Fighting the Establishment in DC, and Why Woke Lost - Piers Morgan, Eric Trump, Calley Means - "Megyn Kelly Live" | Ep. 1194

Summary of Fighting the Establishment in DC, and Why Woke Lost - Piers Morgan, Eric Trump, Calley Means - "Megyn Kelly Live" | Ep. 1194

by SiriusXM

2h 9m•November 14, 2025
Listen to Episode

Overview of Fighting the Establishment in DC, and Why Woke Lost — Megyn Kelly Live (Ep. 1194)

This episode of Megyn Kelly Live (SiriusXM) is a live-tour edition recorded in Miami. Megyn opens with a critique of mainstream media and “woke” institutions, then hosts three extended segments with Callie (Cali) Means (public-health policy/food industry reform), Piers Morgan (book: Woke Is Dead), and Eric Trump (Under Siege; family/politics). The show mixes audience Q&A, in-studio monologues about culture-war flashpoints (Condé Nast/Teen Vogue, BBC language rulings, Meghan Markle, Michelle Obama), and policy-focused discussions on public health, pharma pricing, immigration, labor, and the media landscape.

Key guests & what they covered

  • Callie Means

    • Background: ex-beverage industry and public-health adviser (transcript references his role working on food/health policy).
    • Main topics: childhood obesity, ultra-processed foods, the relationship between food industry incentives and public-health outcomes, Ozempic and obesity drugs, RFK Jr.’s public-health agenda, alleged bureaucratic resistance inside HHS/CDC/NIH.
    • Key argument: U.S. health problems (obesity, diabetes, cancer rates) are driven by systemic food/chemical/environmental inputs and profit incentives that reward “sick care.” Policy must prioritize prevention, healthier school food, and re-align industry incentives.

  • Piers Morgan

    • Promoting: book titled Woke Is Dead.
    • Main topics: critique of “woke” ideology — language policing (e.g., “pregnant people,” they/them), cultural censorship, free speech erosion in the U.K./media, examples of perceived absurdities and hypocrisy in woke culture, and Graham Linehan/Meghan Markle/Michelle Obama cultural critiques.
    • Key argument: Woke culture is joyless, overreaching, and has been increasingly resisted; the backlash is ongoing but not complete.

  • Eric Trump

    • Promoting: memoir Under Siege; addresses family and political persecution.
    • Main topics: legal troubles faced by the Trump family (indictments, raids, subpoenas), the media’s hostility, Trump-era tactics and messaging, the Trump family’s political future (2028 speculation), Charlie Kirk’s assassination and security concerns, and anecdotes about the Trump organization / family life.
    • Key argument: The Trump family endured systematic “weaponization” of government and media attacks; they remain politically resilient, with many potential Republican successors/fighters in the movement.

Main takeaways

  • Public health & food policy are being framed as national-security/MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) issues:

    • Callie Means argues the U.S. uniquely consumes high levels of ultra-processed foods, has more environmental chemical exposures, and recommends systemic reforms (food stamps policy, school lunches, incentives for prevention).
    • Administration (as described) is pushing anti-industry reforms, drug-price negotiations, and an emphasis on prevention/wellness alongside selective use of obesity drugs.

  • Cultural backlash against “woke” continues:

    • Piers Morgan positions “woke” as an ideology losing cultural power, but not yet dead — a whack‑a‑mole phenomenon requiring continued pushback.
    • Examples (Condé Nast/Teen Vogue firings; BBC “pregnant people” ruling; social-media policing and arrests in U.K.) used to illustrate both overreach and the backlash.

  • Media fragmentation and the rise of independent platforms:

    • Guests argue that legacy TV and big networks are losing audience and cultural influence to podcasts, independent shows, and social platforms (Joe Rogan, Megyn Kelly’s own platform, etc.).
    • The conservative media ecosystem sees growth in direct-to-audience channels and decentralized influence.

  • Lawfare, security, and politics:

    • Eric Trump emphasizes the cost of legal defense and the family’s treatment by prosecutors and media; he and Megyn spotlight concerns about government “weaponization.”
    • The unresolved questions around the shooter who killed Charlie Kirk (referred to in the transcript) continue to cause anger and demand answers.

  • Republican electoral concerns:

    • The recent local/state results discussed on the show (e.g., New York, New Jersey, Virginia) produced concern that Republicans must broaden appeal and avoid unrealistic targets (e.g., trying to win entrenched blue cities).
    • Succession/2028: Eric Trump and others are discussed as possible future candidates, but family fatigue and the brutality of politics are acknowledged.

Notable quotes & soundbites

  • “Woke is dead” — Piers Morgan (book title / central thesis).
  • “They just suck all the joy out of life.” — Piers quoting an audience interaction describing wokedom.
  • Callie Means: “90% of our health care costs are preventable lifestyle conditions” (argument that sickness drives system profits).
  • Eric Trump on pressure from prosecutions and media: “They wanted my father in prison… they wanted us bankrupt… when none of that worked, you better damn believe they wanted him dead.”
  • Megyn Kelly on Condé Nast: highlighted a live confrontation where HR would not bow to fired staff, framed as cultural shift.

Audience Q&A highlights (selected)

  • Immigration: an audience member asked about a “Dignity Act”/pathway to citizenship; Megyn reiterated a strict-law-enforcement stance—favoring deportation of people here illegally while allowing legal reentry under certain Trump-era rules.
  • Healthcare affordability: parents asked about high costs of meds, children falling off parents’ insurance; panelists stressed the need for jobs with benefits, criticized Obamacare’s complexity and affordability issues, and called for system-level reform toward prevention and lower drug pricing.
  • Jobs/offshoring & H‑1B: a young attendee worried about offshoring and H‑1B visa impacts; Megyn and guests attributed part of the problem to corporate/Chamber-of-Commerce practices and low-wage incentives; urged companies to hire Americans and pay living wages.
  • Young aspiring politicians: advice centered on taking risks, building a constituency (podcasting recommended as a platform), and organizing with groups (e.g., Turning Point USA) to build grassroots support.
  • Workplace politics: a healthcare worker disciplined for political talk was advised that employers can enforce non-political workplace policies; recommend ensuring fair, even-handed enforcement.

Implications & context for listeners

  • Media and culture: expect continued battles over language, gender policy, institutional staffing, and free speech — both in the U.K. and U.S. Guests argued the tide is turning against extreme woke orthodoxy, but the fight is ongoing.
  • Health policy: if the administration pursues the approaches described by Callie Means, listeners should anticipate:
    • More attention to school food policies, SNAP/food-stamp restrictions on sugary beverages,
    • Negotiation/price-pressure on drugs (example: Ozempic price comparisons),
    • Greater public emphasis on prevention, exercise, screen-time reduction for kids.
  • Political strategy: Republicans may need to refine where they allocate effort (don’t over-commit to unwinnable urban strongholds) while also expanding persuasive messaging to working-class voters on affordability, health, jobs, and safety.

Actionable recommendations (from episode themes)

  • For individuals concerned about health costs: prioritize finding employment with solid benefits; compare marketplace plans for affordability; invest in preventive health behaviors (diet, exercise, sleep, less screen time).
  • For activists/organizers: use independent platforms (podcasts, social media) to build a base; target practical local issues (school lunch reform, community health) that cut across partisan lines.
  • For media consumers: be aware of media fragmentation — cross-check major claims and look beyond legacy outlets for alternative coverage and primary documents where possible.

Notable moments & controversies called out on the show

  • Clip and commentary about Condé Nast / Teen Vogue staff confrontation with HR (“Stan”): used as example that woke staff no longer necessarily get their way.
  • Piers Morgan’s segments: forceful critique of trans activism language, BBC complaints over “pregnant people,” and broader cultural commentary, mixed with personal anecdotes about Meghan Markle and Meghan/Oprah controversies.
  • Eric Trump’s emotional account of the family’s “siege,” legal battles, raid on Mar-a-Lago, and the unresolved questions around Charlie Kirk’s shooter and public safety.

If you want a quick reference:

  • Guests: Callie (Cali) Means (public health/food policy), Piers Morgan (author: Woke Is Dead), Eric Trump (author: Under Siege).
  • Core themes: public-health reform and prevention; cultural/political backlash against “woke” ideology; media fragmentation and independent platforms; legal/weaponization concerns around political prosecutions.

(End of summary)