Morning Wire – Trump’s Iranian Ultimatum & Former Prince Andrew Arrested | February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe cover escalating international and domestic news: President Trump’s intensified threats towards Iran amid a massive Middle East military buildup, the unprecedented arrest of former Prince Andrew in the UK over his Epstein connections, and updates on the ongoing search for missing woman Nancy Guthrie. Featuring key insights and commentary from Daily Wire reporters and royals expert Hillary Fordwich, the show dives deep into the stakes, international implications, and broader cultural consequences of the day's top stories.

Main Stories & Key Insights

1. Trump’s Iranian Ultimatum and Middle East Tensions

Timestamps: 01:56–06:03

Current Situation

• Reporter: Cabot Phillips
• Nuclear negotiations with Iran have stalled; Iran requested two more weeks for a new proposal but US officials suspect they are "buying time" for a nuclear breakthrough or preparing for conflict.
• Historic US military buildup is underway in the region, with constant arrivals of military assets.

Trump’s Stance and Message

• President Trump (02:50):

  "They can't have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple. ... They can't have, you can't have peace in the Middle east if they have a nuclear weapon."

• Trump is signaling a move towards military action, stating the window for diplomacy may be closing.

Explicit Threats and Implicit Deadlines

• Trump to Ayatollah (03:29):

  "They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region, and they must make a deal. ... But bad things will happen if it doesn't [happen]."

• Trump issues a veiled ultimatum:

  "We may have to take it a step further or we may not ... you're going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days." (03:51)

• Historical precedent cited: After June’s two-week deadline lapsed, Trump launched “Operation Midnight Hammer," suggesting stated deadlines can be fluid.

Potential Military Action

• Any strike would likely be the largest US military operation in decades (since Iraq/Afghanistan), broader than precision raids of recent years.
• Cabot Phillips warns of the serious risk of escalation, with the possibility of US casualties and more direct military engagement.
• Quote: "If those strikes were successful and... killed Americans, it would make it much, much harder for Trump to avoid putting boots on the ground." (04:32)
• Trump is opposed to another drawn-out conflict, increasing the stakes of any operation.

Key Takeaways

• Serious risk of expanded war or massive retaliation.
• Political risks for Trump domestically.
• Ongoing deadline: “over the next probably 10 days” (03:51)

2. Former Prince Andrew Arrested and Fallout for the British Monarchy

Timestamps: 07:05–11:07

Arrest Details

• Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew Windsor Mountbatten (formerly Prince Andrew) at Sandringham on his 66th birthday; later released pending further action.
• Charges: Misuse in public office—specifically, passing secrets and trade information to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Hillary Fordwich (08:04):

  “He betrayed his mother, his entire family, the royal family, and his nation.”

Royal Family’s Response

• King Charles publicly supports the police investigation but distances himself from Andrew.
• Fordwich (08:33):

  “What’s really interesting... it didn’t say, 'my brother,' ... it just said 'Andrew Windsor Mountbatten.'”

• Royal family, especially Prince William, is showing zero tolerance and making efforts to distance from the scandal.

Monarchy in Crisis

• Fordwich frames this as an “existential threat” to the monarchy and a possible catalyst for King Charles to abdicate — officially for health, but likely also due to fallout from the scandal.
• Details emerge about Andrew being ousted from the Windsor Estate at William’s insistence.

Dramatic Revelations to Come

• Hillary Fordwich (10:34):

  “If you were to lay pieces of paper on the ground, it basically amounts to two times the size of the Eiffel Tower. Two Eiffel Towers of information still to be revealed. So goodness gracious, goodness knows what’s going to be in that.”

• Anticipation of “very serious sentencing” for Andrew.

Memorable Quote

“This is an existential threat to the monarchy itself. ... Prince William wants none of it.” – Hillary Fordwich (09:47)

3. Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie

Timestamps: 11:41–15:46

Where Things Stand

• 20 days since disappearance; DNA evidence is central.
• DNA on a glove found near Guthrie’s home did not match anyone in the FBI database. A genealogy search is now underway.
• Lyndon Blake:

  “Now I want everyone to keep in mind that this could be a random person’s DNA that ... has not been linked back to the crime scene in any way.” (11:54)

Evidence Processing and Investigative Leads

• DNA from inside the home is still being analyzed, focusing on items the masked suspect would have touched.
• Video evidence: Previously deleted Nest Doorbell footage was retrieved; efforts now focus on extracting data from a rooftop camera, even though Nancy did not have a cloud subscription so files were auto-deleted.
• Multiple search and police action events have not produced fruitful leads or charges.
• Blake:

  “There was that person that was detained in Rio Rico ... no arrest from that. Cars were towed ... nothing came of that either.” (14:49)

The Family & Public Hope

• The family continues to plead for Nancy’s return; support ribbons are being worn in solidarity.
• Georgia Howe:

  “We’re closing in on three weeks this weekend.” (15:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump (02:50):

  "They can't have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple. ... They can't have, you can't have peace in the Middle east if they have a nuclear weapon."

• Cabot Phillips (03:59):

  "That timeline, not exactly concrete. Numerous reports now say that Trump came close to greenlighting a strike on Iran back in January."

• Hillary Fordwich (08:04):

  “He betrayed his mother, his entire family, the royal family, and his nation.”

• Hillary Fordwich (09:47):

  “This is an existential threat to the monarchy itself. ... Prince William wants none of it.”

• Lyndon Blake (11:54):

  “Now I want everyone to keep in mind that this could be a random person’s DNA ... has not been linked back to the crime scene in any way.”

• Hillary Fordwich (10:34):

  “If you were to lay pieces of paper on the ground, it basically amounts to two times the size of the Eiffel Tower ... Two Eiffel Towers of information still to be revealed.”

Segment Timeline

• Middle East/Iran: 01:56–06:03
• Prince Andrew Arrest/Royal Family: 07:05–11:07
• Nancy Guthrie Case: 11:41–15:46

Tone & Language

• Authoritative, pressing, and occasionally somber—especially regarding the implications for war and the future of the British monarchy.
• Throughout, the hosts and experts provide measured analysis, highlighting both stakes and uncertainties.

Summary

This Morning Wire episode delivers a gripping analysis of three fast-moving stories at the crossroads of global security, monarchy, and personal tragedy. With President Trump’s growing ultimatum against Iran threatening to trigger “bad things” within a 10-day window, the globe holds its breath as military assets gather in the region. Across the Atlantic, former Prince Andrew’s arrest shatters royal protocol and is painted as an existential crisis for the British monarchy, with even bigger revelations pending. Meanwhile, the search for Nancy Guthrie enters its third week, with investigators chasing elusive DNA and video evidence. The episode balances breaking developments with expert insight, leaving listeners with a clear sense of the stakes and what to watch for in the days ahead.