Summary of The Megyn Kelly Show Episode: "Vatican Prepares for Conclave, WH Says Hegseth Safe, IRS Commissioner Removed: AM Update 4/22"

Release Date: April 22, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Platform: SiriusXM
Show Description: The Megyn Kelly Show engages in open, honest, and provocative conversations with prominent political, legal, and cultural figures, devoid of gimmicks, agendas, or fear.

1. Introduction

Megyn Kelly opens the episode with a roundup of significant news events, setting the stage for discussions on the recent passing of Pope Francis, the Trump administration's defense department issues, and developments within the IRS leadership.

2. Death of Pope Francis and Conclave Preparations

Key Points:

• Pope Francis' Passing: Pope Francis died at age 88 due to a stroke and heart failure. His death marks the end of a transformative papacy that sought to modernize the Catholic Church and promote inclusivity.

• Conclave Process: The College of Cardinals will convene to elect a new pope. The conclave involves strict protocols, including seclusion, secret ballots, and the requirement of a two-thirds majority for selection. Notably, this conclave is expected to be swift, potentially concluding in just two days, making it one of the shortest in history.

• Pope Francis' Legacy: As the first Latin American pope and a member of the Jesuit order, Francis emphasized environmental issues, social justice, and inclusivity within the Church. His tenure was marked by significant reforms, including appointing women and laypeople to high-ranking Vatican positions and restricting traditional practices like the Latin Mass.

Notable Quotes:

• Pope Francis (Easter Message): "Christ is risen. These words capture the whole meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death, but for life. Easter is the celebration of life. God created us for life and wants the human family to rise again." [Timestamp: 04:00]

3. President Trump's Response and Funeral Plans

Key Points:

• National Tribute: President Trump signed an executive order to lower all federal and state flags to half-mast in honor of Pope Francis, highlighting respect for the late pontiff despite previous political differences.

• Attendance at Funeral: Trump announced that he and the First Lady will attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome, signaling a gesture of unity and respect.

• Public Statements: Trump lauded Pope Francis as a good man who worked hard and loved the world, echoing sentiments that bridge political divides.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump: "He was a good man, worked hard, he loved the world. It's an honor to do that." [Timestamp: 04:17]

4. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Controversy

Key Points:

• Alleged Pentagon Dysfunction: Reports emerged alleging significant dysfunction within the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The White House has dismissed these claims as "revenge from disgruntled former employees."

• Media Scrutiny: Major outlets like NPR, CBS, MSNBC, and CNN have reported on the supposed turmoil, citing leaked communications and internal disagreements.

• Trump Administration's Stance: The administration staunchly defends Hegseth, attributing negative reports to biased media seeking to undermine the Trump agenda.

• Internal Fallout: Multiple Pentagon officials have been placed on leave amid investigations into leaks, suggesting deeper internal conflicts.

Notable Quotes:

• Caroline Levitt (Press Secretary): "Fortunately, there have been people at that building who don't like the change the secretary is trying to bring. So they are leaking and they are lying to the mainstream media." [Timestamp: 00:22]

• Donald Trump: "Pete's doing a great job. Everybody's happy with him. We have the highest recruitment numbers I think they've had in 28 years... It's just fake news." [Timestamp: 10:55]

• Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary): "This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations." [Timestamp: 13:15]

Additional Insights:

• Recruitment Success: Despite allegations of dysfunction, the Pentagon reports a significant rebound in military recruitment, surpassing previous annual goals across Army, Navy, and Air Force.

• Internal Dynamics: Former Pentagon spokesman John Elliot described the Pentagon under Hegseth as experiencing a "full blown meltdown," predicting Hegseth's imminent departure—a claim vehemently denied by the administration and Trump Jr.

5. IRS Commissioner Removal

Key Points:

• Gary Shapley's Tenure: IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley was appointed as acting IRS commissioner but was removed from the position merely four days later without any publicly stated performance issues.

• Background: Shapley gained national attention in 2023 for accusing the DOJ of hindering his IRS investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes. His removal raises questions about political interference within the IRS.

• Administration's Explanation: Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated that Shapley would remain a senior advisor post-investigation and that his removal was a procedural matter, not a reflection of his performance.

• Political Repercussions: The media frames Shapley's removal as indicative of deep divisions within the Trump administration, particularly between figures like Elon Musk and other senior officials.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Besant (Treasury Secretary): "Gary Shapley's passion and thoughtfulness for approaching ways by which to create durable and lasting reforms at the IRS is essential to our work... he remains among my most important senior advisors at the US Treasury." [Timestamp: 10:55]

• Caroline Levitt (Press Secretary): "It's no secret President Trump has put together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues impacting our country... Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process." [Timestamp: 12:48]

Additional Insights:

• Political Support: Despite his abrupt removal, Shapley reportedly had substantial support from Congressional Republicans and influential figures like Elon Musk, complicating the administration's narrative.

• Permanent Replacement Delays: The Senate has yet to schedule hearings for President Trump's nominee, former Missouri Congressman Billy Long, leaving the permanent head of the IRS position in limbo.

6. Conclusion

Megyn Kelly wraps up the episode by highlighting the ongoing issues within the Trump administration, particularly focusing on the Defense Department's alleged dysfunction and the IRS leadership shake-up. She emphasizes the administration's narrative of media bias and internal challenges, setting the stage for future developments.

Overall Insights: This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show provides a comprehensive overview of significant political events occurring on April 22, 2025. Megyn Kelly navigates through the somber news of Pope Francis' passing, the intricate and contentious processes of the Vatican conclave, and delves deep into the internal struggles within the Trump administration, notably within the Defense Department and the IRS. The discussions are punctuated with direct quotes from key figures, offering listeners a detailed and nuanced understanding of the current political landscape.