The Megyn Kelly Show — AM Update 10/21/25

Episode Title: Trump's National Guard Victory, Real Story Behind Drug Boat Strikes, KJP on Tour

Air Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)

Overview

On today’s AM Update, Megyn Kelly explores several key developments in U.S. politics and policy:

• A significant legal victory for the Trump administration permitting National Guard deployment in Portland
• President Trump’s continued strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels
• The new Australia-U.S. rare earth minerals deal
• Speculation about possible regime change efforts in Venezuela
• Karine Jean-Pierre’s headline-making book tour and her break with Democrats

The episode provides legal background, government insider analysis, and pointed commentary on current affairs and the media landscape.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Trump’s National Guard Win in Portland

(00:32 - 07:06)

• Ninth Circuit Court Ruling:

  • The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted a major win for the Trump administration, enabling National Guard troops to be deployed to Portland, Oregon to protect federal immigration facilities after months of unrest and attacks.
  • The Trump administration had called on the Department of War for immediate and sustained assistance for federal operations in Portland, leading to the call-up of 200 Oregon National Guard members, later swapping in federalized troops from California and potentially Texas due to legal roadblocks.

• Legal Battle and Rulings:

  • Judge Karen Immergut initially sided with Oregon and Portland, blocking the federalization move. However, Trump’s team appealed, and the majority (Judges Bridget Bade and Ryan Nelson, Trump appointees) sided with the administration, stating:

    “We conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority...” (Megyn Kelly quoting the court, 05:15)

  • Judge Susan Graeber strongly dissented:

    “Today’s decision is not merely absurd. It erodes core constitutional principles, including sovereign state’s control over their state’s militias and the people’s First Amendment rights...” (Megyn Kelly quoting dissent, 06:12)

  • An en banc rehearing was requested; the issue remains unresolved with a trial set for October 29th.

2. U.S.–Australia Rare Earth Minerals Agreement

(07:06 - 08:07)

• Strategic Alliance:
  • President Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to boost cooperation on rare earth minerals, key to high-tech industries. This aims to reduce dependence on China for these resources.
  • Trump’s signature bravado on supply and competitiveness:

    “We’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them. They’ll be worth about $2.” (Donald Trump, 07:19)

  • Background: China currently controls most of the rare earths market; the U.S. has set a November 1 deadline for a new trade arrangement with China. Previous deals, such as the one with Ukraine, faced delays.
• Memorable Moment:
  • When questioned about past critical remarks from Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd (who was in the room), Trump deadpans:

    “I really don’t know. Did an ambassador say something bad about... Where is he? Is he still...” (Donald Trump, 08:12) “You said bad Before I took this position, Mr. President, I don’t like you either. I don’t. And it probably never will.” (Donald Trump, 08:27)

3. Drug Boat Strikes & Policy Toward Venezuela

(11:06 - 14:55)

• Escalation Against Narco-Traffickers:

  • The Trump administration authorized several strikes on vessels suspected of smuggling drugs from South America—primarily from Venezuela—with upwards of 30 alleged smugglers killed in recent weeks.
  • These are presented as a “war footing” response, not just law enforcement.

    “He’s indicated we’re essentially at war with these narco terrorists...” (Chad Wolf, 11:06)

• Legal and Political Backlash:

  • Some bipartisan concern voiced by Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Rand Paul (R-KY):

    “Some lawmakers expressing concern over the strikes...” (Megyn Kelly, 11:43)

  • Wolf asserts legal right and necessity:

    “They’re doing this obviously in international waters, so they have the legal right to do this as well... these aren’t common criminals. These are in some cases, sophisticated multinational organizations.” (Chad Wolf, 12:10)

• Venezuela & Regime Change Rumors:

  • The administration also confirmed CIA actions targeting Venezuela, ruled by Nicolas Maduro.

    “...You’ve got a Venezuelan economy and country that is failing...You’ve got the Chinese, you’ve got the Iranians operating out of Venezuela...President Trump and his team are looking at and say, we don’t like any of it. They’re taking action because they don’t believe that... Maduro...is a rightful leader...” (Chad Wolf, 13:13)

  • Wolf doubts outright regime change is the near-term goal:

    “I think this is a pressure campaign more than anything else right now...They want to inflict maximum pressure to have Maduro either leave power if he so chooses, or somehow...the people decide to take actions in their hands.” (Chad Wolf, 14:02)

  • The administration signals to other leaders in the region:

    "Either you get in line and you start to crack down on some of these foreign terrorist organizations and these narco terrorists. And if you don’t, then we will.” (Chad Wolf, 14:51)

4. Karine Jean-Pierre’s Book Tour & Break from Democrats

(15:15 - 17:50)

• Jean-Pierre Goes Independent:

  • The former White House Press Secretary joined the Bulwark Podcast to promote her book “Independent,” publicly breaking from the Democratic Party.

    “Black women have been the backbone of the Democratic Party...what I have seen over and over again is that...we are left out of the process or we are forgotten...I want them to work for my vote. I want to actually stand outside of the two party lines and speak up and push and push from where I am...” (Karine Jean-Pierre, 15:15)

  • Megyn Kelly’s withering commentary and skepticism:

    “Leave black women out of the process. That will come as news to Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s vice president...” (Megyn Kelly, 16:07)

• Media & Messaging Clashes:

  • Jean-Pierre defends Pres. Biden’s public engagement, claiming he communicated victories and traveled widely:

    "The president spoke to the American people a couple times a week..." (Karine Jean-Pierre, 17:37)

  • Tim Miller, host, demurs:

    “He didn’t do either. He didn’t talk very often. And when he did, it wasn’t very good. He sounded very old.” (Tim Miller, 17:27)

  • Megyn references Axios data that Biden did far fewer public events/pressers than any president in the last generation.

5. Contrast: Trump vs. Biden Media Engagement

(18:24 - 19:00)

• White House Reporting:
  • The Associated Press’s White House reporter highlights Trump’s energetic and frequent access:

    “This is the type of pace that we’re coming to expect from President Trump.” (AP Reporter, 18:24)

  • Trump seen as in constant engagement with media compared to Biden’s more limited exposure and schedule.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On federalizing National Guard:

  “The evidence the President relied on reflects a colorable assessment of the facts and law within a range of honest judgment.”
  (Ninth Circuit Majority, 05:15, read by Megyn Kelly)

• Judge Graeber’s dissent:

  “It erodes core constitutional principles, including sovereign states control over their state’s militias and the people’s First Amendment rights to assemble and to object to the government’s policies and actions.”
  (Megyn Kelly quoting, 06:12)

• Trump’s brash economic confidence:

  "In about a year from now, we'll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won't know what to do with them. They'll be worth about $2."
  (Donald Trump, 07:19)

• Awkward ambassador moment:

  “I don’t know anything about him. I mean, if he said bad, then maybe he'll like to apologize. I really don’t know.”
  (Donald Trump, 08:12)

• Chad Wolf on U.S. Drug War:

  "When you're at war with folks, you're not sending law enforcement individuals to arrest folks, right? You're taking a different approach."
  (Chad Wolf, 11:06)

• Karine Jean-Pierre on Dems and black women:

  "I want them to work for my vote. I want to actually stand outside of the two party lines and speak up and push... The system should not be about parties. It should be about people."
  (Karine Jean-Pierre, 15:15)

• Tim Miller on Biden:

  “He didn’t talk very often. And when he did, it wasn’t very good. He sounded very old.”
  (Tim Miller, 17:27)

• AP Reporter on Trump’s press engagement:

  “One of the first and most obvious changes is how often President Trump speaks to the media. We’re hearing from him several times a day sometimes...”
  (AP Reporter, 18:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s National Guard victory in Portland: 00:32 – 07:06
• U.S.–Australia rare earths deal: 07:06 – 08:07
• Awkward moment with Ambassador Rudd: 08:08 – 08:35
• Drug boat strikes & Venezuela: 11:06 – 14:55
• Karine Jean-Pierre interview/book & party break: 15:15 – 17:50
• Biden vs. Trump on media/public presence: 18:24 – 19:00

Tone and Style

The episode is fast-paced, sharply critical, and laced with Megyn Kelly’s trademark skepticism, particularly toward Democratic messaging and the Biden White House. There is a mix of legal rigor, insider analysis, and sarcastic commentary, creating a highly engaged presentation of current events.

For Listeners

This episode provides a comprehensive rundown of several major ongoing political and legal stories with insider insights, notable direct quotes, and a brisk analytic pace—useful for anyone trying to keep up with evolving events in U.S. politics and governance.