Podcast Summary

Morning Wire: Evening Wire – “Funding Fraud Unveiled & Fed Cuts Interest Rates”

Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley (The Daily Wire)
Main Theme:
This episode unpacks Congressional hearings on significant governmental fraud in small business programs, the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate cut amidst economic uncertainty, and several high-profile news stories including policy changes, security concerns, and controversies in media and government.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congress Targets SBA ‘8A’ Fraud (00:21-01:31)

• The Senate Small Business Committee held hearings on government waste and fraud, particularly focusing on the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8A program.
• Luke Rosiak (Daily Wire investigative reporter) testified, highlighting decade-long abuse and corruption, including a $550 million bribery scheme.
  • He described the 8A set-aside contracting program as “the most openly abused and shockingly corrupt program in the federal government.”
    • Quote [00:40]: “These billions don’t go to poor minorities in your states. They go to insiders in the suburbs of D.C., which are already the wealthiest counties in the country.”
• Lawmakers allege fraud escalated under the Biden administration.
• Treasury Secretary and SBA chief are investigating what is called a “$100 billion scandal,” with aims to halt “no-bid fraud,” reduce bureaucracy, and protect taxpayers.
  • Senator Joni Ernst [01:31]: "Let's clean this up for American taxpayers and put our hardworking small businesses first.”

2. President Trump Rally: Jobs, Immigration, and the Fed (02:08-03:43)

• Trump boasted at a Pennsylvania rally that, under his administration, all net new job creation is going to American citizens rather than migrants (previously claimed was the reverse under Biden).
  • Quote [02:08]: “Before I entered office, 100% of all new net jobs were going to migrant workers...But since I took office, 100%...has gone to American citizens.”
  • Pressed the narrative of restoring jobs to Americans and noted, "More Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country.” [02:43]
• Gave a health update on National Guardsman Andrew Wolf, who survived a shooting:
  • Trump [02:56]: “I got a call that he got up from bed...he got up. Now, he didn't speak. He's not ready for that yet...but he got up and boy, they're so happy.”
• Raised questions about the legitimacy of Fed Chair Powell’s appointment, referencing the possibility of “auto-pen” signatures on official documents.
  • Quote [03:20]: “I just heard it could be that all four commissioners in the Fed...the auto pen may have signed those commissions...we’re going to check.”

3. Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates (03:43-04:22)

• The Fed approved its third interest rate cut of 2025, lowering the benchmark by a quarter point.
• Aimed to balance a cooling job market and stubbornly high inflation; the vote was not unanimous.
  • Fed Chair Jerome Powell [04:14]: “Conditions in the labor market appear to be gradually cooling and inflation remains somewhat elevated. There’s no risk-free path and I think we’re doing the best we can for people.”

4. Campus Shooting at Kentucky State University (04:22-05:17)

• An Indiana man, not enrolled at KSU, was arrested after a shooting that killed one student and left another in critical condition. No motive revealed.
• University president called it a “senseless tragedy.”

5. Senate Democrats Block Socialism Condemnation (05:17-05:33)

• Senate Democrats blocked a resolution to condemn socialism, despite bipartisan support in the House.
  • Senator Rick Scott [05:17]: “Socialism has never worked.”
  • John Bickley [05:18]: “It’s an old, barbaric, discredited idea that’s failed every time. The answer isn’t more government, it’s less.”

6. Ukraine and Land Concessions Standoff (05:33-06:14)

• President Zelensky refuses to cede any Ukrainian territory as part of a Trump-driven peace proposal requiring land concessions to Russia in exchange for U.S. security guarantees.
• Fault lines remain over Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

7. Luigi Mangione Trial Evidence Fight (06:14-06:58)

• Defense seeks to suppress evidence from an unwarranted search of Mangione’s backpack (containing a firearm and suppressor) and statements made before Miranda rights were read.
• Courtroom attended by supporters; case ongoing.

8. Charlie Kirk Book Surges (06:58-07:20)

• Kirk’s Stop in the Name of God sells 60,000+ copies on release day, with a print run exceeding 200,000.

9. Elon Musk on Government Waste Crusade (07:20-08:15)

• In podcast appearance, Musk reflects on his stint targeting wasteful federal spending, saying:
  • Only ~2-3% of “zombie payments” could be eliminated; the overall effort was more challenging than expected.
  • Admits he’d likely not take on such a role again, preferring to focus on his companies.
  • Quote [08:09]: “Knowing what I know, I don’t think so.”
• Discusses personal fears, including AI “nightmares” and rising political violence.

10. Tougher Entry Rules for Foreign Travelers (08:15-08:44)

• Foreigners from visa-waiver countries (UK, France, Germany, South Korea, etc.) may soon need to submit five years of social media history, email, and past addresses for U.S. entry approval.
• No official criteria disclosed yet for rejection based on social history.

11. HHS Nameplate Controversy – Rachel/Richard Levine (08:44-09:57)

• Trump’s HHS reverted Assistant Secretary’s nameplate to “Richard Levine” instead of Rachel Levine, sparking a backlash.
  • HHS defended it, citing a commitment to “gold standard science” and “biological reality” in public health.
  • Levine called this move “petty and an act of bigotry.”
• The department reaffirmed efforts to reverse previous policies on transgender care for minors.

12. Times New Roman Returns at State Dept. (09:57-10:34)

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio ditched Calibri in favor of Times New Roman for official documents, branding the change as a “return to tradition.”
• Criticized accessibility-focused font changes made under Biden as “wasteful” and a downgrade to correspondence standards.

13. Golden Globes Podcast Category ‘Snubs’ Conservatives (10:34-11:25)

• The Golden Globes’ new “Best Podcast” category omitted top conservative and independent shows (Joe Rogan Experience, Ben Shapiro Show, Megyn Kelly Show).
• Nominees are mostly celebrity-hosted mainstream podcasts.

Notable Quotes

• Luke Rosiak [00:40]: “The most openly abused and shockingly corrupt program in the federal government is so called set aside contracting.”
• Donald Trump [02:08]: “Before I entered office, 100% of all new net jobs were going to migrant workers. But since I took office, 100% of all net job creation has gone to American citizens. How about that?”
• Jerome Powell [04:14]: “There’s no risk-free path and I think we’re doing the best we can for people.”
• Rick Scott [05:17]: “Socialism has never worked.”
• Elon Musk [08:09]: “Knowing what I know, I don’t think so.” (on whether he’d take a government job again)

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode’s tone is brisk, factual, and laced with skepticism about government inefficiency and media bias. There’s open celebration of conservative figures and policies, blended with critique and cultural commentary.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• SBA Fraud Hearing: 00:21–01:31
• Trump Rally & Jobs/Immigration: 02:08–03:43
• Fed Rate Cut: 03:43–04:22
• KSU Shooting: 04:22–05:17
• Senate Socialism Resolution: 05:17–05:33
• Ukraine Peace Deal: 05:33–06:14
• Mangione Trial: 06:14–06:58
• Charlie Kirk Book Release: 06:58–07:20
• Elon Musk Interview: 07:20–08:15
• US Entry Social Media Proposal: 08:15–08:44
• HHS Nameplate Controversy: 08:44–09:57
• Font Change at State Department: 09:57–10:34
• Golden Globes Podcast Category Snubs: 10:34–11:25

Summary

This Evening Wire delivers a fast-paced sweep of the day’s news, focusing on government fraud investigations, shifting U.S. fiscal policy, and sharp culture war flashpoints. Listeners hear direct testimony and notable quotes from leading political and media figures, all within the show’s signature analytical—sometimes acerbic—tone. The episode highlights friction between government tradition and progressive policy, tensions in international diplomacy and American media, and the enduring influence of whistleblowers and provocative voices in public life.