Morning Wire: LA Anti-ICE Riots & Biles Trans Backlash | Episode Summary

Release Date: June 9, 2025
Host/Author: The Daily Wire
Presenters: John Bickley (Editor-in-Chief) and Georgia Howe

1. LA Anti-ICE Riots: Escalation and Response

Background and Escalation

The episode opens with a chilling overview of recent events in Los Angeles, where anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protests have spiraled into violent riots. The unrest was triggered by false claims that ICE had conducted a raid at a Home Depot store in Paramount, a situation that rapidly descended into chaos.

Government Response

In response to the escalating violence, President Donald Trump mobilized the National Guard to quell the riots. John Bickley summarizes the situation:

"Chaos erupted over the weekend in the Los Angeles area as some anti ICE protesters turned to violence after false claims that ICE had conducted a raid of the Home Depot in the city of Paramount."
[01:46]

As the situation worsened, Northern Command prepared to deploy 500 Marines to maintain order. However, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized this move, arguing that the deployment of federal troops was exacerbating the situation.

Mayor Karen Bass’s Stance

Karen Bass condemned the federal response, stating:

"What we're seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the administration. When you raid Home Depot and workplaces... deploying federalized troops is a dangerous escalation."
[02:20]

She urged peaceful expression of anger, emphasizing that the actions were more about advancing an agenda than ensuring public safety.

On-the-Ground Reporting with Alex Michelson

Veteran LA reporter Alex Michelson provided an in-depth account of the turmoil, highlighting instances where local law enforcement struggled to maintain control:

"There is no doubt that there were times when things were out of control... my own colleague on Fox 11... their vehicle was destroyed... criminals taking advantage of a situation and creating chaos."
[03:30]

Michelson pointed out the organized nature of the protests, noting coordination through social media and a lack of cooperation from state Democratic leaders with ICE operations, which contributed to the unpredictability and danger of the riots. He concluded that the conflict shows no signs of abating and may intensify further.

2. Trump vs. Elon Musk: A Brewing Political Feud

Social Media Sparks the Feud

The episode delves into the public falling out between former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk. Initially allies, their relationship soured over Musk's criticisms of Trump, particularly on social media platforms.

Key Developments

John Bickley introduces the segment:

"After their public falling out, President Trump is warning Elon Musk to stay out of the midterm elections as he pushes forward on the passage of his signature budget bill."
[06:40]

Cabot Phillips, Daily Wire senior editor, elaborates on the feud:

"Musk, who once said he 'loved Trump as much as a straight man can love another man... continued to slam President Trump over the weekend... Trump responded by calling him, 'the man who has lost his mind.'"
[07:03]

Musk's provocative suggestion of forming a new political party, tentatively named the America Party, aims to represent the "80% in the middle." This move has caught Trump's attention, with the President warning of "very serious consequences" if Musk challenges Republican contenders in future elections.

Future Implications

Despite the tension, there are indications of attempts to mend fences. Cabot Phillips notes:

"Top advisors for the two men have been in communication all weekend, trying to keep things from escalating further... President Trump said there was, 'no reason to repair the relationship,' which he assumed was over."
[08:33]

However, the potential establishment of a third party by Musk could significantly impact the 2024 midterm elections, introducing a new dynamic into an already polarized political landscape.

3. Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports: Simone Biles vs. Riley Gaines

The Spark of Controversy

A heated debate erupted between Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines over the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. This feud highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding gender identity and fairness in athletics.

Incident Breakdown

Georgia Howe introduces the segment:

"An online debate erupted over the weekend between Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines. The issue, transgender athletes in women's sports."
[10:26]

Amanda Presto Giacomo provides detailed reporting:

"The controversy began when Riley Gaines... commented on a social media post celebrating a girls' softball state championship win by a team featuring a boy who identifies as a girl. Gaines criticized the team turning off comments, suggesting bias."
[10:46]

Biles retaliated by labeling Gaines as "truly sick and a sore loser," and paradoxically criticized Gaines's physique, despite Gaines's average height:

"Tell Gaines to, 'bully someone your own size, which ironically would be a male.'"
[12:27]

Public and Media Reaction

The backlash was swift and polarized. Gaines received support from online communities advocating for fairness in women's sports, leading to calls for brands like Athleta to discontinue their association with Biles. Conversely, legacy media and left-leaning pundits defended Biles, with publications like USA Today hailing her as a hero.

Polling Insights

Amanda highlights that public opinion significantly favors Gaines's stance:

"A February 2025 New York Times Ipsos poll found that about 80% of respondents felt that biological males should not be allowed to compete in women's sports. That includes 67% of Democrats and 64% of independents."
[13:46]

This statistic poses a political challenge for Democrats, whose base may not align with the broader public sentiment, potentially impacting their support in this issue.

Strategic Implications for Democrats

The intense debate puts Democratic leaders in a precarious position, as they must balance advocacy for transgender rights with the majority public opinion favoring fair competition in women's sports. Some Democrat strategists are reportedly urging party members to reconsider their stance to align with voter preferences.

4. Economic Update: Private Sector Job Growth Under Trump

Job Market Performance

Amidst political turmoil, the Trump administration showcased positive economic indicators. John Bickley reports:

"The latest labor report showed 139,000 jobs added in May. That is the third straight month we've seen gains that exceeded expectations."
[09:12]

Private Sector Dominance

A key highlight is the significant contribution of the private sector to job growth:

"All net job growth came from the private sector since Trump took office. Now, 99.8% of new jobs have been in the private sector."
[09:12]

In contrast, under the Biden administration, approximately 25% of job creation was from government roles, emphasizing a shift towards private sector strength under Trump's policies.

Implications

This robust private sector growth is portrayed as a cornerstone of economic success, reinforcing the administration's focus on fostering business investments and reducing reliance on government-driven job creation.

Conclusion

This episode of Morning Wire delivers a comprehensive analysis of pressing issues ranging from civil unrest in LA and political feuds involving high-profile personalities to contentious debates in sports and positive economic news. Hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe, supported by insightful contributions from reporters like Alex Michelson and Amanda Presto Giacomo, provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on the challenges and developments shaping the current socio-political landscape.

"Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire... Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know."
[00:55]

Note: This summary intentionally excludes advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.