Fauci Held in Contempt, Trump’s 2028 Reality Show, Hawaii Dem Candidate's Beach Brawl: AM Update 8/7

0:00Hey, Chicagoland, the Wayfair store is in your neighborhood at Edens Plaza and Wilmette. Finally, you can feel the fabric, sit on the sectionals, and even open the refrigerators. Plus, our in-store designers will help you bring it all together with free one-on-one design support for any project on any budget. Yep, we said free. Oh, and did we mention the cafe? So what are you waiting for? Come see all that's in store. Visit the Wayfair store today at Edens Plaza and Wilmette. Wayfair, every style, every home. Good morning, everyone. I'm Emily Jashinski, host of After Party and the Megyn Kelly Wrap-Up Show on SiriusXM Channel 111.

0:39It's Friday, August 7th, 2026, and this is your AM Update. He deserves to go to prison. Tony Fauci is a monster. He created COVID in a Wuhan lab. He lied about it. Senate Republicans voting to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he refused to answer more than 100 questions about the government's handling of COVID-19. President Trump reportedly telling donors who he wants to succeed him, as questions remain over whether he has truly made up his mind. A powerful El Nino now raising fears of extreme weather on a scale not seen in generations. As I got closer and closer, he was just getting more irate and violent and then saying stuff like, you know, I'm going to hurt you.

1:23And a Democrat running for Congress in Hawaii allegedly threatening beachgoers before picking a fight with the wrong bystander. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update.

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3:10Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approving the contempt resolution yesterday in an 8-7 party-line vote. The vote following Fauci's appearance before the committee last week, where he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times. Fauci refusing to answer questions ranging from his views on the origins of COVID-19 to the color of his tie and the day of the week. The former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases arguing in his opening statement that Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky had already made clear he wanted Fauci prosecuted, leaving him concerned that virtually anything he said could be used against him.

3:52Senator Paul rejecting that argument, contending that Fauci faced no legitimate threat of federal prosecution for conduct covered by the sweeping pardon issued by former President Joe Biden. Here, Senator Paul's opening remarks at yesterday's hearing. Eight days ago, Dr. Anthony Fauci sat before this committee in the witness chair under subpoena for conduct covered by the President Biden's full and unconditional pardon reaching back to 2014. Dr. Fauci faced no risk of federal prosecution. All he had to do is tell the truth. More than 100 times though he refused. The chair ruled that Dr. Fauci's assertion of the Fifth Amendment privilege was unsupported in light of the pardon and the testimony he offered in his opening statement.

4:38The chair directed Anthony Fauci to answer. He refused again. That is what we are voting on today. Not his opinions, not his policies, not anything he said from a podium six years ago. We are voting on whether a witness who has received the benefit of a sweeping federal pardon can be ordered by this committee to answer questions and then defy that order without consequence. Democrats repeatedly trying to stop the resolution, forcing five separate votes aimed at tabling the measure. Republicans defeating all five attempts along party lines before advancing the contempt resolution. Fauci's attorney, David Shurtler, releasing a statement, quote, today's resolution is a continuation of Senator Paul's personal vendetta against Dr.

5:23Fauci, who spent 50 years in public health and has saved countless lives. It is shameful and wrong that Senator Paul is abusing his power by trying to weaponize the Justice Department against an honorable public servant. Following the vote, Senator Paul telling reporters the referral would be hand-delivered to the Justice Department. The chairman leaving open the possibility of seeking a full Senate vote at a later date, though the resolution would likely fall short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. The DOJ does not have to wait for that vote. Federal prosecutors can review the committee's referral and decide on their own whether to pursue charges, though they would still have to present the case to a federal grand jury and convince it there is enough evidence to indict Fauci.

6:04Any potential prosecution would likely hinge on whether Fauci had a valid legal basis to invoke the Fifth Amendment. CNN's senior legal analyst, Eli Honig, concluding he did. Any person can take the Fifth when they're questioned by Congress. You have that right. The complication here, of course, as John said, is that Dr. Fauci received a pardon from Joe Biden. If a person has been pardoned, he cannot be criminally charged for anything within the scope of that pardon. And therefore, you cannot take the fifth for anything within the scope of the pardon. But the third thing and the wrinkle here is Dr.

6:39Fauci's position through his lawyer is he might still have criminal exposure outside the scope of that pardon. That pardon only covers federal crimes. He could still be prosecuted for state crimes. We know there have been various state attorney general investigations of Dr. Fauci. He also could theoretically be charged for anything after the date of the pardon, after January 19th, 2025. And on that basis, I believe Dr. Fauci does have a valid legal right to take the fifth. We spoke with attorney and Article 3 Project founder Mike Davis, who reaches a very different conclusion. Tony Fauci got a Biden pardon, and then Tony Fauci gave an opening statement, which waives his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

7:26And then he sat there after giving this opening statement and refused to answer the Senate's questions. The Senate should absolutely refer Tony Fauci to the Justice Department, and the Justice Department should absolutely prosecute him for contempt of Congress and an obstruction of a congressional investigation. Davis also framing the case as part of a broader push for accountability from Americans who believe Fauci has never faced justice for his role in the pandemic. Tony Fauci has a presidential pardon from Joe Biden, so it's going to be very hard to put him in prison for his federal crimes up to the point of his testimony.

8:14But now that he has obstructed this congressional investigation and shown contempt of Congress, he can go to jail for those crimes. It would be prosecuted in Washington, D.C., and who knows, maybe a D.C. jury, a grand jury, a penit jury would nullify this by not bringing charges or not finding them guilty. But the Trump Justice Department should absolutely put him through this process. He deserves to go to prison. Tony Fauci is a monster. He created COVID in a Wuhan lab. He lied about it. He covered it up. Millions died, trillions of lost treasure. This guy absolutely should go to prison. And I encourage every state and local prosecutor around America to explore charges against Tony Fauci.

9:04This guy is a mass murderer and he's a monster. President Trump reportedly telling donors behind closed doors that he wants Vice President J.D. Vance to succeed him in the White House. The Washington Post exclusively reporting the president making the comment during a private Oval Office meeting about two weeks ago. According to two people familiar with the conversation, Mr. Trump telling the group, quote, at the end of the day, we need to elect J.D. The reported remark offering the clearest indication yet that the president may eventually throw his support behind Vice President Vance in the 2028 Republican primary.

9:38One advisor with direct knowledge of the conversation telling the Post, President Trump has privately decided Vance should become the next leader of the Republican Party. That advisor cautioning, however, that it remains too early to know when Vance might enter the race or when the president might publicly endorse him. President Trump asked about that reporting yesterday from the Oval. No, no. I heard about it a little while ago. I think he's great, but we're way too early to even be thinking about that. Trump aides also reportedly expecting the president to withhold any formal endorsement for as long as possible, avoiding the appearance that the party is already moving beyond his own presidency.

10:18The Post reporting Mr. Trump questioned White House staff about the VP and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Marine One flight late last month. Axios previously reporting in February that the president had repeatedly been asking advisors and confidants whether they preferred Vice President Vance or Secretary Rubio at the top of the 2028 ticket. The outlet reporting at the time that President Trump favored Vance while continuing to praise Rubio and float the possibility of the two men running together. The president publicly encouraging that speculation during a Rose Garden dinner in May.

10:51Who's it going to be? Is it going to be J.D.? Is it going to be somebody else? I don't know. Does anybody have? Okay, let's go. You ready? Who likes J.D. Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio? All right. Sounds like a good ticket, J.D. It's a perfect. That was a perfect ticket. By the way, I do believe that's a dream team, but these are minor details. That does not mean you have my endorsement under any circumstance. I think it sounds like presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate. Vice President Vance downplaying the 2028 speculation during a press conference shortly after that moment. I've answered this question probably in any number of ways.

11:37I love Marco. I think he's a great secretary of state. He's become a very, very dear friend. But I think both of us are very much focused on accomplishing the American people's business right now. If I was the American people, there are few things that I would hate more than a person who's barely been in one office for a year and a half, who's angling for a job two and a half years down the road. Let's do a good job now. We are. We just got to keep at it. Mr. Vance still yet to confirm whether he intends to run. People familiar with his thinking previously telling The Post that the vice president planned to postpone any decision until after the birth of his fourth child, who arrived on July 19th.

12:13Mr. Vance telling CBS in June that he expected to discuss the decision with his wife after the midterm elections. Secretary Rubio on NBC in May also insisting his attention remains on his current job. I know this is going to sound like a typical job. I'm going to be in this job for the next two and a half years. I'm going to do that job. I'm going to finish the job for this president. I'm enjoying it very much. I think we're going to make a lot of good things happen. J.D. is a very good friend of mine. If J.D. runs for president, I think he'd be a phenomenal candidate. I've said publicly, and I'll say it again, I'll be the first person to sign up and support him.

12:43I think J.D. would do great. The Secretary of State, also serving as National Security Advisor, rolls the post notes would make it legally and logistically difficult for him to run for president while remaining in office. The advisor, familiar with President Trump's donor remarks, reportedly saying the president still wants Mr. Rubio to join Vance on a future ticket. Whether Secretary Rubio would agree to serve as Vance's running mate remaining unclear. A spokesperson for Secretary Rubio declining to comment to The Washington Post. Coming up, a rapidly strengthening El Nino drawing comparisons to a global catastrophe that killed more than 50 million people.

13:20And a Democrat running for Congress in Hawaii allegedly threatening beachgoers before the confrontation takes a dramatic turn.

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14:44They even stand behind everything they make with a 10-year warranty. Oversized, ultra plush, and completely built for your best summer days. Head to CozyEarth.com, use the code MEGANAM. Do it. Don't forget. It's important for an exclusive 20 % off. That's code MEGANAM for an exclusive 20 % off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, tell them that you heard about Cozy Earth right here. A rapidly strengthening El Nino now drawing comparisons to the catastrophic weather event of 1877 when drought and famine killed more than 50 million people around the world. The current El Nino already reaching unusually intense levels, with Fox Weather reporting water temperatures in the Central Pacific are now more than 2 degrees Celsius above average.

15:32That is reportedly warmer than the same point during several recent so-called Super El Nino events, including those beginning in 1982, 1991, 1997, and 2015. El Nino develops when a large stretch of the tropical Pacific becomes unusually warm, releasing enough energy to shift winds, rainfall, and temperatures around the globe. The natural cycle typically returning every few years, with stronger events actually making certain seasonal weather patterns easier to predict, according to CNN. In the U.S., El Nino generally bringing a milder winter across the northern part of the country and wetter conditions across much of the south.

16:09The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, now predicting an 81 % chance the current event reaches quote, very strong territory between October and December, and a 97 % chance it continues into early spring of next year. Some computer models reportedly suggesting it could rank among the strongest El Nino events since reliable records begin in 1950. The comparisons to 1877 understandably sounding alarming. The Washington Post reporting the El Nino that year helped produce conditions leading to catastrophic crop failures and famine across India, China, Brazil, and other parts of the world.

16:46More than 50 million people eventually dying, representing an estimated 3-4 % of the global population at the time. However, that disaster was not caused by El Nino alone. Drought reportedly spreading for roughly two years before the event reached full strength, while unusual conditions in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans intensifying and prolonging the crisis. CBS News explaining why the consequences of this El Nino are unlikely to resemble the catastrophe of 1877. And in 1877, the impacts of the very strong El Nino were truly catastrophic, with massive crop failures. So could it happen again? In part, yes, we could see very severe droughts, but it's not likely to have the same outcome that brought major areas of food loss to India and China and a very large loss of life.

17:35Those countries were dealing with unique circumstances like swapping food crops to feed populations for cash crops, as well as a lack of irrigation, groundwater, electricity, and global aid. Quite simply, the world is very different from 1877, even if El Nino could match similar temperatures and extreme weather patterns. A Democrat running for Congress in Hawaii now facing criminal charges after allegedly threatening beachgoers before getting knocked out during a confrontation on a Maui beach Saturday. Kirill Basin, running for the Democratic nomination in Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, now charged with two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening following the incident at Kiavakapu Beach.

18:19Basin facing extremely long odds in Saturday's Democrat primary, with prediction market Polymarket giving incumbent Congresswoman Jill Takuda a 100 % chance of winning the nomination. Maui police saying the trouble began when a 61-year-old man asked Basin to turn down his music, Basin allegedly threatening the man before confronting his wife and making statements suggesting he had a firearm and would shoot her. Police saying that at some point outside the view of the camera, Basin allegedly pulled out a knife, threatened several people, and later tossed the weapon into the ocean. The now viral video appearing to capture the tail end of a much longer confrontation between Basin and a group of beachgoers.

19:01Basin launching into a profanity-laced tirade before hearing a woman off camera call him a child. The 40-year-old candidate taking that personally, zeroing in on a group of women and marching toward them. I'm a child. I'm 40 f***ers old. You should act like it. You're a f***er child.

19:21What Basin apparently does not realize, an unrelated bystander with mixed martial arts training is watching the entire scene unfold nearby. Kama Holman describing to Hawaii News Now the moment he decided somebody needed to step in. Maybe I should intervene. And then as I got closer and closer, he was just getting more irate and violent and then saying stuff like, you know, I'm going to hurt you or I can end you. You like scrap to the aunties. Basin later getting arrested and appearing in handcuffs inside a Wailuku courtroom Tuesday, a judge keeping his bail set at$1 million. Basin's attorney, Brandon Siegel, calling the amount, quote, outrageous, while disputing the allegations involving both alleged weapons.

20:07Siegel arguing none of the widely circulating videos shows Basin holding a knife and insisting his client never possessed a firearm during the beach confrontation. Hawaii News Now reporting court records show Basin has previously been arrested in cases involving alleged assault and property damage. Police also accusing Basin of brandishing a firearm during a separate confrontation with Maui County employees in May. The court now recommending that Basin undergo a mental health assessment. That'll do it for your AM update. I'm Emily Jashinski, host of Afterparty. Go and check out more at AfterPartyEmily.com.

20:45Catch The Megyn Kelly Show later today, live on SiriusXM's The Megyn Kelly Channel, 111 at noon east, on YouTube.com slash Megyn Kelly and all podcast platforms.

20:59Hey, Chicagoland! The Wayfair store is in your neighborhood at Edens Plaza in Wilmette. Finally, you can feel the fabric, sit on the sectionals, and even open the refrigerators. Plus, our in-store designers will help you bring it all together with free one-on-one design support for any project on any budget. Yep, we said free. Oh, and did we mention the cafe? So what are you waiting for? Come see all that's in store. Visit the Wayfair store today at Edens Plaza and Wilmette.