Calley Means Unloads on Trumpworld, Schumer Faces Revolt, Pilot's Father Speaks Out: AM Update 11/9

(upbeat music) - Good morning everyone, I'm Megan Kelly. It's Monday, November 9th, 2026, and this is your AM update. - He had severe poor advice from people. I think who treated him like a baby in many respects and used him. - Former Maha advisor, Kali Means, going public about some of President Trump's closest current and now former advisors, putting corporate interests ahead of his agenda. - We can't forget about these folks that are causing harm. - Democrats plotting a wave of investigations into President Trump's administration as they prepare to take control of Congress. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer facing resistance from fellow Democrats as he seeks to reclaim the Senate Majority Leader's post in January. And the father of the 20-year-old co-pilot killed in that horrific Florida plane crash, speaking out, defending his daughter's qualifications, and praising her courage in the final moments of the flight. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. - Good news. Birch Gold has extended the Veterans Day silver offer through November 11th. So act now to get a free one ounce silver coin for every $10,000 purchase. This silver coin features the American flag and the Gadson flag, and is a reminder that you saw the writing on the wall and did something about it. You realized we cannot afford the interest payments on our national debt. You realized inflation is still a challenge. And it's time to diversify into gold and silver. Text MK to the number 989898 today and speak with a Birch Gold precious metals specialist. They will help you convert an existing IRA or 401K into an IRA and gold and silver. And then you will receive a free one ounce silver come-memorative coin for every $10,000 you spend. But this offer ends on November 11th. Diversify into gold and silver and get free silver. Text MK to the number 989898. That's MK to 989898 today. [MUSIC PLAYING] Former Trump administration advisor Cali means launching a sweeping attack on some of the most powerful figures in President Trump's inner circle, accusing them of putting corporate interests and political fundraising ahead of the agenda Americans voted to enact. Means a leading voice in the Make America Healthy Again Movement or Maha, and former senior advisor to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. resigning from the admin in late October, frustrated by what he describes as deliberate efforts to undermine the president's health priorities. Means directing some of his most serious accusations at Susie Wiles, who stepped down as White House Chief of Staff following Republicans devastating midterm election losses, just as means appeared with Joe Rogan on the Spotify hosts podcast. President Trump announcing Friday that Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller would replace Wiles. In the two-hour Rogan sit down, means accusing a small group of unelected advisors of wielding extraordinary influence over White House policy, routinely standing in the way of initiatives he believes President Trump and Kennedy were elected to pursue. Means also accusing several of those advisors of maintaining financial ties to the very industries the Maha Movement was seeking to challenge. Susie Wiles is the most powerful Chief of Staff in modern American history. No policy decision gets done without her office, giving it the okay. She has a couple deputies. The deputies are, it was James Blair, another guy named Walker Barrett, and another guy who recently came in named Richard Walters. These are the most powerful people in the country. James Blair, who was the head of political operations, is her friend from Florida. And a long-term political consultant has taken a lot of money from industries like the sugar industry. Tony for Brazios, he's Trump's chief pollster. Every single policy issue goes through him because he tells the team whether it's politically appropriate to do or not based on his polling. He takes money from Pepsi. He takes money from pharmaceutical companies. He takes money from almost every single industry we're fighting against right now to this day. Among the firms means singled out. Ballard partners, the prominent Washington lobbying firm where Wiles previously worked. According to lobbying disclosures cited by CBS News, Ballard recording extraordinary growth during President Trump's second term, becoming one of the most lucrative lobbying operations in Washington. Means alleging that companies hired the firm to gain access to Wiles and influence White House policy decisions. Means also detailing specific policy fights in which he believes corporate interests prevailed over the admins Maha priorities. One of those fights involving the administration's failure to establish a federal definition of ultra-processed foods. The proposed designation intended to lay the groundwork for new nutrition policies and greater scrutiny of products that make up a substantial portion of the American diet. Means alleging White House advisors repeatedly blocked Maha initiatives to protect powerful industry interests, particularly as Republicans sought to raise money ahead of the midterm elections. More here from Means on Rogan. Everyone in DC convinced themselves that money is more important than voters. So you have all these things marketed kids with high sugar. They're actually legally responsible for having studies, showing how the amount of sugar that they're recommending for daily use for kids actually doesn't harm kids. I would imagine they don't have that. They're legally required to have that. This would open up the door to start that conversation, getting the truth out, not nothing regulatory. We did a 60 minutes, we got full White House approval, we went through the interagency process and we were gonna do a big initiative on basic food safety, asking whether the amount of sugar in a children's diet was appropriate. And that's where Susie told me we can't do that. I need the sugar into your money. Means describing a similar conflict involving former deputy chief of staff, James Blair, accusing Blair of pushing policies favorable to the vaping industry while attempting to justify those decisions as politically advantageous. Means saying Blair advocated for the approval of fruit-flavored vaping products, arguing that access to those products was an important issue for younger male voters ahead of the midterms. Blair, who took a leave of absence from his White House position earlier this year to work on Republican midterm efforts, disputing that characterization. In a lengthy response posted to X, Blair denying that he pushed vaping as a major midterm issue, insisting his involvement focused on getting the FDA to process nicotine product applications within the deadlines required by law. Former FDA commissioner Marty McCarry, however, telling CBS News that tobacco industry interests repeatedly pressured him to approve fruit-flavored vaping products. The dispute escalating Saturday as means publicly accused Wiles and Blair of harassing him with calls and texts following the Rogan interview. Ballard partners founder Brian Ballard, also pushing back yesterday, denying that his firm lobbied White House officials to approve fruit-flavored vapes or influence the admin's position on glyphosate. The confrontation unfolding amid a major leadership shake-up in the White House. In addition to Wiles' departure, Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters, one of Wiles' closest political allies, also submitting his resignation Friday. Means continuing his criticism yesterday during an appearance on CBS, doubling down on his accusations against Wiles and the advisers he believes were acting against Maha's interests. -I think he had severe poor advice from people, I think, who treated him like a baby in many respects and used him. -The president's staff treated him like a baby. -Of course. They would block access to and information him all the time. I would be not surprised at all if they had very short conversations on these issues, where the president's just showing you busy and the president said, okay, whatever. -He's not interested. -Yeah, then they used that. It's all like the president wants this. - Means expressing considerable optimism after the appointment of Stephen Miller, describing him as someone who understands the influence of corporate interests in Washington. Means arguing that Miller intends to restore the America First Priorities that brought President Trump back to the White House and break the influence of lobbying firms over federal policy. Several of the officials named by means denying his allegations while defending the administration's Maha record, telling CBS that President Trump has accomplished more for the movement than any previous president, which is kind of like saying, you are the thinnest kid at Fat Camp. Democrats preparing to launch a wave of congressional investigations into President Trump's administration as they get ready to take control of both the House and Senate in January. The DOJ expected to face particularly intense scrutiny as Democrat lawmakers prepared to use their subpoena powers to investigate Attorney General Todd Blanche and other senior administration officials. According to the Washington Post, congressional committees are already hiring investigators, including former federal prosecutors who were fired or left the Justice Department during President Trump's second term. Among the issues Democrats plan to investigate a settlement involving President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leaking of his tax returns. They're also expected to revisit the DOJ's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, examine the prosecution of President Trump's political opponents and investigate the lobbying industry surrounding presidential pardons. Congressman Robert Garcia of California, a potential contender to lead the House oversight. committee already putting Stephen Miller on notice. Garcia warning on X that Miller should quote lawyer up, suggesting he could become a target of congressional investigations. A.G. Todd Blanche firing back yesterday on CNN, if they try to come after Stephen Miller for these, whatever it is that Garcia thinks he's going to do instead of actually just conducting oversight and leading, of course, the Department of Justice will be there to defend him. Just like if they went after any cabinet secretary or any person in government, we do it all the time. Department of Justice lawyers represent members of the executive, and the fact that Congressman Garcia is critical of that shows a remarkable lack of understanding of how government works, and I would be very worried if I was a member on that committee. Congressman Garcia appearing Saturday at Crooked Media's Crooked Con conference, warning that even former Trump administration officials could face investigations. Just because you're a Kimberley Goldfoil or you're Kristi Noam or your Pam Bondi and you're no longer in office, that doesn't mean that we're still not interested in accountability for all of your crimes and grift. We're not going to forget, we can't forget about these folks that are causing harm. I think it's maybe it's because I'm gay, but like, you know, like pettiness is a thing. I'm mad. Democrats also facing growing pressure to pursue impeachment proceedings. House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries, throwing his support behind the effort to impeach secretary of war, Pete Heggseth, telling ABC yesterday that he is a, quote, hard yes on that issue. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, warning that Democrats cannot afford to spend the next two years consumed by investigations into President Trump. Do we want to hold the Trump administration accountable for their corruption, for their illegal, unconstitutional actions? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, when you've got the highest rate of childhood poverty in America of any major country, when 20% of our seniors are trying to survive on $15,000 a year. We cannot spend all of our time investigating Trump. We have to stand up for working class families, make a real difference in their lives. Coming up, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer insisting he will remain the Chamber's top Democrat, despite several newly elected senators calling for a change in leadership, and the grieving father of the young co-pilot killed in last weekend's deadly, learjet crash, pushing back against criticism of his daughter, pointing to her extensive training and experience. You might already own a firearm, but what if you could start with less lethal methods? To avoid the financial and mental repercussions of pulling the trigger? This is where Berna comes in, that's B-Y-R-N-A. 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Try before you buy, visit Berna.com to find a Berna dealer partner near you, that's B-Y-R-N-A.com. Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer facing resistance within his own party, as he prepares to reclaim the majority leader's position. Democrats capturing control of the Senate in last week's midterm elections, flipping at least seven Republican-held seats and securing a majority of at least 54 members. Senator Schumer taking credit for helping engineer those victories, expressing confidence that his colleagues will keep him in charge when the new Congress convenes in January. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Mr. Schumer brushing aside questions about newly elected senators who have publicly vowed to oppose him. The Senator telling the New York Times he does not expect to face any opposition, arguing his caucus is united following its election victories. All several incoming senators are withholding their support, including Senator-elect Abdul al-Sayed of Michigan who has openly discussed supporting a different candidate, al-Sayed yesterday on ABC. Well, voters are choice between two or more options, I don't know what those options are. I want to support somebody who is ready to take action on day one. I have not been impressed by what we've been able to do, let's see where we can go from here, we may very well have a 56 seat majority that is unprecedented, so if we squander that opportunity, it will have been wasted. We've got to treat this as the floor, not the ceiling, and the question to me is, who wants to be the leader, who's going to make sure that we deliver on the mandate that we just got. I want to see who else is in the running. I have been very, very committed to somebody like Senator Chris Van Holland who I know has his eye set on other goals, but let's see. That potential alternative Senator Chris Van Holland of Maryland has also joined the calls for Democrats to reconsider their leadership. Speaking at Crooked Media's conference in Washington Saturday, Senator Van Holland arguing Mr. Schumer should not be handed the position without first explaining how he intends to use the party's new powers. Mr. Van Holland, however, telling CNN that running for a majority leader is not his focus. Senator potential contender, Senator Alyssa Slotkin of Michigan, who has repeatedly called for a new generation of Democrat leaders, you know, the kind of like she is who want to go after young teenagers who volunteer to work for President Trump. Senator Slotkin declining to endorse Schumer during the same conference and not ruling out running herself. Are you planning to vote for Chuck Schumer to be the Senate majority leader? Well, look. I've been very vocal that I think we need a new generation of leadership. If he wants to be a majority leader, what is your plan for the first 100 days? You sure sound like you have ideas about what a majority leader is to do? Why don't you run for Senate majority leader? Well, look, I think we're quite literally on text chains right now, still counting the votes in Alaska and Mississippi, but I think this is like, it's an open field. And I think those conversations are happening rapidly. The resistance extending to several other Democrats who helped deliver the party's unexpected Senate majority among them, Kansas, Senator elect Adam Hamilton, becoming the first dem elected to the Senate from his states since 1932. A former Republican, Mr. Hamilton, campaigning as a moderate, focused on bipartisanship, telling NBC yesterday why he believes Democrats need a new leader. I mean, no disrespect for Chuck Schumer. I just really don't and I've told him that as well. But I think at least where I live in Kansas, he's a kind of polarizing figure. So again, notice respect for Chuck Schumer just, it feels like there's time for, it is a time for fresh and new ideas and somebody who can unite us instead of dividing us. Hamilton joining incoming senators, Troy Jackson of Maine, Annie Andrews of South Carolina, and Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota in calling for new leadership. The father of the 20-year-old co-pilot killed in last weekend's deadly, lear jet crash in Florida, speaking out, defending his daughter's qualifications and praising her courage in the final moments of the doomed flight. Alan Felgeras holding an emotional press conference Friday in Coral Gables, Florida, pushing back against criticism directed at his daughter, Natalia, after recordings of her final communications with air traffic control circulated widely online. The lear jet traveling from Texas to the Bahamas when it encountered severe thunderstorms over Florida, Natalia reporting ice accumulating on the aircraft and turbulence so intense the plane was being tossed up and down by as much as 700 feet. Natalia maintaining remarkable composure as she radioed air traffic controllers declaring an emergency. "We're descending 8,000 made, I made it, we're descending 10,000 feet per minute. We are in an overseas condition, descending 20,000 per minute. We're going to crash into the ground, 72,000, we are descending 22,000 feet and we are banking 60 degrees." The hairling recordings going viral in the aftermath of the crash, fueling speculation about what went wrong and leading to criticism by some of the young co-pilot's experience. Some questioning whether a 20-year-old woman had enough experience to be in the cockpit of a private jet. Her father and his attorney Stuart Grossman, pushing back against that, arguing that Natalia had earned her position through years of rigorous training. Despite her young age, Natalia accumulating more than 1,300 hours of flight experience and according to her attorney, consistently finishing at the top of her class. Her passion for aviation beginning at just 12 years old when her father first introduced her to flying. By 17, she had earned her private pilot's license before she even had a driver's license. Eventually, Natalia becoming an instructor herself, even putting her father a fellow pilot through challenging flight exercises to sharpen his skills. For Natalia, flying, becoming more than a career, her father recalling just how much she loved being in the cockpit. You know, she said, "Dad, can you believe that I would pay for this, but they actually paid me, you know, I would pay for this, but I'm actually getting paid so it wasn't her happiest moment to fly." Foguerus describing his daughter as his soulmate and for calling the agony of knowing she was fighting for her life in the cockpit while he could do nothing to help. After listening to her final radio transmissions repeatedly, the grieving father finding pride in the determination he heard in her voice. She made me so proud. She showed me what it is to be a hero because once you see that coming, a lot of the big boys, military or whatever, they can't handle. And she was the one over there to the last minute fighting. And I did listen to that many times, trying to find a clue in my head, how that happened, wow, she's tough. The National Transportation Safety Board still investigating what caused the crash, recovering pieces of the jet's tail nearly four miles from the impact site. Investigators confirming that portions of the aircraft broke apart in mid-air, but have not determined whether that contributed to the crash or happened as the plane was already plunging toward the ground. Grossman stressing the family has not filed a lawsuit or accused anyone of wrongdoing, they intend to review the NTSB's findings before determining whether to pursue legal action. The crash also claiming the lives of Captain Jeff Gregory and seven passengers, including Austin, technology entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, their two young children, the family's nanny, and two close friends. And that'll do it for your AM update. I'm Megan Kelly. Join me back here for the MK Show. Live on Serious Exams, the Megan Kelly Channel 111 at New East on youtube.com/megankelly and on all podcast platforms.