Evening Wire: CDC’s Vaccine Shift & Trade Deficit Plummets | 11.20.25

Summary

Podcast Summary: Evening Wire – CDC’s Vaccine Shift & Trade Deficit Plummets (11.20.25)

Podcast: Morning Wire
Hosts: John Bickley (Editor-in-Chief), Georgia Howe
Date: November 20, 2025
Theme: Breaking developments in public health policy, political investigations, economic news, and notable national events.

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Episode Overview

This episode provides an incisive update on several major news events, including the CDC’s dramatic shift on vaccine-autism claims, new investigations tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case, significant movements in the U.S. trade deficit and jobs numbers, major fraud allegations involving a congresswoman, and touching on the passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney. The hosts blend analysis, notable quotes, and on-the-ground reporting from Daily Wire correspondents, making for a densely packed episode that tackles politics, health, economics, science, and more.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

CDC Changes Stance on Vaccines and Autism

[00:50] – [01:32]

• The CDC has revised its website to state that the claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not evidence-based, citing that studies have not ruled out the possibility.
• CDC now says studies supporting a potential link between infant vaccinations and autism have been ignored by health authorities, marking a major shift from its previous unequivocal stance.
• Quote: “The claim vaccines do not cause autism is not an evidence based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.” — CDC Website, read by Amanda Prestigiacomo [00:59]
• Ongoing HHS investigations are highlighted, as is new research connecting Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism.

HHS Report on "Sex-Rejecting" Treatments for Minors

[01:35] – [02:41]

• HHS releases a peer-reviewed study documenting significant, long-term harms of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries for minors.
• The study is critical of the AMA and American Academy of Pediatrics for promoting these procedures.
• AMA and ACP were invited to contribute data but declined.
• Quote: “Harms from sex rejecting procedures... are significant, long term and too often ignored or inadequately tracked.” — Megan Basham [01:50]
• Assistant Secretary for Health, Brian Christine, urges physicians and parents to read and heed the report.
• Quote: “Protecting our children's health and their future is good medicine.” — Brian Christine as quoted by Georgia Howe [02:41]

Epstein Bill & Investigations Expand

[03:11] – [05:11]

• President Trump signs the “Epstein bill,” opening the door for more transparency.
• U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirms forthcoming release of additional Epstein-related files, with potential to withhold ongoing investigation material.
• Quote: "We will continue to follow the law to investigate any leads. If there are any victims, we encourage all victims to come forward... maximum transparency under the law." — Pam Bondi (via John Bickley) [03:50]
• Trump directs the DOJ to probe Epstein’s ties to high-profile Democrats.
• Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is criticized for mistakenly implicating Republicans with donations from “Jeffrey Epstein”—which turned out to be a different person.
• Memorable Moment: Crockett’s defense that she’d never specified “which” Epstein and her attempt to shift blame to Republicans. [05:11]

Economic Updates: Trade Deficit & Job Growth

[06:09] – [07:24]

• The U.S. trade deficit fell by 24% in August, attributed by the administration to recent tariffs and trade policies.
• Quote: “Americans can rest assured that the best is yet to come.” — White House Spokesman (read by Georgia Howe) [06:09]
• Nvidia outperforms Wall Street expectations, calming market concerns about an AI bubble.
• Job growth soars in September with 119,000 new jobs, beating projections but with previous months revised downward. Unemployment ticks slightly higher to 4.4%.

Veterans Affairs Redirects Green Funding

[07:24] – [08:17]

• Plans for $77 million in electric vehicle charging stations are redirected to veteran care (physical therapy and cancer projects).
• This move is portrayed as a win for veterans’ well-being over "green" initiatives.

Major Political Corruption Case

[08:17] – [09:14]

• Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) indicted for stealing over $5 million in FEMA COVID funds for her 2021 congressional race.
• Charges include conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering.
• Quote: “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain.” — Pam Bondi (read by Georgia Howe) [08:50]
• She steps down from committee leadership.

Passing of Former Vice President Dick Cheney

[09:14] – [09:38]

• Leaders across the political spectrum attend Cheney’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral; Trump and VP J.D. Vance were notably not invited.
• Cheney is recognized as a unifying figure late in life for his critiques of Trump.

Interstellar Comet Discovery

[09:38] – [10:08]

• NASA releases images of comet 3I/Atlas, only the third known interstellar object.
• Quote: "A new window into makeups and histories of other solar systems." — Tom Statler (NASA) as quoted by Georgia Howe [09:50]

First Crime Allegation from Space Unraveled

[10:08] – [11:00]

• Summer Worden, ex-wife of astronaut Anne McClain, pleads guilty to lying about McClain committing crimes from the International Space Station.
• Faces up to 5 years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• CDC Shift: "The claim vaccines do not cause autism is not an evidence based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism." — CDC statement [00:59]
• HHS Report: "Harms from sex rejecting procedures... are significant, long term and too often ignored or inadequately tracked." — [01:50]
• Pam Bondi on Epstein Files: “We will continue to provide maximum transparency under the law.” — [03:50]
• White House: “Americans can rest assured that the best is yet to come.” — [06:09]
• Pam Bondi on Fraud: “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain.” — [08:50]
• NASA Comet Discovery: "A new window into the makeups and histories of other solar systems." — Tom Statler [09:50]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• CDC Vaccine Policy Shift: [00:50–01:32]
• HHS Report on Gender Treatments: [01:40–02:41]
• Epstein Investigations and Fallout: [03:11–05:11]
• Trade Deficit and Economic News: [06:09–07:24]
• VA Redirects Green Funds: [07:24–08:17]
• Congresswoman indicted for FEMA fraud: [08:17–09:14]
• Dick Cheney Memorial: [09:14–09:38]
• NASA Interstellar Comet: [09:38–10:08]
• Space Crime Hoax: [10:08–11:00]

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains a brisk, fact-driven tone balanced by moments of pointed commentary, mirroring the Daily Wire's brand of assertive, skeptical journalism. Hosts and reporters use strong language when conveying criticism, particularly toward political opponents, echoing the conservative slant of the show.

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This episode is an essential listen for anyone tracking U.S. policy shifts, high-profile investigations, and the splashiest developments at the intersection of science, society, and politics.

Transcript

[John Bickley]

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[Georgia Howe]

The CDC makes major changes related to vaccines and autism Pam Bondi signals new investigations related to Epstein may be in the works and former Vice President Dick Cheney is laid to rest. I'm Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, November 20th. This is Evening Wire.

[John Bickley]

The CDC has made a significant change in its stance on vaccines and autism. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo has the details. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its website this week to suggest that autism could be caused by infant vaccinations, a major agency shift from past administrations. The site now reads, quote, the claim vaccines do not cause autism is not an evidence based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism. The CDC now also says that studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities. Health and Human Services has been conducting what it calls a comprehensive assessment of.

[Georgia Howe]

What causes autism, and they've already announced.

[John Bickley]

An association between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism.

[Georgia Howe]

Speaking of hhs, it released a peer reviewed study yesterday documenting the harms of what it calls sex rejecting treatments for minors. Daily Wire reporter Megan Basham has more.

[John Bickley]

The paper states, quote, harms from sex rejecting procedures, including puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and surgical operations, are significant, long term and too often ignored or inadequately tracked. The report specifically called out the AMA and American Academy of Pediatrics for, quote, peddling the lie that chemical and surgical sex rejecting procedures could be good for children. The HHS announcement states the agency commissioned the most comprehensive study to date of the scientific evidence and clinical practices surrounding the treatment of children and adolescents for gender dysphoria. They also note that they invited the AMA and ACP to contribute their own data, but those organizations declined to participate. Assistant Secretary for Health Brian Christine announced the study in a post on X.

[Georgia Howe]

Over the past decade, the number of children and adolescents who reject their biological sex has risen dramatically. These young people and their families are searching for answers to gender dysphoria. They deserve honesty, compassion and the strongest evidence for the help that the medical profession can offer. I implore physicians and parents to read this report and protect children from fraudulent procedures. Protecting our children's health and their future is good medicine.

[John Bickley]

As he said he would, President Trump signed the Epstein bill last night. Meanwhile, U.S. attorney General Pam Bondi says new information warrants further investigations into the Jeffrey Epstein case and those connected to the convicted sex abuser. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has more.

[Georgia Howe]

Bondi fielded questions about Epstein during a press conference alongside FBI Director Cash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch yesterday. She confirmed that the Department of Justice would release additional Epstein files within 30 days of Trump signing legislation making the documents public. Bondi, however, suggested that some material could be withheld as the investigation is ongoing.

[John Bickley]

There's information that new information, additional information, and again, we will continue to follow the law to investigate any leads. If there are any victims, we encourage all victims to come forward and we will continue to to provide maximum transparency under the law.

[Georgia Howe]

Last week, President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to investigate Epstein's connection to a list of powerful Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman. One lawmaker feeling the heat from her claims about Epstein is Democrat Jasmine Crockett. While on the House floor, the far left congresswoman accused multiple Republicans of having accepted money from Jeffrey Epstein.

[John Bickley]

Folks who also took money from somebody named Jeffrey Epstein. As I had my team dig in very quickly, mitt Romney, the NRCC, Lee Zeldin, George Bush win read McCain Palin, Rick Lazio I just want to be clear. If this is the standard that we gonna make, just know we gonna expose it all.

[Georgia Howe]

The only problem, it wasn't the right Jeffrey Epstein. Instead, it was a totally different Dr. Jeffrey Epstein. Amid backlash, Crockett told CNN that she never said which Epstein it was and then tried to blame Republicans for the whole debacle.

[John Bickley]

I never said that it was that Jeffrey Epstein. Just so that people understand when you make a donation, your picture is not there. And because they decided to spring this on us in real time, I wanted the Republicans to think about what could potentially happen because I knew that they didn't even try to go through the fec. So, so my team, what they did is they googled and that is specifically why I said a Jeffrey Epstein. Unlike Republicans, I at least don't go out and just tell lies because it was not the same one. That's fine. But when Lee Zeldin had something to say, all he had to say was it was a different Jeffrey Epstein. He admitted that he did receive donations from a Jeffrey Epstein. So at least I wasn't trying to mislead people now? Have I dug in to find out who this doctor is? I have not. The Trump administration is doing a victory lap as new data shows America's trade deficit with foreign countries is plummeting. Daily Wire senior editor Joel Niedler has more.

[Georgia Howe]

A new report from the Commerce department shows the US trade deficit decreased by 24% in August as the president's tariffs hit countries around the globe. While economists say that reducing trade deficits doesn't necessarily help an economy, the White House is touting the new data, saying it's, quote, more proof that President Trump's trade and economic agenda continue to pay off for the American people, a White House spokesman said in a statement to the Daily Wire. Quote, as the president's historic trade deals and pro growth policies continue to take effect and trillions in investments to make and hire in America continue to materialize, Americans can rest assured that the best is yet to come. Amid worry about a possible AI bubble, chipmaker Nvidia announced its third quarter earnings on Wednesday, and they surpassed Wall street expectations. The company's fourth quarter sales projections are also stronger than anticipated. The tech giant says it expects around $65 billion in sales this quarter, more than 3 billion better than analysts predicted. Nvidia's earnings report was met with a collective sigh of relief as the markets have seen significant declines in recent days amid concerns about the value of AI ventures.

[John Bickley]

In other welcome economic news, job growth surpassed expectations in September. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pearce has the numbers.

[Georgia Howe]

Economists predicted that we'd gain just 50,000 jobs for September, but the actual number came in at more than twice that, 119,000 new jobs. That's the strongest hiring uptick since April. But amid the good news, there was also a revision down for the previous two months of 33,000 lower than previously reported. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate also ticked up just a bit above projections, rising to 4.4%, while economists had projected a rise of 4.3%. Another Biden administration green effort is going up in smoke. The administration had planned to sink $77 million into building 140 solar electric vehicle charging stations. But Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins announced Wednesday that he's going to use that money to help our war veterans. Those tens of millions that were set aside for constructing the stations instead will now help provide physical therapy for veterans and help fund projects to fight cancer.

[John Bickley]

A Democratic congresswoman from Florida is facing decades in prison after the Justice Department accused her of stealing more than 5 million from FEMA funds. Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Arcand reports.

[Georgia Howe]

The Justice Department announced Wednesday that a Miami grand jury has indicted Representative sheila Sheriff list McCormick for fraudulently obtaining FEMA funds meant for COVID vaccinations, then laundering the proceeds and putting the money toward her congressional race in 2021. The DOJ says that the Democrat congresswoman conspired with her brother, 51 year old Edwin Cherifliss, to steal a $5 million FEMA overpayment that was sent to their family's health care company. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement, quote, using disaster relief funds for self enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime. No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. The congresswoman is now stepping down from her committee leadership position.

[John Bickley]

An unusual mix of Democrats and Republicans packed into the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday to mourn former Vice President Dick Cheney. Former President George W. Bush led the packed crowd, which included former members of his administration as well as a number of Democrats who came to respect Cheney late in his life for his criticisms of President Donald Trump. Neither Trump NOR Vice President J.D. vance were invited to attend the ceremony.

[Georgia Howe]

NASA has released new photos of Rare interstellar comet 3I Atlas. The images were taken in October when the comet traveled through the inner solar system. Only two other objects have ever been confirmed to be from outside our solar system, including Oumuamua in 2017, which sparked excitement about possible alien life. Tom Statler, NASA's lead scientist for solar system small bodies, calls the event a quote, new window into the makeups and histories of other solar systems.

[John Bickley]

And the first allegation of a crime committed in space may result in years of prison time for the accuser. Daily Wire assistant editor Andy Valdez explains. The estranged wife of a NASA astronaut is now facing up to five years in federal prison and significant fines. Her crime? Lying to law enforcement about the actions of her astronaut spouse while that spouse was in space. The accuser Summer Worden, pleaded guilty this week to falsely accusing astronaut Anne McClain of illegally accessing Worden's bank records while McClain was on the International Space Station, but warden has since admitted that the allegation was false. The U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of Texas says Worden now faces up to five years in federal prison and up to $250,000 in fines for the false report. The sentencing is scheduled for February.

[Georgia Howe]

All right, those are your Drive Home updates today. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, earlier today, we covered some major stories, including the potential deal to end the conflict in Ukraine, the administration cracking down on Snap fraud, and Charlotte's ICE presence clearing roads and classrooms. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.