Trump’s Cartel Crackdown Offer, Possible Alcatraz Reopening, Antarctic Ice Increases: AM Update 5/6

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: Detailed Summary of "Trump’s Cartel Crackdown Offer, Possible Alcatraz Reopening, Antarctic Ice Increases: AM Update 5/6"

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Introduction

In the May 6, 2025 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show on SiriusXM, host Megyn Kelly delves into a spectrum of pressing political and environmental issues. The episode covers former President Donald Trump's recent geopolitical moves, his surprise announcements regarding Alcatraz prison and the American film industry, as well as new scientific findings on Antarctic ice levels. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the episode’s key discussions, insights, and conclusions.

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1. Trump’s Offer to Combat Mexican Cartels and Mexico’s Response

Overview: The episode opens with a discussion on former President Donald Trump's offer to deploy U.S. troops to assist Mexico in fighting drug cartels. Despite Trump's insistence on U.S. military support, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declined the offer, citing national sovereignty.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Offer: President Trump proposed sending U.S. military forces to Mexico to aid in the crackdown against drug cartels. He reiterated his willingness by stating, “If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to go in and do it” (02:09).

• Mexico’s Rejection: President Sheinbaum firmly declined, emphasizing the sanctity of Mexico's sovereignty. She stated, “Sovereignty is sacrosanct. Sovereignty is not for sale. We can work together, but you can do it in your territory” (03:07).

• Impact of U.S. Sanctions: Earlier in February, Trump had imposed additional tariffs on Mexico, aiming to pressure the Mexican government to intensify its fight against fentanyl and illegal immigration. These tariffs reportedly led to a significant decrease in fentanyl production, as noted by The New York Times (03:07).

• Mexican Government’s Response: In response to increased U.S. pressure, Mexico enhanced its efforts against cartels by deploying 10,000 National Guard troops along the U.S.-Mexico border and forming an elite force to tackle organized crime (03:07).

Quotes:

• Trump: “If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to go in and do it” (02:24).
• Mexico’s President Sheinbaum: “Sovereignty is sacrosanct. Sovereignty is not for sale” (03:07).

Analysis: The conversation highlights the ongoing tension between U.S. and Mexican authorities regarding the best strategies to combat powerful drug cartels. While Trump remains staunch in his approach, Mexico prioritizes maintaining its sovereignty and prefers internal measures to address the cartel violence.

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2. Trump’s Surprise Announcements: Alcatraz Reopening and Foreign Film Tariffs

A. Potential Reopening of Alcatraz Prison

Overview: President Trump announced the potential reopening of Alcatraz Island as a federal prison aimed at housing America’s most violent offenders. This move marks a significant shift in U.S. correctional strategies.

Key Points:

• Reopening Plans: Trump declared, “Rebuild and open Alcatraz… to house America's most ruthless and violent offenders” (06:57).

• Historical Context: Alcatraz, a former military facility turned federal prison in 1934, housed notorious criminals like Al Capone. It was closed in 1963 due to high operational costs and infrastructure needs (07:30).

• Expert Opinions: Legal experts questioned the feasibility of the plan. Greg Jarrett from Fox remarked, “It's a provocative idea… but it has landmark status. There would be an avalanche of lawsuits” (08:16).

Quotes:

• Trump: “Rebuild and open Alcatraz… to house America's most ruthless and violent offenders” (06:57).
• Greg Jarrett: “It's a provocative idea… there would be an avalanche of lawsuits” (08:16).

Analysis: The proposal to reopen Alcatraz symbolizes Trump’s tough-on-crime stance. However, logistical challenges and potential legal hurdles could impede the realization of this plan. The discussion underscores the complexities involved in repurposing historic sites for modern use.

B. Imposing a 100% Tariff on Foreign Films

Overview: In a bold move to protect and rejuvenate the American film industry, Trump announced a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced movies entering the U.S.

Key Points:

• Rationale: Trump criticized the decline of Hollywood, attributing it to high production costs in the U.S. and financial incentives offered by other countries. He stated, “Other nations have been stealing the movie making capabilities from the United States” (08:44).

• Industry Impact: The tariffs aim to make American film production more competitive by eliminating foreign competition and encouraging domestic filmmaking.

• Entertainment Industry’s Struggles: Governor Gavin Newsom of California faced backlash for failing to provide sufficient incentives for filmmakers, leading to productions relocating to countries offering up to 40% tax credits (10:10).

Quotes:

• Trump: “I am authorizing… a 100% tariff on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands” (08:44).
• California Governor Gavin Newsom: Mentioned on a podcast, “It's cheaper to bring 100 American people. Wow. To Ireland than to walk across the lot” (10:38).

Analysis: Trump’s tariff policy reflects his protectionist economic approach, aiming to revive the struggling American film sector by eliminating foreign competition. However, this move could invite retaliatory measures and potentially escalate trade tensions.

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3. Announcement of the 2027 NFL Draft in Washington, D.C.

Overview: Trump, accompanied by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, announced that the 2027 NFL Draft will be held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., marking a historic partnership despite past political adversities.

Key Points:

• Event Details: The draft is expected to attract over 1 million football fans to Washington, D.C. (12:58).

• Political Dynamics: Mayor Bowser, a longtime critic of Trump, attended the event, highlighting a rare moment of bipartisan collaboration centered around a major sporting event (13:29).

• Fan Engagement: Trump emphasized the nationwide excitement, “Hundreds of thousands of football fans will travel all across our country to cheer them on in person” (02:24).

Quotes:

• Trump: “Hundreds of thousands of football fans will travel all across our country to cheer them on in person” (02:24).
• Mayor Muriel Bowser: “We are delighted to be here” (13:29).

Analysis: Holding the NFL Draft in the nation’s capital symbolizes a blend of sports and politics, potentially serving as a unifying event amidst a polarized political landscape. It also underscores Trump’s continued influence and involvement in national events post-presidency.

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4. AI-Generated Pope Trump Meme and Public Reaction

Overview: The episode touches on the controversy surrounding an AI-generated image depicting Trump as the pope. The meme sparked debates about respect for religious figures and the intersection of technology with politics.

Key Points:

• Meme Circulation: An image portraying Trump as the pope was shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, leading to mixed reactions (14:45).

• Public Response: Critics found the image offensive and disrespectful, while supporters dismissed the backlash as exaggerated, viewing it as a minor issue compared to other perceived attacks on the Catholic faith (15:12).

• Trump’s Defense: Trump defended the meme as harmless fun, stating, “It was just somebody did it in fun. It’s fine. Have to have a little fun, don't you?” (15:29).

Quotes:

• Trump: “It was just somebody did it in fun. It’s fine. Have to have a little fun, don't you?” (15:15).

Analysis: The meme incident highlights the challenges of maintaining respect for religious sentiments in the age of digital media and AI-generated content. It also reflects the polarized interpretations of symbolic representations in political discourse.

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5. Department of Homeland Security’s Self-Deportation Program

Overview: Trump discussed a new DHS initiative aimed at encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport by offering financial incentives and covering travel costs.

Key Points:

• Program Details: The initiative proposes to pay eligible individuals up to $11,000 and cover their travel expenses upon successful departure from the U.S. (15:45).

• Cost Efficiency: DHS claims the program could reduce taxpayer expenses by up to 70% compared to traditional deportation methods (16:22).

• Implementation Challenges: The program includes strict compliance measures, where failure to depart within the stipulated time results in enforced removal without a path to return (15:45).

Quotes:

• Trump: “If they're not willing to make a movie inside the United States and we should have a team tariff on movies that come in” (08:44).
• DHS Representative: “The program is expected to save taxpayers up to 70% compared to the cost of traditional deportation” (16:22).

Analysis: This policy initiative underscores Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, aiming to streamline and reduce the costs associated with deportation. The program’s success hinges on effective implementation and the willingness of illegal immigrants to participate voluntarily.

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6. New Findings on Antarctic Ice and Climate Change

Overview: A significant portion of the episode addresses new scientific research indicating that, contrary to previous trends, the Antarctic ice sheet has gained mass in recent years, complicating the narrative on climate change.

Key Points:

• Research Findings: A peer-reviewed study published in Science China revealed that from 2020 to 2023, increased snowfall in East Antarctica led to a net gain in ice mass, offsetting earlier losses (16:33).

• Sea Level Impact: While previous years saw Antarctic ice melt contributing to sea-level rise, the recent snowfall accumulation has slightly mitigated this effect by reducing the annual increase by approximately 0.3 millimeters (16:33).

• Scientific Interpretation: Researchers caution against declaring this as a long-term trend, suggesting that natural cycles and regional climate variations may influence these changes (16:42).

Quotes:

• Narrator: “Scientists warn that a large part of Antarctica is melting and cannot be stopped” (16:30).
• Study Abstract: “The recent gains suggest Antarctica may be more resilient or more influenced by natural cycles than we've been led to believe” (16:42).

Analysis: The study introduces a nuanced perspective to the ongoing climate change debate, indicating that Antarctic ice dynamics are complex and influenced by multiple factors. It suggests that while warming trends continue, certain regions may experience temporary reversals due to increased precipitation and natural variability.

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Conclusion

The May 6 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show provides a multifaceted exploration of significant political maneuvers by Donald Trump, his impact on both domestic policies and international relations, as well as emerging scientific data that challenges prevailing climate change narratives. Through engaging discussions and insightful analysis, Megyn Kelly offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the current socio-political and environmental landscape.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Trump on Military Support: “If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to go in and do it” (02:24).

• Mexico’s Stance on Sovereignty: “Sovereignty is sacrosanct. Sovereignty is not for sale” (03:07).

• Alcatraz Reopening: “Rebuild and open Alcatraz… to house America's most ruthless and violent offenders” (06:57).

• Foreign Film Tariffs: “I am authorizing… a 100% tariff on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands” (08:44).

• Defending the Pope Meme: “It was just somebody did it in fun. It’s fine. Have to have a little fun, don't you?” (15:15).

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End of Summary

Transcript

[A]

Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and this is your AM update.

[B]

If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to go in and do it.

[A]

President Trump confirms Mexico declined his offer of direct US Military support against the cartels for now. But the offer, he says, still stands.

[B]

Hundreds of thousands of football fans will travel all across our country to cheer them on in person.

[A]

President Trump takes questions at an event announcing the 2027 NFL Draft, sounding off on everything from Pope Trump memes to self deportation payouts and a shocking report on Antarctica. Could climate change be reversing? All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. If you haven't heard about Riverbend Ranch, listen up. They have just introduced their Riverbed Ranch steaks to the marketplace and you need to try them. Riverbend Ranch raises their own beef on beautiful mountain meadows only a few miles from West Yellowstone. Unlike most ranches, Riverbend Ranch never uses growth hormones or antibiotics. They treat their animals humanely and with respect. There are advantages of buying directly from the ranch. They can track the health of every animal from the day it is born and can guarantee that it has been healthy every day of its life. Riverbend Ranch has its own state of the art processing facility on the ranch that has received several national awards as one of the best in the US but most importantly is the quality of the beef. They age their beef to perfection for 21 days. You simply cannot buy beef like this in a grocery store. You cannot ship directly from the ranch to your home. You get a much better price than going through the middlemen. Order directly from Riverbendranch.com and use promo code Megan to get $20 off your first order. That's Riverbendranch.com code Megan. And be prepared. Once you taste it, I think you're going to be coming back for more and more again. Riverbendranch.com code Megan President Trump on Sunday confirming an offer to deploy US Troops to assist Mexico in fighting drug cartels on Mexican soil.

[B]

It's true. They are horrible people that have been killing people left and right that have been. They've made a fortune on selling drugs and destroying our people. We lost 300,000 people last year to fentanyl and drugs. They're bad news. Yeah, that's true. If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to go in and do it. I told her that I would be honored to go in and do it. So if she said that I offered to do that. She's 100% right. Well, she's so afraid of the cartel. She can't, you know, that's the reason. And I think she's a lovely woman, but the president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can't even think straight.

[A]

According to the Wall Street Journal, President Trump made the offer on a phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on April 16th. President Sheinbaum rejecting the offer as a matter of national sovereignty. On Saturday, the Mexican president responding to the report at a press conference. In one of the calls, US President Donald Trump said it was important for the US army to enter Mexico to help us in the fight against drug trafficking. And you know what I told him? No. President Trump, the territory is sacrosanct. Sovereignty is sacrosanct. Sovereignty is not for sale. We can work together, but you can do it in your territory, we can do it in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the U.S. army in our territory. In February, President Trump invoking emergency powers to implement additional tariffs on Mexico until its government stepped up in the war against fentanyl and illegal immigration. The New York Times, the daily podcast reporting in early March, the tariffs had an immediate impact on cartel fentanyl production. Even though I was really skeptical, I wanted to go back into a lab to see whether all of these threats had led to real changes. What did you find? It was really remarkable. The dynamics, it seemed, had completely changed from the last time we were there. But when we started talking to our cartel contacts, they told us there was basically no production of fentanyl happening in the city. It had totally plummeted in the months since the Mexican government increasing cooperation with the Trump administration. President Scheinbaum deploying 10,000 Mexican National Guard troops to the nearly 2,000 mile u. S. Mexico border. Troops patrolling the area for signs of traffickers and smugglers. In February, NBC reporting one patrol discovering, quote, a large sophisticated tunnel just feet from El Paso, Texas. It measured 4 by 6ft across with a complete lighting and ventilation system. Also in February, the Mexican government handing over 29 imprisoned drug bosses wanted in the US on charges relating to racketeering, drug trafficking, murder, illegal use of firearms, money laundering and more. Mexican officials also stepping up efforts within their own country to crack down on cartels. The Associated Press reporting in April, Mexico's security chief quietly forming an elite force to take on the cartels. Quote, the unit began to form shortly after Sheinbaum took office and it hopes to have 800 members by the end of the year, according to one federal official. For now, Mexico drawing a firm line against US Pressure. But the Trump administration is making one thing clear. The US Is ready to act on Sunday. President Trump shaking up the news cycle with a pair of surprise announcements. The potential reopening of Alcatraz prison and a 100% tariff on foreign films. President Trump posting to Truth Social quote, rebuild and open Alcatraz. Today I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI and Homeland Security to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz to house America's most ruthless and violent offenders. We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs and judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals who came into our country illegally. The Trump administration growing increasingly frustrated with legal roadblocks, stalling its mass deportation agenda moves President Trump argues illegally interfere with his authority to enforce immigration law. President Trump telling reporters on the White House lawn the idea to reopen Alcatraz was inspired by the many legal challenges.

[B]

Where did you get the idea for reopening Alcatraz? Just an idea I've had and I guess because so many of these radicalized judges, they want to have trials for every single. Think of it, every single person that's in our country illegally, they came in illegally. That would mean millions of trials. And it's just so ridiculous what's happening. It's long been a symbol Alcatraz, a sad symbol, but it's a, it's a symbol of law and order. You know, it's got quite a history, frankly. So I think we're going to do that and we're looking at it right now.

[A]

Alcatraz island was converted from a military facility to a federal prison back in 1934. In that time, it housed some of America's most notorious criminals, including Al Capone and James Whitey Bulger. The rocky island located just over a mile from the San Francisco shore, considered inescapable due to the freezing water and deadly currents. Dozens attempted escape, though only three men evaded recapture. They were never found and it's unknown if they survived the swim from the infamous island or drowned. Ultimately, the prison was shut down in 1963 due to increasing operating costs and the need for repairs. Even some non Trump hating legal experts had questions about the practicality of Alcatraz. Here's Greg Jarrett on Fox.

[B]

It's a provocative idea, Brian, which may be why Trump is proposing it. So the sound you hear are all the liberal heads exploding at the same time. It is, however, federal property. So this can be done, but it'd have to be rebuilt almost entirely. It's so outdated and crumbling. And here's the important part, it has landmark status. So there would be an avalanche of lawsuits that would probably tie it up for years.

[A]

In a second surprise Sunday announcement, President Trump writing on Truth Social, quote, the movie industry in America is dying a very fast death. Other countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood and many other areas within the USA are being devastated. Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% tariff on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands. We want movies made in America. Again, the President elaborating Sunday on the White House lawn.

[B]

Other nations have been stealing the movies, the movie making capabilities from the United States. States. I've done some very strong research over the last week, and we're making very few movies now. Hollywood is being destroyed. Now you have an incompetent, grossly incompetent governor that allowed that to happen. So I'm not just blaming other nations, but other nations, a lot of them have stolen our movie in this. And I'm saying if they're not willing to make a movie inside the United States and we should have a team tariff on movies that come in. And not only that, governments are actually giving big money. I mean, they're supporting them financially. So that's sort of a threat to our country, in a sense. And it's been a very popular thing, I can tell you. Movie movie makers love it.

[A]

Democrat Governor of California Gavin Newsom facing growing criticism from within the entertainment industry for not only failing to incentivize movie making in Hollywood, but for making it entirely cost prohibitive. Critics say the governor is failing to keep Hollywood competitive with other countries. The dissatisfaction recently aired on a podcast hosted by actor Rob Lowe featuring Severance star Adam Scott. It's cheaper to bring 100American people. Wow. To Ireland than to walk across the lot.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Fox, right past the soundstages and do it there. Crazy. Do you think if we shot parks right now, we would be in Budapest? 100%? We would be. We'd be in Budapest. We would be. It's so weird. There's nothing shoots in Los Angeles. I'm not judging it. Too expensive to shoot here. There are no tax credits. So like all those other places are offering 40%. Yeah, 40%.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

And then on top of that, there's other stuff that they do. Yeah. And then that's not even talking about the union stuff. That's just tax economics of it all. So it's, it's, it's, it's criminal what, what, what the California and L A have let happen. It's criminal everybody should be fired. Exact details on how a tariff on productions will be assessed or enforced, not yet known. Coming up, President Trump weighs In on the 2027 NFL Draft, the Pope meme and on self deportation incentives. Plus new data out of Antarctica flips the climate change narrative. Tax day may have passed, but for millions of Americans, the real trouble is just beginning. If you miss the April 15 deadline or still owe back taxes, the IRS is ramping up enforcement. And every day you wait might make things worse. With over 5,000 new tax liens filed daily and tools like property seizures, bank levies and wage garnishments, you don't want to mess around. Okay. The good news is that there's still time for Tax Network USA to help self employed or a business owner. Even if your books are a mess, they've got it covered. Tax Network USA specializes in cleaning up financial chaos and getting you back on track fast. Even after the deadline, it's not too late to regain control. Your consultation is completely free and acting now could stop penalties, threatening letters and surprise levies before they escalate. Call 1-800-958-1000 or visit tnusa.com Megan, you may have missed April 15, but you haven't run out of options. Let Tax Network USA help before the IRS makes the next move. President Trump on Monday bringing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to the White House, signaling a new chapter in their otherwise contentious history to announce the 2027 host city for the NFL Draft.

[B]

I'm pleased to reveal that the 2027 NFL Draft, that's a big thing. Will be held right here in our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. on the National Mall. Every year, hundreds of young football players have their dreams come true as the NFL teams across the land. And you just saw that last week. Select the best young players in America to join their ranks. Hundreds of thousands of football fans will travel all across our country to cheer them on in person.

[A]

President Trump also inviting to the podium a longtime political adversary, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, who once painted Black Lives Matter in bold yellow letters on the street leading to the White House in direct protest of his presidency. I'm Muriel Bowser. I'm the mayor of the best city in the world and also the sports capital. And we are delighted to be here, to be here with the Washington commanders, the NFL and the president to talk about this very exciting announcement. We're just delighted to be here and we want to thank everybody for all the hard work to get here. The president estimating more than 1 million football fans will turn up to the National Mall to watch the draft in person. The 2026 draft will take place in Pittsburgh following official remarks. The president opening the floor to questions. One reporter asking about an AI generated image posted to the president's Truth social account portraying Mr. Trump as the new pope. Critics slamming the image as offensive and in poor taste. Supporters, including many Catholics, dismissed the outrage as overblown or fake, pointing instead to what they see as far more serious attacks on the faith during the Biden and Obama years. President Trump responding. Some Catholics were not so happy about the image of you looking like the pope.

[B]

Oh, I see. You mean they, they can't take a joke. You don't mean the Catholics. You mean the fake news media, not the Catholics. Loved it. I just saw it last evening, actually. My wife thought it was cute. She said, isn't that nice? Actually I would not be able to be married, though. That would be a lot. I'd have. To the best of my knowledge, popes aren't big on getting married, are they? Not that we know of, no.

[A]

Even though it was AI generated, It was a joke.

[B]

It was a meme. Does it at all diminish the substance.

[A]

Of the official White House account to.

[B]

Have it go out on? Oh, give, give me a break. It was just somebody did it in fun. It's fine. Have to have a little fun, don't you?

[A]

On a more serious note, President Trump weighing in on a new DHS program encouraging illegal immigrants to self deport. First reported by Fox, the plan offers to cover travel costs and promises an additional $11,000 once the individual is confirmed to have left the country.

[B]

We're being obstructed. It's very unfair what's happening because the court system is being. It's very unfair. We have to get them out fast. But what we thought we'd do is a self deport where we're going to pay each one a certain amount of money and we're going to get them a beautiful flight back to where they came from and they have a period of time and if they make it, we're going to work with them so that maybe someday with a little work they can come back in. If they're good people. If they miss that limit. They're going to be taken out of our country and they will never get a path to come back in and it'll be a much tougher process.

[A]

According to DHS, the program is expected to save taxpayers up to 70% compared to the cost of traditional deportation.

[B]

There's alarming new evidence out today showing.

[A]

Once again the dramatic impact of climate change.

[B]

Scientists warn that a large part part of Antarctica is melting and cannot be stopped.

[A]

Without stronger climate action, Antarctic ice will continue to melt at an accelerating rate. News for Greta Thunberg. A new peer reviewed study published in partnership with one of the world's top scientific publishers finds for the first time in decades, the Antarctic ice sheet gained mass. Ice sheets store two thirds of the planet's free fresh water. They act as sort of water towers, storing water as frozen ice that would otherwise be in our oceans. Earth currently has two ice sheets, one in Antarctica and one in Greenland. As they melt, they have contributed to rising oceans. The research is based on satellite data from 2002 to 2023 published in Science China. Earth sciences researchers found from 2002 to 2010, melting ice in Antarctica contributed to about 0.2 millimeters per year in global sea level rise. That rate doubled from 2011 to 2020, increasing the rise in sea levels by 0.4 millimeters per year. However, the trend flipped dramatically from 2020 to 2023 increased snowfall in East Antarctica, which led to an accumulation of snow and ice, offsetting rising sea levels by about 0.3 millimeters per year, a relatively small increase, but a new record nonetheless. Four major glacier basins, which had been losing the most mass, instead experienced mass gain, reversing losses they had suffered. While scientists caution it's too soon to call it a trend, the recent gains suggest Antarctica may be more resilient or more influenced by natural cycles than we've been led to believe. That'll do it for your AM Update, I'm Megan Kelly. Kelly Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on Sirius XM Triumph Channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megyn Kelly and on all podcast platforms.

[B]

To realize the future America needs, we understand what's needed from us to face each threat head on. We've earned our place in the fight for our nation's future.

[A]

We are Marines. We were made for this.