Morning Wire — Evening Wire: 9/11 Remembered & Kirk Shooter Manhunt

Host: John Bickley (Daily Wire Executive Editor) with Georgia Howe
Date: September 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, with coverage of memorials held across the country, including at Ground Zero. Other major stories include a nationwide manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s assassin, a federal crackdown on pharmaceutical advertising, escalating tensions between Poland and Russia, political drama involving Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, Supreme Court action on tariffs, a school shooting in Denver, controversy over the allocation of LA wildfire relief funds, new evidence of possible ancient life on Mars, a dramatic change atop the world’s billionaires list, and a unique voter fraud case in California.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 9/11 Memorials and National Remembrance (00:03–02:10)

• Ground Zero Vigil:
  • New Yorkers marked the 24th anniversary with six moments of silence, representing pivotal events of 9/11.
  • “Mourners held signs bearing photos of those who were slain. That our flag was still there.” (B, 00:21)
• Dignitaries in Attendance:
  • NYC Mayor Eric Adams, NY Governor Kathy Hochul, and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani attended, joining survivors and families for the reading of nearly 3,000 victims’ names.
  • President Trump and First Lady Melania paid respects at the Pentagon remembrance.
• Memorable Quote:
  • President Trump’s speech at the Pentagon:

    “On that fateful day, savage monsters attacked the very symbols of our civilization. Yet here in Virginia and in New York and in the skies over Pennsylvania, Americans did not hesitate. They stood on their feet and they showed the world that we will never yield, we will never bend, we will never give up, and our great American flag will never, ever fail.”
    (A, 01:29)

• Ongoing Impact:
  • Officials note that grief resurfaces each year and thousands more first responders have since died from related illnesses.

2. Manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s Assassin & National Reaction (02:10–03:14)

• Investigation Details:
  • The FBI released surveillance images of the person of interest: slim, dark clothing, American flag shirt, wraparound sunglasses.
  • The shooter used a bolt-action rifle, which was recovered along with forensic evidence in a wooded area.
  • “Anyone with information on the suspect or the attack is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.” (A, 02:56)
• Presidential Tribute:
  • President Trump to award Kirk, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

    “Trump called the 31 year old Turning Point USA founder, quote, a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions.” (A, 03:14)

  • Ceremony details to be announced; expected to draw a “very big crowd.”

3. Crackdown on Pharmaceutical Advertising (03:14–04:53)

• Policy Changes:
  • The FDA is tightening rules on drug advertising, requiring clearer disclosure of risks and forbidding exaggerated claims.
• Quote from HHS Secretary RFK Jr.:

  “There’s only two countries in the world that allow direct to consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies on television... It’s had a disastrous impact on human health, on people’s relationships with their doctors...Americans are led to believe that there’s a pill for every ill...”
  (A, 04:22)

• Impact:
  • Thousands of warning letters and about 100 cease-and-desist orders have already been issued.

4. Charlotte Stabbing and Public Reaction (04:53–05:42)

• Victim’s Story:
  • Aryna Zarudska’s family demands justice and stronger transit security after her fatal stabbing by a repeat offender with mental illness.
• Advocacy for Reform:
  • Public outcry for transit and legal reforms to prevent similar tragedies.

5. Russia-Poland Tensions Over Drone Incursion (05:42–06:30)

• Incident Details:
  • Poland shot down nearly 20 Russian drones that violated airspace, in what PM Donald Tusk called “the most dangerous escalation since World War II.”
• European & NATO Response:
  • Solidarity pledged from EU and NATO; military postures reinforced along eastern flank.
  • Tusk: “The risk of open conflict has never been closer.” (A, 06:00)

6. Kamala Harris Memoir Criticizes Joe Biden (06:30–07:17)

• Book Excerpts:
  • Harris calls Biden’s decision to run for a second term “reckless and driven by ego.”
  • She claims staff undermined her, stayed quiet about Biden’s health “out of loyalty.”
• Political Fallout:
  • Former aides shocked; expected impacts on her 2028 aspirations.

7. Trump Administration Tariffs at Supreme Court (07:35–08:26)

• Legal Dispute:
  • Federal appeals court ruled Trump overstepped his power with broad tariffs under the IEEPA.
  • The Supreme Court will address the limits of presidential authority on economic policy, with oral arguments in November.

    “The Trump administration argues that the appeals court... gravely undermines the president’s ability to...protect the national security and economy.” (A, 07:50)

8. Denver School Shooting (08:26–09:07)

• Incident Summary:
  • Evergreen High School shooting: perpetrator was a student who died by suicide, two others injured (one critically).
  • Major emergency response; school locked down.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Jackie Kelly (Sheriff’s Office):

    “All of us, everybody on duty came rushing up here as well as literally hundreds of law enforcement from across the metro area. And we’re really, really grateful for their presence at the scene.” (B, 08:46)

9. LA Wildfire Fund Misallocation (09:07–10:32)

• Audit Findings:
  • $100 million in wildfire aid went to pet clinics, DEI projects, and niche causes—“not a dime goes directly to victims.”
  • Audit managed by the Annenberg Foundation revealed no money reached actual victims, despite high-profile fundraising.

    “Struggling locals say they have yet to [receive a] dime from it eight months later.” (A, 09:28)

10. NASA Finds Evidence Suggestive of Ancient Mars Life (10:32–11:14)

• Discoveries:
  • NASA’s Perseverance Rover found rock patterns (“leopard spots” / “poppy seeds”) interpreted as fossilized microbial activity.

    “...the equivalent of seeing like leftover fossils, you know, leftovers from a meal and maybe that meal’s been excreted by a microbe...” (B, 10:32)

• Significance:
  • Strongest evidence yet of possible ancient life on Mars, fueling excitement among scientists.

11. Larry Ellison Overtakes Elon Musk as World’s Richest Person (11:14–11:51)

• Financial Shift:
  • Oracle stock surged 40%, raising its value by $101 billion and pushing Ellison’s net worth to $393 billion, ahead of Musk’s $385 billion.
  • Oracle’s gains due to major AI-related deals with Meta, OpenAI, and Xai.

12. California Voter Fraud Case Involving a Dog (11:51–12:26)

• Unusual Crime:
  • 62-year-old Laura Lee Yorex indicted for registering her dog, “Maya Jean,” to vote—mailed ballots in two elections, one of which was counted.
  • Faces five felonies; case raises concerns about electoral loopholes.
  • Yorex posted online photos of her dog sporting an “I Voted” sticker.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on 9/11 Remembrance:

  “We will never yield, we will never bend, we will never give up, and our great American flag will never, ever fail.” (A, 01:29)

• HHS Secretary RFK Jr. on Drug Ads:

  “There’s only two countries in the world that allow direct to consumer advertising... It’s had a disastrous impact on human health... Americans are led to believe that there’s a pill for every ill...” (A, 04:22)

• Kamala Harris Memoir:

  “...his decision to seek a second term reckless and driven by ego.” (B, 06:30)

• NATO’s Stand with Poland:

  “The risk of open conflict has never been closer.” (A, 06:00)

• NASA on Mars Life:

  “...the equivalent of seeing like leftover fossils...maybe that meal’s been excreted by a microbe and that’s what we’re seeing in this sample.” (B, 10:32)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 9/11 Anniversary Coverage and Memorials: 00:03–02:10
• Charlie Kirk Manhunt & Posthumous Honors: 02:10–03:14
• Pharmaceutical Ads Crackdown: 03:14–04:53
• Charlotte Train Stabbing: 04:53–05:42
• Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones: 05:42–06:30
• Kamala Harris Memoir on Joe Biden: 06:30–07:17
• Tariff Case Heads to Supreme Court: 07:35–08:26
• Denver High School Shooting: 08:26–09:07
• LA Wildfire Aid Audit: 09:07–10:32
• NASA’s Mars Discovery: 10:32–11:14
• Ellison Surpasses Musk: 11:14–11:51
• Dog Voter Fraud Case: 11:51–12:26

This episode weaves somber reflection on 9/11 with urgent national news, societal debates, and even scientific breakthroughs, in the crisp, fact-driven style Morning Wire listeners expect.