Shapiro Interviews Zelenskyy & Tren De Aragua Smuggling | Afternoon Update | 4.24.25

Summary

Morning Wire Afternoon Update | April 24, 2025

Hosted by John Bickley and Georgia Howe

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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).

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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.

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

Transcript

[Advertiser Host]

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[John Bickley]

Daily Wire's own Ben Shapiro presses Ukraine's leader on his handling of the war. The Trump administration accuses Venezuela of helping Trent and a Texas bill could open the door to more Colony Ridge like developments. I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, April 24th, and this is your MORNING Wire afternoon update.

[Ben Shapiro]

Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to press him on the handling of the war and US Taxpayer money. Zelensky insisted that Ukraine would be fully transparent on how American funds are spent, claiming US Aid has gone to weapons and battlefield support, not salaries or pensions. He's also invited full inspections and maintained that no U.S. weapons have been misused or sold.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

What kind of transparency can you provide to the American people to guarantee that their taxpayer dollars are being used in the best possible way to fight Russia, to defend Ukraine, and to ensure that if the United States wants wouldn't ought to be possible by the United States of where those dollars are going Done?

Yes. Most of those money were in the form of weapons. Now, that's first thing. All of those weapons came. The money were paid to the transportation of those weapons. Ukrainian companies were not allowed to transport this money. That's why we haven't received, not in the public, not in the private sector, the money for the transportation. There were different assistance programs, the training of Ukrainian soldiers abroad. There's many things I'm documenting and registering, administering what we have. I understand there could be different calculations, different assistance programs or aid programs, but this is like an audit, really.

[Ben Shapiro]

While Zelenskyy denied cracking down on faith groups, he said churches tied to Russian intelligence have no place in Ukraine.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

So it's not only about the ties at the level of intelligence. There was a legal connection, legal ties for many years. But that shouldn't be the case. We shouldn't be having disputes or controversies around whose church is older than the others. And Ukraine shouldn't be speaking about this. Look, we're sitting here close to the Sofia Cathedral. Sofia is older than Russia's capital city and any churches they have. This building is older than that. That's the answer. We shouldn't be having any disputes. We have scientific evidences.

[Ben Shapiro]

The first half of the interview was released on the Ben Shapiro show today.

[John Bickley]

President Trump is telling Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop following a barrage of strikes on Ukraine overnight. Daily Wire Deputy Managing editor Tim Rice.

[Tim Rice]

Has more Trump took to Truth Social to slam the attacks on Kyiv as not necessary while urging Russia to commit to a peace deal. The strikes, which killed at least nine people and left many more injured, come despite Ukraine agreeing to a US Backed ceasefire last month, one that would recognize Russia's hold over Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. The strike comes amid mounting tension between the United States and Russia as Putin secured a deal to open a naval base in war torn Sudan. The Trump administration is urging Sudan to back away, warning that cooperation with Moscow's defense sector could trigger sanctions. The base, which would likely hold Russian warships and nuclear subs, could give Russia a strategic foothold in the Red Sea.

[Ben Shapiro]

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's directive dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion in case through 12 schools. The ruling comes after lawsuits from the NEA and ACLU claiming the guidance violates teachers, First Amendment and due process rights. The Education Department had warned schools to drop DEI practices or risk losing federal funding.

[John Bickley]

The FBI says Venezuela's Maduro regime may be aiding the infiltration of Trin de Aragua gang members into the U.S. they say it's all part of a plan from the regime to target Venezuelan dissidents on American soil. The Trump designated terror group is allegedly being used as a proxy to destabilize US communities. While a recent intel report disputes direct ties to Caracas, Trump officials say the threat is real, vowing strict action to prevent violence and uphold national security.

[Advertiser Host]

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[Ben Shapiro]

California Governor Gavin Newsom is backing up the Trump administration's push to keep an illegal immigrant and convicted killer behind bars. Oscar Eduardo Ortega Anguiano is convicted in the death of two teens. He was under the influence when he hit their car at nearly 100 miles per hour. Now he's set for early release after serving just three and a half years of a ten year sentence. Newsom is now saying the state will honor a federal ICE detainer and efforts to bring new felony immigration charges. U.S. attorney Bilal Aseli says these types of cases are something he'll be focusing on moving forward.

[Bilal Aseli]

Those are illegal aliens who've reentered committed crimes. We'll be very aggressive with them. There were no filings the last few years under the prior administration. 00 of 1326 cases as of last week, we've had over 200 filings in.

[Ben Shapiro]

My office, aseli says. Ortega Anguiano could face up to 20 years in federal prison for illegal re entry.

[John Bickley]

A new bill going through the Texas Legislature is drawing scrutiny, with critics saying it opens the door to target illegal immigrants with predatory practices. Daily Wire investigative reporter Spencer Lindquist has the exclusive.

[Spencer Lindquist]

The legislation, which was drafted by Colney Ridge's defense lawyer and a powerful lobbying group, exempts residential real estate developers from some key mortgage origination laws, weakening state oversight and shifting accountabilities to the loan originators rather than the developments. Emails obtained by the Daily Wire show coordination between the Texas Land Developers association and the lawyer currently defending Colony Ridge against the Department of Justice. The bill is being pushed by lawmakers who receive substantial donations from those with a financial stake in the bill's passage. Critics say that it opens the door to predatory practices, especially in developments like Colony Ridge that targets illegal aliens with high interest land deals.

[Ben Shapiro]

And Columbia University appears to be cracking down on anti Israel protests amid the potential for unrest. The Ivy League school says it will disperse any encampments and arrest those involved, citing safety and campus disruption. The alert follows a secret Brooklyn meeting where masked organizers urged protesters to reclaim the lawn. Columbia says it values free expression, but only within university rules. The protests echo last year's encampment chaos that ended in arrests and a campus lockdown. Before we go, we want to share some big news. Starting on Monday, April 28, we're launching a video version of Morning Wire.

[John Bickley]

You've trusted us for fast, accurate news, and now we're excited to bring you into our studio to see us on video for audio listeners. Don't worry, it won't change your listening experience. It's just another way to enjoy the show.

[Ben Shapiro]

You'll be able to find Morning Wire video on our YouTube channel and of course, on the Daily Wire app and website. Or you can continue listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

[John Bickley]

All right, thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.