Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump Pressures Tehran & Economy Gains Momentum | 1.14.26
Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Georgia Howe (with John Bickley off)
Contributors: Tim Pierce, Cabot Phillips, Congressman Brad Finstad, EJ Antoni (Heritage Foundation)
Podcast by: The Daily Wire

Overview

This episode examines major international and domestic developments: President Trump’s abrupt break-off of talks with Iran amid ongoing protests, his strong warnings to Tehran, and promises of impending support for Iranian protesters. On the domestic front, the episode looks at surprisingly positive inflation numbers and their political implications, as well as analysis and debate in Congress around an upcoming funding package ahead of another government shutdown deadline. The episode concludes with a discussion about federal funding fraud—focusing on Minnesota’s scandals and efforts to introduce stronger safeguards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Hardline Stance on Iran

(Timestamps: 00:04–05:47)

• Abrupt End to Talks: President Trump publicly announces he is “through with negotiations” with Iran due to the regime's crackdown on anti-government protests.

• Direct Address to Iranian Protesters:

  • Trump calls on activists to “take over institutions,” promising that “help is on the way” but remains vague on specifics.
  • Notable quote:

    “Save the name of the killers and the abusers... because they’ll pay a very big price.”
    — President Trump (00:11)

• US Citizens in Iran Advised to Leave:

  • Following a government alert warning of internet outages and rising danger.

• Humanitarian Crisis & Death Toll:

  • Reports on the protest crackdown estimate deaths ranging from 1,800 (Human Rights Activist News Agency) to as high as 12,000 (Iran International).
  • Noted: Execution scheduled for Erfan Sultani, accused of “waging war on God.”

• Trump's Strategy:

  • Responses considered include: military strikes, cyber/psychological attacks.
  • Recent economic pressure: 25% tariff threatened on nations doing business with Iran.
  • Uncertainty over US military readiness due to no carrier group in the region.
  • Senator Tom Cotton remarks on US military capabilities post-Operation Midnight Hammer and comments on Iranian regime’s current frailty.
  • Notable quote:

    “The US military has amazing capabilities that never puts any kind of operation outside of its grasp...”
    — Senator Tom Cotton (05:02)

• International Reactions:

  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz predicts the Iranian regime could soon collapse:

    “I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime.”

2. US Economic Update: Inflation Surprises Again

(Timestamps: 06:56–11:17)

• Inflation Cooldown:
  • Labor Department reports inflation at 2.7% for December—lowest since March 2021, defying earlier expert expectations.
  • Notable quote:

    “Month after month after month, inflation has come lower than expected, again defying expert predictions and thrilling the White House.”
    — Cabot Phillips (07:48)

  • Historical context: Inflation peaked at 9% in 2021, averaged 5% under Biden.
• Trump’s Response:
  • Argues this proves Fed Chair Jerome Powell should lower rates.
  • Notable quote:

    “We have very low inflation. So that would give too-late Powell the chance to give us a nice, beautiful, big rate cut, which would be great.”
    — President Trump (08:13)

• Skepticism About Inflation Data:
  • EJ Antoni (Heritage Foundation) claims true inflation is even lower due to lag in reporting, particularly on rents.
  • Notable quote:

    “Inflation is most likely even cooler than these prints are suggesting.”
    — EJ Antoni (08:56)

• Tariffs & Consumer Impact:
  • "Liberation Day" tariffs predicted by many to spike consumer prices have not done so according to the data.
  • Trump asserts tariffs are paid by “foreign nations and middlemen,” not US consumers.

    “Every prediction the critics made about our tariff policy has failed to materialize.”
    — President Trump (09:39)

  • Antoni elaborates: The administration is refining tariffs to shift costs away from consumers.

    “The vast majority of the tariffs have not been passed on to consumers...”
    — EJ Antoni (10:10)

• Persistent Public Skepticism:
  • Despite data, 61% of Americans still feel the economy “is not working well for them.” (Marist poll)
    • “Trump still faces an uphill battle to shift that perception...” — Cabot Phillips (10:52)

3. Congressional Budget Negotiations & Funding Package

(Timestamps: 11:39–16:04)

• Shutdown Looms, Legislative Push:
  • House to vote on two-bill funding package; Senate recently advanced it.
  • Bill covers agencies like the IRS, Treasury, federal courts—but omits Homeland Security.
• Focus on Fiscal Responsibility:
  • Congressman Brad Finstad highlights a “16% decrease in funding” and return to “regular order” in Congressional appropriations.
  • Notable quote:

    “We’re looking at a 16% decrease in funding... an opportunity for us to kind of right size government.”
    — Rep. Finstad (12:26)

• Measures to Prevent Fraud:
  • Defunding of certain USAID programs with histories of fraud and lack of audits.
  • Push for more reporting and data for federally funded programs run by states/NGOs.
    • “No longer will you have free reign to take our federal tax dollars and run willy nilly with it.” — Rep. Finstad (13:19)
• Controversy Over Homeland Security Omission:
  • Finstad attributes it to “political pressure from the extreme left” among Democrats, aiming at reductions in law enforcement and border security funding.
• Minnesota Case Study: Fraud & Policy Critique:
  • Finstad criticizes state-level mismanagement (Gov. Walz, A.G. Keith Ellison) for fostering policies (e.g., free tuition for undocumented immigrants, sanctuary cities) he claims led to rampant fraud.
  • Noted: 80 people jailed; $9 billion in fraud cited.
  • Notable, tongue-in-cheek quote:

    “We are the land of 10,000 lakes, and now we wake up every day to the land of 10,000 fraud stories.”
    — Rep. Finstad (15:02)

• Call for Oversight:
  • Emphasizes need for "sanity" and “calm, cool heads.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |------------|------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:11 | President Trump | “Save the name of the killers and the abusers... because they’ll pay a very big price.” | | 03:05 | President Trump | (On what kind of help for Iranian protesters:) “You’re going to have to figure that one out.”| | 05:02 | Senator Tom Cotton | “The US military has amazing capabilities that never puts any kind of operation outside of its grasp...” | | 08:13 | President Trump | “We have very low inflation... Powell [should] give us a nice, beautiful, big rate cut...” | | 09:39 | President Trump | “Every prediction the critics made about our tariff policy has failed to materialize.” | | 10:10 | EJ Antoni (Heritage) | “The vast majority of the tariffs have not been passed on to consumers.” | | 12:26 | Congressman Finstad | “We’re looking at a 16% decrease in funding... an opportunity... to right size government.” | | 13:19 | Congressman Finstad | “No longer will you have free reign to take our federal tax dollars and run willy nilly with it.” | | 15:02 | Congressman Finstad | “We are the land of 10,000 lakes, and now... the land of 10,000 fraud stories.” |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Trump’s Message to Tehran: 00:04–05:47
• Iranian Protest Crackdown Details: 03:26–05:47
• US Inflation Report & Tariff Analysis: 06:56–11:17
• Congressional Funding Package & Fraud Prevention: 11:39–16:04
• Minnesota Fraud Scandal Deep Dive: 14:49–16:04

Tone & Takeaway

The tone stays urgent and direct, blending classic Morning Wire briskness with a critical take on conventional media wisdom and policy. The speakers stress the significance of both international events (regime instability in Iran) and domestic developments (a rapidly improving inflation picture and a push for accountability in government spending). Political polarization and skepticism towards "the experts" underpin much of the narrative, with Trump’s administration portrayed as proactively challenging old assumptions—both abroad and at home.

For listeners interested in major geopolitical shifts, real-time US economic data, and the mechanics (and dysfunctions) of federal funding, this episode delivers a comprehensive, fact-focused round-up.