Talarico's Mystery "Flu" Absence, NYC ICE Shooting, New White House Press Secretary: AM Update 10/12

October 12, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Here is a summary of the October 12, 2026, AM update from The Megyn Kelly Show.

The Monday update covers three major developments: a deepening mystery around a Texas Senate candidate’s week-long absence from the campaign trail, a controversial ICE shooting in New York City that has sparked a political standoff between the Trump administration and the mayor, and the appointment of a new White House press secretary. The episode also reports on a fatal tiger attack at a wildlife park in England.

The Tallarico Absence and the Ohio Recording

A newly surfaced audio recording has intensified questions about the whereabouts of James Tallarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas. Tallarico vanished from the campaign trail for nine days after a September 30th forum, where he told attendees he had just been diagnosed with the flu. He resurfaced on Friday, October 9th, at the Austin City Limits music festival.

The controversy escalated over the weekend when conservative commentator Caroline Wren posted flight tracking data suggesting a private plane flew from Austin to an airport near Cincinnati and back, coinciding with Tallarico’s return. The airport is located roughly 20 minutes from the Lindner Center of Hope, a mental health facility where a friend of Tallarico’s, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, previously received treatment.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:32) **Episode Open & Teaser** - Megyn Kelly welcomes listeners to the Monday, October 12th AM update and teases the top stories: James Talarico's mysterious absence, an NYC ICE shooting, a new White House press secretary, and a fatal tiger attack.
2 (02:44) **James Talarico's "Flu" Absence Under Scrutiny** - New audio and flight tracking data fuel speculation that the Texas Senate candidate may have spent a week away from the campaign trail receiving psychiatric treatment, not recovering from the flu.
3 (06:56) **The Lindner Center Denies Treatment; Talarico Responds** - The mental health facility officially rejects the claim, and Talarico denies ever being in Ohio, doubling down on the "flu" explanation.
4 (07:58) **NYC ICE Shooting: Suspect Rams Agents with Child in Car** - Federal agents shoot a wanted illegal immigrant in Manhattan after he allegedly rams their vehicles and tries to run them over, with his five-year-old son in the back seat.
5 (10:46) **ICE Official Defends Operation; Mayor Condemns It** - The confrontation sparks a political firestorm as DHS Chief Mark Wayne Mullen defends the arrest and New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani calls it an "outrage."
6 (13:07) **Belgal in Federal Custody; Deportation Battle Begins** - Belgal is held in Brooklyn as his attorneys fight to prevent his deportation, with a federal judge temporarily blocking his removal.
7 (15:02) **Trump Names Katie Zachariah as New White House Press Secretary** - President Trump selects conservative commentator and longtime supporter Katie Zachariah to replace Caroline Levitt, who stepped down in August.

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Guests on this episode

Megyn Kelly

Show Notes

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico of Texas is facing questions about his extended absence from the campaign trail after a controversial audio recording fuels speculation about his whereabouts, drawing denials from Talarico and an Ohio mental health facility. An ICE shooting in New York City sparks a political showdown between the Trump administration and Mayor Zohran Mamdani after federal agents fire shots at a wanted illegal immigrant accused of ramming government vehicles while his five-year-old son was in the car. President Trump names conservative commentator Katie Zacharia as his new White House press secretary, replacing Karoline Leavitt after a nearly two-month vacancy. A man is mauled to death by a Siberian tiger at a wildlife park in England after climbing into the animal's enclosure, prompting an investigation into the deadly encounter.

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