Evening Wire: Maduro Raid Polymarket Scandal & The Left Turns On Mamdani? | 4.24.26

Summary

Episode Overview

Morning Wire – “Evening Wire: Maduro Raid Polymarket Scandal & The Left Turns On Mamdani?”
Date: April 24, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley (Editor-in-Chief, Daily Wire), Georgia Howe (Executive Editor, Daily Wire)
Theme:
This episode delivers rapid-fire coverage of the day’s essential political, international, and cultural news—from a Pentagon bus crash and Middle East diplomacy to DOJ investigations, a military prediction market scandal, and American surrogacy trends. The episode also highlights internal conflict within the progressive left, new school lunch health initiatives, and tech in law enforcement, offering both factual reporting and pointed analysis.

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Key Segments & Insights

1. Pentagon Bus Crash & War Department Injuries

[00:03–00:44]

• Two buses collided at the Pentagon Metro station, injuring nearly two dozen people, including at least 10 War Department employees.
• Most were treated for minor injuries, one for more serious trauma.
• The collision occurred at low speed.

2. Iran Peace Talks & Leadership Turmoil

[00:44–01:59]

• Diplomatic Updates: Trump sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to meet Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchee in Islamabad for a new round of peace talks focused on ending the war and reopening the Hormuz Strait.
• Regime Disarray: Negotiations impeded by internal chaos—Mojtaba Khamenei, newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, is recovering from severe injuries following an airstrike that killed his father and other family members. He is described as "physically debilitated, isolated, and reliant on hardline military commanders" ([01:32] Georgia Howe).

Notable Quote:
“Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have been hampered by chaos inside the Iranian regime. President Trump earlier this week indefinitely extended a ceasefire in the war because of the lack of unity among Iranian leadership.” — Tim Pierce [00:54]

3. US-Lebanon-Israel Diplomacy

[01:59–02:39]

• Trump announces US support for Lebanon in defending against Hezbollah.
• Israel and Lebanon, with US mediation, extend their ceasefire by three weeks; talks mediated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
• Focus on containing Hezbollah’s regional threat.

4. DOJ Drops Jerome Powell Inquiry

[02:39–03:00]

• DOJ ceases investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after pressure from President Trump; paves the way for Kevin Warsh’s confirmation as successor.

5. FDA School Lunch Pilot

[03:00–03:40]

• A $17 million program aims to reduce ultra-processed foods in school meals, with a focus on fresh preparation and long-term healthcare savings.
• “Up to 70% of a child's diet can come from ultra processed foods... full of unhealthy fats, sugars and additives.” — Cassia Akiva [03:09]

6. Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Fraud Scandal

[04:40–05:29]

• Trump calls SPLC fraud charges “another Democrat hoax,” linking alleged criminality to the 2020 election's legitimacy.
• Treasury moves to increase transparency for nonprofits to prevent future SPLC- and "dark money"-style abuses.

Notable Quote:
“The Southern Poverty Law Center, one of the greatest political scams in American history, has been charged with fraud. This is another Democrat hoax along with ActBlue and many others. If it is true, the 2020 presidential election should be permanently wiped from the books and be of no further force or effect.” — Donald Trump (via Zach Jewell) [04:52]

Treasury Response:
“We are ending the days of hiding fraud, abuse and extremist activity behind complicated nonprofit arrangements.” — Treasury Secretary Scott Besant [05:29]

7. Elite Forces, Classified Ops & Polymarket Scandal

[07:10–08:02]

• Former US Special Forces operator Gannon Ken Van Dyke is charged after allegedly using classified intel about the Venezuelan raid on Nicolás Maduro to make lucrative bets on Polymarket, earning over $400,000 from $33,000 placed—“a staggering 1200% return.”

Notable Quote:
“A US Army Special Forces soldier who helped capture Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro is now facing federal charges after being accused of turning that same operation into a six figure payday on a prediction market.” — Jordan Schroeder [07:19]

8. Leftist Backlash Against NYC Mayor Mamdani

[08:02–08:56]

• NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani, known for left-leaning policies, faces protests from the far left over perceived support for Israel and insufficient advocacy for trans rights.
• Called a “fence walker” and accused of moving to the center after campaigning as a socialist.

Notable Quote:
“Other socialist candidates like Seattle's Shama Sawant have turned Mamdani into a rhetorical punching bag... many criticize Mamdani as too supportive of Israel and not supportive enough of, quote, trans rights.” — Andy Valdez [08:10]

9. Law Enforcement Tech: “StarChase”

[08:56–09:28]

• Suffolk County’s sheriff tests a GPS-tagging device launched from police vehicles to track suspects' cars. Claims of 85% success rate in monitoring suspects without high-speed chases.

10. EU Chemical Ban in Cosmetics

[09:28–10:02]

• Europe to ban 15 carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic-for-reproduction chemicals in cosmetics; US lacks comparable bans.
• “Unlike the EU, the US does not have a similar mechanism that automatically bans chemicals classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction.” [09:28]

11. Surge in Single Men Opting for Surrogacy

[10:02–10:53]

• In England, legal reforms have allowed a rise in single men seeking surrogacy—a trend previously negligible—most are gay men.
• Expert pushback: “A mother is the primary safeguarder of a child and removing her permanently... goes against all best practice.” — Helen Gibson [10:13]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the SPLC Scandal:
  “If it is true, the 2020 presidential election should be permanently wiped from the books and be of no further force or effect.” —Trump [04:52]

• On the Polymarket Scandal:
  “A profit of about $409,000, a staggering 1200% return that immediately raised red flags.” — Jordan Schroeder [07:19]

• On Mayor Mamdani:
  “Far left critics characterize Mamdani as a quote, fence walker and an exemplar of politicians who run as socialists but become moderate after taking office.” — Andy Valdez [08:10]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Pentagon Bus Crash: [00:03–00:44]
• Iran-Pakistan Diplomacy & Supreme Leader's Condition: [00:44–01:59]
• US-Israel-Lebanon Talks: [01:59–02:39]
• DOJ Drops Powell Investigation: [02:39–03:00]
• FDA School Lunch Program: [03:00–03:40]
• SPLC Fraud Scandal & Nonprofit Reform: [04:40–05:29]
• Polymarket Intelligence Scandal: [07:10–08:02]
• NYC Mayor Mamdani Leftist Backlash: [08:02–08:56]
• StarChase Law Enforcement Tech: [08:56–09:28]
• EU Cosmetic Chemical Ban: [09:28–10:02]
• Single Men Seeking Surrogacy: [10:02–10:53]

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Tone & Style

• Direct and brisk reporting, foundationally skeptical of institutional narratives and sympathetic to right-of-center critiques.
• The co-hosts frame events with clarity, interweaving hard news and pointed commentary; guest reports add granular detail and expert perspective.

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Conclusion

This episode of Evening Wire offered a compact, indispensable briefing on a wide array of high-stakes topics—from geopolitics and scandal to culture war clashes and emerging trends. Particularly notable were the SPLC fraud allegations and Trump’s dramatic response, the Polymarket classified data scandal, and the internal fracturing of the progressive left over Mayor Mamdani’s record.
For those interested in legal, social, and political controversies shaping America’s headlines—and the skeptical, reality-first reporting touted by The Daily Wire—this rundown delivers both news and the ideological context for interpreting it.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

A Pentagon bus crash leaves several War Department officials injured, the DOJ drops its investigation into Jerome Powell and the number of single men seeking surrogacy rises. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Friday, April 24th, and this is Evening Wire. Nearly two dozen people were injured after two buses collided head on at the Pentagon Metro station on Friday morning. Authorities say that at least 10 of those injured are War Department employees. Nearly 20 people were taken to a nearby hospital, though most of their wounds were minor. However, one person was taken to a trauma center. The buses were reportedly traveling slowly when they collided.

[John Bickley]

Iran's top diplomat is expected in Pakistan as Washington and Tehran attempt to restart peace talks and reopen the Hormuz Strait. Daily Wire contributor Tim Pierce has the

[Tim Pierce]

latest reports say President Trump is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad this weekend. The pair is expected to meet with Iran's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchee, in another round of talks to end the war and open the Hormuz Strait. It has been nearly two weeks since the first round of talks ended in no deal. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have been hampered by chaos inside the Iranian regime. President Trump earlier this week indefinitely extended a ceasefire in the war because of the lack of unity among Iranian leadership. At the same time, Trump has kept in place a US Blockade on Iranian exports that is costing the regime the equivalent of hundreds of millions of dollars a day.

[Georgia Howe]

Iran's newly installed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly recovering from severe injuries and he may even require plastic surgery. This comes after an airstrike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, and his wife and son. Senior Iranian officials told the New York Times that the strike left the 56 year old leader physically debilitated while largely isolated and increasingly reliant on hardline military commanders to govern.

[John Bickley]

President Trump says the US Will help Lebanon protect itself from Hezbollah. Daily Wire foreign affairs reporter Cassia Akiva reports.

[Cassia Akiva]

After a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors at the White House on Thursday, President Trump said that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks while US Mediated discussions continue in DC Ambassadors for Israel and Lebanon met for direct talks last week for the first time in three decades. The initial meeting took place at the U.S. state Department and was mediated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions had focused on how to deal with the Iranian proxy and terror group Hezbollah, which has used Lebanon as a staging ground to launch attacks on Israel.

[John Bickley]

The Justice Department is dropping its investigation into Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. U.S. attorney for D.C. jeanine Pirro said today that that she's directed her office to close its investigation into the Federal Reserve and its chair. Trump has been pushing for the probe, but its closure now helps clear the path to confirm the president's choice for Powell's replacement, Kevin Warsh.

[Georgia Howe]

The FDA has launched a $17 million pilot program to overhaul school lunches. Daily Wire assistant editor Andy Valdez has the story.

[Cassia Akiva]

Commissioner Marty McCary says that up to 70% of a child's diet can come from ultra processed foods that are full of unhealthy fats, sugars and additives. Those schools that opt into the program receive education and coaching on how to drastically reduce the use of ultra processed foods in their kitchens. Some of the funds have gone to updating cafeterias so that the staff are able to prepare fresh food rather than have to purchase it prepackaged. McCary said that over time the program could reduce costs for taxpayers in both education and the healthcare system.

[Andy Valdez]

Eczema is unpredictable, but you can flare less with epglis, a once monthly treatment for moderate to severe eczema after an initial four month or longer dosing phase. About four in ten people taking EPLIS achieved itch relief in clear or almost clear skin at 16 weeks, and most of those people maintain skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing.

[Pharmaceutical Announcer]

Hemglus Lebricizumab LBKZ, a 250mg 2ml injection, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals or who cannot use topical therapies. EBGLIS can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to ebglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with ebglis. Before starting ebglis. Tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection.

[Andy Valdez]

Ask your doctor about eglis and visit eglis.lilly.com or call 1-800-lilyrx or 1-800-545-5979.

[John Bickley]

President Trump said this morning that the Southern Poverty Law Center's alleged fraud is another Democrat hoax that places the 2020 election results into doubt. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has more.

[Zach Jewell]

The president made the comment in a post on Truth Social, marking the first time he's publicly addressed the allegations against the splc. The group was charged earlier this week with multiple counts of wire fraud over its scheme to pay the leaders of multiple white supremacist groups in exchange for information. Trump said, quote, the Southern Poverty Law center, one of the greatest political scams in American history and has been charged with fraud. This is another Democrat hoax along with Axe Blue and many others. If it is true, the 2020 presidential election should be permanently wiped from the books and be of no further force or effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[Georgia Howe]

Trump's comments come after the Treasury Department announced a new anti SPLC like measure. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said this week that the IRS will revise Form 990 to increase transparency and curb misconduct within tax exempt organizations. The move specifically targets fiscal sponsorship arrangements, government grants and contracts, mechanisms critics say have been exploited for dark money networks to operate without public scrutiny. Besant said, quote, we are ending the days of hiding fraud, abuse and extremist activity behind complicated nonprofit arrangements.

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[John Bickley]

a Special Forces operator turned classified intelligence into a six figure side hustle, Daily Wire Homepage managing editor Jordan schroeder explains.

[Jordan Schroeder]

A U.S. army Special Forces soldier who helped capture Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro is now facing federal charges after being accused of turning that same operation into a six figure payday on a prediction market. Prosecutors say 38 year old Gannon Ken Van Dyke used classified information tied to the Maduro operation to place a series of highly specific wagers on polymarket. Those vets, totaling roughly $33,000, were placed in late December and early January on specific outcomes like whether U.S. forces would enter Venezuela and whether Maduro would be removed from power by the end of January. The result? A profit of about $409,000, a staggering 1200% return that immediately raised red flags.

[Georgia Howe]

New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani has been facing heavy criticism recently, but this time from the left. Daily Wire lifestyle reporter Lauren Baer has the story.

[Andy Valdez]

Mamdani has been swarmed outside of his mayoral residence and at speaking events by far left activists voicing their disappointment in the mayor. Other socialist candidates like Seattle's Shama Sawant, have turned Mamdani into a rhetorical punching bag during campaign speeches. Many criticize Mamdani as too supportive of Israel and not supportive enough of, quote, trans rights. Far left critics characterize Mamdani as a quote, fence walker and an exemplar of politicians who run as socialists but become moderate after taking office. Having proposed everything from government run grocery stores to illegal immigrant friendly policies to attempted taxpayer funded universal child care, the Mamdani administration is surprised by the backlash. To many on the far left, however, Mamdani policies are not enough.

[John Bickley]

New York's Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has joined law enforcement across the state in testing out a new high tech tool to help track fleeing suspects. The tool is called StarChase. It uses a gun mounted to the bumper of a police car that fires a GPS tracker into a suspect's vehicle. The sheriff's office started testing the device several weeks ago in its DWI enforcement unit. It boasts an 85% success rate. Police say it allows them to monitor a suspect without engaging in dangerous high speed chases.

[Georgia Howe]

The EU is about to ban 15 chemicals in cosmetics, but they'll still be allowed here in the US the new policy in the European Union, set to go into effect on May 1, targets substances and cosmetics now classified as CMR carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. That means that they could harm fertility, cause cancer or affect unborn children. A senior scientist at the Environment Working Group told the New York Post quote, unlike the eu, the US does not have a similar mechanism that automatically bans chemicals classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic

[John Bickley]

for reproduction and a surprising trend as the number of single men seeking children through surrogacy has risen. Daily Wire investigative reporter Meg Brock has the story.

[Meg Brock]

While the numbers remain small compared to couples and single women pursuing surrogacy, previous data had the single male rate at practically zero. Now with new data out of England, the past few years have seen hundreds of single men file surrogacy applications. The Trend follows a 2019 change in English law which gives single people the same surrogacy rights as couples. Helen Gibson, an anti surrogacy advocate, responded to the trend, stating, a mother is the primary safeguarder of a child and removing her permanently from their life so the baby can be placed with a lone male goes against all best practice for the care of newborn infants. Studies suggest that around three quarters of single men seeking children through surrogacy are gay.

[Georgia Howe]

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 Trump and Republicans staring down midterm elections as the pressure mounts Operation Gangsta's paradise, bringing in dozens of gang members and soaring airfare prices affecting summer travel plans. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with a weekend edition of morning wire,

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