The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 2/24/26

Episode Title: Trump Approval Slips Ahead of SOTU, Kouri Richins Husband Poisoning Trial Starts
Host: Megyn Kelly
Date: February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

In this AM Update, Megyn Kelly covers a turbulent political landscape as President Trump faces his lowest approval ratings ever going into a State of the Union (SOTU) address. The discussion highlights shifting public opinion, major polling data, and a high-profile Congressional boycott. The episode also features a sharp legal update: a federal judge slams former special counsel Jack Smith and blocks the release of his classified report on Trump’s documents case. The segment closes with gripping details from the murder trial of Utah mom Kouri Richins, accused of poisoning her husband—whose story captured national attention after she published a children’s book about grief.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Plummeting Approval and State of the Union Anticipation

• Poll Numbers & Public Sentiment
  • Recent CNN poll: Only 36% approve of Trump’s leadership; 63% disapprove—a sharp drop from 48% a year prior.
  • Only 38% believe Trump’s policies are moving the US in the right direction; 61% think otherwise.
  • 57% of respondents want the SOTU to focus on the economy and cost of living.
  • Secondary issues: immigration (13%), state of democracy (11%), healthcare (7%).
• Independents Drive the Decline
  • Harry Entin (03:29):

    “It is also the weakest that Donald Trump has ever been with independence. At this point a year ago, Donald Trump was at -13 points... -47 points among independents, the lowest Donald Trump has ever been in either of his two terms as president, with independence that is driving these numbers.”

• Additional Polling Insights
  • Washington Post/ABC poll: 39% approval vs. 60% disapproval—Trump’s highest since post-Jan 6.
  • By issue:
    • Economy: 41% approve, 57% disapprove
    • Immigration: 40% approve, 58% disapprove
    • Tariffs: 34% approve, 64% disapprove
  • On immigration policy, neither side has a decisive edge; 38% trust Trump more, 34% trust Democrats, and 24% trust neither.
  • Cost of living: practically tied.

2. Congressional Boycott and Political Tensions

• Democratic Lawmakers Refusing Attendance
  • Rep. Adam Schiff (05:24):

    “I will not be attending the State of the Union. I've never missed one... But we cannot treat this as normal. This is not business as usual. I will not give him the audience he craves for the lies that he tells okay.”

  • Others skipping: Chris Murphy, Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, Pramila Jayapal (who’s to deliver the Democratic response).
  • Alternate event to be hosted by progressive groups Midas Touch and MoveOn.org.
• Other Notables
  • Virginia Governor Abigail Spamberger mentioned for her silence on controversial debate questions, but now is “feeling chatty.”
  • Men’s US Hockey Team expected at SOTU after winning gold; women’s team unable to attend due to prior commitments.

3. Trump’s Angel Family Day and Immigration Focus

• National Angel Family Day

  • Trump designates Feb. 22 to honor families of Americans slain by undocumented immigrants—stories featured at the White House.
  • Angel Family Rep. (07:41):

    “These are the angel families that we love that for decades our government betrayed and our media totally ignored... They didn't want to hear them. It was the most—that was my first glimpse as to what was happening. These are sick people, an infinite loss... Their stories were censored and suppressed like maybe almost never before.”

  • Emphasizes narratives suppressed by “establishment media,” links the suffering directly to immigration policy.

• Legislative Response

  • First legislation signed in Trump’s new term is the Laken Riley Act—mandating DHS detain undocumented immigrants arrested for certain violent crimes.
  • Laken Riley’s mother, Allison Phillips (09:16):

    “If you live the nightmare that we have lived, you understand the importance of the job that he's doing... She was just a good girl and she just wanted to go for a run that morning. I'm beyond blessed and thankful that you're honoring not just Lakin... She's not the only one. And so thank you for honoring all of them, not just Lakin.”

4. Legal Drama: Judge Blocks Jack Smith's Report on Trump

• Ruling Details
  • Judge Aileen Cannon issues order blocking release of ex-special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s classified documents case.
  • Smith, after his disqualification, delivers report to AG Garland—Cannon alleges attempts to circumvent her prior dismissal of the case.
  • Cannon’s Ruling Summarized (10:30):

    “Releasing the report would, quote, cause irreparable damage to the former defendants by disclosing non-public discovery materials... violate, quote, basic notions of fairness and justice in the process where no adjudication of guilt has been reached.”

  • Notes it is “certainly not customary” to release details post-dismissal and with no admission of guilt.

5. Kouri Richins Trial: Book to Grief, Grief to Murder?

• Case Background

  • Utah realtor Corey (Kouri) Richins stands trial for allegedly poisoning husband Eric in March 2022; afterwards, she publishes a children’s book purportedly to help their sons grieve.
  • Charges: Aggravated murder, mortgage fraud, and forgery. Allegations involve fatal Moscow Mule laced with a massive fentanyl dose.
  • Prosecution claims financial motive: Richins was $4.5 million in debt, sought life insurance payouts, and was in a relationship with another man (Robert Josh Grossman).
  • Prosecution shares romantic text exchange between Corey and Grossman the night of Eric’s death (15:15).

• Prosecution Narrative

  • Brad Bloodworth (15:15):

    “At 7:22pm [boyfriend] texts an image of two people romantically kissing... at 8:36, Corey replies, love you. The boys go to bed... Corey makes Eric a drink and takes it to him... returns at about 3am, finds Eric cold and unresponsive.”

• Defense’s Position

  • Attorney Katherine Nestor (16:19):
    Plays 911 call from that night, emphasizing uncertainty and lack of evidence on how fentanyl entered Eric’s system.

    • Defense (16:48):

      “After four years of investigation and five weeks of this trial. You know what you're never going to hear is how that fentanyl got inside of him because there is zero evidence of that to this day.”

    • Same in manner of death—the Medical Examiner has not classified Eric’s death as homicide, suicide, or accident.

  • Defense contends Eric had a history of using painkillers and marijuana, supported by evidence of an empty hydrocodone bottle in the bedroom.

• First Witness Testimony

  • Katie Richens Benson (18:24):

    “When I got there, there was a bunch of emergency personnel... She [Corey] just shook her head at me... She was not how she normally was... very well put together... wasn't crying... Just stood there and shook her head no at me.”

  • On cross, acknowledged Eric’s medicinal and recreational substance use.

• Trial Coverage Note

  • MK True Crime channel will stream every second of the trial with panel commentary.
  • Trial expected to run through late March.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Harry Entin on polling (03:29):

  “This is... the lowest that any president has been this century going into a State of the Union at this point in their presidency.”

• Rep. Adam Schiff on SOTU boycott (05:24):

  “We cannot treat this as normal. This is not business as usual.”

• Angel Family Representative (07:41):

  “Their stories were censored and suppressed like maybe almost never before so that the politicians could open our borders and allow our nation to be invaded.”

• Allison Phillips, Laken Riley's mother (09:16):

  “She wasn't somebody that put herself in bad positions... She just wanted to go for a run that morning.”

• Judge Cannon’s rebuke (approx. 10:30):

  “Certainly not customary for a prosecutor to disseminate large swaths of discovery after a case is dismissed... and where the defendants still maintain their innocence.”

• Brad Bloodworth, opening statement (15:15):

  “Corey makes Eric a drink... She departs the bedroom. Corey returns at about 3am, finds Eric cold. She nudges him. He does not respond.”

• Defense (16:48):

  “[Y]ou know what you're never going to hear is how that fentanyl got inside of him because there is zero evidence of that to this day.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32 – 05:24: Trump’s poll numbers, SOTU context, and Democratic boycott
• 07:41 – 09:16: National Angel Family Day remarks and Laken Riley Act
• 10:00 – 11:30: Judge Cannon’s decision in Trump classified docs case
• 15:15 – 19:11: Kouri Richins trial, prosecution and defense openings, first witness

Summary & Tone

This episode is fast-paced, informative, and driven by both hard news and pointed editorializing—a hallmark of Megyn Kelly’s straight-shooting style. Attention is balanced between political analysis (Trump’s polling and SOTU drama), emotive immigration policy stories (angel families), legal intrigue (Jack Smith’s report), and high-profile criminal trial coverage (Kouri Richins case). The tone is direct, critical, and unflinching, catering to listeners who value candor and controversy in political and legal commentary.