Evening Wire: Trump Targets Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain & Three Arrested After Drive-By ACID ATTACK | 7.15.26

Summary

Morning Wire: Evening Wire Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump Targets Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain & Three Arrested After Drive-By ACID ATTACK
Date: July 15, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley (Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief), Georgia Howe
Main Theme:
This episode delivers sharp, fast-paced coverage of major political, national security, and crime stories dominating national headlines. Focused topics include heightened US-Iran tensions, contentious intelligence leadership confirmation hearings, alarming local crime, and pivotal legislative changes.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain: Nuclear Tension Escalates

• Timestamps: 00:54–01:53
• Overview:
  • The US faces challenges targeting Iran's deeply fortified nuclear facility, "Pickaxe Mountain."
  • The complex, vital to Iran’s nuclear program, is buried over 100 meters underground, reportedly putting it out of conventional strike range.
  • Intelligence experts suspect Iran has relocated highly enriched uranium to the site.
• Presidential Warning:
  • President Trump publicly escalated rhetoric:
    • “The United States has eyes on Pickaxe Mountain and warned it remains a possible target for a nice big fat shot right in the front door.” (Reporter Cassia Akiva, quoting Trump, 01:45)
• Analysis:
  • The facility survived the previous year’s “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
  • U.S. officials weigh next steps as Iran’s capabilities slip deeper underground.

2. Contentious Senate Hearing: Trump’s DNI Nominee Grilled

• Timestamps: 01:53–02:59
• Highlights:
  • Jay Clayton, nominee for Director of National Intelligence, faces heated Senate questioning on election security and the 2020 election.
  • Clayton repeatedly declines to give direct answers about who won the 2020 election, leading to charged exchanges.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • Senator: “Who won the 2020 election?” (02:15)
  • Clayton: “Joe Biden became the president of the United States, and that’s that.” (02:20)
  • Senator: “It’s not an answer to the question of who. I’m asking one more time…”
  • Clayton: “I think I’ve answered it many times.” (02:33)
• Context:
  • President Trump teases upcoming “big news” on election security.
  • Senate vote on Clayton expected soon.

3. Social Tensions: Canadian Woman Arrested After Assault

• Timestamps: 02:59–03:47
• Incident:
  • Caitlin Tracy, a Canadian living in New Jersey, is detained by ICE after slapping a 14-year-old girl reportedly for wearing Trump-themed clothing.
  • Occurred during Fourth of July weekend; Tracy is now held at Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Center, with a court date set for August 4.
• Contextual Note:
  • The case highlights political tensions and ICE’s role in local law enforcement.

4. ICE Traffic Stop Directive Reinstated

• Timestamps: 03:47–04:27
• Development:
  • President Trump orders ICE to resume vehicle stops, criticizing prior pause as playing into “the radical left’s hands.”
• Presidential Quote:
  • Trump, via Truth Social: “Giving up the vehicle stops where many immigration arrests are made played right into the hands of the, quote, radical left.” (Recounted by Zach Jewell, 03:54)
• Background:
  • Pause was initiated after deadly shootings involving a Colombian national; public safety scrutiny persists.

5. NYT Facing Shareholder Lawsuit Over Israel Coverage

• Timestamps: 04:27–05:13
• Key Points:
  • Shareholders threaten a lawsuit unless The NYT releases internal records related to Israel coverage, citing alleged lack of board oversight.
  • Focus on a controversial article by Nicholas Kristof.
• NYT Response:
  • “The shareholders campaign is an attempt to ‘chill’ First Amendment protected journalism.” (05:05)

6. NYC Mayor Under Fire Over Rape Statistics

• Timestamps: 05:35–06:34
• Comments From Mayor Zoran Mamdani:
  • “A lot of the increase in rape also comes from an expanded definition … as well as survivors coming forward for acts that took place years prior.” (05:58)
• Criticism:
  • City council and activists call the response dismissive, noting NYPD data shows ongoing year-over-year increases in reported rapes, even after the definition expanded in 2024.

7. Bison Attack in Yellowstone: Heartwarming Survival Story

• Timestamps: 06:34–07:20
• Summary:
  • 65-year-old Carl Isom McDaniel is injured after a freak bison attack while standing at a safe distance with his grandson.
  • Photographer Mike McLeod rushed to respond; McDaniel’s first words: “How is my grandson?” (07:02)
  • McDaniel remains in good spirits despite serious injuries.

8. Drive-By Acid Attack: Three Teenage Girls Arrested

• Timestamps: 07:20–08:27
• Incident:
  • Three girls, ages 13, 14, and 15, executed a targeted acid attack (using sulfuric acid) on a car in Jersey City, severely injuring six women, one critically.
• Quotes:
  • Public Safety spokesperson: The attack “may have stemmed from an earlier dispute among a large group.” (08:07)
• Legal Fallout:
  • Suspects face multiple charges: aggravated assault, illegal weapons possession, conspiracy.

9. “Trade Over Aid”: Trump Administration’s Foreign Aid Pivot

• Timestamps: 08:27–09:35
• Policy Announcement:
  • US unveils plan to replace USAID, shut down after corruption scandals, with a private-sector-driven "trade over aid" model.
  • Ambassador Mike Waltz critiques existing system:
    • “You go to these forums ... and you never find the private sector. ... We are completely reforming how we do aid to basically create jobs, to create business for American companies in line with America First.” (08:57)
• Buy-In:
  • 46 countries and major US corporations (JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Boeing) are on board.

10. Permanent Daylight Saving Time: House Passes “Sunshine Protection Act”

• Timestamps: 09:35–10:17
• Legislative Update:
  • The House approves permanent daylight savings time (308–117); Hawaii and most of Arizona would maintain their own existing observance.
• Presidential Reaction:
  • Trump calls it "great news for America." (10:13)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Trump’s Iran Warning (01:45):
  • “A nice big fat shot right in the front door.”—President Trump, via Cassia Akiva
• DNI Nominee Jay Clayton Dodges Question (02:20):
  • “Joe Biden became the president of the United States, and that’s that.”
• ICE Directive Restored (03:54):
  • “Giving up the vehicle stops … played right into the hands of the, quote, radical left.”—President Trump, via Zach Jewell
• Photographer’s Account at Yellowstone Attack (07:02):
  • “How is my grandson?”—First words of injured Carl McDaniel

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Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|---------------| | Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain | 00:54–01:53 | | DNI Hearing Drama | 01:53–02:59 | | NJ Trump-Clothing Assault | 02:59–03:47 | | ICE Traffic Stop Policy | 03:47–04:27 | | NYT Shareholder Threats | 04:27–05:13 | | NYC Mayor Rape Stats Defense | 05:35–06:34 | | Yellowstone Bison Attack | 06:34–07:20 | | Jersey City Acid Attack | 07:20–08:27 | | "Trade Over Aid": USAID Overhaul | 08:27–09:35 | | Daylight Savings Time Bill | 09:35–10:17 |

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Overall Tone & Style

• Direct, concise, and urgent, matching the breakneck news cycle.
• Emphasis on accountability, controversy, and reform, reflecting the Daily Wire’s editorial perspective.
• Frequent use of soundbites and pointed exchanges, underscoring the tension and stakes of ongoing political and societal debates.

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This episode is a succinct yet comprehensive scan of the day’s most pressing stories, providing listeners with context, conflict, and soundbytes from both official channels and citizen voices.

Transcript

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What does golf etiquette say about jamming this club into your mouth?

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It's frowned upon.

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The new season of the Hulu original King of the Hill, premiering July 20 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers. Terms apply.

[C]

Iran's Pickaxe Mountain is proving to be a hard target to crack. Trump's nominee for the Director of National Intelligence faces sharp questioning from Senate Democrats. And three teenage girls have been arrested after a drive by Acid attack in New Jersey. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Wednesday, July 15th, and this is Evening Wire.

[B]

The US continues to pummel Iran, but Pickaxe Mountain is proving to be near impenetrable. Daily Wire foreign affairs reporter Cassia Akiva has the latest.

[D]

A mountain complex buried deep beneath central Iran has become one of the most closely watched sites in the regime's nuclear program. Known as Pickaxe Mountain, the heavily fortified facility was left untouched during last year's Operation Midnight Hammer strikes, which hit three of Iran's key nuclear sites. Experts say its depth and extensive defenses could make it one of the few Iranian nuclear facilities beyond the reach of conventional U.S. airstrikes. The facility is believed to be buried at least 100 meters beneath the mountain, according to reports. Some experts fear Iran may have already moved portions of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium into the facility. The site returned to the spotlight this week after President Trump said the United States has eyes on Pickaxe Mountain and warned it remains a possible target for a nice big fat shot right in the front door.

[C]

President Trump's nominee to lead the office of the Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, faced sharp questions from Senate Democrats today over election security and several high profile Trump administration decisions. Clayton was repeatedly asked questions about the 2020 election, telling lawmakers he would not, quote, engage in the theater. Take a listen to one fiery exchange from today.

[B]

Who won the 2020 election? As I said to you, we went

[E]

through our processes and Joe Biden became the president of the United States, and that's that.

[B]

It's not an answer to the question of who. I'm asking one more time, who won the.

[E]

I don't. I don't. I'm not. This is like I'm just not I'm

[B]

here to talk about my qualifications. One of your qualifications is you told us you're going to tell the truth to power and you won't answer a very simple question.

[E]

I think, I think I've answered it many times.

[B]

You have not answered it.

[C]

The contentious hearing comes just one day before President Trump is expected to deliver a primetime address on election security and voting machines where he has promised, quote, really, really big news. A Senate committee vote on Clayton's nomination is expected this week.

[B]

A Canadian woman is currently being held by ICE after authorities say she slapped a 14 year old girl for wearing Trump themed clothing. Daily Wire associate producer Garrett Van Team has the details.

[A]

The incident occurred on the Point Pleasant beach boardwalk in New Jersey over the Fourth of July weekend. Police say 33 year old Caitlin Tracy confronted a group of teenagers and then struck one wearing clothing that featured Trump and ICE imagery. Tracy was later identified through surveillance footage before turning herself in while the alleged victim was not injured, Tracy, who entered the US in 2024 and had been living in Asbury park with her American husband, was arrested Monday and is now being held at the Delaney Hall Immigration Detention center by ICE officials. She is scheduled to appear in Court on August 4th.

[C]

President Trump is sounding off on ICE's new traffic stop directive. Daily Wire Associate editor Zach Jewell has the story.

[F]

The president told ICE to resume vehicle stops after the Daily Wire first reported on Tuesday that the agency paused the practice in the wake of multiple deadly shootings. Trump said in a Wednesday morning Truth Social post that the stops were necessary to implement his mass deportation agenda. He added that giving up the vehicle stops where many immigration arrests are made, played right into the hands of the, quote, radical left. The pause was implemented after the shooting in maine of a 26 year old Colombian who the Department of Homeland Security said, quote, tempted to flee and left the officer fearing for public safety.

[B]

The New York Times is facing a shareholder revolt over its coverage of Israel that could expose the paper's internal workings. Daily Wire producer Justice Spuehler has more.

[G]

A group of shareholders is threatening to sue the paper unless it turns over internal company records on its Israel coverage by July 21 or risk a lawsuit that could expose even more of the paper's inner workings. The investors argue that the board of the Times has not exercised proper oversight of the newsroom on the topic of Israel, specifically pointing to an article from the Times columnist Nicholas Kristof that accused Israeli soldiers of using dogs to sexually assault Palestinians. The New York Times dismissed the lawsuit threat in a statement saying that the shareholders campaign is an attempt to quote Chill First Amendment protected journalism.

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of $45 for 3 months, $90 for 6 months or $180 for a 12 month plan required $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes me slow when network is busy See Terms New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani is taking heat after appearing to dismiss the city's climbing rape numbers as more of a technicality than a serious issue.

[E]

What we're seeing are some of the lowest numbers that New York City has seen in recorded history. And what I think is important to know is a lot of the increase in rape also comes from an expanded definition of what counts as rape, as well as survivors coming forward for acts that took place years prior.

[C]

New York City Council member and fellow Democrat Susan Zuang was among those pushing back, saying it was inappropriate for the mayor to deflect responsibility for sexual violence. Critics have also pointed out that the state's expanded definition took effect in 2024 and that the NYPD's own data shows that rape reports are up more than 6.5% year over year, well after the new definition took effect.

[B]

There's a heartwarming revelation in the story of an elderly man who was attacked by a bison in Yellowstone. The 65 year old man, Carl Isom McDaniel, was visiting the famous landmark in Wyoming with his 13 year old grandson when he was charged and thrown eight feet into the air, breaking his femur in four places. While there have been some stories in the past of bison attacks due to unsafe encroachment by tourists, McDaniel was actually standing at a safe distance when the bison charged in a freak incident. Mike McLeod, a photographer who captured the moment on camera, was the first on scene to help McDaniel. According to McLeod, the first words out of the injured man's mouth were how is my grandson? McDaniel is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries, but is reportedly in high spirits.

[C]

Three teenage girls have been arrested after a drive by acid attack that left six hospitalized in Jersey City. Daily Wire reporter and host of that's so Criminal, Lyndon Blake has The details

[H]

Six women, including three teenagers, were stopped in a vehicle when three other teenage girls approached them on mopeds. The assailants reportedly hurled containers of sulfuric acid into the vehicle, severely injuring all six inside. The victims were transported to a local hospital where one of them, a 21 year old woman, had to be treated for severe burns to the face and scalp. The three assailants have now been arrested, but their identities have not been revealed. What we do know about them, however, may be the most shocking part. The assailants were just 13, 14 and 15 years old. A Jersey City public safety spokesperson said that the attack appears to have been targeted and that it, quote, may have stemmed from an earlier dispute among a large group. The three girls now face charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with bodily injury, illegal weapons possession and conspiracy.

[B]

The Trump administration has laid out a new private sector blueprint to replace usaid, which was shut down last year after DOGE exposed billions of dollars in fraud and corruption within the agency. United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz pitched the, quote, trade over aid model this week at a UN Forum in New York, arguing that decades of aid programs have delivered, quote, very little in return and that a business centric approach will create jobs, open markets for US Companies and reduce aid dependency abroad.

[E]

You go to these forums at the United nations and at development agencies around the world and you never find the private sector. You find NGOs and academics and government, but you don't find the creators of growth and the creators of jobs. So with the leadership, of course, President Trump, Secretary Rubio, we are completely reforming how we do aid to basically create jobs, to create business for American companies in line with America First.

[B]

46 countries have already signed on and leading American companies like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and Boeing have lent their support for the Trump proposal.

[C]

The House has passed legislation to make Daylight Savings Time permanent. They've approved the Sunshine Protection act. In a bipartisan 308 to 117 vote. The bill would end the twice yearly clock changes and allow states that already observe year round standard time, including Hawaii and most of Arizona, to keep their current systems. Supporters argue permanent Daylight Savings Time would improve health, boost the economy and give Americans more evening daylight. But critics warn darker winter mornings could create safety and health concerns. The measure now heads to the Senate, where similar legislation is previously stalled. President Trump, who recently said he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk, praised the House vote as, quote, great news for America.

[B]

All right, those are your drive home updates. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com. and in case you missed it, earlier today, we covered some major stories, including a fatal shooting in Maine, sparking anti ICE protests and a significant shift in federal policy, heightened security threats prompting rare congressional testimony by the Supreme Court justices and the numbers most impacting Americans wallets. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.