Evening Wire: Hillary Testifies & Iran Talks Resume | 2.26.26

Summary

Morning Wire
Episode: Evening Wire: Hillary Testifies & Iran Talks Resume
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Date: February 26, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this Evening Wire edition, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe break down a dramatic news day marked by Hillary Clinton's sworn testimony about Jeffrey Epstein, pivotal US-Iran nuclear negotiations, and major moves by the US military in Israel. The episode also covers breaking developments in immigration enforcement, a snowball-turned-assault incident in NYC, and a high-profile Medicaid fraud scandal. Through a fast-paced, fact-first lens, the hosts offer context and direct reporting on stories driving headlines and shaking institutions.

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Key Segments & Highlights

1. Hillary Clinton Testifies on Epstein (00:33–02:04)

• Summary:
  Hillary Clinton appeared under oath before the House Oversight Committee regarding Jeffrey Epstein, after the Clintons initially resisted—only agreeing after contempt proceedings loomed.
• Notable Developments:
  • Session briefly disrupted due to a leaked internal photo shared by Rep. Lauren Boebert, allegedly violating House rules (00:52).
  • Clinton characterized the probe as “partisan”, while lawmakers of both parties stress public interest in untangling Epstein’s ties to the powerful.
  • Former President Bill Clinton is set to testify next.
  • Video & transcripts of testimony to be released after lawmaker review.
• Notable Quote:
  “Clinton has criticized the probe as partisan, while lawmakers from both parties say they are seeking answers about Epstein's connections to powerful people.” — Cassia Akiva (00:52)

Additional Epstein-Related Updates (01:42–02:39):

• Harvard Fallout:
  • Professor Martin Novak suspended after being outed as Epstein’s “inside man”, organizing 40+ visits to Harvard even post-2008 conviction.
• WEF Scandal:
  • World Economic Forum CEO Børge Brende resigns amid exposure of multiple meetings and “friendly texts” with Epstein (“missing you, sir”), despite prior denials.

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2. US-Iran Nuclear Talks & Middle East Military Buildup (02:39–05:04)

• Diplomacy in Geneva:
  • US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner lead talks aiming to “neuter Iran’s military nuclear capacity.”
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio expresses skepticism over Iran’s intentions:
    • Quote:
      “If what they really wanted was energy...they could do small modular reactors. ...When you say we want to enrich and we want to enrich deep underground…and you have a history...that doesn’t sound to me like someone…not interested in building weapons. This is an unsustainable threat.” — Marco Rubio (02:57)
• Military Maneuvers:
  • US to station fighter jets in Israel for the first time—breaking precedent amid concern over Iranian retaliation (04:15).
  • Move allows dispersal of aircraft and demonstrates a harder security posture post-Abraham Accords.
• Contextual Note:
  Indian PM Narendra Modi had just left Israel, possibly deterring active operations during his visit (04:15).

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3. Cuba Incident: Deadly Speedboat Altercation (05:04–05:47)

• Incident Recap:
  Cuban authorities shot at a Florida speedboat, killing 4 and injuring 6.
• Quote:
  “The majority of the information we still possess is what Cuban authorities are providing…Various elements of the US Government are trying to verify elements of the story…” — Marco Rubio (05:17)
• Unanswered Questions:
  Vessel origin and the presence of US citizens onboard remain unclear.

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4. LAUSD Superintendent Under Federal Investigation (05:47–06:56)

• Searches Conducted:
  Search warrants executed at multiple properties tied to Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, including his LA home, district HQ, and a Miami-area property.
• Background:
  Carvalho came to the US illegally, later achieving citizenship; previously scrutinized in Miami-Dade for a $1.57M nonprofit donation linked to a district contract.
• Agency Response:
  District fully cooperating; investigation details sealed (05:56).

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5. NYC Snowball Fight Leads to Arrests (08:03–08:35)

• Incident:
  Police officers in Washington Square Park pelted with snowballs; Guzmane Koulibaly, previously arrested for attempted robbery, detained. Three suspects remain at large.
• Injury & Controversy:
  Two officers suffered facial lacerations.
  • Mayor Zoran Mamdani labeled it a “snowball fight”, drawing fire from police unions.
• Quote:
  “The New York City Police Benevolent association condemned Mamdani for giving cover to assault police officers for doing their job.” — John Bickley (08:03)

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6. New York Officials Promote Childcare for Illegal Immigrants (08:35–09:19)

• Initiative:
  Mayor Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, in a Spanish-language video, urge undocumented parents to sign up for free city childcare for 3-year-olds.
  • AOC’s Words:
    “Any New York parent, regardless of your occupation, income or immigration status, is eligible to sign their child up for...free full day high quality education...” (08:53)
• Note:
  Residency requirements waived for children in temporary housing.

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7. Immigration Law Challenges & High-Profile Cases (09:19–10:58)

• Deportation Policy Ruling:
  A federal judge in Boston found Trump-era “third country” removal procedures violated due process by moving too quickly, mandating advance notice and challenge rights (09:19).
• Repeat Offender Arrest:
  Indian national Karmjit Singh, who killed an 8-year-old in a DUI and faced two more DUIs after a short prison term, is back in ICE custody after another recent release (10:02).
  • Quote from father:
    “Scott Martin told the Daily Wire...Singh is now being held at the California City Corrections center.” (10:16)
• Policy Note:
  Homeland Security is defending the administration’s practices and expects eventual court vindication.

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8. Medicaid Fraud Crackdown in Minnesota (10:58–12:01)

• Action:
  VP and “Fraud Czar” JD Vance announced the Trump administration is withholding $260 million in Medicaid funding from Minnesota, demanding stricter fraud prevention.
• Quotes:
  • “We are stopping the federal payments...until the state government takes its obligations...seriously to stop the fraud being perpetrated against the American taxpayer.” — JD Vance, via Zach Jewell (11:14)
  • “If Minnesota fails to clean up the systems, the state will rack up a billion dollars of deferred payments this year. Governor Walsh has 60 days...to respond to our letter.” — Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator, CMS (11:49)

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Notable Moments & Quotes

• “Clinton has criticized the probe as partisan, while lawmakers from both parties say they are seeking answers about Epstein's connections to powerful people.” — Cassia Akiva (00:52)
• “We are stopping the federal payments... until the state government takes its obligations... seriously to stop the fraud...” — JD Vance (11:14)
• “Any New York parent, regardless of your occupation, income or immigration status, is eligible to sign their child up for... free full day high quality education...” — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (08:53)
• “...that doesn’t sound to me like someone…not interested in building weapons. This is an unsustainable threat.” — Marco Rubio (02:57)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:33 — Hillary Clinton testifies before Congress on Epstein
• 01:42 — Harvard professor suspended over Epstein ties
• 02:04 — World Economic Forum CEO resigns amid Epstein revelations
• 02:39 — US-Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva begin
• 04:04 — US dispatches fighter jets to Israeli bases
• 05:04 — Deadly speedboat incident off Cuba; Rubio comments
• 05:47 — Federal investigation of LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho
• 08:03 — NYC police assaulted with snowballs; arrest and fallout
• 08:35 — NYC officials encourage childcare enrollment for illegal immigrants
• 09:19 — Boston judge halts fast-track deportations; due process ruling
• 10:02 — Repeat-offender drunk driver, illegal immigrant, back in ICE custody
• 10:58 — VP JD Vance suspends Medicaid funds to Minnesota after fraud scandal

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This episode delivers a rapid-fire but thorough review of the day's most consequential stories, marked by biting analysis and direct quotes from political figures—an essential listen for those tracking U.S. politics, legal drama, and domestic policy.

Transcript

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[John Bickley]

Hillary Clinton testifies under oath on Jeffrey Epstein the US Stations fighter jets in Israel amid talks with Iran and newly appointed frauds are J.D. vance clearly understands the assignment. I'm Daily Wire Executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, February 26th. This is Evening Wire.

[Cassia Akiva]

Hillary Clinton testified under oath today before the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Daily Wire reporter Lyndon Blake has the details. The closed door deposition went off the rails briefly over a leaked photo from inside. The photo is reportedly shared by Representative Lauren Boebert, something that Clinton's advisors claimed violated House rules, prompting the proceedings to pause. Clinton has criticized the probe as partisan, while lawmakers from both parties say they are seeking answers about Epstein's connections to powerful people. Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to testify Friday. Committee Chairman James Comer says video and transcripts will be released after members review them, calling it a potentially lengthy session. The Clintons had previously resisted appearing, but agreed after lawmakers moved toward holding them in contempt.

[John Bickley]

Meanwhile, a Harvard math professor has been put on leave after his ties with Epstein were revealed in a recent Boston Globe expose. The Globe characterized Professor Martin Novak as Epstein's, quote, inside man at Harvard, facilitating over 40 visits to the university, as well as contacts with other academics. That's even after his 2008 sex crimes conviction.

[Cassia Akiva]

In other Epstein news, the CEO of the World Economic Forum and organizer of the Davos summit, Borg Brenda, announced he's stepping down. He did not cite Epstein in his resignation letter, but but his departure comes just days after it was revealed he took at least three dinner meetings with Epstein between 2018 and 19, including one at the pedophile's home. He also exchanged friendly texts, including one that said, missing you, sir. He's also under internal investigation by the WEF for the relationship. He previously denied having any contact with Epstein prior to the release of the documents.

[John Bickley]

A fresh round of nuclear Talks is underway between the US And Iran. American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Geneva today hoping to hash out a deal that would neuter Iran's military nuclear capacity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke yesterday on the US Perspective heading into the talks.

[Marco Rubio]

After their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it. And here they are. You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it. If what they really wanted was energy from, they could do small modular reactors. But when you say we want to enrich and we want to enrich deep underground, and you have a history in the past of enriching to 20 and even 60% plus you're building missiles that could potentially carry warheads, that doesn't sound to me like someone who's a country that's not interested in building weapons. This is an unsustainable threat.

[John Bickley]

The talks come amid a massive military buildup in the Middle east, the largest since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

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[Cassia Akiva]

As part of that buildup, and amid rising tensions with Iran, the US Will station fighter jets in Israel for the first time in history. Daily Wire foreign affairs reporter Cassia Akiva has more.

For decades, the US has avoided the appearance of deep military integration with Israel. But that posture appears to have shifted since the signing of the Abraham Accords. U.S. officials say the move strengthens defenses against potential Iranian retaliation, particularly in response to the US Action on Iran's nuclear or missile programs, and allows aircraft to be widely dispersed across the region rather than concentrated at a few bases. Although small numbers of American troops have operated in Israel in the past, the US has never operated fighter jets from Israeli bases. It's also worth noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently departed Israel following a two day visit. His presence may have served as a temporary constraint on military action, as it was unlikely that any party involved would risk endangering the leader of the world's most populous country.

[John Bickley]

Secretary Marco Rubio addressed the deadly incident off the coast of Cuba. As we reported yesterday, Cuban authorities engaged a speedboat from Florida, leaving four dead and six injured in a reported shootout. Here's Rubio.

[Marco Rubio]

As it stands now, the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, others are involved. The majority of the information we still possess is what Cuban authorities are providing both the public and the US Government. We have various different elements of the US Government that are trying to verify elements of the story based on what's been provided to us.

[John Bickley]

The Cuban government claims that individuals on the boat opened fire on Cuban military personnel, prompting a response. It's unknown at this time where the vessel originated and if there were any US Citizens on board.

[Cassia Akiva]

Federal agents executed search warrants Wednesday tied to the Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Daily Wire Immigration reporter Jenny Tare has the details.

[Jenny Tare]

The searches targeted Superintendent Alberto Carvalho's home in San Pedro, the district's downtown headquarters and a Miami area property connected to him. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office confirmed that authorities have sealed the details of the investigation. Staff evacuated LAUSD headquarters as agents arrived and video showed investigators entering and leaving Carvalho's residence carrying boxes and a small suitcase. Carvalho came to the United states in the 1980s as an illegal immigrant. He worked construction and in restaurants for a few years, then attained a student visa followed by citizenship. Before his current position, he headed Miami Dade Public Schools where he faced scrutiny in 2020 after helping secure a $1.57 million donation from a company with a pending district contract for a non profit that he founded. The LA Unified School District said it's fully cooperating with law enforcement on the current investigation.

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[John Bickley]

New York City police have arrested a 27 year old man after officers were pelted with snowballs in Washington Square Park. Authorities arrested Guzmane Koulibaly and are still on the lookout for three others connected to the mayhem. According to police, Koulibaly was arrested just weeks ago for attempted robbery. Two police officers suffered lacerations to their faces as a result of what Mayor Zoran Mamdani has dismissed as a snowball fight. The New York City Police Benevolent association condemned Mamdani for giving cover to assault police officers for doing their job.

[Cassia Akiva]

Mayor Mamdani and Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez released a video this week in Spanish and encouraging illegal immigrants to enroll in the city's free childcare programs.

[John Bickley]

Hola mi espanol no es el no

[Cassia Akiva]

AOC tells New Yorkers that, quote, any New York parent, regardless of your occupation, income or immigration status, is eligible to sign their child up for quote, free full day high quality education for three year old children. Parents are generally required to provide proof of the child's age and verification of New York City residency. However, the residency requirement can be waived if a parent indicates the child is living in temporary housing.

[John Bickley]

On Wednesday, a federal judge in Boston challenged the Trump administration's use of third countries to speed up removals of illegal aliens. Daily Wire senior editor Joel Niedler has the story. Along with helping to speed up the deportation process, third countries also help clear hurdles such as home countries refusing to take back their nationals. In an 81 page ruling, U.S. district Court Judge Brian Murphy declared the Trump administration has used the process too liberally and violated due process by moving too quickly to remove aliens. Murphy said that the government must give meaningful notice before removal to any third country and time for an alien to challenge their removal on grounds that they could be in danger. Homeland Security defended the practice, expressing confidence that the administration would win in the

[Cassia Akiva]

Supreme Court an illegal immigrant the Biden administration did not deport after he served just three years in prison for killing an eight year old boy, is now in the custody of ice. Daily Wire investigative reporter Luke Rosiak has the story.

[Zach Jewell]

In 2019, Karmjit Singh was driving drunk in his BMW when he hit another vehicle at more than 100 miles an hour and then tried to flee the scene. The crash killed Maverick Martin, an 8 year old star baseball player, and severely injured his parents, Scott and Megan. But Singh, an Indian national who'd overstayed his visa and already had a separate felony DUI conviction, served just three years in prison. After he was released, he got two more DUIs. He went back to prison for another short term and on January 30th he was released by California again, Scott Martin told the Daily Wire. A search of ICE's detainee database shows Singh is now being held at the California City Corrections center, one of ICE's new facilities.

[John Bickley]

And vice president and newly appointed fraud czar JD Vance announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration would withhold nearly $260 million in Medicaid funding for Minnesot following the state's massive fraud scandal. Here's Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell with details.

[Zach Jewell]

President Trump tapped Vance to lead the administration's anti fraud crackdown. Vance said at a press conference yesterday that the administration is withholding reimbursements for Medicaid services that Minnesota already paid for out of the state budget.

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What we're doing is we are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations to seriously to stop the fraud that's being perpetrated against the American taxpayer.

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Dr. Mehmet Oz, the current administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also spoke at the press conference, delivering a clear warning to the North Star

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a billion dollars of deferred payments this year. Governor Walsh has 60 days. 60 days, sir, to respond to our letter.

[Cassia Akiva]

Those are your drive Home updates this evening. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com, and in case you missed it, earlier today we covered some major stories, including America's political party setting their sights fully on the midterms, Bill and Hillary Clinton testifying about Jeffrey Epstein ties and New York's Democratic socialist mayor coming under fire from his own police force. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire. Jackson Hewitt handles your taxes and your stress. Inhale on no surprise price of 149 or less. Exhale. Paying more for complicated taxes. You won't. Inhale. New tax law knowledge. Exhale. Missing out on your biggest refund? Certainly not. Don't miss paying £1 49 or less. Rest easy. Jackson Hewitt Scott Taxes guaranteed Limited time offer for new clients on federal turns. Participating locations only. [e-mail] 149.