The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update (March 2, 2026)

Episode Theme

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show offers a comprehensive update on dramatic, fast-evolving geopolitical and domestic events. The primary focus is the U.S. and Israeli military strike on Iran — its scale, casualties, and political aftermath — and the potential terrorism links in a mass shooting in Austin, Texas. The episode also previews crucial Senate primary races in Texas, featuring sharp campaign infighting on both sides of the aisle. The tone is direct and urgent, reflecting both the gravity and uncertainty of these unfolding stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. and Israeli Military Strikes on Iran ("Operation Epic Fury")

• Scale of the Operation

  • Hundreds of targets hit across Iran, including IRGC (Revolutionary Guard) facilities and air defenses ([00:38-00:46], [02:52]).
  • Joint U.S.–Israeli effort targeting "regime leadership and military infrastructure" ([00:46]).
  • U.S. B-2 bombers, naval forces, and over 900 strikes in the first 12 hours ([03:43]).
  • U.S. navy sank 9 Iranian ships; naval building destroyed ([02:52]).

• Leadership Casualties

  • Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei reported killed, alongside over 40 regime/security officials ([03:43]).
  • Unconfirmed reports: National Defense Council head Ali Shamkhani, Defense Minister Aziz Nazerzada, and ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad among the dead ([03:43]).

• Objectives and Rhetoric

  • President Trump frames the campaign as defending Americans and responding to years of direct/indirect Iranian attacks ([04:38]).

    "For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder... We’re not going to put up with it any longer." – President Trump ([04:38])

  • Explicit regime change call: Trump urges Iranians to "take over your government when the bombing campaign stops" ([08:51]).
  • Trump also claims Iranians want to talk; negotiations pending but timing and participants unspecified ([08:51]).

• Regional Ripple Effect & Aftermath

  • Iran retaliates with missile/drone strikes against U.S. and Israeli targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE ([05:36]).
  • U.S. casualties: 3 killed, 5 seriously wounded in Kuwait; additional shrapnel/concussion injuries ([05:36]).

    "As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice... sadly there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is." – President Trump ([06:19])

  • Israeli and regional casualties: 9 Israeli civilians, 1 Kuwaiti, 3 UAE deaths, dozens injured across multiple countries ([06:50]).
  • Iranian deaths unclear; at least 200 reported locally ([06:50]).
  • Ongoing air and missile exchanges expected over the next several days ([08:18]).

    "The American people should be prepared for several more days of exchanges of long-range rockets... the essential calculus... is whether or not we can reduce the Iranian ability to generate volleys." – Gen. Frank McKenzie ([08:18])

2. Political and Public Response to the Strikes

• White House & Pentagon

  • Operation explicitly exceeds previous targeted strikes; aims for regime change ([08:51]).
  • No key Trump administration officials on Sunday talk shows, unusual for such a large-scale action ([08:51]).

• Congressional Reaction

  • Democrats criticize the campaign as unnecessary and a dangerous escalation:

    "There was simply no basis to go in with this massive military campaign with the goal of regime change. And the concern here is that we have unleashed factors ... we cannot control." – Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) ([09:59])

  • Some Republicans also express skepticism, warning it betrays Trump’s earlier anti-interventionist promises and risks "another endless war":

    "He's gotten very poor counsel and ... this looks like an open betrayal of the base." – Kurt Mills, American Conservative ([10:49]) "Bolton is pleased as hell about what we're doing... His only regret is he didn’t convince Trump to do this in 2018." ([10:49])

  • Others support the action, citing Iranian provocations and executive prerogative:

    "The president acted completely within his constitutional authority." – Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) ([12:38]) "Just because we have blocked their attacks doesn't mean they're not attacking us." – Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) ([13:07])

  • Some Democrats, like Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), break ranks:

    "How can you celebrate that the Iranian leadership has been eliminated? Doesn't that make the region more safe... more free?" ([13:39])

• Military & Security Analysts

  • Warnings against ground troops and regime change without a clear endgame:

    "Don’t ever contemplate ground troops in Iran... regime change is not possible without troops on the ground." – Erik Prince, Blackwater ([14:25])

• Public Opinion

  • Polling is split and dynamic:
    • Reuters: 27% approve, 43% disapprove, 29% unsure ([11:25]).
    • Among Republicans, 55% approve; among Democrats, 74% disapprove.
    • Insider Advantage: 54% approve, 37% disapprove ([11:25]).
    • Majority would turn against the campaign if U.S. casualties rise ([11:25]).

3. Domestic Security Update: Texas Mass Shooting & Terrorism Investigation

• Incident Overview

  • Early Sunday, two killed and at least 14 injured at Buford’s Bar, downtown Austin ([16:33]).
  • Timeline: Shooter circled block in large SUV before firing from vehicle, then exited and opened fire again ([16:33]-[17:10]).
  • Swift police response; shooter killed by law enforcement ([17:10]).

• Shooter Background and Possible Motive

  • Shooter identified as a 53-year-old naturalized citizen from Senegal ([17:10]).
  • Photo shows shooter in “Property of Allah” sweatshirt; wore an undershirt with Iranian flag ([17:10]).
  • Koran recovered from car; incident occurred hours after Khamenei's death ([17:10]).
  • FBI places intelligence teams on high alert ([17:10]).

    "We had a call came in that ... a vehicle, a large SUV drove several times around the block in that area... rolled down his window and began using a pistol, shooting out of his car windows" – Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis ([16:33]-[17:00])

4. Texas Senate Primaries: Preview and Infighting

• Democratic Primary

  • Jasmine Crockett (Congresswoman, progressive, high-profile messaging) vs. James Talarico (state rep, unity campaigner, focuses on expanding base) ([18:46]).
  • Polls mixed and volatile:
    • UT Poll: Crockett up 56-44.
    • Chisholm Strategies: Talarico up by 12.
    • Emerson: Talarico up 5 ([19:18]).
    • RCP average: Talarico ahead by only 1.6 ([19:18]).
  • Crockett receives last-minute endorsement from Kamala Harris ([19:41]).

    "Texas has the chance to send a fighter like Jasmine Crockett to the United States Senate. ... It's time to turn Texas blue." – Kamala Harris robocall ([19:41])

  • Talarico conducts Spanish-language outreach ([19:33]).

• Republican Primary

  • Three-way race: Incumbent John Cornyn vs. AG Ken Paxton vs. Congressman Wesley Hunt ([20:19]).
  • Polls: Paxton leading but race tightening; runoff likely if no majority ([20:19]).
  • Cornyn lobs corruption and moral accusations at Paxton:

    "Crooked Ken Paxton cheated on his wife. She's divorcing him on biblical grounds... And his actions in office even more troubling." – Cornyn campaign ad ([20:56])

  • Paxton’s allies decry "politically motivated witch hunt" ([21:40]).
  • Trump has not formally endorsed; all three claim his support ([21:40]).
  • RealClearPolitics polling average: Paxton 41.7, Cornyn 34.7, Hunt 15.7 ([20:19]).
  • If runoff is required, scheduled for May 26 ([21:40]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Iran Operation

  • "Iran's formerly supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead... the entire military command is gone as well and many of them want to surrender." – President Trump ([02:52])
  • "We Pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen." – President Trump ([06:19])

• Political Analysis

  • "The concern here is that we have unleashed factors in the region now that we cannot control." – Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) ([09:59])
  • "This looks like an open betrayal of the base. ... Find me one name, name one. Bolton is pleased as hell about what we're doing..." – Kurt Mills ([10:49])

• On Texas Politics

  • "Crooked Ken Paxton cheated on his wife. ... The wife, cheater and fraud or the Texas workhorse." – Cornyn ad ([20:56])
  • "If you had a chance to talk to the president today, what would be Erik Prince's recommendations? Don’t ever contemplate ground troops in Iran." – Steve Bannon and Erik Prince ([14:25])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• US & Israeli Strikes on Iran Overview: [00:38]–[04:38]
• Trump’s Statements and Regime Change Objective: [02:52], [04:38], [06:19], [08:51]
• Military Reaction & Expert Commentary: [08:18]
• Congressional & Political Reaction: [09:59]–[14:06]
• Polling & Legal Authority Discussion: [11:25]–[13:39]
• Texas Shooting Incident: [16:33]–[17:10]
• Texas Democratic Primary: [18:46]–[19:41]
• Texas Republican Primary: [20:19]–[21:40]

Conclusion

This AM Update delivers a rapid-fire and in-depth look at a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign and domestic affairs. The episode is marked by big-picture developments in Iran, a still-unfolding terrorism investigation in Texas, and dramatic primary battles — all underscored by intense political debate and a sense of national uncertainty.

Listeners are left with real-time questions: Will the Iran operation spiral? What political costs await at home? Can Texas voters upend the status quo in their primaries? The showdown continues, both abroad and at home.