Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Abundant Life School Shooting & Canada’s Assisted Suicide Data | Afternoon Update | 12.17.24
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Host: John Bickley, Co-host: Georgia Howe
Presented by: The Daily Wire

1. Abundant Life Christian School Shooting in Wisconsin

Timestamp: 00:25 - 01:03

The episode opens with Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell providing an update on the tragic school shooting that occurred the previous day at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.

• Incident Details:
  Chief Sean Barnes reports that a 15-year-old female student opened fire during a study hall session, resulting in the deaths of another student and a teacher before she took her own life. Chief Barnes emphasized that the shooter's motivations appear to be a combination of factors, though specifics remain undisclosed to protect the investigation and cooperating parties.

  "We cannot share that information at this time because we do not want to jeopardize the investigation and those who are currently cooperating with us."
  – Police Spokesperson, [00:54]

• Clarifications and Current Status:
  Chief Barnes corrected earlier reports, stating that it was a second-grade teacher, not a student, who made the initial 911 call. Additionally, he addressed the circulation of a purported manifesto on social media, declaring its authenticity unverified and did not entertain further questions during the press conference.

2. Border Wall Materials Acquisition by Trump Allies

Timestamp: 01:27 - 02:02

John Bickley shifts the focus to the political maneuvers surrounding the U.S. border wall.

• Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's Initiative:
  Dan Patrick announces plans to bid on the remaining unused border wall materials sold by the Biden administration since halting construction in 2021. He intends to store these materials on Texas state land until the Trump administration assumes office. Patrick commits to funding this effort with state resources.

  "I'm going to find out first thing in the morning where are we going to take the bid. I've got a billion dollars in my pocket to do it."
  – Dan Patrick, [01:48]

• Financial Commitment:
  Patrick highlights the availability of funds, mentioning a $6 billion budget allocated for border security, underscoring the administration's dedication to this initiative.

3. Assassination of Russian Lt. Gen. Igor Kurylov by Ukrainian Intelligence

Timestamp: 02:08 - 02:45

Zach Jewell narrates a significant development in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

• Details of the Assassination:
  Lt. Gen. Igor Kurylov, a high-ranking Russian military official accused by Ukraine of using chemical weapons, was killed in Moscow alongside his assistant. The assassination was carried out using a bomb concealed in an electric scooter.

• Ukrainian Intelligence Claim:
  Tim Pierce, reporting for the Daily Wire, cites Ukrainian intelligence sources asserting responsibility for the attack, labeling Kurylov a legitimate target due to his alleged war crimes. The Russian government has condemned the act as terrorism and vowed retaliation.

4. Political Turmoil in Canada Amid Economic Challenges

Timestamp: 03:00 - 04:17

John Bickley discusses the escalating political crisis in Canada, highlighting declining approval ratings for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and recent cabinet resignations.

• Calls for Resignation:
  Growing demands for Trudeau to step down are fueled by his administration's mishandling of economic policies, notably the soaring national deficit.

• Pierre Poilievre's Critique:
  Conservative Majority Leader Pierre Poilievre criticizes Trudeau's fiscal management, comparing the government's financial strategy to a bus careening off a cliff.

  "We know a guardrail is meant to stop vehicles from flying off cliffs. Well, she was trying throughout the year to avoid going off the cliff. There were two people on the bus who had other ideas, the prime minister and carbon tax carney. And the two of them went to the front of the bus, they grabbed the wheel, they pulled it sharply to the left, smashing into that guardrail. And now Canadians are at the bottom of the ravine in a big pile of debt."
  – Pierre Poilievre, [03:26]

• Economic Concerns:
  The resignation of Finance Minister Krista Freeland has further destabilized Trudeau's cabinet, with provincial leaders warning that the resulting chaos could impair Canada’s ability to respond to external economic pressures, including Trump's tariff threats.

5. Surge in Canada’s Medically Assisted Suicide (MAID) Program

Timestamp: 04:17 - 04:51

Zach Jewell brings attention to the controversial rise in medically assisted suicides in Canada.

• Statistics and Trends:

  • 2023 Data: Over 15,000 deaths were recorded through the MAID program.
  • Cumulative Figures: Since its legalization in 2016, more than 60,000 assisted suicides have been documented.
  • Application Increase: Nearly 20,000 requests were made last year alone.

• Ethical Concerns:
  Critics are particularly alarmed by the program's expansion to include mental illness as a qualifying condition, citing significant ethical implications.

  "Critics argue the expansion of MAID, particularly its upcoming inclusion of mental illness as a qualifying condition in 2020, raises serious ethical concerns."
  – Zach Jewell, [04:17]

6. Donald Trump's Lawsuit Against the Des Moines Register and Pollster Ann Selzer

Timestamp: 04:51 - 05:35

John Bickley covers the latest legal battle involving former President Donald Trump.

• Allegations:
  Trump files a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer, accusing them of election interference. The lawsuit centers on a November 2 poll that showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump by three points in Iowa—a state Trump ultimately won by over thirteen points.

• Claims of Manipulation:
  Trump's legal team alleges the poll was intentionally leaked and manipulated to fabricate a narrative of Harris's success, thereby influencing voter behavior and diverting resources away from Trump's campaign.

  "The lawsuit stems from a November 2 poll showing Vice President Kamala Harris with a three point lead over Trump in Iowa, a state he ended up winning by over 13 points."
  – John Bickley, [05:08]

• Ann Selzer's Response:
  Ann Selzer defends her integrity as a pollster, asserting her actions were professional and hinting at counterlegal actions against Trump.

  "She's a very good pollster. She knows what she was doing. And she then quit before and will probably be filing a major lawsuit against him today or tomorrow."
  – Ann Selzer, [04:59]

• Legal Implications:
  The lawsuit accuses the involved parties of attempting to sway the 2024 election and misleading the public, marking a significant conflict in the ongoing political landscape.

Conclusion

The episode of Morning Wire provided comprehensive coverage of pressing national and international issues, ranging from tragic local events and international conflicts to significant political maneuvers and ethical debates. Through detailed reporting and insightful commentary, host John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe delivered an informative update aimed at keeping listeners well-informed on the day's most critical developments.

For more in-depth reporting, visit dailywire.com and tune in to the full episodes of Morning Wire.