The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 2/19/2026

Episode: Zuck Testifies at Social Media Trial, Potomac Sewage Disaster, Deadly CA Avalanche
Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Emily Jashinsky (filling in; SiriusXM Channel 111)

Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced, news-driven update focusing on three headline events: Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit, the fallout from a massive sewage spill into the Potomac River, and a deadly avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California. It also covers President Donald Trump’s Black History Month event at the White House, offering key soundbites from national figures. The episode’s tone is direct, urgent, and factual, designed to keep listeners informed on evolving legal, political, and environmental crises.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mark Zuckerberg Testifies in Historic Social Media Addiction Trial

[02:33–05:18]

• Case Overview:
  Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, testified in Los Angeles in a potentially precedent-setting trial. The case, brought by a 19-year-old from Chico, CA, alleges negligence and a failure to warn about platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat) being addictively designed for children’s use.

• Litigation Details:

  • First trial of its kind to reach a jury; thousands of similar lawsuits may follow.
  • Legal commentators compare the case to the 1990s tobacco lawsuits, which forced sweeping industry changes and child-focused advertising bans.

• Noteworthy Court Exchanges:

  • On addiction, KGM’s attorney Mark Lanier challenged Zuckerberg:
    • Lanier: “You expect a nine year old to read all of the fine print? That’s your basis for swearing under oath that children under 13 are not allowed?”
    • Zuckerberg: "I think I'm actually well known to be sort of bad at this." [03:55]
      (In response to a question about being coached for authenticity in appearances.)
  • Zuckerberg admitted age limits are evaded by some children, and that Meta removes under-13 accounts when found.

• Industry Response:

  • Facebook and Instagram deny wrongdoing.
  • TikTok and Snap (Snapchat parent) have already settled with the plaintiff.
  • Plaintiffs seek both damages and fundamental changes in app design to protect children.

2. President Trump’s Black History Month Event

[05:18–08:37]

• Event Recap:
  Trump hosted Black History Month celebrations at the White House, highlighting increased Black support—from 8% in 2020 to 15% in 2024 (per Pew Research).

• Key Moments & Quotes:

  • President Trump:
    • "We thank God for the strength and courage and grit and devotion of black Americans who have helped make America the most powerful country in the history of the world." [05:19]
    • Noted contributions from the Revolutionary War to present, and touted tangible economic gains:
      • "Since I took office, African American employment has increased by 182,000, the highest ever... Nearly half a million black Americans have rejoined the labor force since we took office." [06:05]
  • Ferlicia Cook (D.C. resident, grandmother):
    • Delivered an emotional defense of Trump after losing her grandson to gun violence:
      • “Get off the man’s back. Let him do his job. He doing the right thing. Back up off of it.” [07:38]
  • Trump’s Shout-Out:
    • “How about Nicki Minaj? Do we love Nicki Minaj, right?... She gets it. You know, more importantly, frankly, she gets it.” [08:05]

3. Potomac River Sewage Spill: Political and Environmental Crisis

[09:58–14:14]

• Incident Details:

  • A collapse in the Potomac Interceptor sewer line (Jan 19) led to approx. 243 million gallons of wastewater pouring into the Potomac River, with residual spills even after emergency bypasses were created.
  • Contamination with E. Coli, staph, and MRSA detected; public warned to avoid river contact.
  • Aging infrastructure (pipe over 60 years old) is blamed; repairs ongoing and expected to take months.

• Political Blame Game:

  • President Trump (Truth Social):
    • “There is a massive ecological disaster unfolding in the Potomac river as a result of the gross mismanagement of local Democrat leaders, particularly Governor Wes Moore of Maryland.” [11:47]
  • Gov. Wes Moore (Maryland):
    • Fires back:
      • “I know this is breaking news to everyone, but the president is not telling the truth... we were actually some of the first folks to respond. Our Department of the Environment was already on the ground testing water, sewage, testing the water quality, making sure that our people were safe." [12:42]
      • “We’d welcome you to help...while we’ve been doing your job.” [13:14]
  • EPA Admin. Lee Zeldin:
    • Clarifies EPA’s role on X; notes DC Water leads cleanup and EPA has offered support, but was not formally asked to take over. [13:19]
  • White House Press Secretary:
    • “President Trump and the federal government are standing by to step in, but… we need the state and local jurisdictions to make that formal request.” [13:50]
  • Final Step:
    • D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser officially requested a presidential emergency disaster declaration, seeking FEMA help and federal reimbursement.

4. Deadly Avalanche in California

[14:14–16:47]

• Incident Recap:

  • Near Castle Peak, outside Lake Tahoe, 15 skiers in a guided backcountry tour were caught in an avalanche (Feb. 18). Eight bodies located, one missing, six rescued.
  • Rescue efforts hampered by extreme weather and avalanche risk.

• Sheriff’s Statements:

  • Sheriff Shannon Moon:
    • “Extreme weather conditions I would say is an understatement. Lots of snow, gale force winds, winds making it impossible to see...” [16:12]
    • Survivors aged 30–55; two injured, one still hospitalized but non-life-threatening.
    • Unclear whether group ignored avalanche warning; investigation ongoing; bodies to be recovered when conditions allow.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“You expect a nine year old to read all of the fine print? That’s your basis for swearing under oath that children under 13 are not allowed?”
— Mark Lanier, KGM’s attorney, cross-examining Mark Zuckerberg [03:52]

"I think I'm actually well known to be sort of bad at this."
— Mark Zuckerberg, on being told to appear "authentic" and "real" in public testimony [03:55]

"We thank God for the strength and courage and grit and devotion of black Americans who have helped make America the most powerful country in the history of the world."
— President Donald Trump [05:19]

“Get off the man’s back. Let him do his job. He doing the right thing. Back up off of it.”
— Ferlicia Cook, D.C. resident, defending Trump after her grandson’s murder [07:38]

“There is a massive ecological disaster unfolding in the Potomac river as a result of the gross mismanagement of local Democrat leaders"
— President Trump, Truth Social post on sewage spill [11:47]

“We’d welcome you to help… while we’ve been doing your job.”
— Gov. Wes Moore, Maryland, pushing back on federal criticism [13:14]

“Extreme weather conditions I would say is an understatement. Lots of snow, gale force winds, winds making it impossible to see...”
— Sheriff Shannon Moon, on the ongoing avalanche search [16:12]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mark Zuckerberg Testifies: 02:33–05:18
• Trump’s Black History Month Event: 05:18–08:37
• Potomac Sewage Disaster & Political Fallout: 09:58–14:14
• California Avalanche and Rescue: 14:14–16:47

Conclusion

Emily Jashinsky’s AM Update condensed a morning’s worth of critical news—merging courtroom drama, presidential politics, infrastructure failures, and natural disaster—into a thoroughly cross-examined package. The episode spotlights hard legal questions around social media’s impact on children, the intersection of environmental disaster and political accountability, and moments of candor and emotion in national events. This briefing is essential for anyone tracking the collision of tech, governance, and public safety in America.