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

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.

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.”

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.”

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)

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.