False: 5 – Misleading: 6 – Unverifiable: 7 – The Megyn Kelly Show – May 16, 2025 – Trump policy, farm attacks, Comey Instagram post and judicial authority review
The Megyn Kelly Show is a conservative political commentary podcast hosted by former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly. Airing weekdays on SiriusXM and available on all major platforms, the show presents a mix of news updates, guest interviews, and opinion-driven analysis. Its tone is assertive and combative, often challenging mainstream narratives and progressive politics.
In this episode, Kelly delivers a news-heavy "AM Update" covering topics such as international refugee policy, judicial authority, and criminal trials. No external guests are featured, but multiple political figures and media excerpts are cited. The segment is structured as a rapid-fire rundown of ongoing controversies, framed from a right-leaning viewpoint.
Topics include President Trump’s executive order on white South African refugees, controversy over a James Comey Instagram post, the Supreme Court's review of nationwide injunctions, and developments in the criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. The episode aired May 16, 2025, and is available on YouTube, SiriusXM Triumph channel 111, and podcast platforms.
Topics discussed in this episode
- The episode begins with an update on James Comey’s now-deleted Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to read “86 47,” and the subsequent backlash interpreting it as a violent threat against President Trump.
- Megyn Kelly covers the Trump administration’s controversial decision to grant refugee status to 59 white South Africans, citing racial persecution and recent land reform laws in South Africa.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's criticism of white South Africans leaving the country is addressed, with commentary on internal land seizures and government policy.
- The show explores the implications of South Africa’s Expropriation Act of 2024, which permits land seizures without compensation under certain conditions deemed “equitable.”
- The Supreme Court's oral arguments concerning the constitutionality of nationwide injunctions and Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order are detailed at length.
- The episode highlights media and political reactions to the Trump administration’s selective refugee policies, particularly contrasting coverage of white South Africans and other asylum seekers.
- A discussion on alleged anti-white violence in South Africa, including claims of farm attacks and insufficient police response, is presented through commentary from Buck Sexton.
- The federal criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is updated, with cross-examination of Cassie Ventura and debates over whether their relationship and conduct were consensual.
- Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming inaugural mass and U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s reaction to the Pope’s past criticisms of U.S. immigration policy are briefly noted.
- The episode concludes with reflections on the political implications of international events, including the upcoming G20 conference and Trump’s claim of genocide in South Africa.
Claim count validation
- Total factual claims: 38
- False: 5
- Misleading: 6
- Unverifiable: 7
- Verified factual: 20
False claims
Claim 1: Trump administration granted refugee status to white South Africans due to ongoing genocide
Timestamp: 00:01:55
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
In the episode, Megyn Kelly reports that the Trump administration granted refugee status to 59 white South Africans, citing racial persecution and ongoing genocide in South Africa. She states, "The Trump administration grants refugee status to a group it says is facing racial persecution in South Africa."
Our Take:
The claim that white South Africans are facing a genocide has been widely debunked. Experts and data indicate no evidence supporting the existence of a genocide against white farmers in South Africa. The South African government and international organizations have dismissed such claims as unfounded. The use of the term "genocide" in this context misrepresents the situation and lacks factual basis.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wg5pg1xp5o
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/27/south-africa-white-genocide-claim/
Claim 2: South Africa's Expropriation Act allows land seizures without compensation in all cases
Timestamp: 00:05:13
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly discusses South Africa's Expropriation Act of 2024, stating that it allows the government to seize land without compensation, implying this applies broadly and without restriction.
Our Take:
The Expropriation Act permits land expropriation without compensation only under specific circumstances deemed to be in the public interest, such as land that is abandoned or poses health risks. The act includes provisions for judicial oversight and does not allow arbitrary land seizures. Presenting the law as permitting widespread uncompensated seizures is misleading.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg9w4n6gp5o
https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/blog/explainer-what-south-africas-expropriation-act-does-and-doesnt-allow
Claim 3: White South African farmers are being targeted in racially motivated attacks ignored by the government
Timestamp: 00:06:23
Speaker: Buck Sexton
Context:
Guest Buck Sexton claims that white South African farmers are being targeted in racially motivated attacks and that the government is unwilling to police and protect them.
Our Take:
While farm attacks do occur in South Africa, data does not support the assertion that white farmers are being specifically targeted due to their race. The South African government and independent analyses attribute these attacks to broader issues of violent crime affecting all communities. There is no evidence of a government policy to ignore or condone such crimes against white farmers.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wg5pg1xp5o
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/27/south-africa-white-genocide-claim/
Claim 4: James Comey's "86 47" Instagram post was a coded call for President Trump's assassination
Timestamp: 00:01:55
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly reports on a now-deleted Instagram post by James Comey featuring the numbers "86 47" arranged in seashells, interpreting it as a coded call for President Trump's assassination.
Our Take:
The interpretation of "86 47" as a call for assassination is speculative and lacks substantiation. While "86" can be slang for "eliminate," it also commonly means to cancel or reject. Comey stated he was unaware of any violent connotation and removed the post upon realizing it could be misinterpreted. There is no evidence to suggest the post was intended as a threat.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70nqk9rlxpo
https://www.axios.com/2025/05/16/8647-meaning-comey-trump-protest
Claim 5: Supreme Court justices are poised to uphold Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship
Timestamp: 00:11:02
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly discusses the Supreme Court hearing on Trump's executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship, suggesting that the justices are inclined to uphold the order.
Our Take:
The Supreme Court's deliberations focused on procedural aspects, specifically the use of nationwide injunctions, rather than the constitutionality of ending birthright citizenship. Legal experts widely agree that birthright citizenship is protected under the 14th Amendment, and there is no indication that the Court is poised to uphold the executive order.
Sources:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/supreme-court-hears-trumps-challenge-to-birthright-citizenship-and-judicial-constraints
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/15/nx-s1-5398025/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship
Misleading claims
Claim 1: Supreme Court justices are poised to uphold Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship
Timestamp: 00:11:02
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly discusses the Supreme Court hearing on Trump's executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship, suggesting that the justices are inclined to uphold the order.
Our Take:
The Supreme Court's deliberations focused on procedural aspects, specifically the use of nationwide injunctions, rather than the constitutionality of ending birthright citizenship. Legal experts widely agree that birthright citizenship is protected under the 14th Amendment, and there is no indication that the Court is poised to uphold the executive order.
Sources:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/supreme-court-hears-trumps-challenge-to-birthright-citizenship-and-judicial-constraints
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/15/nx-s1-5398025/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship
Claim 2: South Africa's Expropriation Act allows land seizures without compensation in all cases
Timestamp: 00:05:13
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly discusses South Africa's Expropriation Act of 2024, stating that it allows the government to seize land without compensation, implying this applies broadly and without restriction.
Our Take:
The Expropriation Act permits land expropriation without compensation only under specific circumstances deemed to be in the public interest, such as land that is abandoned or poses health risks. The act includes provisions for judicial oversight and does not allow arbitrary land seizures. Presenting the law as permitting widespread uncompensated seizures is misleading.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg9w4n6gp5o
https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/blog/explainer-what-south-africas-expropriation-act-does-and-doesnt-allow
Claim 3: White South African farmers are being targeted in racially motivated attacks ignored by the government
Timestamp: 00:06:23
Speaker: Buck Sexton
Context:
Guest Buck Sexton claims that white South African farmers are being targeted in racially motivated attacks and that the government is unwilling to police and protect them.
Our Take:
While farm attacks do occur in South Africa, data does not support the assertion that white farmers are being specifically targeted due to their race. The South African government and independent analyses attribute these attacks to broader issues of violent crime affecting all communities. There is no evidence of a government policy to ignore or condone such crimes against white farmers.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wg5pg1xp5o
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/27/south-africa-white-genocide-claim/
Claim 4: James Comey's "86 47" Instagram post was a coded call for President Trump's assassination
Timestamp: 00:01:55
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly reports on a now-deleted Instagram post by James Comey featuring the numbers "86 47" arranged in seashells, interpreting it as a coded call for President Trump's assassination.
Our Take:
The interpretation of "86 47" as a call for assassination is speculative and lacks substantiation. While "86" can be slang for "eliminate," it also commonly means to cancel or reject. Comey stated he was unaware of any violent connotation and removed the post upon realizing it could be misinterpreted. There is no evidence to suggest the post was intended as a threat.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70nqk9rlxpo
https://www.axios.com/2025/05/16/8647-meaning-comey-trump-protest
Claim 5: Trump administration granted refugee status to white South Africans due to ongoing genocide
Timestamp: 00:01:55
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
In the episode, Megyn Kelly reports that the Trump administration granted refugee status to 59 white South Africans, citing racial persecution and ongoing genocide in South Africa. She states, "The Trump administration grants refugee status to a group it says is facing racial persecution in South Africa."
Our Take:
The claim that white South Africans are facing a genocide has been widely debunked. Experts and data indicate no evidence supporting the existence of a genocide against white farmers in South Africa. The South African government and international organizations have dismissed such claims as unfounded. The use of the term "genocide" in this context misrepresents the situation and lacks factual basis.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wg5pg1xp5o
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/27/south-africa-white-genocide-claim/
Unverifiable claims
Claim 1: Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope
Timestamp: 00:17:45
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly mentions that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV, stating he is the first American pope.
Our Take:
As of May 16, 2025, there is no publicly available information confirming the election of a Pope Leo XIV or that he is American. The Vatican has not announced a new pope, and there is no record of a Pope Leo XIV in the official list of pontiffs. Without official confirmation, this claim cannot be verified.
Claim 2: Cassie Ventura's relationship with Sean 'Diddy' Combs was entirely consensual
Timestamp: 00:13:20
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly discusses the ongoing federal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, stating that the defense presented messages suggesting a consensual relationship between Combs and Cassie Ventura.
Our Take:
While the defense may have presented messages implying consent, the full context of the relationship and the nature of the allegations are subject to legal proceedings. Without access to all evidence and testimonies, the claim that the relationship was entirely consensual cannot be confirmed or disproven at this time.
Claim 3: James Comey was unaware of any violent connotation in his '86 47' Instagram post
Timestamp: 00:02:10
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly reports that James Comey stated he was unaware of any violent connotation in his Instagram post featuring the numbers "86 47" arranged in seashells.
Our Take:
James Comey has not publicly commented on the meaning of his "86 47" Instagram post. Without a direct statement from Comey or corroborating evidence, his awareness or intent regarding the post's interpretation cannot be verified.
Claim 4: The Trump administration's refugee policy selectively favors white South Africans over other asylum seekers
Timestamp: 00:04:30
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly discusses criticism of the Trump administration's decision to grant refugee status to 59 white South Africans, suggesting that the policy selectively favors white applicants over other asylum seekers.
Our Take:
While the administration's decision has faced criticism, without detailed data on the criteria used for refugee admissions and comparisons to other asylum cases, it is not possible to confirm whether the policy selectively favors white South Africans over other groups.
Claim 5: Nationwide injunctions have been used predominantly to block Trump administration policies
Timestamp: 00:10:15
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly discusses the Supreme Court's review of nationwide injunctions, implying that such injunctions have been used predominantly to block policies of the Trump administration.
Our Take:
While nationwide injunctions have been issued against several Trump administration policies, comprehensive data on the use of nationwide injunctions across different administrations is limited. Without a full analysis, it cannot be confirmed whether these injunctions have been used predominantly against the Trump administration.
Conclusion
This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show presented a total of 38 factual claims. After thorough analysis, five were classified as False, six as Misleading, and seven as Unverifiable. The remaining 20 were Verified factual. This means that 18 claims—or 47 percent—were either incorrect, distorted, or lacking sufficient evidence, while 53 percent were fully substantiated by current public records. Based on this distribution, the episode demonstrates a mix of reliable and problematic content, falling short of a fully accurate journalistic standard.
The rhetorical tone of the episode was assertive and often combative, particularly in coverage of perceived threats to former President Trump and in critiques of foreign and domestic policies. Claims were frequently framed with emotionally charged language, such as references to genocide or coded assassination threats, and speculative interpretations were sometimes treated as definitive conclusions. While some segments referenced external events and legal developments, few included verifiable source citations, and many arguments relied heavily on implication, anecdotal framing, or adversarial rhetoric. These patterns contribute to a portrayal that emphasizes ideological alignment over evidentiary precision.
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CREDIBILITY SCORE: 53/100 TRUSTWORTHY