Epstein Report Exposes Failures, 2028 Dem Race Contenders, Cruise Murder Confession: AM Update 11/11

Good morning, everyone. I'm Megan Kelly. It's Wednesday, November 11th, 2026, and this is your AM update. The government done its job. Much of this abuse could have been prevented. Congress releasing its long-awaited Jeffrey Epstein report detailing the preferential treatment he received and investigative failures. So lately a lot of people have been asking me about what's next? The race for the 2028 Democrat presidential nomination already taking shape as several potential contenders offer new clues about their political ambitions. A Texas man accused of murdering his wife aboard a cruise ship, court documents revealing disturbing details about his confession, and nearly 200 million Americans bracing for their first taste of winter as plunging temperatures and the possibility of snow sweep across much of the country. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. 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The House Oversight Committee releasing its long awaited report on Jeffrey Epstein yesterday, concluding that years of government failures allowed the convicted sex offender to continue abusing young women and girls. The report coming after a 15-month investigation into Epstein's crimes, his powerful connections, and the federal government's handling of his case. Republican committee chairman James Comer announcing the findings. We conducted 19 witness interviews or depositions, subpoenaed the Department of Justice, Epstein's estate and two major banks and reviewed financial records from the Department of Treasury to uncover the truth. What we found is both heartbreaking and infuriating. These women endured unimaginable abuse and the federal government failed them at nearly every turn. Had the government done its job, much of this abuse could have been prevented. The report offering few major new revelations about Epstein's powerful associates, but providing new details about his controversial 2007 plea agreement, which allowed him to avoid federal prosecution and serve just 13 months on lesser state charges. During his sentence, Epstein permitted to leave jail for up to 12 hours a day, six days a week, supposedly to work at the Florida Science Foundation, described by congressional investigators as a "sham corporation." Epstein also allowed to travel in private vehicles escorted by paid, off-duty deputies, receive visitors without constant supervision, and visit his Palm Beach mansion. Several survivors alleging Epstein continued sexually abusing them during his work release program. The report also questioning potential conflicts of interest, including a federal prosecutor who failed to disclose a past romantic relationship with an attorney representing Epstein. A 2020 DOJ review, however, finding no evidence of prosecutorial misconduct. The committee highlighting testimony that Epstein ordered computers and hard drives removed from his Palm Beach residence before a police search in 2005. According to the committee, federal prosecutors believed the missing equipment could contain critical evidence of sexual exploitation. Prosecutors ultimately abandoned efforts to recover the equipment amid resistance from Epstein's attorneys and negotiations over his plea agreement. The report also scrutinizing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik, who acknowledged visiting Epstein's private island with his family in 2012, despite previously claiming he cut ties with Epstein in 2005. Secretary Lutnik maintaining their interactions were limited and denying any wrong doing. As for President Trump, the Republican led investigation finding no evidence implicating him in Epstein's criminal activities. The committee now urging the DOJ to investigate sexual assault allegations made by Epstein's longtime assistant Sarah Kellen, who testified that former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine and celebrity hairstylist Fredrick Fakai sexually assaulted her, both men previously denying wrongdoing. Congressman Comer also pushing legislation aimed at preventing non-disclosure agreements from being used to silence alleged victims of sexual abuse. Our investigation exposed how powerful men used non-disclosure agreements to silence survivors. No one should face legal threats for telling the truth. That's why I introduced the survivor's voice protection act, protecting survivors and witnesses who speak out about these crimes. Congressional Democrats criticizing the report as incomplete, arguing that Republicans failed to fully investigate Epstein's powerful associates. The committee's top Democrat, Congressman Robert Garcia, criticizing the lack of public hearings and what he considers insufficient scrutiny of President Trump's relationship with Epstein. The Congressman also questioning Galein Maxwell's transfer to a minimum security prison following her interview with then-deputy attorney-general Todd Blanche. Democrats planning to resume the investigation themselves when they take control of Congress in January. Congressman Garcia promising public hearings saying, quote, "Our work is just getting started." With Democrats preparing to take control of Congress following last week's midterm elections, attention turning toward the 2028 presidential nomination. Potential contenders already testing the waters, traveling the country, raising their profiles and laying the groundwork for possible campaigns. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, fueling speculation yesterday with the announcement of a new book titled Next, scheduled for release in January. So lately a lot of people have been asking me about what's next, and as a chance would have it, I have been thinking about exactly that subject for about a year. On Tuesday, in the election, Americans sent a powerful message, a rejection of the status quo, and a demand for something better. I am proud to announce and excited to release my new book Next. It's not a policy manual. It's an account of how we got here, and an argument about what could happen if America takes big swings to reform our political system. If we do that, we can have a life that is better, not just better than today, but better than before. Ahead of the midterms, Buttigieg campaigning in roughly three dozen states, the former South Bend, Indiana mayor, winning the Iowa caucuses during his 2020 presidential campaign before withdrawing after a fourth place finish in South Carolina. Buttigieg later serving as President Biden's Transportation Secretary, drawing criticism for taking parental leave during the 2021 supply chain crisis, as cargo ships backed up at American ports. Former VP Kamala Harris, also considering another presidential run, Harris campaigning for Democrat candidates across the country ahead of the midterms, including winning Senate candidates John Assoff in Georgia, Abdul El Sayyad in Michigan, and Scott Kalom in Mississippi. In an interview published Sunday by The Nation, Ms. Harris arguing national Democrats have made a mistake by abandoning much of the South, pointing to population growth and economic concerns as reasons to compete in traditionally Republican states. As for another presidential run, Harris acknowledging her in decision during an October interview with CNN. Another potential contender, Marilyn Gov. Wes Moore fresh off a landslide re-election victory last week, more winning by more than 30 points, although his growing national profile now coinciding with renewed scrutiny of his military service in Afghanistan. ABC7 reporting new allegations from a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, who supervised Moore during his deployment in Afghanistan in 05 and 06. The Lieutenant Colonel disputing Moore's past claims about leading soldiers into combat, contending that Moore primarily served in a staff position and did not personally experience direct combat. In 2024, The New York Times reporting Moore claimed to have received a bronze star on a 2006 White House fellowship application, although he had not been awarded the medal. Governor Moore calling it an honest mistake, explaining that a superior officer had recommended him for the award, which the Army ultimately granted years later in December 2024, but not until after he was claiming he had received it. Governor Moore's office strongly rejecting the latest accusations, pointing to his combat action badge. Asked Monday on MSNOW whether he would serve his full four-year term, the governor offering a less-than-direct answer. people of Maryland overwhelmingly reelecting me, I'm thankful that we ended up winning with the largest margin of any Maryland governor's re-election in history and with over 31 points. And so I'm thankful for the vote of confidence of the people Maryland gave in me. And so let me just tell them I was not a thoroughful term. - Oh yeah. Yeah, well I told them, I wasn't running for re-election because we were thinking about anything else. On the prediction market, Kalshi, all-soft currently the favorite to capture the 2028 Democrat nomination, traders putting his chances at roughly 26% as of last night. AOC following at 14% Gavin Newsom at approximately 12. Harris and Buttigieg each hovering around 5% more below three. Our sponsor, Kalshi, reflects what traders actually believe. Give it a try if you like by using code Megan Kelly or click the link in our description. Our new users get $25 free when they trade just $25. Coming up, disturbing new details on the murder of a woman aboard a cruise ship, including the suspects confession to federal investigators. And a blast of winter weather heading for the eastern half of the country bringing the coldest temperatures in months and the seasons first snowed for some Americans. 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? 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[MUSIC PLAYING] A Texas man facing a federal murder charge after allegedly beating and strangling his wife aboard a cruise ship, then confessing to investigators. Forty-eight-year-old Jason Leon Watford of Tyler, Texas, accused of killing wife Susan Watford Sunday night, aboard the MSC C-Scape, as the ship traveled from Galveston to Mexico through international waters. KPRC2 in Houston reporting the FBI confirmed a child was inside the cabin where the murder took place. That child now reportedly safe in foster care. According to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Fox News, Watford and his wife arguing over dinner before returning separately to their shared cabin about 25 minutes apart, surveillance footage showing no one else entering or leaving the room until a housekeeper arrived around 9 p.m. to deliver towels. Watford answering the door, the employee noticing blood on his hands and pants, then spotting his wife lying face down on the floor. The housekeeper alerting other ship personnel who discovered the woman dead with multiple facial injuries. Roughly 15 minutes after the housekeeper first knocked, surveillance footage capturing Watford leaving the cabin in a different shirt and pants, then sitting on the hallway floor, scrolling through his phone. Investigators later recovering bloodstained clothing from inside the cabin. Ship security detaining Watford and the vessel returning to Galveston early Monday, where FBI agents boarded to investigate. After reviewing surveillance footage, federal agents questioning Watford, who waived his Miranda rights and reported the agreed to a video recorded interview. According to the complaint, Watford admitting to repeatedly striking his wife, then strangling her with his hands and arm for roughly four to five minutes until he became exhausted. Watford previously sentenced to probation in 2024 for assaulting his wife, per KPRC2. Watford making his first appearance in federal court yesterday, requesting a court appointed attorney and declining to seek release on bond. His attorney requesting a probable cause hearing from Monday when prosecutors will be expected to present evidence supporting the murder charge. Nearly 200 million Americans bracing for their first real taste of winter as a developing storm system moves across the eastern half of the country, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures, heavy rain, and the possibility of snow. According to CNN, much of the country east of the Mississippi River expected to experience its coldest weather since spring, with temperatures falling five to 15 degrees below normal by the end of the week. The weather channel forecasting temperature drops of up to 20 degrees in some cities between today and Friday, as the storm moves from the Midwest toward the east coast. Farther east, the storm could develop into a nor Easter, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds, and possible coastal flooding from North Carolina to New England. Snow is possible in the higher elevations of upstate New York, northern New England, and the Appalachian Mountains. The cold snap expected to be short lived, however, CNN forecasting a return to above average temperatures across much of the eastern US as early as next week. And that'll do it for your AM update on Megan Kelly. Join me back here for the MK show live on serious XM's the Megan Kelly Channel 111 at New East on youtube.com/megankelly and on all podcast platforms.