Podcast Summary: The Megyn Kelly Show - Episode 937

Title:
Trump's Landslide Victory Causes Massive Media Meltdown, with Fifth Column, Rich Lowry, Charles C.W. Cooke, and Maureen Callahan | Ep. 937

Host:
Megyn Kelly, SiriusXM

1. Introduction and Context

[00:32] Megyn Kelly:
Megyn Kelly opens the show reflecting on the unexpected and monumental victory of former President Donald Trump. She highlights the celebratory mood among Trump supporters and sets the stage for a detailed analysis of the election outcome, media reactions, polling inaccuracies, and voter realignments.

2. Guest Introduction

[04:27] Matt Welch:
Matt Welch, representing The Fifth Column, joins Kelly to discuss the aftermath of Trump's victory. Alongside Rich Lowry (National Review) and Charles C.W. Cooke (Daily Mail), they form the panel to dissect the election results.

3. Polling Failures and Voter Behavior

[05:08] Michael Moynihan:
Moynihan criticizes polling firms for their significant miscalculations, attributing Trump's win to the "shy Trump voter" phenomenon. He states, “Polling, again is a lie. They don't know anything.”

[05:38] Matt Welch:
Welch echoes the sentiment, questioning the reliability of popular polling methods and suggesting inherent biases within polling organizations.

[06:09] Rich Lowry:
Lowry discusses alternative polling methods like Polymarket, which he claims accurately predicted the popular vote, contrasting them with traditional polls that failed to account for hidden Trump support.

Notable Quote:
“Polling stuff is appalling because the only people that were right, and they were almost not entirely right because we looking at something that we're slightly surprised by, which is popular vote, was Poly Market, the crypto market." — Rich Lowry [06:09]

4. Media Reaction and Acceptance

[11:13] Rich Lowry:
Lowry reflects on his long-standing views about electoral miscalculations, referencing his experiences since 2001, and asserts that the media's failure to predict Trump's wins in Hispanic-heavy areas like Starr County has been consistent.

[12:12] Megyn Kelly:
Kelly emphasizes the decisiveness of Trump's win, stating, “51%, it's a landslide,” and criticizes the Democratic Party’s inability to accept the loss.

[13:46] Matt Welch:
Welch challenges the notion that identity politics were pivotal, suggesting instead that broader American sentiment drove the election results.

Notable Quote:
“America decided to turn the page on the Democrats and say we are not going back. And say hard work is good work and say we're going to win.” — Megyn Kelly [13:24]

5. Coalition Realignment and Demographic Shifts

[20:08] Rich Lowry:
Lowry discusses the realignment among Latino voters, noting significant shifts from previous elections where Trump struggled to secure their support.

[26:08] Matt Welch:
Welch critiques Kamala Harris’s performance, labeling her as an ineffective communicator and attributing part of her loss to her inability to connect authentically with voters.

[44:17] Megyn Kelly:
Kelly references Patrick Ruffini’s work on working-class realignment, emphasizing cultural issues as a significant factor in Trump's broadened coalition.

Notable Quote:
“Realignment among Hispanics. This is what realignment looks like.” — Rich Lowry [44:38]

6. Vice President Kamala Harris’s Campaign Struggles

[22:17] Michael Moynihan:
Moynihan asserts that racial and gender biases within Harris’s campaign contributed to her defeat, stating, “There was a lot of gender bias. There was a lot of race bias in this.”

[30:32] Michael Moynihan:
He critiques Harris’s inability to differentiate herself from President Biden, arguing that her lack of a distinct vision and perceived inauthenticity alienated voters.

[36:00] Megyn Kelly:
Kelly laments Harris’s lack of preparedness during interviews and debates, suggesting that her campaign failed to present a strong, independent platform.

Notable Quote:
“She spoke like somebody who was constantly deceiving, like she had something to hide and she really didn't want you to press that issue.” — Michael Moynihan [33:38]

7. Media and Celebrity Influence

[54:50] Rich Lowry:
Lowry criticizes the reliance on celebrities in Democratic campaigns, arguing that figures like Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé lack the relatability and policy depth to influence working-class voters effectively.

[56:24] Matt Welch:
Welch echoes this sentiment, highlighting the disconnect between celebrity endorsements and the practical concerns of everyday Americans.

Notable Quote:
“They are not going to have anything to say about their own lives.” — Rich Lowry [54:53]

8. Future Implications and Trump’s Potential Presidency

[75:23] Michael Moynihan:
Moynihan discusses the possible actions Trump might take if re-elected, including judicial appointments that could shape the Supreme Court for decades.

[76:16] Camille Foster:
Foster emphasizes the significance of Trump's control over both the presidency and the Senate, suggesting it will enable him to push through his agenda effectively.

[82:12] Charles C.W. Cooke:
Cooke praises Trump's impact on the judiciary, stating, “the quality of the Supreme Court now, it is higher than it's been for 100 years.”

Notable Quote:
“Rich, after all this time. She was just a tool. She was just a useful idiot.” — Michael Moynihan [87:15]

9. Concluding Remarks

[100:23] Megyn Kelly:
Kelly wraps up the episode by reaffirming the show's commitment to providing open, honest, and provocative conversations without bias, inviting listeners to continue engaging with the content on SiriusXM.

Key Takeaways

• Polling Inaccuracy: Traditional polls failed to capture the full extent of Trump's support, particularly among "shy" voters.

• Voter Realignment: Significant demographic shifts, especially among Latino men and white working-class women, were pivotal in Trump's landslide victory.

• Media Failure: Mainstream media's inability to predict or understand the underlying voter sentiments contributed to their meltdown post-election.

• Campaign Missteps: Kamala Harris’s campaign strategies, including her handling of debates and public appearances, were deemed ineffective and contributed to her loss.

• Judicial Impact: Trump's election result is expected to have a long-lasting influence on the U.S. judiciary, solidifying a conservative stance for decades.

• Celebrity Influence Limited: Democratic reliance on celebrity endorsements did not resonate with the core issues and needs of the working-class electorate.

• Future Prospects: With control over Congress, Trump is poised to implement his policy agenda more effectively, potentially reshaping various aspects of American governance and society.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. “Polling, again is a lie. They don't know anything.” — Michael Moynihan [05:08]
2. “Polling stuff is appalling because the only people that were right, and they were almost not entirely right because we looking at something that we're slightly surprised by, which is popular vote, was Poly Market, the crypto market." — Rich Lowry [06:09]
3. “Realignment among Hispanics. This is what realignment looks like.” — Rich Lowry [44:38]
4. “She spoke like somebody who was constantly deceiving, like she had something to hide and she really didn't want you to press that issue.” — Michael Moynihan [33:38]
5. “They are not going to have anything to say about their own lives.” — Rich Lowry [54:53]
6. “She was just a tool. She was just a useful idiot.” — Michael Moynihan [87:15]

This summary encapsulates the core discussions and insights from Episode 937 of The Megyn Kelly Show, focusing on Trump's electoral success, media reactions, polling inaccuracies, voter realignments, and the implications for future American politics.