The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update – November 11, 2025

Episode Title: Schumer Facing Dem Revolt, Trump Pardons "Alternate Electors," BBC Edit Fallout
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)
Air Date: November 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this AM Update, Megyn Kelly and guests dissect major stories in U.S. politics, law, and culture, including a fracturing Democratic caucus over the government shutdown; President Trump’s controversial pardons for the “alternate electors” from the 2020 election; fallout from a BBC documentary that misleadingly edited Trump’s January 6th speech, and a criminal indictment against two MLB pitchers for illegal gambling.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Democratic Defections and Government Shutdown Drama (00:42–07:31)

Government Shutdown Context

• Eight lawmakers (seven Democrats and Independent Angus King) side with Republicans to advance a deal that reopens the government without renewing the Obamacare tax credits.
• This reversal breaks Democratic unity, with ongoing pressure since the October 1st shutdown for Republicans to include ACA subsidy extensions.

Internal Democratic Backlash

• Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) expresses sharp disapproval:
  • “Eight Democrats voted with the Republicans to allow them to go forward on this continuing resolution. And to my mind, this was a very, very bad vote… the American people want us to stand up to Trumpism, to his war against working class people, to his authoritarianism… But tonight that is not what happened.” (04:57)
• Progressive voices online and in statehouses echo calls for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s ouster.
  • Senate candidate Graham Platner (ME): “Chuck Schumer should step down.”
  • IL Gov. J.B. Pritzker: “Not a deal, it’s a surrender.”
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom (CA): “This isn’t a deal, it’s a surrender.”
• Schumer is criticized as a “feckless leader,” not one of the eight defectors but blamed for failing to maintain party cohesion.

Cross-Party Justifications

• Angus King (I-ME), one of the defectors, explains rationale:
  • “The shutdown wasn’t accomplishing either goal… there was zero likelihood it was going to… the shutdown actually gave [Trump] more power. Exhibit A: what he’s done with SNAP and SNAP benefits across the country. Guess who’s getting paid during the shutdown? ICE agents.” (03:55)
• Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) adds: "Keeping the government shut down for another week or another month does not indicate that there would be any change in the outcome." (04:37)
• Progressive Democrats and activists remain unconvinced, demanding stronger stands against the GOP and the Trump administration.

Fallout and Prospects

• The Senate passes spending bills, moving the deal back to the House. Many House Democrats object to the deal.
• Rep. Ro Khanna (CA): “Time for [Schumer] to be replaced. He is not meeting the moment, he’s out of touch with where the party’s base is.” (07:06)
• Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, nevertheless defends Schumer when pressed.

2. Trump Pardons “Alternate Electors” in Symbolic Gesture (07:31–11:09)

Overview of the Pardons

• President Trump, via U.S. pardon attorney Ed Martin, issues blanket pardons to 77 individuals tied to Trump’s 2020 alternative elector strategy.
• Notable names: Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Mark Meadows, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis.
• These “alternate electors” submitted paperwork in battleground states after the 2020 election claiming Trump had won, contingent on ongoing legal challenges—described by critics as “fake electors,” by Team Trump as a legal contingency.

Legal and Political Analysis

• CNN Legal Analyst Elie Honig (09:32):
  • The pardons apply only to federal crimes—not the ongoing state prosecutions in WI, MI, NV, GA, AZ.
  • Most state-level cases are “in the process of collapsing… or have collapsed in their own right.”
  • Pardons “have no impact on civil lawsuits”—example: Giuliani’s defamation liability stands.
  • No federal indictments existed or were likely.
  • “In that respect, they’re largely symbolic.”
• Critics claim the act rewards allies and undermines democracy:
  • “He pardons cronies… people who support him… in this case and in the case of January 6, people who are attempting to erode the foundations of our democracy.” (10:42, Democratic Politician)

MAGA Narrative and Reconciliation

• The Trump/Ed Martin memo: “No MAGA left behind” and “This proclamation ends a grave national injustice… and continues the process of national reconciliation.” (10:56)
• The president does not pardon himself, leaving that constitutional debate for another day.

3. BBC Faces Lawsuit Over January 6th Speech Editing Scandal (11:09–15:52)

Trump’s Defamation Threat

• Trump threatens a $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC over its documentary “A Second Chance,” which splices together remarks from January 6th, removing Trump’s calls for peaceful protest.
• Michael Prescott (BBC whistleblower) criticized the documentary:
  • “I watched the program and found it to be neither balanced nor impartial… this created the impression that Trump said something he did not and in doing so materially misled viewers.” (13:47)
• Comparison of BBC's edited version and Trump’s full remarks:
  • Edited: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol… We fight like hell and if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” (14:05)
  • Original: Includes “…peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.” (14:21)
• Prescott and others argue that omitting “peacefully and patriotically” is a serious editorial misstep.

Institutional Fallout

• BBC’s top officials, including director Tim Davy and head of news Deborah Turness, resign following the scandal.
• BBC Chair Sameer Shah: “We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action… The BBC would like to apologize for that error of judgment.” (15:31)
• Donald Trump Jr.: “The fake news reporters in the UK are just as dishonest and full of shit as the ones here in America.”
• The broadcaster is still considering its response to the threatened lawsuit.

4. MLB Pitchers Indicted in Illegal Gambling Scheme (15:52–19:50)

• Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Luis Ortiz (26) and Emmanuel Clase (27), indicted for alleged pitch-fixing in an illegal gambling ring.
  • They are accused of collaborating with bettors to throw specific pitches for prop bets, receiving bribes in return.
  • The indictment alleges the group won over $450,000 from bets on more than 100 pitches.
• Ortiz was arrested and released on $500,000 bail. Clase is not yet in U.S. custody.
• MLB has placed both players on paid leave since July, with investigations ongoing.
• If convicted, each faces up to 65 years in prison.
• Lawyers for both assert innocence. Notably, Clase’s attorney does not explicitly deny the central allegation in his statement.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT):
  “…the American people want us to stand up to Trumpism, to his war against working class people, to his authoritarianism. That is what the American people wanted. But tonight that is not what happened.” (04:57)

• Sen. Angus King (I-ME) on Democratic Defections:
  “The shutdown wasn’t accomplishing either [goal]… There was zero likelihood it was going to… the shutdown actually gave him [Trump] more power.” (03:55)

• Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) on Schumer:
  “Time for him to be replaced. He is not meeting the moment, he’s out of touch with where the party’s base is.” (07:06)

• CNN Legal Analyst Elie Honig, on the pardons:
  “The pardons have no impact on state prosecutions… largely symbolic… No MAGA left behind.” (09:32–10:56)

• Donald Trump Jr., reacting to the BBC scandal:
  “The fake news reporters in the UK are just as dishonest and full of shit as the ones here in America.”

• BBC Chair Sameer Shah, in apology:
  “We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action. The BBC would like to apologize for that error of judgment.” (15:31)

Highlighted Segments (Timestamps)

• Democratic Revolt Against Schumer: 00:42–07:31
• Trump’s Elector Pardons: Context & Critique: 07:31–11:09
• BBC Editing Scandal & Institutional Response: 11:09–15:52
• MLB Gambling Indictments: 15:52–19:50

Tone and Style

True to Megyn Kelly’s brand, the episode combines direct reporting, unsparing analysis, and confrontation of political and media controversies. The tone is brisk, highly topical, occasionally fiery—particularly when sharing social media reactions and political rhetoric—and aims for clarity over partisanship, while capturing voices across the spectrum.

For Listeners

This AM Update concisely encapsulates escalating tensions in American politics, legal maneuvering at the highest levels, and the consequences of editorial missteps in media, all delivered in Megyn Kelly’s signature, forthright style. Key personalities and critical developments are foregrounded with direct quotes, making the episode an essential briefing for anyone tuning in after the fact.