Morning Wire – Evening Wire: Epstein Files Fallout & Texas Declares Two Terrorist Groups

Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Podcast: The Daily Wire

Episode Overview

On this episode, the hosts break down the major political and cultural stories of the day, with a strong focus on the fallout from the release of the Epstein files and the mounting scandals impacting major political and academic figures. The episode also covers significant U.S. and international developments: Texas’ designation of two Muslim groups as terrorist organizations, educational department restructuring, and ongoing political campaigns in the run-up to congressional elections.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Epstein Files Fallout and Political Reverberations

• Stacy Plaskett’s Connection to Epstein
  • Details: Text messages reveal Democratic delegate Stacy Plaskett corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein for advice before a 2019 congressional hearing—specifically on targeting Trump through her questioning.
  • Political Action: House Republicans attempted to censure her and revoke a committee assignment, but the Democratic caucus largely shielded Plaskett.
  • Quote:
    • “The American people expect integrity and judgment from their elected officials, not for them to seek advice from a predator who exploited minor children.” — Rep. Ralph Norman (01:38)
• Larry Summers’ Resignation from Public Life
  • Details: Over 20,000 pages of Epstein-related material released, including extensive email exchanges between former Treasury Secretary and Harvard President Larry Summers and Epstein.
  • Fallout: Summers announced stepping back from public duties and resigned from the board of OpenAI. Harvard launched an internal investigation.
  • Quote:
    • “Some of you will have seen my statement of regret, expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein... I’ve said that I’m going to step back from public activities.” — Larry Summers, in class (02:34)

2. Trump’s Foreign and Domestic Policy Moves

• Ukraine Peace Negotiations
  • Details: President Trump sends Pentagon delegation led by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll to Ukraine to encourage peace talks, with plans to involve Russian officials.
  • Objective: The aim is a peace deal reminiscent of successes in the Middle East, focused on European security and defined relationships.
• US-Ecuador Military Base Vote
  • Details: Despite months of lobbying by President Daniel Noboa, 61% of Ecuadorian voters refused to allow a new US military base.
  • Analysis: Seen more as a rejection of domestic leadership than anti-American sentiment.
• Saudi Royal Visit & Ronaldo at White House
  • Surprise Guest: Cristiano Ronaldo attends a dinner with the president, Saudi royals, Tim Cook, and Elon Musk.
  • Quote:
    • “Donald Trump. I wish one day to meet him, to sit with him because he’s really... one of the person that I really like him because I think he can make things happen and I like people like that.” — Cristiano Ronaldo (04:24)
  • Trump’s Comment:
    • “Ronaldo is here and Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now.” (04:54)

3. Education Department Downsizing

• Restructuring Announced
  • Secretary Linda McMahon: Announces that many responsibilities of the US Department of Education are shifting to other departments (HHS, Labor, Interior, State), with nearly half the staff cut.
  • Rationale: Efficiency and little real impact on schools during shutdowns.
  • Quote:
    • “The federal Department of education furloughed 90% of its staff. And what happened? Nothing. Schools stayed open... The shutdown proved our schools don’t depend on Washington bureaucracy to function.” — Linda McMahon, X post (05:31)

4. Texas: Gerrymandering Case & Terrorist Group Designation

• Federal Court Blocks Congressional Map
  • Ruling: Judge Jeffrey Brown declares Texas’ new congressional district map was racially gerrymandered and should not be used.
  • State Response: Gov. Abbott rejects the discrimination claims as “absurd,” defending maps as reflective of conservative voter trends.
• Terrorist Designation for Two Muslim Groups
  • Organizations: Muslim Brotherhood & Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) are now labeled as foreign terrorist organizations.
  • Consequences: Banned from acquiring property in Texas, affiliates face enhanced penalties.
  • Abbott’s Statement:
    • “The actions taken by the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to support terrorism across the globe and to subvert our laws through violence, intimidation and harassment are unacceptable.” (09:57)

5. Political Campaigns and Leadership Shifts

• Kamala Harris Back on the Trail
  • Context: First appearance since November electoral loss, campaigning for Democrat Afton Bain in Nashville—a long-shot race in a strongly Republican district.
  • Quote from Harris:
    • “This is about you. This is about your country. This is about your power. And who is the power? With the people.” — Kamala Harris at campaign event (07:22)
• NYC Mayor-Elect Zoran Mamdani Crowdfunding Transition
  • Details: Calls for public donations, citing the lack of city support for transition expenses. Over 50,000 resumes to vet.
• Democrats Call on Service Members to Disobey ‘Illegal Orders’
  • Viral Video: Six lawmakers, citing their military/intelligence backgrounds, urge service members to refuse unlawful commands.
  • Quote:
    • “You can refuse illegal orders.” / “You must refuse illegal orders.” (08:49)

6. Major Crime and Security Updates

• Nuclear Energy Revitalization
  • Three Mile Island: Trump administration guarantees $1bn loan to restart a reactor to power a Microsoft data center. Facility unaffected by the 1979 meltdown.
• Olympic Snowboarder Indicted
  • Ryan James Wedding: Canadian former athlete faces fresh charges for murder, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
  • Attorney General Bondi:
    • “He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world. His organization is responsible for importing approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles via semi trucks from Mexico.” (10:53)
• Rewards Raised:
  • $15 million reward for capturing Wedding, plus $2 million for info on a federal witness’s murder.

7. Cultural Notes

• Kennedy Center Christmas Tradition
  • First National Tree Lighting: Scheduled for December 17th, aiming to foster new seasonal traditions with a prominent red spruce.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rep. Ralph Norman (re: Plaskett-Epstein):

  • “The American people expect integrity and judgment from their elected officials, not for them to seek advice from a predator who exploited minor children.” (01:38)

• Larry Summers (to Harvard students):

  • “...expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein and that I’ve said that I’m going to step back from public activities.” (02:34)

• Cristiano Ronaldo (on Trump):

  • “He’s one of the person that I really like him because I think he can make things happen and I like people like that.” (04:24)

• Linda McMahon (re: education):

  • “The federal Department of education furloughed 90% of its staff. And what happened? Nothing. Schools stayed open... The shutdown proved our schools don’t depend on Washington bureaucracy to function.” (05:31)

• Gov. Abbott (on designating terrorist groups):

  • “These radical extremists are not welcome in our state and are now prohibited from acquiring any real property interest in Texas.” (09:57)

• Kamala Harris (in Nashville):

  • “This is about you. This is about your country. This is about your power. And who is the power? With the people.” (07:22)

• Attorney General Pam Bondi (re: Wedding):

  • “His organization is responsible for importing approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles via semi trucks from Mexico.” (10:53)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Epstein Files Political Fallout: 00:54–02:34
• Ukraine Peace Talks: 02:34–03:36
• Ecuador US Base Vote: 03:36–04:07
• Cristiano Ronaldo at the White House: 04:07–05:03
• Department of Education Cuts: 05:03–06:14
• Three Mile Island Nuclear Restart: 06:31–07:04
• Kamala Harris Campaign Trail: 07:04–07:42
• NYC Mayor-Elect Fundraising: 07:42–08:16
• Democrats Urge to Defy Illegal Orders: 08:16–09:04
• Texas Redistricting Case & Terrorist Group Ban: 09:04–09:57
• Indictment of Ryan James Wedding: 09:57–11:16
• Kennedy Center Christmas News: 11:28–11:58

In Summary

This episode delivers rapid-fire updates on the top stories impacting politics, governance, and culture. The heavy focus on the Epstein files exposes new vulnerabilities for high-profile Democrats, while policy moves in Texas and DC signal sharp shifts in national security and education strategies. With campaign narratives heating up and sweeping administrative changes, the episode captures the fractious and fast-moving nature of the current news landscape.