Evening Wire: Another Epstein Arrest & Mexican Cartels Erupt

Podcast: Morning Wire
Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley (Daily Wire)
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced roundup of the day’s most pressing news: new developments in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, explosive cartel violence in Mexico, a snowstorm affecting 100 million Americans, a celebrity murder case, and political drama in both the US and UK.

Main Stories & Discussion Points

1. Another Epstein-Related Arrest in the UK

• [00:48] Former UK ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, was arrested on suspicion of exchanging confidential documents and funds with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously fired Mandelson, apologizing for his appointment. Mandelson’s arrest follows a similar one of former Prince Andrew.
• The piece underscores ongoing global reverberations of the Epstein scandal.

Notable Quote:

• “Peter Mandelson was arrested over suspicion of misconduct in office as it came to light that he may have exchanged confidential government documents as well as funds with Epstein.” – Daily Wire Reporter ([00:48])

2. Deadly Cartel Violence in Mexico

• [01:16] After government forces killed the Jalisco New Generation Cartel’s leader (“Almencio”), cartel violence erupted across 20 of Mexico’s 31 states.
• The violence included fiery narco blockades (at least 250 incidents), dozens of reported deaths, and attacks at tourist sites like the Puerto Vallarta airport.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly claimed order had been restored, but chaos lingered.

Notable Quotes:

• “The cartel immediately responded by declaring war on the Mexican government.” – Daily Wire Reporter ([01:24])
• “At least 250 of these fiery narco blockades have been reported across Mexico and dozens of deaths have been reported so far.” – Daily Wire Reporter ([01:24])

3. Hollywood Murder Trial: Nick Reiner’s First Appearance

• [01:57] Nick Reiner, son of iconic director Rob Reiner, pleaded not guilty to the double murder of his parents.
• Details: Nick allegedly stabbed his parents to death; he faces possible death or life sentence. Next court appearance is April 29th.

4. US Men’s Hockey Team Wins Gold — Trump Calls to Congratulate

• [02:39] President Trump made a live call to the US men’s hockey team’s locker room following their dramatic overtime gold medal win over Canada (first in almost 50 years).
• Call facilitated via FBI Director Cash Patel; Trump praised goalie Connor Hellebyk and offered them a military plane to the State of the Union and a White House celebration.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Howie, say hi to him. How you doing, Don? I have seen hockey goalies have slightly worse games. Unbelievable. And you are all unbelievable. And a team is pretty good." – Donald Trump ([03:02])
• “We'll do the White House the next day. We'll just have some fun. We have medals for you guys...” – Donald Trump ([03:31])

5. Gavin Newsom Faces Backlash Over Remarks to Black Audience

• [04:02] Governor Gavin Newsom, considered a presidential hopeful, drew criticism after trying to relate to black voters by referencing his low SAT score and inability to read a speech (attributed to dyslexia).
• Rapper Nicki Minaj and Fox News’s Sean Hannity criticized Newsom for “virtue signaling.”
• Ted Cruz posted, “the soft bigotry of low expectations.”

Key Quotes:

• "I'm like you. I'm no better than you. You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy. Literally a 960 SAT guy. I cannot. You've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech." – Gavin Newsom ([04:24])
• "His way of bonding with black people is to tell them how stupid he is and that he can't read." – Nicki Minaj, via X, reporting by News Analyst ([04:45])
• “...the soft bigotry of low expectations.” – Ted Cruz ([04:45])

6. Mar-a-Lago Security Breach

• [05:18] An armed intruder, Austin Tucker Martin, was shot and killed after entering Mar-a-Lago with a shotgun and gas can during a memorial ceremony.
• Trump, not present during the incident, responded emotionally about ongoing threats.
• Martin had reportedly voiced strong opinions about the DOJ’s handling of Epstein documents.

Key Quote:

• "Got a lot of people gunning for me, don't I? But I will. I will not forget them. I'm never going to forget them." – Donald Trump ([05:31])

7. Detroit Police Officers Suspended for Working With ICE

• [06:11] Two Detroit officers were suspended without pay after contacting Border Patrol during traffic stops that resulted in migrant arrests.
• The incident spotlights Detroit’s effective ‘sanctuary city’ practices and the ongoing friction over federal immigration enforcement.
• ICE offered both officers jobs and one, Sergeant Denise Wallet, has sued the city.

8. Ukraine Strikes Russian Missile Factory

• [08:05] Ukraine claims a major strike on a missile plant in Bryansk, Russia, roughly 800 miles from Ukrainian territory, using domestically-produced cruise missiles.
• Highlights the intensifying sophistication and reach of Ukrainian military efforts.

9. Monster Snowstorm Hits the Northeast

• [08:50] Over 100 million Americans affected as the region braced for feet of snow, severe blizzard conditions, and likely power outages.
• Emergency declarations in New York, New Jersey, and Boston; NYC’s socialist mayor called for “emergency snow shovelers,” prompting online irony due to ID requirements for that work but not to vote.
• DSA (NYC) advocacy against Voter ID noted for contrast.

Quote of Interest:

• “The irony hasn't gone unnoticed. Americans across the country are wondering why you need to present identification to shovel snow, but not to vote.” – News Analyst ([10:08])

10. UFO Document Archive Vanishes After Trump’s Declassification Push

• [10:30] The “Black Vault,” a vast online archive of UFO, CIA, and related documents, was mysteriously wiped days after Trump called for official declassification.
• John Greenwald Jr., creator and archivist, says access changed without his knowledge; conspiracy speculation swirls about suppression of secrets.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the impact of cartel violence:
  “The cartel immediately responded by declaring war on the Mexican government.” – Daily Wire Reporter ([01:24])

• Trump's quirky hockey congrats:
  “We'll do the White House the next day. We'll just have some fun. We have medals for you guys…” – Donald Trump ([03:31])

• Gavin Newsom’s awkward outreach:
  "You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy. Literally a 960 SAT guy. I cannot. You've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech." – Gavin Newsom ([04:24])

• On Detroit police-ICE suspensions:
  "ICE responded to the situation from their official X account and offered each of the suspended police officers a job." – Daily Wire Reporter ([06:11])

• Snowstorm voter ID irony:
  "Americans across the country are wondering why you need to present identification to shovel snow, but not to vote." – News Analyst ([10:08])

Episode Structure & Flow

• Each story is delivered crisply, with a focus on fact-based updates and select pointed commentary.
• Frequent attributions and brief expert analysis from field reporters and analysts.
• The tone is brisk, slightly wry, and often skeptical of mainstream narratives, consistent with the Daily Wire’s brand.
• The episode delivers rapid-fire, broad news coverage with minimal editorializing aside from noted quotes and jabs.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start Time | |---------|-----------| | Epstein-related arrest | 00:48 | | Mexican cartel violence | 01:16 | | Reiner murder update | 01:57 | | US Hockey gold/Trump call | 02:39 | | Newsom’s comments fallout | 04:02 | | Mar-a-Lago security breach | 05:18 | | Detroit PD suspensions | 06:11 | | Ukraine strikes Russian targets | 08:05 | | Northeast snowstorm | 08:50 | | Voter ID/snow shoveling irony | 10:08 | | UFO archive wiped | 10:30 |

Final Notes

• The episode weaves tightly edited news delivery with sharp, sometimes sardonic asides, keeping listeners engaged and informed.
• Soundbites from Trump and Newsom add color and immediacy; reactions from public figures enrich the analysis.
• Highly recommended for those wanting a quick but comprehensive overview of major developments with a conservative, occasionally acerbic edge.