Overview of SiriusXM's AM Update with Megyn Kelly
This episode covers a fast-moving set of political stories ahead of Election Day: a surprising Michigan Senate endorsement from Democrat Haley Stevens for Republican Mike Rogers, growing Republican concern about weak early voting in Florida, Israel’s unresolved post-election coalition fight, and President Trump’s public criticism of former attorney Alina Habba over a lucrative contract tied to a pardoned billionaire’s family. The throughline is a late-campaign snapshot of volatile races, factional party tension, and an unusual Trump-related ethics controversy.
Michigan Senate Race: Haley Stevens Backs Mike Rogers
A major surprise in Michigan came when Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in the state’s U.S. Senate race instead of backing Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Why it happened
- The feud traces back to the Democratic primary, where Stevens and El-Sayed clashed over:
- Israel and anti-Semitism
- Outside spending
- The direction of the Democratic Party
- Stevens, a more moderate pro-Israel Democrat, had been targeted by a controversial outside ad supporting El-Sayed.
- She condemned the ad as anti-Semitic and said El-Sayed had not sufficiently rejected its message.
The fallout
- Stevens’ fiancé also said he would vote for Rogers.
- El-Sayed’s campaign reportedly asked Stevens to stay away from remaining campaign events.
- Stevens then appeared with Rogers at a Detroit church and formally endorsed him.
- Rogers welcomed the endorsement as a sign of shared priorities and civility.
- The move triggered backlash from Democrats:
- Stevens’ chief of staff resigned
- Chuck Schumer called it a “despicable betrayal”
- Other Michigan Democrats criticized the decision as politically motivated and hurtful to constituents
Race snapshot
- The latest RealClearPolitics average cited in the segment showed El-Sayed leading Rogers by 3.9 points.
Florida: Republicans Worried About Early Vote Turnout
Republicans in Florida are reportedly uneasy about early voting levels heading into Tuesday’s election, especially in the governor’s race.
What’s concerning GOP strategists
- Republicans have a large statewide registration edge, but early ballots are not matching expectations.
- GOP early-ballot advantage was only about 3 points over Democrats, far below their registration advantage.
- Turnout appears particularly weak in:
- Rural North Florida
- The Panhandle
- Some counties Donalds lost in the GOP primary
Demographic warning signs
- Among voters under 30:
- 25% of registered Democrats had already voted
- Only 9% of registered Republicans had done so
Race implications
- Internal estimates reportedly suggest Byron Donalds could start Election Day behind by as many as 500,000 votes, meaning he may need a massive Election Day margin to catch up.
- Despite the anxiety, Donalds still led in the polling average cited:
- Donalds: 48.6%
- David Jolly: 44%
- Prediction markets had become more cautious about Donalds’ odds than earlier in the month.
Florida Senate Race: Moody Seen as Safer
The segment contrasted the governor’s race with a more comfortable outlook for Republican Sen. Ashley Moody.
Key points
- Moody is running to complete Marco Rubio’s remaining Senate term.
- Her Democratic opponent, Angie Nixon, is a progressive and member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
- Nixon has faced fundraising issues and made comments suggesting some donors may see Florida as too racist for her to win.
- Polling cited in the segment showed Moody ahead by 6.3 points.
- Prediction markets were even more favorable to Moody.
Israel: No Clear Winner, Coalition Math Begins
Israel’s election ended without a decisive majority, setting off a coalition-building scramble.
The result
- Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats.
- Opposition forces led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48.
- Neither side reached the 61-seat majority needed in the 120-seat Knesset.
- Two Arab parties holding a combined 19 seats could prove decisive.
What’s next
- Eisenkot laid out coalition conditions, including:
- Recognition of Israel as a Jewish state
- Mandatory national service
- Removing Hamas from control in Gaza
- Coalition formation is complicated because:
- Some in Eisenkot’s camp oppose governing with Arab parties
- One Arab party leader won’t label Hamas a terrorist organization
Timeline
- Official results go to President Isaac Herzog.
- He will consult with party leaders and choose someone to try to form a government.
- That candidate gets 28 days, with a possible two-week extension.
- If no coalition forms, another election could follow.
Trump Criticizes Alina Habba Over $50 Million Contract
President Trump publicly condemned a large legal contract involving his former attorney Alina Habba and a family tied to a billionaire he later pardoned.
The controversy
- A New York Times report said Habba signed a four-year contract worth more than $50 million with a newly created company tied to the daughter of Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini.
- She allegedly began working for the family while still in a Justice Department-related role.
- Two weeks later, Trump pardoned Herrera Velutini, who had faced bribery-related charges.
Trump’s reaction
- Trump said the arrangement was:
- “terrible”
- “totally obnoxious”
- “outrageous”
- “not acceptable”
- He said he objected to the amount of money and suggested he did not want her paid that much.
- The report said Trump had privately complained and even suggested she might donate part of the money to his future presidential library or another Trump-linked entity.
Habba’s position
- Habba denied any connection between her work and the pardon.
- The family and company have not clearly explained the business relationship.
Main Takeaways
- Michigan: Haley Stevens’ endorsement of a Republican is a major sign of Democratic division over Israel and party direction.
- Florida: Republicans are anxious that weak early turnout could complicate what they expected to be an easier win.
- Israel: No clear governing majority means coalition bargaining will determine the country’s next leadership.
- Trump/Habba: The former president is openly distancing himself from a contract he says was excessive and improper.
Notable Lines and Themes
- The episode repeatedly highlights party infighting rather than simple left-vs-right politics.
- Israel remains a central dividing line in U.S. and global politics.
- Early voting is presented as a key indicator of election strength, not just a procedural detail.
- Trump’s comments on Habba show his willingness to publicly scold former allies when he thinks they crossed a line.