The Megyn Kelly Show: Episode Summary

Title: Waltz Out Amid Security Counsel Shakeup, Bombshell HHS Report on Gender Treatments: AM Update 5/2
Host: Megyn Kelly
Release Date: May 2, 2025

1. National Security Counsel Shakeup

Overview: The episode opens with a significant development in the Trump administration’s National Security Council (NSC). National Security Advisor Mike Walsh has been ousted from his position amid growing dissatisfaction within the national security establishment, including the West Wing, State Department, and Treasury. Despite his removal, Walsh has secured a nomination to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Key Details:

• Ousting of Mike Walsh: The decision to remove Walsh was influenced by internal unhappiness regarding the management of the NSC. According to Mark Halperin, "The plan now by the White House is to remove the national security adviser, Mike Waltz... because of unhappiness throughout the national security establishment" (02:46).

• Replacement Contenders: Potential replacements for Walsh include Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, NSC Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka, and Trump’s special envoy for Special Missions Richard Grinnell.

• Internal Conflicts: The episode highlights an incident from March where Walsh inadvertently added the Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a Signal group chat discussing strategies against the Houthis. This misstep fostered significant discontent among key figures like Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and MAGA influencer Laura Loomer (03:34).

Notable Quote: Mark Halperin emphasized the administration's stance by stating, "Mike Waltz knows that I don't see eye to eye with him on many things. I just don't think we should go to war with Iran" (04:10).

2. Exclusive Interview with Tulsi Gabbard: National Security and COVID Origins

Overview: Tulsi Gabbard, Director of Intelligence, joins Megyn Kelly for an exclusive interview, shedding light on potential leaks regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of Anthony Fauci in funding related research.

Key Topics:

• COVID-19 Origins Investigation: Gabbard confirms that the Trump administration is actively investigating whether Anthony Fauci's funding of the EcoHealth Alliance contributed to the pandemic's emergence. She states, "We are working with Jay Bhattacharya... looking at the gain of function research" (07:01).

• Leak Controversy: Gabbard labels the New York Times report on internal deliberations as an "illegal leak," highlighting the negative impact such leaks have on presidential decision-making (05:29).

• Hawkish Elements within the Administration: The discussion touches on the influence of neoconservative strains within the Republican Party and national security agencies, emphasizing the need for robust internal debate to inform presidential decisions (06:13).

Notable Quotes:

• Tulsi Gabbard: "The New York Times article was a result of an unfortunate, unauthorized and illegal leak... it was a very robust discussion that really speaks to President Trump's care and thoughtfulness as he makes his decisions." (05:29)

• Megyn Kelly: "If that was Peter Daszak's research with the Wuhan so-called Bat lady that caused this pandemic, then we did fund it. Then Anthony Fauci helped fund the pandemic." (08:07)

• Gabbard on Public Service: "My decisions in my life have always been made around how can I best be of service to God? How can I best be of service to our country." (08:45)

3. HHS Report on Gender Treatments in Children

Overview: The Health and Human Services (HHS) Department released a comprehensive 409-page report reevaluating current treatment guidelines for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The report scrutinizes the efficacy and safety of gender-affirming medical interventions, advocating for prioritizing behavioral therapy over medical procedures.

Key Findings:

• Effectiveness of Interventions: The report concludes that medical and surgical interventions for gender dysphoria in minors lack a robust evidence base supporting their effectiveness in improving mental health or reducing dysphoria.

• Recommendation for Behavioral Therapy: Emphasizes the importance of behavioral therapy over puberty blockers and surgeries, citing concerns about long-term impacts and the ability of minors to provide informed consent.

• Rising Diagnoses: Highlights a significant increase in diagnoses of gender dysphoria among children, with reports indicating a 133% spike in insurance claims for gender identity care from 2019 to 2023 (12:09).

Personal Testimony: Chloe Cole shares her experience of medical transition at a young age, detailing regrettable decisions influenced by medical professionals and the lasting physical and mental health impacts she faces today:

"I started socially transitioning... at 13, starting with puberty blockers and testosterone... I stopped transitioning at 16 when I realized that I had regretted my transition... It has seriously affected both my mental and physical health." (13:23)

Government Stance: President Trump’s administration is actively working to remove federal support for gender transition procedures in minors. Deputy Press Secretary Stephen Miller vehemently opposes the use of taxpayer dollars for such interventions, labeling them as "child torture" and "medical malpractice" (14:43).

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Miller: "They cannot and will not be allowed to use taxpayer dollars to perform chemical castrations and sexual mutilations of children... It is child torture. It is child abuse." (14:43)

• Tulsi Gabbard on Puberty Blockers: "A lot of politicians are out there shouting about irreversible damages, but blockers actually do the opposite. They prevent permanent changes." (12:09)

4. Kamala Harris’s Return to the National Stage

Overview: Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a significant return to the national spotlight by delivering a poignant speech at a gala event focused on electing more women to office. Her remarks critically addressed the Trump administration, painting its first 100 days as an "authoritarian nightmare."

Key Points:

• Critique of Trump Administration: Harris described the administration's agenda as "a narrow, self-serving vision of America where they punish truth-tellers, favor loyalists, cash in on their power, and leave everyone else to fend for themselves."

• Metaphor from Nature: She drew a powerful parallel between elephants at the San Diego Zoo during an earthquake and societal unity in times of crisis, emphasizing the importance of solidarity over division (16:05).

• Media and Political Response: The media largely responded favorably to Harris’s remarks. A former senior advisor highlighted the demand for her leadership, while Stephen Miller and Press Secretary Caroline Levitt dismissed her comments, reinforcing support for President Trump (17:30).

Notable Quotes:

• Kamala Harris:

  "We know those who try to incite fear are most effective when they divide and conquer, when they separate the herd... But in the face of crisis, the lesson is don't scatter." (16:05)

• Stephen Miller:

  "It was a great reminder... that the leader sitting in the Oval Office today is President Donald Trump and not President Kamala Harris. It would have been the end of America." (17:30)

Conclusion

In this episode, Megyn Kelly navigates through a tumultuous period within the Trump administration, highlighting significant shifts in national security leadership and the administration’s aggressive stance on gender dysphoria treatments in minors. The exclusive insights from Tulsi Gabbard shed light on potential COVID-19 origins and internal conflicts within the administration. Additionally, Kamala Harris's return underscores the ongoing political battles shaping the national discourse.

Timestamps Reference:

• 02:46 National Security Counsel Shakeup
• 03:34 Signal Gate Incident
• 04:10 Mark Halperin on Mike Walsh
• 05:29 Tulsi Gabbard on Leaks
• 06:13 Neocon Influence
• 07:01 COVID-19 Origins Investigation
• 07:33 EcoHealth Alliance Funding
• 07:52 Direct Question on COVID Origins
• 08:07 Impact of Fauci’s Funding
• 08:45 Gabbard on Public Service
• 12:09 Gender Dysphoria Report
• 13:23 Chloe Cole’s Testimony
• 14:43 Stephen Miller on Gender Treatments
• 16:05 Kamala Harris’s Metaphor
• 17:30 Stephen Miller Responds to Harris

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key discussions and insights presented in the May 2, 2025 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show. For those who missed the episode, the summary encapsulates the critical moments and authoritative perspectives shared during the broadcast.