Fighting Mexico’s Cartels & Hollywood Dreaming | 5.6.25

Summary

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

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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.

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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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For those seeking comprehensive coverage on politics, culture, education, and more, Morning Wire continues to deliver insightful analysis and breaking news to keep you informed.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

Mexico refuses President Trump's offer to send in the troops to clean up drug cartels.

[Jon Bickleb]

The president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can't even think straight.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Are Trump's efforts to crack down on the cartels working on this side of the border?

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Executive editor Jon Bickleb. It's Tuesday, May 6th, and this is Morning Wire.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Can Trump make Hollywood work again? Or will his efforts to revive the film industry end up on the cutting room floor?

[Peter Rotter]

So much of the industry is actually done abroad. Certainly a lot of things are made in America, but when it comes to production and vfx, it's just really hard to imagine that you're going to be able to stop global production.

[Georgia Howe]

And Virginia makes a bold move severely cutting social media use for kids.

[Glenn Youngkin]

Come on. We're not going to, we're not going to choose social media over our kids. We're going to empower parents. And this is a top priority of mine.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Thanks for waking up. Up with MORNING Wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.

[Megan Basham]

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[Georgia Howe]

President Trump confirmed reports that he offered to send the US Military into Mexico to help fight the drug cartels.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Here with the story is Daily Wire investigative reporter Spencer Lindquist. So Trump's actions on the cartels back in the headlines this week. What exactly did he offer here?

[Claudia Sheinbaum]

Good morning, John. So Trump confirmed to journalists this week that that he asked Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum if the US Military could be sent in to fight the cartels during a phone call with her on April 16th. Here's Trump speaking to reporters on Air Force One and confirming that report.

[Jon Bickleb]

If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to go in and do it. I told her that I would be honored to go in and do it. The cartels are trying to destroy our country. They're evil.

[Claudia Sheinbaum]

Trump added that the cartels are, quote, horrible people have been killing people left and right and address their role in both the fentanyl crisis and in illegal immigration into the United States.

[Spencer Lindquist]

So Trump offered to Send in the US Military. Obviously a very bold move. But Mexico has turned that offer down, correct?

[Claudia Sheinbaum]

Yeah, that's exactly right. She said that the two countries can collaborate. But, and this is a quote with you in your territory and us in ours. Trump said that she denied the offer out of fear of the cartels. And this all comes as Mexico has struggled with ongoing turf wars between the cartels. One gunfight between cartel members earlier this year resulted in three police officers being injured and the death of 10 cartel gunmen.

[Spencer Lindquist]

There's really been a sense of escalation with these cartels in recent years. What actions is the Trump administration taking now to combat these cartels?

[Claudia Sheinbaum]

So there have been reports that the administration was considering military action for months now. In the first few weeks of his presidency, Trump's State Department designated eight different cartels and gangs, including the Sinaloa and New Generation cartels, as foreign terror organizations. That's significant because it opens up more avenues for using force against them. So this long predates this call with Sheinbaum. And NBC reported last month that administration officials were exploring the possibility of using drone strikes against the cartels with the intention of taking out their leadership or knocking out their logistics sites. That reports that the administration had not ruled out taking unilateral action against the cartels without the support of the Mexican government. But that, of course, hasn't happened yet. The Trump administration has actually begun flying surveillance drones over the country at the request of Sheinbaum. And the New York Times reported that the surveillance flights were being conducted by the CIA with the intention of locating fentanyl labs.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Right, so some partnership already?

[Claudia Sheinbaum]

Some, yes.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Now here, the cartels have been overshadowed at times by the foreign gangs like Trend Aragua. That's been the concern of more Americans than cartel operations. What's the latest on that front?

[Claudia Sheinbaum]

So there's been a lot. The DOJ recently announced charges against 27 current and former members of TDA. They were brought forward under the Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organizations act, otherwise known as rico. And that's notable because the use of the law against gangs like Trendy Aragua is a new development. And Attorney General Pam Bondi sounded hopeful about the new approach, saying that these charges will decimate the organization's criminal infrastructure.

[Spencer Lindquist]

All right, so RICO now in play for federal prosecutors.

[Claudia Sheinbaum]

That's right. And it could be a game changer. And also, Trump's deportation operations could also get a big boost. The administration is starting to pay $1,000 a piece to illegal aliens who self deport. I've obtained an exclusive memo from inside the Department of Homeland Security. And it reveals that it's drafted over 500 agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies that will support immigration operations. One of these agreements led to Operation Tidal Wave, a joint enforcement effort between Homeland Security and the state of Florida. DHS says that the operation resulted in the arrest of more than 1,000 criminal illegal aliens, including members of MS.13. And other raids have been specifically targeted at locations that have been used as bases for criminal operations. The DEA and other federal partners carried out one raid at an underground nightclub being used as a base by TDA. That led to the arrest of 100 illegal aliens and the seizure of weapons and drugs.

[Spencer Lindquist]

It sounds like a lot of progress from these efforts. Spencer, thank you so much for reporting.

[Claudia Sheinbaum]

Thanks for having me.

[Megan Basham]

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[Spencer Lindquist]

President Trump made waves in Hollywood Monday when he announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on foreign made films. The President says this move will help revive a dying American movie industry.

[Georgia Howe]

Joining us now with the details is Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham. So, Megan, let's start with the President's rationale. Why does he think tariffs are gonna save Hollywood?

[Amanda Presag Giacomo]

Yeah, Georgia. So what he thinks is that countries like Australia, Canada and the UK have been using generous tax incentives to lure these American companies away. And he believes that that's devastating the US Film industry. He's also argued that these foreign films sometimes bring in propaganda. And so he says that that is a national security threat. So he's pledged to slap a 100% tariff on any movie made outside of the United States in order to bring those productions back home.

[Jon Bickleb]

We're making very few movies now. Hollywood is being destroyed. Now you have an incompetent, grossly incompetent governor that allow to happen. So I'm not just blaming other nations, but other nations, a lot of them have stolen our movie industry. And I'm saying if they're not willing to make a movie inside the United States and we should have a tariff on Movies that come in.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, you and I have done many stories about what's going on in Hollywood, but is it really fair to say that the industry is dying?

[Amanda Presag Giacomo]

Well, if you wouldn't say dying, I think it is at least fair to say it's very sick. So I just want to go over a few data points with you here. Georgia filming is down 22% overall since 2021. 40% fewer films and TV shows are now shot in the US compared to before the 2023 actors and writers strikes. Last year, Los Angeles saw its worst on location filming rate in history, with the exception, of course, of that 2020 Covid year when production was shut down. And then of all the TV shows and feature films that Americans are watching, only 20% are now made in California. So this is what Peter Rotter, CEO of a music contracting company that worked on films like the Black Panther, Frozen and Avatar, told NBC just two weeks ago.

[Peter Rotter]

Everywhere I go feels like a ghost town. And what's happening is there are the days where we'd work, you know, five days a week have become three days a week have become two days a week have become one day every two weeks.

[Amanda Presag Giacomo]

So when you hear something like that, it's not really surprising that outlets like the Guardian are writing headlines asking if Hollywood is now in a death spiral. And you have some industry analysts comparing this to when Detroit lost the auto industry.

[Georgia Howe]

So how does Hollywood feel about this? Is this something they've been lobbying for? And then also, what about Governor Gavin Newsom?

[Amanda Presag Giacomo]

No, I mean, certainly the studio execs are not lobbying for this. They're mostly staying fairly quiet. The Motion Picture association, which represents all the major studios, has declined to comment. But the initial responses I've heard from some of the people that I've spoken to who are in those executive suites, they don't like this idea because they think it's going to make production more expensive. But on the other hand, you have all of those blue collar tech workers, your makeup people, your sound people, all those production people, they like this idea more. And you know, that makes sense. That's kind of how we saw Trump break down during the election. There's also concern about retaliation. So China has already reduced the number of American films that it's allowing into its country. And Europe, where US Films dominate, could impose some tit for tat tariffs. So there's a lot of concern that this could cripple Hollywood's 15.3 billion trade surplus. And then one studio exec I spoke to also wondered how these tariffs are going to work with streaming, since with streaming, of course, you don't have an actual physical product coming into the U.S. as for Newsom, he's declined to comment other than saying that his office does not believe that the president has the authority to place tariffs on films.

[Georgia Howe]

So at the very least, a lot of questions about how this would work out. Megan, thanks for reporting.

[Amanda Presag Giacomo]

Of course. My pleasure.

[Georgia Howe]

Virginia has become the first state in the nation to limit social media time for minors.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presag Giacomo is here with the story. Hey, Amanda, so let's get right into this law. A first in the nation, as Georgia just said. What exactly are the restrictions here?

[Pam Bondi]

Yeah, a first here. So under the Consumer Data Protection Act, Virginia residents who are under the age of 16, they're going to have a one hour default time limit on their social media scrolling. However, if a parent wants to override that default setting, they'll be able to give their consent and do that. And it's notable that both sides of the aisle backed this. The bill garnered wide support from both Republican and Democrat lawmakers in the state. And that's not really surprising given how parents have increasingly become concerned about the effects social media has on children's mental health. Virginia's Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the bill into law on Friday. And it was actually Youngkin who's really become an advocate for parents. He wanted this bill to be even more strict. He wanted it to extend to residents under 18 years old. And he wanted the bill to limit addictive features like autoplay on videos where one video plays right after another and infinite scrolling where there's just no bottom tier scrolling. Here's Governor Youngkin.

[Glenn Youngkin]

There is a growing consensus that social media is having severe, severe and persistent negative impacts on our kids. Our children are losing the chance to cultivate essential social skills. They are encountering cyberbullying and they're isolated. There's substantial distraction in school, escalating depression and sleep disorders. Tech companies promised to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. But children are more lonely than ever.

[Pam Bondi]

The act will take effect on January 1st of next year. So 2026.

[Spencer Lindquist]

All right. So strong support for this bill from both the GOP and Democrats. Are we seeing similar laws in other states being put into effect?

[Pam Bondi]

Yeah. In states led by both Democrats and Republicans, lawmakers appear to have gotten the message that parents, no matter their political leaning, they want their kids protected online. In California, for example, Governor Newsom signed a bill last year that blocks platforms from providing addictive social media feeds to minors without parental consent. It also restricts companies from sending notifications to minors during certain hours, like late night hours on a school night. And then in Florida, Governor DeSantis signed a bill that requires social media companies to verify the age of users and to actually terminate accounts of kids who are under the age of 14. If you're 14 or 15 years old in the state, you can have an account on social media, but you're going to have to get parental consent. If a company is found violating that law, they could face fines up to $50,000 per violation. Florida, by the way, has been a leading state on this subject. DeSantis signed a bill back in 2023 that made Florida the first state in the nation to ban cell phone use in schools during instruction time.

[Gavin Newsom]

Being buried in those devices all day is not the best way to grow up. It's not the best way to get a good education. So we're proud of that. And I think what they've done today is going to build off that and ultimately, you know, trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have now with raising kids.

[Pam Bondi]

Now in Utah, we have a social media curfew. Minors there can't access social media between 10:30pm and 6:30am unless a parent overrides that default setting. The general pattern that we're seeing across these different states are age verification measures and restrictions for minors as the default setting, though those can be changed through parental consent.

[Spencer Lindquist]

So again, putting control in the parents hands, right?

[Pam Bondi]

That's exactly right.

[Spencer Lindquist]

Now, some of this legislation has been subject to some legal challenges. What's going on on that front?

[Pam Bondi]

Yes. Some of these laws that deal with age restrictions in particular, they're being held up or blocked by legal challenges. For example, that Florida law that bans children under 14 from making accounts on these platforms, that was initially held up. Big tech platforms argued that restrictions were in violation of the first Amendment. They took issue with this law effectively requiring adults to prove their age for some of these websites. Similar legislation is still being held up in other states, too, including in Texas.

[Spencer Lindquist]

A lot of action on this issue and it's clearly a priority for many parents across the country. Amanda, thank you so much for reporting.

[Pam Bondi]

You're welcome.

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back tomorrow with more news. You need to know.