Trump-Putin Summit Today, Newsom Gerrymandering Plan, Biden Trip Scrapped Over Steps: AM Update 8/15

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: Detailed Summary Episode: Trump-Putin Summit Today, Newsom Gerrymandering Plan, Biden Trip Scrapped Over Steps: AM Update 8/15 Release Date: August 15, 2025

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1. Trump-Putin Summit in Alaska

Timestamp: 00:40 - 08:49

The episode opens with a significant international development: President Donald Trump is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face at Elmendorf Richardson Military Base in Anchorage, Alaska. This meeting marks the first direct encounter between Putin and a Western leader since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 and is deemed the most substantial effort to date to broker an end to the conflict.

Key Points:

• Meeting Details: Scheduled for 11:30 AM local time (3:30 PM Eastern), the summit aims to assess Putin's intentions regarding the war in Ukraine. Both leaders will be accompanied solely by translators.

• Putin's Stance: During the summit, Putin expressed a desire to facilitate a swift follow-up meeting, emphasizing the potential for a rapid resolution. At [03:50], he stated, "We're going to find out where everybody stands and I'll know within the first 2 minutes... if it's a good meeting, we're going to end up getting peace in the pretty near future."

• Trump's Position: President Trump has been publicly skeptical of Putin's sincerity in negotiating a ceasefire. He has imposed 50% tariffs on imports from India to pressure Moscow by targeting India’s purchases of Russian oil. At [06:21], Trump urged European allies to increase financial pressure on Russia, stating, "If we are going to have a united front, which will give President Trump maximum leverage, then I think that our European counterparts need to do their part."

• Kremlin's Response: Putin conveyed optimism about the summit's potential outcomes. At [05:25], in response to Trump's mention of consequences, Putin replied, "Yes, they will. Yeah, there will be consequences," further clarified by Trump as tariffs.

• International Reactions: The summit has garnered mixed reactions. While some view it as a pivotal move towards peace, critics argue it may inadvertently reward Putin. Media outlets like CBS, MSNBC, and CNN have voiced concerns about the summit's implications.

• Conclusion of Summit: The meeting is expected to conclude with a joint press conference after an initial discussion and a broader working lunch between the delegations. Trump indicated the primary goal is to understand Putin's intentions fully.

Notable Quotes:

• Vladimir Putin [03:50]: "We're going to find out where everybody stands and I'll know within the first 2 minutes... if it's a good meeting, we're going to end up getting peace in the pretty near future."

• Donald Trump [06:21]: "If we are going to have a united front, which will give President Trump maximum leverage, then I think that our European counterparts need to do their part."

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2. Gavin Newsom's Gerrymandering Initiative

Timestamp: 08:15 - 12:43

California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced a groundbreaking plan to redraw the state's congressional maps, responding directly to Texas's recent redistricting efforts aimed at increasing GOP-leaning House seats. This move positions Newsom as the first Democratic governor to take such an action in the state.

Key Points:

• The Plan: Newsom proposed a special election on November 4th to approve new congressional maps effective through 2030. Successful implementation could potentially eliminate up to six GOP-held House seats in California.

• Process Transparency: Unlike Texas's approach, which was criticized for lack of transparency, Newsom emphasized that his plan involves a "very transparent, temporary and public process," with maps being placed directly on the ballot. At [12:10], Newsom stated, "We're working through a very transparent, temporary and public process. We're putting the maps on the ballot and we're giving the power to the people."

• Political Reactions:

  • Democratic Leaders: Confident in their legislative support, Democratic leaders in California back Newsom's initiative.
  • Republican Opposition: The National Republican Congressional Committee condemned the move as a power consolidation tactic, with former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also opposing the plan, labeling gerrymandering as "evil."

• Public Opinion: Despite legislative backing, public polling indicates minimal support among California voters. A Politico poll revealed a nearly 2-to-1 preference for maintaining the independent redistricting commission over legislator-drawn maps, with only 36% favoring the governor’s proposal.

• Implications: The initiative challenges the existing independent redistricting commission's authority, aiming to shift control to state lawmakers for the next three election cycles. Critics argue this undermines democratic principles by allowing partisan manipulation of district boundaries.

Notable Quotes:

• Gavin Newsom [12:10]: "We're working through a very transparent, temporary and public process. We're putting the maps on the ballot and we're giving the power to the people."

• National Republican Congressional Committee: "Gavin Newsom's latest stunt has nothing to do with Californians and everything to do with consolidating radical Democrat power, silencing California voters and propping up his pathetic 2028 presidential pipe dream."

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3. Biden Administration's Scrapped Presidential Trip and Health Concerns

Timestamp: 09:16 - 16:48

The episode delves into recently uncovered emails revealing that the Biden administration canceled a planned presidential tour of the National Security Multi Mission Vessel (NSMV) in Philadelphia. The cancellation cited logistical challenges related to the vessel's numerous steps, sparking allegations about President Biden's physical and mental fitness.

Key Points:

• Trip Cancellation: Initially scheduled for July 2023, the trip was called off after the White House determined that the number of steps required to access the ship posed a risk to President Biden's stability. An email from July 17, 2023, stated, "No visit to the NSMV vessel is planned after the White House realized how many steps were involved to get on the ship."

• Public Reaction and Investigations:

  • Conspiracy Theories: Critics argue that this cancellation is evidence of a broader effort to conceal Biden's alleged decline, citing the incident where Biden tripped and fell during an Air Force graduation ceremony in July 2023.
  • House Oversight Committee: Led by Congressman James Comer, the committee is investigating whether Biden's executive decisions were influenced or overridden by a select group of staffers, potentially using tools like the "auto pen" to replicate his signature.

• Media Reporting: Fox News and other outlets have highlighted these findings, suggesting a systematic effort to shield Biden from public scrutiny. At [16:12], commentator Allan highlighted the implications: "The staff around Joe Biden sheltered him and tried to hide the fact that he was in a massive mental and physical decline."

• Official Statements: While the administration has downplayed these concerns, attributing the trip cancellation to practical logistical issues rather than health, political opponents remain skeptical.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Biden [16:12]: "The new emails that have emerged show that they didn't want Joe Biden to go take one walk around a ship because they didn't feel that he could actually make enough steps without tripping or falling down."

• Congressman James Comer: Emphasized that the investigation aims to determine the validity of executive orders and pardons, potentially nullifying them if it's proven that Biden was not the one making final decisions.

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Conclusion

In this episode, Megyn Kelly navigates through high-stakes international diplomacy with the Trump-Putin summit, significant political maneuvers within California's state legislature concerning gerrymandering, and contentious revelations surrounding President Biden's administration and his physical capabilities. Each segment underscores the intense political dynamics and the profound implications these events hold for both national and international landscapes.

Transcript

[Donald Trump]

If you could hear love, what would it sound like? Son, can we talk about your drinking? Yeah, Dad, I think we should helping those closest to you think about their excessive drinking. Maybe that's what love sounds like. [e-mail] An OHA initiative.

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Friday, August 15, 2025 and this is your AM update.

[Vladimir Putin]

All I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin today face to face in Alaska, the most significant step so far in the effort to end the war in Ukraine. California Governor Gavin Newsom faces a crowd of tens unveiling a plan to Jer Mander, California in response to Texas's redistricting battle, an initiative facing a tough uphill battle.

[Joe Biden]

That's more evidence that the the staff around Joe Biden sheltered him and tried to hide the fact that he was in a massive mental and physical decline.

[Megyn Kelly]

Newly released emails reveal Biden White House staffers canceled a planned tour of a large ship because there would be too many steps, but they couldn't keep up with him behind the scenes, they swear. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your a.m. i've been talking a lot about Riverbed Ranch lately because I love their steaks. Those Riverbend Ranch steaks are something else. Riverbend Ranch has taken Black Angus beef to a whole new level. Did you recently hear rfkj, head of the Maha movement, saying, really, all he eats is red meat and fermented products. Hello? Riverbed Ranch has got you covered. For the last 35 years, Riverbend Ranch has been creating a very elite Angus herd by using ultrasound to select genetically superior cattle with a focus on flavor and tenderness. When you buy from Riverbend Ranch, you're not only supporting the 64 Cowboys and Cowgirls and their families who work on the ranch, but you're also supporting over 260 other US ranches and the hundreds of American families who work on them. It is born in the USA, raised in the USA and processed in the USA. It is aged to perfection for 21 days and shipped directly from the ranch to your home. This is not your average Black Angus beef, so order from Riverbendranch.com use the promo code Megan for 20 bucks off your first order and let me know what you think. Riverbend Ranch.com promo code Megan President Trump set to meet one on one today with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Elmendorf Richardson military Base in Anchorage, Alaska, the most high stakes effort yet to bring a resolution to the war in Ukraine. The meeting set for 11:30am local time. That's 3:30pm Eastern. Each leader reportedly accompanied only by a translator. For what it's worth, your humble reporter has been alone with Vladimir Putin without anything but translators. And let me tell you, he understands English very well, better than he lets on. The translator almost feels unnecessary. After the two leaders initial meeting today, a broader working lunch is planned between the two delegations. The summit expected to conclude with a joint press conference. This the first face to face meeting between President Putin and any Western leader since the war began in February 2022, marking President Putin's first trip to U.S. soil in nearly a decade. President Trump indicating Thursday from the Oval. This meeting is simply to take full stock of Mr. Putin's intentions.

[Vladimir Putin]

I would say that tomorrow all I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly. I'd like to see it happen very quickly, very shortly after this meeting. I'd like to see it actually happen, maybe in Alaska where we just stay, because it's so much easier. But I think that, I think it's going to be very interesting. We're going to find out where everybody stands and I'll know within the first 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, or 5 minutes. Like we tend to find out whether or not we're going to have a good meeting or a bad meeting. And if it's a bad meeting, it'll end very quickly. And if it's a good meeting, we're going to end up getting peace in the pretty near future.

[Megyn Kelly]

Today's summit following months of failed attempts to negotiate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in recent weeks. President Trump publicly doubting Mr. Putin's sincerity in reaching a settlement, setting a deadline of last Friday to reach a ceasefire on August 6th. Two days before that deadline. Mr. Trump ordering 50% tariffs on imports from India, aimed at punishing India for its purchases of Russian oil in hopes of putting a stop to them. A move designed to financially squeeze Moscow and push Mr. Putin toward a deal. Those tariffs set to kick in August 27, the same day as the secondary sanctions were announced. The Kremlin reportedly reached out to the White House requesting a meeting between the two leaders. President Trump on Wednesday threatening additional punitive measures if progress is not made. Consequences if Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop the war after your meeting on Friday.

[Vladimir Putin]

Yes, they will. Yeah, there will be consequences.

[Donald Trump]

Tariffs.

[Vladimir Putin]

There will be. I don't have to say there will be very severe consequences.

[Megyn Kelly]

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant on Fox Business Thursday, challenging European allies to increase financial pressure on Russia as well.

[Donald Trump]

I want to say that it is time for our European counterparts to put up or shut up. They keep saying, oh, the US should do this, US should do that. President Trump has put secondary sanctions or secondary tariffs on India because of their consumption of Russian oil, and the Europeans haven't done that yet. As a matter of fact, the Europeans are buying the refined products that the Indian refiners make. So we need some coordination here. So if we are going to have a united front, which will give President Trump maximum leverage, then I think that our European counterparts need to do their part.

[Megyn Kelly]

Secretary Bessant going on to say all options are on the table, including secondary tariffs on Chinese goods sold in America at commensurate levels to China's purchases of Russian oil. Following today's events, President Trump planning to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, then other European leaders to report on progress. Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine's territory. President Zelensky consistently emphasizing Ukraine will not accept any deal that involves giving up additional territory. The Trump administration repeatedly maintaining any deal will likely have to include land swapping, though what that means exactly has not been made clear. On a Wednesday call between Presidents Trump and Zelensky and other European leaders, Mr. Trump reportedly saying he does not intend to discuss dividing territory with President Putin without Mr. Zelensky's participation in the discussion. Political reporting President Trump also told the European leaders the US Is willing to contribute security guarantees for Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached with some conditions, so long as that arrangement is separate from NATO. NBC reporting on Thursday evening, Mr. Putin sounding positive ahead of the summit, saying he believes President Trump is making, quote, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the fighting and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict. Mr. Putin then adding, the efforts are intended to, quote, create long term conditions of peace between our countries and in Europe and in the world as a whole, end quote, particularly if the negotiations are extended to cover strategic offensive weapons treaties, AKA nukes. President Trump has on multiple occasions suggested after the war in Ukraine he would like to focus on denuclearization. Critics of the summit arguing it amounts to a reward for Mr. Putin. A sampling here from CBS, MSNBC and CNN.

[Donald Trump]

This is someone who actually is seizing this moment for domestic propaganda value.

[Megyn Kelly]

Given that Russia used to own Alaska and given the significance of joint Bas Elmendorf Richardson in Russian American relations, it's almost like it was chosen to make Putin feel special or something. You know, it's a personal meeting. But I think it gives advantage to Putin.

[Donald Trump]

He would love to be able to run the country in the way that Putin runs Russia. He would love to have this authoritarian, very strong hand and do whatever he wants to do. And I think he just sort of looks up to the way that Putin runs things.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump Thursday from the Oval reacting to that criticism.

[Vladimir Putin]

No, I don't think it's a reward. I think that what we have is a situation that should never have started. Should have never started. It didn't start under me. And for four years it wasn't even discussed. And I could see it was going to happen after I left. I could see what was happening. Everything that we did was wrong. Everything that was done was wrong. Everybody's to blame, Putin's to blame. They're all to blame. This is a war that would have never happened.

[Megyn Kelly]

We'll bring you what happens at this historic summit on Monday. Coming up, California Governor Gavin Newsom becoming the first Democrat governor to officially roll out a aimed at gerrymandering his own state in response to the Texas DOJ ordered redistricting effort. And newly released emails reveal Biden staffers canceled the president's plans to tour a large ship because it involved too many steps for the man they told us was the best Biden ever. You know the feeling someone in your family gets sick and then you're stuck waiting for a doctor's appointment or the pharmacy's out of stock and then you're left wondering why something so basic has to be so hard. Too many American families face this reality and this is why many are turning to all Family pharmacy. They're doing what big pharma won't, which is putting families back in control and making it possible to be proactive, not reactive with your health. This is not just some online pharmacy. All Family Pharmacy is based in Florida and family owned. And there you can order ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, antibiotics, daily maintenance meds, emergency kits, everything you'd want to have on hand before you need it. You know you're going on like a trip. You want to get some of these things in your suitcase before the crisis hits. Order online and they will work with licensed doctors to provide the prescription for you. Then your medications get shipped right to your door. Visit AllFamilyPharmacy.com Megan use that code Megan10 to get 10% off your order today. Again, go to AllFamilyPharmacy.com megan and do use that code Megan10 when you check out to get 10% off your order today. Be prepared. Be in control. This is healthcare that works for you. Democrat Governor of California Gavin Newsom speaking to tens of listeners unveiling a plan to redraw his state's congressional map yesterday in response to Texas's push to approve a new map that would add five GOP leaning House seats. Governor Newsom calling for a special election on November 4th to approve new congressional maps through 2030. If successful, the maps could erase as many as six GOP House seats in the Golden State. Query how fair that would be to California's Republican voters, who, while comprising nearly 40% of the state's electorate, thanks to previous gerrymandering there, currently hold less than 20% of California's U.S. house seats. Typically, California's maps are drawn by an independent redistricting commission. Newsom's plan would effectively override the commission for the next three election cycles. Picking back up again after the 2030 census, Newsom at a Thursday press briefing, casting the effort as a righteous response to President Trump's threat to democracy.

[Gavin Newsom]

This is the difference between what's happening in Texas and what's happening here in California. We didn't receive a phone call from the president of the United States to then quietly go in the back room and start drawing maps and legislatively try to jam them through against the consent of the people. We're doing precisely the opposite. We're working through a very transparent, temporary and public process. We're putting the maps on the ballot and we're giving the power to the people. This will be the first redistricting that's ever done that. That's the difference.

[Megyn Kelly]

The governor saying later in the day he will drop the bid if red state's considering redistricting, dropped their plans as well. The state legislature is expected to vote next week on the governor's initiative. Political reporting Democrat leaders in the state say they have the legislative votes necessary to approve the measure. The plan, however, does not appear to have the support of the governor's constituents. Politico's polling finding voters overwhelmingly prefer the state's independent Redistricting commission by a nearly 2 to 1 margin. Just 36% of voters support returning redistricting authority to state lawmakers. The National Republican Congressional Committee responding in a statement, quote, gavin Newsom's latest stunt has nothing to do with Californians and everything to do with consolidating radical Democrat power, silencing California voters and propping up his pathetic 2028 presidential pipe dream Former Republican governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, who spearheaded the creation of the independent commission, reportedly ready to fight the measure as well. A spokesperson for Schwarzenegger telling Politico he calls gerrymandering evil and he means that he thinks it's truly evil for politicians to take power from people. He's opposed to what Texas is doing and he's opposed to the idea that California would race to the bottom to do the same thing. Outside of the event in Los Angeles, Border Patrol agents conducting a large scale enforcement operation in the sanctuary city and making several arrests. Mayor Karen Bass blasting the Border Patrol saying, quote, there is no way this was a coincidence. There was no reason in the world for them to come here. This is a complete provocation. This has nothing to do with safety. This is the exact opposite of keeping our city safe. It happens as the Trump administration vows to ramp up enforcement in sanctuary cities. Recently uncovered emails from the Biden administration revealing Team Biden scrapped plans for the then president to visit the National Security Multi Mission Vessel, a large ship, at an event in a Philly shipyard because it would require too many steps. The event planned for July 2023, just a few weeks after Mr. Biden tripped and fell on the stage of the Air Force graduation ceremony, a fall the White House dismissed as the fault of a poorly placed sandbag. Nothing to do with age, you see, but instead, as the Guardian later put it, quote, a minor accident that could have befallen any one of us. In an email dated July 17, 2023, an event coordinator writing, quote, no visit to the NSMV vessel is planned after the White House realized how many steps were involved to get on the ship. A former Biden official telling Fox News the size of the massive shipyard would be considered in the planning of such events, adding that the email references steps and not stairs specifically. How does that help? Again, Fox News reporting on records obtained by nonprofit watchdog group Protect the Public's Trust. The concern over the president's physical capability, currently part of the House Oversight Committee investigation into a possible conspiracy among Biden staffers to cover up the true mental and physical state of the president, allegedly while usurping the powers of the presidency via the auto pen, a mechanical pen used to replicate the president's signature. Head of the oversight Committee, Congressman James Comer of Kentucky telling Fox Business the latest revelation bolsters his investigation.

[Joe Biden]

The new emails that have emerged show that they didn't want Joe Biden to go take one walk around a ship because they didn't feel that he could actually make enough steps without tripping or falling down. That's more evidence that the the staff around Joe Biden sheltered him and tried to hide the fact that he was in a massive mental and physical decline. And there were a very small group of people that were around Joe Biden that shielded him from cabinet secretaries. They shielded him from the press. They shielded him from the American people. And yet these are the same few staffers that operated the auto pen as.

[Megyn Kelly]

Part of the investigation. Chairman Comer so far interviewing several former Biden staffers, some including former White House physician Dr. Kevin O', Connor, pleading the fifth, the next interview set for next week, with former Biden spokesperson Ian Sams. In September, former press secretary Karine Jean Pierre and former chief of staff Jeff Zients are scheduled. Congressman Comer saying the basis of the investigation is to determine whether Biden's executive orders and pardons can be nullified in court if he can prove President Biden was not the one making the final decisions. And that'll do it. For your AM update, I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com megankelley and on all podcast platforms. Are you ready to get spicy?

[Donald Trump]

These Doritos Golden Sriracha aren't that spicy.

[Megyn Kelly]

Maybe it's time to turn up the heat. Or turn it down. It's time for something that's not too spicy. Try Doritos Golden Sriracha spicy but not too spicy.