Evening Wire: Iran Rebuffs Peace Plan & Meta Loses Big | 3.25.26

Summary

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Morning Wire (Evening Wire):

"Iran Rebuffs Peace Plan & Meta Loses Big"
Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley (The Daily Wire)
Episode Focus: Covering breaking developments in U.S. foreign policy, defense manufacturing, major political shifts, landmark tech and legal news, extreme weather, and cultural updates.

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Main Theme / Purpose

This episode zeroes in on two headline stories:

• Iran's formal rejection of a U.S. peace proposal concerning the ongoing conflict, and
• Major legal setbacks for tech giant Meta, including multimillion-dollar verdicts relating to user safety and social media addiction.

It also surveys related breaking news: domestic politics (surprising election results in Florida), U.S. military production efforts, global economic repercussions, natural disasters, tech layoffs, a high-profile hostage return, and media controversies.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran Rejects U.S. Peace Proposal

[00:51–01:52]

• Backdrop:

  • The Trump administration sent a 15-point plan to Tehran via Pakistan, signaling willingness for indirect diplomacy.
  • Turkey and Egypt might serve as negotiation venues, though Iranian state media denies high-level talks.

• U.S. Military Response:

  • The U.S. readies further deployment, including two additional Marine units to the Middle East.
  • White House Press Secretary, Caroline Levitt, stresses U.S. military achievements and issues a strong warning to Iran.

• Quote:

  "More than 9,000 enemy targets have been struck to date. Iran's ballistic missile attacks and drone attacks are down by roughly 90%. ... President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again."
  — Caroline Levitt, [01:28]

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2. U.S. Accelerates Weapons Production

[01:52–03:04]

• Policy Shifts:

  • The Department of War unveils aggressive contracts to ramp up production on missile systems, parts, and missile defense capabilities.
  • A "wartime footing" directive bars contractors from stock buybacks/dividends until output improves.

• Key Initiatives:

  • Quadruple output of vital Thaad missile defense components.
  • Major focus on "arsenal of freedom" — ensuring allies' needs are met amid conflict.

• Concerns Highlighted:

  • Delays in contractor deliveries seen as a threat to national security.
  • Ongoing gap between military demand and industry performance.

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3. Global Economic Ripple: Oil Prices & Plastics

[03:04–03:31]

• Closure of the Strait of Hormuz spikes oil prices, directly impacting global supply chains.
• Dow Chemical doubles its price hike on plastic resins—polyethylene now up $0.30/lb.
• Polyethylene is integral to daily goods: bags, packaging, construction.

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4. Florida: Democratic Flip in Trump’s Backyard

[04:01–05:09]

• Election Outcome:

  • Emily Gregory (Democrat) narrowly defeats Republican John Maples in a district embracing Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s home turf.
  • Mail-in votes carried Gregory to victory, despite previous double-digit GOP wins.

• Quote:

  "My opponent made [Trump] forefront in his campaign, and I focused more on the voters... what everybody needs, what all of us will do better with: lower property insurance, expanded health care, and strong public schools."
  — Emily Gregory, [04:50]

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5. Extreme Weather: Hawaii’s Worst Flood in 20 Years

[05:09–05:58]

• Hundreds of homes, schools, & a hospital damaged across Hawaii, especially Maui, amid $1B+ in projected losses.
• Over 5,500 evacuated; 230 rescued; no fatalities.
• Conditions to ease per National Weather Service, but damage is extensive.

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6. Wildfire Fears Amid Historic U.S. Drought

[05:58–06:41]

• Early wildfires prompt evacuations in Colorado; drought and low river levels set the stage for a dangerous wildfire and water crisis season.
• Ongoing stalemate among 7 states over management of Colorado River Basin water.

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7. Landmark Legal Blow to Meta & YouTube Over Social Media Addiction

[07:39–08:27]

• Major Verdict:

  • California jury finds Meta (Facebook/Instagram) & YouTube guilty of designing their platforms to addict young users.
  • They must pay $3 million in damages for harms to a 19-year-old plaintiff (“Kaylee”).

• New Mexico Sting Case:

  • Meta also loses a $400 million civil suit for failing to protect children from predators.
  • Undercover state agents posing as a minor encounter widespread abuse and “targeted solicitations” through Meta’s platforms.

• Quote:

  "Government agents posed as a 13 year old girl online and discovered the account was, quote, simply inundated with images and targeted solicitations from abusers."
  — Jordan Schroeder, [08:27]

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8. Tech & Culture: Disney, OpenAI, and Sora Collapse

[08:59–09:45]

• OpenAI abruptly shutters Sora, its video creation platform.
  • Sora’s shutdown occurs just after Disney announced a $1B partnership allowing use of its IP in the generator.
  • User-generated Disney content deal is nullified; partnership ends.

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9. California Gubernatorial Debate Canceled Over Diversity Concerns

[09:45–10:44]

• USC selected top candidates for debate; all excluded (Javier Becerra, Betty Yee, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa) are people of color.
• Lawmakers call for a boycott amid diversity uproar — university cancels debate entirely.

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10. Epic Games Lays Off 1,000 Employees as Fortnite Fades

[10:44–11:32]

• Daily active players for Fortnite drop below 1 million (from 1.7 million average in prior years).

• CEO Tim Sweeney cites a need for “major cuts” to keep company stable; layoffs not attributed to AI.

• Quote:

  "The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded."
  — Tim Sweeney (via Lauren Baer), [10:52]

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11. U.S. Hostage Freed from Taliban Captivity

[11:32–12:23]

• American researcher Dennis Coyle released after 400+ days in Taliban custody; returns to Texas.

• Family’s long efforts and Trump’s personal intervention cited as key.

• Quote:

  "They wrote, quote, promises made, promises kept."
  — Zach Jewell (regarding White House statement), [12:23]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Strength of U.S. Response to Iran:
  “President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again.”
  — Caroline Levitt, [01:28]

• Political Reflection in Florida:
  “My opponent made, you know, him forefront in his campaign and I focused more on the voters.”
  — Emily Gregory, [04:50]

• Tech Industry Reckoning:
  “Government agents posed as a 13 year old girl online and discovered the account was, quote, simply inundated with images and targeted solicitations from abusers.”
  — Jordan Schroeder, [08:27]

• Epic Games’ CEO on Layoffs:
  “We're spending significantly more than we're making and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded.”
  — Tim Sweeney (via Lauren Baer), [10:52]

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Important Timestamps

• [00:51] Iran rejects peace proposal; U.S. military moves, administration responses.
• [01:52] U.S. defense production bolstered; new executive orders.
• [04:01] Democrat flips Trump district in Florida.
• [05:09] Hawaii faces catastrophic flooding.
• [05:58] Early indications of U.S. wildfire and water crisis season.
• [07:39] Social media trial verdicts hit Meta and YouTube.
• [08:59] Disney abruptly ends OpenAI partnership as Sora shuts down.
• [09:45] USC cancels gubernatorial debate over exclusion controversy.
• [10:44] Epic Games layoffs reveal Fortnite’s steep decline.
• [11:32] Taliban hostage Dennis Coyle freed, returns to U.S.

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Summary

This concise, rapid-fire episode underscores global volatility from Washington to Tehran, while also exposing seismic shifts in American industry, technology regulation, and politics. With a focus on hard news, the hosts amplify the urgency around U.S. defense, the real-world costs of social media, and the unpredictable fallout of today’s biggest global stories. The tone is direct, fact-focused, and often mixes official statement with on-the-ground details—delivering the “facts first” ethos amid rapidly developing news.

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Transcript

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[Georgia Howe]

The White House responds to Iran rejecting a peace proposal the Department of War ramps up weapons production and Meta loses a pair of landmark social media cases. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Executive editor John Bickley. It's Wednesday, March 25th, and this is Evening Wire.

[News Anchor]

The White House responded today to Iran's rejection of a US Proposal to end the war. Kevin Phillips, host of Wired in Live, has the details.

[Kevin Phillips]

The rejection follows a 15 point plan the Trump administration sent to Tehran through Pakistani intermediaries. Pakistan offered to help facilitate talks and Turkey and Egypt have also emerged as possible venues if negotiations move forward, even as President Trump says indirect contacts have shown progress. Iranian state media denies any high level talks and the US Is preparing to send additional forces to the region, including two more Marine units. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt spoke at a press briefing today with more updates.

[Caroline Levitt]

More than 9,000 enemy targets have been struck to date. Iran's ballistic missile attacks and drone attacks are down by roughly 90%. We have destroyed more than 140 of their naval vessels. That's why you're beginning to see the regime look for an exit ramp. President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again.

[Georgia Howe]

The Department of War announced a series of new deals to quickly increase US Weapons production as the Trump administration pushes the defense industrial base toward, quote, wartime footing. Our foreign affairs reporter Cassia Keefa has more.

[Cassia Keefa]

The initiatives spanning missile systems, critical components and missile defense are part of a broader effort to accelerate production and build what officials are calling the arsenal of freedom. One of the new critical agreements is to accelerate production of the precision strike missile, a long range weapon capable of striking targets at a range of more than 499 km. Another will quadruple production of a key part used in the Thaad missile defense system. This component enables interceptors to track and destroy incoming missiles moving up to 17,000 miles per hour. These initiatives come after President Trump issued an executive order in January barring defense contractors from stock buybacks and dividend payments, and until they accelerate weapons production. The order warned that delays in underperformance by the contractors threaten national security and that production has not yet met the needs of the US Military and its allies.

[News Anchor]

The jump in oil prices is rippling through the world economy, including into a less obvious realm, plastics. Dow Chemical will be doubling its price

[Reporter]

hike on plastic resins as the Strait

[News Anchor]

of Hormuz remains closed.

[Reporter]

Last week, Dow announced they'd be raising the price of polyethylene by $0.15 per pound, but on Tuesday they adjusted the raise to $0.30 per pound. Polyethylene is used in everything from plastic bags and food packaging to construction materials.

[Caroline Levitt]

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[Georgia Howe]

A Democrat flipped a solidly red seat in the Florida state House Tuesday in a special election held in President Trump's home district. Daily Wire senior editor Joel Niedler reports.

[Joel Niedler]

Democrat candidate Emily Gregory defeated Republican John Maples in a district that includes Mar? A Lago, winning 51% of the vote to Maples. 49 county data showed Gregory had a significant lead through mail in voting, while Maples held a slight edge in early in person turnout. The special election was triggered after Republican Mike Caruso left office to become Palm beach county clerk. Caruso had won his last election by 19 points, while Trump carried the district by about 10 points. Trump, who cast his ballot by mail, endorsed Maples on Monday night, speaking on Ms. Now after her win, Gregory was asked about the president now being one of her constituents.

[Emily Gregory]

I mean, I don't think all of that much about it. My opponent made, you know, him forefront in his campaign and I focused more on the voters in District 87. You know what everybody needs, what all of us will do better with with lower property insurance, with expanded health care and with strong public schools.

[Reporter]

The worst flooding to hit Hawaii in two decades has torn homes from their foundations, swept cars from driveways and coated buildings in thick red volcanic mud. Daily Wire reporter Lyndon Blake has more.

[Lyndon Blake]

The flooding damaged hundreds of homes, schools and a Maui hospital while prompting more than 5,500 evacuation orders. Though no deaths have been reported, 230 people had to be rescued from the rising waters. New downpours triggered more flooding Monday on Oahu's south side, as residents on the North Shore cleaned up from last week's storms. Officials warned the damage could exceed $1 billion. Governor Josh Green called it the state's most serious flooding since 2004. Thankfully, the National Weather Service said conditions are expected to ease and the Big island was able to cancel the flash flood watch this morning.

[Georgia Howe]

Drought conditions have officials concerned that large parts of the US May be in store for a historic wildfire season. Daily Wire contributor Tim Pierce has the latest.

[Tim Pierce]

Hot temperatures and low humidity have already created severe conditions across the Midwest and Southwest over the weekend. Dozens of people across two Colorado counties evacuated their homes under threat from fires. The mild winter is also expected to strain water supplies that were already a concern in some of the nation's driest regions, especially within the Colorado River Basin. Officials from seven states have negotiated for years to find an answer to the coming water crisis, but have missed key deadlines of Talks have stalled over what to do about the basin's falling water supplies.

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[Reporter]

a landmark social media addiction trial just reached a verdict and it's put YouTube and meta in the crosshairs. A Los Angeles county jury found both platforms guilty of contributing to the growing mental health problems stemming from social media use.

[News Anchor]

The California Superior Court case centered on a 19 year old woman referred to as Kaylee, who argued that social media platforms have knowingly designed the user experience to get children and young users addicted. The social media giants must now pay $3 million in damages over personal injury caused by their platforms.

[Georgia Howe]

The ruling follows another big legal blow to Meta. A court ruled yesterday that the company must pay around $400 million in civil damages for failing to safeguard children from predators online, Daily Wire Homepage editor Jordan Schroeder reports.

[Jordan Schroeder]

A New Mexico jury considered arguments from the state attorney general which claimed the site violated state consumer protection laws in a 2023 sting operation. Government agents posed as a 13 year old girl online and discovered the account was, quote, simply inundated with images and targeted solicitations from abusers. Meta claimed the case was cherry picking examples, but the AG said internal communications reveal Meta knew there was a problem years ago. The next phase of the trial in May will determine whether Meta is liable to pay for programs to remedy the harm caused by their product.

[News Anchor]

Disney's big bet for fans just fell apart before it even began, Daily Wire entertainment reporter Amanda Harding explains.

[Amanda Harding]

OpenAI announced on Tuesday that it plans to shut down the video creation platform Sora, which launched in 2024. It didn't give a reason for their decision. This news comes on the heels of Disney announcing a major $1 billion partnership agreement with the tech company, which would have allowed OpenAI to use characters from Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel franchises in its Sora video generator. Much ado was made about users having the opportunity to create fan inspired videos with Disney's licensed characters like Mickey Mouse, with Disney adding some of those Sora generated videos as part of the exclusive deal. But that's all apparently off the table now as Disney ends its partnership with OpenAI.

[Georgia Howe]

A California university canceled a debate for gubernatorial candidates due to a lack of diversity. Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Arcand has more.

[Cameron Arcand]

USC used a data driven formula to select which candidates would be invited to the debate. Six candidates, two Republicans and four Democrats were selected. Although the highest polling candidates were invited, California lawmakers raised concerns that all of the excluded candidates were people of color. In a letter to the USC president, California lawmakers wrote that every excluded leading candidate Javier Becerra, Betty Yee, Tony Thurmond and Antonio Villa Rygosa is a person of color. They continued saying, quote, if USC does not do the right thing, we call in California voters to boycott this debate. In response to the condemnation, USC decided to cancel the debate entirely in a crowded field of contenders. None of the candidates currently poll above 20% for the top two primary election in June.

[News Anchor]

The maker of the game, Fortnite Epic Games, is laying off 1,000 employees. Daily Wire lifestyle reporter Lauren Baer has more.

[Lauren Baer]

CEO Tim Sweeney in a memo to employees, said, quote, the downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded. Fortnite rocketed to popularity soon after release in 2018, quickly becoming the most downloaded game in the world. Player counts and revenues steadily rose through 2023, but have recently taken a sharp downturn. While daily active Fortnite players averaged around 1.7 million in 2023 and 2024, the first months of 2026 have averaged less than 1 million. Sweeney clarified in his statement that the layoffs were not in any way related

[Georgia Howe]

to AI and an American who the Taliban held captive for over a year just returned to US Soil. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has the good news.

[Zach Jewell]

Dennis Coyle, who was held hostage for over 400 days, set foot on US soil this morning after his release was President Trump. Landing in San Antonio, Texas. Coyle was reunited with his family, who had spent nearly 14 months working to help secure his release. Coyle had lived in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years as an academic researcher and maintained valid visas and work permits during his time there. Coyle's return to America comes two months after News Nation host Katie Pavlich asked Trump about his case. At the time, Trump vowed to, quote, take care of it on the White House Rapid Response X account, which released footage of Coyle's return. They wrote, quote, promises made, promises kept.

[News Anchor]

All right, this is your Drive Home updates. To learn more about these stories, go

[Reporter]

to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, earlier today we covered some major stories, including pressure ratcheting up in the DHS funding showdown, Trump deploying troops to

[News Anchor]

the Middle east while looking for a

[Reporter]

diplomatic off ramp for Iran and SCOTUS hearing a mail in ballot case that could affect the midterm elections. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.

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