The Megyn Kelly Show – Episode Summary Episode: Trump Fights Big Pharma with Drug Plan, China Tariffs Pause, American Hostage Free: AM Update 5/13
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Platform: SiriusXM

1. Introduction

Megyn Kelly kicks off the episode by outlining the major topics to be discussed, including President Donald Trump's new executive order on drug pricing, the temporary pause on China tariffs, recent developments regarding a Qatari gift to the White House, and the release of the last known living American hostage from Hamas custody.

2. President Trump's Executive Order on Drug Prices

Overview: President Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing prescription drug prices in the United States by up to 80%. The order ties U.S. drug prices to those in other developed nations, marking a significant shift in the country's pharmaceutical policy.

Key Points:

• Impact on Drug Prices: The executive order seeks to drastically lower the cost of medications for American consumers by aligning U.S. prices with international rates.

  Donald Trump [00:14]: "Starting today, the United States will no longer subsidize the health care of foreign countries."

  Donald Trump [03:33]: "What we're going to totally cut out the famous middlemen. We're going to cut out the middlemen and facilitate the direct sale of drugs at the most favored nation price directly to the American citizen."

• Economic Implications: Surprisingly, pharmaceutical stocks rose following the announcement, indicating positive market reception. The administration attributed high U.S. drug prices partly to other countries enforcing low prices, compelling U.S. manufacturers to recoup costs domestically.

• Expert Insights:

  Dr. Jay Bhattacharya [04:32]: "In almost every developed country besides the US, the system includes price negotiations and bulk purchasing, which helps lower costs. The US system currently lacks these measures, resulting in higher prices."

  Dr. Oz [05:58]: "President Trump's order is not just targeting drug companies; it's also defending American consumers who've been overpaying for too long."

• Bipartisan Reactions: While traditionally a bipartisan issue, Trump's move has been seen as addressing a long-standing problem that both Democrats and Republicans have grappled with, albeit with differing solutions.

Conclusion: The executive order represents a fundamental change in U.S. drug pricing strategy, aiming to make medications more affordable for Americans by leveraging international pricing structures and eliminating intermediary markups.

3. Temporary Pause on China Tariffs

Overview: The Trump administration announced a temporary 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China. This agreement is part of ongoing trade negotiations aimed at reaching a new comprehensive trade deal.

Key Points:

• Tariff Adjustments:

  Scott Besant [09:21]: "We are going to create our own efficient supply chains for critical sectors like steel, critical medicines, and semiconductors."

  • China: Lowers tariffs on U.S. goods to 10%.
  • U.S.: Reduces tariffs on Chinese goods to 30%, which includes a 10% base tariff plus an additional 20% targeting fentanyl imports.

• Strategic Goals: The pause is intended to provide both nations with breathing room to negotiate and aims to address specific strategic necessities, avoiding a full economic decoupling.

  Donald Trump [10:06]: "The relationship is very good because we opened up our country to China. They didn't open theirs to us."

• Market Reaction: Financial markets responded positively, with major indices like the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 experiencing significant gains following the announcement.

• Future Plans: President Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to further these negotiations, emphasizing cooperation in the war against fentanyl and opening Chinese markets to U.S. goods.

Conclusion: The temporary tariff pause signifies a strategic move to stabilize U.S.-China trade relations, focusing on critical industries and public health concerns while setting the stage for more comprehensive negotiations.

4. Qatari Gift Controversy

Overview: The Trump administration received a $400 million luxury Boeing 747, dubbed a "palace in the sky," from the Qatari government. This gift has sparked controversy and accusations of impropriety.

Key Points:

• Trump's Defense:

  Donald Trump [12:36]: "You're ABC Fake news... They're giving us a free jet. I could say thank you very much."

  • Clarification: Trump stated that the jet is a gift to the Department of Defense, not for personal use, and will eventually be housed in the Trump Presidential Library.

  Donald Trump [13:22]: "It's not a gift to me. It's a gift to the Department of Defense."

• Response to Criticism: Trump compared the situation to accepting a putt in golf, suggesting that rejecting such gifts leads to missed opportunities.

  Donald Trump [12:34]: (Responding to criticism about the jet as a personal gift) "...a lot of people are stupid. They say, no, no, I insist on putting it...and their partner gets angry at them."

• Political Backlash: Some Republicans have expressed discomfort with accepting the gift, particularly given Qatar's complex international relations and recent hostage situations.

Conclusion: President Trump maintains that the luxury jet is a strategic asset for the Department of Defense and not a personal gift, seeking to mitigate accusations of impropriety by emphasizing its intended official use.

5. Release of American Hostage Idan Alexander

Overview: Idan Alexander, the last known living American hostage held by Hamas, was released after more than 19 months in captivity. His release is a significant development in U.S. efforts to secure the release of American citizens held by hostile entities.

Key Points:

• Details of Release:

  Megyn Kelly [14:59]: "Oh, my God. Edan."

  Dr. Oz [15:07]: "I love you and I'm going."

  • Process: Alexander was transferred from Hamas to the Red Cross and then to Israeli Special Forces before being brought back to Israel for medical evaluation.

• Background:

  • Military Service: Born in Tel Aviv, raised in New Jersey, and served in the Israeli Defense Forces, Alexander was captured during the October 7 attack on his military base.

• Family's Statement:

  Alexander Family [14:59]: "Today on Mother's Day, we receive the greatest gift imaginable...our beautiful son Idan is returning home."

• President Trump's Commitment:

  Donald Trump [15:27]: "We hope that we're going to have other hostages released, too."

  • Future Efforts: Trump pledged to continue working towards the release of other hostages and to recover the bodies of deceased Americans still held in Gaza.

Conclusion: The release of Idan Alexander marks a pivotal victory for the Trump administration's hostage negotiation efforts, underscoring the administration's commitment to securing the safe return of American citizens from hostile environments.

6. Other Updates

Pope Leo XIV Appointment: Robert Prevost, known as Pope Leo XIV, has been elected as the new pontiff. His appointment has been met with enthusiastic reactions from his diocese in Peru, reflecting his positive impact during his tenure.

Conclusion: The episode concludes with lighter news surrounding the appointment of a new pope, providing a brief respite from the heavier political and economic discussions.

7. Closing Remarks

Megyn Kelly wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to tune in for future updates and to engage with the show across various platforms, including live broadcasts and podcasts.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump on Drug Pricing [03:33]: "A fundamental change to how the US negotiates drug prices."

• Dr. Jay Bhattacharya on Global Drug Pricing [04:32]: "If it's safe, they can sell it. End of story."

• Dr. Oz on the Executive Order [05:58]: "It's helping drug companies because we're also going to defend American consumers."

• Donald Trump on China Relations [10:06]: "The relationship is very good because we opened up our country to China. They didn't open theirs to us."

Conclusion: This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show offers a comprehensive overview of significant policy changes under the Trump administration, highlighting efforts to make healthcare more affordable, stabilize international trade relations, address diplomatic gestures, and prioritize the safety and return of American hostages. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, Megyn Kelly provides listeners with an in-depth analysis of these pivotal developments shaping the current political and economic landscape.