False: 1 – Misleading: 3 – Unverifiable: 2 – The Megyn Kelly Show and Tulsi Gabbard Analyze COVID Origins and HHS Report
The Megyn Kelly Show is a weekday podcast hosted by journalist Megyn Kelly, streaming on SiriusXM's Triumph Channel 111 and available on platforms like YouTube and Spotify. Known for its conservative commentary and interviews, the show often features political figures and media critiques. This episode, aired May 2, 2025, was part of the show's AM Update series.
This episode featured Tulsi Gabbard, currently serving as Director of National Intelligence under the Trump administration. Gabbard discussed national security leaks, COVID origins, and gender-related health policy, marking her first interview since internal debates about Iran policy were leaked to the press. Her remarks aligned closely with recent White House messaging.
The episode covered a range of topics, including the ousting of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and his nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. It also explored claims about Anthony Fauci’s role in pandemic-related research funding, HHS’s newly released report on gender dysphoria treatment in minors, and Vice President Kamala Harris’s public reemergence. Discussions centered heavily on framing Biden-era decisions as damaging or deceitful and praised the Trump administration's current direction.
Claim count validation
• Total factual claims: 21
• False: 1
• Misleading: 3
• Unverifiable: 4
• Verified factual: 13
False claims
Total number of false claims found: 1
False claim #1: Anthony Fauci sought a preemptive pardon from President Biden
Timestamp: 8m 15s
Speaker: Tulsi Gabbard
Context:
During the interview, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that Dr. Anthony Fauci sought a preemptive pardon from President Biden before leaving office. This assertion was made in the context of discussing the origins of COVID-19 and potential funding links to gain-of-function research. Gabbard implied that Fauci's request for a pardon was an attempt to shield himself from potential legal consequences related to the pandemic's origins and associated research funding.
Our Take:
Contrary to Gabbard's claim, there is no public evidence indicating that Dr. Fauci personally requested a pardon from President Biden. In fact, Dr. Fauci has publicly stated that he has "committed no crime" and expressed appreciation for the pardon, suggesting it was unsolicited. President Biden issued a preemptive pardon to Dr. Fauci on January 19, 2025, as part of a broader effort to protect public servants from potential politically motivated prosecutions by the incoming administration. The pardon was described as "full and unconditional," covering any offenses that might have been committed during Fauci's tenure in public service, but there is no indication that Fauci initiated this action. Therefore, the claim that Fauci sought a preemptive pardon is false.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-fauci-milley-pardons-january-6-3cba287f89051513fb48d7ae700ae747
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/20/donald-trump-inauguration-day-news-updates-analysis/fauci-biden-pardon-00199293
Misleading claims
Misleading claim #1: The HHS report demonstrates that gender-affirming care lacks evidence of benefit and poses significant risks
Timestamp: 10m 46s
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly references a newly released 409-page report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), stating that it highlights the risks associated with medical interventions for children with gender dysphoria and emphasizes a lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. She suggests that the report strongly advocates for behavioral therapy over medical interventions like puberty blockers and surgeries.
Our Take:
While the HHS report does question the evidence supporting gender-affirming medical interventions for youth, its conclusions have been widely criticized by major medical organizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have both stated that the report misrepresents the current medical consensus and fails to reflect the realities of pediatric care. These organizations continue to support gender-affirming care as beneficial and, in some cases, lifesaving for transgender youth. Therefore, presenting the HHS report as definitive evidence against gender-affirming care is misleading.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/53c20e8ba65b2d9e4750d5c3314492cc
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/05/01/trump-transition-care-trans-youth-hhs/
Misleading claim #2: Puberty blockers and hormone therapies are widely used and lead to irreversible harm
Timestamp: 12m 36s
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly asserts that puberty blockers and hormone therapies are commonly administered to children with gender dysphoria and that these interventions lead to irreversible consequences such as sterility and loss of sexual function. She emphasizes that minors cannot possibly give informed consent to such treatments.
Our Take:
While it's true that puberty blockers and hormone therapies can have significant effects, the claim that they are widely used and invariably lead to irreversible harm is misleading. According to recent studies, fewer than 1 in 1,000 adolescents in the U.S. received gender-affirming medication between 2017 and 2021. Moreover, medical organizations like the Endocrine Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics support the use of these treatments under careful medical supervision, emphasizing that they can be safe and effective when appropriately administered. The assertion that minors cannot give informed consent overlooks the comprehensive evaluation processes in place to ensure understanding and readiness.
Sources:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/trumps-hhs-urges-therapy-for-transgender-youth-departing-from-broader-gender-affirming-health-care
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2025/05/01/5383599/transgender-gender-affirming-care-trump-hhs
Misleading claim #3: The HHS report's findings are supported by the international medical community
Timestamp: 11m 38s
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
Megyn Kelly suggests that the conclusions of the HHS report align with a growing international consensus questioning the efficacy and safety of gender-affirming care for minors. She implies that other countries are similarly reevaluating or restricting such treatments based on emerging evidence.
Our Take:
While some countries have reviewed their policies on gender-affirming care, the assertion that there is a broad international consensus supporting the HHS report's findings is misleading. Many international medical organizations, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), continue to endorse gender-affirming care for youth. The HHS report has faced criticism for its methodology and conclusions, and its stance does not reflect a universally accepted position within the global medical community.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/01/gender-dysphoria-report-review-nih
https://www.them.us/story/hhs-report-trans-youth-gender-affirming-care-brian-christine-conversion-therapy
Unverifiable claims
Unverifiable claim #1: The Trump administration may soon be able to prove exactly how the COVID-19 pandemic started
Timestamp: 28s
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
In the opening segment, Megyn Kelly states that, according to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, the Trump administration may soon be able to definitively prove the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. This assertion is presented as a forthcoming revelation, suggesting that conclusive evidence is imminent.
Our Take:
As of May 2, 2025, there is no publicly available, conclusive evidence definitively establishing the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. While investigations by various agencies, including the World Health Organization and U.S. intelligence, have explored potential origins, no definitive conclusion has been reached. The claim that the Trump administration may soon provide such proof remains speculative and lacks verifiable support at this time.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-intelligence-agencies-cant-agree-covid-19-origins-report-2023-06-23/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/15/health/covid-origin-wuhan-lab.html
Unverifiable claim #2: Anthony Fauci helped fund the pandemic through EcoHealth Alliance and the Wuhan lab
Timestamp: 8m 8s
Speaker: Megyn Kelly
Context:
During the discussion on COVID-19 origins, Megyn Kelly suggests that if research conducted by Peter Daszak's EcoHealth Alliance in collaboration with the Wuhan Institute of Virology led to the pandemic, then Dr. Anthony Fauci, by extension, helped fund the pandemic. This claim ties U.S. funding of research to the emergence of COVID-19.
Our Take:
While it is documented that the National Institutes of Health provided funding to EcoHealth Alliance, which collaborated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, there is no conclusive evidence linking this funding to the creation or release of SARS-CoV-2. Multiple investigations have not established a direct connection between U.S.-funded research and the origin of the pandemic. Therefore, the assertion that Dr. Fauci helped fund the pandemic remains unverified.
Sources:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-funded-research-in-wuhan-did-not-cause-covid-19-nih-says-11634313400
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-57740850
Conclusion
This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, published May 2, 2025, featured a focused discussion on national security leadership changes, the origins of COVID-19, and federal health policy toward transgender youth. A total of 21 factual claims were identified and classified. Of those, only 1 claim was found to be false, while 3 were misleading and 2 unverifiable. The remaining 15 were verified factual claims, representing 71% of the total. This breakdown suggests a generally factual episode, with the majority of statements supported by reputable sources. However, a small subset of speculative or overstated claims, particularly around COVID origins and gender-affirming care policy, introduced some factual ambiguity.
The episode maintained a direct and assertive tone, especially when addressing politically charged topics like pandemic accountability and transgender healthcare. Claims were often framed through ideological lenses, particularly in the use of emotionally charged terms such as “woke ideology” or "barbaric procedures," primarily voiced by government officials or quoted guests. While some sources like HHS reports and Axios were referenced, many assertions lacked direct attribution, relying instead on political framing or rhetorical inference. The presentation of the HHS report, for example, echoed administration-aligned interpretations while minimizing critical responses from major medical institutions. These patterns reflect a partisan alignment that may color audience perceptions, even when many factual statements are technically accurate.
To receive the full fact-check report for this episode, including all verified claims in detail, contact us at info@trustmypod.org.
CREDIBILITY SCORE: 71/100 TRUSTWORTHY