Evening Wire: Russia-Ukraine Talks Stall & France Recognizes Palestinian State | 07.25.25
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley and Georgia Howe
Presented by: The Daily Wire
1. President Trump Accuses President Clinton Over Epstein Ties
Timestamp: [00:25] – [00:46]
President Donald Trump made dramatic allegations against former President Bill Clinton regarding ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Addressing reporters, Trump directed attention toward multiple high-profile individuals connected to Epstein.
Donald Trump [00:31]: "You should focus on Clinton. You should focus on the president of Harvard, the former president of Harvard. You should focus on some of the hedge fund guys. I'll give you a list. These guys lived with Jeffrey Epstein. I sure as hell didn't."
Trump's statements followed actions by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who met with Epstein's convicted accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, raising questions about the Department of Justice's handling of the case.
2. Trump’s Round of Accusations and DOJ's Stance
Timestamp: [00:46] – [01:04]
In response to Trump's allegations, former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain addressed the situation:
Ron Klain [00:53]: "Trump said he hasn't considered pardoning her."
Klain emphasized the professionalism within the DOJ:
Ron Klain [00:56]: "Called Blanche a professional who won't be misled."
Amid growing public interest and conflicting statements about the existence of a client list, the DOJ faces increasing pressure.
3. President Trump’s Trade Visit to Scotland
Timestamp: [01:08] – [01:42]
Georgia Howe reported on President Trump's imminent visit to Scotland aimed at bolstering US-UK trade relations following the recent tariff reductions on cars and aircraft parts.
Georgia Howe [00:59]: "President Donald Trump is heading to Scotland today to talk trade with UK officials following the US UK Deal last month to slash tariffs on cars and aircraft parts."
Key aspects of the trip include meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney, alongside personal visits to Trump's golf resorts and his mother's memorial garden. Plans are also in place for a subsequent state visit in September to meet King Charles III.
4. Ron Klain Discusses President Biden’s Mental Health
Timestamp: [01:42] – [02:24]
Former Biden White House Chief of Staff, Ron Klain, testified before the House Oversight Committee, providing insight into President Joe Biden's cognitive state during his tenure.
Ron Klain [01:42]: "He described the president as, quote, less energetic and, quote, more forgetful, but said he believed he was still fit to serve."
Klain also mentioned concerns raised by Jake Sullivan and Hillary Clinton regarding Biden's presidential campaign, though these claims were later denied by Sullivan's representatives and clarified by Clinton's camp as pertaining to campaign age issues.
5. Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Talks Stalled
Timestamp: [02:24] – [03:08]
Russia and Ukraine engaged in brief peace talks in Istanbul with minimal progress.
Tim Rice [02:34]: "On Thursday, the two countries agreed to more prisoner swaps but made no progress toward a ceasefire. Talks lasted just 40 minutes the shortest yet."
Shortly after the discussions, renewed hostilities erupted with Ukrainian drones striking Sochi and Russian missiles targeting Odessa, resulting in casualties and infrastructural damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks and reiterated his demand for enhanced air defense support. The looming 50-day ceasefire deadline set by Trump remains unmet, with Moscow showing no willingness to concede.
6. Russian Passenger Plane Crash
Timestamp: [03:08] – [03:42]
A tragic aviation disaster occurred as a Soviet-era turboprop passenger plane crashed near the Chinese border at Tinder Airport, Eastern Russia, resulting in the loss of all 48 passengers and crew.
John Bickley [03:08]: "The crash is under investigation, though adverse weather conditions were reportedly present."
The incident highlights ongoing aviation safety concerns in Russia, exacerbated by international sanctions limiting access to aircraft. Regional Governor Vasily Orlov declared three days of mourning for the victims.
7. France’s Move to Recognize a Palestinian State
Timestamp: [03:42] – [04:26]
French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state, a decision slated for confirmation at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Emmanuel Macron [03:50]: "While framing the move as part of a broader push for a, quote, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, Macron outlined five priorities ending the war in Gaza, freeing hostages, delivering humanitarian aid and demilitarizing Hamas and rebuilding Gaza."
The announcement has been met with strong opposition from Israeli officials and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Mike Huckabee [04:26]: "If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I've got a suggestion for them. Carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state. They're welcome to do that, but they're not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation."
Huckabee criticized France's approach as inappropriate amid ongoing conflict.
8. Louisville Ends Sanctuary City Policy
Timestamp: [04:56] – [05:31]
Under pressure from the Trump administration, Louisville has rescinded its sanctuary city status, agreeing to honor immigration detainers filed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
John Bickley [04:56]: "The Justice Department warned Louisville that it was violating federal law."
Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed Louisville’s reversal as a significant victory.
Attorney General Pam Bondi: "A major victory."
However, Louisville’s mayor stated that this decision was made to prevent the deployment of the National Guard.
9. Arrest Made for Attacks on Federal Vehicles
Timestamp: [05:31] – [06:06]
Authorities successfully apprehended El PDO Reyna, a man previously placed on the FBI's most wanted list, for assaulting federal vehicles and officers.
Georgia Howe [05:31]: "Reyna is charged with assault on a federal officer. U.S. attorney Bill Asali said the arrest proves the United States can find and charge anyone who violates federal law."
In response, Mike Huckabee asserted:
Mike Huckabee [05:59]: "Anyone thinks that this guy or any... [06:04] 'Stop us from doing our job,' ... 'Got to think again.'"
Huckabee emphasized that such actions will not deter federal authorities.
10. Connecticut Hospitals Cease Transgender Medical Procedures for Minors
Timestamp: [06:06] – [06:40]
Connecticut Children's Medical Center and Yale New Haven Health have begun winding down transgender medical procedures for minors, citing legal uncertainties and federal executive orders.
Mireta Lordy [06:14]: "Connecticut Children's CEO called the decision difficult but necessary, adding care will continue on a case by case basis."
Yale announced that while they are discontinuing gender-related surgeries, they remain committed to providing mental health support during the transition process.
11. USA Volleyball Aligns with Trump’s Gender Policy Executive Order
Timestamp: [06:40] – [07:48]
USA Volleyball (USAV) announced a policy change banning transgender athletes from competing outside their birth-assigned gender, aligning with the Trump administration's executive order aimed at ensuring fairness in female sports.
Georgia Howe [06:40]: "Effective immediately, USAV says all athletes must compete according to the gender listed on their birth certificate."
Critics label the policy as discriminatory, while the White House defends it as necessary for maintaining competitive integrity.
In related news, G.L. Black, Dean of Students at Vanderbilt University, commented on ongoing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives despite the new policies.
G.L. Black [07:20]: "I think it's, I would say, thoughtful around DEI work... focusing on belonging and building sustaining communities and access and resources."
The university is investigating claims that this stance violates the Trump administration's crackdown on DEI policies.
12. New York Mayoral Candidate’s Rent Freeze Plan Criticized
Timestamp: [07:56] – [08:34]
Zoran Mandani, a Democratic mayoral candidate in New York, has proposed an immediate rent freeze for all stabilized tenants upon election, a move met with strong opposition from housing experts.
Kenny Burgos [07:56]: "That proposal would bankrupt some 40% of the housing stock in the city, 200,000 of the units have already been deemed functionally bankrupt."
Burgos contends that Mandani's plan would exacerbate the city's housing crisis rather than alleviate it, leading to increased insolvency rather than affordability.
13. Potential Merger Between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern
Timestamp: [08:34] – [09:11]
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are reportedly in talks over a potential merger that could result in the largest rail operator in the United States. The merger, however, remains uncertain with no guarantees of completion.
Georgia Howe [08:34]: "If the deal does go through, they would create a massive rail network that spans from coast to coast, which no single railroad operators network currently does."
The merger would face intense scrutiny from the Department of Justice, investors, Amtrak, and labor unions. The Surface Transportation Board has yet to receive any formal application for the merger.
14. Joy Behar's Hiatus from "The View"
Timestamp: [09:11] – [09:45]
Joy Behar, co-host of "The View," inadvertently revealed that the show would be taking a hiatus, following immediate calls from the Trump administration to cancel the program.
John Bickley [09:11]: "The White House had issued a statement calling Behar an irrelevant loser after she suggested that President Trump is jealous of Barack Obama, which many people speculated is the reason the show is taking a break."
Despite initial remarks hinting at the show's end, co-host Whoopi Goldberg confirmed that "The View" would return in September.
Conclusion
This episode of Evening Wire covered a broad spectrum of pressing issues, from high-stakes political accusations and international conflicts to significant policy changes affecting various sectors. Notable discussions included President Trump's controversial allegations against President Clinton, the stalled Russia-Ukraine peace talks with renewed hostilities, significant policy shifts in sports and healthcare regarding transgender individuals, and major developments in housing policies and transportation industry mergers. Additionally, the abrupt announcement of Joy Behar's hiatus from "The View" highlighted ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration.
For more detailed coverage of these stories and additional updates, visit dailywire.com.