Evening Wire: Trump’s ‘12-Out-Of-10’ Xi Meeting & More Louvre Suspects Nabbed | 10.30.25

Summary

Podcast Summary: Morning Wire

Episode: Evening Wire: Trump’s ‘12-Out-Of-10’ Xi Meeting & More Louvre Suspects Nabbed
Date: October 30, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe

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Main Theme

This episode provides a rapid-fire breakdown of the day’s most significant political, international, and cultural stories. Key topics include President Trump’s high-stakes meeting with China's Xi Jinping, developments around the Louvre heist, security controversies involving the DOJ and GOP senators, global crises, and notable domestic policy discussions.

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Key Discussion Points

1. President Trump’s “12-Out-Of-10” Meeting with Xi Jinping

[00:51 – 02:04]

• Trump met with Xi in South Korea for 90 minutes, discussing semiconductors, rare earth minerals, Ukraine, and fentanyl.
• Trump rated the meeting as “a 12 out of 10,” claiming a new deal on rare earth minerals.
  • Trump: “I think it was a 12. We have a deal now… all of the rare earth has been settled and that’s for the world.” ([01:13])
• Both leaders eager for a constructive restart in US-China relations, covering more than just economic issues.
  • Brent Sadler (Fox News): “Both sides clearly wanted the same thing, a positive beginning to a new phase of these negotiations.” ([01:40])

China’s Five-Year Plan

[02:04 – 03:00]

• Xi Jinping’s five-year plan prioritizes tech and manufacturing to counter US dominance.
• Xi: “The balance of global power is undergoing profound readjustment…” ([02:19])
• China voices concerns over “unilateralism and protectionism” in response to US trade policy.
• Trump orders the first US nuclear weapons tests since 1992, citing Russia’s recent tests.

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2. International & Domestic Security Policy Updates

Hurricane Melissa

[03:00 – 03:16]

• The hurricane devastates the Bahamas, with at least 30 fatalities in the Caribbean, now heading toward Bermuda but downgraded to Category 2.

Pakistan-Taliban Tensions

[03:16 – 03:49]

• Peace talks fail between Pakistan and the Taliban after cross-border violence.
• Pakistan’s Defense Minister threatens forceful action:
  • “Pakistan does not require even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regimental and push them back to the caves…” ([03:36])

Gaza Ceasefire & Hostage Returns

[03:49 – 04:50]

• Gaza sees a fragile peace after Israeli airstrikes; Hamas hands over more hostage remains to the Red Cross.
• Delay in returning all hostages is considered a breach of ceasefire terms.

Louvre Heist

[04:50 – 05:43]

• Five additional arrests made, now over a dozen suspects; some have partially confessed.
• $100 million worth of jewels still missing; authorities appeal for public help.

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3. Tech & Legal Issues

Character.AI Under Fire

[05:43 – 06:45]

• After lawsuits alleging AI chatbots encouraged minors into sexual conversations, Character.AI will ban under-18 users from November 25.
  • Most high-profile case involved a 14-year-old whose interaction with an AI chatbot led to suicide.

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4. Political Developments & Noteworthy Moments

Courage & Faith—Erica Kirk’s Reflections

[06:45 – 07:03]

• Erica Kirk shares the late Charlie Kirk’s morning ritual for courage:
  • “What is something I can do for someone today?... How can I honor God today?” ([05:55])
  • Kirk: “Those were the action points of how to have courage... death amplifies even more that you only get one life.” ([06:13])

Operation Arctic Frost & GOP Surveillance

[07:03 – 08:42]

• Ted Cruz on how AT&T refused DOJ subpoena for his phone records, sparing him from Operation Arctic Frost investigation into Jan 6:
  • Cruz: “AT&T told him to go jump in a lake.” ([08:04])
  • Cruz jokes he was “initially offended” to be left off the list, emphasizing his actions on Jan 6.
• Highlights tension between cellular providers (AT&T vs Verizon) over privacy and cooperation with government subpoenas.

New Jersey Gubernatorial Race

[08:42 – 09:15]

• GOP activist Scott Pressler optimistic Jack Ciatorelli can flip New Jersey red, citing economic discontent and high property taxes:
  • “New Jersey is 100% in play.” ([09:09])

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5. Election Policy & Protests

Schwarzenegger Denounces Newsom’s Ballot Measure

[09:15 – 10:00]

• Arnold Schwarzenegger criticizes California’s Prop 50 redistricting plan:
  • Schwarzenegger: “It doesn’t make any sense to me that because we have to fight Trump, we become Trump. Two bad behaviors don’t make a right.” ([09:34])
• Prop 50 dubbed the Election Rigging Response Act, intended to reduce conservative votes after red states redraw their maps.

Federal Forces in Portland

[10:00 – 10:44]

• Portland police commander blames federal ICE agents for escalating protests using tear gas against nonviolent demonstrators:
  • “The federal forces use of tear gas was, quote, startling and went against state and federal law.” ([10:08])
• Rise in assaults on ICE agents since Trump’s presidency.

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6. Culture & Congress

Confederate Statue Restored in DC

[10:44 – 11:18]

• Albert Pike statue, toppled in 2020, has been reinstalled by National Park Service per Trump’s “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” order.

Congress Prays for America

[11:18 – 11:47]

• Bipartisan congressional prayer event, “Congress Prays for America,” aims to bring together lawmakers and religious leaders to pray for national healing.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump, on Xi Meeting: “On the scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was at 12.” ([01:10])
• Brent Sadler: "Both sides clearly wanted the same thing, a positive beginning..." ([01:40])
• Xi Jinping (via Cabot Phillips): “The balance of global power is undergoing profound readjustment…” ([02:19])
• Pakistan’s Defense Minister: “Pakistan does not require even a fraction of its full arsenal…” ([03:36])
• Erica Kirk: "Ask yourself those three questions every single day and I promise you you will get courage." ([06:07])
• Ted Cruz: "...AT&T told him to go jump in a lake.” ([08:04])
• Arnold Schwarzenegger: “It doesn’t make any sense to me that because we have to fight Trump, we become Trump. Two bad behaviors don’t make a right.” ([09:34])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump’s meeting with Xi & rare earth deal: [00:51–02:04]
• China’s Five-Year Plan & US nuclear testing: [02:04–03:00]
• Hurricane Melissa & Caribbean impact: [03:00–03:16]
• Pakistan-Taliban border violence: [03:16–03:49]
• Gaza ceasefire & hostages: [03:49–04:50]
• Louvre heist arrests: [04:50–05:43]
• Character.AI bans minors: [05:43–06:45]
• Erica Kirk’s “action points of courage”: [05:55–07:03]
• Ted Cruz on DOJ & Operation Arctic Frost: [07:03–08:42]
• NJ gubernatorial race & GOP optimism: [08:42–09:15]
• Schwarzenegger on Prop 50: [09:15–10:00]
• Portland ICE protests & federal actions: [10:00–10:44]
• Confederate statue restoration in DC: [10:44–11:18]
• Congressional prayer event: [11:18–11:47]

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This episode delivers a succinct, news-driven overview of U.S. and global political developments, with an undercurrent of skepticism toward mainstream narratives and a focus on events shaping America’s political, cultural, and digital future.

Transcript

[John Bickley]

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[Georgia Howe]

President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea last night. The hour and a half discussion touched on several important topics including semiconductors, rare earth minerals, Ukraine and fentanyl. Here's the president on Air Force One early this morning.

[John Bickley]

We're going to issue a statement on some of the details. But overall, I guess on the scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was at 12. I think it was a 12. We have a deal now. Every year we'll renegotiate the deal, but I think the deal will go on for a long time, long beyond the year. We'll negotiate at the end of a year. But all of the rare earth has been settled and that's for the world. I mean, you know, worldwide.

[Georgia Howe]

Former military diplomat to Asia Brent Sadler had this assessment on Fox this morning.

[John Bickley]

Both sides clearly wanted the same thing, a positive beginning to a new phase of these negotiations. And I think it was helpful that they included more than just economics in these negotiations because there's quite a lot of issues that are weighing in on this bilateral relationship.

[Georgia Howe]

Just days before meeting with Trump, Xi Jinping unveiled China's new five year plan designed to compete against the US Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips has more.

[John Bickley]

The plan presented to the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee emphasizes the country's ambitions in technology and manufacturing, alluding to Western dominance in these fields. Xi said, quote, the balance of global power is undergoing profound readjustment and breakthroughs in a new phase of technological revolution and industrial transformation are accelerating. Addressing recent US Trade policies, she added, quote, unilateralism and protectionism are raising their heads and the threats from hegemony and power politics are escalating. Meanwhile, Trump has announced that he's directed the U.S. department of War to resume testing its nuclear arsenal for the first time in decades. The president referenced other countries nuclear tests in a post on Truth Social and said he'd instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis. This comes on the heels of Russia's flagrant tests of nuclear capable missiles and torpedoes. If completed, these would be the first American nuclear weapons tests since 1992.

[Georgia Howe]

Hurricane Melissa has passed through the Bahamas and is barreling toward Bermuda. The storm claimed at least 30 lives as it swept through Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Melissa has been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 miles per hour.

[John Bickley]

The defense minister of Pakistan just threatened to send the Taliban back to the caves Peace talks collapsed yesterday following a wave of violence along the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Dozens of soldiers and civilians were killed in recent attacks by terror groups, which Pakistan says are being sheltered by the Taliban after a tenuous ceasefire and later peace talks fell through. Pakistan's defense minister said on X Pakistan does not require even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regimental and pushed them back to the caves for hiding.

[Georgia Howe]

Tentative peace has settled back over Gaza after Israel's retaliatory airstrikes against Hamas. Here's Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce.

[John Bickley]

Israel's military said on Thursday that the terror group has handed over the bodies of two more hostages, though the bodies have not yet been analyzed. Hamas handed what it said were the bodies of two hostages over to the Red Cross. The remains were then escorted into Israel and taken to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification. Since the ceasefire went into effect roughly three weeks ago, Hamas has turned over the bodies of 15 hostages. Thirteen more remain to be recovered. According to the terms of the ceasefire. All hostages were supposed to be returned in a matter of days. Israel has said that Hamas's failure to follow through on its commitment has been a breach of the ceasefire's terms. Five more arrests were made last night in the Louvre heist, bringing the total to over a dozen. Now, according to authorities, some of the suspects in detention have at least partially confessed to the crime. The jewels, however, valued at over $100 million, have not yet been recovered. Officials are asking the public to continue.

[Georgia Howe]

Submitting tips after several lawsuits. Artificial intelligence platform Character AI says that it's going to ban users under 18 from chatting with its AI generated characters or chatbots daily Wire assistant editor Andy Valdez reports. The announcement comes after multiple lawsuits were filed against Character AI alleging the chatbots pushed children into sexual conversations and even led to one teen suicide. Beginning on November 25, those under 18 will not have access to the platform's chatbots. Until then, teens will be limited to 2 hours of chat time with the AI generated characters. The most concerning lawsuit against the company was filed by the family of a 14 year old from Orlando, Florida. His family said he started using character AI and grew attached to the chatbot with conversations turning romantic and sexual, leading ultimately to his seclusion and tragic death.

[John Bickley]

Speaking ahead of Vice President Vance at a Turning Point USA event on Wednesday, Erica Kirk told a crowd of students that her late husband Charlie, learned how to have courage by starting his day with three simple questions.

[Georgia Howe]

What is something I can do for someone today? What is something I can do to add value to the world today? How can I honor God today? Those were the three questions combined with the words he saw every single morning. So to me, seeing that seeing on his desk, that was him suited up with the armor of the Lord every day. And what I'm realizing with that is those were the action points of how to have courage. Ask yourself those three questions every single day and I promise you you will get courage. Because what death amplifies even more is that you only get one life. I want to remind you that God has created you for greatness. Senator Ted Cruz says he was not among the Republicans targeted and tracked by Biden's FBI, but only thanks to his wireless service provider attention. Daily Wire senior editor Virginia Cruta has the story. FBI Operation Arctic Frost was used to.

[John Bickley]

Spy on a number of conservatives and.

[Georgia Howe]

Even elected Republicans, including US senators.

[John Bickley]

Ted Cruz of Texas was one of nine whose phone records were subpoenaed by Biden's DOJ in an effort to investigate.

[Georgia Howe]

The January 6 riot on Capitol Hill.

[John Bickley]

But AT&T had refused to turn over his information. The senator joked on his podcast the.

[Georgia Howe]

Verdict that he was initially offended when.

[John Bickley]

He thought that he'd been left off the list.

[Georgia Howe]

But then he learned what had actually happened.

[John Bickley]

How did I get left out of this list? Like, what did I have to do? Yeah, to make I was literally standing on the Senate floor on January 6, objecting and leading the fight. And I had brought together 11 senators to stand together in fighting for an election commission to assess the evidence of voter fraud. Well, it turns out the reason I was not on the list is apparently all eight of those senators. Their cell phones are with Verizon and the evidence had come out that Verizon had handed over their cell phone information. Well, my cell phone is with at&t. I didn't know it at the time, but I found out late last week that Jack Smith sent a subpoena to ATT demanding my cell phone records and AT and T told him to go jump in a lake. Republican get out the vote Activist Scott Pressler is optimistic that New Jersey could go red next week. Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Arkand has more. Republican Jack Ciatorelli is running against Democratic Congresswoman Mikey Sherrill in the race to succeed outgoing Democratic governor Phil Murphy. This is an economic election, pressler told the Daily Wire. The voters in New Jersey are being crushed by property taxes. They're being crushed by electricity taxes. Pressler noted that while much of the cycle's focus has been on the Virginia gubernatorial election and the New York City mayoral race, New Jersey has come into focus in the waning days of the campaign. As Americans realize a Republican may take the governor's mansion. Democrats are finally realizing Jack is poised to become the next governor, pressler said. I think the thing that is different, as well as the national attention New Jersey is getting when it wasn't really getting months ago when we were banging on every door and shouting to people, New Jersey is 100% in play.

[Georgia Howe]

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger came out with some rare commentary this week denouncing current governor Gavin Newsom's proposed ballot measure to gerrymander the state Daily Wire senior editor Joel Niedler reports.

[John Bickley]

At a campus event, the actor and former governor said, quote, it doesn't make any sense to me that because we have to fight Trump, we become Trump. Two bad behaviors don't make a right California's Proposition 50, dubbed the election Rigging Response act, would redraw lines so as to reduce the impact of conservative voting blocs in the state, focusing on heavily Latino areas that broke for Trump in 2024. The act came in response to a Texas decision to redraw their map and triggered an arms race across the country of both red and blue states to pass redistricting measures.

[Georgia Howe]

On Wednesday, a police commander in Portland accused federal forces in the city of inflaming anti ICE protests. Daily Wire immigration reporter Jenny Terre has more. Commander Franz Koenig testified during a federal bench trial on President Trump's authority to deploy National Guard to the city. The commander said the federal forces use of tear gas was, quote, startling and went against state and federal law. He also claimed that the tear gas was used against nonviolent demonstrators at an ICE facility. That ICE facility has been rocked by protests for months, which the Department of Justice have said involve violence and threats of violence directed at federal law enforcement. Since Trump took office in January, ICE agents have faced a more than 1,000% increase in assaults.

[John Bickley]

A torn down statue has been resurrected in D.C. protesters toppled the statue of Confederate General Albert pike and set it on fire back in June 2020 in the wake of George Floyd's death. But the National Park Service reinstalled the statue this week. That's in keeping with an executive order from President Trump entitled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. The Park Service says that restoring the statue, the only one to a Confederate General within D.C. falls under its current mandate to, quote, beautify the nation's capital and restore pre existing statues.

[Georgia Howe]

And members of Congress will come together this evening not to debate or campaign, but to publicly pray for America. The House Freedom Caucus and the Family Research Council will host a first ever national call to prayer titled Congress Prays for America. It will unite members of Congress, Christian leaders and Americans across the country. Members will pray for an end to political violence, pray for the president, for Congress, and for people impacted by the ongoing shutdown, as well as for peace and protection in Israel.

[John Bickley]

All right, those are your Drive Home updates today. 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's big sit down with China's Xi Jinping, a blistering congressional report on Biden's presidency, and the growing push for Canada's euthanasia program to include minors. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morningwire. This episode is brought to you by Lifelock. It's Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Lifelock has tips to protect your identity. Use strong passwords, set up multi factor authentication, report phishing, and update the software on your devices. And for comprehensive identity protection, let Lifelock alert you to suspicious uses of your personal information. Lifelock also fixes identity theft, guaranteed or your money back. Stay smart, safe and protected with a 30 day free [e-mail] podcast terms apply.