Summary — Ep. 1166: "Left Falsely Blames Right For House Fire…"

Host: Megyn Kelly | Guests: Rich Lowry, Charles C.W. Cooke

Overview

The episode focuses on a controversy that erupted after South Carolina Circuit Judge Diane Goodstein’s waterfront home caught fire while she was away. Initial social‑media claims by several prominent left‑leaning commentators blamed “the extreme right” and supporters of Donald Trump for politically motivated arson. Guests Rich Lowry and Charles C.W. Cooke critique those rushes to judgment, explain why the accusations were unfounded, and discuss broader problems with media/elite misinformation and partisan double standards about criticizing judges and political violence.

Key points & main takeaways

• The incident
  • Judge Diane Goodstein’s home caught fire early morning (reported ~11:30 a.m. in the segment). She was not home; her husband (Arnie, ~81) and at least one son were injured—Arnie airlifted with multiple fractures to hips, legs and feet. Several others reportedly suffered injuries from jumping from the house.
• False early accusations
  • Dan Goldman and others publicly tweeted that Trump/Stephen Miller/MAGA supporters had been doxxing/threatening judges and that “someone committed arson” on Judge Goodstein’s home—explicitly linking it to the political right before any evidence.
  • Prominent progressives including Neera Tanden retweeted or amplified similar assertions.
  • Harmeet Dhillon had previously criticized the judge’s ruling; that prior criticism was cited by some as evidence of incitement.
• Official preliminary findings
  • South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigators announced there is no evidence indicating the fire was intentional; preliminarily they found no evidence of arson or pre‑fire explosion.
• Critique of rush to judgment
  • Guests argue the public/elite tendency to instantly ascribe political motives is dangerous and irresponsible, particularly when violence has actually occurred on both sides in recent years.
  • Rich Lowry: pointed out practical implausibilities (e.g., arson in broad daylight with people in the home) and urged that those who spread false narratives should retract and apologize.
  • Charles C.W. Cooke: emphasized a double standard—left elites who spent years calling institutions illegitimate now claim existential danger when conservatives criticize judges; also warned about echo chambers where incorrect impressions persist even after corrections.
• Broader context
  • The segment frames the event within national anxieties about political violence and the media’s role in inflaming or calming tensions.

Notable quotes / lines

• Dan Goldman tweet (as read on air): “Trump, Stephen Miller and Maga World have been doxing and threatening judges who rule against Trump, including Judge Goodstein. Today, someone committed arson on the judge's home, severely injuring her husband and son. Will Trump speak out against the extreme right that did this?”
• Stephen Miller’s reaction: called Goldman’s post “vile, deeply warped” and labeled it “libelous madness.”
• Cooke’s observation: elites in ideological bubbles often never see corrections and therefore retain a false impression for life—shaping a lasting political narrative.

Topics discussed

• Judge Diane Goodstein’s house fire and injuries to family members
• Initial social‑media accusations blaming the political right
• SLED’s preliminary finding: no evidence of arson or pre‑fire explosion
• Responsibility of public figures and elites in sharing unverified claims
• Partisan double standards around criticizing judges and political rhetoric
• The echo‑chamber effect and how misinformation sticks

Action items / recommendations (from the guests’ perspective)

• Do not publicly assign blame for violent or criminal incidents until official investigations provide evidence.
• Public figures who post false accusations should delete misinformation and apologize to limit harm and prevent amplification.
• Media and political elites should exercise restraint and verify facts—especially when narratives can inflame polarization or inspire copycats.
• Recognize and address the problem of partisan echo chambers so corrections can reach audiences and reduce persistent false beliefs.

Bottom line

A tragic house fire involving a judge’s family was initially politicized and misattributed on social media by prominent figures. Official investigators found no evidence of arson, highlighting the danger of fast, unverified accusations—especially coming from influential voices—and the enduring harm such misinformation can cause in a highly polarized media environment.