The Morning Meeting (2WAY): "White House, Hegseth Fire Back at 'Fake News' Washington Post Report on Bombing 'Drug Running Boats'"

Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Mark Halperin
Guests: Ashley (Democratic crisis comms veteran), Hogan Gidley (Republican comms veteran/former Trump official)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into several high-stakes news stories, focusing on the White House and military's response to reports that a U.S. strike in the Caribbean may have killed survivors of a drug-running boat, and the overall political/media fallout. The discussion also covers Russia/Ukraine peace prospects, political intrigue at the FBI, the state of the U.S. economy, and insights on looming elections. The co-hosts, both seasoned crisis communication strategists from opposite sides of the aisle, analyze the day's controversies and how Washington insiders are processing these events.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. Russia/Ukraine Peace Negotiations

Background:
The U.S. diplomatic team, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is meeting Vladimir Putin in Moscow amid ongoing attempts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Main Points:

• Senator Marco Rubio (09:31–09:42):

  "Our goal here is to end the war. But it's more than just to end the war. We also want to help Ukraine be safe forever so never again will they face another invasion."

• Senator Tom Cotton (10:10–11:10):
  • Emphasizes holding Putin responsible, strong sanctions, and continuing military support for Ukraine.
  • Calls for a defensible Ukraine regardless of U.S./Russian leadership changes.
  • Stresses U.S. resolve: "President Trump means business... we've imposed sanctions... The pressure will continue to increase on Vladimir Putin" (11:00).

Panel Analysis:

• Ashley (11:30–12:21): Skeptical a deal will happen, claims Trump tends to lean pro-Putin, and doubts Ukraine's interests are truly considered.
• Hogan (12:34–14:54): Blames "feckless" Democratic policies for the conflict, argues Trump is uniquely positioned to broker peace, notes complexity, and acknowledges the challenge of getting to a mutually acceptable deal.

Quote – Ashley (15:30):

"The issue, though, is Ukraine's not at the table. How do you negotiate a deal without them being at the table? ... The President's sort of admiration and love, unrelenting love for Putin... really challenges the negotiations going forward."

Quote – Hogan (16:25):

"Zelensky's here a lot, talking to a lot of folks... Russia would have... wiped out Ukraine... had it not been for the aggressive weapons that Donald Trump gave Ukraine."

Deal by Christmas?

• Ashley: "I don't see it happening." (15:27)
• Halperin: "I actually think there's a better than even chance there's a deal by Christmas..." (17:32)

2. U.S. Strike on Alleged "Drug Running Boats" and War Crimes Accusations

Context:
A Washington Post article alleges a "double tap" strike by the U.S. meant to kill shipwrecked individuals, possibly violating laws of war. Both Congress and the administration are investigating.

White House/Pete Hegseth Defense:

• President Trump (18:54–19:51):

  "I don't know anything about it... He said he didn't do it, so I don't have to make that decision... We'll look into it. But, no, I wouldn't have wanted that... I have great confidence... Pete said he did not order the death of those two men."

Host & Panel Reaction:

• Hogan (20:12–22:38): Dismisses the report as likely "fake news," questions the Post's credibility, and refuses to entertain hypotheticals about the legality if true. "These shadowy sources... that try and erode the credibility... I think that's deplorable."
• Ashley (22:55–24:49): Demands clarity about U.S. objectives and leadership consistency. "Trump and Hegseth owe the American people an explanation... conflicting accounts here... Not knowing what Hegseth did... is a failure of leadership."
• Key Quote (Ashley, 24:49):

  "Why not say nothing? Why not say, I'm looking into this, rather than he said no or it didn't happen... The buck stops with the president."

Partisan Clash

• Hogan: "Somehow, Donald Trump has gotten the Democrat Party to be on the side of a terrorist and a drug lord." (25:15)
• Ashley: "But the president, through his pardon, has put himself on the side of a drug lord." (25:28)

Congressional Inquiry

• Both hosts agree that Congress will pursue investigations and the issue is not going away.

3. Fallout in Venezuela — Maduro's Fate

Press/Editorial Reaction:

• Wall Street Journal opines Trump "can't back down" in Venezuela and speculates on regime change.

Predictions:

• Ashley: Believes Maduro will be gone by Christmas, but again presses for public explanations. "Hexif needs to go to Congress and explain himself." (26:36)
• Hogan: Thinks "this could be the moment that tips the scale" for Venezuela (26:59).

4. FBI "Rudderless Ship" Report—Kash Patel Controversy

New York Post Story:

• Miranda Devine reports low morale and wasteful spending/contact within the FBI under Kash Patel.

Analysis:

• Hogan (28:23–29:58): Suggests story is an internal attempt to signal the president and force action. "They are trying to get Donald Trump to do something... using someone like Miranda Devine."
• Ashley (30:04–31:35): Stresses the substance—alleges mismanagement, hypocrisy, and loss of confidence in leadership. Points out agents praise and criticize. "We have to take very seriously" complaints about leadership failures.

5. Economic Outlook and Election Messaging

Polls:
President's approval ratings remain low, especially on the economy.

Ashley (34:22–35:51):

• Sees no bright side: "Prices have gone up 12%... economic situation's only getting worse... the economy is in a recession, inflation is too high. Again, by the administration's own accounts..."

Hogan (36:27–38:57):

• Trump administration messaging needs caution: "One of the most offensive things... is tell[ing] them what they are experiencing isn't real... however, the economy is measurably, provably better than under Joe Biden."

Affordability as Key Issue:

• Both agree that affordability and economic hardship are top of mind for voters.

Memorable Quote – Ashley (47:04):

"It's always the economy, stupid. ... People are experiencing this economy in really devastating ways."

6. Tennessee 7th Congressional District Special Election

Ad Reaction (39:25–39:55):

• Democratic candidate centers her ad on affordability, anti-tariffs, and populist themes.

Halperin & Panel:

• Hogan: Predicts Republican holds seat, but sees opportunity for strategic reset if the margin is close. "I love that type of ad... just say we're going to lower prices... but there is no explanation."
• Ashley: Agrees Dems will likely lose, but will watch for signs Trump is bleeding support with key voting groups.

7. Listener Questions and Issues

Gavin Newsom's 2028 Prospects (46:03):

• Ashley: Sees Newsom as the energy leader on the Democratic side, but notes the snapshot in time can change based on attacks on his record.
• Hogan: Notes Newsom could be vulnerable in a national contest due to California’s fiscal woes.

Alleged U.S. War Crime (50:04):

• Caller Jack raises longstanding concerns about weakened military guardrails, war crimes, and political purges in military/JAG rankings.
• Hogan: Cites policy/legal justifications for aggressive anti-drug lord tactics, reframes issue as one of protecting Americans.
• Ashley: Reiterates the need for the rule of law: "Are we going to be a nation that adheres to laws, not what Pete Hexap says he thinks is right?" (53:39)

Racial Voting Shifts (59:45):

• Ashley: Notes "bleeding of support among black supporters, specifically black males" due to a sense of betrayal by Trump’s promises versus outcomes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ashley on Leadership Accountability (24:49):

  "Not knowing even what Hegseth did... is a failure of leadership. And I will say the president's comments on Air Force One is really only making the problem worse."

• Hogan on Real Economy Messaging (36:27):

  "One of the most offensive things you can do to a voter is tell them what they are experiencing isn't real."

• Ashley on the Democratic 2028 Field (46:03):

  "He's [Newsom] really figured out... the best way to run an opposition against Donald Trump."

• Caller Jack on Accountability (54:54):

  "Why don't [they] make a presentation to the American people and to Congress and explain the evidence you have for interdicting these boats?...there's never been any offer of any kind of proof that I'm aware of."

• Ashley on Affordability as the Top Issue (47:04):

  "It's always the economy, stupid. ... People are experiencing this economy in really devastating ways."

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Daybook rundown: [03:37–09:21]
• Russia/Ukraine negotiations: [09:21–17:49]
• Alleged U.S. War Crime/Boat Strike: [17:49–25:33]
• Venezuela—Maduro Outlook: [25:56–27:18]
• FBI/Kash Patel controversy: [27:18–33:34]
• Economic messaging/election impact: [33:34–43:56]
• Listener Q&A (Newsom 2028, war crimes, racial voting): [45:44–59:52]

Tone & Language

The conversation is brisk, candid, and features sharp partisan contrasts. Both guests use their crisis communications backgrounds to drive arguments, sometimes speaking past each other but regularly returning to shared themes—accountability, clarity of leadership, and the enduring centrality of voter concerns about the economy.

Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• The administration and its allies are forcefully pushing back on major-media accusations of illegal military conduct, but the controversy is set to roil Congress and the press for days or weeks.
• Prospects for Russia/Ukraine peace are hotly debated, with uncertainty about timing and the true agency of each party.
• The FBI under current leadership faces high-level leaks and morale issues, per multiple reports drawing bipartisan attention.
• The U.S. economy's “vibe” is poor, irrespective of some improved statistics—both parties believe affordability will determine 2026's fortunes.
• Listener questions reflect a deep concern about rule of law, war crimes, the credibility crisis facing U.S. institutions, and the volatility within both party coalitions.