Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Fighting Mexico’s Cartels & Hollywood Dreaming | 5.6.25
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Host: Jon Bickleb & Georgia Howe

1. Combating Mexico’s Drug Cartels

Trump’s Military Offer to Mexico

The episode opens with Georgia Howe announcing that Mexico has declined former President Donald Trump's offer to deploy U.S. troops to assist in dismantling drug cartels. Jon Bickleb comments on Mexico's current leadership, stating, "The president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can't even think straight" (00:09). This sets the stage for a deeper dive into the complexities of U.S.-Mexico relations concerning cartel violence.

Investigative Insights by Spencer Lindquist

Spencer Lindquist probes whether Trump's aggressive stance against the cartels is yielding results beyond the U.S. border. He asks, "Are Trump's efforts to crack down on the cartels working on this side of the border?" (00:16). This question leads to an exploration of the Trump administration's strategies and their effectiveness.

Detailed Analysis with Claudia Sheinbaum

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's President, provides substantial insights into the ongoing efforts to combat cartel violence. She reveals that during a phone call on April 16th, Trump offered military assistance, which she ultimately declined out of fear for the nation's stability (02:10). She emphasizes the severity of cartel activities, noting, "The cartels are trying to destroy our country. They're evil" (02:10).

U.S. Administration’s Actions Against Cartels

The discussion transitions to the Trump administration's broader initiatives. Claudia Sheinbaum outlines several measures:

• Designation as Terror Organizations: Early in Trump's presidency, eight cartels, including the Sinaloa and New Generation cartels, were classified as foreign terrorist organizations, expanding the scope for military and legal actions (03:09).
• Drone Strikes and Surveillance: Reports indicate potential drone strikes targeting cartel leadership and logistics. Additionally, the CIA has been conducting surveillance flights to identify fentanyl production sites (04:01).
• RICO Charges Against Gangs: The Department of Justice has recently charged 27 members of Trend Aragua under the RICO Act, marking a significant legal advancement against organized gangs (04:15).
• Enhanced Deportation Operations: The administration is incentivizing self-deportation with $1,000 payments and has collaborated with state and local law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks. Operations like "Tidal Wave" have led to over 1,000 arrests, including members of MS.13 (04:43).

Impact and Progress

Spencer Lindquist highlights the tangible progress made through these multifaceted approaches, underscoring a strategic shift in tackling both cartel infrastructure and illegal immigration linked to criminal activities (05:33).

2. Reviving Hollywood: Tariffs and Industry Challenges

Trump’s Tariff Announcement

The podcast shifts focus to the entertainment industry, where President Trump announced a bold plan to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-made films. Georgia Howe introduces this topic, questioning the feasibility and potential impact of such a move (06:25).

Reasons Behind the Tariff

Megan Basham, Daily Wire culture reporter, explains Trump's rationale:

• Tax Incentives Abroad: Countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK offer generous tax incentives that attract American production companies, undermining domestic filmmaking (06:34).
• Propaganda Concerns: Trump argues that foreign films may carry propaganda, posing a national security threat (06:34).

Jon Bickleb adds a critical perspective, stating, "We're making very few movies now. Hollywood is being destroyed" (07:05). He attributes the decline to both foreign competition and local governance failures.

Current State of Hollywood

Amanda Presag Giacomo provides a comprehensive overview of Hollywood's downturn:

• Decline in Domestic Production: Filming in the U.S. has decreased by 22% since 2021, with a 40% reduction in films and TV shows shot domestically post the 2023 actors' and writers' strikes (07:35).
• Economic Impact: Los Angeles experienced its lowest on-location filming rates, second only to the production halt during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic (07:35).
• Industry Sentiment: Peter Rotter, CEO of a music contracting company, describes Hollywood as "everywhere I go feels like a ghost town" (08:22), highlighting significant job reductions and operational slowdowns.

Reactions and Concerns

The proposed tariffs have elicited mixed responses:

• Studio Executives: Generally opposed, fearing increased production costs and potential retaliation from countries like China and those in Europe, which could impose their own tariffs, jeopardizing Hollywood's $15.3 billion trade surplus (07:35; 08:52).
• Production Workers: Generally supportive, as tariffs could potentially bring more production back to the U.S., benefiting blue-collar workers in the industry (08:38).
• Streaming Complications: Questions arise about how tariffs would apply to digital streaming, which doesn’t involve physical imports (08:52).
• Governor Gavin Newsom’s Stance: Newsom opposes the tariffs, arguing they overextend presidential authority and presenting no comment on the economic implications (09:44).

Potential Impact on Hollywood

If implemented, the tariffs could:

• Boost Domestic Production: Encourage studios to film more projects within the United States.
• Economic Repercussions: Risk retaliatory measures from other nations, potentially reducing the global distribution of American films and impacting revenue streams.

Amanda Presag Giacomo concludes that while the intent is to revive Hollywood, numerous logistical and diplomatic challenges could undermine the effectiveness of Trump's tariff strategy (10:09).

3. Virginia Leads with Social Media Restrictions for Minors

Introduction to Virginia’s Law

Georgia Howe announces Virginia’s pioneering move to limit social media usage for children, setting a precedent for other states (10:17). Spencer Lindquist introduces Amanda Presag Giacomo to delve into the specifics.

Details of the Consumer Data Protection Act

Amanda Presag Giacomo outlines the key components:

• Time Restrictions: Minors under 16 are restricted to one hour of social media use per day by default, adjustable only with parental consent (10:33).
• Bipartisan Support: The legislation received backing from both Republican and Democrat lawmakers, reflecting widespread parental concerns about social media’s impact on mental health (10:33).
• Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Advocacy: Youngkin emphasized the detrimental effects of social media on children, including cyberbullying, depression, and impaired social skills (11:27).

Comparative State Measures

The discussion expands to similar initiatives in other states:

• California: Blocks addictive features like autoplay and infinite scrolling for minors without parental consent, and restricts notifications during certain hours (12:22).
• Florida: Requires age verification, mandates parental consent for users aged 14-15, and imposes hefty fines for non-compliance. Previous actions include banning cell phone use in schools during instruction time (12:22; 13:21).
• Utah: Implements a social media curfew, prohibiting access between 10:30 PM and 6:30 AM for minors unless overridden by parents (12:22).

Legal Challenges and Opposition

Spencer discusses the legal hurdles these laws face:

• First Amendment Concerns: Tech companies argue that strict age restrictions infringe on free speech rights, leading to legal challenges that delay implementation (14:15).
• State Responses: Despite challenges, states like Texas continue to pursue similar legislation, indicating strong momentum behind these measures (14:09).

Parental Control Emphasis

The overarching theme is empowering parents to regulate their children's online activities:

• Default Settings: Restrictions are set by default, ensuring foundational limits on social media usage while allowing flexibility through parental consent (14:05).
• Unified State Efforts: Both partisan and non-partisan support for such laws underscores a national consensus on prioritizing children's well-being over unrestricted digital access (14:09).

Conclusion on Social Media Legislation

Amanda Presag Giacomo wraps up by noting the swift legislative actions across diverse states, reflecting a significant shift towards stringent online protections for minors, despite facing legal and technological challenges (14:43).

Closing Remarks

Georgia Howe and Jon Bickleb conclude the episode by reiterating the importance of staying informed on these critical issues, from international security and economic policies to national cultural shifts and child welfare in the digital age.

Notable Quotes

• Jon Bickleb: "The cartels are trying to destroy our country. They're evil." (02:10)
• Governor Glenn Youngkin: "Our children are losing the chance to cultivate essential social skills. They are encountering cyberbullying and they're isolated." (11:27)
• Peter Rotter: "Everywhere I go feels like a ghost town." (08:22)

Key Takeaways

• U.S.-Mexico Relations: The Trump administration employs a multifaceted approach to combat drug cartels, including legal designations, surveillance, and deportation incentives, though foreign military intervention was declined by Mexico.

• Hollywood’s Future: Trump's proposed tariffs aim to rejuvenate the American film industry but face significant opposition and practical challenges that may hinder their success.

• Protecting Minors Online: Virginia leads a growing trend of states implementing restrictive measures on social media use for minors, emphasizing parental control while navigating legal obstacles.

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