Shady California Vote Counting, and Dems' Platner Hypocrisy, with Sohrab Ahmari and Sean Davis, Plus James Patterson on Patriotism | Ep. 1333
Episode of The Megyn Kelly Show · June 5, 2026 · 1 h 43 min
Megyn Kelly, Sohrab Ahmari and Sean Davis discuss California's slow vote count, allegations against Graham Platner and the Karmelo Anthony trial, then James Patterson and Matt Eversmann discuss Rocket's Red Glare.
Summary
Megyn Kelly opened by criticizing California's slow counting of ballots from the June 2026 primaries, as late mail-in votes eroded the positions of Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton and Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt. Sean Davis argued that California's system of undated drop-box ballots and weeks-long counting was designed to engineer outcomes, and that the top-two primary suppresses Republican down-ballot turnout. Sohrab Ahmari agreed that election results should be known on election night but said he was less skeptical of the results, citing Trump's unpopularity and California's Democratic lean.
The panel then discussed a New York Times report on three former girlfriends of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, including Lindsey Fifield's allegations of physical grabbing and confinement, and her later complaint that the Times omitted corroboration. Davis argued that under the standard Democrats applied to Brett Kavanaugh, Platner should be disqualified, and pointed out Platner's rape remark echoed a Jay Mohr comedy bit. Ahmari, citing his past defenses of Kavanaugh and Pete Hegseth, called the accusations weak, blamed a broken sexual culture, and predicted Platner would survive. Kelly contrasted Sheldon Whitehouse's dismissal of the allegations with his statements on Kavanaugh and Hegseth and criticized the Times reporters' labeling of conservatives.
The panel also discussed the trial of Karmelo Anthony for the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf; Kelly suggested the defense might pursue imperfect self-defense, while Davis and Ahmari called the self-defense claim untenable.
In the final segment, James Patterson described his father's upbringing in a Newburgh poorhouse, his time at McLean Hospital where he heard James Taylor sing, and his advertising career. He and Matt Eversmann discussed their novel Rocket's Red Glare, the vulnerability of the homeland to attack, and declining national pride, with Patterson urging Americans to row in the same direction.
Chapters
- 0:00
California vote count frustrations
Kelly criticizes the slow California primary count and mail-in voting as Hilton and Pratt lose ground.
- 5:30
Platner allegations introduced
Kelly outlines Graham Platner's Nazi tattoo, sexting scandal and the new New York Times report on former girlfriends.
- 14:11
Panel on the California governor's race
Davis and Ahmari debate drop boxes, delayed counts, the jungle primary and federal investigations.
- 27:51
Los Angeles mayoral count
Kelly reviews Bass, Pratt and Raman's vote totals and insists Raman cannot legitimately overtake Pratt.
- 32:57
Should the Platner allegations matter?
The panel weighs the Kavanaugh standard, Me Too and the culture of accusation.
- 51:58
Whitehouse's hypocrisy and Platner's denial
Clips of Sheldon Whitehouse on Kavanaugh and Platner's denial prompt discussion of double standards.
- 1:03:00
New York Times reporters and bias
Kelly examines the Times reporters' past coverage and the paper's labeling of right-leaning outlets.
- 1:07:14
Karmelo Anthony trial
The panel discusses jury composition, self-defense proportionality and a possible imperfect self-defense strategy.
- 1:23:17
James Patterson's background
Patterson recounts his family's poverty, McLean Hospital, James Taylor and his advertising career.
- 1:31:23
Rocket's Red Glare and homeland threats
Patterson and Eversmann discuss their thriller and how vulnerable the U.S. is to attack at home.
- 1:38:41
Declining patriotism
The guests respond to polling on falling national pride and call for unity and escapist reading.
Key points
What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.
- Megyn Kelly
Kelly argues that voters who do not make it to the polls on election day should not have their votes prioritized.
“If you don't prioritize the vote, your vote shouldn't be prioritized”
- Megyn KellyCame true
Kelly predicts Steve Hilton will finish in the top two and advance to the general election.
“I think Steve Hilton will be, you know, one of the final two”
Linked moment · 16:32Skip to 16:32 using a listen link in the info box.
Sean DavisDavis argues California's undated drop-box and extended counting system exists to control election outcomes.
“There is only one reason to design an election in this way, and it's to control the outcome”
- Sohrab Ahmari
Ahmari says he is less skeptical of the California results than Kelly and Davis, given Trump's unpopularity and the state's Democratic lean.
“I don't think I'm as skeptical of what the results are showing so far as you guys are”
- Sean Davis
Davis argues California's top-two primary is designed to depress opposition down-ballot turnout.
“You cook your primaries. so that the only people at the top of the ticket are one party”
- Sean DavisPrediction · due Nov 2026
Davis predicts Democrats will win California's statewide general election regardless of the Republican candidates.
“It is a very blue state. The Democrats are going to win. Steve Hilton and Spencer Pratt are spectacular candidates”
- Megyn KellyDidn’t happen
Kelly asserts Nithya Raman cannot legitimately overtake Spencer Pratt for a runoff spot.
“If that happens, I'm going to eat this packet live on the air. That is not going to happen legitimately”
- Sean Davis
Davis argues that under the standard Democrats applied to Kavanaugh, Platner must be deemed guilty and unfit to run.
“under the standard that Senate Democrats created for Brett Kavanaugh, we are required to say that Plattner is guilty and cannot be a candidate”
Listen from 35:45 · Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination
- Sohrab Ahmari
Ahmari, citing his past defenses of Kavanaugh and Hegseth, says the accusations against Platner are very weak.
“I feel like I'm earned my ability to say I think these accusations are very weak”
Listen from 39:41 · 2026 United States Senate election in Maine
- Sohrab Ahmari
Ahmari argues the Times would have published stronger allegations against Platner had it been able to corroborate them.
“If they had something that was stronger that they felt they could corroborate without getting slapped with a libel suit, they would have run it”
- Graham Platner
Platner denies the physical allegations and knowing the meaning of his tattoo, calling them politically motivated.
“Anything alleging physicality, anything alleging that I knew what my tattoo was, these are the statements of someone who's politically motivated”
Listen from 57:42 · 2026 United States Senate election in Maine
- Megyn Kelly
Kelly says she does not believe Platner's denial that he knew what his tattoo meant.
“I don't think he helped himself there, honestly. There's no way she's lying about the tattoo”
Listen from 58:36 · 2026 United States Senate election in Maine
- Sohrab Ahmari
Ahmari argues the sexual ethic inherited from the baby boomers was unhealthy and underlies the culture of accusation.
“the sexual ethic that we... Gen Xers, millennials, et cetera, inherited from the boomers was not a healthy sexual ethic, right?”
- Sohrab Ahmari
Ahmari predicts Platner will survive the allegations absent further accusers.
“You know, my gut tells me it's predictable. And I think barring more, I think he'll survive this”
Listen from 1:02:51 · 2026 United States Senate election in Maine
- Sean Davis
Davis argues the Times labels outlets as right-wing to signal to readers they can ignore the reporting.
“They're creating the permission structure for their own readers to ignore it”
- Sean Davis
Davis argues Anthony's self-defense claim fails because deadly force must be proportional to the threat.
“Then when it comes to self-defense, proportionality is a really, really key element”
- Megyn Kelly
Kelly says that in Texas an imperfect self-defense argument can only reduce the charge rather than yield acquittal.
“And in Texas, if that's your argument, you can only downgrade it to involuntary manslaughter”
- Sohrab Ahmari
Ahmari considers the case against Anthony open and shut.
“It just seems like a pretty open-shut case to me, right?”
- Megyn Kelly
Kelly believes Anthony's defense should have pursued a plea deal.
“I really think they should have worked on a plea. I don't see a good outcome coming his way”
- James Patterson
Patterson recounts hearing James Taylor, then a McLean Hospital patient, perform unreleased songs in the cafeteria.
“He would sing Fire and Rain and Sweet Baby James and these songs, which at that point had not been released”
- Matt Eversmann
Eversmann argues that anyone who thinks a homeland attack scenario could not happen is deluding themselves.
“And anyone that says it couldn't happen is delusional, literally, and fooling themselves”
- James Patterson
Patterson says the U.S. cannot fully protect itself and can only react as best it can.
“we cannot protect this country, honestly. I mean, we can react and we can we can do the best we can”
- James Patterson
Patterson argues Americans must work together better to protect the country.
“we have to start rowing in the same direction better than we have been”
People
In the conversation
- Megyn KellyConservative broadcaster and podcaster
- Sohrab AhmariU.S. editor of UnHerd and conservative commentator
- Sean DavisCEO and co-founder of The Federalist
- James PattersonBestselling American novelist and former advertising executive
- Matt EversmannRetired U.S. Army Ranger first sergeant, Battle of Mogadishu veteran and co-author
- Graham PlatnerPresumptive Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine
Discussed
- Steve HiltonRepublican candidate for governor of California and former Fox News host
- Spencer PrattReality TV personality running for mayor of Los Angeles
- Nithya RamanLos Angeles city councilmember and democratic socialist mayoral candidate
- Karen BassMayor of Los Angeles, referenced regarding city-level policy conflicts
- Xavier BecerraFormer U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and California attorney general running for governor
- Tom SteyerDemocratic candidate for governor of California and billionaire investor
- Susan CollinsRepublican senator who noted Congress holds the power of the purse
- Brett KavanaughUS Supreme Court justice targeted in an assassination attempt
- Christine Blasey FordProfessor who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault in 2018
- Lindsey FifieldRepublican operative and former girlfriend of Graham Platner who made allegations to the New York Times
- Pete HegsethU.S. Secretary of Defense overseeing the Iran campaign
- Jay MohrComedian and actor whose bit Davis said Platner copied
- Karmelo AnthonyTexas teen on trial for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf
- Austin Metcalf17-year-old Texas football player killed at a track meet in 2025
- Katie GlueckNew York Times political reporter
- Lisa LererNew York Times political reporter
- James TaylorSinger-songwriter Patterson met at McLean Hospital
- Ron DeSantisGovernor of Florida
Topics
- 2026 California gubernatorial election
- 2026 United States Senate election in Maine
- 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election
- Postal voting in the United States
- Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination
- The New York Times
- Killing of Austin Metcalf
- Rocket's Red Glare (novel)
- Me Too movement
- Imperfect self-defense
- Battle of Mogadishu (1993)
- United States Semiquincentennial
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From the publisher
Megyn Kelly is joined by Sohrab Ahmari, U.S. editor of Unherd, and Sean Davis, CEO of The Federalist, to discuss shocking delays in California’s vote-counting process that could still last weeks, governor candidate Steve Hilton and LA mayor candidate Spencer Pratt slowly losing ground as more late votes come in, concerns about election integrity and public trust, whether it's really possible for Nithya Raman to surpass Spencer Pratt in the mayor runoff, the latest New York Times report on allegations against Graham Platner, fallout from past controversies including a sexting scandal and Nazi tattoo, the latest NYT allegations about Platner's past relationships, the Democrat hypocrisy when it comes to Brett Kavanaugh and Platner, how past personal conduct should factor into political candidates, Karmelo Anthony’s "imperfect self-defense" argument in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf, the legal challenges facing Anthony’s defense team, and more. Then James Patterson and Matt Eversmann, authors of "Rocket's Red Glare," join to discuss the threats facing the United States today, what a major attack on the homeland could look like, the sad decline in patriotism and the need to come together as a country, Patterson's journey from advertising executive to bestselling author, his humble beginnings growing up, and more. Davis- https://thefederalist.com/ Ahmari-https://unherd.com/ Patterson- https://www.jamespatterson.com/ Eversmann- https://www.jamespatterson.com/titles/james-patterson/rockets-red-glare/9780316600118/ Supersure Insurance: Simplify your business insurance and get a free coverage report at https://Supersure.com/Megyn ARMRA: go to https://tryarmra.com/MEGYN to get 30% off your first subscription order The Wellness Company: Don’t let a sudden illness derail your summer—secure your peace of mind and save $45 on a Medical EmergencyKit today by visiting https://UrgentCareKit.com/MK and using promo code MK. SimpliSafe: Visit https://simplisafe.com/MEGYN to claim…
Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on September 28, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.