Overview of The Megyn Kelly Show Ep. 1435
This episode is a wide-ranging post-election conversation centered on the Republican midterm blowout, the fallout inside Trump world, and what the hosts see as an escalating fight over the future of the GOP. Megyn Kelly and Jesse Kelly argue that the losses were a direct rebuke of Trump’s recent foreign-policy choices — especially the Iran war — and that the party is now in a dangerous rebuilding phase. Later, Rod Blagojevich joins to predict how Democrats will use their new power, and Megyn also updates several major news stories, including the Russell Brand case, the Meghan Markle/Markle family investigation, and new developments in the Florida Learjet crash.
Election Fallout and the Republican Blame Game
Jesse Kelly’s take on the midterms
Jesse Kelly says the results were a “catastrophic” punishment election for Republicans and especially for Trump’s administration. His main arguments:
- Voters were angry about rising prices and economic stress.
- Trump’s shift toward a foreign war in Iran was, in his view, the turning point.
- The losses reflect a broader rejection of Republican messaging and priorities.
- The GOP has effectively been “burned down to the studs” and now has to rebuild honestly.
The internal GOP fight
Megyn and Jesse say the post-election spin is already underway, with hawks and neoconservatives trying to blame everything except the Iran war. Jesse says:
- Foreign-policy hardliners are trying to avoid accountability.
- JD Vance is becoming a focal point in a proxy battle over the 2028 GOP nomination.
- Figures like Lindsey Graham, Mark Levin, Mark Thiessen, and others are part of the foreign-policy faction that pushed Trump toward war.
Trump, Vance, and the 2028 Succession Fight
Jesse frames the current political fight as a succession battle inside the right:
- Trump is still the dominant figure, but his presidency will end soon.
- Much of the online and media warfare is really about who inherits MAGA.
- JD Vance is portrayed as a break from the old GOP establishment and therefore a threat to the neoconservative wing.
- Trump’s endorsement would all but clear Vance’s path to 2028, which is why that faction is resisting him.
Megyn and Jesse repeatedly argue that the future of the movement depends on whether the party can separate itself from the old “big corporate / interventionist” Republican model.
Corruption, Pardons, and Democratic Investigations
Another major theme is corruption and what Democrats may investigate if they take power:
- Megyn says the exit polls showed government corruption was a major issue for voters.
- Jesse agrees that the stink of corruption around Trump-world is politically dangerous.
- They discuss possible scrutiny of pardons, family enrichment, and influence-peddling.
- Megyn notes that any real evidence of corrupt pardon schemes would be devastating and difficult to defend.
Rod Blagojevich later reinforces this point, saying Democrats will likely go “all in” on investigations, impeachments, and weaponization rather than governing on affordability.
Rod Blagojevich on Prison, Politics, and Democratic Power
What he predicts Democrats will do
Blagojevich says his fear is that Democrats will:
- Focus obsessively on Trump, his family, and his allies.
- Ignore affordability and working-class concerns.
- Let the socialist/left wing of the party drive the agenda.
- Spend their energy on investigations instead of governing.
He says this could hand the next GOP presidential nominee a major advantage if Democrats overreach.
On DeSantis, Hegseth, and political loyalty
Megyn asks about reports that Ron DeSantis might be floated for a Trump administration role, and Blagojevich says:
- DeSantis likely has his eye on 2028.
- A cabinet role could complicate those ambitions.
- Loyalty in politics is rare, and politicians should expect betrayal and opportunism.
On prison and survival
Blagojevich also talks about his years in prison:
- He describes prison life as harsh but survivable through purpose, faith, and family.
- He emphasizes discipline, resilience, and endurance.
- He shares that he still has friendships from prison and sees value in telling that story in his new book, Framed, F’d, and Freed: A Governor’s Odyssey.
Other Major News Updates
Russell Brand conviction
Megyn gives a lengthy update on Russell Brand’s conviction in the UK:
- He was found guilty on some sexual-assault-related charges.
- She strongly disputes the fairness of the rape conviction, arguing the complainant’s account was inconsistent and that the broader context was ignored.
- Brand is now facing a possible prison sentence of five to 10 years and was denied bail.
Meghan Markle family investigation
Megyn also revisits the developing investigation into Thomas Markle Sr. and Thomas Markle Jr.:
- UK papers report that authorities in the Philippines and the FBI are investigating alleged child sexual abuse material tied to Thomas Markle Sr.
- The investigation has reportedly widened to include Thomas Markle Jr. as a person of interest.
- Megyn is sharply critical of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for planning public appearances about child safety while allegedly remaining silent about serious family allegations for years.
Florida Learjet crash
The show closes on the ongoing investigation into the Palm Beach Learjet crash:
- NTSB officials said parts of the aircraft were found miles from the crash site, suggesting separation before impact.
- A pilot guest previously discussed on the show is cited as suspecting severe turbulence, stall conditions, and possible structural failure.
- Megyn also highlights a local report that debris from the crash landed in a nearby woman’s kitchen, underscoring how close the disaster came to becoming even worse.
Key Takeaways
- The episode’s central thesis: the Republican losses were a punishment for bad leadership, especially foreign-policy adventurism.
- Jesse Kelly sees a major GOP reset as necessary, even if it requires tearing the party down and rebuilding it.
- The Trump-era coalition is entering a succession fight, with JD Vance at the center of the next phase.
- Blagojevich predicts Democrats will use power aggressively against Trump-world rather than focus on governing.
- The second half of the episode shifts into major legal and investigative stories involving Russell Brand, Meghan Markle’s family, and the Florida crash.
Notable Theme
The recurring idea throughout the episode is that power comes with consequences: if leaders ignore the concerns of ordinary voters, they get punished — and if Democrats gain power, they are expected to use it ruthlessly.