Overview of AM Update — "Epstein Files Release Passes Congress, Nicki Minaj at UN Over Christian Persecution" (11/19/2025)
Host Megyn (Megan) Kelly delivers the morning news roundup on three primary stories: Congress passing a bill to force release of Jeffrey Epstein–related records; Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House and expanded Saudi investment pledges; and rapper Nicki Minaj speaking at the U.N. about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria alongside comments from Rep. Riley Moore. The episode also includes sponsor spots and show promotion.
Epstein Files Transparency Act — what passed, why it matters
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What happened
- The House passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act 427–1; the Senate then passed it unanimously. The bill now awaits President Trump’s signature (he has signaled he will sign).
- The law would compel the Department of Justice to release unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials related to Jeffrey Epstein, with limited exceptions (e.g., witness identities, child sex-abuse material).
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Political context and controversy
- President Trump reversed earlier resistance, saying “we have nothing to hide” and urging passage.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson warned the discharge petition was hastily written and raised concerns: inadequate victim privacy protections, possible release of unvetted/ non-credible material, and failure to prohibit release of child sexual abuse materials.
- Rep. Clay Higgins (R–LA) was the lone House “no” vote, saying broad disclosure could harm innocent people once released to media.
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DOJ/ongoing investigations
- Over the weekend Trump directed AG Pam Bondi to open a probe into Epstein’s Democratic ties; critics warn an active investigation could lawfully prevent release of some documents.
- The DOJ has already turned over thousands of documents to House Oversight; Oversight also received ~30,000 documents from the Epstein estate.
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Notable quotes
- Trump: “As far as the Epstein files, I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago…”
- Rep. Clay Higgins (on X): Broad release “will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt.”
- Speaker Johnson: emphasized need to protect victims and avoid releasing non-credible or child-abuse material.
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Implications / what to watch
- Whether Trump signs and whether DOJ will withhold materials tied to active probes.
- Potential political fallout from disclosures and media coverage once records are released.
Saudi Crown Prince (MBS) White House visit — thawing ties and investment pledges
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What happened
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited the White House (first since 2018). Trump framed the visit as a push to stabilize U.S.–Saudi relations and to secure large investments in the U.S.
- MBS announced plans to increase previously pledged $600 billion in investments in the U.S. to “almost $1 trillion.”
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Controversies and context
- MBS remains controversial due to the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi (a CIA assessment linked the killing to MBS) and lingering 9/11 family concerns (15 of 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals; related litigation continues).
- The visit included a military flyover and a formal state dinner. Reporters confronted both leaders about Khashoggi and 9/11; Trump dismissed a questioner’s outlet as “fake news.”
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Potential deals discussed
- Saudi interest in civilian nuclear access, AI technology, and a possible U.S.–Saudi security agreement.
- Earlier in the year Trump reportedly secured large Saudi investment commitments; the visit emphasized expanding those commitments.
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Notable quotes
- MBS: “We are going to increase that $600 billion to almost $1 trillion for investment…”
- Reporter exchange highlighted tensions: ABC’s questioning met with the president calling the outlet “fake news.”
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Implications / what to watch
- Any formal agreements on nuclear cooperation, AI transfer, or security arrangements.
- Political fallout domestically and among 9/11 families and human-rights advocates.
Nicki Minaj at the U.N. & Nigeria Christian persecution (coverage and Congressman Riley Moore interview)
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What happened
- Rapper Nicki Minaj, invited by U.S. U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz, spoke at the U.N. about violence against Christians in Nigeria and publicly thanked President Trump for designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom abuses.
- Her speech emphasized churches burned, families torn apart, and communities living in fear.
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Reported scale of violence
- Cited figures from the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law: more than 7,000 Christians killed in the first seven months of the year; 52,000 killed between 2009–2023; 20,000+ schools/churches attacked (organization estimates).
- Rep. Riley Moore (R–WV), tasked by Trump to compile a report on atrocities, cited higher estimates and claimed about 70% of Christians murdered for their faith worldwide are in Nigeria. He described a 5:1 ratio of Christians to non-Christians being killed in some contexts.
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Perpetrators and dynamics (as described by Moore)
- Groups involved: Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and violent Fulani militias (identified as Sunni and described as extremist actors in the transcript).
- Moore’s framing: Islamist militants seek territory and are targeting Christian communities in central “middle belt” regions; federal government allegedly failing to protect Christian communities.
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Nigerian government response
- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (referred to in the transcript) denies anti-Christian bias.
- Moore and groups on the ground dispute that denial, citing incidents where local pleas for protection were ignored and immediate subsequent attacks resulted in killings.
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U.S. policy and next steps
- The Trump administration’s designation enables potential penalties: cutting U.S. aid, blocking loans and other actions.
- Moore is compiling a report for the president, expected in December; Trump has publicly warned of possible military action if killings continue (quote noted in transcript: “guns a-blazing” comment).
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Notable quotes
- Nicki Minaj: “Faith is under attack. Churches have been burned. Families have been torn apart…”
- Rep. Riley Moore: “The ratio is about five to one…around the world of all the Christians who are murdered for their faith 70 percent of them are in the country of Nigeria right now.”
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Implications / what to watch
- The December congressional report and any subsequent administrative actions (sanctions, aid restrictions, security responses).
- Verification and reconciliation of casualty figures; reactions from Nigerian authorities and international human-rights organizations.
Other notes, promotions, and logistics
- The broadcast included commercial sponsor reads/ad spots (car lease, BrickHouse Nutrition Black Friday sale, Walmart manufacturing story, R.C. Willey Black Friday sale).
- Host promo: Megyn Kelly announced the live MK Show times and platforms.
Key takeaways
- Congress rapidly moved (bipartisan large majorities) to force DOJ disclosure of Epstein-related files; concerns remain about victim privacy and active investigations.
- The Trump administration is pursuing a reset with Saudi Arabia focused on investment and strategic cooperation despite human-rights controversies surrounding MBS.
- High-profile advocacy (Nicki Minaj) and a congressional inquiry (Rep. Riley Moore) are centering claims of large-scale targeted violence against Christians in Nigeria; an official U.S. report is expected in December and could trigger policy actions.
- Watch for: Trump’s signature on the Epstein bill; DOJ’s response re: active probes; details of Saudi investment/security agreements; the December report on Nigeria and any resulting U.S. sanctions or policy moves.