Morning Wire: Evening Wire - Trump Honors Veterans Day & Shutdown End In Sight?

Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe
Podcast: Morning Wire (The Daily Wire)

Episode Overview

This special Veterans Day edition provides a brisk roundup of major national and international news. The hosts focus on potential progress toward ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Trump’s activities and comments on Veterans Day, significant policy and political stories, and powerful moments highlighting support for veterans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown: Deal Moving Forward

[00:48 – 02:00]

• Bipartisan Movement: House Republican leaders prepared for a vote to reopen the government, possibly as soon as Wednesday. Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers to return to D.C. immediately, noting widespread flight cancellations could complicate travel.
• Senate Breakthrough: Eight Senate Democrats broke ranks, joining Republicans to advance a revised funding measure, bringing a long-awaited bipartisan agreement within reach.
• Next Steps: Bill passage in both chambers is required before the President can sign and officially reopen the government.
• Trump’s Commitment: President Trump pledged to respect the Senate deal but criticized the expiring health care subsidies.
  • Quote (Trump, Oval Office):

    "The deal is very good. We want a health care system where we pay the money to the people instead of the insurance companies. And I tell you, we're going to be working on that very hard over the next short period of time. Where the people get the money."
    — President Trump [01:33]

2. Senators Push Back on Surveillance

[02:00 – 02:50]

• New Legal Protections: A Senate-passed funding bill includes a key provision giving senators grounds to sue if the federal government accesses their data without notice, with compensations up to $500,000 per violation. This follows revelations of phone record seizures by special counsel Jack Smith’s team.
• Legislative Branch Focus: This protection is folded into broader legislative branch funding as part of shutdown-ending negotiations.

3. Shutdown Ripple Effects: Airline Disruptions

[02:50 – 03:25]

• Massive Cancellations: Airlines cut around 6% of flights across 40 major airports, complying with FAA orders for safety during the shutdown. Over 1,500 flights canceled and 2,000 delayed by early afternoon.
• Potential Holiday Impact: Shipping companies, already burdened by issues (see below), may face further strain as holidays approach.

4. Louisville UPS Plane Crash

[03:25 – 04:00]

• Fatal Crash: A UPS MD11 cargo plane crash in Louisville claimed 14 lives. Early investigation points to a compressor stall in one engine, leading to catastrophic failure.
• Fleet Groundings: Both UPS and FedEx voluntarily grounded similar aircraft models as a precaution, potentially impacting seasonal shipping.

5. Violence at UC Berkeley Turning Point USA Event

[04:00 – 05:00]

• Campus Clashes: Protesters in black clothing and keffiyehs broke police barricades, threw objects, and sparked brawls outside the event. Several injuries occurred; two arrests made, including one for battery.
• Student Event Continued: Comedic actor Rob Schneider addressed attendees and condemned Berkeley campus administration for failing to protect free speech.
  • Quote (Rob Schneider):

    "If free speech means anything, it's the right for me to say something that pisses you off."
    — Rob Schneider at the UC Berkeley event [04:57]

6. Border & Immigration: Chicago Shooting Arrest

[05:00 – 06:29]

• Suspect Apprehended: Federal agents arrested an illegal immigrant from Mexico with a history of weapon-related and assault charges, allegedly tied to a shooting targeting Border Patrol in Chicago.
• Broader Implications: Ice is accelerating recruitment of NYPD officers disillusioned after a Democratic Socialist mayoral victory in NYC, aiming to add 10,000 new officers for deportation efforts.
• Local Politics: The new NYC mayor, Zoran Mamdani, associated with "Defund the Police," is pledged to uphold sanctuary policies.

7. Syria Joins U.S.-Led Coalition Against ISIS

[06:29 – 07:05]

• Geopolitical Shift: With Bashar al-Assad ousted, Syria — under President Ahmed Al Sharah — aligns with U.S. efforts against ISIS. Improved relations could bolster counterterrorism in the region.

8. India & Pakistan Tensions: Deadly Car Explosion

[07:05 – 07:42]

• Fatal Bombing: Eight killed in an explosion near New Delhi’s Red Fort monument, possibly a suicide bombing. Early speculation blames Pakistan, raising the risk of escalating tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors.

9. China’s Strategic Export Controls

[07:42 – 08:26]

• New Export Restrictions: China implements systems to prevent rare earth minerals and critical materials from reaching U.S. defense contractors. Such measures could disrupt aerospace and military supply chains unless a diplomatic solution is reached.

10. Trump’s Veterans Day at Arlington

[08:26 – 09:33]

• Wreath-Laying Ceremony: President Trump and Vice President Vance attend Arlington National Cemetery, marking Veterans Day with a moving tribute.
• Quote (Trump):

  "The most important natural resource that we have is that we have hundreds of thousands of young people ... who sign up to put on the uniform and risk their lives for their fellow citizens. ... Everything our country has achieved has been purchased by the muscle, spine, and steel of the United States Military."
  — President Trump [08:59]

11. Nationwide Veterans Day Appreciation

[09:33 – 10:03]

• Many restaurant chains (Applebee’s, Chili’s, Cracker Barrel, Chipotle, Starbucks, Denny’s, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, Golden Corral) honor veterans with free meals and special offers.

12. Gary Sinise’s Gift: Creative Space for Wounded Veterans

[10:03 – 11:21]

• $1 Million Donation: Actor Gary Sinise donates $1 million to help Creativets transform a long-abandoned Nashville church into an arts center for wounded veterans.
• Arts as Therapy: Sinise emphasizes the powerful healing of music and art:
  • Quote (Gary Sinise):

    "Learning guitars, songwriting ... all these kinds of things ... can be very, very healing. I've seen these programs work. ... There's a great quote that I love by Calvin Coolidge: 'The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.'"
    — Gary Sinise [10:51]

• Impact: Executive Director Richard Casper notes that Sinise’s generosity will expand lifesaving songwriting and arts healing for veterans, reducing waitlists for services.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on health care reform:
  "We want a health care system where we pay the money to the people instead of the insurance companies." [01:33]
• Rob Schneider on free speech:
  "If free speech means anything, it's the right for me to say something that pisses you off." [04:57]
• Gary Sinise citing Coolidge:
  "'The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.'" [11:00]

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------|-------|-----------| | House vote on government reopening | [00:48 – 02:00] | | Senators push back against surveillance | [02:00 – 02:50] | | Airline cancellations due to shutdown | [02:50 – 03:25] | | UPS plane crash in Louisville | [03:25 – 04:00] | | UC Berkeley protest violence | [04:00 – 05:00] | | Chicago border agent shooting arrest | [05:00 – 06:29] | | Syria joins US coalition vs ISIS | [06:29 – 07:05] | | India car bombing | [07:05 – 07:42] | | China export controls | [07:42 – 08:26] | | Trump at Arlington for Veterans Day | [08:26 – 09:33] | | Restaurant veterans’ appreciation | [09:33 – 10:03] | | Gary Sinise arts center for vets | [10:03 – 11:21] |

Episode Tone & Style

Direct, fact-focused, patriotic, and urgent, with a consistent tone of seriousness about national events. Moments of warmth and support for veterans are highlighted amid somber news.