The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update 10/3/2025

Host: Megyn Kelly
Date: October 3, 2025
Main Topics: Trump’s Shutdown Government Cuts, Delta Plane Collision, UK Synagogue Terror Attack, Greta Thunberg Gaza Flotilla

Episode Overview

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show provides a brisk and pointed morning update on headline news: President Trump’s search for government programs to cut amidst a shutdown, a frightening Delta Airlines collision at LaGuardia, a deadly terror attack at a UK synagogue, and environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s latest attempt to sail to Gaza. The tone is sharp and direct, with Megyn Kelly offering both reportage and commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Moves on Government Shutdown Cuts

[00:39–05:48]

• Shutdown Context: President Trump is “moving ahead with plans to reduce the federal workforce” during the ongoing government shutdown.
• Trump Statement: Trump, on Truth Social, references a meeting with Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to determine “which of the many Democrat agencies, most of which are a political scam,” should be cut. This is framed as a response to the “radical left Democrats” supposedly giving him this “unprecedented opportunity.”
• Project 2025:
  • Project 2025 is identified as a Heritage Foundation “policy playbook” intended for a Republican return to power. Trump has previously distanced himself, but here “appears to reference it as a troll.”
  • Democrats (specifically Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries [03:31]) accuse Trump of “implementing and unleashing Project 2025,” contradicting earlier Republican denials.
• Layoff Plans: Russ Vought circulated memos directing agencies to draft shutdown layoff plans; targeted programs include those “not legally required” or “not aligned with Trump’s priorities.”
  • “On Wednesday, just hours into the shutdown, Vought announcing the cancellation of nearly $8 billion in green energy contracts.”
  • “$18 billion in NYC infrastructure funding put on hold.”
• Democratic Response:
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer initially called these actions intimidation but, under criticism, suggested the moves “will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back.”
  • White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt insists the cuts are “very real” and not simply a negotiating tactic.

Notable Quotes

• Hakeem Jeffries [03:31]:

  “This year they've done nothing. Zip. Zero. Stingy with the narrow nothing to lower the high cost of living for everyday Americans, while at the same period of time implementing and unleashing Project 2025. Now all of a sudden, Donald Trump admits it was his project all along.”

• Caroline Leavitt [05:10, 05:41]:

  “We're going to start looking across the board at layoffs and at agencies that we feel do not best serve the American taxpayer … That may need to be halted or permanently cut.”
  “Oh, it's very real and the Democrats should know that they put the White House and the president in this position.”

2. Delta Airplanes Collide at LaGuardia Airport

[05:48–07:38]

• Incident Report: Two Delta subsidiary jets collided at low speed on a taxiway; one flight attendant suffered a knee injury. The FAA is investigating.
• Eyewitness Account: CBS producer Joey Annunziato, a passenger, said:
  • [06:30]

    “We just landed New York on a Delta flight from Charlotte. Coming back from work, we were taxing to our Runway and we got absolutely smashed by another Delta flight. … It was super jarring. Everyone shot forward in their seats and it was kind of a little chaotic as soon as it happened.”

• FAA/NTSB Involvement: Air traffic control had told the Roanoke-bound plane to yield. NTSB will issue a preliminary report in 30 days.
• Shutdown Context: Collision occurred during the first day of the government shutdown, with air traffic controllers working unpaid. Their union later warned about the effect of fatigue and stress on safety.

3. Deadly Terror Attack on UK Synagogue

[09:12–13:03]

• Attack Details: Two Jewish people killed, four wounded (three seriously) in a car and knife attack outside a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur.
• Attacker: Jihad Al Shami, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by police. Wore a suspected bomb vest, which proved to be a false threat. Three more suspects (two men, one woman) are in custody.
• Eyewitness Reactions: Local Jewish women express fear and frustration at growing antisemitism:
  • [11:08]

    “It's a very holy festival and I'm Jewish and, and absolutely terrified.” — [Unnamed local woman]

  • [11:36]

    “I've been saying for years and pre-October 7th that anti-Semitism is real and we have been continually gaslit.” — [Unnamed woman via LBC/Reuters]

• Official Responses:
  • PM Keir Starmer [11:59]:

    "Britain is also a country where Jewish buildings, synagogues, even schools require round the clock protection. ... While this is not a new hate, this is something Jews have always lived with. We must be clear. It is a hatred that is rising once again and Britain must defeat it. Once again."

• Wider Context: Attack follows German police arrests of alleged Hamas members stockpiling weapons for attacks on Jewish targets.

4. Greta Thunberg’s Gaza Flotilla Blocked by Israel

[14:09–15:36]

• Flotilla Attempt: Greta Thunberg and hundreds of activists attempt to sail into Gaza, aiming to “break Israel’s illegal siege.” The Israeli navy intercepted the boats, detaining activists for deportation.
  • Greta’s message [14:09]:

    “If you are watching this video, I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces. Our humanitarian mission was non violent and abiding by international law. Please tell my government to demand my and the others immediate release.”

• Israeli Naval Response [15:19]:

  “This is the Israeli navy. You are approaching a blockaded zone. If you wish to deliver aid to Gaza, you may do so through the established channels.”

• Background: The flotilla was mostly symbolic, with limited aid. This latest incident occurs shortly after Trump’s proposed deal for a ceasefire and hostage release to Hamas, which remains unanswered.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 03:31 | Hakeem Jeffries | “This year they've done nothing. Zip. Zero. Stingy with the narrow nothing to lower the high cost of living... while... unleashing Project 2025.” | | 05:10 | Caroline Leavitt | “We're going to start looking across the board at layoffs and at agencies that we feel do not best serve the American taxpayer.” | | 06:30 | Joey Annunziato | “We got absolutely smashed by another Delta flight. … It was super jarring. Everyone shot forward in their seats…” | | 11:08 | Local Jewish woman | “It's a very holy festival and I'm Jewish and, and absolutely terrified.” | | 11:36 | Local Jewish woman | “I've been saying for years and pre-October 7th that anti-Semitism is real and we have been continually gaslit.” | | 11:59 | PM Keir Starmer | “Britain is also a country where Jewish buildings... require round the clock protection... It is a hatred that is rising once again and Britain must defeat it.”| | 14:09 | Greta Thunberg | “If you are watching this video, I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces. Our humanitarian mission was non violent...” | | 15:19 | Israeli Navy | “You are approaching a blockaded zone. ... Please change your course toward the port of Ashdod, where the aid will undergo a security inspection...” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Trump/government cuts: [00:39–05:48]
• Delta plane crash at LaGuardia: [05:48–07:38]
• Manchester synagogue attack: [09:12–13:03]
• Greta Thunberg flotilla: [14:09–15:36]

Final Thoughts

Megyn Kelly’s AM Update on October 3, 2025, presents a tense, rapidly evolving news landscape: U.S. political brinksmanship over the shutdown, safety scares in air travel under those stressful conditions, rising anti-Jewish violence in Europe, and the continuing Israel-Palestine global theater. Kelly’s tone is critical, especially regarding the use of the shutdown for “trolling” political opponents, and at times sardonic—especially with the Greta Thunberg and Project 2025 stories.

The episode is informative, focused, and rich in first-hand testimony and pointed quotes—delivering an energizing but sobering snapshot of political and global unrest.