Trump Goes to Washington & Musk Leads DOGE | 11.14.24

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary: "Trump Goes to Washington & Musk Leads DOGE | 11.14.24"

Introduction

In the November 14, 2024 episode of Morning Wire, presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe, listeners are treated to an in-depth analysis of significant political developments. The episode delves into former President Donald Trump's return to Washington D.C., his strategic cabinet nominations, his unexpected cordial meeting with President Joe Biden, the election of Senator John Thune as the new Senate Republican leader, and the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Throughout the discussion, the hosts provide insightful commentary, backed by contributions from Daily Wire reporters Tim Rice, Amanda Presta Giacomo, and Megan Basham.

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Donald Trump's Return to Washington D.C.

Timestamp: [00:03]

The episode opens with Georgia Howe announcing Donald Trump's return to Washington D.C., highlighting his meetings with Congress members and a one-on-one session with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office.

Notable Quote:

Donald Trump ([00:10]): "Welcome. Thank you very much. Thank you very much."

Impact of Senate Leadership Change

The conversation transitions to the implications of Senator John Thune's election as the new Senate Republican leader on Trump's agenda.

Tim Rice ([00:29]): "Trump's cabinet nominations are rejecting the establishment and shaking up DC, Matt Gaetz knows."

John Bickley ([00:35]): "Exactly what to do with the Attorney General's office. He will turn that into the most powerful attorney general in American history."

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Trump's Cabinet Nominations: Gaetz and Hegseth

Timestamp: [05:54] - [10:24]

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Trump's controversial cabinet picks, notably Matt Gaetz as Attorney General and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.

Matt Gaetz as Attorney General

Amanda Presta Giacomo ([06:21]): "This was really a bombshell pick, at least for the so-called establishment. He's a representative from Florida and a self-styled firebrand who's been one of the most vocal anti-establishment voices on Capitol Hill."

Gaetz's nomination has sparked mixed reactions. Democrats and mainstream media express concerns, linking his selection to potential Trump retribution. Gaetz's past scrutiny by the DOJ over alleged sex trafficking crimes, despite no charges, plays into the narrative.

Notable Quote:

John Bickley ([07:15]): "They make their own. The question is whether you communicate with them, not whether you control them."

Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense

Amanda Presta Giacomo ([07:52]): "He's best known for co-hosting Fox and Friends weekends on Fox News, but Hegseth has quite an impressive resume. During his 20 years of military service, he's served in tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay."

Hegseth's appointment is viewed favorably by conservatives for his strong stance against "woke" ideologies in the military. However, Democrats and defense industry leaders criticize his qualifications, citing concerns over his lack of traditional defense leadership experience.

Notable Quote:

John Bickley ([09:19]): "Men and women are just different. I'm okay with the idea that you maintain the standards where they are for everybody and if there's some, you know, hard charging female that meets that standard, great, cool. Join the infantry battalion."

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Trump's Meeting with President Biden

Timestamp: [02:53] - [05:15]

One of the most surprising highlights of Trump's return was his cordial meeting with President Joe Biden. Despite their historically tumultuous relationship, the two leaders maintained professionalism and a friendly demeanor.

Notable Quote:

Donald Trump ([03:19]): "And looking forward to having a, like we said, smooth transition. Do everything we can to make sure you're accommodated, what you need, and we're going to get a chance to talk about some of that today."

The meeting was marked by mutual respect and a commitment to a seamless transition of power. However, tensions remain evident between the First Ladies, with Melania Trump declining Jill Biden's invitation to a traditional tea, reportedly due to lingering frustrations over the Mar-a-Lago raid.

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Election of Senator John Thune as Senate Republican Leader

Timestamp: [04:21] - [05:18]

Senate Republicans elected South Dakota Senator John Thune as their new leader, an event that holds potential implications for Trump’s legislative agenda.

John Thune's Potential Impact

John Bickley ([04:34]): "Signs suggest that Thune and Trump will work well together. He wasn't Trump world's first pick, that was Florida Senator Rick Scott, who dropped out after the first round of voting."

Thune is characterized as an old-school institutionalist, which may lead to strategic collaborations as well as occasional clashes with Trump over policy directions.

Notable Quote:

John Bickley ([05:12]): "Unlike Scott, who made it clear that his number one goal as majority leader would have been pushing through Trump's agenda, Thune is more of an old school institutionalist. So we shouldn't be surprised if Thune and Trump find themselves locking horns at some point over the next four years."

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Creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Timestamp: [10:42] - [14:04]

A groundbreaking announcement was made regarding the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Details and Objectives

Donald Trump ([10:33]): "I will create a Government Efficiency Commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government."

Megan Basham ([10:59]): "It's a wink to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, obviously Doge. But a little more seriously, Musk and Ramaswamy have been out giving interviews, and they're providing a lot of indications of what exactly they hope to do with this new commission."

DOGE aims to scrutinize government spending and operations to recommend cuts and reforms, adopting a non-governmental advisory role to avoid bureaucratic inertia.

Notable Quotes:

John Bickley ([12:02]): "I mean, there are more federal agencies than there are years since the establishment of the United States, which means that we've created more than one federal agency per year on average. That seems a lot."

Megan Basham ([12:32]): "Trump is hoping that Doge will do something similar [to the Grace Commission]. Ramaswamy has been out saying that he also hopes it will restore the American people's confidence that they're being governed by those they elected and not by unelected bureaucrats."

Public and Political Reactions

The initiative has sparked both excitement and concern. Supporters laud the move as a step towards reducing government waste and enhancing efficiency, reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's 1982 Grace Commission. Critics worry about the potential overreach and the feasibility of implementing Musk and Ramaswamy's recommendations.

Notable Quote:

Megan Basham ([13:08]): "Musk also posted on X that all of the actions of Doge will be posted online for maximum transparency, which will allow the American people to weigh in in real time with their priorities."

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Conclusion

The episode of Morning Wire provides a comprehensive overview of the dynamic shifts occurring within Washington D.C. as Donald Trump reasserts his influence, navigates cabinet selections, engages diplomatically with President Biden, and spearheads innovative government reform through DOGE. With insights from key Daily Wire contributors, the discussion underscores the transformative potential of these developments and their implications for the future of American politics.

Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for ongoing coverage and analysis of these pivotal events shaping the nation's political landscape.

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Notable Advertisements Skipped

As per the podcast guidelines, advertisements and non-content sections were omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses pertinent to the episode's themes.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

Donald Trump returns to D.C. holding meetings with Congress and a one on one with Joe Biden in the Oval Office.

[Donald Trump]

Welcome. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

[Tim Rice]

How will the selection of Senator John Thune affect Trump's agenda?

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor in chief John Bickley. It's Thursday, November 14th, and this is MORNING Wire.

[Tim Rice]

Trump's cabinet nominations are rejecting the establishment and shaking up DC Matt Gaetz knows.

[John Bickley]

Exactly what to do with the Attorney General's office. He will turn that into be most powerful attorney general in American history.

[Tim Rice]

And the Elon Musk inspired Department of Government efficiency begins to take shape.

[Georgia Howe]

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

[Regan]

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[Tim Rice]

Donald Trump made his triumphant return to Washington yesterday. The biggest story on a busy day in our nation's capital.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with more is Daily Wire deputy Managing editor Tim Rice. So, Tim, a major moment here. How did Trump's return to D.C. go?

[John Bickley]

You know, Georgia, it was great. Trump started the day at a meeting of the House Republican Conference where he congratulated members on their recent victories and looked forward to a bigger House majority.

[Donald Trump]

Nice to win. It's always nice to win. So, you know, we had like historic kind of numbers, especially for the president, but we won't get into that. But the House did very well. And I think we're responsible for 31 helping you with 31, meaning we could have lost by quite a bit. And we ended up, I guess you'll be five up. Are you looking at five or four? Five or four, right. Doesn't matter. We get used to one for a little while. When you can get used to one, you can get used to anything.

[John Bickley]

Trump joked about potentially chipping away at the newly won House majority by tapping Elise Stefanik and Mike Walz for his administration, saying that he wanted at least 15 more House Republicans in the White House. He also signaled his support for House Speaker Mike Johnson, calling him a tremendous guy and saying that he was with him all the way.

[Georgia Howe]

So a warm welcome from House Republicans. That's somewhat to be expected. But what about Trump's meeting with Biden? That was really something.

[John Bickley]

Yeah, it was surprisingly warm. Now, the media were only allowed in for the beginning of the Oval Office. Sit down. But what we saw was pretty cordial. The two presidents set aside the fiery rhetoric that has characterized their relationship for years and in fact, seemed downright friendly. Here they were exchanging pleasantries and committing to a smooth transfer of power.

[Donald Trump]

Well, Mr. President Elect and former President, thank you, Donald. Congratulations.

[John Bickley]

Thank you.

[Donald Trump]

And looking forward to having a, like we said, smooth transition. Do everything we can to make sure you're accommodated, what you need, and we're going to get a chance to talk about some of that today. Politics is tough and it's in many cases not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today. And I appreciate very much a transition that's so smooth, it'll be as smooth as it can get.

[John Bickley]

After that exchange, the press pool began shouting questions at Trump and Biden, who laughed and cut each other a knowing look. All in all, it was probably the most pleasant interaction we've ever seen between these longtime political rivals.

[Georgia Howe]

So all good between the two presidents, but that was not the case with the first ladies.

[John Bickley]

Yeah, that's right. Listeners may have noticed that Melania Trump did not accompany her husband to D.C. that's because she declined Jill Biden's invitation to the first ladies tea that traditionally accompanies these presidential handoff meetings. Sources say that Melania is still upset with the Bidens over the Mar A Lago raid, and that's why she refused to join Dr. Jill for tea.

[Georgia Howe]

So still some tension between the Trumps and Bidens. Now, last question. While Trump was making the rounds, Senate Republicans elected South Dakota Senator John Thune as their new leader. How is that going to affect Trump's agenda?

[John Bickley]

Well, obviously, it's a bit too early to tell, but signs suggest that Thune and Trump will work well together. He wasn't Trump world's first pick. That was Florida Senator Rick Scott, who dropped out after the first round of voting. Over the weekend, Thune said he would work with Trump to quickly confirm the president's nominees. But while Trump and Thune may work well together, it may also be the case that the newly minted majority leader occasionally pushes back on Trump. Unlike Scott, who made it clear that his number one goal as majority leader would have been pushing through Trump's agenda, Thune is more of an old school institutionalist. So we shouldn't be surprised if Thune and Trump find themselves locking horns at some point over the next four years.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[John Bickley]

Anytime.

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[Georgia Howe]

President elect Donald Trump's latest cabinet picks include Florida Representative Matt Gaetz as attorney general and U.S. army veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, two of the most intriguing Trump selections thus far.

[Tim Rice]

Here to discuss is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presta Giacomo. Hey Amanda. So let's start with Matt Gaetz as ag. That was just announced yesterday and sparked a lot of buzz. Tell us about that pick.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Yeah, this was really a bombshell pick, at least for the so called establishment. First, a little background on Gates. He's a representative from Florida and a self styled firebrand who's been one of the most vocal anti establishment voices on Capitol Hill. So somewhat of an outsider pick. And you can see that by the response from Democrats and legacy media who are really sounding the alarm over Gaetz. They tried to link this choice to their Trump retribution theme suggesting Gates will be on the warpath against Trump's enemies. Gates was investigated by the DOJ over alleged sex trafficking crimes but was never charged. On the flip side, because of all of that, some conservatives view Gaetz as exactly the right fit as someone who was wrongly victimized by the doj. Here's Matt Gaetz trading barbs with the current AG Merrick Garland during a hearing.

[Tim Rice]

We do not control those offices.

[John Bickley]

They make their own. The question is whether you communicate with them, not whether you control them. Do you communicate with them? And we provide those communication, make a request, we'll refer it to our Office of Legislation. But see, here's the thing. You come in here and you lodge this attack that it's a conspiracy theory, that there is coordinated law fair against Trump and then when we say fine, just give us the documents, give us the correspondence and then if it's a conspiracy theory, that will be evident.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

So we can probably Expect a pretty tense confirmation process.

[Tim Rice]

Yeah, it won't be boring, that's for sure. Now, another Trump pick that garnered a lot of attention was Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. What do we know about Heth?

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Yeah, I mean, he's best known for co hosting Fox and Friends weekends on Fox News, but Heth has quite an impressive Resume. During his 20 years of military service, he's served in tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge along with other military awards. And he's still a member of the Minnesota National Guard's Inactive Ready Reserve. Hexeth has degrees from the Ivy League, both Princeton and Harvard. He's also been active with helping veterans since leaving active duty. And he's written numerous books, including one on how woke ideology has infiltrated the military. Military, that's a big concern for a lot of Americans right now, right?

[Tim Rice]

What has he said exactly on that issue?

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Hexath has talked a lot about gender ideology, climate alarmism and other so called woke ideologies plaguing the military, which he says really started during the Obama years. Along those same lines, Hexeth has said that most women should not be in combat roles. Women have historically stayed out of those positions until that was changed in 2015 under Obama.

[John Bickley]

Men and women are just different. I'm okay with the idea that you maintain the standards where they are for everybody and if there's some, you know, hard charging female that meets that standard, great, cool. Join the infantry battalion. But that is not what's happened. What has happened is the standards have.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Lowered and overall Hexath has espoused views that do align with Trump's peace through strength and America first principles.

[Tim Rice]

Right. While conservatives are obviously energized over this choice, there's been sort of a meltdown from Democrats and summon the defense industry over him. What's going on there?

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Yeah, Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren said a Fox and Friends weekend co host is not qualified to be the Secretary of Defense. CNN commentator Scott Jennings had some strong pushback against that sentiment.

[John Bickley]

Anyone have confidence in the current leadership of the Pentagon and the way the defense situation has been operating for the last several years? I mean from the Afghanistan pull out, which was an extreme debacle for which no one was held accountable, we've had spy balloons flying over the United States. I'd say I've had just about enough of the so called insiders running the Defense Department. I think we ought to give Pete Hex at the chance.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

There was also another Notable pick from Trump, and that's former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. The former Rep from Hawaii endorsed and campaigned for Trump this past election cycle.

[Tim Rice]

A lot of interesting picks here, shaking up D.C. for sure. Amanda, thanks for reporting.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

You're welcome.

[Donald Trump]

I will create a Government Efficiency Commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government.

[Tim Rice]

Trump made it official on Tuesday, announcing a new Department of Government Efficiency, or doge, that will be led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with more is Daily Wire Culture reporter Megan Basham. So, Megan, this was a big promise Trump made to voters. What do we know about the specifics?

[Megan Basham]

Well, one thing we know is that the name is a wink to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, obviously Doge. But a little more seriously, Musk and Ramaswamy have been out giving interviews, and they're providing a lot of indications of what exactly they hope to do with this new commission. I think first off, it's probably important to note that this will be a non governmental advisory body because, of course, federal departments can only be created by congressional authorization. But that could actually help keep it from becoming the very sort of bureaucracy it's been created to trim. We also know that it will focus on doing a deep study of government spending and size, and then it will provide guidance to the White House's Office of Budget and Management on exactly where to cut. Now, that's key because that office assembles the President's budget request for Congress. And Trump has said that he's giving Musk and Ramaswamy carte blanche to recommend drastic change through large scale structural reform and also a more entrepreneurial approach to government. Here's Musk.

[John Bickley]

I mean, there are more federal agencies than there are years since the establishment of the United States, which means that we've created more than one federal agency per year on average. That seems a lot.

[Tim Rice]

That's a lot.

[John Bickley]

That's a lot.

[Tim Rice]

We should have fewer agencies, and they.

[John Bickley]

Certainly shouldn't have overlapping responsibilities.

[Megan Basham]

Right now, Trump has set a target of July 4, 2026, for Doge to offer its recommendation. And that, of course, is the 250th anniversary of America's founding.

[Georgia Howe]

So have we ever seen anything like this before?

[Megan Basham]

We have. Ronald Reagan did something similar in 1982 with something called the Grace Commission. That was a private sector survey targeting government waste. And Reagan actually said that it was intended to drain the swamp. Some of its recommendations were adopted and later credited with helping to spur that Reagan economy. So no doubt Trump is hoping that Doge will do something similar. Ramaswamy has been out saying that he also hopes it will restore the American people's confidence that they're being governed by those they elected and not by unelected bureaucrats.

[John Bickley]

I mean, the regulatory state is like a wet blanket on the American economy. Most of it's unconstitutional. All we require is leadership with a spine to get in there and actually do what conservative presidents have maybe gestured.

[Megan Basham]

Towards and talked about, but have not.

[John Bickley]

Really effectuated ever in modern history.

[Megan Basham]

Musk also posted on X that all of the actions of Doge will be posted online for maximum transparency, which will allow the American people to weigh in in real time with their priorities. He said if the public thinks they're cutting something important or not cutting something wasteful, they'll be able to let him know. And he added that X will maintain a, quote, leaderboard for most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars that he expects will be both extremely tragic and extremely entertaining and just important. To reiterate, Musk and Vivek are just making suggestions. All changes will go through the legislature.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, I've definitely seen a lot of excitement and also some hysteria about this. Megan, thanks for reporting.

[Megan Basham]

Anytime.

[Tim Rice]

Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back this afternoon with more news you need to know.

[John Bickley]

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