Evening Wire: ABC Mutes Kimmel & Kirk’s Widow Helms TPUSA | 9.18.25

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Morning Wire
Episode: Evening Wire: ABC Mutes Kimmel & Kirk’s Widow Helms TPUSA
Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe

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Overview

This episode addresses rising distrust in mainstream media and spotlights the major shakeup within ABC's late-night schedule. It covers a wide spectrum of current events: the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial remarks, leadership changes at Turning Point USA following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, governmental reactions both in the U.S. and abroad, and the latest in vaccine policy, immigration enforcement, tech, and legal developments for SpaceX. Across politics, culture, and science, the episode emphasizes the cultural divide over media responsibility, political ideology, and institutional credibility.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Sinclair and Nexstar Cancel "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in Wake of Kirk Controversy

[00:03 – 01:40]

• Sinclair, ABC’s largest affiliate group, canceled their airing of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and is instead broadcasting a tribute to the late Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA.
• Sinclair demands an apology from Kimmel to Kirk’s family and asks for a donation to Turning Point USA.
• Nexstar joins by also replacing Kimmel’s slot with a Kirk memorial, following backlash over Kimmel's allegedly false statements regarding Kirk's assassination.
  • Kimmel reportedly suggested Kirk’s killer was a Trump supporter, a claim denied by investigators.
• FCC Chair Brendan Carr defends Sinclair’s decision as aligning with “community standards,” rejecting accusations of censorship.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “It was appearing to directly mislead the American public about a significant fact that probably one of the most significant political events we've had in a long time.” — Brendan Carr ([01:19])

2. Erica Kirk Appointed CEO of Turning Point USA

[01:40 – 02:19]

• TPUSA’s board announces unanimously electing Erica Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, as CEO and chair.
• The decision aligns with Charlie Kirk’s previously stated wishes.
• Statement from TPUSA Board:
  • “The attempt to destroy Charlie’s work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.”

3. President Trump’s Major Announcements

[02:19 – 03:29]

• Trump designates Antifa as an official U.S. terror group, promising a probe into its funding.
• Context: heightened crackdown on radical left groups following Kirk’s assassination.
• At a joint press conference with UK PM Keir Starmer, Trump offers advice on illegal immigration measures.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “It doesn't matter if you call out the military, it doesn't matter what means you use, but it's going to destroy. It destroys countries from within.” — Donald Trump ([03:09])

4. Kamala Harris Reveals Running Mate Preference

[03:29 – 04:29]

• Kamala Harris discloses in her memoir that she wanted to pick Pete Buttigieg as her 2024 VP running mate, but decided against it because “he was not, quote, a straight white man."
• Harris considered that the ticket’s diversity might be “too much to ask” of the American electorate at the time.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “Part of me wanted to say, screw it, let’s just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk.” — Kamala Harris (as cited by Zach Jewell, [03:39])

5. Immigration: Portland and ICE, Violent Incident in Chicago

• Portland threatens to penalize an ICE detention facility for violating local rules on holding detainees overnight. ([04:29])
• In Chicago, an ICE agent fatally shot an illegal immigrant who had previously received a deportation waiver but attacked the agent during an enforcement operation. ([06:29])
  • Report: The suspect, Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, had a criminal history but was allowed to remain in the U.S. during the Biden administration.

6. CDC’s New Vaccination Panel and Policy

[04:50 – 05:53]

• The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel (ACIP) is reassessing childhood vaccine schedules, including COVID, Hepatitis B, and MMRV.
• Potential policy shift: recommend Hepatitis B vaccine later for children if the mother is Hep B negative.
• All ACIP members were removed and replaced amid controversy surrounding conflict of interest.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics is boycotting the meeting, citing a lack of panel credibility under Kennedy’s tenure.

7. International: Brigitte Macron Lawsuit

• Brigitte Macron, France’s first lady, will present photos as evidence of her biological sex in a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens. ([05:53])
  • Context: Owens alleged Macron was born male, claims Brigitte denies.

8. Democratic Attitudes on Socialism

• Gallup poll: 2/3 of Democrats prefer socialism to capitalism. Democrat favorability toward socialism has risen 16 points since 2010. ([07:27])

9. Threats Against NY Mayoral Candidate

• A Texas man faces charges after allegedly threatening New York mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani, making anti-socialist statements and implying possible violence. ([07:46])

10. Tech/Biz: Nvidia and Intel Deal, SpaceX Legal Victory

• Nvidia will invest $5B in Intel to support U.S. semiconductor supply chain collaboration; Intel’s stock jumps 25%. ([08:22])
• SpaceX wins a court case that will allow expanded launches from its Starbase in Texas—despite environmental group challenges.
  • Federal judge rules against stalling rocket launches due to environmental concerns.
  • President Trump’s recent executive order streamlines space industry regulations. ([08:42])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brendan Carr (FCC Chair):
  “It was appearing to directly mislead the American public about a significant fact that probably one of the most significant political events we've had in a long time.” ([01:19])

• TPUSA Board Statement:
  “The attempt to destroy Charlie's work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.” ([01:40])

• Donald Trump:
  “It doesn't matter if you call out the military, it doesn't matter what means you use, but it's going to destroy. It destroys countries from within.” ([03:09])

• Kamala Harris (memoir excerpt):
  “Part of me wanted to say, screw it, let’s just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk.” ([03:39])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03—ABC affiliates pull Jimmy Kimmel for Charlie Kirk tribute
• 01:19—Brendan Carr discusses media responsibility
• 01:40—Erica Kirk named TPUSA CEO
• 02:19—Trump designates Antifa a terror group
• 03:09—Trump on illegal immigration at UK presser
• 03:39—Kamala Harris on running mate decision
• 04:50—CDC vaccine panel policy changes and controversy
• 05:53—Brigitte Macron lawsuit details
• 06:29—ICE agent-involved shooting in Chicago
• 07:27—Democratic support for socialism
• 07:46—Texas man charged with threats against NY mayoral candidate
• 08:22—Nvidia/Intel investment news
• 08:42—SpaceX legal victory in Texas

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This episode delivers a brisk, loaded recap of headline developments, with a focus on the intersection of media, politics, and institutional accountability. It features sharp exchanges and insider information, and gives a clear sense of the deepening divides—and the shifting players—across America’s political, cultural, and technological landscape.

Transcript

[John Bickley]

ABC's largest affiliate owner will play a.

[Megan Basham]

Tribute to Charlie Kirk during what was Jimmy Kimmel's hour on Friday. Erica Kirk is named TP USA CEO and chair of the board. And SpaceX wins again in court.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, September 18th.

[Georgia Howe]

This is Evening Wire, the country's largest ABC affiliate owner. Sinclair has pulled the plug on Jimmy Kimmel Live and is filling that time Friday night with a special tribute to Charlie Kirk. Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham has the details.

[Sinclair Representative]

Sinclair says it won't restore Jimmy Kimmel Live until ABC holds formal discussions about professionalism and accountability. The major broadcaster also called on Kimmel to apologize directly to Kirk's family and to donate to Turning Point usa. The move comes after ABC yanked the comedian show in the wake of backlash over remarks suggesting Kirk's killer was a Trump supporter claims investigators say were false. Nexstar, another major ABC affiliate group, joined Sinclair in giving viewers a memorial instead of a monologue. While Democrats call it censorship, FCC chair Brendan Carr calls it community standards. Here's Carr on CNBC this morning.

[Brendan Carr]

The issue that arose here where lots and lots of people were upset was not a joke. It was not, you know, making fun or pillaring me or the administration or the president. It was appearing to directly mislead the American public about a significant fact that probably one of the most significant political events we've had in a long time.

[Megan Basham]

TPUSA announced today that its board has unanimously elected Erica Kirk as the new CEO and chair of the board. The organization added that in prior discussions, Charlie had expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death. It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie's side, the board said in a statement. He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. And now it is our great pride to announce Erica Kirk as the new CEO and chair of the board for Turning Point usa. The board went on to state, quote, the attempt to destroy Charlie's work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.

[Georgia Howe]

President Trump on Wednesday announced that Antifa has been designated a US Terror group. In a post on Truth Social, the president referred to the group as a sick, dangerous, radical left disaster. He also said that Antifa's funding network will be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices. The announcement comes as the administration has signaled a crackdown on radical left groups in the wake of Charlie Kirk's. Assassination.

[John Bickley]

President Trump joined UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a joint press conference during the president's state visit to Britain. The two leaders were friendly but had notable disagreements. The two men have taken different approaches on energy and on recognition of the Palestinian state, for example, as well as on one of the president's favorite issues, immigration. Here's the president offering his advice to the prime minister on how to achieve historic lows of illegal immigration.

[Donald Trump]

I think it's very important and we speak about it, and I think your situation is very similar. You know, you have people coming in and I told the prime minister I would stop it. And it doesn't matter if you call out the military, it doesn't matter what means you use, but it's going to destroy. It destroys countries from within.

[Georgia Howe]

Former VP Kamala Harris has revealed who her first choice for running mate actually was, and it wasn't the guy she ended up picking. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has more.

[Zach Jewell]

In her new book, Harris reveals that she really wanted to pick then Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as her running mate in 2024, but she decided against it because he was not, quote, a straight white man. According to portions of her new memoir, published by the Atlantic this week, Harris wrote that the openly gay Buttigieg was her first choice for her vice presidential running mate. However, she said she felt that a ticket with Buttigieg would present a level of diversity that America wasn't ready to embrace. She wrote, quote, we were already asking a lot of America to accept a woman, a black woman, a black woman married to a Jewish man. Part of me wanted to say, screw it, let's just do it. Part of but knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk, harris added, quote, and I think Pete also knew that. To our mutual sadness, an ICE facility.

[Georgia Howe]

In Portland has become a hotspot for immigration protests, and city officials are turning up the heat. The city announced today that it will issue a land use violation notice to the building, alleging that ICE violated the terms of its agreement with the city by holding detainees for long periods of time. The building's current land use permit bars detentions lasting longer than 12 hours or overnight.

[Megan Basham]

A CDC vaccine panel, known as ACIP, is meeting today and Friday to make recommendations on the childhood vaccination schedule. Here are the details. Is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presa Giacomo.

[Amanda Presa Giacomo]

The panel will discuss and vote on recommendations for the COVID vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccination and the MMRV shot, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox reports suggest that the Hep B vaccine will be recommended much later for children if the mother herself tests negative. So since the disease is transmitted sexually or by blood, currently the first Hep B dose is recommended at birth. The meeting will also reportedly include the introduction of five new panel members. Secretary Kennedy dismissed all ACIP panel members back in June and has been replacing them with professionals that he says are not plagued by conflicts of interests. Also of note, the American Academy of Pediatrics, which controversially supports trans procedures for minors, and they boycotted the meeting, claiming that A$AP has lost credibility under Kennedy.

[Georgia Howe]

French first lady Brigitte Macron will reportedly submit photographic proof that she was born a woman to a US Court. The first couple of France are involved in a defamation suit against Candace Owens, who has claimed that Brigitte was born male and later transitioned to female. Macron's lawyer did not share many details, but did say that they would be presenting photos of Brigitte when she was pregnant during her first marriage. Brigitte met her future husband, French President Emmanuel Macron, when she was 39 and he was her 15 year old student. Some of Owens allegations about Brigitte's past are based on reporting by French journalist Xavier Poussard.

[John Bickley]

An illegal immigrant shot dead by an ICE agent after hitting him with his car in Chicago last week had been arrested in the past but was given a deportation waiver under Biden Daily Wire immigration reporter Jenny Terror has the exclusive report.

[Jenny Terror]

The illegal immigrant shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Chicago last week was previously given a second chance of staying in the US by the Biden administration. Federal law enforcement sources told the Daily Wire that the Biden administration granted Silverio Villegas Gonzalez reprieve despite his 2013 arrest by the Chicago Police Department for reckless driving, assault, speeding and lacking a license and insurance. Villegas Gonzalez struck the ICE agent with his vehicle on Friday while the feds were conducting an operation at Franklin Park. The suspect was asked to stop his vehicle but continued driving, hitting the agent and subsequently dragging him as he fled the scene, an ICE spokesman said. Fearing for his life, the agent shot the driver.

[Georgia Howe]

Two thirds of Democrats report a positive view of socialism. A recent Gallup poll revealed that among Democrats, socialism is far and away the favored economic system. While Americans broadly prefer capitalism to socialism, that gap is narrowing, and Democrat favorability towards socialism has increased 16 points since 2010.

[Megan Basham]

A Texas man was extradited to New York and charged on Thursday with threatening New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.

[John Bickley]

Jeremy Fistol a 44 year old man from Plano, Texas faces charges of making a terroristic threat and aggravated harassment. A law enforcement official told the New York Times that Mandani's campaign received multiple voicemails that included failed threats. In one voicemail, the caller allegedly said Mandani is a terrorist who is, quote, not welcome in New York or America. The caller also said that the socialist mayoral candidate should be cautious when starting his car.

[Georgia Howe]

Tech innovator Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in intel in parallel with the US government's efforts to boost homegrown semiconductor capability. Under the deal, intel and Nvidia will collaborate on custom products for data center and personal computing applications. Intel's stock price surged 25% following the.

[John Bickley]

Announcement, and SpaceX gets a big win in court. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from.

[Megan Basham]

Environmental activists that would have stalled launches from Starbase, that's the newly incorporated city.

[John Bickley]

In South Texas, which will serve as a launch site. Environmental groups insisted that noise, construction, road traffic and light pollution from rocket launches endangered local wildlife, including Ocelot's Jaguarundis and Kemp's ridley sea turtles. This ruling comes shortly after President Trump signed an executive order last month that.

[Megan Basham]

Calls for streamlined environmental regulations for private space companies. SpaceX has already received FAA approval to ramp up Starship launches from 5 to 25 per year at the Texas site.

[Georgia Howe]

Those are your Drive Home updates this evening. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some major stories, including explosive claims that the Biden FBI investigated, tpusa, the Fed finally lowering the interest rate, and Jimmy Kimmel Live getting suspended indefinitely. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.