Transcript

Trump Approval Slips Ahead of SOTU, Kouri Richins Husband Poisoning Trial Starts: AM Update 2/24

From Megyn Kelly · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 19 min · 3,012 words · 24 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Trump Approval Slips Ahead of SOTU, Kouri Richins Husband Poisoning Trial Starts: AM Update 2/24", an episode of Megyn Kelly published February 24, 2026 (19 min, about 3,012 words). It mentions 38 people, works and ideas, including Megan Kelly, Donald Trump, Corey Richens, Jack Smith, National Angel Family Day.

What this episode is about

Trump’s approval is at a low point heading into the State of the Union as a CNN poll shows only 36% support, while coverage highlights Trump’s address amid troubling numbers, plus the start of the Corey Richens murder trial and related legal developments. The update also notes debates over credit card security and proposed changes that could affect consumers.

Key takeaways

  • Trump’s SOTU stumble metric: independence collapse plus double-digit disenchantment, redefining a marquee address as a popularity stress test.
  • Polls show economy remains a top concern; immigration and tariffs keep dragging credibility, revealing a widening policy-performance gap.
  • Democrats gamble on boycott; signaling strategic optics over confrontation, while GOP optics hinge on Trump’s message resonance with independents.
  • Media framing pins blame on isolation: trust in Trump fractures among independents, even as party loyalty skews toward Trump core.
  • Surprising footnote: legislators’ own risk calculus—avoiding the stage may yield more leverage than shouting from the chamber.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 3:00: CNN, Electronic Payments Coalition, Megan Kelly, Corey Richens
  2. – 6:00: Washington, Donald Trump, Adam Schiff, Harry Enten
  3. – 9:00: National Angel Family Day, Lake and Riley Act, Edward Phillips, Mike Johnson
  4. – 12:00: Jack Smith, Relief Factor, Corey Richens, Carlos D. Aloe vera
  5. – 15:00: Corey Richens, Utah, Camas, Park City
  6. – 18:00: Corey Richens, Katherine Nester, Utah, Katie Richensbson
  7. – 19:25: Megan Kelly, SiriusXM, MK True Crime

Notable quotes from "Trump Approval Slips Ahead of SOTU, Kouri Richins Husband Poisoning Trial Starts: AM Update 2/24"

  • Good morning everyone. I'm Megan Kelly.
    about Megan Kelly · at
  • The State of the Union addresses tonight and the president heads into it amid sliding approval ratings. According to a new CNN poll released yesterday, just 36% of respondents…
    about CNN · at
  • >> I will not be attending the State of the Union. I've never missed one. I have always gone both to inaugurations and to states of the union, but we cannot treat this as normal. This is not business as.
    about Adam Schiff · at
  • President Trump declaring yesterday National Angel Family Day. The White House event attended by dozens of family members whose loved ones have been killed by illegal immigrants. Mr. Trump.
    about Donald Trump · at
  • Leading to the first piece of legislation signed under the second Trump administration, the Lake and Riley Act, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal…
    about Lake and Riley Act · at
  • Opening statements yesterday in the trial of Utah mother Corey Richens accused of fatally poisoning her husband Eric in March 2022. Summit County prosecutors charging the 35-year-old more than a year later with aggravated.
    about Corey Richens · at
  • >> Defense attorney Katherine Nester beginning her argument with 911 audio from that night.
    about Katherine Nester · at
  • Murder. It can be anything. To this day, the medical examiner, the professional that's the head of declaring how people die in the state of Utah, has never been able to…
    about Utah · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Megan Kelly — Person · Host · 2 mentions · first at
    She anchors the AM Update, narrating polling, immigration event coverage, legal updates, and the Corey Richens trial preview.
  • Donald Trump — Person · Core topic (subject of news coverage) · 1 mention · first at
    The episode centers on President Donald Trump's polling ahead of the State of the Union, his National Angel Family Day event, and legal developments involving the Jack Smith report and classified documents case.
  • Corey Richens — Person · Core topic (victim in trial coverage) · 6 mentions · first at
    His death is the central alleged crime in the Corey Richens case; the episode recounts the prosecution's timeline and defense arguments about cause/manner of death.
  • Jack Smith — Person · Referenced legal actor (special counsel) · 4 mentions · first at
    Discussed as the former special counsel whose report on Trump's classified documents case was blocked from release by Judge Aileen Cannon.
    Before. President Trump honors the families of Americans killed by illegal immigrants. A federal judge blasting former special counsel Jack Smith in an order blocking the…
  • Katherine Nester — Person · Referenced legal actor (defense attorney) · 2 mentions · first at
    Named as Corey Richens' defense attorney, presenting opening arguments and emphasizing lack of evidence for how fentanyl entered Eric Richens' body.
  • Adam Schiff — Person · Referenced political actor · 1 mention · first at
    He is cited as a Democratic senator boycotting the State of the Union and attending an alternate event.
  • Harry Enten — Person · Referenced expert (data analyst) · 1 mention · first at
    Quoted interpreting the CNN poll, attributing Trump's approval slide to a collapse among independents.
    Democracy at 11%, healthc care at 7, crime and safety and foreign policy all lagging far behind. CNN chief data analyst Harry Entin says the biggest driver of the slide is the president's collapse with independence.
  • Edward Phillips — Person · Referenced speaker (Angel family member) · 1 mention · first at
    Identified as Lake and Riley's mother and quoted speaking at the National Angel Family Day event.
    Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants arrested for certain violent crimes. Leaken's mother, Allison Phillips, invited to speak yesterday. If you've…
  • Katie Richensbson — Person · Referenced witness · 1 mention · first at
    Identified as Eric Richens' sister and called by prosecutors to testify about Corey Richens' behavior on the night of Eric's death.
    Robinson, the accused killer of Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors calling Eric's sister, Katie Richensbson, to the stand the first day of the trial. Benson describing what she…
  • Abigail Spamberger — Person · Referenced political actor · 1 mention · first at
    Identified as the person set to deliver the Democratic response to the State of the Union; name appears as spoken/spelled in transcript.
    Democrat response to the president's remarks, newly elected Virginia Governor Abigail Spamberger. the one who stood silent for what felt like forever when asked in her…
  • Mike Johnson — Person · Referenced political actor · 1 mention · first at
    Quoted/mentioned as House Speaker dealing with logistics for special guests at the State of the Union.
    The ladies adding they were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgement. House Speaker Mike Johnson telling reporters yesterday that House officials are…
  • Donald C. Murphy — Person · Referenced political actor · 1 mention · first at
    Named as one of several Democratic lawmakers planning to skip the State of the Union.
    On.org. Several other Democrat lawmakers also planning to skip the State of the Union, including Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Ed Marky of Massachusetts, Chris Van…
  • Walt Natada — Person · Referenced legal actor (co-defendant) · 1 mention · first at
    Named as one of Trump's co-defendants who moved to block release of Jack Smith's report.
    Prosecution of Mr. Trump over the handling of classified documents at Mara Lago. President Trump and his co-fendants Walt Natada and Carlos D.
  • Carlos D. Aloe vera — Person · Referenced legal actor (co-defendant) · 1 mention · first at
    Named as one of Trump's co-defendants who moved to block release of Jack Smith's report; name appears as spoken/spelled in transcript.
    Handling of classified documents at Mara Lago. President Trump and his co-fendants Walt Natada and Carlos D.
  • Ed Marky — Person · Referenced political actor · 1 mention · first at
    Listed among senators planning to skip the State of the Union; name appears as spoken/spelled in transcript.
    Also planning to skip the State of the Union, including Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Ed Marky of Massachusetts, Chris Van Holland of Maryland, and Congresswoman…
  • Chris Van Holland — Person · Referenced political actor · 1 mention · first at
    Listed among senators planning to skip the State of the Union; name appears as spoken/spelled in transcript.
    Union, including Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Ed Marky of Massachusetts, Chris Van Holland of Maryland, and Congresswoman Primila Gyipal of Washington. Set to deliver…
  • Congresswoman Gyipal — Person · Referenced political actor · 1 mention · first at
    Named as a congresswoman planning to skip the State of the Union; name appears as spoken/spelled in transcript.
    Of Connecticut, Ed Marky of Massachusetts, Chris Van Holland of Maryland, and Congresswoman Primila Gyipal of Washington. Set to deliver the Democrat response to the…

Companies & orgs

  • CNN — Organization · Referenced media outlet (poll source) · 2 mentions · first at
    A CNN poll is used to frame Trump's approval decline; CNN's data analyst Harry Enten is quoted explaining the independent voter collapse.
  • ABC News — Organization · Referenced media outlet (poll partner) · 1 mention · first at
    Cited as a partner (with The Washington Post) on polling about Trump's approval and issue handling.
    Meanwhile, the president not faring much better in new polling done jointly by the Washington Post and ABC News. That survey showing 39% approval versus 60% disapproval. Mr. Trump's highest disapproval rating since the days after.
  • Washington Post — Organization · Referenced media outlet (poll partner) · 1 mention · first at
    Cited as a partner (with ABC News) on polling showing Trump's approval/disapproval numbers.
    Meanwhile, the president not faring much better in new polling done jointly by the Washington Post and ABC News. That survey showing 39% approval versus 60% disapproval. Mr. Trump's highest disapproval rating since the days after.
  • SiriusXM — Organization · Distribution platform · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as the platform where The Megyn Kelly Show airs live (channel 111).
  • Midas Touch — Organization · Referenced political media/advocacy group · 1 mention · first at
    Named as a left-wing group hosting an alternate event that Adam Schiff plans to attend instead of the State of the Union.
    >> Okay, Mr. Schiff instead will participate in an alternate event outside of the capital building hosted by left-wing groups Midas Touch and move on.org. Several…
  • MK True Crime — Organization · Referenced media channel · 1 mention · first at
    Promoted as live-streaming the Corey Richens trial with coverage from legal experts.
    Convicted, Richens could face a maximum of life in prison. She has pleaded not guilty on all counts. MK True Crime will be live streaming every second of this trial at their…
  • moveon.org — Organization · Referenced advocacy group · 1 mention
    Named as co-hosting the alternate event outside the Capitol that Adam Schiff will attend.
    >> Okay, Mr. Schiff instead will participate in an alternate event outside of the capital building hosted by left-wing groups Midas Touch and move on.org. Several…

Products & tech

  • Relief Factor — Product · Advertised product · 2 mentions · first at
    Presented in an ad segment as a drug-free supplement targeting inflammation and pain, with a call-to-action to purchase a trial.
    Feel good. You start thinking maybe this is just life now. But it doesn't have to be. With Relief Factor, you can break up with pain just like Anthony did. He wrote…

Concepts & topics

  • Lake and Riley Act — Concept · Core policy concept · 1 mention · first at
    Described as the first piece of legislation signed under Trump's second administration, requiring DHS detention of illegal immigrants arrested for certain violent crimes.

Places & events

  • National Angel Family Day — Event · Core event · 1 mention · first at
    Trump's proclamation and White House event honoring families of Americans killed by illegal immigrants is a major segment tied to immigration enforcement messaging.
    President Trump declaring yesterday National Angel Family Day. The White House event attended by dozens of family members whose loved ones have been killed by illegal immigrants. Mr. Trump.
  • Utah — Place · Primary case location (trial setting) · 2 mentions · first at
    The Corey Richens murder trial is described as a Utah case, with references to Utah mother, Utah medical examiner, and locations near Park City/Camas.
  • Florida — Place · Legal geography · 1 mention · first at
    Referenced via the Southern District of Florida in describing Judge Cannon's prior dismissal of the classified documents case.
    Department of Justice any information or conclusions in the report or in drafts thereof." In July 2024, Judge Cannon of the Southern District of Florida, tossing out Smith's case against Mr.
  • Park City — Place · Case location detail · 1 mention · first at
    Used to geographically situate the alleged poisoning at the Richens home 'near Park City' in Utah.
    She spiked her husband's Moscow mule cocktail with nearly five times a lethal dose of fentanyl at their home near Park City. The state alleging Cory killed her husband…
  • Camas — Place · Case location detail · 1 mention · first at
    Named as the place where the family was at home on the night described in the prosecution timeline.
    Richens, and their three children, nine-year-old Carter, 7-year-old Ashton, and 5-year-old Weston, are at their home in Camas. Eric Richens live for his three boys. At 7:22 PM…
  • Washington — Place · Political geography · 3 mentions · first at
    Mentioned to identify Primila Gyipal as a congresswoman from Washington.
    Of Connecticut, Ed Marky of Massachusetts, Chris Van Holland of Maryland, and Congresswoman Primila Gyipal of Washington. Set to deliver the Democrat response to the…
  • California — Place · Political geography · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned to identify Adam Schiff as a U.S. Senator from California.
    Tonight for his administration, some Democrats preparing to boycott the event altogether. US Senator from California, Adam Schiff, announcing in a Saturday social media video that he will not be in attendance.
  • Massachusetts — Place · Political geography · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned to identify Ed Marky as a senator from Massachusetts.
    Also planning to skip the State of the Union, including Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Ed Marky of Massachusetts, Chris Van Holland of Maryland, and Congresswoman…
  • Maryland — Place · Political geography · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned to identify Chris Van Holland as a senator from Maryland.
    Union, including Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Ed Marky of Massachusetts, Chris Van Holland of Maryland, and Congresswoman Primila Gyipal of Washington. Set to deliver…
  • Canada — Place · Sports opponent reference · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as the opponent the U.S. men's hockey team beat, prompting a last-minute State of the Union invite.
    Place for the beloved men's team following their lastminute invite from President Trump moments after they beat Canada in Milan. The remarks set to begin at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
  • Milan — Place · Sports location reference · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as the location where the U.S. men's hockey team beat Canada, triggering the invite logistics discussed.
    Place for the beloved men's team following their lastminute invite from President Trump moments after they beat Canada in Milan. The remarks set to begin at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

Sponsors

  • Electronic Payments Coalition — Organization · Sponsor · 2 mentions · first at
    Presented as the episode sponsor advocating against the 'Durbin-Marshall mandates' and directing listeners to guardyoucard.com.
    And more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. Our sponsor, the Electronic Payments Coalition, says Washington politicians are always getting in your wallet, and now…

Full transcript with timestamps

Good morning everyone. I'm Megan Kelly. It's Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, and this is your AM update. >> Right, talking about the lowest Trump has ever been going into the State of the Union. >> President Trump heading into tonight's highstakes State of the Union address amid some troubling poll numbers. >> Their stories were censored and suppressed like maybe almost never before. President Trump honors the families of Americans killed by illegal immigrants. A federal judge blasting former special counsel Jack Smith in an order blocking the release of his classified documents report on the president. And opening arguments begin in the trial of Corey Richens, the mother who published a children's book to help her sons cope with the loss of their father only to be later arrested and charged with his murder. All that

and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. Our sponsor, the Electronic Payments Coalition, says Washington politicians are always getting in your wallet, and now they're messing with your credit card. They say your credit card and the security it offers are under attack, and that senators Dick Durban and Roger Marshall want to change the nation's payment system to benefit corporate mega stores like Walmart and Target at the expense of everyday Americans. Credit cards can keep your payments secure and provide rewards that families use to help make everyday purchases more affordable. The Electronic Payments Coalition says the Durban Marshall mandates would let corporate mega stores cut corners on credit card processing, routing transactions over cheaper, untested networks with weaker security and fewer protections. Find out more at guardyoucard.com and consider telling Congress to guard

your card. The State of the Union addresses tonight and the president heads into it amid sliding approval ratings. According to a new CNN poll released yesterday, just 36% of respondents say they approve of the way Mr. Trump is handling his job as president. 63% disapprove. This marking a steep drop from last year's leadup to Mr. Trump's joint address to Congress. His approval rating then after just a few weeks in office at 48% in a CNN poll. Asked about the direction of the country, just 38% of surveyed adults this week say Mr. Trump's policies are moving the US in the right direction.

61% say we're headed in the wrong one. As the president prepares to address the nation tonight, 57% of respondents say the economy and cost of living is the top issue they want him to address. Trailing way behind in second place, immigration at just 13%. The state of US democracy at 11%, healthc care at 7, crime and safety and foreign policy all lagging far behind. CNN chief data analyst Harry Entin says the biggest driver of the slide is the president's collapse with independence. >> What is driving this drop? I said record was the name of the game when it came to this segment, right? Talking about the lowest Trump has ever been going into the state of the union. the lowest that any president has been this century going into a state of the union at this point in their presidency. It is also the weakest that Donald Trump has ever been with independence at this point. A

year ago, Donald Trump was atus 13 points. Look at this. Minus 47 points among independents. The lowest Donald Trump has ever been in either of his two terms as president with independence. That is driving these numbers. Meanwhile, the president not faring much better in new polling done jointly by the Washington Post and ABC News. That survey showing 39% approval versus 60% disapproval. Mr. Trump's highest disapproval rating since the days after the January 6th capital riot. Breaking it down by issue, just 41% say they approve of the president's handling of the economy. 57% disapprove. On immigration, 40% approve versus 58% who disapprove. On tariffs, 34% approve versus 64% who do not. While the numbers for President Trump look rough, Democrats in Congress hardly benefiting.

On immigration in the news these past couple of months with non-stop negative coverage for the president, 38% of registered voters say they trust President Trump more. 34% prefer Democrats on this issue with 24% saying neither. On reducing the cost of living, it's essentially a tie. 32% trust President Trump more. 31% prefer Democrats. 33% say they trust neither. As President Trump makes the case tonight for his administration, some Democrats preparing to boycott the event altogether. US Senator from California, Adam Schiff, announcing in a Saturday social media video that he will not be in attendance.

>> I will not be attending the State of the Union. I've never missed one. I have always gone both to inaugurations and to states of the union, but we cannot treat this as normal. This is not business as usual. I will not give him the audience he craves for the lies that he tells. >> Okay, Mr. Schiff instead will participate in an alternate event outside of the capital building hosted by left-wing groups Midas Touch and move on.org. Several other Democrat lawmakers also planning to skip the State of the Union, including Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Ed Marky of Massachusetts, Chris Van Holland of Maryland, and Congresswoman Primila Gyipal of Washington. Set to deliver the Democrat response to the president's remarks, newly elected Virginia Governor Abigail Spamberger. You know, the one who stood silent for what felt like forever when asked in her gubanatorial

debate about boys and girls locker rooms and also when her attorney general who wanted Republicans and their children murdered. Not a peep back then. Now she's feeling chatty. President Trump's full list of special guests not yet announced. The goldinning US men's hockey team is expected. The gold-winning women's team is not. a US hockey spokesperson telling NBC the women are unable to attend quote due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments. The ladies adding they were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgement. House Speaker Mike Johnson telling reporters yesterday that House officials are scrambling to find a place for the beloved men's team following their lastminute invite from President Trump moments after they beat Canada in Milan. The remarks set to begin at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

President Trump declaring yesterday National Angel Family Day. The White House event attended by dozens of family members whose loved ones have been killed by illegal immigrants. Mr. Trump maintaining a long-standing bond with angel families, dating back to his first administration, frequently meeting privately with families at the White House and highlighting their stories as the administration pushes for tougher immigration enforcement and mass deportations. Here, the president welcoming the families and accusing the establishment media and the left of totally ignoring their stories.

>> These are the angel families that we love that for decades our government betrayed and our media totally ignored and I've seen it. When I first got involved with the angel families, I had a meeting was so sad and they got up and spoke and the media literally just turned off the cameras. They didn't want to hear them. It was the most It was my first glimpse as to what was happening. These are sick people, an infinite loss. They were the victims of politicians who put the comfort of foreign criminals before the safety of American citizens and American patriots. Their stories were censored and suppressed like maybe almost never before so that the politicians could open our borders and allow our nation to be invaded. If we didn't win the election, our nation would right now be destroyed. President Trump choosing to sign the proclamation on February 22nd in honor of Lake and

Riley, the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student murdered on that date two years ago during a morning jog by illegal immigrant Joseé Ibara. Ibara had multiple run-ins with the law, released each time before eventually going on to murder Leaken. Her death along with similar cases emerging as a central issue in the 2024 campaign leading to the first piece of legislation signed under the second Trump administration, the Lake and Riley Act, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants arrested for certain violent crimes. Leaken's mother, Allison Phillips, invited to speak yesterday. If you've lived the nightmare that we have lived, you understand the importance of the job that he's doing and securing our nation and fighting for our families because this could be any family. She wasn't somebody that put herself in bad positions. She didn't make bad choices.

She was just a good girl and she just wanted to go for a run that morning. I'm beyond blessed and thankful that you're honoring not just Leaken because she's one and a ton of people that have suffered at the hands of illegal immigrants. She's not the only one. And so, thank you for honoring all of them, not just Lake. Coming up, a federal judge slamming former special counsel Jack Smith in an order blocking the release of his report on President Trump's classified documents case. And opening arguments begin in the trial of Corey Richens, the woman who published a book to help her children process the grief of losing their father, only to then be arrested for allegedly poisoning him herself.

Ever been in a bad relationship? You know the kind it just wears you down. You settle in even though deep down you know this is not how it's supposed to be. That's what daily aches and pains can feel like. You stop expecting to feel good. You start thinking maybe this is just life now. But it doesn't have to be. With Relief Factor, you can break up with pain just like Anthony did. He wrote, quote, "I was dealing with debilitating pain and fatigue. I've been talking about Relief Factor and taking it for about 2 months and now I'm back to running my business, fishing, gardening, and doing the things that really matter to me. And listen, maybe it's your back pain, your knee issues, or stiffness that's slowing you down.

Relief Factor might help give you your mobility back. Relief Factor is 100% drug-free and it targets the inflammation that causes pain so you can move better, feel better, and actually enjoy life again. Try the 3-week quick start for just$1 199.95. Go to reliefactor.com or call 8004 relief. Break up with pain and get back to what matters. In a major victory for President Trump, US District Judge Ailen Cannon blocking the release of former special counsel Jack Smith's report detailing his prosecution of Mr. Trump over the handling of classified documents at Mara Lago. President Trump and his co-fendants Walt Natada and Carlos D.

Aloe vera first moving to block the report's release back in January 2025 upon learning of its creation. On Monday, Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee, prohibiting the DOJ from quote, "releasing distributing conveying or sharing with anyone outside the Department of Justice any information or conclusions in the report or in drafts thereof." In July 2024, Judge Cannon of the Southern District of Florida, tossing out Smith's case against Mr. Trump and two codefendants finding Smith was improperly appointed. Judge Cannon's 15-page ruling yesterday slamming Smith for after his disqualification, compiling and delivering the report to Attorney General Merrick Garland after the case was thrown out, accusing Smith of circumventing the court's order.

Judge Cannon writing the release of this report would quote cause irreparable damage to the former defendants by disclosing non-public discovery materials, adding it would violate quote basic notions of fairness and justice in the process where no adjudication of guilt has been reached. Judge Cannon writing that while in cases where a defendant pleads guilty or where the prosecutor elects not to bring charges, sometimes a special counsel will release a final report, it is quote, "Certainly not customary for a prosecutor to disseminate large swaths of discovery after a case is dismissed without finding the defendant guilty and where the defendants still maintain their innocence." Smith submitting the report to Attorney General Merrick Garland before vacating his post in January 2025.

Volume one of the report was focused on Smith's investigation into alleged attempts by Mr. Trump to overturn the 2020 election. Smith managed to spring that one on the public days before President Trump's inauguration. Volume two focuses more on the classified documents case. On that, Judge Cannon telling Smith, "Nice try, but no cigar. Opening statements yesterday in the trial of Utah mother Corey Richens accused of fatally poisoning her husband Eric in March 2022. Summit County prosecutors charging the 35-year-old more than a year later with aggravated murder attempted aggravated murder, mortgage fraud, and forgery, alleging she spiked her husband's Moscow mule cocktail with nearly five times a lethal dose of fentanyl at their home near Park City. The state alleging Cory killed her husband to gain access to his business assets and life insurance payouts. Money

prosecutors say she intended to use to save her indebted real estate business. The case drawing national attention when authorities arrested Richens just weeks after she published a children's book she wrote, which she says she wrote to help her three young sons cope with their grief after the loss of their father. Cory held in custody since her arrest, denying bail multiple times. In court yesterday during opening statements, prosecutor Brad Bworth telling jurors Corey was involved in a relationship with another man, Robert Josh Gman. Bworth showing the jury text messages between the two. Cory fantasizing about leaving her husband, gaining millions in the divorce, and then marrying Grossman. Court documents indicating Cory took out multiple life insurance policies, totaling about $2 million on her husband without his knowledge. According to Bworth, Corey was allegedly $4.5 million in debt and

wrongly believed she would inherit $4 million upon her husband's passing. Bworth laying out the timeline on the night of Eric's death, >> March the 3rd, 2022. The defendant, Corey Richens, her husband, Eric Richens, and their three children, nine-year-old Carter, 7-year-old Ashton, and 5-year-old Weston, are at their home in Camas. Eric Richens live for his three boys. At 7:22 PM, Corey Richen's boyfriend, Robert Josh Gman, texts Corey Richens an image of two people romantically kissing. The image is captioned, "Love you." At 8:36, Cory Richens replies, "Love you." The boys go to bed. Corey Richens makes Eric a drink and takes it to him in their bedroom. He drinks on the bed. She departs the bedroom. Corey Richens returns to the bedroom at about 3:00 a.m. She feels that Eric is cold. She nudges him. He does not respond.

>> Defense attorney Katherine Nester beginning her argument with 911 audio from that night. >> I just emergency. I'm not breathing. She's cold. >> Can you do CPR? >> No. I don't know. You don't know. I'm going to tell you how to. Are you willing to do CPR? >> Yeah. >> Those were the sounds of a wife becoming a widow. >> Nester pointing to a key unanswered question in the case. >> He ingested a fatal dose of fentinel.

What you will never hear after 4 years of investigation where as recently as two weeks ago they were back searching that house. After 4 years of investigation and 5 weeks of this trial, you know what you're never going to hear is how that fendel got inside of him because there is zero evidence of that. To this day, slide 11, please. You're going to see that his death certificate reads, "But the manner of his death is still unknown to this day." You're going to hear testimony that a medical examiner has the ability to declare the manner of someone's death. It can be homicide. It can be suicide. It can be accidental overdose. It can be um murder. It can be anything. To this day, the medical examiner, the professional that's the head of declaring how people die in the state of Utah, has never been able to determine the manner of Eric

Rich's death. Nester telling jurors that Eric was dependent on drugs like marijuana gummies to relieve pain, pointing to a crime scene photo showing an empty expired hydrocodone bottle in the couple's bedroom. Nester also happens to be the attorney for Tyler Robinson, the accused killer of Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors calling Eric's sister, Katie Richensbson, to the stand the first day of the trial. Benson describing what she believed to be unusual behavior from her sister-in-law on the night of Eric's death.

>> Who was there when you arrived? >> Sorry, guys. This was the worst day of my life. I'm sorry. When I got there, there was a bunch of emergency personnel, police officers, and Corey and her mom, Lisa, were there. And I saw Corey standing on the other side of the staircase. She just shook her head at me. I observed that she was she was not how she normally was when we would go on overnights. She was very well put together. She had a matching pajamaesque outfit on. Her hair was all done up. She wasn't crying like I was. She wasn't hysterical.

Just stood there and shook her head no at me. On cross Benson admitting that her brother had previously been prescribed hydrocodone, had used THC, and drank alcohol socially. If convicted, Richens could face a maximum of life in prison. She has pleaded not guilty on all counts. MK True Crime will be live streaming every second of this trial at their YouTube channel with coverage from all of our top legal experts. The trial is expected to last through late March. 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, on youtube.com/megan Kelly, and on all podcast platforms.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Trump Approval Slips Ahead of SOTU, Kouri Richins Husband Poisoning Trial Starts: AM Update 2/24"?

Megan Kelly (Guest), Harry Entin (Guest), Abigail Spamberger (Guest), Corey Richens (Guest), Brad Bworth (Guest), Katherine Nester (Guest), MKM True Crime (Guest).

What is "Trump Approval Slips Ahead of SOTU, Kouri Richins Husband Poisoning Trial Starts: AM Update 2/24" about?

Trump’s approval is at a low point heading into the State of the Union as a CNN poll shows only 36% support, while coverage highlights Trump’s address amid troubling numbers, plus the start of the Corey Richens murder trial and related legal developments. The update also notes debates over credit card security and proposed changes that could affect consumers.

What is mentioned in this Megyn Kelly episode?

38 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Megan Kelly, Donald Trump, Corey Richens, Jack Smith, National Angel Family Day, CNN. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Trump Approval Slips Ahead of SOTU, Kouri Richins Husband Poisoning Trial Starts: AM Update 2/24"?

The episode runs 19 min; the transcript is about 3,012 words in 24 timestamped sections.

More from Megyn Kelly

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated October 29, 2026.