Former president Donald Trump's interviews with Megyn Kelly and NBC News turned a lot of heads over the weekend. On NBC News, Trump condemned fellow presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis' Florida heartbeat bill as a "terrible mistake," while also supporting some limits on abortion. And on The Megyn Kelly Show, he addressed the growing transgender trend and whether or not men can become women. @MegynKelly joins Glenn to discuss how Trump's answers may affect his 2024 campaign, whether he's already looking ahead to the general election and trying to appeal to independents, and whether this strategy will work. Plus, they discuss whether President Biden will be the Democratic 2024 candidate, or if the Left is already trying to oust him: "You can feel the ground shifting."
TranscriptBelow is a rush transcript that may contain errors
GLENN: Hello, Megyn, how are you?
MEGYN: Hi, I'm well.
How are you doing?
GLENN: I'm very good.
So your interview, and the interview that the president did on MSNBC are getting a lot of play over the weekend. Because in some -- in some places, he seemed to be hedging his bet. And on MSNBC,he talked about a 15-week limit on abortions.
MEGYN: Yeah. Well, he -- this is one of the reasons why President Trump needs to put himself out there more.
Because just like president HEP it's not okay for either one of these leading candidates on the Dem or the GOP side stay underground. So to his credit, Trump is putting himself out there. Much more than Joe Biden.
But we absolutely need to be probing their positions, as the American public tries to make a decision.
And Trump on the social issue, with all due credit for the Supreme Court justices he got has always been a little wishy-washy.
He lived pretty much 75 easier. Seventy-three. Whatever it is, before he became president.
As a Democrat. You know, one of my debate questions for him back in 2017, was when do you become a Republican?
If you look back, he's been much, much of a Democrat. And more liberal on social issues. Like virtually everyone in New York is.
And I think there's a fair amount of that in him.
GLENN: So is this -- for instance, let me play a clip you with. Where he was talking about, can a man become pregnant?
Play it.
VOICE: Can a man become a woman?
DONALD: In my opinion, can a man become a woman. I think -- I think part of it is birth. Can the man give birth? No. No. Although, they'll come up with some answer to that also.
I heard just the other day, they have a way that now the man can give birth. No. I would say that I'm continuing my stance on that.
GLENN: So what did -- what was your takeaway? Because he never really answered it. But he did shake his head no. Towards the beginning.
What's your takeaway from that?
MEGYN: Well, I thought it was weak sauce. I really wish he -- he did better on that. I like Ron DeSantis' answer, I'll be honest.
Which is no. No. No.
Obviously no.
GLENN: Right.
TOM: And it's not determined based on who can give birth. It's determined by God.
And it's pretty obvious, just as soon as you come out of the womb. That's the way -- that's the way he seems to not being painting this weird agenda by some activist in this crazy trans agenda-pushing cult.
So Trump clearly knows that. I don't know if he has -- maybe trying to appease some group of trans voters. That he thinks will make the difference with him.
Even when I had Don Jr on my show, he was kind of dancing around this issue.
I -- I think that they think, they somehow will do better with Democrats. If they don't hit this straight-on.
Even though, I mean, 98 percent of the Republican Party is united on this issue.
This is not a winner for any Republican to hedge on this.
Just ask Asa Hutchinson. So I'm not sure what he's thinking. I feel like this, and the abortion thing. He must be thinking more general elections, where there are Democrats, who don't feel as Republicans do.
But I really think, there's a small voting group on this particular issue, he needs a better answer. And I hope he gets it.
GLENN: So do you think this will shape the tree at all?
I mean, I think he looks at the poll numbers. And thinks theres -- I mean, I'm going to win. So why not start a moderate campaign now?
Because I'm going to win the -- the primary.
So let's just get past that. And start being, you know, more moderate to appeal to a wider audience. Than just the Republicans. You think that will work?
MEGYN: I don't. I mean, I'm in much more of the Ann Coulter thinking, it comes to who the party should nominate.
I think they should nominate someone who will drive turnout. And generally with Republicans, that means someone who is conservative. Who is genuinely conservative.
Look what happened with John McCain. Okay? They've tried to go more moderate.
It doesn't work. Now, Trump does tracking turnout. Because he's Trump. And there's something about that. His constituency finds more appealing. And, you know, that 30 percent, isn't going to abandon him. Even if it comes out with abortion in the 9th month, I mean, that's a really -- that's really the question. Not whether he can choose something on HEP Fifth Avenue. For Trump to say, he's preabortion, ninth month. And still hold on to that four, 30 percent. Glenn, I think the answer is yes.
And he's almost toying with that experiment right now. He's now pro abortion. He's really more banking on the fact, that he appointed the three justices, and made a difference on Roe v. Wade. And he won't lose any Republican voters to Joe Biden, on the issue of abortion. Right?
He's playing the long game. But he does need to generate enthusiasm.
And he's already tamped down. Not in the first set of Republicans. But in the other half, who are tepid on Trump.
GLENN: So let me ask you about Joe Biden here for a second.
Because I've started to see, for instance, there's an article in the Washington Post, from a big -- a big player. On the left. And in the editorial, he said, you know, I love Joe Biden. And he's done great things.
And nothing against anything he's ever done. But I think it's time for him to go.
And I think that you see the supporters, and the -- the key members, possibly starting to move in and saying, you know, Joe, I think maybe you should go.
Do you think that he is the candidate? By the time we get to the -- the election.
MEGYN: I don't know, Glenn. I'm seeing what you're seeing.
It seems like there's a movement underfoot to gently oust him and her. That's what was interesting about it. In wacko.
Which is, we don't want to be stuck with her.
But, you know, live by the sword, die by the sword.
They selected her for identity politics reasons, and good luck subbing her out. And subbing in some other person, like Gavin Newsom.
You know, who doesn't check the right boxes. And even who does check the right boxes, Sunny Hopkins, woke identity politics warrior on The View was saying.
If he subs out Kamala Harris, he will lose the black vote. We're not interchangeable, even if he puts back in a black woman.
Anyway, you can feel the ground shifting.
CNN is doing a long fact-check on Biden.
I, last Thursday, have never seen them unleash their Daniel Gale HEP guy on Biden. That was always a Trump thing.
Now more and more sort of getting interested in just how old President Biden is. And polling heavily on that.
The results are disastrous.
The nation's piece. There's been example after example of how they seem to be realize with whom, you know what, he can't do it. (?) we're going to lose, if we stick with him.
But I also think, you have to ask revelings, how do you get rid of it?
You know, I think there's some fantasy that Barack Obama can do it. You know, give the tap on the shoulder. Like you get at the dance. Time to sit down. Your dancing is over.
I'm not sure.
GLENN: Well, it's exact --
MEGYN: What man voluntarily walks away from power like that?
GLENN: Well, voluntarily, George Washington. But remember that Nixon did that.
and Nixon only did it,when he realized, the party (?) was no longer with him.
When all of the people he counted acon, to help support him, were turning on him.
And that's when he decided to resign. There's a good way to do this.
And there's the tough way. And we're offering you the chance to make this your idea.
And what -- I think part of the pressure, might be the Hunter Biden scandal.
When you saw the -- the charges, last week.
Are these real, or are these bogus too?
MEGYN: The gun charges? Oops, I mean, they are real. (?) and any of us would have been charged with it. So okay.
But, of course, they were brought very reluctantly, by a guy who is on his side.
David Weiss, the US attorney for tell wear. Is on hunter apps side. (?) for six years.
Who let the MS damning charges might do the statute of limitations.
(?) even though hunter's lawyers offered what's called a toggle agreement. They offered to extend the statute of limitations. And tasted Weiss said, no. That's okay.
This is his prosecutor, so we're supposed to believe he's going to be tough on Hunter. BS. It was a figure life charge on only (?) a lot of people think, won't even hold you up. This gun statute has been deemed unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. So it's possible they can go in. (?) to most Republicans.
But kind of a low stakes matter.
Let's say. Let's say he gets convicted. Which he probably will. Some are saying, this is a smart move by the Republicans.
Because at least now, Unterand Joe have real skin in the game.
He could potentially face real jail time.
And maybe it gives (?) power of just a moment ago gibel for Hunter. (?) you'll pardon him. While announcing you're just a one-termer.
You can give your son a apart. Keep him out of jail. Save the Democratic Party. You'll be on Mount Rushmore. (?), you know what, if that's the price it takes to get him out of this. Let's do it.
(laughter)
GLENN: So be as tough on this as you can be.
When you see the left saying, there's no evidence. There's no evidence.
They've got no evidence.
There's plenty of evidence. I don't know if that all adds up to, you know, proof.
But there's tons of evidence. If you are standing in a court of law.
Because that's what is what you used to do. And your client was Joe Biden. And Hunter Biden.
And you saw the evidence that the prosecution has shown already. And they say there's more. How would you assess your chance of winning?
MEGYN: It would just depend on the he have dentiary (?) 51 percent more likely. And 49 percent are not.
He's guilty. If it's I don't understand a reasonable doubt, I would acquit him. So far. So far.
That's only because we haven't gotten all the bank records. Which they're about to get. It's more than 51 percent likely he did this.
I would put him more up in the '60s. If you're talking about conviction of a crime. Not there yet.
GLENN: Yeah. And what do the bank records. What are you looking for, in the bank records. What do they have to show?
MEGYN: Well, I would want to see the actual deposits of men. In Joe Biden's numerically convict him of a cranium. (?), but we have Peter Schweizer on the show on Friday. He, of course, is a Hunter expert.
He makes interesting points about how -- in order to show bribery. In order to show corruption, you don't need it show any (?) showing the deposits into Hunter Biden's account is enough. Not to mention the other eight family members on the tape.
GLENN: Correct. Correct.
MEGYN: The benefit the to the family member is sufficient.
This (?) kind of brings me back to the (?) I almost feel like, Republicans are overstating their own burden.
You know, it's -- it doesn't need -- I realize why they're doing the impeachment. I'm actually in favor of it. But it doesn't need to go that route.
And they don't need to allege crimes. The corruption is there, plane as the nose on your face. I want (?) one -- one honest journalist, just one. With access to President Biden.
To get him in an interview, and say, how dare you allow your son, to sit on the board of Burisma.
Ukraine and company, being investigated for corruption. When you were the point man on the Obama bludgeon cleanlyup in Ukraine.
How dare you.
Is that not disqualifying to your ongoing role as public official? Go ahead.
GLENN: I think it is.
We're not going to see that. But I think it is. I would love to see that.
I would go a step further. As a father, you knew who Kolomoisky was.
He's a brutal killer. Beheads his opponents.
And you took your son -- you knew had a drug problem. And drinking problem.
And could easily be roped into anything.
And you allowed him to sit on -- on that board, with that man?
Are you out of your mind?
MEGYN: Right. When he was drug addled. Looking back on the time line of hunter's addiction.
I actually (?) in preparation for my show today.
So he joined the board of Burisma in April 2014.
That same year, he was discharged from the Navy reserve, after testing positive for cocaine right? That same year, when he joined the boards. Which Joe knows all of this. This is while his father was overseeing US politics in Ukraine.
By May of 15th, he had a relapse of his alcohol attack. By 2016, he had a relapse of his crack cocaine addiction.
And this is all while he's doing business with -- with the Chinese in these while he's on the board of Burisma.
GLENN: Jeez.
MEGYN: Which his father knows, because he's religion calling into the hunter business meetings.
He knows, his crack addled son is sitting on the board, cashing checks. And he's just (?) facilitating it. I mean, at a minimum, this counteracts the narrative of, what a great dad he is.
GLENN: I agree. I agree.
Megyn, thank you very much. We look forward to your program.
You can catch Megyn Kelly, wherever you get your podcast.
She also follows this show on Sirius XM. Thank you so much.
MEGYN: Thank you, Glenn.