The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 8/19/2025

Podcast: The Megyn Kelly Show
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)
Episode: Progress Toward Peace at WH, Trump Mail-In Ballot Crackdown, Missing CA Baby Latest
Date: August 19, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode covers three primary news stories with Megyn Kelly’s signature candid analysis:

• President Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House, with focus on advancing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine
• Trump’s new pledge to crack down on mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterms
• The latest investigation details about the disappearance of seven-month-old Emmanuel Harrow in California

The tone is direct and conversational, with live quotes from newsmakers and a factual, occasionally provocative style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White House Peace Talks: Trump, Zelenskyy, and Ukraine

• Ukrainian President in the Spotlight

  • Zelenskyy trades military wear for a sharp black suit at the White House, signaling, per Kelly, a notably warmer approach in Trump’s administration compared to previous, tense encounters (00:39–01:00).

• The Outfits and Diplomatic Tone

  • Trump quips about Zelenskyy’s appearance, referencing a reporter’s earlier criticism:

    “President Zelensky, you look fabulous in that suit… That’s the one that attacked you last time.”
    —Donald Trump (02:54)

• On the Peace Process

  • Pressed on the prospects of peace and which side has the advantage, Trump says:

    “I can never say that. It’s never the end of the road. People are being killed and we want to stop that.”
    —Donald Trump (03:21)

  • Deflecting blame for the war’s origins:

    “Look, this isn’t my war. This is Joe Biden’s war... We want to get it ended.”
    —Donald Trump (03:34)

• Ukrainian Elections in Wartime

  • Under martial law, Ukraine can’t hold elections. Zelenskyy signals willingness to hold them once peace is achieved. Trump jokes:

    “You mean if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections. Oh, that’s good.”
    —Donald Trump (03:58)

  • The moment causes a viral stir, with right-wing outlets seeing humor and the left accusing insensitivity (04:15).

• How Close Are We to Peace?

  • Trump hosts an expanded meeting with European leaders; a major topic is whether the US will offer security guarantees for Ukraine.
  • Trump is cautiously optimistic:

    “All of us would obviously prefer an immediate cease fire... As of this moment, it’s not happening, but President Zelensky and President Putin can talk a little bit more about that.”
    —Donald Trump (05:13)

  • European leaders praise Trump for “breaking the deadlock” and facilitating dialogue (05:33–06:12).
  • Trump shares on Truth Social that arrangements are underway for a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, followed by a trilateral session including himself (06:12).

2. Trump’s Crackdown on Mail-In Ballots

• Trump’s Election Integrity Push

  • Trump vows, via Truth Social and in-person comments, to eliminate mail-in ballots and controversial voting machines via executive order for the 2026 midterms (09:51–10:29).

    “Mail in ballots are corrupt. Mail in ballots. You can never have a real democracy with mail in ballots and we as a Republican Party are going to do everything possible... We're going to end mail in voting. It’s a fraud if you have mail in.”
    —Donald Trump (10:29)

• Citing the Carter-Baker Commission

  • Kelly points out that Trump is referencing President Jimmy Carter’s 2005 report, which called absentee ballots the largest source of potential voter fraud (11:15).
  • She highlights report excerpts noting mail-in voting risks: privacy, pressure to vote a certain way, and higher risk of fraud.

• Practical Challenges and Legal Hurdles

  • Kelly contextualizes Trump’s move with state-by-state mail voting adoption and recent voting fraud indictments (Texas and Connecticut).
  • Legal challenges are likely, as many of Trump’s March executive order provisions have already been blocked by courts (11:15–12:31).

3. California Baby Disappearance Case – Emmanuel Harrow

• The Incident

  • 7-month-old Emmanuel Harrow vanished after his mother, Rebecca Harrow, reported being attacked while running an errand (13:35).
  • Rebecca’s account:

    “Plate and somebody said hola. And that’s all I remember… I checked all around my truck and I ran into Big five and I asked the lady if she saw a baby or someone with a baby.”
    —Rebecca Harrow (13:35)

• Police Investigation

  • Rebecca’s cooperation waned after police confronted her with “inconsistencies” in her story.
  • Both parents have obtained legal counsel and are not ruled out as suspects.
  • No security footage from the store, but police have collected significant surveillance from the area.
  • Use of cadaver dogs and investigation of the family property have been reported, with prior CPS involvement indicated.

• Family Background

  • Rebecca’s husband, Jake Harrow, has a previous conviction for child cruelty (2018) and probation violations.
  • Jake appeals emotionally on air:

    “Whoever took my son, please return him. We just want him back... Don’t hurt them. Make sure you feed them, change them.”
    —Jake Harrow (15:28)

• Public Call

  • Authorities have not activated an Amber Alert due to lack of suspect or vehicle description.
  • Emmanuel: 21 pounds, 24 inches, brown hair/eyes, cross-eyed, last seen in black Nike onesie (15:41).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Peace Talks:

  “We are very happy with President that all the leaders are here and security in Ukraine depends on the United States and on you.”
  —President Zelenskyy, as translated (05:33)

• Evaluating Progress:

  “In the past two weeks, we’ve probably had more progress in ending this war than we have in the past three and a half years.”
  —President Zelenskyy (05:54)

• Sharp Commentary:

  “This is Joe Biden’s war. He’s the one that had a lot to do with this happening.”
  —Donald Trump (03:34)
  “It’s time that the Republicans get tough and stop it because the Democrats want it. It’s the only way they can get elected.”
  —Donald Trump, on mail-in ballots (10:29)

• Viral Quip:

  “So you mean if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections. Oh, that’s good.”
  —Donald Trump (03:58)
  (draws fire and ironic applause on social media)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32 — Daily news introduction
• 00:43 — Overview of Trump-Zelenskyy White House meeting
• 01:00 — Preview of mail-in ballot changes and missing baby case
• 02:54 — Trump’s remarks on Zelenskyy’s attire and media perceptions
• 03:21 — Trump addresses ongoing US support for Ukraine
• 03:34 — Blame for Ukraine war origins
• 03:58 — Trump’s (viral) election-in-war joke
• 05:13 — Ceasefire hopes, European leaders weigh in
• 06:12 — Trump announces upcoming trilateral peace talks
• 09:51 — Trump’s mail-in ballot crackdown plans
• 10:29 — Trump calls vote-by-mail “corrupt”
• 13:35 — Rebecca Harrow’s account of her son’s disappearance
• 15:28 — Jake Harrow pleads publicly for his son’s return
• 15:41 — Baby Emmanuel’s description and call for tips

Summary Tone & Style

• Direct, brisk, and unfiltered, with on-the-record quotes punctuating the analysis.
• Megyn Kelly leverages both reporting and debate, highlighting viral moments and possible legal showdowns ahead.
• Compassionate but probing approach in the missing child case.

This episode is a concise but thorough update on critical national and international news with an emphasis on high-stakes politics, election law, and human interest crime stories — all delivered in the program’s signature bold, engaged tone.