The Megyn Kelly Show | Ep. 1204

"Second Strike" Narrative Falls Apart, Kash Patel Responds, and How To Be a Man, with Rich Lowry, Charles Cooke, Elliot Ackerman, and Bryan Cox"
Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)

Overview of Episode

This episode explores three main topics:

• The unraveling of the "second strike" narrative concerning a controversial U.S. military operation in the Caribbean.
• Kash Patel’s response to new criticisms and the culture war within the FBI under his leadership.
• A deep-dive conversation with Elliot Ackerman, former Marine and acclaimed writer, on what it means to be a man today.

Throughout, Megyn Kelly and her guests provide frank analysis of media biases, the rules of armed conflict, the politicization of national security institutions, and the cultural challenges facing American men.

1. Debunking the “Second Strike” Narrative: Washington Post vs. New York Times

Guests: Dr. Bryan L. Cox (military lawyer), Rich Lowry, Charles C.W. Cooke

Main Theme

The show begins with the disputed reporting on a U.S. military strike against a narco-boat in the Caribbean, which the Washington Post claimed amounted to war crimes. The New York Times has published a contrary report, and expert guest Dr. Bryan L. Cox offers legal analysis.

Key Discussion Points

A. Washington Post’s Claims vs. New Facts

• Washington Post alleged Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a second strike to “kill everyone,” suggesting a war crime.
• The story was based on anonymous sources, later contradicted by New York Times reporting and five U.S. officials.
• The New York Times found that the second strike was ordered by Admiral Bradley, not Hegseth. Radio evidence suggested survivors were communicating with narco-traffickers, justifying the strike militarily ([04:00]-[17:00]).

“The mission is to destroy it. You’ve only disabled it so you need a second strike to destroy it.”
– Megyn Kelly [15:47]

B. Legal Perspective on the Use of Force

• Dr. Cox explained the difference between a “disabled” and “destroyed” vessel under the law of armed conflict.
  • If a vessel can still assist enemy operations (e.g., communicate, be salvaged), it remains a military objective and can be targeted.
  • Survivors on a still-operational craft are not automatically protected as shipwrecked personnel
    ([12:26]-[16:37]).

“If the vessel that they're on still qualifies as a military objective, then they're not...by definition they're not shipwrecked.” – Dr. Bryan L. Cox [13:30]

• Criticized politicized accusations and trial-by-media:
  • “To accuse a sitting secretary of war of being a war criminal based on basically double hearsay…It doesn't make any rational sense.”
    – Dr. Bryan L. Cox [10:19]

C. Media, Congress, and Public Reaction

• The “war crimes” accusation was quickly picked up by officials like Rep. Seth Moulton and media outlets, fueling outrage ([21:03]-[21:49]).
• Cox rebuts the need for politicians to “remind” troops not to follow unlawful orders, asserting this is ingrained in military training ([21:49]-[24:28]).

“We don't need anyone from Congress, we don't need anyone from the outside to remind us of this, because...it's part of the ethos that we live every day.” – Dr. Bryan L. Cox [21:49]

• Both Kelly and guests stress the dangers of undermining the chain of command and encouraging hesitation in combat ([25:23]-[27:15]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Initial reports are almost always, if not wrong, they're at least incomplete enough that you don't have enough information to make...meaningful conclusions.” – Dr. Cox [18:48]
• “It’s a left-wing, Trump-hating narrative that we have these military commanders who are just these rogue agents...as opposed to rational, thoughtful, considered leaders.” – Megyn Kelly [17:27]

2. Media Integrity & Partisan Reporting

Guests: Rich Lowry, Charles C. W. Cooke

Main Theme

Analysis shifts to the failure of responsible reporting, with NPR and Washington Post accused of perpetuating inaccuracies and political agendas despite new evidence ([29:01]-[35:47]).

Key Discussion Points

• Media Tunnel Vision:
  NPR ignores new NYT reporting, doubling down on the original narrative, which even their sources now dispute ([32:00]-[34:37]).

• Criticism of Reporting Standards:

  • Ellen Nakashima (Washington Post) called out for past questionable reporting (“Russiagate”).
  • Media’s use of anonymous sources and dramatic narratives condemned as “theatrical reporting” ([39:04]-[40:00]).

“It has the classic aspect of something that's too perfect, that's too cinematic... The New York Times story seems more credible to me.”
– Rich Lowry [30:48]

3. The FBI Culture Wars: The Kash Patel Allegations

Host Analysis, Rich Lowry, Charles C.W. Cooke

Main Theme

Kelly details pushback against Kash Patel, the new FBI Director, dissecting a negative report issued by current/former FBI agents and responding directly to rumors meant to humiliate him.

Key Discussion Points

• FBI Morale Report’s Claims vs. Patel’s Record ([41:00]-[48:41])

  • Allegations of “rudderless” leadership, low morale, and partisan demoralization.
  • The infamous “FBI patch/jacket” rumor debunked: “There was no waiting on the plane to get a jacket...we ran off the plane, we understood Charlie had been murdered, it was a tumultuous time and that just none of this is true.” ([44:11])
  • Documentary evidence of exceptional performance: Violent crime, gang arrests, missing children found, fentanyl seized—all up under Patel.

• Institutional Resistance & the Civil Service

  • FBI “struggle session” mentality criticized as symptomatic of a federal workforce resistant to presidential authority ([48:41]-[50:31]).
  • Charlie Cooke: “As a government employee, you work for the president until you can’t. So if you’ve been in the FBI…that’s how our democracy works, and you wouldn’t want it any other way.” ([48:41])

• Pattern of Smear Campaigns

  • Kelly and guests note a trend of hit pieces against anyone associated with the Trump administration, whether Hegseth, Patel, or Bongino ([51:02]-[52:25]).
  • Emphasis on distinguishing legitimate internal critique from bureaucratic sabotage.

4. The DC National Guard Shooting and Afghan Immigration

Guests: Rich Lowry, Charles C. W. Cooke

Main Theme

A discussion on the political and cultural fallout following the shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan asylee.

Key Discussion Points

• Political Response and Media Framing
  • Trump, the military, and conservative media frame the tragedy as a consequence of lax asylum/vetting policies ([53:53]-[56:33]).
  • Left-leaning outlets and commentators downplay the act, suggesting blame should be assigned to the policy of deploying troops—an argument the panel derides as “cause in fact” nonsense ([56:33]-[61:36]).

“You don’t spend time in the cause, in fact place when you’re a news person, you talk about the proximate cause...by anyone’s measure, there is one person and one person alone to blame for this.”
– Megyn Kelly [60:22]

• Hard Questions on Immigration

  • Should the U.S. curtail immigration from “loser countries” (Afghanistan, Somalia) for security/cultural assimilation reasons?
  • Both Lowry and Cooke argue for radically reduced numbers and a return to selective, assimilation-focused policies ([62:43]-[77:05]).
  • Not all immigration restriction is “racist”—most immigrants still come from non-European backgrounds even with limitations ([70:14]).

• American Identity and Assimilation

  • Cooke: “If you suddenly replace the population of the United States with the population of other places...the United States will become more like those other places unless you very assiduously demand...that they conform to America.” ([72:38]-[75:32])
  • Emphasis on national confidence, selective admission, and strong cultural assimilation requirements.

5. What It Means to Be a Man: A Conversation with Elliot Ackerman

Guest: Elliot Ackerman (author, former Marine & CIA officer)

Main Theme

In a shift to cultural commentary, Kelly interviews Ackerman (now a Free Press columnist) about his acclaimed series on manhood, manliness, and raising boys in modern America ([84:13]-[103:29]).

Key Discussion Points

• Ackerman’s Background

  • Decorated combat veteran (Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart), former CIA.
  • Now a writer exploring war, politics, and masculinity.

• On Masculinity and Intention

  • Ackerman: Today’s crisis isn’t “toxic masculinity,” but young men being neglected, left without positive models or meaningful rituals.
  • His Free Press series “A Man Should Know” advocates for deliberate guidance in skills, comportment, and values—starting with small things (e.g., tying a tie, writing thank you notes, maintaining heirlooms like a watch).

“A man should know how to do some of these things... if you’re a man, you should know how to do some of these things.”
– Elliot Ackerman [97:09]

• The Balance of Toughness and Tenderness

  • Quote from Gen. Mattis: “No better friend, no worse enemy” as a masculine ideal ([101:58]).
  • Men should cultivate both strength and gentleness, toggling between them as the situation demands.

• Assimilation, Immigration, and Service

  • Ackerman urges Americans not to demonize all Afghan allies due to one act, noting the vital roles many played and the historical pattern of American integration ([90:26]-[93:24]).
  • Kelly: “It’s not all of them, but it’s a fair amount of them. So we gotta be careful. If we didn't do the screening on the way in, we definitely need to do the screening before we send them out.” ([93:24])

Notable Quotes

• “You get awarded for something that is probably the worst day of your life...they don’t hand out those medals when everything goes right.” – Elliot Ackerman on military awards [85:10]
• On intention and meaning: “It’s about having something that you carry with you every day...something that can be passed down.” – Ackerman, about his watch [98:51]
• “If you’re coming in, this is how we do it. And you have to get with the program because we’re right and you’re wrong. There’s nothing wrong with that.” – Charles C.W. Cooke [75:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & “Second Strike” Narrative: [00:49]–[27:21]
• Media Critique—Washington Post vs. NYT: [29:01]–[40:00]
• Kash Patel Response/FBI Report: [41:00]–[52:25]
• DC National Guard Shooting & Afghan Asylee: [53:53]–[77:05]
• How To Be a Man (Elliot Ackerman): [84:13]–[103:29]

Tone & Style

The tone is direct, provocative, and conversational, characteristic of the Megyn Kelly Show. The hosts and guests express their skepticism toward legacy media, emphasize rigor in matters of law and security, and advocate cultural self-confidence.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode will suit anyone looking for a multi-faceted, skeptical take on breaking national security news, impassioned media criticism, and searching commentary on culture and masculinity. The analysis is rich in professional insight—military, legal, and journalistic—and the conversations with guests are both nuanced and pointed. This episode is especially valuable for those seeking a counterpoint to establishment narratives in the daily news cycle.