Evening Wire: Diddy Verdict & UPenn Settlement Title IX Settlement | 7.2.25

Summary

Evening Wire: Diddy Verdict & UPenn Settlement Title IX Settlement | 7.2.25
Released on July 2, 2025
Presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe

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Sean "Diddy" Combs’ Court Verdict

John Bickley opens the episode with the high-profile case of Sean "Diddy" Combs:

"John Diddy Combs escaped the most serious charges. The music mogul was found not guilty of the RICO racketeering charge and the two sex trafficking charges. But he was found guilty of two lesser charges of transporting women for prostitution, one for his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and one for another victim simply referred to as Jane."
[00:22]

Combs faces up to two ten-year jail sentences under these lesser charges. Despite his defense's plea for release, the prosecution insists on imprisonment. Following the verdict, Combs' reaction was notable:

"After the verdict was read, Combs got on his knees, then stood up, faced the gallery and clapped. The audience erupted in applause."
[00:22]

Cassie Ventura’s Attorney commented positively on her role in the trial:

"We're pleased that Cassie's brought to light everything that has happened in this trial. I just spoke with her and with the US Attorney's office team, and she's in a good place. She's pleased that again that the jury has found him liable or guilty of two federal crimes."
[01:13]

The sentencing is pending based on letters from both the defense and prosecution, due later that day.

---

Trump’s $30 Million Settlement with Paramount Global

Georgia Howe introduces the next topic, transitioning to President Trump’s legal victory:

"President Trump has settled his election interference lawsuit with CBS parent company Paramount Global. Daily Wire deputy managing editor Tim Rice has the details."
[01:39]

Tim Rice elaborates on the settlement:

"Paramount has agreed to pay Trump $30 million to settle an election interference lawsuit. The president will receive $16 million upfront, with additional funds expected for conservative ads and public service messages. The network has also agreed to a new editorial rule dubbed the 'Trump Rule' requiring full transcripts of candidate interviews be released."
[01:48]

The lawsuit stemmed from allegations that CBS edited a Kamala Harris interview to favor her ahead of the 2024 election. While CBS denies any wrongdoing, the settlement includes no admission of guilt.

---

UPenn Revokes Swimming Records for Leah Thomas

In a significant move for women's sports, John Bickley reports on UPenn’s decision:

"UPenn will revoke three swimming records held by trans-identifying male athlete Leah Thomas. The revocation is part of a federal civil rights settlement announced on Tuesday. Those NCAA titles and records will be given to the female athletes who actually won the events. The SU also requires that the school adopt a new policy barring males from competing in female sports going forward."
[02:19]

This decision follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, citing violations of Title IX. Paula Scanlon of the American Principles Project praised the ruling:

"This ruling actually is a very historic win. I'm really excited about it. I think it shows really two things. One, that the University of Pennsylvania is admitting that they were in the wrong when they put a man on my team. But also it shows how effective the Trump administration is on delivering their promises."
[02:56]

---

Gender-Affirming Care for Minors: The Atlantic’s Perspective

Georgia Howe highlights a critique from The Atlantic regarding gender-affirming care:

"The left-leaning magazine The Atlantic says liberals need to break through the quote, misinformation bubble surrounding so-called gender-affirming care for minors. Daily Wire reporter Marie Delordi has more."
[03:18]

Helen Lewis, a staff writer for The Atlantic, discusses the flawed narratives surrounding gender transition:

"The common line 'would you rather have a dead son than a live daughter?' presents a faux false choice and there is no evidence supporting a link between gender transition and suicide prevention. The ACLU admitted as much in arguments before the Supreme Court last year in the now decided case of United States vs Skremetti."
[03:30]

The Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning gender transition treatments for minors with a 6-3 decision last month.

---

Iran's Response to US Nuclear Strikes

John Bickley updates on the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US:

"Iran is still picking up the pieces after the US hit their nuclear facilities last month. Satellite images show a new road, an excavator, and cranes at the Fordeau nuclear site, suggesting Tehran is inspecting underground damage caused by US bunker-buster bombs."
[04:00]

The White House maintains that the strikes effectively destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities. Iran is currently focused on salvaging remaining equipment and materials.

---

Hamas’ Stance on Ceasefire with Israel

Georgia Howe discusses the fragile prospects of peace in the Middle East:

"Hamas says it's ready for a war-ending deal with Israel but hasn't fully endorsed President Trump's proposed 60-day ceasefire. Trump posted Tuesday that Israel accepted the terms following meetings with US envoys who urged Hamas to take the deal, warning it will not get better."
[04:24]

The ceasefire, brokered with assistance from Qatar and Egypt, aims to pause the nearly 21-month-long conflict initiated by a Hamas attack. Mediation talks are set to continue in Cairo.

---

Federal Judge Blocks Revocation of TPS for Haitian Immigrants

John Bickley covers a critical immigration court ruling:

"A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary protected status for over 500,000 Haitian immigrants. Judge Brian Cogan ruled today that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem acted unlawfully by failing to follow congressional guidelines when she moved to revoke the protections."
[04:54]

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program prevents the deportation of immigrants due to unsafe conditions in their home countries. Haitians can now remain and work in the US, at least temporarily.

---

Controversy Surrounding Amreys’ ITIN Loans to Undocumented Immigrants

Georgia Howe brings attention to a contentious business practice:

"A Pennsylvania-based mortgage lender is facing backlash for targeting undocumented immigrants with home loans. Here with the details is Daily Wire investigative reporter Spencer Lindquist."
[05:20]

Spencer Lindquist explains:

"Amreys is marketing Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) loans to non-citizens, including those who lack Social Security numbers. The company says that these loans 'bridge the gap for immigrants seeking homeownership,' citing cases like a single mother from Guatemala and a Mexican immigrant who used an ITIN to buy a home."
[05:30]

Critics argue that this practice incentivizes illegal immigration and undermines federal enforcement of deportations. A recent agreement between immigration authorities and the IRS to share ITIN data could expose borrowers to removal proceedings.

---

Chicago's Hope Clinic Expands Abortion Services to Third Trimester

John Bickley reports on developments in reproductive rights:

"A new abortion clinic in Chicago says it's now conducting abortions in the third trimester. Hope Clinic states it will provide abortions through all trimesters, allowing procedures until fetal viability and beyond if necessary to protect the mother's life or health, including mental health."
[06:06]

Referencing a recent NIH study, the clinic notes that over 90% of babies born at the start of the third trimester survive, highlighting their approach to healthcare.

---

California Governor Urges Increased Federal Wildfire Prevention Funding

Georgia Howe discusses California's wildfire management challenges:

"California Governor Gavin Newsom calls on President Trump to increase federal funding for wildfire prevention. Newsom noted that the state oversees only 3% of forest lands in the Golden State, while 57% belong to the federal government."
[06:31]

Gavin Newsom presented a mock executive order to demonstrate the need for parity in support:

"The federal government has not made the kind of investments the state's making. That's why we're asking the President of the United States to sign a simple executive order. We are actually giving him a template. All it requires is his signature to basically match the rhetoric around protecting our forests."
[06:51]

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly responded by highlighting budget cuts:

"The California state legislature cut $144 million from a wildfire and forest resilience fund last year and that Newsom should, quote, own up to his failure and prepare for fire season."
[07:13]

---

California Rolls Back Landmark Environmental Law to Boost Development

John Bickley continues with California's legislative changes:

"California has rolled back a landmark environmental law in a move to encourage new development. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more."
[07:28]

Tim Pierce details the exemptions introduced:

"Golden State lawmakers passed a measure on Monday that would exempt certain projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). For over 50 years, the CEQA has been used by environmental activists to block development projects and slow home building."
[07:36]

The new bill exempts high-priority projects such as:

• New housing in developed areas
• Advanced manufacturing facilities
• Semiconductor factories
• Electric vehicle plants

Governor Gavin Newsom supported the bill, calling it a "game changer":

"This will be felt for generations to come."
[07:36]

---

Decline in National Pride Among Democrats vs. Republicans

Georgia Howe presents insights from Gallup on national pride:

"How proud are you to be an American? The divide between Democrats and Republicans on that is bigger than ever. Gallup reports this week that national pride is at an all-time low, but most of that is the result of Democrat responses."
[08:10]

According to survey data:

• Democrats: Only 35% feel extremely or very proud, down from 62% last year.
• Republicans: Pride remains steady at or above 90%, with noticeable increases over the past year.

[08:10]

---

Amazon’s Increasing Reliance on Robotics in Warehouses

John Bickley shifts focus to technological advancements in e-commerce:

"Amazon warehouses may soon be more machine than man as the e-commerce giant continues to innovate. The Wall Street Journal reports that more than 1 million robots have been deployed to its warehouses and employees are being trained to manage them."
[08:43]

Key statistics include:

• 75% of Amazon's global deliveries are currently robot-assisted.
• The company anticipates reducing its human workforce in the coming years.

---

Jeopardy! Couple Makes History with Dual Wins

Georgia Howe highlights a heartwarming achievement on a popular game show:

"A couple appears to have redefined double Jeopardy. Jason Singer won the July 1 episode of the iconic quiz show exactly four years after his wife, Susan McMillan, became a Jeopardy! Champion herself. The Jeopardy! team says they may be the first married couple ever to both win the game."
[09:07]

In an interview with ABC News, the couple shared their strategies:

Paula Scanlon (Susan's team member): "I told him he really needs to be on point with the buzzer timing."
[09:30]

Tim Rice adds:

"Just the fact of being her husband is the greatest preparation one could ever get because she's so curious and surrounds herself with such interesting and cosmopolitan things all the time that by osmosis, I almost have had to get better."
[09:37]

Their shared passion for trivia continues to strengthen their relationship over two decades.

---

Drive Home Updates and Closing Remarks

John Bickley concludes the episode with additional updates:

"All right, those are your drive home updates. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some major stories, including the President's spending bill heading back to the house, Trump and DeSantis burying the hatchet at Alligator Alcatraz, and Bryan Kohberger avoiding the death penalty."
[09:59]

The team signs off, promising to return the next morning with a special edition of Morning Wire.

---

Key Takeaways:

• Legal and Political Developments: High-profile court cases and settlements involving celebrities and political figures underline ongoing tensions in entertainment and politics.

• Social Issues and Policies: Discussions on gender-affirming care, Title IX implications, and immigration policies reveal deep societal divides.

• Environmental and Technological Shifts: California's legislative changes and Amazon's automation strategies indicate significant trends in environmental policy and technological integration.

• Cultural Moments: Achievements like the Jeopardy! couple’s win and fluctuating national pride among political demographics highlight the cultural landscape.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key points and discussions from the Evening Wire episode, providing listeners with an insightful overview of the day's significant events and analyses.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

Sean Diddy Combs dodges his most serious charges. Trump scores a big payout in his suit against Paramount. And a Pennsylvania mortgage lender comes under fire for marketing to illegal immigrants. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Wednesday, July 2nd, and this is Evening Wire.

[John Bickley]

John Diddy Combs escaped the most serious charges. The music mogul was found not guilty of the RICO racketeering charge and the two sex traffick charges. But he was found guilty of two lesser charges of transporting women for prostitution, one for his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and one for another victim simply referred to as Jane. Each charge could result in a 10 year jail sentence. The defense has asked for Combs release, but the prosecution says it wants jail time. After the verdict was read, Combs got on his knees, then stood up, faced the gallery and clapped. The audience erupted in applause. Cassie Ventura's attorney praised her in a statement saying, quote, by coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. Here's Ventura's attorney reacting to the verdict.

[Cassie Ventura's Attorney]

We're pleased that Cassie's brought to light everything that has happened in this trial. I just spoke with her and with the US Attorney's office team, and she's in a good place. She's pleased that again that the jury has found him liable or guilty of two federal crimes.

[John Bickley]

The judge will decide the sentence after considering letters from both attorneys, which are due today.

[Georgia Howe]

President Trump has settled his election interference lawsuit with CBS parent company Paramount Global. Daily Wire deputy managing editor Tim Rice has the details.

[Tim Rice]

Paramount has agreed to pay Trump $30 million to settle an election interference lawsuit. The president will receive $16 million up front, with additional funds expected for conservative ads and public service messages. The network has also agreed to a new editorial rule dubbed the Trump Rule requ requiring full transcripts of candidate interviews be released. Trump sued CBS for allegedly editing a Kamala Harris interview to protect her ahead of the 2024 election. CBS denies wrongdoing and says the settlement includes no admission of guilt.

[John Bickley]

In a major victory for women's sports advocates, UPenn will revoke three swimming records held by trans identifying male athlete Leah Thomas. The revocation is part of a federal civil rights settlement announced on Tuesday. Those NCAA titles and records will be given to the female athletes who actually won the events. The SU also requires that the school adopt a new policy barring males from competing in female sports going forward. The move follows a U.S. education Department investigation that concluded that PIN had violated Title 9 Morning Wire spoke to Paula Scanlon of the American Principles Project, who was on that pin swim team at the same time as Thomas.

[Paula Scanlon]

This ruling actually is a very historic win. I'm really excited about it. I think it shows really two things. One, that the University of Pennsylvania is admitting that they were in the wrong when they put a man my team. But but also it shows how effective the Trump administration is on delivering their promises. This is something that they campaigned on and promised to get done. And I'm very pleasantly surprised to see them come to this resolution so quickly.

[Georgia Howe]

The left leaning magazine the Atlantic says liberals need to break through the quote, misinformation bubble surrounding so called gender affirming care for minors. Daily Wire reporter Marie Delordi has more.

[Helen Lewis]

In a piece by staff writer Helen Lewis, she notes that the common line would you rather have a dead son than a live daughter? Presents a faux false choice and there is no evidence supporting a link between gender transition and suicide prevention. Lewis points out that the ACLU admitted as much in arguments before the Supreme Court last year in the now decided case of United States vs Skremetti. The court announced the 6 to 3 decision last month which upholds a Tennessee law banning gender transition treatments for minors.

[John Bickley]

Iran is still picking up the pieces after the US Hit their nuclear facilities last month. Satellite images show a new road, an excavator and cranes at the Fordeau nuclear site, suggesting Tehran is inspecting underground damage caused by US Bunker buster bombs. The White House says the strikes obliterated Iran's nuclear capability. Iran appears to be focused on salvaging equipment and material from the site.

[Georgia Howe]

Hamas says it's ready for a war ending deal with Israel, but hasn't fully endorsed President Trump's proposed 60 day ceasefire. Trump posted Tuesday that Israel accepted the terms following meetings with US Envoys urged Hamas to take the deal, warning it will not get better. The ceasefire proposal was brokered with help from Qatar and Egypt and could pause the nearly 21 month war that began with Hamas attack. Talks with mediators are set to continue today in Cairo, a federal judge has.

[John Bickley]

Blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary protected status for over 500,000 Haitian immigrants. Judge Brian Cogan ruled today that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem acted unlawfully by failing to follow congressional guidelines when she moved to revoke the protections. The TPS program shields immigrants from deportation due to unsafe conditions in their home countries. The ruling allows the Haitians to stay and work in the US at least for now.

[Georgia Howe]

A Pennsylvania based mortgage lender is facing backlash for targeting undocumented immigrants with home loans. Here with the details is Daily Wire investigative reporter Spencer Lindquist.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Pennsylvania based Amreys is marketing Individual Taxpayer Identification Number loans to non citizens, including those who lack Social Security numbers. The company says that these loans, quote, bridge the gap for immigrants. See Homeownership citing cases of multiple illegal aliens who received the loans, like a single mother from Guatemala and a Mexican immigrant who used an ITIN to buy a home. Critics, however, warn that the practice incentivizes illegal immigration and undermines federal efforts to enforce deportations. Immigration authorities and the IRS recently signed a deal to share ITIN data, which could expose borrowers to removal proceedings.

[John Bickley]

A new abortion clinic in Chicago says it's now conducting abortions in the third trimester. Hope Clinic says it will provide abortions through all trimesters. He allows abortions until fetal viability and beyond that point if necessary, to protect the mother's life or health. That includes mental health. A recent NIH study found that over 90% of babies born at the start of the third trimester survive.

[Georgia Howe]

California Governor Gavin Newsom calls on President Trump to increase federal funding for wildfire prevention. Newsom noted that the state oversees only 3% of forest lands in the Golden State, while 57% belong to the federal government. The governor presented a mock executive order to the public that he says would bring parity between federal and state support.

[Gavin Newsom]

The federal government has not made the kind of investments the state's making. That's why we're asking the President United States to sign a simple executive order. We are actually giving him a template. All it requires is his signature to basically match the rhetoric around protecting our forests. Dare I say raking our forests and the reality of the lack of of resources to get the job done.

[Georgia Howe]

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly pointed out that the California state legislature cut 144 million from a wildfire and forest resilience fund last year and that Newsom should, quote, own up to his failure and prepare for fire season.

[John Bickley]

California has rolled back a landmark environmental law in a move to encourage new development. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.

[Tim Pierce]

Golden State lawmakers passed a measure on Monday that would exempt certain projects from the California Environmental Quality act. For over 50 years, the CEQA has been used by environmental activists to block development projects and slow home building. Under the new bill, some high priority projects would be exempted from the ceqa, such as new housing in developed areas and advanced manufacturing facilities, including semiconductor factories and electric vehicle plants. Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to pull his support from the state budget unless the environmental rollback passed, calling the bill a quote, game changer, which will be felt for generations to come.

[Georgia Howe]

How proud are you to be an American? The divide between Democrats and Republicans on that is bigger than ever. Gallup reports this week that national pride is at an all time low, but most of that is the result of Democrat responses. According to the survey data, Democrats accounted for the largest drop in American pride, with only 35% saying they were extremely or very proud, down sharply from 62% last year. But Republican pride has hovered at or above 90% since the poll began in 2001 and increased noticeably over the past year.

[John Bickley]

Amazon warehouses may soon be more machine than man as the e commerce giant continues to innovate. The Wall Street Journal reports that more than 1 million robots have been deployed to its warehouses and employees are being trained to manage them. 75% of Amazon's global deliveries are currently robot assisted, and the company expects to reduce the size of its human workforce within the coming years and a main.

[Georgia Howe]

Couple appears to have redefined double Jeopardy. Jason singer won the July 1 episode of the iconic quiz show exactly four years after his wife, Susan McMillan, became a Jeopardy. Champion herself. The Jeopardy. Team says they may be the first married couple ever to both win the game. Here's what the couple told ABC News when asked if Susan gave Jason any advice.

[Paula Scanlon]

I told him he really needs to be on point with the buzzer timing.

[Georgia Howe]

Everyone there knows pretty much all the information.

[Tim Rice]

Just the fact of being her husband is the greatest preparation one could ever get because she's so curious and surrounds herself with such interesting and cosmopolitan things all the time that by osmosis, I almost have had to get better.

[Georgia Howe]

The couple says their love for trivia helped spark their relationship, and 20 years later, they're still practicing questions over lunch.

[John Bickley]

All right, those are your drive home updates. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, this morning we covered some major stories, including the President's spending bill heading back to the house, Trump and DeSantis burying the hatchet at Alligator Alcatraz, and Bryan Kohberger avoiding the death penalty. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with a special edition of Morning Wire.