MAGA Fractures Over Epstein, Fetterman Gets 20 Stitches, Newsom Eyes 2028: AM Update 11/17

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 3:00: Epstein file, Megan Kelly
2. 3:00 – 6:00: Epstein file
3. 6:00 – 9:00: Epstein file
4. 15:00 – 17:01: Megan Kelly

Notable quotes from "MAGA Fractures Over Epstein, Fetterman Gets 20 Stitches, Newsom Eyes 2028: AM Update 11/17"

• It's Monday, November 17th, 2025 and this is your AM update. Unfortunately, it has all come down to the Epstein files and that is shocking.

  about Epstein file · at 0:04

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Megan Kelly — Person · 2 mentions · first at 0:02
  Good morning everyone. I'm Megan Kelly.

Concepts & topics

• Epstein file — Concept · 8 mentions · first at 0:10

Full transcript with timestamps

0:02 Good morning everyone. I'm Megan Kelly. It's Monday, November 17th, 2025 and this is your AM update. Unfortunately, it has all come down to the Epstein files and that is shocking.

0:14 The Epstein files fallout escalating over the weekend, resulting in the political breakup of President Trump and one of his fiercest defenders. The Trump administration rolls back some grocery related tariffs as affordability concerns take center stage.

0:30 The right would say really rough things and names, but on the left it was like, "They want me to die."

0:36 Senator John Federman's recent health scare results in 20 stitches and a moment of reflection. And California Governor Gavin Newsome is officially prepping for his 2028 run. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. I've been talking a lot about Riverben Ranch lately because I love their steaks. Riverbend Ranch has taken Black Angus beef to a whole new level. For the last 35 years, Riverben Ranch has been creating a very elite Angus herd by using ultrasound to select genetically superior cattle with a focus on flavor and tenderness. When you buy from Riverben Ranch, you are not only supporting the 64 cowboys and cowg girls and their families who work on the ranch, but you're also supporting over 260 other US ranches and the hundreds of American families who work on them. It is born in the USA, raised in the USA, and processed in the USA. It is aged to perfection for 21 days, and shipped

1:37 directly from the ranch to your home. This is not your average black Angus beef. So, order from riverbendranch.com. Use the promo code Megan for 20 bucks off your first order and let me know what you think. riverbenranch.com promo code Megan. The House reportedly set to vote tomorrow on a bill compelling the Department of Justice to release most of the remaining Jeffrey Epstein files, barring classified information, child sex abuse material, and information identifying victims. The vote comes after a small band of Republicans joined Democrats in a petition to sidestep House GOP leadership and force a vote.

2:17 Speaker Mike Johnson yesterday on Fox downplaying the move he strongly opposed.

2:22 So, it'll be on the floor again next week. I suspect there'll be lots of votes that we'll just get this done and move it on. We There's nothing to hide. And the oversight committee is releasing far more information than the discharge petition, their little gambit, ever even anticipated. They never even mentioned in the discharge the Epstein estate files and that is the treasure trove of documents that's given us Epstein's flight logs, his personal records, his financial ledgers, his uh his daily calendar. None of that was anticipated.

2:48 So, the discharge is totally moot. It is a political exercise and and we're going to dispense with that this week. Speaker Johnson referencing the recent drop of thousands of documents released by the oversight committee obtained from the Epstein estate as part of the committee's investigation into the DOJ's handling of the case. President Trump accusing Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky as well as Congresswoman Marjgerie Taylor Green of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Lauren Boowart of Colorado, all Republicans, of aiding Democrats in distracting from the administration's accomplishments. Mr.

3:21 Trump last night departing Palm Beach. They just keep bringing that up to deflect from the tremendous success of the Trump administration. So, a guy like Massie, his poll numbers are showing he's at 6% approval rating right now. And uh we call him Ran Paul Jr. because he never he never votes for the Republican party. So, they're using Jeffrey Epstein as a deflection from the tremendous success that we're having as a party. On Friday morning, President Trump posting to Truth Social that he will ask Attorney General Pam Bondi and the DOJ to investigate some Epstein dirt. Specifically, Epstein's relationship with former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, billionaire tech titan and Trump antagonist Reed Hoffman, and more. AG Bondi on Friday afternoon posting to X, quote, "Southern District of New York, US Attorney Jay Clayton is one of the most capable and

4:17 trusted prosecutors in the country, and I've asked him to take the lead." A spokesperson for President Clinton stating the former president had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes. Summers previously expressing regret for associating with Epstein. And boy, did they associate. Go check out last Thursday's MK show for details on the dating advice Summers sought from Epstein. Reed Hoffman on Friday calling on President Trump to release all files, saying that will clear his name. In the meantime, Congressman Massie, a co-sponsor of the Epstein files bill, maintaining he does not believe President Trump will be implicated by any further releases, but that some of his powerful friends and donors might be. This is yesterday on ABC. I think he's trying to protect a bunch of rich and powerful friends, uh, billionaires, donors to his campaign, friends in his social circles. And that's my operating theory on why he's trying so hard to

5:15 keep these files closed. I would remind my Republican colleagues who are deciding how to vote. Donald Trump can protect you in red districts right now by giving you an endorsement, but in 2030, he's not going to be the president, and you will have voted to protect pedophiles if you don't vote to release these files, and the president can't protect you. Then this this vote, the record of this vote will last longer than Donald Trump's presidency. Congressman Massie also suggesting the president's order to reopen an investigation may actually be an attempt to block the files altogether since materials tied to an active probe cannot be released. The fallout deepening over the weekend, President Trump on Friday night cutting ties with Congresswoman MTG of Georgia, writing on Truth Social, quote, I am withdrawing my support and endorsement of Congresswoman Marjgerie Taylor Green of the great state of

6:07 Georgia. All I see wacky Marjgery do is complain, complain, complain. The president adding if the right person primaries Green, he will support that candidate. Congresswoman Green appearing yesterday on CNN, saying she still supports the president's MAGA agenda, but will not buckle on this issue.

6:25 I stood with President Trump when virtually no one else did. Unfortunately, it has all come down to the Epstein files, and that is shocking. And you know, I I stand with these women. And I stand with rape victims. I stand with children who are in terrible sex abuse situations. And I stand with survivors of of trafficking and those that are trapped in in sex trafficking. And I I will not apologize for that. I I believe the country deserves transparency in these files. And I I don't believe that that rich powerful people should be protected if they have if they have done anything wrong. and and so I'm standing with the women and I will continue to do my small part to get the files released.

7:14 All of this fracturing could ultimately be for not if the bill passes as Congressman Massie believes it will. The legislation still faces an uphill battle in the Senate where 60 votes are required to pass it and Senate leadership has not even committed to bringing it to a vote. President Trump on Friday rolling back tariffs on dozens of food items. The move coming one day after the administration announced new trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Agreements the White House says now allow certain tariffs to be lifted. Treasury Secretary Scott Besson Sunday on Fox.

7:50 We've been working on trade deals with Central and South American countries for six, seven, eight months. And just this past week, we signed the trade deals. So, not only will the tariffs come off some of the things you just listed, that's a result of the trade deals going through and then we will see this go down and you know we're also seeing the import barriers for the other countries come through. So, like this is a complete trade policy and now we are going to see it affect the prices.

8:23 Items affected include coffee, tea, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, beef and more. President Trump utilizing sweeping tariffs as a signature tool in his economic strategy, leveraging the US economy to pressure trading partners into new deals the White House finds more balanced. Aboard Air Force One on Friday, President Trump conceding tariffs do impact US consumer prices.

8:46 Mr. President, you said that tariffs do not increase prices for consumers, but now you're lowering.

8:52 I say they don't. I say they may in some cases. White House officials insisting under President Trump's plan, prices will continue to decline. Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hasset yesterday on ABC.

9:05 If you're going to the store to buy groceries for Thanksgiving, it's going to be more expensive this year.

9:10 I I really don't understand where you're going in the sense that Joe Biden gave us Joe Biden gave us 20%.

9:16 He's not president. Donald Trump's president. No. And you're you want us to to fix the hole that Joe Biden why does the president tell the prices went up so much under Joe Biden and inflation is way down. Inflation is about half what it was in December. Uh this is something that's being fixed fast and real incomes are up after dropping about 3,000 under Joe Biden. And so sure you could find a few things where the price is higher but there's a whole bunch of stuff where the price is lower like gasoline. When are we going to get the Republican plan?

9:42 You understand that mortgage rates have gone way down and it's much cheaper to buy a home now than it was.

9:47 The timing of the announcement not a minute too soon as the White House contends with mounting bipartisan criticism relating to cost of living anxiety. Coming up, Democrat Senator John Federman of Pennsylvania recovering from a health scare bringing out the worst of his party. and far-left California Governor Gavin Newsome officially setting the stage for a White House run in 2028. Did you know that up until the 1990s, all chips and fries were cooked in beef tallow? Those memories of you at McDonald's in the 80s, that was beef tallow, not seed oils. But then big food companies made the switch to cheap, highly processed seed oils, and now they make up 20% of the average American's daily calories. This is why I'm excited to tell you about Masa. It's a chip that's doing things differently. You have four Masa chips. You're you feel sated. You don't have to eat the whole bag. Masa chips are made with just three

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11:17 Codemk when you check out to get 25% off your first order. Don't feel like ordering online? Well, MASA is now available nationwide at your local Sprouts supermarket. US Senator from Pennsylvania, Democrat John Federman, posting a selfie to X on Saturday, showing off a face full of stitches following a medical scare. The caption reading, quote, 20 stitches later and a full recovery. I'm back home with Jiselle and the kids. I'm overwhelmed and profoundly grateful for all the well-wishes. According to a spokesperson, Mr. Federman was on a walk Thursday morning when he felt laded, triggering a fall. Doctors later determining the cause. a ventricular fibrillation flare-up, a dangerous type of irregular heartbeat that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest or even death.

12:04 This the latest health emergency suffered by Senator Federman, who was originally diagnosed with a heart condition in 2017, followed by a serious stroke in 2022. Poststroke, Senator Federman struggling with a litany of complications, including auditory processing difficulties and bouts of depression, documented in a newly released memoir titled unfettered. The latest health setback highlighting a theme Senator Federman writes about in his book. Since being elected to office, the senator drawing blistering criticism from members of the left for siding with Republicans on reopening the government and on his support for Israel. Fedman telling CNN last week attacks from liberals, especially on left-wing social media platform Blue Sky, are much darker and more personal than criticism he gets from the right. And when I I asked my digital team, I said, you know, you're we're on all the platforms, you know,

12:59 really what's what's kind of the harshest? What's kind of the most personal? And the answer was immediate. He said, oh, blue sky. It's blue sky. And the difference is I mean, uh, the right would say really rough things and names, you know, some names I won't I won't repeat on on TV, but on the left it was like they want me to die or that we're cheering for your next stroke or why couldn't it depression one? Um, and and I hope your kids find you. And I don't know what the kind of a place where that comes from. I mean, that's that's much different than just calling me a name. That and that's that's really been consistent, you know, in that community online.

13:37 One Blue Sky user reacting to Senator Federman's fall. Quote, "Karma is a ain't it, Federman?" Another writing quote "Tragically he's expected to live." According to local outlet Penn Live, Senator Federman has voted with the Trump administration just 6% of the time. California Governor Gavin Newsome sitting with Politico for a lengthy puff I mean profile. The headline, admit it, Gavin Newsome is the 2028 front runner. Politico also giving Nuome the opportunity to promote the release of a long delayed memoir. Hard-hitting.

14:13 Politico pointing to the governor's social media presence where he routinely challenges the Trump administration as a key early factor setting him apart from the other likely contenders. Quote, "If you believe the phone in your hand will more than any factor determine the next Democratic nominee, it's hard not to grasp Newsome's strength." As the kids say, he gives main character energy. Oh lord. Newsome social media accounts in recent months reportedly run by a team led by a 29-year-old female staffer morphing into tired parodies of President Trump's signature style featuring thirdp person references, capital letters, and AI generated images mocking political rivals. Nuome recently admitted to harboring presidential ambitions, though telling CBS he will wait until after the 2026 midterms to seriously consider running. He's just sitting with Politico talking about the presidency for the fun of it. In the

15:11 meantime, the governor waiting into several cross-state political battles, successfully leading a redistricting counteroffensive in his state, adding more Democrat-leaning House seats to offset an effort in Texas to add more Republican leaning House seats. Last week, Newsome traveling to Brazil for an international climate summit skipped by the White House. Newsome saying in the profile he wants the Democrat party quote to be the mansion to the Mumani party. I want it to be inclusive. A reference to retired moderate Democrat- turned independent Senator Joe Mansion and to New York City mayor elect Democratic socialist Zoran Mandani. San Francisco power broker Willie Brown, who appointed Newsome to his first political post and who also knew Kla Harris really, really well, asked by Politico what the governor actually believes.

16:02 Willie Brown saying, quote, "I don't know. I've never asked him for fear he doesn't know." His memoir was originally set to release last May, delayed reportedly due to the wildfires. You know, the ones that burned tens of thousands of acres and nearly 7,000 homes and structures in LA. Now, Gavin Newsome's memoir will hit in February. The title, quote, "Young man in a hurry, a memoir of discovery." The governor telling Politico, "The book is honest and reflective and written in part, Mr. Nuome says, because quote, I was also trying to understand who I am." Of course, the Megan Kelly show will read this book so you don't have to.

16:44 And that'll do it for your AM update. I'm Megan Kelly. Join me back here for the MK show live on SiriusXM's The Megan Kelly channel 111 at noon east and on youtube.com/meanc kelly as well as all podcast platforms.

Questions about this episode

What is discussed in "MAGA Fractures Over Epstein, Fetterman Gets 20 Stitches, Newsom Eyes 2028: AM Update 11/17"?

In order: 0:00 Epstein file, Megan Kelly; 3:00 Epstein file; 6:00 Epstein file; 15:00 Megan Kelly.

What is mentioned in this Megyn Kelly episode?

2 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Epstein file, Megan Kelly. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "MAGA Fractures Over Epstein, Fetterman Gets 20 Stitches, Newsom Eyes 2028: AM Update 11/17"?

The episode runs 17 min; the transcript is about 2,828 words in 32 timestamped sections.

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