Evening Wire: Trump’s Indonesian Deal & Flash Floods Hit NYC | 07.15.25

Released on July 15, 2025 | Hosted by John Bickley and Georgia Howe

U.S.-Russia Tensions Escalate Over Tariffs

The episode opens with a discussion on the escalating tensions between the United States and Russia. President Trump has intensified his stance against Moscow, declaring that Russia has 50 days to reach a peace agreement or face sweeping tariffs.

John Bickley expressed his frustration, stating at [00:35], “I'm disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn't seem to get there. So based on that, we're going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we don't have a deal in 50 days, it's very simple and they'll be at 100%.”

In response, Russian Security Councilman Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Trump's threats as "theatrical" [00:50]. European leaders remain divided; some commend the strong U.S. position, while others caution that a 50-day deadline might be too lengthy, especially as civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict continue to rise. As of the episode's recording, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not issued a direct response.

Trump Secures Trade Deal with Indonesia

Transitioning to international trade, John Bickley highlighted President Trump's recent achievement in forging a trade deal with Indonesia [01:07]. The agreement is touted as mutually beneficial and follows Trump's threat of a significant 32% tariff on Indonesian exports. Indonesia, notable for being the world's fourth most populous nation, primarily exports agricultural goods and textiles but does not rank among the top 20 U.S. trade partners. This deal is part of a broader strategy where the U.S. has secured preliminary agreements with countries like China, Vietnam, and the UK, all of which now face increased tariff rates compared to pre-2025 levels. Countries yet to finalize agreements include the EU, Japan, and South Korea.

Economic Indicators and Federal Reserve Developments

Georgia Howe provided an update on the latest economic data, noting a slight uptick in inflation for June. The Consumer Price Index rose by 2.7% year-over-year and 0.3% from May, marginally exceeding economists' expectations of 2.6% [01:49]. The White House hailed the numbers as a positive sign, emphasizing that core inflation has consistently met or surpassed forecasts since Trump resumed office. The Federal Reserve is slated to meet in two weeks, with expectations leaning towards maintaining current interest rates.

In related news, John Bickley discussed the administration's search for a new Federal Reserve Chair [02:16]. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant confirmed that the process is underway, even though Fed Chair Jerome Powell's term isn’t set to end for another two years. Bessant, a prominent Trump ally and key figure in the tariff strategy, is viewed as a leading candidate, though he has not officially announced his interest. President Trump has publicly criticized Powell, urging his early resignation over disagreements on interest rates and federal spending.

Market Reactions and Corporate Moves

The economic landscape influenced market behaviors, with Georgia Howe reporting that inflation concerns and lackluster bank earnings led to a significant drop in the Dow, which fell over 300 points [02:58]. Financial stocks like Wells Fargo and BlackRock were hit hard, while Citigroup bucked the trend by rising 4%. The Nasdaq saw a modest increase of 0.3%, buoyed by a 3% surge in Nvidia shares following news that the company may resume chip sales to China.

In corporate developments, Apple has secured a deal to purchase U.S.-made rare earth magnets from MP Materials starting in 2027 [02:58]. This agreement aligns with the Pentagon’s efforts to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals. MP Materials plans to expand its Texas facility and build a second plant to meet the growing demand. Following the announcement, MP’s shares soared by 28%, marking a significant industrial victory for the Trump administration.

Agricultural and Food Industry Updates

John Bickley shared a noteworthy development in the U.S. food industry: over 90% of ice cream sold in the country will soon be free from artificial dyes [03:53]. Announced by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, this initiative represents a voluntary, proactive effort by dairy farmers and ice cream producers to eliminate artificial colors by the end of 2027. Georgia Howe added that approximately 35% of the American food industry has now committed to this change, signaling a substantial shift towards cleaner, more natural food products.

HHS Secretary RFK Jr. emphasized the transformative impact on the food industry, noting a significant "sea change" towards healthier, more transparent food production practices [04:25]. This move not only addresses consumer health concerns but also aligns with broader governmental objectives to ensure the quality and safety of food products in the market.

Tragic Floods in Texas and NYC

The episode poignantly covered the recent devastating floods affecting both Central Texas and New York City. Georgia Howe detailed the tragic loss of 27 girls and counselors at Camp Mystic in Central Texas [04:48]. The camp director, Dick Eastland, received an emergency alert about life-threatening flash floods at 1:14 AM and began evacuating campers to higher ground. Tragically, Eastland perished at around 2 AM while attempting to rescue campers. The family spokesperson confirmed that communication via walkie-talkie was immediate, and efforts to relocate were swift upon witnessing the rising floodwaters.

Meanwhile, John Bickley reported record-setting rainfall in New York City, resulting in severe flash flooding [05:30]. More than 2 inches of rain fell between 7 and 8 PM, marking the second wettest hour of rainfall in the city's history. The downpour caused widespread disruptions, trapping subway commuters and halting traffic. At least two fatalities occurred in New Jersey as cars were swept away by sudden floodwaters. Additionally, major northeastern cities such as Washington, Baltimore, and Hartford were under flash flood warnings, highlighting the broader regional impact of the extreme weather event.

Political Turmoil in NYC Mayoral Race

Georgia Howe recounted a dramatic incident involving Zoran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor [06:00]. During a press conference, Mamdani's event was abruptly interrupted when a campaign aide removed him from the stage. Although initially unclear, it was revealed that Mamdani had accepted the endorsement of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 and was addressing questions from reporters. The situation escalated when a female campaign staffer was seen grabbing Mamdani by the arm as a band began playing, leading to the abrupt end of the press conference. John Bickley noted the confusion and partial responses, indicating a possible internal conflict within the campaign.

Legislative Moves on National Anthem Protocol

In a cultural and political intersection, lawmakers are advancing legislation to mandate that the "Star-Spangled Banner" be performed exclusively in English [06:31]. This move was catalyzed by a recent incident where a singer performed the anthem in Spanish at an LA Dodgers game, leading to backlash from Republican lawmakers. One lawmaker criticized the unnamed artist for "making a political statement" through the performance, asserting that the national anthem should remain free from political theatrics. The singer defended her choice, stating that she opted to perform in Spanish despite requests to sing in English, underlining a commitment to inclusivity and cultural expression.

Passing of Pastor John MacArthur

Georgia Howe delivered the sad news of the passing of Pastor John MacArthur at the age of 86 [07:12]. MacArthur, a prominent figure in the evangelical community, led Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, for 56 years. He authored over 400 books, including the bestselling "The Gospel According to Jesus." MacArthur gained national attention for his defiance against local COVID-19 restrictions, leading to a legal battle that resulted in the county and state each paying the church $400,000. In his last public appearance on the Ben Shapiro Show, MacArthur urged skeptics of Christianity to "just read the Bible," emphasizing its inherent truth and moral resonance.

John Bickley echoed MacArthur's sentiments, highlighting the pastor's belief in the Bible's self-defending nature: “Read the Bible, just read the Bible. It has the ring of truth. It defends itself. It's like a lion. You don't defend it. You don't defend a lion. You open the cage and let it out. It'll be okay. And the scripture is like that. It's like that. Even morally, there's something in the heart of people that resonates with biblical morality” [07:52].

Sports Highlight: Raleigh’s All-Star Triumph

Shifting to sports, John Bickley celebrated Call Raleigh’s victory in the Home Run Derby [07:52]. Raleigh, a star for the Seattle Mariners, won his first All-Star Home Run Derby by defeating Tampa Bay’s Junior Common Arrow with a score of 18-15. Notably, Raleigh’s father, a former coach for Tennessee and Western Carolina, pitched while his younger brother caught, showcasing a family collaboration. Raleigh, nicknamed "Big Dumper," is the first switch hitter and catcher to secure the win, having already hit an impressive 38 home runs by the All-Star break. Additionally, Raleigh is an alumnus of Florida State, making him only the sixth player from the university to participate in the All-Star Game, following Dick Hauser in 1961.

Ben Shapiro’s Cameo on Family Guy

Georgia Howe reported on Ben Shapiro’s recent cameo on the animated series Family Guy [08:55]. Shapiro expressed mixed feelings on social media, stating he was pleased to appear but disappointed that his entire scene was cut. The episode featured Brian the dog, portrayed as a liberal, becoming frustrated when his book's sales were driven by conservative promotion, including Shapiro’s character. John Bickley humorously critiqued the portrayal, remarking, “It has the ring of truth. It defends itself. It's like a lion...Never as good as the Simpsons. Not nearly as smart as South Park. I wonder how Seth still writes this from inside the closet” [09:19].

Shapiro’s new book, "Lions and Scavengers," is set for release on September 2nd, further showcasing his continued influence and media presence [09:38].

Closing Remarks

John Bickley concluded the episode with a brief recap, encouraging listeners to visit dailywire.com for more detailed coverage on major stories such as Trump's warning to Russia, Biden's auto pin controversies, and potential challenges for the GOP in the upcoming midterms [09:43]. He also hinted at additional stories covered in the morning edition, emphasizing the comprehensive news coverage Morning Wire offers.

This episode of Evening Wire provided listeners with in-depth analysis and updates on significant political developments, economic indicators, corporate strategies, tragic natural disasters, and cultural events. Through engaging discussions and direct quotes from key figures, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe delivered a thorough overview of the day's most pressing issues.