Jason Arday Found Dead, Mangione Pleads Guilty in Federal Case, USS Lincoln Relief: AM Update 8/17

0:00The Colonel's cooked up a new$10 bucket of the day just for you. Monday, 24 nuggets for$10. Tuesday, 8-piece fried chicken for$10. Wednesday, 10 wings for$10. Thursday, 8 tenders for$10. Friday, 24 nuggets for... Ooh, you guessed it, didn't you? $10. Find a lickin' machine. The$10 bucket of the day deal. Every weekday, only at KFC. It's finger lickin' good. Prices and participation vary. Supplies last. Not available on third-party ordering platforms. Tax extra. Good morning, everyone. I'm Megan Kelly. It's Monday, August 17th, 2026, and this is your AM Update. Former Cambridge professor Jason Arde found dead days after resigning amid allegations of plagiarism and lying.

0:47New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and punished twice for the exact same crime. Luigi Mangione pleading guilty in federal court to stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, then moving to get his separate state murder case thrown out. That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship. The USS George Washington heading to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln amid growing scrutiny over conditions aboard the carrier. And CBS News correspondent Matt Gutman facing workplace harassment allegations in a new wrongful termination lawsuit.

1:29All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.

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3:32Arde's memoir, Great and Unfortunate Things, hitting bookstores last week. The 41-year-old reportedly found unresponsive at a home in the Battersea neighborhood of South London. Police describing his death as unexpected but saying it is not suspicious, and with no cause of death publicly announced, it is believed to have been a suicide. Arday becoming an international academic celebrity in 2023 when, at 37, he was named Cambridge University's youngest ever Black professor. His rise powered by an extraordinary, unbelievable, alleged life story. The son of Ghanaian immigrants, Arday said he was diagnosed with autism as a child, that he did not speak until he was almost 12, could not read or write until 18, and nevertheless went on to earn a doctorate before becoming a professor at one of the world's most prestigious universities.

4:26Over the years, Arde claiming he survived a remarkable series of medical and personal challenges, including epilepsy, cancer, a brain tumor, a stroke, and more, while simultaneously becoming one of the world's most elite endurance athletes and distance runners, not to mention prolific charity fundraiser. Then the dam broke. Over the past several weeks, substantial parts of his origin story beginning to come undone. The controversy initially centering on plagiarism allegations involving Arde's doctoral dissertation, questions then spreading well beyond his academic record to virtually every part of his bio.

5:05The Washington Free Beacon reporting last week that several dramatic episodes presented as true in Arde's newly released memoir bear striking similarities to storylines from movies and television programs he had previously discussed enjoying. Those disputed accounts reportedly including stories surrounding his childhood disabilities and an alleged violent attack Arday said left him with epilepsy, but in which he became the hero, forgiving his attackers and becoming godfather to one of their children. Cambridge initially defending Arde after saying the plagiarism allegations were for his doctoral university to handle, before opening a new investigation earlier this month after receiving what the university described as additional information.

5:52Arde resigning that same day without admitting wrongdoing. In an open resignation letter, Arde writing, quote, I no longer wish to feel as though I am living under a constant spotlight where every aspect of my life is subject to public examination and judgment. In a statement released through Simon and Schuster UK following his death, his family accusing critics of subjecting Arde to what they called a years-long, quote, campaign of sustained abuse, arguing a, quote, campaign of misinformation had ultimately become too much for him. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reacting to the news of Arde's death.

6:28It's a tragedy on so many levels, but particularly just for everybody who knew Jason, his family, obviously, his friends. We think of them today. It's not a moment for any rushing to judgment. It's a moment for reflection, I would say. The university's vice chancellor saying Cambridge is now focused on supporting its community following Arde's death. Others arguing Arde's death should force scrutiny not just of the accusations against him, but of Cambridge's decision to elevate him in the first place, making him a target. We'll have more on this later today on the MK Show. Luigi Mangione pleading guilty on Friday to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, then immediately moving to use that conviction to try to wipe out the separate murder case against him in New York State Court.

7:24Mangione facing two federal counts of stalking, resulting in death over the December 2024 killing. Prosecutors accuse him of tracking down Thompson before shooting him outside a Manhattan hotel. 28-year-old Mangione appearing in federal court in Manhattan Friday in a beige prison uniform and ankle shackles, telling Judge Margaret Garnett his mind was clear and that he understood he could face as much as life in prison. Mangione entering the guilty plea without any deal in place with federal prosecutors, leaving his sentence entirely up to the judge. Prosecutors calculating the federal sentencing guidelines at roughly 24 to 30 years, Judge Garnett saying she will determine the appropriate sentence herself.

8:07Mangione giving the court his own account of the crime, describing years of back pain, saying he learned UnitedHealthcare would hold its annual investor conference in Manhattan in December 2024, and that he researched where it would take place. Mangione telling the judge, quote, in November of 2024, I traveled from outside of New York State to Manhattan. Mangione adding that he emailed UnitedHealthcare Leadership, quote, posing as an investor at a firm managing over$50 billion in assets and requesting information about the conference. Mangione saying he received a response within an hour, the statement concluding, quote, I shot Mr.

8:46Thompson in Manhattan and he died. I knew what I was doing was illegal. CNN reports Thompson's widow became visibly emotional as Mangione entered his plea. Mangione's federal sentencing now set for December 18th. Almost immediately after the proceeding, Mangione's attorneys filing a motion, asking a New York state judge to dismiss the separate state charges against him. Defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifolo speaking outside court. It was a single tragic event, yet he's being prosecuted twice for the same conduct. Despite this being a single isolated event, Mr. Mangione has been unfairly treated since the outset in every way and has successfully fought off terrorism charges and the death penalty, while also fighting at the same time two simultaneous prosecutions in two jurisdictions who are trying to punish him twice for the exact conduct.

9:42New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and punished twice for the exact same crime under a statute that governs successive prosecutions. It's also known as the double jeopardy law. Today's guilty plea triggers this statute. The Manhattan DA's office sees the matter very differently, insisting the state murder case can and will move forward. The major legal question now shifting to whether Mangione's federal guilty plea can actually block New York from prosecuting him over the same killing. We spoke with the MK True Crime Show co-host Phil Holloway, who tells us Mangione's attorneys made the strongest move available to them.

10:24I've got to hand it to his lawyers because Mangione's lawyers did probably the best thing they could have done for their client, considering that he gunned someone down in the street right there in the public for everyone to see. As this plays out, you know, they're trying to get the federal charges to essentially supersede the state charges. But if the state charges go away, then he's simply left with federal sentencing, which could be as little as 20 years, but could also be up to like life in prison. With Mangione now convicted federally, Holloway breaking down the narrower question facing the state court, whether New York can still prosecute the same killing under a different charge.

11:08New York law basically says if the federal government has prosecuted someone for a certain crime, then New York will not prosecute them for the same transaction or occurrence. And that's the key words, transaction or occurrence. Well, clearly, this is the same criminal transaction. Now, there are a few exceptions that the prosecutors in New York will say apply to keep the New York case alive. Certain things like if there's a different element or certain factual differences, different harms that the different criminal statutes are trying to prevent against, there's an argument to be made that double jeopardy will not apply.

11:52But I think it's an uphill swim for the prosecutors in New York. I think that in all likelihood, we may very well see the New York case dismissed eventually on double jeopardy grounds. If the state case does survive, Holloway says Mangione's own words in federal court could become a major problem for his defense. In the event that the New York State trial does go forward, every word uttered by Mangione in federal court, specifically the parts where he admitted to gunning down his victim in cold blood, those were his words. Everything you say in court can and will be used against you, right? So that's the way that's going to play out.

12:34He absolutely will have his own words used against him. So I think that the defense, the Mangione defense, is betting the farm on double jeopardy because at this point, there's really no way unless you get a rogue juror of some kind of stealth juror who's hell-bent to derail the trial, there's just no way he can win the New York case now. Even after the federal case and New York murder case are resolved, Mangione still has another prosecution waiting for him in Pennsylvania, stemming from his arrest there five days after Thompson's killing. Holloway tells us what to expect after the New York case is resolved.

13:13It's important to remember that he's still facing very serious charges in the state of Pennsylvania. And of course, there is no double jeopardy considerations with regard to the Pennsylvania charges. And they're very serious. He's charged with felony forgery, carrying a firearm without a license, which is also a felony, various misdemeanors, including tampering with records, possessing instruments of a crime and false identification. He's facing, theoretically, up to a maximum of 28 years in the Pennsylvania case. So once New York and the federal courts get finished with Luigi Mangione, off to Pennsylvania, he goes for Pennsylvania prosecution.

13:56Coming up, the USS Abraham Lincoln finally heading home after an extended Middle East deployment as sailors and their families speak out about conditions aboard the carrier. And a former ABC News producer accusing now CBS News correspondent Matt Gutman of workplace harassment in a new lawsuit.

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15:06Find out more at guardyourcard.com and consider telling Congress to guard your card. The USS George Washington aircraft carrier now heading to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, ending an unusually long wartime stretch for the Lincoln amid growing scrutiny over conditions aboard the carrier. U.S. officials telling the Wall Street Journal the rotation was already planned before those concerns began drawing widespread attention. The Lincoln leaving San Diego for what was initially expected to be a roughly seven-month deployment last November to the Pacific, before being redirected to the Middle East in January ahead of the war with Iran.

15:48The carrier playing a major role in Operation Epic Fury and remaining in the region to support the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. The ship now deployed for more than 250 days, including more than 200 days without a port call, according to Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. That extended stretch at sea increasingly becoming the focus of reports about conditions aboard the Lincoln. Earlier this month, MS Now reporting that a dozen family members described shortages of fresh food and basic hygiene supplies, along with plumbing problems, mold, and growing concern about the strain on sailors.

16:27CNN reporting one sailor went overboard August 3rd wearing a life vest. That sailor rescued, medically evaluated, and later taken off the ship for additional care. The Navy reportedly treating the incident as a mental health incident. Military Times separately reporting, based on accounts from family members, that multiple sailors have attempted to go overboard during the extended deployment. President Trump addressing the controversy on Friday, confirming to reporters the Lincoln would soon be replaced. Family members of U.S. service members are concerned about the conditions on the Well, no, that ship is moving.

17:05No, they're not. That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship. No, no, no. Not nearly long enough. Thank you, everybody. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth calling the reports, quote, completely misrepresented. One wife of a service member aboard the Lincoln telling CNN on Friday she believes the administration is dismissing legitimate concerns from sailors and their families. Have some sympathy, some empathy. Take some accountability for what's going on with your military, your ships, in your war, in your war. It's infuriating. I mean, we heard what Hegseth said yesterday, what the president is saying today.

17:53It's infuriating. saying, essentially saying that families are lying and service members are lying, even though the proof is right here on my phone. It is not fabricated. Nobody is lying. Everybody is, is, is, it's infuriating that they're not taking accountability and not having any sort of sympathy for our service members. Although some of the most dramatic reports have focused on food, supplies and plumbing, CNN's Pamela Brown describing a more nuanced picture after she spent several days aboard the Lincoln last month. Brown speaking with sailors who openly described low morale and the strain of the extended deployment, while also hearing from crew members who spoke positively about their shipmates and their work.

18:39In a text to Brown, one sailor writing, quote, Yeah, we have days where it was bad, but I feel like they're showing all the bad and no good. But another sailor telling Brown the bigger frustration was the repeated extension of a deployment that was never expected to become a months-long combat mission. Officials telling the Wall Street Journal the conditions described aboard the Lincoln are not necessarily unusual during wartime, while acknowledging that going months without a port call can take a significant toll on a crew. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper releasing a statement yesterday following a trip aboard the Lincoln on Saturday, writing in part, quote, of the U.S.

19:18Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health. Admiral Cooper continuing, quote, This does not mean that all is perfect. Find any of the nearly 4 million Navy veterans in America today, and they will likely tell you that service at sea for long periods is not for everyone. The CENTCOM commander adding that mental health is another aspect of health, just like physical and spiritual health, and that it is a leadership priority. CBS News correspondent Matt Guttman facing allegations of workplace harassment from his old job, brought by a former ABC News producer in a wrongful termination hostile work environment lawsuit filed against Guttman, ABC News, and its parent company, Disney.

20:06Guttman now works at CBS News after nearly two decades at ABC, joining CBS in January as one of the first major on-air hires under editor-in-chief Barry Weiss. According to The Hollywood Reporter, now former ABC News field producer, Sumira Saeed, alleges Gutman created a hostile work environment during two incidents while they worked together at the network. Saeed working at ABC from 2021 until she was fired in March of 2025, with the lawsuit reportedly alleging that during one assignment, she was the only woman on a team of men when Gutman began discussing the appearance of a female correspondent.

20:45According to the suit, Gutman allegedly began rating the women's looks numerically, with other male members of the crew joining in and discussing her body and appearance. The lawsuit claiming the men then tried to bring Saeed into the conversation, though she reportedly refused and told them the discussion was not appropriate. Saeed alleging a second incident while she and Gutman were covering a press event for a movie release, apparently in New York City. According to the lawsuit, the two disagreed over whether the crew should leave the location when Gutman allegedly suggested Saeed must have a date in the city, and that was why she wanted to stay.

21:22From the lawsuit, quote, the remark made audibly to others demeaned Saeed and reduced her professional judgment to a sexualized stereotype. The lawsuit now bringing renewed attention to Gutman's previous controversies during his years at ABC. Last year, Gutman facing widespread backlash while covering the assassination of Charlie Kirk. After describing text messages between accused killer Tyler Robinson and his romantic partner, furry trans person Lance Twiggs, as follows. It was very touching in a way that I think many of us didn't expect. A very intimate portrait into this relationship between the suspect's roommate and the suspect himself with him repeatedly calling his roommate who was transitioning, calling him my love and I want to protect you, my love.

22:10So it was this duality of someone who the attorney said not only jeopardized the life of Charlie Kirk and the crowd, but was doing it in front of children, which is one of the aggravating circumstances of this case. And on the other hand, he was, you know, speaking so lovingly about his partner. Gutman apologizing for those remarks the following day. Saeed now seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as attorney's fees. CBS News declining to comment to The Hollywood Reporter, while the outlet reports representatives for ABC News and Gutman also did not respond. We will have legal analysis today on The MK Show.

22:47And that'll do it for your AM Update. I'm Megan Kelly. Join me back here for The MK Show, live on SiriusXM's The Megan Kelly Channel, 111 at noon east, on youtube.com slash megankelly, and on all podcast platforms.

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