Morning Wire – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Hunting Kirk’s Assassin & America’s Military Renewal
Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Produced by: The Daily Wire

Episode Overview

This episode delivers in-depth coverage of two significant, headline-dominating stories: the ongoing national manhunt for Charlie Kirk's assassin in the aftermath of a high-profile campus shooting, and the renewed sense of mission and focus within the U.S. military under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The episode unpacks breaking updates on the investigation, dissects the media and political reactions, and discusses the military's changing culture post-9/11 on its anniversary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s Assassin

• Latest Developments in the Investigation
  • Authorities are piecing together the assassin’s timeline, based on campus security footage and physical evidence (01:22).
  • The suspect: A slender male in his 20s, seen arriving on campus at 11:52am, entering a building adjacent to the event, accessing a rooftop, carrying out the shooting, and fleeing into a nearby wooded residential area (01:22).
  • Police recovered the bolt-action rifle used, a screwdriver believed to have been used for assembly/disassembly, and ammunition allegedly etched with pro-transgender and antifascist phrases—a potential clue to motive (01:22).
  • The FBI identified a person of interest, sharing grainy images: man in hat, sunglasses, black shirt; $100,000 reward offered, but the suspect remains at large (02:37).

“With each minute that goes by, the fear is that he could be getting further and further away from the crime scene.”
–Cabot Phillips (03:19)

• Eyewitness Testimony
  • Nolan Kramer, college freshman: was “a few dozen feet away” and shares a vivid account of the chaos and shock as shots rang out and Kirk fell (03:38).

“All of his security guards just jump up to him. Everyone was, like, calling their parents, screaming, crying...I could not believe what was going on.”
–Nolan Kramer (03:38)

• Reactions and Security Measures
  • Nationwide alarm: Lawmakers canceled events, increased security; Trump’s team relocated a 9/11 ceremony (04:16).
  • Candlelight vigils held; Trump announced intent to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom (04:16, 04:52).

“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.”
–Donald Trump (04:52)

2. Media & Political Response: Criticism and Fallout

• Mainstream Media Reaction and Backlash
  • Some legacy media outlets faced intense criticism for their initial coverage, including implication of victim-blaming (05:38).
  • MSNBC’s Matthew Dowd implied Kirk’s rhetoric contributed to his death, leading to his firing and an official network apology (06:32).

“He’s been one of the most divisive...constantly pushing hate speech...I always go back to hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.”
–Matthew Dowd on MSNBC (06:32)

• Recurring Patterns in Coverage

  • CNN commentators criticized for race-focused coverage and pre-assassination commentary on Kirk’s positions (07:24).
  • Host Abby Philip and Van Jones accused Kirk of “race mongering, hate mongering” (07:54).
  • Multiple examples cited where outlets had to retract damaging or false claims about Kirk and his affiliate organizations, including Turning Point USA (08:29).

• Political Leaders’ Responses

  • Many issued standard statements condemning violence, but some also reportedly engaged in “victim blaming” or “both sides-ing.”
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker blamed Trump’s rhetoric for creating a climate of violence, referencing January 6 and “pardoning” as a dangerous signal (09:30).
  • Tense moment in Congress: Democrats reportedly protested GOP calls for prayer after Kirk's death, with shouts for gun laws instead (09:52).

3. Military Renewal Under Hegseth: A New Ethos

• Secretary Pete Hegseth’s 9/11 Statement
  • On the 24th anniversary of September 11, Hegseth emphasizes a return to “warrior ethos,” rejecting the use of war for social causes and re-centering on decisive military action (10:44).

“War must not become a mere tool for global social work...We should hit hard, wreak vengeance, and return home.”
–Pete Hegseth (10:44)

• Retired Major Chris Lovell’s Perspective: Then and Now
  • Reflects on the unity and patriotism post-9/11, citing the surge of nearly 200,000 new recruits (11:39, 12:22).
  • Praises Hegseth’s leadership: End of DEI initiatives, focus on “lethality” and mission, recruitment numbers at a high (13:13).

“The things that he’s done, you know, specifically just getting rid of the DEI distractions, the woke distractions...Recruitment is full. Like, they’ve never been fuller.”
–Chris Lovell (13:13)

• Morale reportedly improved thanks to clear leadership, focus, and support for the military's core mission (14:15).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Donald Trump on Charlie Kirk:
  “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.” (04:52)

• Eyewitness Nolan Kramer:
  “There was just blood all over the table...I literally could not believe what was going on.” (03:38)

• MSNBC’s Matthew Dowd, on Kirk:
  “He’s been one of the most divisive...constantly pushing hate speech...” (06:32)

• Secretary Pete Hegseth’s 9/11 Statement:
  “War must not become a mere tool for global social work...We should hit hard, wreak vengeance, and return home.” (10:44)

• Chris Lovell on the new military focus:
  “It’s about lethality. It’s not about equality or being fair...Young men and women don’t want to join the military for fairness. They want a challenge and they want to serve.” (13:13)

Important Timestamps

• [00:04–03:38] — Timeline and specifics in the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s assassin, eyewitness account from Nolan Kramer
• [03:38–05:31] — Reactions: Vigils, Trump’s Medal of Freedom announcement, events with Kirk’s family
• [05:38–09:52] — Media and political fallout, coverage controversies, partisan responses in Congress
• [10:44–14:15] — 9/11 anniversary reflections, Pete Hegseth’s Department of War vision, and Major Lovell on the military’s cultural shift

Conclusion

This episode delivers hard-hitting updates and analysis on the search for Charlie Kirk’s assassin while reflecting on the shifting mission and morale of the American military post-9/11. It juxtaposes raw reporting with pointed discussion about media responsibility and the consequences of polarized coverage, closing on themes of unity, resolve, and renewed purpose.