Summary of The Megyn Kelly Show – Episode 1017: "Smug Elitists at Oscars, and What Zelensky Really Did Leading to Oval Blow Up, with Andrew Klavan, Link Lauren, and Christian Toto"

Release Date: March 3, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: Link Lauren, Christian Toto, Andrew Klavan

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

The episode opens with Megyn Kelly addressing two primary topics: the controversial events at the recent Academy Awards and the political fallout from the heated Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kelly emphasizes the significance of both events as cultural and political touchstones, setting the tone for an in-depth discussion.

2. Oscars Controversy: DEI Standards and Hollywood's Integrity

Link Lauren and Christian Toto join Kelly to dissect the evening's happenings at the Oscars, focusing on what they perceive as the entertainment industry's overemphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) standards.

• DEI Quotas: The guests criticize the DEI requirements, arguing that films must meet specific quotas (e.g., 38% LGBTQ cast or crew, inclusion of women or BIPOC individuals) to qualify for awards. They lament the exclusion of Mark Joseph’s biopic on Ronald Reagan, attributing its omission to these stringent standards.

  Christian Toto (04:12):
  "The IRS is the largest collection agency in the world, and with April 15th fast approaching, it's more aggressive than ever..."
  (Note: This is a misattribution in the transcript; likely advertising content.)

• Celebrity Hypocrisy: The discussion highlights perceived hypocrisy among celebrities who advocate for certain social causes while their actions contradict their statements. Christian Toto expresses disdain for figures like Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey for what he views as self-centered behavior during award ceremonies.

  Christian Toto (06:03):
  "I don't know if the stage was big enough for those two egos. So that's part of the problem here." (06:03)

• Notable Moments: The tension between Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg is dissected, with Toto criticizing Oprah for shifting focus to herself and undermining the acknowledgment of black excellence and historical figures like Quincy Jones.

  Link Lauren (06:39):
  "That's not about the movies. It's not about the celebrities. It's about me, me, me." (06:39)

3. The Decline of Hollywood's Quality and Star Power

Kelly and her guests lament the decline in Hollywood's quality, attributing it to a shift from artistry to virtue signaling.

• Comparison to Past Hollywood: The guests reminisce about the golden era of Hollywood, citing Gene Hackman as an example of a star who prioritized his craft over political agendas.

  Link Lauren (37:18):
  "Gene Hackman never insulted me. He never talked down to me. He just made great movies." (37:18)

• Current Trends: They criticize modern celebrities for prioritizing shock value over talent, citing examples like Julianne Hough and Selena Gomez, who allegedly engage in overt displays of wealth and questionable fashion choices to garner attention rather than showcase their acting abilities.

  Christian Toto (09:38):
  "These celebrities love to just virtue signal and tell us how to live our lives." (09:38)

• Legacy vs. Modern Fame: The tribute to Gene Hackman serves as a contrast to today's entertainers, who, according to the guests, often lack the dignified presence and respect for their craft that characterized earlier Hollywood figures.

4. Gene Hackman's Passing: A Reflection on an Era Lost

The segment transitions to Gene Hackman's recent passing, with Morgan Freeman delivering a sober tribute. The guests reflect on Hackman's legacy as a symbol of integrity and artistry in Hollywood.

• Morgan Freeman's Tribute: Freeman honors Hackman by emphasizing his commitment to good work and his desire to be remembered for his contributions rather than legacy-building.

  Gene Hackman (36:30):
  "I don't think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work." (36:30)

• Decline of Iconic Stars: The discussion underscores the departure of revered actors like Hackman, contrasting them with modern stars who, in the guests' view, lack similar authenticity and dedication to the craft.

  Megyn Kelly (37:57):
  "Nobody even makes good films anymore. I missed that era." (37:57)

5. The Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Showdown: An In-Depth Analysis

The core of the episode delves into the highly anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and President Zelensky, which culminated in a heated exchange broadcast live. The guests provide a detailed breakdown of the events leading to the confrontation.

• Meeting Breakdown: Kelly recounts the initial cordial exchanges, where Trump compliments Zelensky and Ukrainian soldiers. However, as the meeting progresses, Zelensky becomes increasingly confrontational, challenging Trump's stance on Europe's contributions to the war and accusing Trump of relying on Russian propaganda.

  Megyn Kelly (56:08):
  "President Zelensky spoke for several minutes on this topic, making his case for why he does not trust President Putin." (56:08)

• Public and Media Reactions: The guests argue that mainstream media only captured fragments of the meeting, missing the critical moments that set the stage for the public fallout. They assert that Zelensky's antagonistic behavior was misrepresented as an ambush orchestrated by Trump.

  Megyn Kelly (55:45):
  "He was supposed to be over very quickly, and here we are three years later." (55:45)

• Democrats' Involvement: A significant portion of the discussion centers on Democratic senators like Mark Kelly and Chris Murphy, whom the guests accuse of undermining the deal by publicly criticizing the arrangement before the meeting. This, they argue, set the stage for Zelensky to challenge Trump, leading to the fallout.

  Andrew Klavan (73:10):
  "The White House has become an arm of the Kremlin. The Democrats... are trying to do what's best for their agenda, not the country." (73:10)

• Strategic Implications: Andrew Klavan posits that Trump's handling of the situation is part of a broader strategy to separate Russia from China's influence, asserting that this move aligns with Trump's long-term vision for U.S. supremacy and security.

  Andrew Klavan (73:10):
  "Trump is actually setting that up in advance, which gives Zelensky the security guarantees that he needs." (73:10)

6. Polls and Public Sentiment: Shifting Perspectives

Kelly and her guests discuss recent polls indicating public sentiment towards the meeting and support for peace deals.

• Public Support: Polls show a majority finding Zelensky's behavior offensive and a significant portion supporting a negotiated peace deal. Additionally, support for U.S. involvement in Ukraine is waning, with increasing numbers viewing the support as excessive.

  Andrew Klavan (79:05):
  "62% found Zelensky's behavior offensive, and 78% support a negotiated peace deal." (79:05)

• Trump's Rising Support: Contrary to media narratives, the podcast argues that Trump's popularity is increasing due to his perceived restraint and strategic maneuvering in foreign policy.

7. Future Implications: Hollywood and U.S. Politics

The conversation shifts to broader implications for Hollywood and American politics.

• Decline of Hollywood's Influence: The guests predict a continuing decline in Hollywood's relevance and quality, suggesting that unless the industry embraces broader American views, it will become increasingly irrelevant.

  Andrew Klavan (81:55):
  "This is a true vibe shift. This is not a vibe shift for today... This is a new idea that's going to continue for decades." (81:55)

• Political Realignment: The podcast discusses the potential for Republicans to regain strength by uniting against what they perceive as Hollywood's liberal dominance and pushing back against DEI standards.

8. Criticism of Andrew Cuomo: Closing Segment

In the closing segment, Kelly turns her attention to Andrew Cuomo, criticizing his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his current political aspirations.

• Cuomo's Failures: The guests highlight Cuomo's controversial decisions, including the handling of COVID-positive patients in nursing homes without adequate testing, which led to numerous deaths.

  Andrew Klavan (95:56):
  "Cuomo's orders resulted in the deaths of 8,000 nursing home patients." (95:56)

• Campaigning Despite Scandals: Despite serious allegations and a tarnished reputation, Cuomo is criticized for attempting to reinvent himself as a moderate and running for mayor.

  Megyn Kelly (93:45):
  "He is not the answer. He is the problem." (93:45)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Christian Toto (06:03):
  "I don't know if the stage was big enough for those two egos. So that's part of the problem here."

• Link Lauren (06:39):
  "That's not about the movies. It's not about the celebrities. It's about me, me, me."

• Link Lauren (37:18):
  "Gene Hackman never insulted me. He never talked down to me. He just made great movies."

• Andrew Klavan (73:10):
  "The White House has become an arm of the Kremlin. The Democrats... are trying to do what's best for their agenda, not the country."

• Andrew Klavan (81:55):
  "This is a true vibe shift. This is not a vibe shift for today... This is a new idea that's going to continue for decades."

• Andrew Klavan (95:56):
  "Cuomo's orders resulted in the deaths of 8,000 nursing home patients."

Conclusion: A Call for Change and Realignment

Megyn Kelly wraps up the episode by emphasizing the need for both Hollywood and U.S. politics to realign with what she perceives as foundational American values. She urges listeners to recognize the decline in quality and integrity within Hollywood and calls for political figures to prioritize national interest over individual or partisan agendas.

The discussion underscores a broader theme of disillusionment with current cultural and political institutions, advocating for a return to principles that Kelly and her guests believe will restore America's standing and effectiveness both domestically and on the global stage.

Note: This summary captures the essence and key points of the podcast episode, including notable quotes and their respective timestamps, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the episode.