The Megyn Kelly Show | Ep. 1257

Episode Title: "Today Show Cattiness, 'Love Story' Lies, and SCOTUS Strikes Down Trump's Tariffs"
Date: February 20, 2026
Guests: Maureen Callahan, Will Chamberlain
Main Theme:
A dynamic, candid breakdown of hot topics in politics, law, and pop culture, including the Supreme Court's pivotal tariff ruling against Trump, behind-the-scenes drama at the Today Show, biting cultural commentary on celebrity fitness and wellness, a review of Ryan Murphy's JFK Jr./Carolyn Bessette series, explosive royal family scandals, and the triumphant stories of US Olympic athletes.

SCOTUS Strikes Down Trump's Tariffs – Legal Breakdown with Will Chamberlain

[03:50 - 12:48]

Key Points:

• Supreme Court Ruling:

  • 6-3 decision: The President cannot use the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs; that authority belongs to Congress.
  • Chief Justice Roberts, Gorsuch, and Barrett sided with the liberal justices—two of whom are Trump appointees.
  • The "major questions doctrine" was pivotal; basically, Congress must explicitly delegate such major powers (04:52).

• Implications:

  • About $175-200 billion in tariffs are implicated—massive refunds likely for US importers who paid them (05:38).
  • Foreign companies unlikely to sue; US importers are the main parties with legal claim for refunds.
  • Potential DOJ overload from refund litigation.

• What Does It Mean for Trump’s Agenda?:

  • Trump can’t backfill these tariffs using other statutes — the emergency law was used because it was easier.
  • He retains some tariff authority via narrower, product/nation-specific statutes.
  • Net effect: Weaker executive power, less leverage in trade negotiations (08:56).
  • Quote: “It’s a bad ruling for the Trump administration. It’s really bad for the country because the tariffs are a key part of the president's arsenal in negotiating with foreign countries.” – Will Chamberlain (08:56)

• Broader Perspective:

  • Megyn discusses the risk of executive overreach; Gorsuch’s concern: “Another president might impose tariffs on gas powered automobiles to respond to climate change or really on virtually any imports for any 'emergency' any president might perceive. And all of these emergency declarations would be unreviewable.” (10:20, quoting Neil Gorsuch)
  • Will’s take: Political accountability and Congress’s ability to rewrite laws are real checks on the president (11:21)
  • Chamberlain felt Kavanaugh’s dissent was legally stronger.

Today Show Cattiness – Inside NBC’s Dysfunction

[14:59 - 39:00]

Hot Takes & Highlights:

• Hoda Kotb’s Return:
  • Rumors (via Daily Mail): Hoda wants her "chair back" after her departure supposedly to focus on family.
  • Maureen’s team ambushed Hoda outside 30 Rock; security revealed she's at the end of her "two week residency"—uncertainty about her long-term return (30:20).
• On-Air Tension:
  • Play-by-play review of Today Show awkwardness, including clips:
    • Wedding Non-invite: Jenna Bush Hager still brings up not being invited to Savannah’s wedding (34:49).
    • Backstage Shade: Savannah openly annoyed at having to do Hoda’s show segment, slighting Hoda’s “journalistic” credentials (35:46).
    • Forcing Fake Family Narrative: “You don't have to even say that if it's true.” – Maureen Callahan on Hoda's attempts to foster faux unity (33:25-33:41).
    • Megyn: "They don't like each other. They're constantly stabbing each other in the back. It wasn't just me when I was there." (33:53)
• General NBC Culture:
  • Maureen and Megyn agree: The Today Show is rife with power struggles and simmering resentment, despite its family-friendly façade.

Celebrity Fitness & Wellness: “Hashtag Goals” or Total Fantasy?

[17:57 - 29:02]

Discussion Points:

• Kelly Ripa’s Body Glow-Up:
  • The hosts break down the privilege behind Hollywood "fitness" (18:31-23:43):
    • Ripa's rigorous daily workouts, personal trainers, chefs, home laser equipment—completely unattainable for average women juggling family and work.
    • “Of course she has an incredibly toned physique...The average person out there gets up early, try to get their school, their kids off to school…then you try to get yourself together, work an 8 or 9 hour day…” – Megyn Kelly (18:31)
• Maureen’s Real Talk:
  • Irritation with celebrity narratives minimizing the true cost and support for wellness.
  • “They’re really selling aspiration…never really attaining the goal.” (26:16)
  • Take down of Peter Attia for elite exclusivity; suggestion: longevity experts should offer pro bono work (28:24).
  • “Lower your fees and treat some people who don't have money. Or...go into an inner city and set up a little medical tent.” – Maureen (28:24)

Meghan Markle & the Royals – PR, Courtrooms, and Class

[53:32 - 61:52]

Key Moments:

• NBA Courtside Analysis:

  • Meghan Markle nudges Harry for the cameras—“trophy behavior,” says Maureen (54:55).
  • “The whole reason we’re here—that’s really what she's saying...” – Megyn (54:36)
  • Comparison between Meghan’s hunger for attention and Harry’s visible misery.
  • Quote: “You cannot be both—you cannot demand the spotlight and also demand to be left alone.” – Maureen (57:40)

• Royal Family Reckoning – Prince Andrew:

  • Arrested; looking “terrified” in photos after release (66:39).
  • Revisiting Andrew’s infamous “I can’t sweat” BBC excuse (67:34).
  • Maureen predicts King Charles will abdicate within six months due to scandal fallout; William will take over to save the monarchy (69:44).

• Sexual Abuse Scandals:

  • Deep dives into the Epstein files, Virginia Giuffre’s testimony, comparison to Harvey Weinstein’s depravity, and the psychology of power and abuse.

Ryan Murphy’s “Love Story”: The JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette Series

[81:26 - 96:22]

The Critique:

• Casting (“No It Factor”):

  • Both agree: the JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette actors lack the magnetic presence and deep-seated damage of their real-life counterparts.
  • “JFK Jr. was significantly better looking than this guy… if you’re going for the model, step it up one notch more.” – Megyn (82:03)

• Dysfunction & Damage:

  • “They had that factor…because the real people were so unstable, so damaged, so obsessed with presenting themselves physically perfect, I think, to cover up all that mess inside.” – Maureen (85:38)

• Ryan Murphy’s Perspective:

  • Both hosts sense a misogynistic, campy bent; Murphy blames Carolyn's “tardiness” for the fatal plane crash and takes ahistorical liberties.
  • Megyn: “Yet another Ryan Murphy… I think he’s a misogynist.”
  • Maureen: “There is a specific kind of gay man that is very dangerous. They are truly misogynistic, but they use their sexuality as a way of sidling up to women…” (91:36)

• Portrayal of Jackie O:

  • Over-the-top dramatization (portrait dancing) reflects Murphy’s tendency for dramatic excess at the expense of accuracy (94:47).

Olympic Glory: Alysa Liu’s Comeback and U.S. Women’s Hockey Gold

[52:55, 96:22 - End (~114:04)]

Alysa Liu:

• Her Story:
  • Gold medal figure skater, daughter of Chinese immigrants, returned to skating on her own joyful terms.
  • Resisted Chinese efforts to recruit her: “There’s a reason I moved to the United States of America.”
  • Megyn: “She did it her way...it gave her the confidence to go out there and skate like she had fun. Everybody else looked scared shitless.” (103:02)
  • Lesson: Embrace joy, not pressure.

U.S. Women's Hockey:

• Performance:
  • Called the “best ever assembled”—dominated all matches; epic overtime win vs. Canada for gold (106:54).
  • Megan Keller scores the winner; huge celebration, singing the anthem with pride (109:56).
  • Direct contrast to the US Women’s Soccer team’s lukewarm anthem behavior; “A bunch of bitter, angry losers.” – Megyn (109:56).

Hailey Nguyen’s Family Moment:

• Hailey’s three older brothers are her biggest fans, highlighted in an emotional support video.
• “You have three older brothers that now look up to you. You will always be our champion.” – Hailey’s brothers (111:45)
• Maureen: “That's maybe more of the rule than the exception…I hope.” (112:10)

Other Noteworthy Quotes & Segments

Media, Politics, & Cancel Culture

• "The tolerant left is the most intolerant group in America. Name me a conservative who has canceled a friendship over politics. It doesn't happen." – Megyn (41:58)
• Maureen revealed being called a "fascist" by a former friend (42:45).

On Emotional Authenticity

• Discussion of fake crying in public life (62:33+); “It’s very hard to truly cry without water. That’s why they paid me so much.” – Melissa Francis, via Megyn (63:26)
• Both hosts reflect on telltale signs before tears ("I get this involuntary, huge frown..." – Megyn, 64:11).

Cultural Commentary

• Sharp, unsparing takes on Anna Wintour, Vogue’s new editor Chloe Malle, and the elevation of “nepo babies” (39:19+).
• Weinstein/Epstein/Gold Diggers vs. Victims discussion, including legal distinctions (77:07).

Episode Tone & Style

• Frank, irreverent, often biting. Megyn and Maureen do not hold back their skepticism and insider perspective, especially on media hypocrisy, Hollywood wellness narratives, court intrigue, and political partisanship.
• Mix of law, pop culture, and personal storytelling. Intimate reflections (e.g., siblings, grief, self-image) break up the firehose of news and analysis.

Recommended Segments

• SCOTUS Tariff Ruling Analysis — 04:52 to 12:48
• Today Show Backstage Drama — 14:59 to 39:00
• JFK Jr. “Love Story” Critique — 81:26 to 96:22
• Olympic Uplift – Liu & US Women’s Hockey — 96:22 to end
• Meghan Markle PR Flops & Royal Family News — 53:32 onwards

Closing

The episode offers a smart, scathing tour through the week’s major political, legal, and cultural battles, rich with exclusive media gossip, legal clarity, and moments of empathy. It’s a lively, unfiltered listen for anyone craving candor—and lots of receipts.