Trump's Bombshell Autism Announcement, Kimmel Is Already Back, Kamala Book Backlash: AM Update 9/23

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 9/23/2025

Title: Trump’s Bombshell Autism Announcement, Kimmel Is Already Back, Kamala Book Backlash
Host: Megyn Kelly
Podcast: SiriusXM
Date: September 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

This AM Update, hosted by Megyn Kelly, dives into seismic developments in politics and culture, with a heavy focus on President Trump’s administration’s bombshell announcement of new findings on the potential cause of autism and a newly approved treatment. The episode also covers Jimmy Kimmel’s swift return to ABC after a suspension, fierce Democratic backlash to Kamala Harris’ revealing new memoir, and updates on the attempted Trump assassination trial. The tone is candid, occasionally irreverent, with Kelly’s signature no-nonsense delivery.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration’s Autism Announcement

(02:21–07:14)

• Potential Cause of Autism – Tylenol Use During Pregnancy

  • President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announce research suggesting acetaminophen (Tylenol) taken during pregnancy may substantially increase autism risk in children.
    • Medical Expert (02:21): “Effective immediately, the FDA will be notifying physicians that the use of acetaminophen… during pregnancy, can be associated with a very increased risk of autism. So taking Tylenol is not good.”
  • HHS strongly urges limiting Tylenol use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary (e.g., high fever).
  • FDA to notify physicians and begin updating Tylenol warning labels.
  • Manufacturer Kenview counters: “Over a decade of rigorous research…confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism.”

• Supporting Research

  • Harvard’s Dr. Andrea Baccarelli: “We found evidence of an association between exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy and increased incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.” (03:41)

• New Treatment for Autism – Leucovorin (Vitamin B9 Variant)

  • FDA approves leucovorin as the first recognized therapeutic for children with autism and folate deficiency.
    • HHS Official (04:39): “Peer reviewed literature has documented that up to 60% of folate deficient children with ASD…have improved verbal communications if given leucovorin.”
    • Clinical trials show “real hope” for select groups, per the Washington Post.

• Vaccines and Autism

  • President Trump signals a possible change in CDC/FDA vaccine protocol recommendations, particularly for splitting up doses (MMR vaccine) and delaying certain shots (e.g., Hepatitis B).
    • Medical Expert (06:07): “The mumps, measles, [and] rubella…should be taken separately…When you mix them, there could be a problem.”
  • HHS investigating vaccine-autism links, promising an “uncompromising and relentless” search for answers.
    • HHS Official (07:14): “President Trump believes that we should be listening to these mothers instead of gaslighting and marginalizing them like prior administrations.”

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2. Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and Return

(08:13–09:48)

• Timeline:
  • Kimmel’s show yanked following his inflammatory comments wrongly linking a political opponent’s death to Trump supporters.
  • After a week’s suspension, ABC/Disney reinstate Kimmel with a public statement: “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
• Affiliate Uproar:
  • Sinclair refuses to air Kimmel on 38 affiliates; Nexstar’s position unclear.
  • Right-wing commentator Andrew Colvitt slams Disney/ABC for “caving.”
• Megyn Kelly’s Take (08:13):
  • “When you’re a leftist, you don’t really get canceled, unlike those on the right who are getting canceled and even killed.”

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3. Kamala Harris Memoir ‘107 Days’ Sparks Democrat Outrage

(09:49–15:05)

• Book Release & Content
  • Harris presents a candid, sometimes evasive look at her short-lived campaign and Biden’s fitness for office.
  • Claims she withheld her concerns about Biden’s ability due to fears of seeming disloyal, but criticizes the process: “It was reckless to leave the choice to quote an individual's ego, an individual's ambition—it should have been more than a personal decision.” (Citation: Axios)
  • Team Biden furious: Aides claim, “[She] had basically zero substantive role…just dive bomb[ed] in for stilted photo ops…exposed how out of depth she was.”
• Attacks on Other Democrats
  • Criticizes Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro for being “too ambitious”; Shapiro returns fire on Stephen A. Smith’s podcast (12:49):
    • “She’s going to have to answer to how she was in the room and yet never said anything publicly… I believe in talking directly to the individuals, not running around and talking to the media.”
  • Reveals she considered Pete Buttigieg for running mate, but dismissed over fears America couldn’t accept a gay VP—Buttigieg responds:
    • “I was surprised when I read that… I just believe in giving Americans more credit than that.” (14:37)
• Critical Reviews
  • The Guardian: “It seems likely to alienate her critics further and provides no closure or hope for her supporters.”
  • David Axelrod (Political Strategist): “[There’s] a lot of grievances and finger pointing…doesn’t really serve a political agenda.” (15:05)

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4. Attempted Trump Assassination Trial Update

(15:06–17:58)

• Defendant: Ryan Ruth, accused of attempting to assassinate Trump on a Florida golf course.
• Defense Strategy:
  • Ruth represents himself, calls three witnesses (ex-Marine sniper, two character witnesses); does not testify.
  • Prosecution: 38 witnesses, extensive evidence, including surveillance, phone data, and testimony placing Ruth on site.
    • FBI Agent McGreevey: “He was living at that truck stop conducting physical and electronic surveillance and stalking the former president.” (16:54)
• Family Testimony:
  • Ruth’s daughter expresses public support, but Kelly notes: “He is on trial for allegedly attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, which most people would say is not a good kind or gentle thing.”
• Charges: Five counts, including attempted assassination, assault, and firearm offenses. Faces life in prison.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Megyn Kelly (02:56): “In the early ’90s, 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism. Today? That’s 1 in 31 as of April. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. calling autism an epidemic, promising by September to begin delivering answers on the cause for the alarming increase.”
• Medical Expert (06:07): “The mmr, I think, should be taken separately. This is based on what I feel… There could be a problem [mixing them]… Hepatitis B is sexually transmitted. There’s no reason to give a baby… hepatitis B.”
• HHS Official (07:14): “President Trump believes we should be listening to these mothers instead of gaslighting and marginalizing them like prior administrations. Some…have been silencing and demonizing these mothers for three decades.”
• Kamala Harris (Book Excerpt): “Buttigieg would have been an ideal partner if I were a straight white man… but we were already asking a lot of America… To our mutual sadness, however, it appears Secretary Buttigieg may not have actually known that.” (14:09)
• Pete Buttigieg (14:37): “I just believe in giving Americans more credit than that. My experience in politics has been that…the way that you earn trust with voters is based mostly on what they think you’re going to do for their lives, not on categories.”

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:21 – Medical expert details Tylenol-autism link and new FDA warnings.
• 04:39 – Introduction of leucovorin as new therapy for some children with autism.
• 06:07 – Discussion of vaccines and autism; calls for vaccine schedule changes.
• 07:14 – HHS promises to investigate vaccine-autism links without suppression.
• 08:13 – Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, network politics, and conservative reaction.
• 09:49 – Kamala Harris memoir fallout: Biden, Shapiro, Buttigieg comments.
• 12:49 – Gov. Josh Shapiro challenges Harris’s account on Stephen A. Smith’s podcast.
• 14:37 – Pete Buttigieg rebuts Harris’s claim about America’s readiness for a gay VP.
• 15:06 – Update on attempted Trump assassination trial; FBI evidence; defense case.
• 16:54 – FBI Agent McGreevey’s testimony tying Ruth to the crime.

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Tone and Summary

Megyn Kelly delivers the headlines and analysis with her hallmark skepticism and sharp asides, amplifying controversies and drawing attention to perceived double standards across political and media spheres. The episode’s tone is forthright and sometimes biting, especially when highlighting liberal infighting and perceived hypocrisies.

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For listeners seeking a quick, pointed breakdown of today’s controversial headlines—especially those surrounding Trump’s autism announcement, Kamala Harris’s embattled memoir, and media accountability—this episode delivers plenty of specifics and candor.

Transcript

[Political Commentator]

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[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025, and this is your AM update.

[Medical Expert]

Taking Tylenol is not good.

[HHS Official]

We have also identified an exciting therapy.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump and HHS Secretary Kennedy announcing a potential cause of autism and a new treatment for children on the spectrum.

[Political Commentator]

She's going to have to answer to how she was in the room and and yet never said anything publicly.

[Megyn Kelly]

Former Vice President Kamala Harris new book is out and fellow Dems are not happy. In a major reversal, Jimmy Kimmel set to return to ABC tonight and Ryan Ruth on trial for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Trump on a golf course in Florida, resting his defense after just one day and three witnesses. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. As President Trump is settling into his new administration. One of the top Democrats in Congress aiming to undermine the Trump agenda is Democrat Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. And according to our sponsor, the Electronic Payments Coalition, Senator Durbin has a new plan, a government takeover of your credit card. Today, Americans have thousands of choices in credit cards, but they say Senator Durbin's plan will result in less competition and less security, which means more risk for your credit and your identity. You can learn more for [e-mail] and you could consider telling your senators to stop Dick Durbin's government takeover of your credit card before it's too late. President Trump and HHS officials yesterday announcing a potential major scientific breakthrough, a possible cause of autism, pointing to Tylenol use during pregnancy.

[Medical Expert]

Effective immediately, the FDA will be notifying physicians that the use of acetaminophen, which is basically commonly known as Tylenol, during pregnancy, can be associated with a very increased risk of autism. So taking Tylenol is not good. All right, I'll say it. It's not good. For this reason, they are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary. That's for instance, in cases of extremely.

[Megyn Kelly]

High fever in the early 90s, according to the Associated Press, 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism today. That's 1 in 31 in April. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Calling autism an epidemic, promising by September to begin delivering answers on the cause for the alarming increase with yesterday's announcement, the FDA will issue notice to physicians on the findings and begin label changes on Tylenol packaging. Secretary Kennedy noting that there is no alternative fever reducer for pregnant women, saying the FDA will encourage doctors to only prescribe the lowest possible dose for fevers in pregnant women when it is high absolutely necessary. Kenview, a manufacturer of Tylenol, releasing a statement to CNN the facts are that over a decade of rigorous research endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism. We stand with the many public health and medical professionals who have reviewed this science and agree we will continue to explore all options to protect the health interests of American women and children. The administration citing research released by Harvard University in August. Harvard's Dean of the School of Public Health, Dr. Andrea Baccarelli, releasing a statement we found evidence of an association between exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy and increased incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Secretary RFKJ and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makarya also announcing a new FDA approved treatment for children with autism.

[HHS Official]

We have also identified an exciting therapy that may benefit large numbers of children who suffer from autism. Peer reviewed literature has documented that up to 60% of folate deficient children with ASD and have improved verbal communications if given leucophorin. We expect this to be the first of many announcements over the coming years that deliver actionable information to parents on underlying cause of autism and the potential paths for prevention and reversal.

[Megyn Kelly]

One study found that with kids with autism and chronic folate deficiency, two thirds.

[Medical Expert]

Of kids with autism symptoms had improvement and some marked improvement.

[Megyn Kelly]

Leucovorin, a form of vitamin B9, is the first FDA recognized therapeutic for children with autism, some in the media saying there's little evidence the treatment is effective. However, the Washington Post of all places reporting the drug has shown real hope in some small clinical trials for a select group of autistic individuals. Leucovorin may boost communication and cognition in ways once thought impossible. Researchers believe some with autism have difficulty transporting an essential nutrient for neurodevelopment called folate to the brain. Scientists believe the medication may help deliver folate more effectively, alleviating some autism symptoms. As far as vaccines and a potential link to autism, President Trump appearing to get ahead of any planned announcements.

[Medical Expert]

Other things that we recommend or certainly I do anyway on the vaccines, it would be good instead of one visit where they pump the baby, load it up with stuff, you'll do it over a period of four times or five times. The mmr, I think, should be taken separately. This is based on what I feel. The mumps, measles, and the three should be taken separately. And it seems to be that when you mix them, there could be a problem. So there's no downside in taking them separately. In fact, they think it's better, so let it be separate. Hepatitis B is sexually transmitted. There's no reason to give a baby that's almost just born hepatitis B. So I would say wait till the baby is 12 years old and formed.

[Megyn Kelly]

While HHS may not be ready to make any formal announcements on vaccines and autism, Secretary Kennedy saying HHS will leave no stone unturned in continuing to identify causes.

[HHS Official]

One area that we are closely examining, as the President mentioned, is vaccines. Some 40 to 70% of mothers who have children with autism believe that their child was injured by a vaccine. President Trump believes that we should be listening to these mothers instead of gaslighting and marginalizing, marginalizing them like prior administrations. Some of our friends like to say we should believe all women. Some of these same people have been silencing and demonizing these mothers for three decades because research on the potential link between autism and vaccines has been actively suppressed in the past. It will take time for an honest look at this topic by scientists, but I want to reassure the people in the autism community that we will be uncompromising and relentless in our search for answers.

[Megyn Kelly]

Jimmy Kimmel Live set to return to ABC tonight. Because when you're a leftist, you don't really get canceled, unlike those on the right who are getting canceled and even killed. Less than one week after Kimmel's show was suspended, he's back, following false and inflammatory comments he made suggesting Charlie Kirk's alleged killer was a Trump supporter last Monday. Nexstar, the nation's largest owner of ABC affiliate broadcast stations, announcing plans last Wednesday to preempt the show. Sinclair, another large affiliate owner, following suit, reports indicating Kimmel was planning to double down on his incendiary comments on that night's show, that he was going to attack MAGA and blame them for twisting his remarks. And that's when network executives decided to shelf production yesterday evening, the Walt Disney Company releasing a statement, quote, we have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday. CNBC reporting, Kimmel will address the matter on his show, set to be taped today. Executive producer of the Charlie Kirk Show, Andrew Colvitt, posting to X Disney and abc caving and Allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it's their mistake to make nexstar and Sinclair do not have to make the same choice. And indeed yesterday evening, Sinclair announcing that it will be preempting Kimmel across its 38 affiliate stations. It is unclear if Nexstar will do the same. Coming up Kamala Harris memoir 107 Days is out and Democrats are not happy, but we are and accused would be Trump assassin Ryan Ruth rests his defense in just one day Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona, believes we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. GCU believes in equal opportunity and that the American Dream starts with purpose. By honoring your career, calling you can impact your family, friends and your community. Change the world for good by putting others before yourself. Whether your pursuit involves a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, GCU's online, on campus and hybrid learning environments are designed to help you achieve your unique academic, personal and professional goals. With over 340 academic programs as of September 2024, GCU meets you where you are and provides a path to help you fulfill your dreams. The pursuit to serve others is yours. Let it flourish. Find your purpose at Grand Canyon University Private Christian affordable visit GCU. Edu former Vice President Kamala Harris memoir 107 officially hitting shelves today. The memoirs rollout offering a glimpse of a looser, more unguarded Kamala Harris, one eager to point in any direction but the mirror while seeking to explain the spectacular collapse of her short lived campaign. Despite growing questions about President Biden's mental and physical fitness, Harris writing that she could not have voiced concerns because as Vice president any doubts she raised would come off as self serving. Concluding, however, that it was reckless to leave the choice to quote an individual's ego, an individual's ambition. It should have been more than a personal decision. According to Axios Team Biden reacted with quote rage to this passage, responding quote vice President Harris was simply not good at the job. She had basically zero substantive role in any of the administration's key work streams and instead would just do dive bomb in for stilted photo ops that exposed how out of depth she was. President Biden not the only fellow Democrat to catch heat. In the 320 page memoir, Ms. Harris describing her vice presidential vetting process, saying she ruled out top contender Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro despite representing a critical swing state in part because he was too ambitious, accusing him of being more focused on perks of the office like decorating the residence than in doing the job. Ms. Harris writing that she worried, quote, he would be unable to settle for a role as number two and that it would wear on our partnership. Governor Shapiro, considered by many to be a likely 2028 presidential contender, returning the attack on Stephen A. Smith's podcast late last week.

[Political Commentator]

I mean, look, I haven't read the former vice president's book and she's going to have to. She's going to have to answer to how she was in the room and yet never said anything publicly. I can tell you that I wasn't in the room. But when I was confronted with engagement with the former president, in looking at it simply from the perspective of how's he doing in Pennsylvania, could he win Pennsylvania? And I was very vocal with him privately and extremely vocal with his staff about my concerns about his fitness to be able to run for another term. I believe in talking directly to the individuals, not running around and talking to the media.

[Megyn Kelly]

For what it's worth, Mr. Shapiro did run around talking to the media after that disastrous Trump Biden debate. This is what he sounded like then.

[Political Commentator]

I acknowledge he had a bad night in the debate last night. Then change the fact that Donald Trump was a bad president. And certainly we need to be crisper in delivering that message. Why would you say Democrats know, Stop worrying and start working. We all have a responsibility here to do our part.

[Megyn Kelly]

Ms. Harris also revealing former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was her top choice as a running mate, but she decided it was too much of a risk to pick a gay man. Harris writing, quote, buttigieg would have been an ideal partner if I were a straight white man, but we were already asking a lot of America to accept a woman, a black woman, a black woman married to a Jewish man. Part of me wanted to say, screw it, let's just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk. And I think Pete also knew that. To our mutual sadness, however, it appears Secretary Buttigieg may not have actually known that. Politico capturing his reaction.

[Political Commentator]

I was surprised when I read that. I just believe in giving Americans more credit than that. My experience in politics has been that the way that you earn trust with voters is based mostly on what they think you're going to do for their lives, not on categories.

[Megyn Kelly]

Early reviews for the book are not exactly raving from the Guardian quote, I don't know if Harris found writing 107 days cathartic, but reading it certainly wasn't. It seems likely to alienate her critics further and provides no closure or hope for her supporters from Semaphore. Quote After 107 days, Kamala Harris doesn't know how to win. Democrat insiders are not pleased either. Political strategist David Axelrod telling Politico, quote, if there's a political strategy here, it's a bad one. There's an awful lot of grievances and finger pointing that doesn't really serve a political agenda. Despite Democrat displeasure with the revelations from 107 Days, the Megyn Kelly show team is thrilled Vice President Harris will be back to making the media rounds. She officially kicked off her book tour on Rachel Maddow's MSNBC program last night and and she is set to appear on the View later today. We will watch so you don't have to the man accused of attempting to assassinate then candidate Donald Trump resting his defense on Monday in a Florida federal courtroom. Ryan Ruth representing himself despite no legal training, calling three witnesses to the stand, then resting without testifying himself. The first witness, Michael McClay, a former Marine sniper instructor. McClay testifying he fired two shots from Ruth's rifle as a test prior to the trial. Ruth also calling two character witnesses. Each witness saying Ruth is a peaceful man. However, on cross, both saying they had not seen him in years. The prosecution resting its case last Friday. The feds calling 38 witnesses over nearly two weeks of testimony with hundreds of exhibits. The final witness on Friday, FBI supervisory Special agent Kimberly McGreevey tying all the pieces together. McGreevey walking the jury through evidence showing Ruth lived at a Palm beach county gas station for at least a month in the lead up to the alleged assassination attempt. Conducting surveillance on Mr. Trump. Data from six phones allegedly belonging to Ruth, containing searches for Mr. Trump's campaign events, golf courses and plane tracking websites. Agent McGreevy testifying, quote, he was living at that truck stop conducting physical and electronic surveillance and and stalking the former president on September 15th of last year. A Secret Service agent spotting the barrel of the rifle poking out of some bushes ahead of President Trump's arrival for an afternoon of golf. Agents then opening fire. Ruth apprehended about an hour later on a nearby highway. Prosecutors say Ruth texted his three children less than an hour before his planned assassination of President Trump. Ruth allegedly writing to his daughter Sarah, quote, love you so much. You are the best daughter Sarah sitting in court each day in support of her father. Speaking to local outlet WPBF last week. I mean, like it's never wronged anybody. He's always been devoted to helping other people and he doesn't understand why there's not more support out there. Well, I mean, he is on trial for allegedly attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, which most people would say is not a good kind or gentle thing. Yeah, no comment on that, Ruth. Facing five total charges, including the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, faces up to life in prison. Closing arguments expected to begin today. And that'll do it for your AM Update. I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on Sirius XM triumph channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com megankelly and on all podcast platforms.

[Political Commentator]

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