The Megyn Kelly Show: Trump's Warning After Weekend of Anti-ICE Riots, Landmark "Trans" Malpractice Verdict – AM Update 2/2/26

Episode Overview

On the February 2, 2026 AM Update, Megyn Kelly delivers an urgent roundup of the weekend's major political and legal headlines, focusing on nationwide anti-ICE protests and riots, President Donald Trump’s uncompromising warnings to agitators, the high-profile arrest and courtroom drama surrounding former CNN host Don Lemon, and a landmark malpractice verdict in a first-of-its-kind “detransitioner” case. Kelly is joined by investigative reporter Benjamin Ryan for exclusive insights into the trial, providing in-depth context and analysis. The episode is marked by Kelly’s trademark directness and skepticism, and features exclusive quotes and timely analysis from politicians, legal experts, and those directly involved in the news stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nationwide Anti-ICE Protests and Riots

• Protest Unrest:
  • Thousands participated in a "national shutdown" in cities across the country, protesting against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Actions escalated from peaceful marches—such as in Los Angeles, where demonstrators chanted “abolish ICE”—to violent confrontations by nightfall.
  • In L.A., agitators threw objects at federal agents, vandalized government property, and clashed with police.
• Police and Federal Response:
  • LAPD declared a tactical alert, and over two days numerous arrests were made for offenses ranging from failure to disperse to assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.
  • In Eugene, Oregon, rioters breached a federal building, prompting the use of tear gas by federal agents, though local police refrained from using "munitions."
• President Trump’s Policy and Response:
  • After the Eugene riot, President Trump issued an emphatic statement outlining a tough federal stance, making clear that federal properties and personnel would be protected and promising significant consequences for those who attack federal agents or facilities:
    • “We will not let that happen anymore... The feds, will, however, guard and very powerfully any federal buildings that are being attacked by these highly paid lunatics, agitators and insurrectionists.” (05:15)
  • He further clarified:
    • “So if they start spitting in people's faces, punching our people, punching our soldiers, our patriots, they will get taken care of in at least, least an equal way... If somebody spits in your face, that will not be a pleasant thing for the person that spits. We're not letting people spit in our soldier's face as they stand in attention... they're going to be met with very, very serious force.” – Donald Trump (06:29–07:18)

2. Don Lemon’s Arrest and Legal Proceedings

• Background and Charges:

  • Former CNN anchor and YouTube host Don Lemon was arrested and charged for his role in disrupting a religious service at a St. Paul church during a January anti-ICE protest, facing potential FACE Act and Klan Act violations.
  • Lemon appeared in a federal courthouse in L.A., still wearing his “pre-Grammys” party suit, interacting with high-profile figures including Louisiana Mayor Karen Bass.

• Courtroom Outcome:

  • Prosecutors requested a $100,000 bond and travel restrictions, both denied by Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue. Lemon was released on his own recognizance with permission to travel abroad.
  • The arraignment is scheduled for February 9 in Minnesota.
  • Kelly’s tone is pointedly skeptical about the privileges afforded Lemon:
    • “So no plea, no bail, winks with the mayor and permission to jet off to France just like any accused felon, right?” (08:03)

• Incident Details:

  • Attorney General Pam Bondi recounted the chaos in the church:
    • “They storm in that church from all directions, start screaming, chants in unison, horrible chants. One man screams, ‘this ain't the house of God. This is the house of the devil.’... Some of the lucky women ran out the side door, falling on the ice, legs up in the air. One woman hurt her arm so badly she had to go to the hospital...” – Pam Bondi (09:25)

• Trump’s Swift Dismissal:

  • “I don't know anything about the Don Lemon thing, but he's a sleazebag. Everyone's known that he's a washed up... he was a failed host and now he's, he's in the news.” – Donald Trump (10:31)

• Media & Public Reaction:

  • Don Lemon positioned himself as a free-press martyr outside the courthouse. The Washington Post refused to label Lemon a journalist, calling him an “Internet provocateur,” and criticized his claim that “trauma is what protesting is about”:
    • “Traumatizing children as they practice their faith. That's what it's about.” (Washington Post editorial, 11:26 paraphrased)

3. Landmark Malpractice Verdict in Detransitioner Case

• Case Summary:
  • A New York jury awarded $2 million to Fox Varian, a 22-year-old biological woman who sued two doctors for medical malpractice after receiving a double mastectomy at 16 as part of “gender affirming” treatment. This is the first US jury victory for a detransitioner.
• Trial Details (Interview with Reporter Benjamin Ryan):
  • Defense initially denied any formal medical standards for performing such surgery on minors. Under cross-examination, defendants conceded a minimum standard: a stable gender identity for at least six months prior to surgery.
    • “They were ultimately admitted that there were some standards that ultimately they did violate... a young person, before having this type of surgery, should have a stable gender identity for at least six months.” – Benjamin Ryan (15:52)
  • Investigations revealed the original psychologist, Dr. Kenneth Einhorn, lacked proper expertise and failed to communicate warnings from a specialist clinic, so surgeon Dr. Simon Chin proceeded without complete information.
    • “He just presumed, oh, the correct diagnosis must be gender dysphoria. But neither he nor Dr. Einhorn ever wrote the diagnosis gender dysphoria anywhere in their case notes.” – Benjamin Ryan (18:08)
• Plaintiff’s Regret and Impact:
  • Varian testified she felt immediate regret upon removal of her bandages but concealed her feelings out of shock and embarrassment for three years.
  • Impact on the broader landscape:
    • “There are a lot of detransitioners who are waiting in the wings... about 28 all told. Legal experts say that this will encourage other lawsuits to come forward... and it might also scare away certain providers who are afraid of reputational damage and just the general stress and horror of being sued.” – Benjamin Ryan (19:17)
  • Kelly’s reaction: “Good. Let's pray that's true. Wow.” (19:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump’s Message to Agitators:

  • “If they do anything bad to our people, they will be, they will have to suffer.” (00:39)
  • “[Protesters] will get taken care of in at least, least an equal way... If somebody spits in your face, that will not be a pleasant thing for the person that spits.” (06:29)

• On Don Lemon’s Court Appearance:

  • “So no plea, no bail, winks with the mayor and permission to jet off to France just like any accused felon, right?” – Megyn Kelly (08:03)
  • “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now. In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth...” – Don Lemon, outside court (08:52)
  • “Traumatizing children as they practice their faith. That's what it's about.” – (Washington Post editorial, paraphrased by Kelly, 11:26)

• On the Detransitioner Case:

  • “A young person, before having this type of surgery, should have a stable gender identity for at least six months.” – Benjamin Ryan, quoting defendant testimony (15:52)
  • “The real smoking gun in this case was the fact that the psychologist... he was really out of his depth...” – Benjamin Ryan (16:48)
  • “Neither he nor Dr. Einhorn ever wrote the diagnosis gender dysphoria anywhere in their case notes, despite... that is the record required diagnosis for having this very surgery.” – Benjamin Ryan (18:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening / Trump's Warning: 00:32–01:30
• Protest & Riot Recap: 01:30–06:00
• Trump Expands on Consequences: 06:29–07:23
• Don Lemon Arrest & Court Appearance: 07:23–09:16
• Pam Bondi on Church Incident: 09:16–10:27
• Trump Responds to Lemon: 10:27–10:50
• Lemon’s Behavior & Media Reaction: 10:50–11:35
• Landmark Malpractice Verdict: 13:42–19:44
  • Benjamin Ryan Interview: 15:52–19:44

Tone and Language

Megyn Kelly’s tone throughout is sharp, skeptical, and sometimes sardonic, with a focus on calling out what she views as hypocrisy or failures of accountability in both government and activism. Her interview subjects, particularly Benjamin Ryan, maintain a clinical and investigative stance, while the direct quotations from Donald Trump and Don Lemon reflect their characteristic bluntness and self-promotion.

This summary covers all major news content in the episode, providing a comprehensive guide for listeners and non-listeners alike.