Morning Wire Afternoon Update | April 24, 2025

Hosted by John Bickley and Georgia Howe

1. Ben Shapiro Interviews President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ben Shapiro engages in a pivotal conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, focusing on Ukraine's management of the ongoing war and the utilization of U.S. taxpayer funds.

• Transparency of U.S. Aid:

  President Zelenskyy emphasizes Ukraine's commitment to transparency regarding American financial support. He asserts, “Most of those money were in the form of weapons... Ukrainian companies were not allowed to transport this money... It's like an audit, really” (01:27).

• Allocation of Funds:

  Zelenskyy clarifies that U.S. aid is allocated exclusively to military efforts, including weapons and battlefield support, rather than salaries or pensions. He invites full inspections to ensure funds are appropriately used, stating, “We have scientific evidences” regarding the proper use of weapons (02:17).

• Handling of Faith Groups:

  Addressing allegations of targeting faith groups, Zelenskyy denies any crackdown, instead highlighting the removal of churches with ties to Russian intelligence. He remarks, “Ukraine shouldn't be having any disputes... We have scientific evidences” (02:10).

2. U.S. Foreign Policy and Tensions with Russia

John Bickley reports on President Trump's directives aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning recent strikes on Ukraine.

• Trump’s Call for Ceasefire:

  Trump urges Putin to cease the attacks on Kyiv, labeling them as “not necessary” while advocating for a peace deal. He warns, “If Russia continues this path, we will take stronger measures” (03:10).

• Russian Naval Base in Sudan:

  The episode highlights Russia's strategic move to establish a naval base in Sudan’s Red Sea region. Trump administration officials caution that this could enable Russian warships and nuclear submarines to gain a foothold, potentially threatening U.S. interests. “Cooperation with Moscow’s defense sector could trigger sanctions,” warns Tim Rice (03:10).

3. Legal Battles Over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Schools

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's directive to dismantle DEI programs in K-12 schools.

• Lawsuits and Judicial Ruling:

  The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed lawsuits arguing that the directive infringes on teachers' First Amendment rights and violates due process. The judge’s ruling halts the Department of Education’s mandate, ensuring that schools can continue their DEI initiatives (03:50).

4. Venezuela’s Involvement in U.S. Infiltration Efforts

John Bickley discusses allegations that Venezuela’s Maduro regime is assisting the Trin de Aragua gang in infiltrating the United States.

• FBI Claims vs. Intel Reports:

  The FBI contends that Maduro is using the Trin de Aragua gang as a proxy to destabilize U.S. communities and target Venezuelan dissidents. Despite recent intelligence reports disputing direct ties to Caracas, Trump officials maintain the threat is imminent, pledging stringent measures to protect national security (04:13).

5. California’s Stance on Illegal Immigration and Convicted Offenders

Ben Shapiro addresses Governor Gavin Newsom’s support for federal efforts to retain illegal immigrants with criminal convictions.

• Case of Oscar Eduardo Ortega Anguiano:

  Ortega Anguiano, convicted of causing the deaths of two teenagers while driving under the influence, is facing early release after serving three and a half years of a ten-year sentence. Governor Newsom endorses honoring federal ICE detainers and supports prosecutorial efforts to charge such individuals with felony immigration offenses. “Those are illegal aliens who've reentered committed crimes. We'll be very aggressive with them,” states U.S. Attorney Bilal Aseli (05:34).

6. Texas Legislature’s Controversial Real Estate Bill

A new bill in the Texas Legislature is under scrutiny for potentially enabling predatory practices against illegal immigrants in the real estate sector.

• Legislation Details:

  Investigative reporter Spencer Lindquist reveals that the bill, crafted by Colony Ridge’s defense lawyer and supported by influential lobbying groups, exempts certain residential developers from key mortgage origination laws. This shift places accountability on loan originators rather than developers, raising concerns about increased exploitation (06:09).

• Potential Impact on Illegal Immigrants:

  Critics argue the legislation could facilitate high-interest land deals targeting illegal aliens, reminiscent of Colony Ridge's controversial practices. Coordination between the Texas Land Developers Association and Colony Ridge's legal team suggests a deliberate strategy to weaken state oversight (06:09).

7. Columbia University Cracks Down on Anti-Israel Protests

Ben Shapiro reports on Columbia University’s measures to control anti-Israel demonstrations on campus.

• Security Measures and Arrests:

  The Ivy League institution has announced plans to disperse protest encampments and arrest participants to prevent unrest and maintain campus safety. This follows a clandestine meeting in Brooklyn where masked organizers planned to reclaim university lawns. Columbia asserts, “We value free expression, but only within university rules” (06:47).

• Historical Context:

  The current crackdown echoes last year’s protests, which led to numerous arrests and a campus lockdown, indicating a pattern of stringent responses to disruptive demonstrations (06:47).

8. Morning Wire Launches Video Edition

John Bickley and Ben Shapiro announce the expansion of Morning Wire into a video format, accessible via the Daily Wire’s YouTube channel and other platforms.

• Enhanced Accessibility:

  “You’ve trusted us for fast, accurate news, and now we’re excited to bring you into our studio to see us on video,” says John Bickley (07:23). The hosts reassure listeners that the video format will complement the existing audio experience without altering it, offering another medium to engage with the show’s content (07:34).

Conclusion

This episode of Morning Wire provides a comprehensive update on significant political and social developments, including high-profile interviews, legislative debates, and international relations. From President Zelenskyy's assurances on U.S. aid transparency to the Texas Legislature's controversial real estate bill, the hosts deliver in-depth analysis and exclusive insights to keep listeners well-informed.

For more detailed coverage, visit the Daily Wire website or tune into the Morning Wire video on YouTube.