Waltz Out Amid Security Counsel Shakeup, Bombshell HHS Report on Gender Treatments: AM Update 5/2

Summary

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

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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).

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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

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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.

Transcript

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Friday, May 2, 2025 and this is your AM update.

[Mark Halperin]

The West Wing's unhappy, the State Department, the Treasury unhappiness, and of course this was around before signal gate.

[Megyn Kelly]

Embattled National Security Advisor Mike Walsh ousted from his post but secures a nomination to UN Ambassador.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

We are working on that with Jay Bhattacharya and look forward to being able to share that hopefully very soon.

[Megyn Kelly]

In an exclusive interview with the Megyn Kelly Show, Director of Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reveals the Trump administration may soon be able to prove exactly how the COVID 19 pandemic started. Did Anthony Fauci fund the experiment? HHS drops a massive report highlighting the risks of medical interventions on children expressing gender dysphoria. And Kamala Harris returns to the national stage, much to the pleasure of the Trump administration. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. I want to tell you all about Patriot Mobile, one of the few cell phone service providers that operates on all three of the major networks. If you have cell phone service in this country today, you can get exceptional service with Patriot Mobile. That's why they offer a coverage guarantee that others cannot. You might think switching to Patriot Mobile is painful, but it isn't. No need to spend hours in a retail store waiting your turn. Just call Patriot Mobile's 100% US based team from the comfort of your own home office and they will have you activated in minutes. Still locked in a contract? Not a problem. Patriot Mobile's contract buyout program covers up to 500 bucks per device. Keep your same number, keep your phone or treat yourself to an upgrade. So consider joining Patriot Mobile today. Support faith, family and freedom with every call and text you make. Don't wait. Do it today. Go to patriotmobile.com megan or call 972-patriot use promo code megan and get a free month of service. That's patriot mobile.com megan or just call 972 Patriot National Security Adviser Mike Walls ousted from his role though not ejected from the administration. President Trump posting to Truth Social on Thursday, quote, I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Walsh to be the next U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The president tapping Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting NSA advisor in addition to his day job until a replacement is announced. Mark Halperin, host of Next up on the MK Media platform, breaking the news ahead of all major media outlets.

[Mark Halperin]

Three different people, two the regional source and two others, have confirmed that the plan now by the White House is to remove the national security adviser, Mike Waltz, who was on Fox News this morning just not that long ago, and his deputy Alex Wong, and much of the member current staff team at the National Security Council because of unhappiness throughout the national security establishment of how they're doing, the West Wing's unhappy, the State Department, the Treasury unhappiness. And of course, this was around before Signal Gate. It was widely reported that Signal Gate ironically may have saved Waltz's job because the president didn't want us to be seen as if he were giving in to Jeffrey Goldberg, his new best friend. But there's lots of levels of unhappiness and it's, it's less about Signal Gate than it is about, as I understand it from my sources, a general belief that it's not being run efficiently in an organized way.

[Megyn Kelly]

Axios later reporting Mr. Waltz's troubles went beyond Signal Gate, the March incident in which Mr. Wals accidentally added the editor in chief of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a Signal group chat discussing attack plans against the Houthis. The outlet reporting Mr. Walls got on the wrong side of everyone from chief of staff Susie Wiles to MAGA influencer Laura Loomer. Mr. Walls is known for his hawkish stance on Iran at a time when some in Trump's inner circle worry the administration is edging toward open conflict. On Thursday, Trump ally Charlie Kirk weighing in on the reports overall, this is.

[Mark Halperin]

A positive development for President Trump's administration. Mike Waltz knows that I don't see eye to eye with him on many things. I've said that to him, his face, nothing personal. I just don't think we should go to war with Iran.

[Megyn Kelly]

As for who may replace Mr. Walls, Mark Halperin reporting the leading contender for the job is special envoy Steve Witkoff. Political reporting Other top contenders include Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, NSC Senior director for counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka and Trump's special envoy for Special Missions Richard Grinnell. In an exclusive interview this week, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard joining the Megyn Kelly show discussing a rang topics from national security leaks to the origins of COVID to what her own political future may hold. In mid April, the New York Times reporting citing unnamed officials that Israel wanted US Help in striking Iranian nuclear sites as early as next month, but was waved off by President Trump, whose top aides convinced him to instead pursue a nuclear deal with Tehran. The report describing high level internal deliberations among Trump's top deputies, including Vice President J.D. vance, DNI Gabbard, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Director Gabbard addressing the leak directly with us blasting it as illegal and damaging.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

The New York Times article was a result of an unfortunate, unauthorized and illegal leak of, of a very private conversation between the President and his advisors. I won't get into the details, but it was a very robust discussion that really speaks to President Trump's care and thoughtfulness as he makes his decisions.

[Megyn Kelly]

Do you feel the push, Tulsi, the push of this like strong neocon strain that's still within the Republican Party and probably in this agent, these agencies that's much more hawkish on an issue including war in the Middle east, which we've just done for 20 years.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yeah, of course the pressure's there. The leaks have to end. If the President can't have the confidence that he can sit in a room with his closest advisors without it leaking to the public, then that is something that really undermines his being best served with the best possible information. With debate, robust debate around the table, which you look at the team of people he's assembled. He likes that debate because he sees the value in hearing different perspectives so that he can make that best informed decision.

[Megyn Kelly]

On Covid Director Gabbard, confirming the Trump administration is actively studying the true origins of the pandemic and whether Anthony Fauci's funding for the group Ecohealth alliance had anything to do with it.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

We are working with Jay Bhattacharya, the new NIH director on with as well as Secretary Kennedy is looking at the gain of function research that in the case of the Wuhan Lab as well as many others around, many of these other biolabs around the world was actually US funded and leads to this dangerous kind of research that in many examples has resulted in either a pandemic or some other major health crisis.

[Megyn Kelly]

Well, let me ask you specifically because we already know that EcoHealth alliance was partnering with this Wuhan lab to create, to do gain of function research. That's right. We just have never been able to have somebody say and it was that exact experiment that led to this Covid bug. But have we gotten there? What's the new thing that you're digging in on?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

We are working on that with Jay Bhattacharya.

[Megyn Kelly]

I mean, that would be extraordinary because just so the audience knows, if that's true, if it 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.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Things that he denied over and over and over to Senator Rand Paul's questioning.

[Megyn Kelly]

That's right. Under oath.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Under oath, exactly. So it is. Is it any wonder that he sought a preemptive pardon for anything during a certain period of time by President Biden before he left office?

[Megyn Kelly]

For years under the Biden administration, officials, including Dr. Fauci, publicly denied any responsibility for funding the research that may have sparked the pandemic. As far as what the future holds for Dni Gabbard, she did not rule out another run for the White house, including in 2028.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I will never rule out any opportunity to serve my country. I would not have if we had talked a year ago. The thought would not have crossed my mind that, that I would be here and that we would be having this conversation. 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? And that is what has led me here. I'm grateful for this opportunity and I will continue to chase those opportunities where I can make the most positive impact and be of service.

[Megyn Kelly]

The full interview is available on the Megyn Kelly show feed, on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Coming up, HHS drops a massive report on the current treatment guidelines for the increasing number of children diagnosed with gender dysphoria, calling out the risks of so called gender affirming care. And Trump World celebrates the return of former Vice president Kamala Harris to the national spotlight. Are you a yo yo dieter? You diet, lose weight, then you gain it all back plus a few. Then later you lose it again and the same cycle continues. Well, that can be dangerous. Studies show that this could actually increase health problems. And breaking free of this yo yo diet pattern is not easy. But it's why doctors created Lean. Lean is a supplement and you don't need a prescription. Lean includes natural ingredients targeting weight loss in three powerful ways. Maintaining healthy blood sugar, controlling appetite and cravings. And it helps burn fat by converting fat into energy. Listen, if you're tired of losing weight and gaining it back and want to lose meaningful weight at a healthy pace, lean could be something for you to consider. Let me get you started with 20% off when you enter [e-mail] that's code mk20akelean.com check it out. The Health and Human Services Department on Thursday dropping a massive 409 page review of treatment guidelines for children with gender dysphoria, a condition where a person feels there may be a mismatch between his or her biological sex and how that person views their gender. From the report Quote Medical and surgical interventions for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria are widely promoted as essential and even life saving, yet the evidence base does not support strong conclusions about their effectiveness in improving mental health or reducing dysphoria. The report strongly emphasizes prioritizing behavioral therapy over medical interventions like puberty blockers and surgeries, including the benign sounding top surgery where girls receive double mastectomies to create a male appearing chest. Diagnoses of Gender Dysphoria in children surging in recent years LexisNexis Risk Solutions reporting in December the number of insurance claims for gender identity care Critics call it self mutilation for people under the age of 18 spiking 133% from 2019 to 2023. Current guidelines recommend starting puberty blockers in children as young as 8 years old. Advocates of the approach argue intervention is temporary and reversible.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

A lot of politicians are out there shouting about irreversible damages, but blockers actually do the opposite. They prevent permanent changes. Their effects are also reversible.

[Mark Halperin]

There's a lot of misinformation around gender affirming care in minors. Puberty blockers are safe if it's to.

[Megyn Kelly]

Halt puberty, then there's no age at which the blocker is inappropriate.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

The scientific consensus is clear. The risks are small and crucially manageable when they're not.

[Megyn Kelly]

According to the HHS report, it is rare for children to start puberty blockers and then stop treatment entirely, and there is little data about the long term effect effects of this intervention. Left alone, the vast majority of these children will outgrow their gender confusion. Most children who begin puberty blockers then graduate to cross sex hormones, a course of action which can lead to sterility, loss of sexual function and permanent physiological changes, results to which a minor cannot possibly give informed consent. As the number of children undergoing these treatments grows, so do the voices of those who say they were misled, like Chloe Cole. Diagnosed with gender dysphoria As a child, Ms. Cole began medical transition at 13 before later detransitioning.

[Chloe Cole]

I started socially transitioning and identifying as transgender when I was 12 years old and I was fast tracked onto medicalization at 13, starting with puberty blockers and testosterone before I went on to get a mastectomy at 15 and I stopped transitioning at 16 when I realized that I had regretted my transition. The team of the medical professionals that helped me to push me really to transition. Never presented any other options. They said that the rate of regret is less than 1 or 2% and they even lied to my parents that I would be at risk of suicide were I not allowed to transition at the age I was. I just wasn't capable of giving informed consent. It's seriously affected both my mental and physical health. I'm still recovering to this day. I don't know if I'll be able to conceive a child or safely carry to term, and I certainly won't be able to breastfeed.

[Megyn Kelly]

The report commissioned by President Trump in January, is part of the administration's broader effort to root out what it calls woke ideology from taxpayer funded health policy. The president has signed a series of executive orders aimed at eliminating federal support for gender transition procedures in minors, including bans on the use of public funds for puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and gender related surgeries. Deputy Press Secretary Stephen Miller on Thursday underscoring the administration's message to hospitals and providers.

[Stephen Miller]

They cannot and will not be allowed to use taxpayer dollars to perform chemical castrations and sexual mutilations of children. Castration surgeries, castration drugs, sterilization treatments of children. Barbaric. They violate all sound medical ethics. They are completely unwarranted. They harm children for life irreversibly. It is child torture. It is child abuse. It is medical malpractice. And so the Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Bobby Kennedy as well as the Department of Justice and other departments of this government, are making clear to our medical providers and our hospital systems that you cannot use taxpayer dollars to perform these barbaric procedures on America's children.

[Megyn Kelly]

Former Vice President Kamala Harris returning to the national stage on Wednesday, delivering a 15 minute speech at a gala for a progressive organization dedicated to electing more women to office. The former veep painting the first 100 days of the Trump administration as an authoritarian nightmare. Describing the administration's agenda as, quote, a narrow, self serving vision of America's where they punish truth tellers, favor loyalists, cash in on their power and leave everyone else to fend for themselves. Ms. Harris then offering this vision on the path forward.

[Kamala Harris]

Please allow me friends, to digress for a moment. It's kind of dark in here, but I'm asked for a show of hands. Who saw that video from a couple of weeks ago, the one of the elephants at the San Diego Zoo during the earthquake. So in the video, for those who haven't seen it here, those elephants were. And as soon as they felt the earth shaking beneath their feet, they got in a circle and stood next to each other to protect the most vulnerable. Think about it. What a powerful metaphor because we know those who try to incite fear are most effective when they divide and conquer, when they separate the herd, when they try to make everyone think they are alone. But in the face of crisis, the lesson is don't, don't scatter.

[Megyn Kelly]

Media response to the remarks, not surprisingly, largely favorable. NBC News quoting a former Harris senior advisor granted anonymity to speak, quote, candidly, saying there is a clamoring for her voice right now. No one can better prosecute the case while inspiring a call to action than the former vice president. On Thursday, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Press Secretary Caroline Levitt responding to her remarks.

[Stephen Miller]

It was a great reminder to the American people of just how blessed we all are that the leader sitting in the Oval Office today is President Donald Trump and not President Kamala Harris. It was a helpful reminder of just what a travesty and a tragedy that would have been. It would have been the end of America.

[Megyn Kelly]

I think I speak for everyone at the White House.

[Kamala Harris]

We encourage Kamala Harris to continue going.

[Megyn Kelly]

Out and do speaking engagements. And that'll do it. For your AM Update, I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on Sirius XM Triumph channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com MeganKelly and on all podcast platforms.

[Unknown]

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