Car Maker Invests Big & Snow White Bombs | 3.25.25

Summary

Morning Wire Episode Summary: "Car Maker Invests Big & Snow White Bombs | 3.25.25"

Date Released: March 25, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley (Editor-in-Chief, The Daily Wire) and Georgia Howe (Co-host)

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1. Hyundai's Monumental Investment in American Manufacturing

The episode opens with a significant announcement from South Korean automotive giant Hyundai. On March 21, 2025, Hyundai declared a staggering $21 billion investment in the United States, marking a substantial increase in its commitment to American manufacturing. This investment is poised to bolster U.S. vehicle production to over 1 million units annually.

Key Highlights:

• New Facilities: Hyundai plans to establish a $6 billion steel plant in Louisiana, creating over 1,400 jobs, and inaugurate a third auto plant in Georgia, which will add 8,000 jobs to the local economy.

• Leadership Involvement: Hyundai's Executive Chair, Yoo Sun Chung, alongside President Donald Trump, jointly announced the investment at the White House on March 21. Chung stated, “With your leadership, Mr. President, Hyundai Motor Group is proud to be a stronger partner in America's industrial future” [02:38].

• Influence of Tariffs: The investment surge is largely attributed to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, along with additional levies on Asian auto imports, have incentivized Hyundai to localize production to mitigate costs. Hyundai Motors CEO, Jose Munoz, emphasized, “The best way for Hyundai to navigate tariffs is to increase localization, AKA manufacturing cars here in America” [02:47].

• Broader Economic Impact: President Trump highlighted the ripple effect of these tariffs, noting, “This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work and I hope other things also. But the tariffs are bringing them in at levels that have not been witnessed” [03:14]. He further added that recent investments by companies like Apple, SoftBank, Taiwan Semiconductor, and the United Arab Emirates amount to approximately $4 trillion since his inauguration, attributing much of this influx to the favorable conditions created by American tariffs [03:26, 03:58].

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2. Controversial Leak of National Security Plans

In a startling revelation, the episode delves into a national security breach involving top Trump administration officials. Atlantic Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, inadvertently became part of a sensitive group chat on the messaging app Signal.

Incident Details:

• Group Composition: The chat included Vice President Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and heads of the CIA and DNI [04:24].

• Content of Discussion: Over several days, the group deliberated on potential airstrikes against Houthi terrorists in Yemen, who have been disruptors in the Suez Canal. Vice President Vance remarked, “There is a real risk that the public does not understand this or why it's necessary” [04:38], while later expressing, “I hate bailing Europe out again, but would support the strikes if the team was in agreement” [04:47].

• Outcome: The proposed airstrikes were executed successfully on March 15, 2025 [04:58].

• Reactions: Although no incriminating evidence was found, the incident stirred significant controversy. Prominent Democrats called for investigations, accusing the administration of mishandling sensitive communications. The White House responded by affirming the legitimacy of the group chat and labeling the discussions as “deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials” [05:58].

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3. Judicial Roadblocks to Trump's Immigration Agenda

The Trump administration faces substantial legal challenges in its effort to deport suspected gang members from the United States under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.

Case Overview:

• Judge's Ruling: Judge Boasberg affirmed a temporary restraining order, blocking the administration's use of the 1798 Act to deport aliens to El Salvador, citing violations of due process rights [06:42]. He interpreted the act as applicable only during wartime, contrasting the administration's broader interpretation that includes any "invasion or predatory incursion" against U.S. territory [07:09].

• Congressional Response: Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, criticized the unprecedented number of court injunctions against the administration, noting that 62% of federal injunctions in the last century were against President Trump, 92% of which were by Democrat-appointed judges [08:05]. GOP Congressman Jim Jordan announced plans for a hearing on judicial activism, particularly focusing on Judge Boasberg’s decisions [08:40].

• Statements from Administration: Tim Piercey, Daily Wire reporter, asserted that Judge Boasberg's actions appear politically motivated, calling for hearings to address what Republicans perceive as judicial bias [08:57].

• Local Enforcement Issues: In Massachusetts, ICE operations have come under scrutiny. The administration alleges that the state releases dangerous criminals despite ICE detainers, leading to confirmed cases of violent felons being released back into the community [09:19]. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu denied these claims, although local investigations supported ICE's position [10:12].

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4. Disney's "Snow White" Remake Suffers Box Office Failure

A significant cultural commentary in the episode centers on Disney's latest live-action remake of "Snow White," which has bombed at the box office, raising questions about Disney's current creative direction.

Performance Metrics:

• Box Office Numbers: The film opened to $43 million domestically and $87 million worldwide, falling short of its $270 million budget [10:41].

• Critical Reception: Reviews have been largely negative, with a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an average cinema score of C+ from opening weekend exit polls [13:32].

• Reasons for Failure:

  • Thematic Shifts: The remake altered the classic romance narrative to focus on self-empowerment, alienating fans of the original story [11:17].

  • Political Undertones: Lead actress Rachel Zegler faced backlash for her political statements, such as expressing hope that “Trump supporters never know peace,” which some attribute to the film's negative reception [11:17].

  • Changes to Classic Elements: Iconic songs like “Someday My Prince Will Come” were replaced with new tracks promoting independence, and Prince Charming was reimagined as a bandit figure rather than a traditional prince [11:56].

• Industry Impact: Rachel Zegler suggested that Disney might rethink its strategy regarding live-action remakes, indicating that while faithful adaptations have thrived (e.g., "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast"), those with significant deviations are not resonating with audiences [13:35].

• Future Implications: The poor performance of "Snow White" may lead to brand damage for Disney, potentially affecting the success of upcoming projects like the anticipated "Lilo and Stitch" remake [14:19].

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Notable Quotes from the Episode

• John Bickley on Hyundai's Investment:
  “With your leadership, Mr. President, Hyundai Motor Group is proud to be a stronger partner in America's industrial future” [02:38].

• President Trump on Tariffs and Investment:
  “This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work and I hope other things also. But the tariffs are bringing them in at levels that have not been witnessed” [03:14].
  “Many companies are now moving into the United States. We have probably identified maybe $4 trillion worth of companies moving back or going to move back. Remember, there are no tariffs if you build here, and that's a big factor” [03:58].

• Judge Boasberg on Immigration Case:
  “Shipping the aliens to El Salvador without a court hearing violated their due process rights” [07:09].

• Governor Jim Jordan on Judicial Activism:
  “We want to have hearings on Judge Boasberg's cases in particular… We think Senator Grassley is going to do the same” [08:57].

• Rachel Zegler on "Snow White":
  “No more sending whispers to the water. Because you were everything you were wishing and waiting for” [12:17].

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Conclusion

This episode of Morning Wire provides a comprehensive overview of significant developments in American industry, national security, immigration policy, and cultural media. From Hyundai's strategic investment bolstered by Trump's tariffs to the contentious legal battles surrounding immigration enforcement, and Disney's surprising box office misstep, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe deliver insightful analysis and timely information for listeners seeking to understand the current political and cultural landscape.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

Another foreign company makes a massive investment in the US Bringing manufacturing and jobs back to the states.

[John Bickley]

With this, our US vehicle production will exceed 1 million units per year. How have Trump's tariffs played into these decisions?

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor in chief John Bickley. It's Tuesday, March 25th, and this is Morning Wire.

[John Bickley]

The White House and Congress ramp up pressure on a judge standing between the Trump administration and its deportation agenda.

[Tim Piercey]

He's the judge who was part of the whole Trump rush at FISA court, granting those warrants that allowed the Comey FBI to spy on President Trump's campaign.

[John Bickley]

And audiences across the country are disenchanted by Disney's live action Snow White as the remake bombs at the box office.

[Cabot Phillips]

Disney shareholders ought to be infuriated and.

[Megan Basham]

Demanding answers on where nearly 4,400 million dollars of capital went for Snow White.

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with MORNING wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.

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[John Bickley]

South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai announced Monday that they'd be investing more than $20 billion in the US to build new steel and auto plants.

[Georgia Howe]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here with the details. So Cabot, a story that's become a little bit routine recently. Foreign companies investing in the United States. What's the latest?

[Megan Basham]

Yeah, Hyundai joining the long list of companies pouring billions of dollars into American manufacturing, otherwise known as onshoring. On Monday, the South Korean auto giant announced a nearly $21 billion investment in the U.S. for context, that is equal to the total amount they've invested here since 1986. As part of that effort, they'll be building a $6 billion steel plant in Louisiana that'll employ more than 1400Americans. The company currently has two major auto plants on American soil. Now it will be three. They're opening a third in Georgia, which will create another 8,000 jobs. Hyundai's executive chair, Yoo Sun Chung appeared alongside President Trump at the White House Monday to break the news.

[John Bickley]

With your leadership, Mr. President, Hyundai Motor Group is proud to be stronger partner in America's industrial future.

[Megan Basham]

As we've discussed, President Trump has already implemented 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, and additional levies are coming on Asian auto imports. So Hyundai is certainly looking to save money. As Hyundai Motors CEO Jose Munoz put it, the best way for Hyundai to navigate tariffs is to increase localization, AKA manufacturing cars here in America. For his part, President Trump has argued all along that his tariffs were intended to pressure foreign businesses to do just that. Here he is yesterday.

[Donald Trump]

This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work and I hope other things also. But the tariffs are bringing them in at levels that have not been witnessed.

[Megan Basham]

Last month, Apple announced it was pouring $500 billion into new American manufacturing projects. Before that, Japan's SoftBank announced $100 billion investment. Asian chip manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor is pouring $100 billion of their own to build high tech chips. In America, United Arab Emirates announced a 10 year $1.4 trillion investment. The list goes on and on. Again, that's all in the last three months, according to the president, there have been up to $4 trillion worth of new investments in the US since Inauguration Day. Here he is to that point during a Cabinet meeting yesterday.

[Donald Trump]

Many companies are now moving into the United States. We have probably identified maybe $4 trillion worth of companies moving back or going to move back. Remember, there are no tariffs if you build here, and that's a big factor.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, that Cabinet meeting also got some extra attention yesterday for totally separate reasons. There was a wild story involving a national security group chat. What happened?

[Megan Basham]

Yeah, one of the crazier stories you'll hear out of Washington, and that's saying something. On Monday, Atlantic Editor in Chief Jeffrey Goldberg published a story titled, quote, the Trump administration accidentally texted me its war plans and that is exactly what happened. Two weeks ago, Goldberg was mistakenly added to a group chat on the messaging app Signal. Chat included VP Vance, SecDef Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, along with the heads of the CIA, DNI, etc. Over the course of multiple days, the group debated whether or not to launch airstrikes against Houthi terrorists in Yemen who've been attacking ships in the Suez Canal for years. Goldberg published a number of those messages. In one, VP Vance weighs the potential risks of airstrikes, writing, quote, 3% of U.S. trade runs to the Suez, 40% of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public does not understand this or why it's necessary. The strongest reason to do this, as POTUS said, is to send a message. Later, Vance said that he, quote, hates bailing Europe out again, but would support the strikes if the team was in agreement. Ultimately, the group led by Hegseth did opt to push for those strikes, which were carried out successfully on March 15th.

[Georgia Howe]

So what sort of response have we seen in Washington to that story?

[Megan Basham]

So while there were no real incriminating messages published, it's obviously an embarrassing mishap for the administration and there could be consequences. A number of prominent Democrats on the Hill have called for heads to roll and vowed to investigate why sensitive national security conversations were being held in such a manner. For their part, the White House did confirm the legitimacy of that group chat, telling our own Mary Margaret Olahan, quote, we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain. They added, quote, the thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, we'll certainly be tracking the fallout. Cabot, thanks for reporting.

[Megan Basham]

Anytime.

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[Georgia Howe]

The Trump administration has been blocked again from deporting aliens under the 1798 Invasion Law. The judge said the Trump administration misapplied the law and violated the due process rights of dozens of suspected gang members flown to El Salvador.

[John Bickley]

Here to talk about the challenges Trump's immigration agenda is facing is Daily Wire reporter Tim Piercey. Tim, so a lot happened yesterday with this case. What did we see in Judge Boasberg's court on Monday?

[Cabot Phillips]

Well, Boasberg decided not to lift the temporary restraining order he placed on the Trump administration to block its use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The administration used it to move dozens of illegal aliens with gang ties to El Salvador. The US Struck a deal with El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, earlier this year to hold illegal aliens in its modern prison system. Now, Boasberg believes that shipping the aliens to El Salvador without a court hearing violated their due process rights. He also said that the administration's use of the act to move the gang members is likely an abuse of the law because in his interpretation, it's only applicable in wartime. The administration's interpretation is a bit different. Trump's team points out that the text of the law says that it can be used in wartime or when, quote, any invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated against the territory of the United States.

[John Bickley]

All right. So very different interpretations of the law. No surprise there. Now, we've seen reports that Congress is taking action to counter these lawsuits. What are we seeing there?

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says that the number of court injunctions the administration is facing is extraordinary. Here's Johnson on Fox News. Over the weekend, 62%, for example, of the federal injunctions that have been handed down in the last century were handed down against President Trump, and 92% of those were done by partisan Democrat appointed judges. GOP Congressman Jim Jordan chairs the Judiciary Committee in the House and he plans to have a hearing next week on what Republicans have called judicial activism. Jordan wants to focus on Boasberg's cases in particular. Here's Jordan on FOX news.

[Tim Piercey]

So when you look at all that, coupled with this judge's history with the FISA court, it really starts to look like Judge Boasberg is operating purely political against the president. And that's what we want to have hearings on. So we're going to start those next week. And we think Senator Grassley is going to do the same.

[Cabot Phillips]

So Republicans want to find a way to speed up the process instead of letting the president's agenda suffer because this really unprecedented amount of court interference.

[John Bickley]

Right. We've never seen a flood of injunctions like we've seen a against the Trump administration at this point. Now Trump's agenda continues to be hampered by sanctuary city laws as well. Homan seems to be particularly angry with Massachusetts. Tell us what's going on in that state.

[Cabot Phillips]

Sure. So last week, Homan went to Boston and tagged along with federal agents on a lot of deportation rates. He recapped his experience yesterday on X. According to homan, agents arrested 370 illegal aliens, with a majority being what Homan described as significant criminals. That includes fugitives wanted for murder, drug traffickers and child predators. Home and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have accused the state of releasing aliens like these back onto the streets after having them in custody. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu denied that during an appearance to Congress. But a local news investigation turned up evidence to support Homan and ice's claims. According to CBS Boston, multiple violent felons have been released from custody despite having ICE detainers placed on them. That includes a Guatemalan national charged with three counts of aggravated child rape and a Honduran charged with assault to rape, battery and other counts.

[John Bickley]

Really shocking that these characters were released back into the streets in Massachusetts. Tim, thanks so much for reporting.

[Cabot Phillips]

Thanks for having me.

[John Bickley]

After a year of delays, Disney's latest live action remake, Snow White, has disappointed at the box office. The film, once poised to be a crown jewel in Disney's lineup, has instead become a cautionary tale.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with more is Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham. So, Megan, first off the box office, just how bad were the numbers for Snow White?

[Rachel Zegler]

Well, I'll tell you, the words epic flop come to mind. It opened to a dismal $43 million domestically and only $87 million worldwide. And that's against a reported $270 million budget. So the numbers are still being finalized, but what that means is it's vying for the title of worst opening for a Disney live action remake ever. All weekend, people were posting viral videos of empty theaters for this film and investors seem to be watching closely. Disney's stock dipped 3% Monday morning.

[Georgia Howe]

So why did audiences reject it?

[Rachel Zegler]

Well, I would say that the overarching theme here is that Disney took a classic tale of romance and true love and they turned it into one of self empowerment. Now, a lot of people have been pointing the finger at lead actress Rachel Zegler for her political commentary, things like saying after the election that she hopes Trump supporters never know peace. And then also comments on the red carpet like this from last year. You know, the original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently. So there is a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her.

[John Bickley]

Yeah, weird.

[Megan Basham]

Weird.

[Georgia Howe]

Super weird.

[Cabot Phillips]

So we didn't do that this time.

[Rachel Zegler]

But I want to defend her a little bit because while this was off putting to a lot of people, it is actually the content of the film. So she wasn't misrepresented. One of the most iconic songs of the original, someday My Prince Will Come, that was cut. Instead, Disney offered a new song that's about not needing a prince for rescue.

[Megan Basham]

No more sending whispers to the water. Cause you're everything you were wishing and waiting for.

[Rachel Zegler]

So the lyrics there, if you couldn't quite make them out. No more sending whispers to the water. Because you were everything you were wishing and waiting for. Someone fearless, someone fair, someone brave. It's worth noting that Prince Charming is quite literally not Prince Charming here because he's not a prince. He's been swapped out for a Robin Hood style bandit who steals from the evil monarchy. I saw one comment from a woman online who said, I can't help but think that people, not just women, are growing weary of stories where they have to be their own hero because dang, life is hard. And that really captured it for me. And I'll also add that the movie performed pretty evenly in both red and blue counties, so it wasn't just conservatives who didn't like it. Critics and audiences across the political spectrum have been giving it low marks. Reviews sit at a tepid 42% on rotten tomatoes. Opening weekend exit polls from ordinary moviegoers showed only a C plus cinema score. So really hardly a ringing endorsement.

[Georgia Howe]

So how do you think Disney is going to respond to this feedback?

[Rachel Zegler]

Well, I think to start, they're going to be less willing to reimagine these classic films because for the most part, these live action remakes have been a cash cow. The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, for instance, each raked in over a billion dollars, but they stayed very true to the originals. Those where Disney tries to update for modern sensibilities tend to get rejected by audiences. And there we can look at not just Snow White, but also the underwhelming performance of last year's Little Mermaid. But I also think while there's a lot of talk about the politics of Snow White, I also think there's an element here of fans simply getting tired of remakes. So this could push Disney to rethink its strategy.

[Georgia Howe]

Now. Do you think it might play better with international audiences?

[Rachel Zegler]

It's possible. China and Europe are still rolling out, but the early projections right now suggest that Snow White is not even going to break even. Disney could be a lifeline, but streaming success isn't going to erase the narrative of a theatrical failure. And that's the biggest concern. Brand damage. If audiences start doubting Disney's magic touch, I think future projects like the upcoming Lilo and Stitch are gonna become a tougher sell.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, no question it's been a tough season for Disney.

[Rachel Zegler]

Yeah.

[Georgia Howe]

Megan, thanks for reporting.

[Rachel Zegler]

Anytime.

[John Bickley]

Thanks for waking up with us. And if you enjoyed what you heard this morning, share this episode with a.