Grok created this transcript of this chat between PragerU CEO Marissa Streit and Dennis’s son David released July 17:
Hi everyone. I am here with David Prager, Dennis’s oldest son. And many of you have been asking for us to give you an update on how Dennis is doing. And so, given that David is here in town, we figured that we’ll sit down and we’ll tell you everything we know. So, David, how is Dennis doing? It’s been eight months now. [0:21]
It’s just about eight months since the injury. He moved to a new facility, as a lot of people know, a few months ago, and we’re thrilled with the facility. He has hit a lot of new milestones since our last update. Namely, he was able to be off the ventilator for over a week at one point consecutively, which was a really big deal in terms of milestones. That being said, I want to also urge cautious optimism because there are days, and a few days at a time sometimes, where there are a lot of setbacks, and that’s tough emotionally, psychologically, both for him and for us as the family. So, I would say I’m happy to see the long-term trajectory, but it’s not like every day is perfect. [1:05]
So, for those who haven’t been following as closely, I’m sure many have, the reason the breathing is such a significant issue is because when he fell down and injured his spinal cord, the C3-C4 area of his spinal cord is what controls his diaphragm. And so, the big struggle for Dennis has been to regain control of his ability to breathe without a supporting machine so that, once he can breathe, he can properly talk, he can properly function, etc. And so, Dennis currently still has a trach collar, which occasionally is capped so that he can breathe on his own, but when the doctors get a sense that he can’t really breathe on his own, they put him back on the breathing support. And so, it’s kind of on and off as he’s regaining function, trying to get stronger, getting used to this new function in his body. [2:03]
It is new, and part of it is he’s not moving, and a lot of us move, and then we don’t have secretions in our lungs so much. So, that’s much easier for us to clear secretions, and those secretions, if they’re not cleared right away, can lead to infections, which has happened in the past. So, we have to be careful of that, cognizant of that, and also create this balance where he may want to stay off the ventilator because, when he’s off the ventilator, typically he can then speak. And what does Dennis Prager like to do more than speak, right? But sometimes the doctors have to come in and say, “I know you want to speak. I know you’re feeling good right now. We still have to put you back on the ventilator and not speak in order to sort of rest that muscle.” I mean, think about not exercising for several months and then, all of a sudden, lifting a heavy weight. That’s a similar concept with the diaphragm. [2:49]
So, the doctors are always talking about this balance, also understanding that when he spends as much time as he’s spent off the ventilator, there would then be certain ramifications as a result of that. So, again, how do they get him to a point where he’s consistently speaking but not then paying a price of having to be on the ventilator and have that discomfort, which comes with a lot of secretions. [3:14]
One of the main concerns that we had, especially while Dennis was still here in California, was that he was lying down for many, many days, and that obviously led to bed sores. Many people are familiar with spinal cord injuries being associated with one of the most dangerous things is that the body doesn’t move, and that leads to these bed sores, and Dennis has developed those bed sores. And the place that he is in now actually is very good with treating bed sores, and I know that there’s been some positive news about the ability of this specific clinic to help him with the bed sores. How is Dennis doing on that front? [3:53]
So, the first thing that they had to do was make sure that things didn’t get worse, and they’re not getting worse. They are improving. Anybody that knows anything about wound care management—I knew nothing eight months ago—knows that once they are bad, it takes a very long time for them to heal, and the scariest part of that is the infection, sepsis, in the bed sores. So, that could be a real problem, but this place is so good about making sure that he’s moved often enough to do so. Again, it’s a balance, right? Because if he has to be woken up every two hours in the middle of the night, for instance, that impacts his sleeping pattern, which obviously sleep is an important part of health. So, I mean, I do not envy these doctors. They have a serious balancing act on their hands. [4:41]
I will say, again, I like to focus on the positive. I was just there with my older son. You’ve mentioned it in the past. They’ve spent a lot of time together talking Torah and philosophy. That’s their favorite subjects. And we did a lot of that when we were together for that weekend. So, it happened to be a great weekend where it felt, to some extent, even though it was in a hospital, like a Shabbat dinner that we would have with the family. So, that was really special, and obviously, we hope it continues. [5:08]
How are Dennis’s spirits throughout all of this, given that it’s been pretty much eight months of battling this severe injury? [5:15]
You know, they’re sort of all over the place. Sometimes they’re great, and sometimes not so great. It was fun that he was really passionate about the hockey playoffs. Being from Florida and a Florida Panthers fan, it was fun that he took on that, and we would talk every day during the playoffs. That would be his first topic of conversation. So, we’re trying to find the next thing that he can enjoy outside of trying to keep up with the news and everything like that, but obviously, that’s not always going to put you in a positive mood. [5:44]
Yeah. So, trying to find the next thing to make him happy. So, again, it’s a little bit all over the place. A lot of the times, he will say to me, I’m trying to think about, with this whole new perspective on life, both physical and emotional, how am I going to share this with my audience? He’s always thinking about how do I convey this to the public? [6:03]
What perspective does he have, in your opinion, or that he’s shared with you on life now that he’s gone through what he’s going through? [6:11]
He says his general philosophy has not changed so much. You know, he never believed that God is involved in the minutiae of your life, and terrible, crazy accidents could happen, and this is what happened. So, I don’t think much has really changed in terms of his philosophy. Though, again, I don’t think he has had so much time, but things change so quickly at the hospital, whether it be with visitors or doctors coming in or having to be moved. Has he had enough consistent time to really think about it? I don’t know. He’s busy taking care of himself. And that’s a lot of work, all the physical therapy and all the other therapy. [6:50]
Yeah. And he’s sitting in a chair a lot now, which is really fun to see. And he’s even getting on the floor and doing some physical therapy on the floor now. So, it’s fun to see that there is, again, that long-term progress. But, again, in the short term, sometimes it does feel difficult. [7:07]
Grok summarizes:
Dennis Prager’s recovery from his spinal cord injury, sustained approximately eight months prior to the video (around November 2024), shows a trajectory of cautious progress with notable challenges. The injury, affecting the C3-C4 area of his spinal cord, has significantly impaired his diaphragm function, making breathing without mechanical support a primary hurdle. A major milestone is that he was able to remain off the ventilator for over a week at one point, indicating improvement in his respiratory function. However, setbacks occur, with days or short periods where he requires ventilator support again due to difficulties in clearing lung secretions, which can lead to infections. This on-and-off pattern reflects the delicate balance doctors are managing to strengthen his diaphragm without overexertion, akin to gradually rebuilding a muscle after prolonged disuse.Additionally, Dennis has faced complications from prolonged immobility, particularly bed sores, which are a common and serious issue in spinal cord injury cases. The facility he is currently in is effectively managing these sores, preventing worsening and promoting slow healing, though the risk of sepsis remains a concern. The staff’s diligence in repositioning him is critical, but it disrupts his sleep, adding another layer of complexity to his recovery.Physically, there are positive signs: Dennis is now able to sit in a chair and even perform some physical therapy on the floor, indicating improved strength and mobility compared to earlier stages when he was largely bedridden. His spirits, however, fluctuate. While he remains engaged in activities like following the hockey playoffs and discussing philosophy and Torah with family, his emotional state varies, reflecting the psychological toll of an extended recovery. He is already contemplating how to share his new perspective with his audience, suggesting his mental resilience and focus on his public role persist.The update emphasizes a long-term positive trajectory but acknowledges short-term difficulties, with no definitive timeline for full recovery. Dennis’s philosophical outlook remains largely unchanged, viewing his injury as a random accident rather than a divine intervention, which aligns with his pre-injury beliefs. His awareness of being loved by his audience, beyond mere respect, is a significant emotional realization that seems to bolster his spirits.Overall, Dennis is making meaningful progress, particularly in respiratory function and mobility, but his recovery is slow and nonlinear, requiring ongoing medical management and patience. The support from his community, through initiatives like birthday wishes and PragerU donations, appears to play a vital role in sustaining his morale.
Grok provides context:
Dennis Prager suffered a serious spinal cord injury at the C3-C4 level following a fall at his home on November 12, 2024. The injury, described as “incomplete,” affected his diaphragm, leading to significant respiratory challenges and paralysis below the shoulders. He was initially hospitalized in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai, where he underwent surgery and was placed on a ventilator. Early updates noted swelling and inflammation around his neck and upper spine, complicating assessments of long-term recovery. Complications included pneumonia, which further challenged his recovery.
Progress in Early 2025
By February 2025, Prager showed incremental improvements, particularly in breathing, eating, and speaking. He was transferred to a specialized rehabilitation facility, which offered better care for his needs, including management of bed sores and respiratory therapy. His cognitive functions remained intact, with reports emphasizing that he was “100% there” mentally, engaging in conversations and maintaining his characteristic wit. A recorded message from Prager on March 7, 2025, indicated his voice was nearly normal, and he expressed intent to return to radio in June 2025, reflecting optimism about his recovery.
Setback and Delayed Radio Return (May 2025)
In May 2025, Salem Media Group announced that Prager’s planned radio return on June 3, 2025, was postponed indefinitely due to a setback in his recovery. While specific details of the setback were not disclosed, it was significant enough to delay his return to broadcasting. The Charlie Kirk Show and Jack Posobiec’s program continued to fill his time slot on Salem Radio Network. Despite this, Prager was reported to be speaking beautifully and making progress in other areas, though he remained paralyzed below the shoulders.
Latest Update (May 2025)
A PragerU update from May 18, 2025, highlighted by David Prager and Marissa Streit, emphasized continued progress since his relocation to a new care facility. He was receiving excellent support and rehabilitation, with improvements in managing bed sores and engaging in physical therapy, such as sitting in a chair and performing floor exercises. His spirits were described as fluctuating but bolstered by activities like following the hockey playoffs and discussing philosophy. Prager expressed gratitude for the support from his audience, noting he felt loved beyond mere respect. (This aligns with the transcript provided.)
Family Context and Comparative Cases
Dr. Kenneth Prager, Dennis’s brother and a pulmonologist, provided insight in December 2024, noting that his son Joshua had a similar C3-C4 injury in 1990, resulting in initial quadriplegia but eventual partial recovery (paralysis on one side). This family history underscores the potential for recovery with an incomplete spinal cord injury, though outcomes vary widely. Kenneth’s update emphasized Dennis’s resilience and the long-term nature of his recovery.
Public and Professional Support
Throughout his recovery, Prager has received significant support from his audience, colleagues, and medical staff, many of whom recognize his influence through PragerU and his radio show. Posts on X and media reports highlight an outpouring of prayers and well-wishes, though some negative sentiments were also noted, particularly from detractors critical of his conservative views. His absence from radio has raised concerns about PragerU’s fundraising, as his on-air presence typically drives significant donations.
Contextual Analysis of Dennis Prager’s Recovery
Medical Context: Nature of the Injury: The C3-C4 spinal cord injury is severe due to its impact on the diaphragm, critical for breathing, and motor function below the shoulders. An “incomplete” injury means some neural pathways may remain intact, offering potential for recovery, though the extent is uncertain and typically assessed six months to a year post-injury. The transcript and other sources confirm progress in respiratory function (e.g., a week off the ventilator) but persistent paralysis, consistent with the slow, variable recovery typical of such injuries.
Complications: Bed sores and infections like pneumonia are common in spinal cord injury patients due to immobility and compromised respiratory function. The new facility’s expertise in wound care and frequent repositioning has mitigated these risks, though sleep disruption remains a challenge. The setback reported in May 2025 likely relates to respiratory or infection issues, as these are frequent causes of delays in such cases.
Rehabilitation Progress: Prager’s ability to sit in a chair and perform floor-based physical therapy by May 2025 indicates improved core strength and stability, a significant step for someone with a high cervical injury. His speech, nearly normal by March 2025, suggests strengthening of accessory respiratory muscles, even if diaphragmatic function remains limited. However, the lack of movement below the shoulders as of July 2025 indicates that motor recovery is lagging behind respiratory and cognitive improvements.
Emotional and Psychological Context: Prager’s fluctuating spirits reflect the psychological toll of a prolonged recovery, a common experience for spinal cord injury patients facing uncertainty and loss of independence. His engagement with family, sports, and intellectual pursuits (e.g., Torah discussions) suggests resilience, which is critical for long-term recovery. His realization of being “loved” by his audience, as noted in the transcript, likely provides emotional support, countering the isolation often experienced in such conditions.
Professional Impact: Prager’s absence from his radio show, a key platform for PragerU’s fundraising, has created financial uncertainty for the organization, especially with his birthday campaign—a significant annual fundraiser—lacking his direct promotion in 2025. The transition to Charlie Kirk and Jack Posobiec in his radio slot indicates a strategic shift by Salem Media to maintain audience engagement, but Prager’s unique voice remains irreplaceable, as noted by supporters and Salem executives.
Comparative Recovery Outlook: The case of Kenneth Prager’s son Joshua, who recovered partial function after a similar injury, offers hope but also highlights variability. Joshua’s recovery to walking with one-sided paralysis took years, and Dennis, at 76, faces additional challenges due to age-related healing limitations. However, his cognitive intactness and aggressive rehabilitation suggest potential for further gains, particularly in respiratory independence, though full motor recovery remains uncertain.
Critical Evaluation
The sources, primarily from PragerU, Salem Media, and related media outlets, are consistent in describing a serious but improving condition, with no evidence of brain injury and incremental gains in breathing and speech. However, the lack of specific details about the May 2025 setback raises questions about the extent of the complication—potentially a respiratory infection, worsening bed sores, or a neurological plateau, all common in such injuries. The overwhelmingly positive tone of PragerU updates may reflect a desire to maintain supporter morale, but the acknowledgment of setbacks and the long-term nature of recovery aligns with medical expectations for C3-C4 injuries. X posts, while reflecting public sentiment, include some negative comments that lack medical relevance and appear driven by ideological opposition rather than factual insight.
