The Megyn Kelly Show - Big Tech Held Liable in Major Case, Iran War Support Slides, Dems' Surprise FL Wins: AM Update 3/26
Aired: 2026-03-26
Duration: 16:34


=== Meta Loses Massive Civil Verdict (06:10) ===

[00:00:27]  Good morning, everyone.
[00:00:29]  I'm Emily Jushinski, host of Afterparty and the Megan Kelly wrap-up show on SiriusXM Channel 111.
[00:00:34]  It's Thursday, March 26th, 2026, and this is your AM update.
[00:00:39]  How many willful violations did Meta commit by engaging in an unfair or deceptive trade practice?
[00:00:47]  The jury's answer is 37,500.
[00:00:51]  Two juries delivering two major verdicts, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, putting social media companies on notice.
[00:00:59]  I saw a 15-point plan that was floated in the media.
[00:01:03]  I would caution reporters in this room from reporting about speculative points.
[00:01:08]  The White House says talks with Iran are ongoing, while Tehran says it's not going to negotiate.
[00:01:13]  And new polling shows Americans are increasingly souring on the war.
[00:01:17]  Former DHS Secretary Christy Noam had a top aid reportedly under investigation over billions in no-bid contracts.
[00:01:25]  And Democrats pull off a surprise double win in deep red Florida state legislature elections, including a flip on President Trump's home turf.
[00:01:35]  All that more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.
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[00:02:38]  A pair of verdicts this week delivering a clear message to big tech.
[00:02:42]  Social media companies can be held liable for harm caused by their products.
[00:02:47]  In Los Angeles, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram and YouTube, found liable for harming the plaintiff, a now 20-year-old woman identified as KGM.
[00:02:58]  KGM's legal team arguing features like infinite scrolling, constant notifications, and autoplaying videos are engineered to keep kids on social media, driving compulsive use linked to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide.
[00:03:15]  Yesterday, Meta and YouTube ordered to pay KGM $3 million in compensatory damages.
[00:03:22]  Meta on the hook for 70% of the damages and YouTube covering the rest.
[00:03:26]  This case, the first in a series of bellwether trials in California.
[00:03:31]  Bellwether trials are seen as representative of the totality of cases and can act as a test to gauge how juries may respond to similar suits.
[00:03:40]  The jury continuing deliberations to determine punitive damages the companies owe for malice or fraud, according to the New York Times.
[00:03:47]  Legal analysts drawing comparisons to the big tobacco cases of the 1990s, which led to massive payouts and forced sweeping changes to how cigarettes were marketed, especially to minors.
[00:03:59]  Throughout the trial, Meta's legal team arguing KGM's mental health issues stemmed from her troubled home life.
[00:04:07]  YouTube maintaining it is a streaming platform, not a social media company.
[00:04:11]  The trial running five weeks, featuring testimony from top executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
[00:04:18]  Yesterday's verdict potentially paving the way for more trials and settlements down the line, with thousands of other suits already filed.
[00:04:26]  A spokeswoman for Meta issuing a statement, quote, we respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options.
[00:04:34]  Google, which owns YouTube, planning to appeal.
[00:04:37]  Eight more cases in this series are still set to go to trial.
[00:04:41]  In New Mexico, a separate jury also handing down a major verdict against Meta on Tuesday ordering the company to pay $375 million after finding it failed to adequately protect children from predators on its platforms.
[00:04:57]  The civil suit brought by New Mexico's Attorney General, Raul Torres.
[00:05:01]  Throughout the six-week trial, the state arguing Meta publicly portrayed Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp as safe for children, while downplaying the scale of harmful and exploitative content on its platforms.
[00:05:14]  NBC News legal analyst Misty Maris breaking down the case and the verdict.
[00:05:19]  This was actually brought by the state of New Mexico through the Attorney General, and it's brought under a consumer frauds statute, which says you can't be deceptive and cause harm to consumers in the state.
[00:05:31]  And the theory was, according to the Attorney General, that these, that Meta, Instagram and Facebook, were breeding grounds for sexual predators and that they were willfully concealing these dangers from those consumers.
[00:05:44]  The jury clearly agreeing and finding them liable.
[00:05:47]  Again, this is civil and to the tune of significant civil penalties, which are $5,000 per violation.
[00:05:54]  So that requires a showing of willful conduct, Yaz, which means that it was done purposefully for the point of maximizing profit.
[00:06:01]  After less than a day of deliberations, the jury finding Meta committed tens of thousands of violations.
[00:06:08]  Here, the judge reading part of the verdict.
[00:06:10]  In accordance with the civil penalty instruction and the instructions as a whole, how many willful violations did Meta commit by engaging in unfair or deceptive trade practice?
[00:06:24]  The jury's answer is 37,500.
[00:06:28]  Meta responding to the verdict in a statement, quote, we respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal.
[00:06:34]  AG Torres yesterday on the Today Show reacting to the verdict.

=== Congressional Hints at Ground Ops (09:32) ===

[00:06:38]  It should be a clear signal to everyone in this space and to Mr. Zuckerberg in particular that enough is enough.
[00:06:45]  It's time to change the way they do business.
[00:06:48]  AG Torres' office also pursuing a similar case against Snapchat parent company Snap, which is currently in the discovery phase.
[00:06:57]  New polling now signaling growing public skepticism over the U.S. military's Operation Epic Fury in Iran.
[00:07:05]  A survey from Pew Research finding a majority of Americans disapprove of President Trump's handling of the conflict.
[00:07:11]  61% disapproving compared to 37% who approve.
[00:07:16]  The poll conducted from March 16th through the 22nd, showing just 38% of Americans believe launching the operation was the right decision, while 59% say it was wrong.
[00:07:28]  And on the question of how the war is going, more Americans say not well.
[00:07:32]  45% compared to just 25% who say it's going very well or extremely well.
[00:07:38]  The divide remaining sharply partisan.
[00:07:41]  90% of Democrats disapproving.
[00:07:43]  Among Republicans, just 69% approve of the president's handling of the conflict.
[00:07:48]  On Tuesday, the New York Times reporting the United States sent Iran a 15-point peace proposal aimed at ending the war.
[00:07:55]  The Times noting it did not obtain a copy of the plan, but citing officials familiar with the proposal who say it broadly addresses Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
[00:08:05]  Yesterday, Iran's foreign minister telling state media the country does not intend to enter negotiations with the United States, but confirming that an American proposal to end the war is now under review by senior leadership in Tehran.
[00:08:19]  At the White House yesterday, Press Secretary Caroline Levitt pushing back on reports that talks may be stalling.
[00:08:25]  Talks continue.
[00:08:26]  They are productive, as the president said on Monday, and they continue to be.
[00:08:30]  However, I saw a 15-point plan that was floated in the media.
[00:08:34]  I would caution reporters in this room from reporting about speculative points or speculative plans from anonymous sources.
[00:08:42]  The White House never confirmed that full plan.
[00:08:44]  There are elements of truth to it, but some of the stories I read were not entirely factual.
[00:08:49]  So I am not going to negotiate on behalf of the president here at the podium.
[00:08:53]  What I will tell you is these talks are ongoing.
[00:08:56]  We're not going to get into the nitty-gritty details that have been exchanged between the United States and Iran at this time.
[00:09:02]  But just hours later, a direct contradiction from Tehran.
[00:09:06]  According to the Associated Press, Iranian former minister Abbas Araktri saying, quote, no negotiations have happened with the enemy until now, and we do not plan on any negotiations.
[00:09:18]  Oh boy.
[00:09:19]  On the Hill, Pentagon officials briefing lawmakers on the operation.
[00:09:23]  According to Wall Street Journal reporter Alex Ward, at least three congressional Republicans, including the chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, strongly hinting that a ground operation could potentially be underway soon.
[00:09:35]  This coming amid reports that the military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 paratroopers to the region.
[00:09:41]  Tomorrow marks the start of week five of Operation Epic Fury.
[00:09:46]  Coming up, former DHS Secretary Christy Noam and her former aide reportedly under investigation over billions paid out in no-bid contracts.
[00:09:55]  And two state legislature wins for Democrats in Deep Red Florida, including a flip in President Trump's home district.
[00:10:02]  Could spell trouble for Republicans this November.
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[00:11:06]  Former Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noam now reportedly under investigation by her own department's watchdog, along with her alleged lover and colleague Corey Lewandowski, over the awarding of billions in government contracts.
[00:11:19]  Noam formally exiting the department earlier this week, her ouster following a string of controversies, including that $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign prominently featuring herself.
[00:11:32]  I'm Christy Noam.
[00:11:34]  Anyone who searches for freedom can always find a home here.
[00:11:37]  But that freedom's a precious thing, and we defend it vigorously.
[00:11:42]  You cross the border illegally, we'll find you.
[00:11:45]  That ad blitz drawing bipartisan scrutiny on Capitol Hill, with even Republican Senator John Kennedy pressing Noam about it during a recent hearing.
[00:11:53]  No, ma'am.
[00:11:54]  I'm asking you, sorry to interrupt, but the president approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently.
[00:12:08]  Yes, sir.
[00:12:08]  We went through the legal processes.
[00:12:10]  Did it correctly work with OMB?
[00:12:12]  Yes.
[00:12:13]  He did.
[00:12:15]  Now, the contracting process behind that spending reportedly facing deeper scrutiny.
[00:12:20]  According to the Daily Mail, senior DHS officials say the department's inspector general has opened an investigation into how major contracts were approved, including no-bid deals worth billions.
[00:12:32]  Investigators reportedly ordering dozens of current and former officials, including members of Nome's inner circle, to preserve communications like emails, texts, and phone records.
[00:12:43]  The probe extending beyond the ad campaign, focusing on a broader pattern of contract approvals tied directly to Nome's office.
[00:12:51]  During her tenure, Noam implementing a policy requiring personal approval for expenses totaling more than $100,000.
[00:12:59]  The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has not accused anyone of a crime, and the investigation remains ongoing.
[00:13:06]  But according to the Daily Mail, some contractors told White House officials that Lewandowski allegedly sought financial incentives tied to contract access, referred to as the Lewandowski tax.
[00:13:18]  Claims he denies.
[00:13:20]  Lewandowski responding to the Daily Mail's reporting, calling it, quote, fake news.
[00:13:24]  The Daily Mail says it contacted Noam, the White House, and DHS for comment.
[00:13:28]  No response as a publication.
[00:13:31]  We also reached out to the White House and have not yet heard back.
[00:13:34]  If investigators ultimately find evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the case could be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution.
[00:13:44]  A Florida State House seat flips in President Trump's own backyard, highlighting what Democrats hope is a shift in momentum heading into 2026.
[00:13:53]  In a trio of special elections in deep red Florida Tuesday night, Democrats scoring two big wins.
[00:13:59]  Republicans holding on to one state House seat.
[00:14:02]  Democrat Brian Nathan defeating Republican Josie Tomko in a narrow upset, winning a Tampa area seat in the state Senate by just over 400 votes.
[00:14:12]  Nathan, a Navy veteran, flipping a seat Republicans carried by about 10 points just two years ago, despite a sizable GOP voter registration advantage.
[00:14:21]  Elsewhere in the state, Democrats flipping the Palm Beach County House District containing President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home and club.
[00:14:28]  Territory President Trump carried by about 10 points in 2024.
[00:14:33]  Democrat Emily Gregory, an Army wife who runs a women's gym, centering her campaign on that familiar Democrat message, affordability, zeroing in on housing, health care, and insurance costs.
[00:14:45]  Gregory defeating Trump-endorsed Republican John Maples for the open seat by about three points.
[00:14:51]  Gregory speaking to CNN Tuesday night after the victory.
[00:14:55]  Since President Trump's term started, the Democrats have flipped more than 20 legislative seats.
[00:15:01]  You're just adding to that.
[00:15:02]  How does that feel?
[00:15:04]  I think it's a real reaction to the current policies at the national and state level.
[00:15:10]  And I think that is a clear indication from voters it's the wrong track.
[00:15:13]  And go ahead, legislatures, go ahead, representatives, focus on property insurance, health care, education.
[00:15:21]  Focus on the things that Floridians care about.
[00:15:23]  Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams telling the AP, quote, if Mar-a-Lago is vulnerable, imagine what's possible this November.
[00:15:32]  Williams going on to say Tuesday's race was the 29th seat that Democrats have flipped from Republican control since President Trump took office.
[00:15:40]  Meanwhile, Republican Hillary Hawley handily defeated Democrat Edwin Perez in House District 51, covering the area between Tampa and Orlando.com/slash At Noon East on youtube.com/slash Megan Kelly and all podcast platforms.
[00:16:10]  Oi!

=== Democrats Flip Twenty-Nine Seats (00:23) ===

[00:16:11]  It's a little bit of a lasagna.
[00:16:12]  Yeah, but it's just Toro.
[00:16:15]  Just Toro.
[00:16:16]  It's just a little bit of a little bit.
[00:16:20]  Fyldig sauce, deilig smak, and everyone likes it.
[00:16:23]  When it's so easy to make something so good, why is it difficult to make it?
[00:16:28]  Toro, really good enough!
[00:16:33]  We all agree.