Time’s Person of The Year & More Diddy Lawsuits | Afternoon Update | 12.12.24

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: “Time’s Person of The Year & More Diddy Lawsuits | Afternoon Update | 12.12.24”
Release Date: December 12, 2024
Hosts: John Bickley and Georgia Howe
Presented by: The Daily Wire

---

1. Donald Trump Named Time’s 2024 Person of the Year

Cabot Phillips announced that former President Donald Trump has been honored as Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2024. This recognition underscores Trump’s significant impact on American politics and history.

Sam Jacobs, Time Editor in Chief, described the decision as "straightforward", emphasizing that "no single individual has played a larger role in reshaping politics and history than Trump" (00:33).

Despite facing extensive legal challenges, Trump achieved a remarkable political comeback by "sweeping swing states and securing the popular vote, a feat no Republican has accomplished in decades" (00:33). Time attributes his success to his "ability to broaden his appeal across nearly all voter demographics", marking his status as the first president since Ronald Reagan to "ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange" (00:33).

Jeremy highlighted the historic moment, noting, "Historic moment at the New York Stock Exchange as we get this opening bell run by the President Elect Donald Trump" (01:04).

---

2. Biden Administration’s Border Wall Fire Sale

With the end of his term approaching, the Biden administration is reportedly "fire selling" portions of the border wall, potentially hindering Trump’s plans to refurbish it upon his return to office.

Tim Pierce provided exclusive insights, revealing that "unused border wall materials are being hauled away from areas near Tucson, Arizona" and auctioned off in Marana, Arizona, with steel panels starting at "$5 apiece" (01:29).

A border agent mentioned the administration aims to "clear the materials before Christmas", complicating Trump's efforts to restart construction immediately (01:29). Congressman Eli Crane condemned the move, stating it is "a direct affront to the will of the people" and "undermining Trump's mandate" (01:29). The Biden administration has yet to comment on these actions.

---

3. President Biden’s Historic Clemency Grants

President Biden has issued a significant number of clemency actions, commuting 1,500 sentences and pardoning 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes. This marks the "largest single day clemency grant in modern history" as per the White House.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre stated, "For far too long, our criminal justice system has closed doors of opportunity for..." (02:11), while John Bickley continued, "too many people who should have the chance to once again participate in daily life and contribute to their communities" (02:29).

Despite these efforts, Biden faces criticism over the controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, with recent polls indicating the public largely disapproves of this decision (02:41). President Biden remains committed to further criminal justice reform before the end of his term (02:41).

---

4. Inspector General’s Report on January 6 Capitol Riot

The Justice Department's inspector general released a comprehensive review of the January 6 Capitol riot. Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice elaborated on the findings, which indicate that 26 confidential human sources were present during the events, with only three specifically directed by the FBI to attend the rally (02:54).

Jeremy emphasized that "none of these sources were instructed to break the law or encourage others to commit illegal acts" (03:05). The report detailed that three sources entered the Capitol, and eleven accessed restricted areas, yet "none were prosecuted" (03:05). Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security did not designate the rally at the highest security level.

This report was released shortly after FBI Director Chris Wray announced his resignation, adding another layer to the unfolding narrative surrounding the January 6 investigations (03:05).

---

5. New Lawsuits Against Sean "Diddy" Combs

Sean "Diddy" Combs faces three new anonymous lawsuits alleging sexual assaults at Manhattan hotels and his Hamptons estate. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo reported the details:

• One victim alleges Combs "told him to stop resisting during an assault" (04:10).
• Another recalls "waking to find the attack being filmed" (04:10).
• A third accuses Combs and his associates of "taking turns assaulting him after his drink was drugged at a party" (04:10).

Combs has denied all allegations, with his attorneys characterizing the claims as "lies" and promising to "fight the claims" aggressively (04:10).

---

6. Alex Jones Retains Control of Infowars

A federal judge has denied the sale of Alex Jones’ Infowars to The Onion, a satirical news site. Cabot Phillips reported that Judge Christopher Lopez found flaws in the auction process but "no bad faith" on Jones’ part (04:40).

The Onion’s bid of $1.75 million, supported by Sandy Hook victims’ families and including benefits for creditors, was outbid by higher offers. The ruling results in delayed payments to Sandy Hook families as Jones continues to contend with nearly $1.5 billion in defamation judgments (04:40).

---

7. Deadly Stabbing Linked to Migrant Gangs in Lower Manhattan

A tragic stabbing in lower Manhattan, investigated by New York police, resulted in the death of a 17-year-old and injury of an 18-year-old. The attack is tied to rival Venezuelan gangs, specifically the Los Diablos group.

John Bickley shared the survivor’s account: "A group of people show up like a gang and they pull out a knife towards me and my friend" (05:14). Initially considered a hate crime, authorities later attributed it to a dispute over gang signs (05:14). The suspects, captured on video wearing COVID masks, remain at large (05:14).

---

8. Massachusetts Man Stuck in Chimney During Police Raid

In a bizarre incident, Robert Langlace, a 33-year-old man from Fall River, Massachusetts, became trapped in a chimney while attempting to evade police during a drug raid. Cabot Phillips reported that Langlace had to be rescued by police and firefighters after getting stuck (05:55).

He was subsequently taken to the hospital and faced multiple drug-related charges along with other outstanding warrants (06:20). Additionally, a 32-year-old woman, Tanisha Ebay, was arrested as a second suspect in the operation (06:31).

---

Conclusion

John Bickley wrapped up the episode by directing listeners to dailywire.com for more information and encouraged tuning into the full episode of Morning Wire for in-depth reporting on the day’s biggest stories (06:31).

---

Notable Quotes:

• Sam Jacobs (Time Editor in Chief): "No single individual has played a larger role in reshaping politics and history than Trump." (00:33)
• Karine Jean Pierre (White House Press Secretary): "For far too long, our criminal justice system has closed doors of opportunity for..." (02:11)
• John Bickley: "Too many people who should have the chance to once again participate in daily life and contribute to their communities." (02:29)
• Jeremy: "Historic moment at the New York Stock Exchange as we get this opening bell run by the President Elect Donald Trump." (01:04)
• Cabot Phillips: "This fire sale of resources is a direct affront to the will of the people." (01:29)

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the December 12, 2024 episode of Morning Wire, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven’t listened to the podcast.

Transcript

[Jeremy]

This episode is brought to you by Jeremy's Razors. Time is running out. Don't miss out on Jeremy's Razors Cyber deals For the sane, self respecting men and women on your Christmas list, order by December 15th with standard shipping to guarantee delivery by Christmas. Head over to jeremysrazors.com today.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Weyer Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, December 12th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Cabot Phillips]

Donald Trump has been named times 2024 Person of the Year. Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips has the latest.

[Sam Jacobs]

Times Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs called the decision, quote, straightforward, adding that, quote, no single individual has played a larger role in reshaping politics and history than Trump. Despite the lawfare efforts against him, the president elect defied expectations, sweeping swing states and securing the popular vote, a feat no Republican has accomplished in decades. The magazine cites Trump's ability to broaden his appeal across nearly all voter demographics as key to his historic comeback. Today, Trump became the first president since Ronald Reagan to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

[Jeremy]

Historic moment at the New York Stock Exchange as we get this opening bell run by the President Elect Donald Trump.

[John Bickley]

With just weeks left in the office, the Biden administration is fire selling parts of the border wall. The effort is being viewed as an effort to hinder Trump's ability to build it back up. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.

[Tim Pierce]

Videos obtained exclusively by the Daily Wire show sections of unused border wall materials being hauled away on flatbed trucks from areas near Tucson, Arizona. The materials are being transported to an auction in Marana, Arizona, where they are listed for sale through a government surplus site. A border agent says the administration's goal is to clear the materials before Christmas, complicating Trump's plan to restart construction immediately after taking office. Auctions have already begun for these steel panels, which are initially priced at just $5 apiece. Congressman Eli Crane of Arizona accused the administration of undermining Trump's mandate, saying this fire sale of resources is a direct affront to the will of the people. The Biden administration has declined to comment.

[Cabot Phillips]

President Biden has commuted 1500 sentences and issued pardons for 39 people convicted of nonviolent crimes. The White House calls it the largest single day clemency grant in modern history. Here's White House press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre. For far too long, our criminal justice.

[John Bickley]

System has closed doors of opportunity for.

[Cabot Phillips]

Too many people who should have the.

[John Bickley]

Chance to once again participate in daily life and contribute to their communities.

[Cabot Phillips]

Biden plans further action on criminal justice reform before his term ends. The move comes amid criticism of Biden's controversial pardon of his son Hunter, which recent polls show is unpopular with most Americans.

[John Bickley]

The Justice Department's inspector general has released his much anticipated review of the January 6 Capitol riot daily. Wired Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has details.

[Jeremy]

The report revealed that 26 confidential human sources were in the crowd during the January 6 Capitol riot, but insists that only three were directed by the FBI to attend the rally. Inspector General Michael Horowitz emphasized that none of these sources were instructed to break the law or encourage others to commit illegal acts. Thursday's report says three of the sources entered the Capitol and 11 more entered the restricted area on the grounds of the Capitol. It's worth noting that none of these confidential human sources were prosecuted for their actions. The Department of Homeland Security had not designated the rally at the highest security level. We should also note this report was released one day after FBI Director Chris Wray announced his resignation. This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com morningwire that's shopify.com morningwire.

[Cabot Phillips]

Three new lawsuits from men spell more trouble for Sean Diddy Combs Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo has the latest.

[Amanda Prestigiacomo]

The lawsuits, which were filed anonymously in New York, allege that the assaults occurred at Manhattan hotels and Combs Hamptons estate. One victim claims Combs told him to stop resisting during an assault, while another recalls waking to find the attack being filmed. A third accuses Combs and associates of taking turns assaulting him after his drink was drugged at a party. Combs once again has denied the allegations, calling them lies through his attorneys who vowed to fight the claims.

[Cabot Phillips]

Alex Jones will hang on to infowars for now. A federal judge has rejected the sale of Jones show to the satirical news site the Onion. Judge Christopher Lopez cited flaws in the auction process but found no bad faith. Families of Sandy Hook victims had supported the Onion's $1.75 million bid, which included additional benefits for creditors, but it fell short of competing offers. The judge's ruling delays payments to Sandy Hook families as Jones continues to face nearly 1.5 billion in defamation judgments.

[John Bickley]

New York police are investigating a deadly stabbing in lower Manhattan tied to rival migrant gangs. The attack left a 17 year old dead and an 18 year old injured. Here's the 18 year old who survived the attack. I was with my friend yesterday. A group of people show up like a gang and they pull out a knife towards me and my friend. According to authorities, both victims were associated with the Los Diablos Venezuelan gang and say the incident occurred outside a city run migrant shelter. Police initially probed it as a hate crime but later linked it to a dispute over gang signs. The suspects, who were caught on video wearing Covid masks, remain at large.

[Cabot Phillips]

And a Massachusetts man trying to escape police found himself in a tight spot, literally. Authorities say 33 year old Robert Langlace of Fall river got stuck in a chimney while trying to hide from officers during a drug raid. Langlace had to be rescued by police and firefighters.

[John Bickley]

Perfect, huh?

[Tim Pierce]

There you go.

[Cabot Phillips]

He was then taken to the hospital before being charged with multiple drug offenses and outstanding warrants. A second suspect, 32 year old Tanisha Ebay, was also arrested.

[John Bickley]

All right. Those are your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and for more in depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune in to our full episode of Morning Wire. Every morning.