“No Kings” Returns & Protest Funding Exposed? | 10.20.25

Summary

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Morning Wire – "No Kings" Returns & Protest Funding Exposed?

Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Guests: Cabot Phillips, Amber Jo Cooper, Seamus Bruner, Tim Pierce

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Brief Overview

This episode of Morning Wire delves into the resurgence of the “No Kings” anti-Trump protests across the United States, exploring both the demographics and motivations of protestors as well as the financial underpinnings of the movement. The hosts also break down President Trump's ongoing immigration crackdown, the government’s response to escalating protests, legal battles over National Guard deployments, and developing news on the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire with reactions from the Trump administration.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “No Kings” Protests Return Across the U.S.

Timestamps: 02:18–05:45

• Scale & Demographics

  • Hundreds of thousands (potentially over a million) participated in “No Kings” protests across 2,000+ U.S. locations — a follow-up to similar rallies from June.
  • Demonstrations were largely peaceful but saw pockets of violence in Portland (3 arrests), Chicago (15 arrests), and Los Angeles (tear gas deployed).
  • Notably, the protest demographic skewed older than typical political rallies.
    • Amber Jo Cooper: “It was a much older crowd than you typically see with—I’d say most attendees being over the age of 60.” [03:34]

• Protest Motivations

  • Anger over ICE deportations and Trump’s deployment of the National Guard highlighted as primary complaints.
  • Additional grievances: Trump’s rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, and accusations of authoritarianism.
    • Amber Jo Cooper: “Demonstrators also accused the administration of being fascist. Many called Trump not just a king, but a Nazi.” [03:34]
  • Media commentary noted the older-than-expected protest crowds.

• Violence & Policing

  • Violent incidents are mainly concentrated in well-known hotspots.
  • Federal response and subsequent legal action (see below).

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2. Legal Front: National Guard Deployments and Court Battles

Timestamps: 04:24–05:45

• Trump’s Argument:

  • Claims National Guard deployment is necessary to protect federal agencies/facilities from left-wing threats.
  • Facing lawsuits in Illinois, Oregon, California, and Tennessee, often resulting in temporary blocks by federal courts.

• Key Legal Update:

  • Seven Tennessee officials filed a lawsuit backed by ‘Democracy Forward’. Though an immediate hold was denied, a court date is set for Nov. 3.
  • The White House has appealed to the Supreme Court to permit continued National Guard deployment, particularly in Chicago.
    • Cabot Phillips: “They filed a formal request Friday calling for them to intervene and allow the Guardsmen to continue being deployed.” [05:36]

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3. Attempts to Combat International Drug Smuggling

Timestamps: 05:45–06:23

• Recent strike on a suspected drug-smuggling submarine in South America left two drug-runners alive. They were repatriated to their respective countries for prosecution.
  • Cabot Phillips quoting Trump: “Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narco terrorists trafficking illegal drugs by land or by sea.” [05:53]

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4. Exposing the Funders: $300 Million in “Dark Money”

Timestamps: 07:32–11:43

• Peter Schweitzer’s Investigation:

  • Nearly $300 million in billionaire-backed network money has fueled protest organizers.
  • Seamus Bruner: “We found dozens of official organizers and partner organizations... really closer to $300 million in the last five years have gone into the partner organization. So this is basically anything but grassroots, right?” [08:04]
  • Protest mobilization is underpinned by extensive funding from major left-leaning networks, including:
    • George Soros/Open Society Foundations
    • Arabella Advisors/Network
    • Tides Network & Ford Foundation

• Broader Pattern of “Riot Inc.”

  • The funding and organization of left-wing protests form a persistent pattern, tracked as “Riot Inc.”

• Accountability & Law Enforcement Response

  • The Trump administration, via DOJ and FBI, is pursuing so-called “follow the money” probes against protest funders.
    • Seamus Bruner: “They all seem very locked in on this issue, wanting to get to the money, not just the boots on the ground and the people committing the violence.” [09:52]
  • Following Trump’s official designation of ANTIFA as a terrorist organization, the possibility of new investigative levers is discussed.
    • Seamus Bruner: “It’s a forcing function that really gets … law enforcement agencies [to] open up broader investigations.” [10:35]

• Debate Over ANTIFA’s Status

  • Democrat critics call the ANTIFA designation a ‘mythical’ move. Bruner counters:
    • Seamus Bruner: “It’s preposterous to say that ANTIFA isn’t an organization just because it doesn’t have… some sort of corporate entity. There’s all kinds of groups that don’t have corporate entities that can be investigated as organizations.” [11:13]

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5. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Holds by a Thread

Timestamps: 11:47–15:10

• U.S. Oversight and Continuing Violations

  • U.S. State Department warned of imminent Hamas violations against Gazans (not Israelis), prompting Israeli retaliation after an attack killed two IDF soldiers.
    • Tim Pierce: “The situation is tenuous, but not unexpected. The Trump administration knew going into this that it would likely take strict US Oversight to keep the violence in check.” [12:06]
  • Vivid social media evidence of violence against civilians is cited, raising concerns about Hamas control.

• Ceasefire Details

  • IDF maintains position behind a “yellow line” as agreed in the ceasefire.
  • Netanyahu responded to attacks with airstrikes and strong rhetoric; Hamas admitted to attacks but cited loss of contact with their Gaza-based cells.
  • Ongoing tension over the return of Israeli hostages’ bodies — “the group has said it needs more time to locate those bodies.” [14:26]

• Trump Administration’s Peace Stance

  • Despite violence, Trump remains optimistic about expanding the Abraham Accords.
    • Trump (via Tim Pierce): “The Abraham Accords are a miracle in a way... They stayed in and they’re doing incredibly well.” [14:52]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Amber Jo Cooper, on protest demographics:
  “It was a much older crowd than you typically see with—I’d say most attendees being over the age of 60.” [03:34]

• Seamus Bruner, on protest funding:
  “This is basically anything but grassroots, right?” [08:45]

• Seamus Bruner, on accountability:
  “They all seem very locked in on this issue, wanting to get to the money, not just the boots on the ground and the people committing the violence. But who is financing this?” [09:52]

• Seamus Bruner, on ANTIFA’s structure:
  “It’s preposterous to say that ANTIFA isn’t an organization just because it doesn’t have… some sort of corporate entity.” [11:13]

• Tim Pierce, on the Middle East situation:
  “The Abraham Accords are a miracle in a way. And the four countries that went in initially…they stayed in and they’re doing incredibly well.” [14:52]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• No Kings Protests Overview & Violence: 02:18–04:24
• Legal Challenges to National Guard Deployments: 04:24–05:45
• International Drug Smuggling/Trump’s Response: 05:45–06:23
• Funding Exposé & Riot Inc.: 07:32–11:43
• Middle East Ceasefire & US Policy: 11:47–15:16

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Tone & Language

The tone throughout the episode is direct, fact-focused, and urgent, in line with Morning Wire’s style. Guests and hosts are critical of protest organizers’ funding, firmly supportive of law enforcement responses, and consistently skeptical about the grassroots nature of the activism. Reporting on Israel/Gaza is empathetic but subject to a “hard facts first” approach, while political and legal topics remain measured and analytical, frequently quoting official sources and direct statements.

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Summary prepared for listeners who want all core details, memorable moments, and context–without commentary, ads, or digressions.

Transcript

[Host/Announcer]

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[Cabot Phillips]

If.

[John Bickley]

President Trump was a king, the government would be open right now.

[Seamus Bruner]

If President Trump was a king, they.

[John Bickley]

Would not have been able to engage.

In that free speech exercise.

The no Kings protests prompt blowback from Republicans while President Trump pushes even harder on his immigration crackdown. I'm Daily Wire Executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Monday, October 20th. This is Morning Wire.

[Host/Interviewer]

A new investigation exposes the dark money fueling the anti Trump protests sweeping the country.

[Seamus Bruner]

We've looked at probably a dozen or so funding networks with more than $10 billion flowing through these accounts.

[John Bickley]

And Israel strikes back after they say Hamas violated the ceasefire while the US Warns the terror group is planning attacks on Gaza civilians.

[Tim Pierce]

These are very violent people. This is a very violent part of the world. Nobody's seen violence like this.

[Host/Interviewer]

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

[Host/Announcer]

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[John Bickley]

President Trump continues his immigration crackdown, deploying more National Guardsmen nationwide, hundreds of thousands gathered for protests against him.

[Host/Interviewer]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips has the latest on the mass demonstrations and the president's response. So Cabot, once again we had no Kings protests erupting across the country. What happened at those protests?

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah, on Saturday, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, potentially more than a million, took part in Anti Trump no Kings protests at more than 2,000 locations around the country. Remember, this was a follow up to similar no Kings rallies that took place back in June. And while the demonstrations were largely peaceful this go round, there were some pockets of violence that we saw. In Portland, for example, three protesters were arrested following an alleged assault. Then in Chicago, 15 more were arrested after clashing with law enforcement outside of an ICE facility. And then in la, police were forced to deploy tear gas after declaring an unlawful assembly. Now, as you can imagine, protesters expressed anger with Trump over just about everything that he's done since taking office. But there's no doubt that his illegal immigration crack and subsequent National Guard deployments were at the forefront. Daily Wire Congressional correspondent Amber Jo Cooper was on the ground in D.C. for a large protest there. Here she is describing the scene and also the message that she heard.

[Amber Jo Cooper]

Yeah, I spoke with protesters all day and immigration came up time and time again. Protesters were very angry over ICE deportations and National Guard deployments that we're seeing across the country. I also heard a number of people bring up their opposition to Trump's rolling back of DEI policies. Demonstrators also accused the administration of being fascist. Many called Trump not just a king, but a Nazi. And one thing that also really stood out was who was protesting. Usually when you think of political protests you envision a younger crowd, but that was not the case here as it was a much older crowd than you typically see with I'd say most attendees being over the age of 60.

[Cabot Phillips]

And we should note, Amber, Joe is not the only one that noticed the elevated age of many of the protesters there. Even a lot of left leaning media outlets acknowledge the fact that that this was not a young person's movement by and large.

[Host/Interviewer]

Now Cabot, as you mentioned, the main topic of these protests is immigration and specifically Trump's deployment of the National Guard to support ICE in that mission. But lately he's faced some legal setbacks. How how do things stand in the courts?

[Cabot Phillips]

Right. So remember, Trump is arguing that the National Guard is necessary to protect federal agencies and also facilities that have been attacked and really threatened by left wing agitators. But virtually everywhere that he has ordered those deployments, he has faced lawsuits from Democratic lawmakers in Illinois and Oregon. Federal courts have temporarily blocked his order while a California case is ongoing. But it appears likely a judge will rule against Trump there as well. And then on Friday, we saw the latest lawsuit coming out of Memphis, where Guardsmen have already hit the ground. Seven Tennessee officials have filed yet another lawsuit against Trump. That effort is being backed by Democracy Forward, a far left nonprofit funded by Democratic mega donors. Though a judge in that case denied a request to put an immediate hold on the deployment, they set a court date for November 3rd so it could be blocked here in the coming weeks. Now, for their part, the White House is seeking relief from the Supreme Court. They filed a formal request Friday calling for them to intervene and allow the Guardsmen to continue being deployed. Specifically in Chicago, where they argued a lower court ruling, quote, improperly impinges on the president's authority and needlessly endangers federal personnel and property.

[Host/Interviewer]

Now, speaking of presidential authority pivoting a little bit, what's the status of President Trump's attempts to stop some of those drug boats in South America and Central America?

[Cabot Phillips]

Right. Following a strike on a submarine believed to be smuggling drugs for the first time, two of the alleged smugglers survived. And that left the White House in a really tricky spot. Ultimately, they opted to release those two men to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia. Colombian Foreign Minister Armando Benedetti called the survivors, quote, criminals who will face justice for drug trafficking. President Trump again warned that, quote, unquote, under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narco terrorists trafficking illegal drugs by land or by sea.

[Host/Interviewer]

So President Trump not deterred on either front. It sounds like cabin. Thanks for reporting.

[Cabot Phillips]

Absolutely.

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[Host/Interviewer]

No Kings protests over the last week has drawn attention to the organizations fueling them. Now a new report from Peter Schweitzer and his Government Accountability Institute found nearly $300 million from billionaire backed networks is being funneled into the protests organizers.

[John Bickley]

Joining us now to discuss is Seamus Bruner, Director of research at GAI and author of Controligarchs. Seamus, good to see you again. Thanks for coming on.

[Seamus Bruner]

Always a pleasure, John.

[John Bickley]

So look, with all the noise surrounding these no Kings protests, your team dug into the organizations conducting them. What did you find?

[Seamus Bruner]

We found dozens of official organizers and partner organizations that are facilitating, enabling, running these no Kings protests. And by and large, they were mostly peaceful. The one in my town was actually quite lame. But across the country there were some violent ones. Portland, always a hot spot. Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, the usual suspects. And what we found is that these are extremely well funded, these organizations. I mean we calculated over 200 million, really closer to $300 million in the last five years have gone into the partner organization. So this is basically anything but grassroots, right?

[John Bickley]

And this is part of a larger pattern when it comes to left wing protests. You guys have tracked that, what you've been calling Riot Inc. Which includes events like the no Kings protests. Unpack that for us. Who is behind this exactly?

[Seamus Bruner]

The main person who keeps coming up is George Soros. And we thought, well, it's not just George Soros and his Open Society institutes. I mean he's, he's a main financier of all kinds of left wing projects, including the protest industrial complex. But there's also this Arabella network. They are a major financier of these protest movements and groups. There's also the Tides funding network, the Ford Foundation, Ford Funding Network. So we've, we've looked at probably a dozen or so funding networks with more than $10 billion flowing through these accounts. But the main ones we'd put into our report were the Soros, Arabella, Tides and a few other funding networks.

[John Bickley]

Now, as you noted, some of these did get a little violent, but we've had lots of protests over the years get very, very violent. Is there a sense that there's going to be some accountability for these institutions funding these protests?

[Seamus Bruner]

That's my sense. I was at the White House last week talking with President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. They all seem very locked in on this issue, wanting to get to the, the money, not just the boots on the ground and the people committing the violence. But who is financing this? I've spoke with Some people at the Homeland Security investigations, they seem to be very interested in the follow the money aspect. So I think that they are working their way up.

[John Bickley]

Yeah. Related to that, we've just seen the Trump administration label antifa a terrorist organization. They appear at many of these events. How does that impact the sense that there's going to be some sort of accountability again for these organizations?

[Seamus Bruner]

Yeah, the designation, I mean, I think it's one that a lot of Americans get sort of uneasy about because it can cut both ways. What I see is that it's a forcing function that really gets kind of lights a fire underneath the law enforcement agencies so that they can open up broader investigations. At the end of the day, the people who they arrest, whether they're domestic terrorists or not, are going to be charged with violent crimes. And so I don't think that they're going to be arresting anybody as a domestic terrorist who hasn't actually committed some sort of crime.

[John Bickley]

The Democrats countered this by claiming that ANTIFA is actually a myth, it's not actually an organization, and thus a false label. What's your response to that?

[Seamus Bruner]

Yes, I mean, it's preposterous to say that the ANTIFA isn't an organization just because it doesn't have, like an LLC or a EIN or, you know, some sort of corporate entity. There's all kinds of groups that don't have corporate entities that can be investigated as organizations. But law enforcement has the tools to follow the money, even in those ways that we don't.

[John Bickley]

Right. And we'll see what actions the Trump administration takes in the near future.

Sure.

Seems like, as you've said, they are highly focused on this issue. Seamus, thank you so much for talking with us.

[Seamus Bruner]

Thanks, John.

[John Bickley]

Vice President Vance is set to visit the Middle east this week as President Trump's historic Middle east peace deal is buffeted by violent clashes in Gaza.

[Host/Interviewer]

Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce is here to talk about the latest on the ceasefire in Gaza. So, Tim, the State Department warned Hamas, and now Israel has sent retaliatory strikes. How is this ceasefire holding?

[John Bickley]

Yeah, the situation is tenuous, but not unexpected. The Trump administration knew going into this that it would likely take strict US Oversight to keep the violence in check. And we saw the beginning of that on Saturday when the State Department said in a statement, the United States has informed the guarantor nations of the Gaza peace agreement of credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza. Now, to clarify, this statement is very specifically about Hamas attacks against Gazans. Nothing to do with The Israelis. Yet Trump went on Fox Business this weekend to talk about it.

[Host/Interviewer]

Do you believe they really will disarm?

[Tim Pierce]

Well, they promised they would. They said they would. It's down that they would. Now they said they were gang members, etc. Etc. You know, if we have to, we'll disarm the U.S. well, whether it's me or the U.S. or it's, you know, a proxy, could be Israel with our back and we won't have boots on the ground. There's no reason to.

[John Bickley]

Last week, social media was filled with videos that are probably what the State Department is referring to here. Videos of Palestinians being publicly executed or essentially tortured for alleged crimes by Hamas. In one video I saw, a Gazan was held down while his legs were broken with rocks and steel rods.

[Host/Interviewer]

Very difficult footage to watch. Now, Israel has already said that Hamas has violated the ceasefire, that they've killed two Israeli soldiers. Will the IDF go back into Gaza if they continue or have already attacked their soldiers?

[John Bickley]

Yeah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his security cabinet over the weekend to discuss that very possibility. As it stands now, the IDF is still holding behind the so called yellow line. That was the line that was agreed to in the first phase of the ceasefire. In that attack you mentioned. According to the idf, Hamas militants came out of a tunnel in IDF territory and fired an anti tank rocket at Israeli forces that killed two soldiers. Netanyahu vowed a strong response. He launched about 20 airstrikes across Gaza. For its part, Hamas didn't deny the attack. It just said that because the attack happened in an area under Israeli control, quote, contact has been severed with our groups that remain there, so it can't talk to them. It's also worth noting that Hamas still hasn't fulfilled its end of the first phase of the ceasefire. It still has about half of the bodies of dead hostages that are supposed to be returned to Israel. The group has said that it needs more time to locate those bodies.

[Host/Interviewer]

So the ceasefire is holding, but very tenuous for now, it sounds like. Has President Trump indicated any of his thoughts about the future of peace in the Middle East?

[John Bickley]

Yeah, Trump is still optimistic about it. The US Military is in the region providing oversight to the ceasefire. And then of course, the vice president and special envoy Steve Witkoff are headed to the region later this week. Despite the chaos, Trump said on Sunday he is looking forward to an expansion of the Abraham Accords.

[Tim Pierce]

I don't want to use the word immediate, but soon. The Abraham Accords are a miracle in a way. And the four countries that went in initially, including uae. Highly respected, big and highly respected. They stayed in and they're doing incredibly well.

[John Bickley]

So the president seems ready to ride this out for peace in the Middle East. Whatever happens in Gaza, well, we all hope he's successful.

[Host/Interviewer]

Tim, thanks for reporting.

[John Bickley]

Thanks for having me on.

Thanks for waking up with us. And if you're watching on YouTube, don't forget to like and subscribe. We'll be back this evening with more news you need to know.

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