Commissioner Olivia Trustee]

I can't speak to the website. I've not seen that.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Those comments generating a flurry of headlines as some online noted, the language on the FCC's website changing in real time to remove references to the agency's independence under the second Trump administration. The president moving to oust officials from a number of executive agencies long viewed as operating with a degree of independence from the White House. Some of those removals triggering legal battles that went all the way to the Supreme Court, where the justices have so far generally sided with the president. With the preliminary rulings on the so called emergency docket, the high court expected to rule on the merits of Trump's ability to fire agency heads this spring. Coming up, an MIT professor shot in his home, police investigating it as a homicide, and President Trump reportedly set to reclassify marijuana.

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[Emily Jashinsky]

Professor and director of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center Nuno Larero, age 47, found shot inside his Brookline, Massachusetts apartment Monday night. Lorero dying at the hospital on Tuesday morning. Police now investigating the shooting as a homicide. An upstairs neighbor in the apartment building located in an affluent neighborhood in the Boston area, hearing multiple gunshots around 8:30pm The Boston Globe reporting the neighbor then opened her front door to see Lorero lying on his back inside the building's entrance. She called police. Larero's wife and another neighbor also reporting the incident. Other neighbors describing the event to local outlet Boston 25 I heard three loud bangs.

[Brookline Neighbor]

I thought at first it was somebody in our apartment kicking in a door or something. It's really a surprise. And a shooting in a state where it's so hard to even have a gun. It's scary to be in Brookline. It's supposed to be the safe town and it's terrible.

[FCC Commissioner Olivia Trustee]

I mean, I don't know what happened or why it happened. It's very scary, though. We're living in such terrible times right now that seems like violence is just happening everywhere.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Special Agent in charge of FBI Boston Ted Dox saying Tuesday there does not appear to be any connection between this shooting and the Brown University shooting, which occurred about 50 miles away. Police saying yesterday morning no suspects are in custody. The professor joining the Massachusetts Institute of technology in 2016 MIT News, writing his research on magnetized plasma dynamics magnetic field amplification and confinement and transport in fusion plasmas helped inform the design of fusion devices that could harness the energy of fusing plasmas, bringing the dream of clean, near limitless fusion power closer to reality. Investigators have not yet identified a motive in the attack, and it remains unclear why Lorero may have been targeted. Lorero is survived by his wife Inez, and three children. President Trump reportedly expected to sign an executive order reclassifying cannabis, the marijuana plant, from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 drug as soon as this week. Under DEA guidelines, Schedule 1 drugs including heroin, ecstasy and LSD have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule 3 drugs like Tylenol with codeine, testosterone and ketamine have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. The reclassification would not legalize marijuana at the federal level, but which would require an act of Congress. President Trump Monday from the Oval discussing the move.

[Brookline Neighbor]

A lot of people want to see it, the reclassification, because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can't be done unless you reclassify. So we are looking at that very.

[Emily Jashinsky]

Strongly, Mr. Trump, referencing the FDA's ability to study marijuana for medical purposes for people with knowledge of the order, telling NBC News the executive order is expected to direct federal officials to formally conclude the rescheduling process, which is currently ongoing, and move to redirect the Cannabis to Schedule 3. President Trump campaigning on the issue in 2024, supporting a ballot measure in Florida to legalize the drug for recreational use and emphasizing a focus on research for medical uses. 40 states and D.C. currently allow medical use of marijuana, 24 of those states and D.C. allowing recreational use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Washington State and Colorado becoming the first states to legalize recreational use in 2012. Journalist Alex Berenson for years sounding the alarm on health risks associated with increased potency of the drug since its legalization. As marijuana use has become normalized, THC concentration, the chemical that induces the high in many cannabis products, skyrocketing. Here are two examples of Berenson on Fox, the first from last week and the second from 2019.

[Alex Berenson]

You have this really high potency. Cannabis that used to be, you know, maybe it was 1 to 3% THC. Now if you smoke it, it's 20 or 30% THC. And again, you can have extracts that are basically pure THC that are really easy to smoke. You're not even smoking it, you're just inhaling the vapor or you're eating gummies, edibles and so it's easy for people who consume a lot of thc. And THC is addictive. Cannabis is addictive, even though the people who back it say it's not. It turns out that there is a proven link between cannabis and psychosis. 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, which is really a devastating mental illness for all, awful for not just for the people who suffer, but their families. It destroys families. And furthermore, there's a downstream link between psychosis and violence. So Reefer madness basically is real.

[Emily Jashinsky]

While President Trump now supports increasing research on medical marijuana, Mr. Trump has often urged everyone to abstain from drugs and alcohol altogether, as in this 2019 clip from Take youe Child to Work Day.

[Brookline Neighbor]

And while I have you never take drugs. Don't drink alcohol, don't smoke. Enjoy your life.

[Senator Gary Peters]

Okay?

[Brookline Neighbor]

No drugs, no alcohol, no smoke. You don't need it. It causes a lot of problems. So just remember that if you learn.

[Senator Gary Peters]

One thing.

[Emily Jashinsky]

And that'll do it. For your AM update, I'm Emily Jashinsky, host of Afterparty. Catch the Megyn Kelly show live on SiriusXM's the Megyn Kelly Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com megancelley and on all podcast platforms.

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