Summary of "The Megyn Kelly Show" Episode 983: "Three Most Annoying Senators at Hegseth Hearing, and Pam Bondi Crushes Dems Today, with Victor Davis Hanson"

Release Date: January 15, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 983 of The Megyn Kelly Show, hosted by Megyn Kelly on SiriusXM Channel 111, the focus centers on the high-stakes confirmation hearings of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Pam Bondi for Attorney General. Joined by Victor Davis Hanson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of The End of Everything and How Wars Descend into Annihilation, Kelly provides a critical analysis of the hearings, highlighting the performances of key Democratic senators and the strategic resilience of Republican nominees.

Pete Hegseth Confirmation Hearing

Republican Support and Democratic Challenges

Megyn Kelly begins by addressing the recent Armed Services Committee hearing where Pete Hegseth, the nominee for Secretary of Defense, faced intense scrutiny from Democratic senators. She highlights the pivotal moment when Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, initially on the fence, publicly endorsed Hegseth, thereby strengthening his confirmation prospects.

Megyn Kelly [16:00]: "Senator Joni Ernst... is going to vote for him. So you can suck it, Madam Slotkin, and enjoy what will almost undoubtedly be a short term out of Michigan."

Kelly criticizes the Democratic approach, suggesting that senators like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski prioritize ideological battles over bipartisan support.

Performance of Democratic Senators

Kelly singles out three Democratic senators—Mazie Hirono, Tammy Duckworth, and Elizabeth Warren—as the most annoying during the hearings.

• Senator Mazie Hirono: Kelly describes Hirono's questioning as "performative" and ineffective, emphasizing her inability to elicit substantive responses from Hegseth.

  Megyn Kelly [15:14]: "Senator Mazie Hirono: I have read multiple reports of your regularly being drunk at work..."

• Senator Tammy Duckworth: Duckworth's interrogation is labeled as a "gotcha" style attack, aiming to trip up Hegseth on technical issues like audits and international agreements.

  Senator Tammy Duckworth [19:22]: "Have you led an audit of any organization? Yes or no?"

• Senator Elizabeth Warren: Warren is portrayed as aggressive and accusatory, focusing on allegations of sexual misconduct against Hegseth, which Kelly argues are unfounded.

  Senator Elizabeth Warren [26:06]: "I'm not saying he will, but if he does, you are going to be the guy that he calls to implement."

Hegseth's Composure and Strategic Responses

Hegseth is lauded for his calm and strategic responses, effectively countering the Democrats' attempts to undermine his qualifications and character. Kelly praises his ability to remain unfazed and focused on his credentials as a warfighter with "boots on the ground."

Megyn Kelly [16:08]: "He's going to bring back all these guys and women that are in their 40s, 50s and 60s that were driven out by the Mueller, Comey McCabe, Ray regimes..."

Pam Bondi Confirmation Hearing

Attorney General Nominee's Strong Defense

Transitioning to Pam Bondi's confirmation for Attorney General, Kelly parallels her support for Bondi with her backing of Hegseth. Bondi is commended for her firm stance against the politicization of the Attorney General's office and her refusal to engage in hypotheticals that could misrepresent her intentions.

Pam Bondi [56:20]: "I will answer the questions to the best of my ability."

Victor Davis Hanson's Endorsement

Hanson echoes Kelly's sentiments, asserting that Bondi's performance was exemplary and that Democrats failed to effectively challenge her qualifications.

Victor Davis Hanson [56:28]: "She should have. You know, I think they're going to get even more emboldened as these go on..."

Media Coverage and Public Perception

Critique of Mainstream Media

Kelly criticizes mainstream media outlets and personalities like Jimmy Kimmel for their biased portrayal of Republican nominees, suggesting that they often resort to mockery and unfounded allegations to discredit them.

Megyn Kelly [44:54]: "That's hilarious. So funny. I mean, I don't remember him making jokes about Kamala's boozing..."

Social Media and Memes

She also points out how social media platforms have been inundated with memes ridiculing Democratic senators for their performances during the hearings, further undermining their credibility.

Current Events: Los Angeles Wildfires

Criticism of LAFD's Focus on Race and Identity

Kelly shifts focus to the recent deadly wildfires in Los Angeles, criticizing the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) for emphasizing the race and identity of firefighters over addressing underlying infrastructure and preparedness issues.

Megyn Kelly [72:39]: "The group is having all the troubles and she needs us to know what her pronouns are..."

Infrastructure Failures and Public Frustration

She argues that the LAFD's approach has led to public frustration, especially among homeowners who have lost their properties, attributing the failures to a lack of competent management and an obsession with identity politics.

Victor Davis Hanson [76:48]: "They decided to make a big show and then they'd embarrass themselves with these crazy questions."

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal

Analysis of the Ceasefire and Hostage Release

In the final segment, Kelly and Hanson discuss the purported ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, mediated by both President Biden and former President Trump. They express skepticism about the deal's long-term viability, suggesting that releasing hostages might embolden Hamas rather than lead to lasting peace.

Victor Davis Hanson [97:18]: "If they pull out and they release hundreds, if not thousands of terrorists... they're going to have to get out before they've destroyed Hamas."

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, The Megyn Kelly Show presents a critical view of Democratic senators' performances during the confirmation hearings of Pete Hegseth and Pam Bondi. Megyn Kelly, supported by insights from Victor Davis Hanson, underscores the Republicans' strategic composure and effective handling of aggressive Democratic questioning. The episode also delves into broader political and social issues, reflecting a consistent theme of challenging left-wing ideologies and advocating for conservative principles in governance and public policy.

Notable Quotes:

• Megyn Kelly [16:00]: "Unless something catastrophic happens... he's in. You can start calling him Mr. Secretary."

• Senator Elizabeth Warren [26:06]: "I'm not saying he will, but if he does, you are going to be the guy that he calls to implement."

• Pam Bondi [56:20]: "I don't have to sit up here and say these things. I will answer the questions to the best of my ability."

• Victor Davis Hanson [52:59]: "That was good. But it was Kavanaugh re Dukes. That's... what it was."

• Victor Davis Hanson [97:18]: "If they pull out and they release hundreds, if not thousands of terrorists... they're going to have to get out before they've destroyed Hamas."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, debates, and insights presented in Episode 983 of The Megyn Kelly Show, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a clear understanding of the episode's main themes and conclusions.