The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update – "Trump's Historic Middle East Summit, National Guard and Chicago, Biden's Cancer"

Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Notable Guests and Speakers: Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Vice President J.D. Vance, Dr. David Samadhi

Episode Overview

This episode of the AM Update focuses on three major news stories:

1. President Trump's historic diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East, brokering a peace deal between Israel and Hamas and ensuring the release of hostages;
2. Ongoing legal and political battles over the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago amidst surges in urban violence and protests;
3. Updates on former President Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and questions about transparency around his health during his presidency.

The conversation is direct and unsparing, with moments of both praise and criticism from a range of political voices.

Breakdown of Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump’s Middle East Peace Deal

• Historic Visit and Diplomacy (02:36–07:30)

  • President Trump is in Israel and Egypt to celebrate a major peace deal—the end of active war between Israel and Hamas, and the release of hostages held in Gaza.

  • Key Details:

    • All living hostages (20) to be released by noon Jerusalem time (7pm Eastern) (03:02).
    • The bodies of 28 deceased hostages will be released later; some remain under rubble (03:02).
    • Trump to meet with freed hostages, address the Israeli Congress, and co-chair the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt (03:17).
    • Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released by Israel as part of the agreement (04:23).
    • Massive public gratitude in Israel for Trump, with chants of “Thank you, Trump” (04:16).

  • Negotiation Details and International Pressure:

    • Egypt and Qatar informed Hamas it would lose political and diplomatic cover if it didn't agree to the release plan, with Qatar and Turkey threatening to expel Hamas leadership (05:16).
    • The weekend’s events are only the first phase of a 20-point plan for lasting Middle East peace spearheaded by the Trump administration (05:35).
    • U.S. troops to monitor the ceasefire but will not “put boots on the ground” in Gaza.

  • Notable Quotes:

    • Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy):

      “The Muslim and Arab countries are all cheering. Everybody is cheering at one time. That's never happened before.” (02:36)

    • Jared Kushner (Deal Mediator):

      “Tonight we celebrate something extraordinary, a moment that many thought was impossible. Yet here we stand, living proof that when courage meets conviction, miracles can happen... What will rise from this trauma will be a level of greatness... that Israel has never seen.” (04:37)

    • Vice President J.D. Vance (On U.S. involvement):

      “We already have people in that region of the world. They're going to monitor the terms of the ceasefire... It's not going to be necessary for American troops to be in Gaza.” (06:07)

  • Reactions from Across the Spectrum:

    • Even prominent Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and Senator Mark Kelly, publicly commend Trump for the diplomatic success (06:54).
    • Barack Obama issues a statement omitting Trump’s name; Secretary of State Blinken credits groundwork laid by the Biden administration (07:51).

2. National Guard Deployment in Chicago

• Legal and Political Showdown (11:10–14:10)

  • The Trump administration receives a mixed ruling allowing the federalization of the National Guard in Illinois, but not yet permitting deployment to Chicago itself (11:10).

  • Currently, 500 National Guard members (including those from Texas) remain stationed at their base 55 miles from the city (11:38).

  • The White House justifies the move due to ongoing violent riots and attacks on federal agents, criticizing local leaders for inaction (12:00).

  • Governor J.B. Pritzker calls the federal action “an unconstitutional overreach.”

  • Trump labels Chicago a “war zone,” citing 573 homicides in 2024 and long-standing violence.

  • Operation Midway Blitz involving federal ICE agents in Chicago has escalated tensions, with regular protests and clashes.

  • Recent protests led to several arrests on charges of resisting, obstruction, criminal damage, and disobeying police (12:00–12:44).

  • Notable Quotes:

    • Jared Kushner (ascribed, but likely Pritzker in context):

      “He does not have the power to overcome the Constitution. And so am I afraid. I am not afraid... But as I've said before, come and get me. I mean, you're dead wrong, Mr. President and Mr. Vice President.” (12:16)

    • Vice President J.D. Vance (On possibly invoking the Insurrection Act):

      “The president's looking at all of his options right now. He hasn't felt he needed to, but we have to remember. Why are we talking about this, Kristen? Because crime has gotten out of control in our cities because our ICE agents... have faced a 1000% increase in violent attacks against them.” (13:21) “The problem here is not the Insurrection Act... The problem is the fact that the entire media in this country, cheered on by a few far left lunatics, have made it okay to tee off on American law enforcement... We, we cannot accept that in the United States of America...” (13:21)

  • Legal Maneuvering:

    • The 9th Circuit in Oregon seems ready to side with Trump on a similar National Guard case, suggesting future legal and political battles (12:44).

3. Former President Biden’s Health and Transparency Concerns

• Cancer Diagnosis and Treatments (14:10–15:57)

  • Biden is undergoing radiation and hormone treatment for stage four prostate cancer (14:10).

  • The diagnosis—recently described as “aggressive” and with metastasis to bone—came as a surprise to the medical community (14:38).

  • Dr. David Samadhi, a leading prostate cancer surgeon, questions the timeline and accuracy of public statements made by Biden’s team:

    • “This story doesn't make any sense.” (15:20)

  • Biden also recently had cancerous skin lesions removed and plans appearances at upcoming events.

  • Lack of transparency about the timeline and severity of Biden’s health issues draws scrutiny, with ongoing investigations into possible concealment during his presidency (15:57).

  • Reports indicate the House Oversight Committee is now investigating whether his cognitive decline was intentionally downplayed and whether the autopen was misused for official signatures without his consent.

  • Notable Quotes:

    • Dr. David Samadhi (Cancer Surgeon):

      “If it was just a week ago, they had the prostate nodule within a week they did the biopsy and they got the disease so very quickly within one week... We don't know what his PSA is. If the PSA starts to go down, then that's when you know that he's hormonal sensitive. I don't know how they will be able to give all of this information, from diagnosis to treatment to all of that within one week. This story doesn't make any sense.” (15:20)

    • Megyn Kelly (On oversight):

      “President Biden's health disclosures or lack thereof, remain a matter of concern even after leaving office.” (15:57)

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Steve Witkoff on unprecedented Arab and Muslim support:

  "The Muslim and Arab countries are all cheering. Everybody is cheering at one time. That's never happened before." (02:36)

• Jared Kushner on possibility born of courage:

  “Tonight we celebrate something extraordinary... a peace born not out of politics, but out of courage.” (04:37)

• Democratic praise for Trump:

  "It's a really significant first step and I really commend President Trump and his administration as well as Arab leaders in the region..." (06:54)

• Governor Pritzker’s direct response:

  "As I've said before, come and get me. I mean, you're dead wrong, Mr. President and Mr. Vice President." (12:16)

• J.D. Vance on the debate over federal law enforcement:

  "We, we cannot accept that in the United States of America, we want everybody, black or white, rich or poor, to be safe in the United States of America." (13:21)

• Dr. Samadhi’s skepticism over Biden’s medical disclosure:

  "This story doesn't make any sense." (15:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:36 | Witkoff praises unprecedented unity at Middle East summit | | 03:02 | Deal terms: timing and conditions of hostage release | | 04:37 | Kushner’s speech at Tel Aviv rally – hope and resilience | | 06:07 | VP Vance details U.S. troop role in ceasefire/watchdog mission | | 06:54 | Democrats publicly commend President Trump | | 11:10 | Appeals court ruling on National Guard deployment in Illinois | | 12:16 | Pritzker responds directly to Trump administration | | 13:21 | Vance on crime, law enforcement, and the Insurrection Act | | 14:10 | Biden’s cancer treatment plan detailed | | 15:20 | Dr. Samadhi questions narrative of Biden’s cancer timeline | | 15:57 | House oversight investigation into Biden health transparency |

Summary Takeaways

• Episode highlights Trump’s success in the Middle East, with unusually broad international and domestic praise.
• Legal and political tensions mount over federal authority in deploying the National Guard to address urban violence in Chicago.
• Former President Biden’s health issues raise questions about truthfulness and transparency, prompting both medical and political scrutiny.

The show’s fast-paced, sharply articulated coverage—paired with notable quotes and candid assessments—makes for a gripping summary of an extraordinary news day.