Trump's Surgeon General Pick OUT, Anti-ICE Protest Assault, Meat-Alzheimer's Study: AM Update 5/1

0:00To realize the future America needs, we understand what's needed from us. To face each threat head on. We've earned our place in the fight for our nation's future. We are Marines. We were made for this. Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's May, Friday, May 1st, to be exact, and this is your AM update. Trump withdraws his Surgeon General nominee, Dr. Casey Means, out. after facing resistance from one particular GOP senator. We're going to make this happen, and we're going to show the rest of the country that this is the politics of the future. Governor Janet Mills dropping out of the main Democrat Senate primary, clearing the field for a surging progressive challenger to take on GOP Senator Susan Collins in the general election.

0:50Get away from it. No, hit the f*** off of me. Stop touching me. Three members of the same family now facing federal charges accused of assaulting a Turning Point USA reporter covering an anti-ice protest. And new research suggests eating more meat could lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's if you carry a specific gene. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.

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2:03You have nothing to lose. Their US customer service team is standing by to help you switch in as little as 10 minutes. Just dial pound 250 and say Megyn Kelly to claim unlimited high-speed data for just$34.99. Again, dial pound 250 and say Megyn Kelly to switch to America's wireless company, Pure Talk. Try it out. President Trump yesterday pulling his nomination of Dr. Casey Means as Surgeon General. Means his nomination stalling on the Hill amid opposition from some, including one senator in particular, skeptical of her views on vaccines, which align closely with those of HHS Secretary RFKJ. Here, an exchange from Casey Means' February confirmation hearing with that senator, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a Republican and medical doctor.

2:58Do you believe that vaccines, whether individually or collectively, contribute to autism? The reality is that we have an autism crisis that's increasing, and this is devastating to many families, and we do not know as a medical community what causes autism. The administration has just committed a huge amount of funding to look at the exposome of all environmental factors that could be contributing to autism, and until we have a clear understanding of why kids are developing this at higher rates, I think we should not leave any stones unturned. There's been a lot of evidence showing that they're not implicated.

3:36Do you not accept that evidence? I do accept that evidence. I also think that science is never settled. President Trump posting to Truth Social, quote, for months, Senator Bill Cassidy of the great state of Louisiana has stood in the way of RFKJ's nominee, Casey Means, for the important position of U.S. Surgeon General. In a subsequent post, President Trump adding, quote, hopefully all of the great Republican people of Louisiana, which I won big three times, will be voting Bill Cassidy out of office in the upcoming Republican primary. Senator Cassidy is speaking yesterday to reporters about the president's comments.

4:16What do you say to the president? Are you disloyal to the president of the United States? I'm going to work to the United States of America, and I'm going to do my darndest and work with the president. We never worked for the best of the United States of America. Is he going to knock you out of your Senate seat? I don't think so. I mean, you're not concerned about the president's opposition to you? The people in Louisiana are going to vote for someone who's delivered for Louisiana. And I can look at the things that I've delivered for the state of Louisiana. And it is far more than any of my opponents.

4:44In addition to Senator Cassidy withholding support, Means's nomination reportedly remaining stalled in committee after Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska declined to back her, according to The New York Times. In an interview with The Times, Means saying she will continue to advocate for the Maha movement, adding, quote, I genuinely believe in my heart that the Trump administration is trying to figure out how to move the balls forward. Yes, there are some setbacks, but there are some huge wins, and the way that culture has moved forward in the past year is monumental.

5:20Callie Means, brother to Casey, is a top advisor to Secretary Kennedy, posting to X today, quote, Senator Cassidy worked to smear Casey as anti-vaccine for not saying every American should submit their children to mandatory injections without parental or medical input, which is his view. Secretary Kennedy writing, quote, President Trump's Surgeon General nominee Casey Means stands as one of the Maha movement's most powerful evangelists. By sabotaging this appointment, Bill Cassidy once again did the dirty work for entrenched interests seeking to stall the Maha movement and protect the very status quo that has made America the sickest nation on Earth.

6:02Yesterday afternoon, President Trump announcing the nomination of Dr. Nicole Sapphire for the Surgeon General position. She's a current Fox News contributor. Mr. Trump writing, quote, Nicole is a star physician who has spent her year guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment while tirelessly advocating to increase early cancer detection and prevention. She is also an incredible communicator who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans. Dr. Sapphire in the past making similar statements to those made by Casey Means advocating for parental discretion regarding certain vaccines.

6:39A date for her confirmation hearing is not yet set. Maine Governor Janet Mills dropping out of the Democrat U.S. Senate primary yesterday, clearing the way for controversial progressive left candidate Graham Plattner to take on Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November general election. Governor Mills assumed to be the shoe-in pick to challenge Senator Collins, who has held the seat since 1997, as Maine shapes up to be a crucial election for Democrats hoping to take back the Senate. Despite her establishment endorsements, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Mills consistently trailing Plattner in the polls, often by double digits.

7:24Democrat primary voters increasingly rallying behind Plattner's message, centering on economic populism, anti-establishment reform, and pushing back against corporate influence in politics. Governor Mills releasing a statement, quote, while I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else, the fight to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today, the financial resources. The governor opting not to endorse Plattner, now running in the primary against two other candidates, each averaging a meager two points, according to the RealClear polling average.

8:02Plattner receiving endorsements from several high-profile progressives including Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Plattner's campaign raking in the dough, reporting$4.1 million raised in the first quarter of 2026, in addition to$4.6 million raised in the previous quarter. Governor Mills' campaign reporting about half that,$2.6 million raised in the first quarter and$2.7 million in the last one, according to Politico. Senator Collins on the Republican side raising about$3 million in the first quarter, with$10 million already in the bank. Plattner posting a video to social media yesterday following the governor's announcement.

8:41The win we get today, it comes because of you. It comes because of the work that you've done, that you've put into this. It comes from the fact that you guys believe in this kind of politics, and that we're going to pull this thing off, and we're going to make this happen, And we're going to show the rest of the country that this is the politics of the future, and that working people can organize and they can win. Plattner maintaining strong support in the polls despite several early controversies hitting his campaign. In October, Plattner turning to the Pod Save America podcast to publicly admit to having a Nazi-linked tattoo on his chest.

9:23The ink, a version of a skull and bones resembling a Totenkopf, or death head associated with a Nazi paramilitary organization. Plattner saying he was not aware of the connection when he and some fellow Marines got the tattoos while on military leave in Croatia. A former campaign manager disputing that account, calling Plattner a history buff and saying he was well aware of the Nazi links. Plattner also coming under fire for his prolific Reddit comments, in which he posted a number of controversial statements. The Senate Republican's ex-account posting a video featuring an AI version of Plattner reading some of the comments in question.

10:03Why don't black people tip? I work as a bartender and it always amazes me how solid this stereotype is. I got older and became a communist. Still got the guns, though. I don't trust the fascists to act politely. I did used to love America, or at least the idea of it. These days, I'm pretty disgusted by it all. Plattner telling Politico he was, quote, F-ing around on the internet at a time when I felt lost and very disillusioned with our government, who sent me overseas to watch my friends die. I made dumb jokes and picked fights. But of course I'm not a socialist. I'm a small business owner, a Marine Corps veteran, and a retired shitposter.

10:41Plattner has promised, if elected, to, quote, drag every single person in the White House by subpoena in front of Senate committees over and over again. He has said he's open to adding seats to the U.S. Supreme Court and wants to impeach President Donald Trump, Justice Thomas and Justice Alito. Great. Senator Collins speaking yesterday about the shakeup to CNN. I'm sure this was a very difficult decision for Governor Mills, and I wish her well. She has devoted her life to public service in the state of Maine. Will Plattner be easier to beat in your view? I'm not going to get into the November election at this point.

11:33Senator Collins trailing behind Plattner by 7.6 points, according to the RCP average. The general election set for November 3rd. Coming up, a Turning Point USA reporter attacked at an anti-ICE protest. Now three members of the same family are facing federal charges. And a new study linking greater meat consumption to lower dementia risk, but only for those with a genetic predisposition.

12:26Thank you.

12:33can keep your payments secure. They can provide rewards that families help use to make everyday purchases much more affordable. And the Electronic Payments Coalition says that this Durbin Marshall thing, that it mandates letting corporate megastores cut corners on credit card processing and routing transactions over cheaper, untested networks with weaker security and fewer protections for you. Find out more about it at guardyourcard.com and consider telling Congress to guard your card. A federal grand jury indicting three individuals in connection with an alleged assault on Turning Point USA reporter Savannah Hernandez.

13:1351-year-old Christopher Ostrushko, 46-year-old Dayana Marie Ostrushko, a married couple, and their daughter, 20-year-old Paige, charged in the indictment. Christopher and Paige charged with interference with a federally protected activity and assault. Dayana charged only with assault. The incident occurring April 11th at an anti-ice protest held on federal property outside of the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. The facility serving as an ice field office and detention center. Hernandez telling Fox News tensions rose with the protesters when they discovered her association with TPUSA. Videos filmed from multiple angles showing a group of people surrounding Hernandez shouting and blowing whistles and horns directly in her face as Hernandez attempts to walk away from the crowd.

14:03This moment recorded by Hernandez, who you hear asking to be left alone in this clip.

14:29Leave me, I'm trying to leave. Another video showing Paige, the daughter, appearing to throw several punches, then shoving Hernandez into a chain-link fence. Mother Dayana seen on the video shortly after Hernandez stands back up, appearing to lay a hand on the reporter. Then as Hernandez shouts, quote, stop touching me, Christopher steps in from behind, shoving Hernandez to the ground with two hands into her back. Savannah reporting she sustained a concussion, two sprains, and bruises from the confrontation days after Christopher and Dayana speaking out on the Pushing the Limits podcast, claiming they are not violent people.

15:08You, our guys, are making the claim that Savannah made physical contact first with your daughter. That's when your wife got involved. And then there was a little bit of a, for lack of a better term, mini scuffle there. And then at that moment when you pushed her in the back, You did that out of fear because you were protecting your family and you are saying that your daughter and your wife were assaulted. Is that a fair characterization of your story of what took place? I believe that's a fair characterization. I mean, you said it. That's what I believe. And I just wanted her to leave. That's all I wanted.

15:42I just wanted her to leave so that this whole thing would stop. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche posting to X, quote, Hernandez was allegedly surrounded, physically assaulted, and shoved to the ground, simply because she was identified by the defendants as a conservative journalist. That is not peaceful protest. These deplorable actions as charged in the indictment will not be tolerated in America, and this Department of Justice will always punish unhinged acts of political violence. Hernandez reacting to the charges Wednesday on Fox News. I am incredibly grateful that both the FBI and DOJ have prioritized this and have brought these charges swiftly.

16:20So, I mean, I'm grateful for that. And I really do hope that we see justice served and we see this case through because left wing violence has been a huge issue in this country for a long time. I'm not the first journalist this has happened to. I'm not I'm hopefully going to be the last. But, you know, this sets a very strong precedent and sends a very strong message to the left wing that under this FBI, they're not going to be able to attack people anymore. And that in itself, to me, means a lot. New research out of Sweden zeroing in on the link between diet and genetic risk for Alzheimer's. The findings published last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association finding people with a certain genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease who consume more meat, particularly unprocessed meat like steak or ground beef as opposed to bacon or deli meat, have lower risk of developing dementia.

17:14We spoke to the scientists behind the work, Dr. Sarah Garcia-Tachik and Dr. Jacob Norgrian of the Karolinska Institute. At the center of it all, a gene everyone carries, the APOE gene, which comes in different variants. Some significantly increase a person's likelihood for developing Alzheimer's. Dr. Norgrian explains. We can say that everybody has the APOE gene, and it comes in three different variants, the APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4. and you get one from each of your parents, meaning that there are six possible combinations which we call genotypes. If you have the APOE4 gene, your Alzheimer's risk is higher compared to the APOE33, particularly if you have a double four.

18:08So in this study, we studied the APOE34 and the ApoE44 compared to the other genotypes. And these risk genotypes make up approximately a quarter of the population, but they account for the majority of Alzheimer's cases. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow says she's got the ApoE4 gene. Actor Chris Hemsworth has two copies of it, dramatically raising his risk of Alzheimer's. The science is not settled on why APOE4 carriers face a higher risk of Alzheimer's, but research has linked the variant to higher cholesterol levels, with evidence suggesting buildup in the brain may interfere with neuron function and contribute to the plaque formation seen in Alzheimer's disease, according to the Wall Street Journal.

18:58APOE4 carriers who consumed more unprocessed meat saw lower mortality and lower cholesterol than APOE4 carriers who ate less meat. The study showing that eating meat every day can lower the risk APOE4 carriers have to that of non-carriers. Dr. Norgrian says there may be an evolutionary explanation for this. What we know is that APOE4 is the oldest genotype. APOE3 is contemporary with modern humans. It's about 200 ,000, 300 ,000 years old. and ApoE2 is even more recent. But the ApoE4 gene occurred for probably a few million years ago. And it might have been that our ancestors at that time consumed a more animal-based diet and could possibly be adapted to a different diet than modern humans.

19:59The researchers suggest APOE4 carriers may absorb more key nutrients from meat than they do from plant-based foods, including nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and zinc that are linked to brain health. These findings also raise bigger questions about how we think about diet more broadly. Many public health guidelines take a one-size-fits-all approach, but Dr. Garcia Tachek says this research underscores the role genetics play in determining the proper diet. I think one of the things our study shows is that brain health needs to be considered when we're doing, when we're writing dietary guidelines.

20:38We need to do more research on the cognitive effects of diet and in particularly look at this effect of ApoE and see if we can replicate it in other cohorts. We have to remind everyone that this is a relatively small cohort in Sweden, and we need to make sure that this transfers to other populations. In future, if we can replicate this across cohorts or even do a clinical trial and understand the mechanisms behind this, this would open the door for more of a precision nutrition or precision recommendations that are tailored to people's genotype. So how does one determine if they are an APOE4 gene carrier?

21:27There's a number of ways to get genotyped. It can be a blood test or other kinds of genetic tests. Some companies offer cheek swabs. It's not particularly complicated, but it's not usually done in routine clinical practice, at least not in Sweden. We do do it for individuals who are getting a workup for a suspicion of dementia. To those who say they'd rather not know, this is real actionable data that may help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's. So maybe consider it. 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 Megan Kelly, and on all podcast platforms.

22:19To realize the future America needs, we understand what's needed from us. To face each threat head on. We've earned our place in the fight for our nation's future. We are Marines. We were made for this.