The Megyn Kelly Show - Blockade Ahead After U.S.-Iran Peace Talks Fail, Swalwell Suspends CA Gov Campaign: AM Update 4/13

Episode Date: April 13, 2026

After 21 hours of negotiations end without a peace deal, the U.S. escalates its standoff with Iran, announcing a military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise and oil markets brace for impact. Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his California governor campaign as multiple sexual assault allegations surface in what appears to be a coordinated takedown, triggering investigations, lost endorsements, and a rapid political collapse. Former Vice President Kamala Harris signals she may enter the 2028 race, testing the waters in a wide-open Democratic field with no clear frontrunner. The Artemis II crew safely returns to Earth, completing a high-risk journey around the moon and proving NASA’s readiness for future lunar missions.     Birch Gold: Text MK to 989898 to join Birch Gold’s Learn and Earn event by April 30!   SelectQuote: Compare top‑rated life insurance options. Visit https://SelectQuote.com/megyn to get the right coverage at the right price. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Megan Kelly. It's Monday, April 13th, 2026, and this is your AM update. They refuse to give up their nuclear ambition, and that's the only point, frankly, to me, that was the most important point by far. After 21 hours of peace talks failed to bring a deal, the standoff with Iran now escalating as the U.S. moves to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. These allegations of sexual assault are flat, false. They also come on the eve of an election. Congressman Eric Swalwell of California, a Democrat candidate for governor, hit with multiple sexual assault allegations, leading allies to abandon him and a late night suspension of his campaign. Former Vice President Kamala Harris teases another run for the White House in 2008, and a high-stakes trip around the moon comes to a successful end, the Artemis 2 crew landing safely back on Earth. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. When the dollar's convertibility into gold ended in 1971, gold was fixed at $35 an ounce.

Fast forward to today and the U.S. dollar has lost more than 85% of its purchasing power. Gold, on the other hand, has increased in value by over 12,000 percent. That's why major firms like Vanguard and BlackRock hold significant positions in gold. And that's why you may want to consider diversifying your savings with physical gold from Birch Gold Group. It starts with education. Birch Gold just announced their learn and earn precious metals event. This free online event rewards you for learning the basics of investing in precious metals. Sign up to get free silver on your next purchase.

Get even larger incentives as you go. The more you learn, the more you can earn. But you have to act now as this special event only runs through April 30th. Text my initials, MK, to the number 9-8-9-8-98 to see Birch Gold's learn and earn precious metals event. you can join it as long as you do it before April 30th. That's MK to the number 9-8-9-8-98 today. After 21 hours of marathon negotiations in Pakistan, Vice President J.D. Vance announcing early Sunday local time that the U.S. and Iran failed to reach a peace agreement. We've had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That's the good news. The bad news is that we have not reached the agreement. and I think that's bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news for the United States of America.

So we go back to the United States having not come to an agreement. We've made very clear what our red lines are, what things we're willing to accommodate them on, and what things we're not willing to accommodate them on. And we've made that as clear as we possibly could, and they have chosen not to accept our terms. The U.S. laying out six core demands of the Iranians during the negotiations, according to Fox News, ending uranium enrichment, dismantling nuclear facilities, retrieving highly enriched uranium, accepting a broader peace framework,

including regional allies, ending support for regional terror groups, and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz with no tolls. President Trump describing the negotiations yesterday morning on Fox. That was a long meeting. We had some very, very good representatives, as you know, J.D. and Steve and Jared. So we were well represented, but we didn't get to the United. there on the important issue. They want to have nuclear weapons. They're not going to have nuclear weapons.

I've been saying that for 30 years. I would never allow that to happen before I was in politics. We had a very intensive negotiation, and toward the end it got very friendly, and we got just about every point we needed, except for the fact that they refused to give up their nuclear ambition. And that's the only point, frankly, to me, that was the most important point by far. Iran, for its part, downplaying the lack of a deal, a spokesman for the foreign ministry saying on state media, a single round of talks was never expected to produce an agreement. Iranian state media reporting it was excessive demands that sank the deal. Former Trump chief of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, who resigned in protest

over the Iran war, appears to agree. Posting on X yesterday that, quote, Trump's red line has always been no nuclear weapons for Iran, not zero. enrichment, end quote. Kent continues, quote, Israel needs us chasing every trace of uranium in Iran because that ensures we stay engaged militarily in Iran, arguing this position is, quote, the recipe for an endless bloody war or supporting slash turning a blind eye to Israel using a WMD on Iran. In response to the collapse of negotiations, President Trump announcing on truth social yesterday morning, a U.S. military blockade on all ships attempting to enter or exit the strait. Quote, at some point, we will reach an all being allowed to go in, all being allowed to go out

basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen. This is world extortion, and leaders of countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted. Mr. Trump also informing the Iranians that anyone who fires on the U.S. or other peaceful vessels will be, quote, blown to hell. The blockade set to officially go into effect at 10 a.m. Eastern today. Iran's Revolutionary Guard pushing back, insisting the strait remains open for civilian vessels, warning that any military ships entering the waterway, however, quote, will be dealt with severely, according to Al Jazeera. Even before the planned U.S. blockade, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was at a trickle, with Iran picking which ships would be allowed to go through. On Friday, the New York Times

reporting that Iran has been unable to open up the strait to more shipping because it cannot locate all of the mines it laid. President Trump saying yesterday morning, the U.S. Navy is currently using mine sweepers to clean up the strait and eventually restore safe passage. Now oil traders bracing for another price spike. Eric Bowling, who spent more than three decades as an oil trader before his stint at Fox News, reacting yesterday on Steve Bannon's war room. This is a global economy at risk. Can I just very quick, I'll tell you, the first thing I did is I called to a couple of my friends who are major brokers of international oil. And I said, what do you think?

It feels like a lot higher. And they said, 110. And the quote was, very soon. So we finished Friday at about $96, $97 a barrel. So these people think at least 100. I do too, at least 110. With the ceasefire set to expire in just over a week, the path forward remains unclear. The Wall Street Journal reporting last night that President Trump is considering resuming limited military strikes in addition to the blockade.

Pakistan's foreign minister saying his country will attempt to broker another round of talks in the coming days. Democratic U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell late Sunday suspending his campaign for Governor of California, facing a mounting crisis and multiple demands that he drop out of the race, as media outlets publish allegations of sexual misconduct and other op-dump-style attacks with the primary set for June 2nd. As we've been reporting here on AM Update, rumors have been circulating for some time now that a number of women were preparing to go public with allegations against Swalwell. On Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN publishing detailed accounts.

The most serious allegations coming from a former congressional staffer who spoke to both outlets. The woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by Swalwell in incidents she says occurred in 2019 and again in 2024, describing sexual encounters that occurred while she says she was intoxicated and allegedly without her consent. She admits that after the first alleged assault, she kept in touch with Swalwell and was even the one who initiated contact with him on the night of the second incident, inviting her alleged assaulter to drinks. On Saturday, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office opening an investigation into the claims made by the first woman as that second alleged incident reportedly occurred in New York City. Multiple other women also alleging inappropriate behavior now, including unsolicited explicit messages and photos sent by the congressman. The Megan Kelly Show will be digging through these accounts later today. Congressman Swalwell releasing a video on social media late Friday night, vehemently denying the most severe of the U.S.

allegations. A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations. I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly. These allegations of sexual assault are flat, false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have. They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor in California. I do not suggest to you in any way that I'm perfect that I'm a saint, I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position. I also apologize to you if in any way you have doubted your support for me.

But I think you know who I am. For over 20 years, I have served the public. As a city councilman, as a member of Congress, and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of the people. on behalf of victims, particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims. That's who I am and have always been. An attorney for the congressman sending cease and desist letters to two of the women calling their allegations false, demanding retractions and warning of potential legal action if they continue speaking out, reports CNN. Prior to these accounts, Mr. Swalwell was the leading Democrat candidate in the race for California governor. The Real Clear Politics polling average shows him in second place.

at 13.7 percent sandwiched between the two Republican candidates, Steve Hilton in first at 14.7 percent, following a recent endorsement from President Trump, and Chad Bianco in third at 13 percent. In the open primary, the top two vote getters move on to the general regardless of party affiliation. Early voting set to begin May 5th. The crowded Democrat field up until this point, remaining scattered and divided, leading some to wonder whether the top two candidates might wind up being the Republican contenders, especially if the Democrats cannot unite behind a favorite. Swalwell's campaign facing a mass exodus of endorsements after the media stories conveniently all hit at once over the weekend. The powerful California Teachers Association,

a union boasting 310,000 educators withdrawing its support. Senator Adam Schiff, a former colleague of Congressman Swalwell's in the House, withdrawing his endorsement. Powerful Democratic. Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling for Swalwell to drop out, as did former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who reportedly orchestrated the removal of then-President Joe Biden as well as the Democratic nominee in 2024. Multiple staff members in both Swalwell's congressional office and his campaign for governor reportedly resigning in the wake of the allegations, releasing a statement reading in part, quote, we're horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN. We stand with our former colleague and the other

women who have come forward. The New York Times reporting a planned fundraising event yesterday was canceled. The endorsements page on his website has been taken down, and another event set for later this month postponed until further notice. The big question now, who was behind this op-o dump, and will it lead to Swalwell's exit from Congress as well? Coming up, former Vice President Kamala Harris appearing to edge closer to a 2028 White House bid. You go, girl. all. And after a 10-day journey around the moon, the Artemis 2 crew now safely back on Earth. Time for some life talk. You probably have life insurance, but you might be paying too much for too little coverage. And did you know if you get it through your employer that, and then you're laid off,

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris appearing to inch closer to a potential 2028 presidential run, joining a slate of other likely Democratic contenders including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Congressman Roe Kana of California, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at last week's National Action. Network or NAN convention hosted by Reverend Al Sharpton. The NAN, a major early proving ground in Democrat politics, where candidates make their case directly to black voters a critical block of support. According to Politico, Ms. Harris drawing the most enthusiasm of anyone who took the stage from a crowd packed with black lawmakers and party insiders. She sat down for a roughly

40-minute conversation with the Reverend Al, touching on a range of issues, including the state of the Democrat Party and voting rights. At one point, Harris taking aim at President Trump's approach to foreign policy, unveiling a new accent. China Rev acts like a mob boss. So then he's kind of like, well, you know, you take Eastern Europe and I'll take the Western Hemisphere. And then you over there, you get Asia. And we'll just divide it up. More on that on the MK show. And then at the end of the session, at the moment everyone was waiting for. So are you going to run again in 28?

So, okay, you know, I tried to be subtle, but I just figured I'd go right out. But that's as subtle as Remnails Charlton could ever be. We love you for many things, but not being subtle. Listen, I might. I might. I'm thinking about it. I'm thinking about it. Never change, Kamala.

Political reporting Harris is, quote, genuinely undecided, but making moves that look a lot like a campaign ramp up with a series of public appearances ahead, including a swing through South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas. A new Harvard Harris poll showing Harris leading the early Democrat field at 41% ahead of Governor Gavin Newsom at 26%.

with Governor Josh Shapiro trailing at 10. Splashdown confirmed at 7.7 p.m. Central time, 5.7 p.m. Pacific time. From the pages of Jules Verne to a modern-day mission to the moon, a new chapter of the exploration of our celestial neighbor is complete. Integrities astronauts, back on Earth. The Artemis 2 crew officially back safely on Earth, splashing down off the coast of San Diego Friday evening. Capping off the most dangerous phase of the mission, a white-knuckle re-entry that put the Orion capsule's heat shield facing temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees, a component that faced prior concerns to the ultimate test.

The capsule re-entering the Earth's atmosphere hitting a max speed of 24,664 miles per hour. And in a remarkable display of precision navigation, NASA officials saying the crew had less than a one-degree margin of error during re-entering. into the atmosphere after traveling a quarter of a million miles and still hit their mark. Associate NASA Administrator Ahmed Kashitria saying, quote, that is not luck. That is 1,000 people doing their job. After about an hour bobbing in the ocean, the U.S. Navy able to approach the capsule and begin recovery. All four crew members, Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Cook, and Jeremy Hansen, undergoing medical evaluations on board the USS John P. Murtha

and reported to be happy and healthy. Here, Wiseman and Glover speaking about their experience. We are bonded forever, and no one down here is ever going to know what the four of us just went through. And it was the most special thing that will ever happen in my life. The gratitude of seeing what we saw, doing what we did, and being with who I was with, it's too big to just be in one body. See, no one lectured us on how inspirational they were or called us sexist if we called it a ride, Gail King, which we didn't because it was a mission and they're real astronauts.

In total, over nine days, one hour, 32 minutes, and 15 seconds, the crew traveling just over 700,000 miles. The successful mission proving the Orion capsule is capable of transporting humans to the moon, setting up the future phase of the program that aims to put boots on. the lunar surface by 2028. And that'll do it for your AM update. I'm Megan Kelly. Join me back here for the MK Show, live on SiriusXMs, the Megan Kelly Channel 11 at noon east,

on YouTube.com slash Megan Kelly, and on all podcast platforms.