The mystery of CA’s missing $100M fire relief; Mahmoud’s media tour; Trade Progress!

Summary

Podcast Summary: 10 Minute Drill Episode: The mystery of CA’s missing $100M fire relief; Mahmoud’s media tour; Trade Progress!
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Matt Whitlock

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1. Trade and Tariff Deals: EU and Japan Make Progress

Matt Whitlock opens the episode by highlighting significant advancements in U.S. trade relations, particularly with the European Union and Japan. The European Union has been a challenging partner due to both trade relationships and non-trade barriers, such as the digital services tax. The EU's attempt to impose penalties on U.S. tech companies to facilitate their market operations has been a contentious issue.

Conversely, substantial progress has been made with Japan, one of the U.S.'s most crucial markets. The ongoing deal encompasses sectors like automobiles and agricultural products, including rice. Whitlock remarks:

"It's a huge deal. And to my friends in Japan, Yoroshiko Nogaishimasuah." (00:32)

This bilateral agreement underscores the strategic importance of strengthening economic ties with key allies, mitigating previous trade tensions, and fostering mutual growth.

2. Hunter Biden’s Explosive Podcast Interview

The episode delves into the fallout from Hunter Biden’s recent three-hour podcast interview, where he critiqued numerous Democratic operatives and consultants. Hunter Biden criticized his perceived sidelining during the 2024 Democratic primary and addressed immigration issues.

Co-Host highlights Hunter's stance:

"All these Democrats say you have to talk about and realize that people are really upset about illegal immigration." (01:32)

Whitlock counters by characterizing Hunter as a "nepo baby" who lacks genuine experience, undermining Democratic messaging on immigration. The discussion includes insights from a Political Analyst who states:

"Hunter Biden throughout Joe Biden's presidency was a terrible liability for him... You were a liability. You should be ashamed." (02:11)

This segment underscores the internal conflicts within the Democratic Party and the ongoing debates surrounding Hunter Biden's influence and credibility.

3. Mahmoud Khalil’s Media Tour and Anti-Israel Protests

Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student, has become a prominent figure leading anti-Israel and pro-Hamas protests. Recently detained and deported, Khalil has returned to Capitol Hill to advocate for a $20 million lawsuit against the U.S. government. His efforts aim to hold the federal government accountable, aligning with representatives like Rep. Summer Lee from Pennsylvania.

In a revealing interview, Khalil states:

"I condemn the killing of all civilians, full stop. ... it's disingenuous to ask about condemning Hamas while Palestinians are the ones being starved now by Israel." (03:16)

Additionally, Khalil downplays the safety concerns of Jewish students affected by protests, saying:

"We need to distinguish between being uncomfortable and between being unsafe." (03:53)

Whitlock criticizes Khalil's stance, emphasizing the real fears and dangers faced by Jewish communities and highlighting the broader conversation about the U.S. legal immigration system. He asserts:

"This person was here on a student visa... attacking our American government... promoting terrorism, making American citizens feel unsafe." (04:15)

4. Mismanagement of California Wildfire Relief Funds

A significant portion of the episode examines the alarming mismanagement of $100 million raised for California wildfire relief. Funds were generated through concerts featuring major artists like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry, among others. However, investigative journalists Lee and Sue Pasco uncovered that these funds did not reach the intended wildfire victims directly. Instead, they were funneled through the Annenberg Foundation, which allocated grants to various nonprofits based on existing relationships.

Key findings include:

• $7 million went to groups like the California Native Vote Project and the Latino Community Foundation, which focus on political advocacy and voter mobilization.
• $3 million was directed to the Music Industry Mental Health Fund and Legal Aid organizations, including the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, which supports deportation defense and immigration cases.

Whitlock summarizes the issue:

"So it's not. A lot of it is ending up in political groups... trying to get Democrat voters or push Democrat priorities." (09:30)

He warns of a broader pattern where funds intended for humanitarian aid are diverted to politically affiliated organizations, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in relief efforts.

5. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Hearing on DEI Practices

The episode concludes with a focus on the Senate Judiciary Committee's recent hearing addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices in corporate America. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division emphasized the administration's commitment to eliminating illegal discriminatory behaviors within companies.

Co-Host underscores the moral stance against racial discrimination:

"It's wrong to use race to harm some. Yes sir." (10:14)

Matt Whitlock adds:

"It's illegal and un American." (10:20)

The discussion highlights successes against companies like Target and Ford, while criticizing ongoing discriminatory practices in firms such as Microsoft and Chubb. The conversation touches on public sentiment, noting that while diversity is widely supported, enforced measures like racial quotas are often met with resistance.

Whitlock commends Dhillon and the DOJ's efforts:

"Kudos to Harmeet Dhillon and everybody shining a light on this issue." (10:29)

He emphasizes the Senate's determination to either naturally phase out DEI practices or actively terminate them, reflecting the administration's strong stance on this issue.

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Conclusion

In this episode of 10 Minute Drill, Matt Whitlock provides a comprehensive overview of pivotal topics impacting U.S. politics and society. From significant trade negotiations with the EU and Japan to the controversies surrounding Hunter Biden and the mismanagement of wildfire relief funds, the episode offers critical insights. Additionally, the discussion on Mahmoud Khalil’s activism and the Senate's crackdown on DEI practices highlights the ongoing struggles within political and social spheres. Whitlock’s analysis, enriched with expert opinions and compelling quotes, ensures listeners are well-informed on these complex issues.

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For more updates and detailed discussions, subscribe to 10 Minute Drill and stay informed with Matt Whitlock’s veteran political insights.

Transcript

[Host]

Additional Hunter Biden podcast fallout, new trade deals with Japan, the European Union and others. And the mystery of the missing California wildfire relief funds. All of that and more today on 10 Minute Drill. Everybody get up.

[Co-Host]

Get up.

[Host]

The story of America is the story of an adventure.

[Co-Host]

I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. We are a nation under God and I believe God intended for us to be free.

[Host]

We begin today with huge momentum on two very critical trade and tariff deals. First, the European Union which has been a sticking point because of both the trade relationship but also the non trade barriers. We've talked about the digital services tax where the European Union is attempting to extract penalties from US tech companies to be able to sell and operate in their markets. The the other major progress is with Japan. Japan is one of the largest, most important markets that we've made progress with up to date. And the deal in discussion right now deals with automobiles, deals with agricultural goods, rice. It's a huge deal. And to my friends in Japan, Yoroshiko Nogaishimasuah. On Tuesday we talked about Hunter Biden's explosive three hour podcast interview where he unloaded on every Democrat operative and consultant under the sun and showed that the Biden family still has major access to grind on over how he was cast aside in the 2024 Democrat primary. An additional part of that interview was on the subject of immigration.

[Co-Host]

All these Democrats say you have to talk about and realize that people are really upset about illegal immigration. You how do you think your hotel room gets cleaned? How do you think you got food on your table? Who do you think washes your dishes? Who do you think does your garden?

[Host]

As Democrats have attempted to frame their immigration messaging on Hunter Biden, a rich Nepo baby who's never worked a day in his life, complaining about who's going to clean his hotel rooms and make his food is not necessarily a helpful face. And you know who agrees with that point? The Pod Save America Bros. Former Obama aides who Hunter took particular exception with in that podcast interview.

[Political Analyst]

Hunter Biden throughout Joe Biden's presidency was a terrible liability for him and put the addiction aside, it is because he was on Burisma, because he became an artist, because he was part of a kind of like sleazy Washington that as Tommy said, people hated. You were a liability. You should be ashamed.

[Host]

We've previously talked about Mahmoud Khalil, the non American Columbia University former student who has led some of the anti Israel pro Hamas protests at Columbia University and other places he was detained. Set for deportation. He recently returned to Capitol Hill to promote a $20 million lawsu against the United States government. That lawsuit is meant to send a message to our government. He wants to hold the federal government accountable. He's meeting with representatives like pro Hamas, anti Israel Rep. Summer Lee from Pennsylvania. He also is doing a series of interviews where he's talking about things like Hamas. In this interview, he refuses to condemn Hamas and the atrocities of October 7th.

[Guest Speaker]

I condemn the killing of all civilians, full stop. And but what I don't want to, I am very clear with condemning all civilians. I'm very straight in my position in that part. But it's disingenuous to ask about condemning Hamas while Palestinians are the ones being starved now by Israel.

[Host]

In another clip, he talked about specifically concerns that Jewish students had had for their own safety, where he dismisses those concerns and says they don't feel unsafe, they just feel uncomfortable. Here's that clip.

[Guest Speaker]

We need to distinguish between being uncomfortable and between being unsafe. So there should be a distinction between these two. I can understand how these protests may make someone uncomfortable hearing that your country or a country that you support is committing a genocide.

[Host]

This is egregious because the Democrat party has always talked about believing the victims, believing people shared experiences. And these Jewish students in universities were, were hiding, were forced into hiding in rooms in their universities to get away from these mask protesters calling for the eradication of Jewish people and calling for globalizing the Intifada, which again is violence against Jewish people. So of course they had genuine fear for their safety. But this is also starting and continuing a very important conversation about our legal immigration system. This person was here on a student visa to learn in our schools and hopefully provide benefits to the American institution and to America as a whole. And instead he's attacking our American government. He's promoting terrorism, making American citizens feel unsafe. And we allowed that to happen. So I believe we will continue to hear more and more about the need for reforms to our student visa system. We talked yesterday in our special episode about President Trump and Senate Republicans incredible work beginning confirmation process for very important judges. The Senate recently confirmed the hundredth President Trump nominee and have also recently passed the big beautiful bill, crypto legislation and things like that. There's a lot of discussion about working through August recess, working through weekends to try and get more and more things through while they discuss that and the importance of getting as much work done as they can. One point I wanted to make as a former Senate staffer is the importance of members getting home to their districts to sell the benefits of what they've accomplished. The big beautiful bill has so many wins for the American people, but members need to get home to their own media market and to their constituents to talk about how valuable this is. And so hopefully, as they work through cutting back on that home work period, some people call it recess, but really members are not going on vacation. They're working in their home or district offices on the same issues. Hopefully they have time to get home and begin selling this important agenda to their constituents. Because as we've talked about here, without that effort, Democrats and the media will make these important reforms to Medicaid, the important parts of the big beautiful bill, into a weapon to use against us. So they're going to try and balance that. Speaker Johnson and leader Thugan are going to try and balance the need to have members here to vote and continue processing the agenda and nominees, but also getting them home where they can make the important case for these victories to the American people. We've talked a lot here about the California wildfires, the mismanagement that allowed these wildfires to spread and have the damage they had, the mismanagement that had empty wells where fire hydrants could not get water to put out the fires. Another component that we want to talk about today is the relief money. So $100 million was raised through concerts, through major events, things like that, Fire aid organized concerts with YouTube, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They raised funds through the concerts, through merchandise, through donations from all over the world. $100 million. But victims of these wildfires have been saying, where is that money? Is it going to come to any of us? A few investigative journalists dug into this. Thanks to Lee and Sue Pasco, an investigative journalist, for Circling the News. We now know that fire aid funds have not gone directly to residents, but instead to nonprofits selected by a charity based on the other side of the country. Turns out these funds are not going directly to victims, but going through an organization called the Annenberg Foundation. The Annenberg foundation is deciding who to give these grants to based on nonprofit and non government organizations that have relationships with the Annenberg Foundation. We looked in to some of those non government organizations that have gotten relief money that was meant for victims of these wildfires. Those groups include some of the frontline support like churches, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, but also politically affiliated groups like the NAACP, the California Conservation Corps, which trains young climate activists. Seven million went to quote, relief groups, unquote, which include the California Native Vote Project, a group that purports to stand with our undocumented relatives. The Latino Community Foundation, a partner in redistributing power within the Latino community, funding protests and the legal fight against deportations. My Tribe Rise, an organization that advocates for equity, justice and power, educating on things like the origins of Juneteenth and other racial issues. A group called alliance for a Better Community, advancing social, economic and racial equity and justice for the Latino Latina community and the Los Angeles region through power building and policy advocacy. 3 million in grants to musicians and artists. The Music Industry Mental Health Fund and then Legal aid. Now the Legal Aid foundation of Los Angeles provides legal aid for a number of things, including support in deportation defense, people that are trying to avoid immigration cases, deportation and things like that. So if you gave money to Fire LA to this Wildfire Relief Fund, you might have thought it was going to individuals who need help who are some of the tens of thousands who lost their homes. It's not. A lot of it is ending up in political groups who are out trying to get Democrat voters or push Democrat priorities through this range of incredibly political nonprofits and non governmental organizations. In summary, we always want to follow the money. So often things that are disguised as well intentioned good objectives are used to hijack money for so many other things. That is what DOGE has spent the last seven months revealing throughout our government. So much money meant for educating kids is actually going to teachers unions. So many things for foreign aid through USAID is actually going to insane things like trans and kids. Turns out relief for wildfire victims, very similar gets picked apart through these left wing nonprofit groups. So we'll continue to follow that story. Yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee held a very important hearing on DEI throughout corporate America and the Trump administration, particularly Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division's efforts to get this illegal discriminatory behavior out of companies.

[Co-Host]

It's wrong to use race to harm some. Yes sir. It's wrong to harm somebody because of their race.

[Host]

It's illegal and un American.

[Co-Host]

Yeah, it's okay to harm them legally and appropriately because they're an a hole, but not because of their race.

[Host]

This is an important hearing after President Trump has made this a priority of his administration in particularly this Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. And we have already seen major progress from companies like Target, Tractor Supply, Ford and others. Meanwhile, other companies continue these discriminatory practices either out in the open or behind the scenes. Companies like Microsoft, Chubb, Dish and others continuing to discriminate to push divisive DEI practices. We've talked a lot here about dei, diversity, equity and inclusion and polling, again highlighting the fact that while people think diversity itself is a good thing, they oppose it strongly when it is forced through things like racial quotas and preferences, which is what so many of these programs in companies continue to do. So we'll track this closely. Kudos to Harmeet Dhillon and everybody shining a light on this issue. With these efforts underway, Senators, the goal is clear. Either DEI will end on its own or we will kill it. That is all the time we have for today. Thank you so much for joining us on 10 Minute Drill. We appreciate you. Please like subscribe Leave a comment thank you for being with us. As always, have a great day.