Morning Wire – Evening Wire: Walz Bows Out & Trump Stares Down Iran

Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley
Podcast: Morning Wire (The Daily Wire)

Episode Overview

This edition of "Evening Wire" delivers a sweeping update on the most significant political, international, legal, and social stories breaking on January 5, 2026. Anchored by Georgia Howe and John Bickley, the episode covers Minnesota Governor Tim Walz dropping out of the gubernatorial race, Nicolas Maduro’s U.S. trial, shifting U.S. policy on Venezuela, an assertive warning to Iran from President Trump, changes to the children’s vaccine schedule, escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria, a tragic bar fire in Switzerland, a major welfare fraud case in Mississippi, a pivotal Second Amendment ruling in California, and a lighter human-interest piece about a missing teddy bear.

1. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Withdraws from Race

[00:03–01:12]

• Key Point: Governor Tim Walz abruptly ends his re-election campaign amid ongoing fraud scandals.
• Background: Walz cites the politicization of fraud investigations in Minnesota, suggesting Trump allies are exploiting scandals for political gain.
• Quote (Tim Walz, 00:43):
  “Donald Trump and his allies ... want to make our state a colder, meaner place. Election years have a way of ramping up the politics at a time when we simply can't afford more of that in Minnesota. So I've decided to step out of this race and I'll let others worry about the election while I focus on the work that's in front of me for the next year.”
• Context: Walz has faced calls to resign due to scandals such as Feeding Our Future and autism treatment fraud cases prosecuted by the DOJ.

2. Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty in U.S. Court

[01:25–02:27]

• Key Point: Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Celia Flores plead not guilty to narco-terrorism and bribery in New York.
• Charges:
  • Maduro: narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, weapon possession.
  • Flores: accepting bribes, facilitating meetings with drug traffickers.
• Notables:
  • Flores’s lawyer claims she was “significantly injured” during arrest; requests medical evaluation.
  • Julian Assange’s former attorney joins Maduro’s defense.
• Quote (Maduro, 02:10):
  (In Spanish, as leaving court) “I am a prisoner of war.”
• Next Steps: Court hearing scheduled for March 17.

3. Trump Administration’s Plans for Venezuela

[02:27–03:05]

• Key Point: President Trump sets conditions for Venezuelan elections and U.S. investment in rebuilding the country.
• Quote (President Trump, 02:35):
  “We're going to have the big oil companies going. They're going to fix the infrastructure, they're going to invest money. We're going to just take care of the country. We're going to cherish the country.”
• Political Note: Trump says opposition leader Maria Corino Machado can't win “without his support,” but “likes her very much.”

4. U.S. Involvement Shakes Markets; Starlink Response

[03:05–03:51]

• Key Point: News of Maduro’s capture and U.S. oil plans sway stock markets; related oil and defense stocks surge.
• Starlink: Elon Musk announces free satellite internet for Venezuela for 30 days to aid stabilization.
• Quote (Elon Musk, via X): “Long overdue prosperity is coming for the people of Venezuela.”

5. Trump Issues Warning to Iran Amid Tensions

[03:51–04:35]

• Key Point: Following Venezuela action, Trump’s administration posts firm warnings to Iran in Farsi.
• Notable Post:
  “President Trump is a man of action. If you didn't know, now you know.”
  Image features Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, CIA Director Radcliffe.
• Context: Iran continues missile tests and protests; has not complied with Trump’s call for an end to violence.

6. Major Overhaul of U.S. Child Vaccine Schedule

[04:35–05:16]

• Key Point: HHS and CDC recommend fewer shots for kids, vaccinating against 11 diseases (previously eight), aligning closer to Denmark’s model.
• Aim: Intended to rebuild public trust in vaccines post-COVID, while not discouraging immunization.
• Administration Statement: All previously recommended vaccines remain available and covered, with parental choice maintained.
• Concerns: Critics fear the rollout could cause confusion.

7. Senator Mark Kelly Faces Censure for “Seditious” Video

[05:16–06:11]

• Key Point: Democratic Senator Mark Kelly may be censured and lose military rank/benefits over a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders.
• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: Calls the video “reckless and seditious,” refers Kelly's retirement pay for review.
• Quote (Kelly, 06:00):
  “[Hegseth is] the most unqualified secretary of defense in our country’s history,” labeling the moves “outrageous and un-American.”

8. Deadly Anti-Christian Violence in Nigeria

[06:11–06:52]

• Key Point: Attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria escalate; over three dozen killed/lost in Papiri near St. Mary’s Catholic School.
• Details: School church raided, items stolen, priest targeted but missing.
• US Policy: Unclear; Trump previously pledged to protect Christians in the region.

9. Switzerland Bar Fire: An Avoidable Tragedy

[06:52–07:35]

• Key Point: Fire caused by sparklers kills 40+, injures 119 (mostly teenagers) in popular Basel bar.
• Legal response: Bar owners investigated for negligent homicide and arson.
• Personal Account:
  [Young man, 07:22] “Might have gone there. There was a significant chance that we... We ended up dead because we decided to go party.”

10. Major Welfare Fraud Trial Opens in Mississippi

[07:35–08:29]

• Key Point: Federal trial on the misuse of welfare funds (TANF) begins; millions diverted to unrelated projects, including $5M volleyball stadium.
• Headline Defendant: Ted DiBiase Jr., ex-WWE wrestler, rejects plea deals; accused of gaining over $1M via sham contracts.
• Theme: Highlights similarities to recent Minnesota scandals, public frustration with government fraud.

11. Court Tosses California Open Carry Gun Ban

[08:29–09:00]

• Key Point: Federal court rules CA's open carry ban unconstitutional.
• Significance:
  • Law affected ~95% of Californians (counties >200,000 pop).
  • Judge Van Dyke: “Historical records shows open carry was widely protected at the nation’s founding.”

12. Viral Human-Interest Story: Lost Teddy Bear in Virginia

[09:00–09:34]

• Key Point: Norfolk Airport’s efforts to reunite a pajama-clad teddy bear with its owner goes viral.
• Notable Details:
  • Photo shared online (“All Paws on deck”), thousands engage.
  • Bear may be traceable through Build-A-Bear system.

Notable Quotes

• “[Trump and allies] want to make our state a colder, meaner place.” – Tim Walz (00:43)
• “I am a prisoner of war.” – Nicolas Maduro, leaving court (02:10)
• “We're going to just take care of the country. We're going to cherish the country.” – President Trump (02:44)
• “If you didn’t know, now you know.” – State Department on Trump (04:10)
• “[Hegseth is] the most unqualified secretary of defense in our country’s history.” – Mark Kelly (06:00)
• "[We] might have gone there... ended up dead because we decided to go party." – Basel survivor (07:25)

Important Timestamps

• 00:03 – Walz bows out of MN governor race
• 01:25 – Maduro/Flores arraignment
• 02:35 – Trump on Venezuela elections
• 03:05 – Market and Starlink response to Venezuela events
• 03:51 – U.S. direct warning to Iran
• 04:35 – U.S. child vaccine schedule overhaul
• 05:16 – Mark Kelly censure controversy
• 06:11 – Deadly attacks in Nigeria
• 06:52 – Swiss bar fire tragedy
• 07:35 – Mississippi welfare fraud trial begins
• 08:29 – California open-carry ban struck down
• 09:00 – Teddy bear story

Tone and Style

• Concise, fact-driven delivery, interspersed with pointed direct quotes and reporters’ perspectives.
• Maintains a brisk, news-first attitude befitting The Daily Wire’s house style.
• Frequent, unvarnished commentary from political actors and affected individuals.

Summary

This episode encapsulates a turbulent news day by methodically breaking down national and global developments, from U.S. political shakeups and diplomatic confrontations to tragedies and legal decisions, all delivered in a straightforward, accessible style. Interviews, direct quotes, and granular coverage of ongoing stories provide listeners a clear sense of the current moment’s complexity and stakes.