Trump-Putin Phone Call & COVID Lab Leak Coverup | 3.18.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary: Trump-Putin Phone Call & COVID Lab Leak Coverup | 03.18.25

Episode Release Date: March 18, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of Morning Wire, hosted by Georgia Howe and John Bickley, the discussion delves into two major topics: the high-stakes phone call between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine ceasefire, and the emerging revelations about the COVID-19 lab leak theory. The episode provides in-depth analysis, insightful commentary, and notable quotes to keep listeners informed on these critical issues.

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Trump-Putin Phone Call: Negotiating Peace in Ukraine

Context and Significance

The episode begins with Georgia Howe announcing the scheduled phone call between Trump and Putin aimed at discussing peace and asset division concerning Ukraine. John Bickley emphasizes the unique position Trump holds in potentially ending the conflict, echoing sentiments from both President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that only Trump could broker a resolution ([00:03] - [00:18]).

Ceasefire Negotiations

Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser, provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect from the call:

• Putin’s Conditions: Putin is likely to agree to a ceasefire only if the U.S. pauses new weapons shipments to Ukraine and Ukraine refrains from mobilizing new forces for 30 days ([02:19]).

• Zelensky’s Position: Zelensky remains skeptical of Putin's willingness to ceasefire genuinely, suggesting that Russia aims to prolong the conflict to gain territorial advantages. He urges Trump to push for maximum additional sanctions if Russia stalls peace talks ([02:21]).

• Territorial Concessions: A significant debate revolves around Ukraine potentially ceding land to Russia, including Crimea and the Donbass region, to end the war. John Bickley questions the national interest and realism of expelling every Russian presence from Ukrainian soil ([04:47] - [05:06]).

Peacekeeping Forces

The discussion also touches on the future of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine post-ceasefire:

• Putin’s Stance: Putin has consistently opposed NATO membership for Ukraine and is unlikely to agree to European peacekeepers without significant concessions ([05:06]).

• Ukraine’s Perspective: Ukraine may seek European peacekeepers as a security guarantee, with European leaders already agreeing to send forces ([05:06]).

Notable Quotes

• Georgia Howe: "Trump pushes ahead with deporting violent gang members despite legal efforts to bring them." ([00:22])

• Tom Homan: "Back to the U.S. these are heinous monsters. Rapists, murderers, kidnappers..." ([00:38])

• Donald Trump: "We're getting down to a very critical stage, and we want to get the whole Russia, Ukraine thing done." ([03:30])

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Immigration and Deportations Under Trump

Deportation of Trend Aragua Gang Members

The episode shifts focus to President Trump's aggressive immigration policies, specifically the deportation of over 250 suspected Trend Aragua gang members:

• Executive Order: Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport these individuals without judicial hearings. Despite legal challenges from the ACLU, the deportations proceeded as aircraft departed U.S. airspace before the court ruling could take effect ([06:14] - [07:34]).

• Legal Battle: The DOJ argues that plaintiffs cannot interfere with presidential authority in national security matters, seeking to vacate the court hearing ([07:34] - [08:09]).

• Administration’s Stance: Tom Homan asserts confidence in the administration's legal standing, emphasizing the commitment to national safety ([08:09] - [08:24]).

Broader Immigration Enforcement

Ash Short outlines the broader impact of Trump's immigration policies:

• Enforcement Statistics: In the first 50 days of Trump's administration, ICE made over 32,000 arrests, nearly matching the total for the entire fiscal year 2024. Approximately 75% of those arrested were accused or convicted criminals ([09:29]).

• Border Control Success: Illegal border crossings dropped by 94% in February compared to the previous year, with a 99% decline in the Del Rio sector since 2023 ([09:29]).

• Political Impact: These measures have shifted voter priorities, reducing concerns about illegal immigration from a top priority to the fourth among voters ([09:29]).

Notable Quotes

• Ash Short: "President Trump signed an executive order invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798..." ([06:39])

• Donald Trump: "I don't care what the judges think. I don't care what the left thinks. We're coming." ([07:23])

• Tom Homan: "This administration acted within the confines of the law..." ([08:09])

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COVID Lab Leak Coverup Allegations

New Intelligence from UK and Germany

The podcast delves into unsettling revelations about the origins of COVID-19:

• UK Memo: A memo from the former head of MI6 suggests that the Wuhan Institute of Virology engineered the virus in January 2020, contradicting previous reports that dismissed the lab leak theory ([10:21]).

• German Intelligence: German Foreign Intelligence also indicated an 80-90% probability that COVID-19 leaked from a Chinese lab ([10:51]).

Insights from Michael Shellenberger

Michael Shellenberger, an independent journalist, provides expert analysis:

• Implications: The memo suggests a coordinated information operation by the Chinese government to deflect blame. This revelation implicates senior American officials, including Anthony Fauci, and raises questions about the initial U.S. response to the pandemic ([10:51] - [13:07]).

• Accountability: Shellenberger emphasizes the need for uncovering the truth over prosecuting individuals prematurely, advocating for a thorough investigation into the lab leak theory ([13:07] - [14:26]).

Political Ramifications

• Trump’s Position: Trump disputes Biden's pardons for Fauci and others, arguing that they were signed with an auto-pen, rendering them invalid. He aims to hold Fauci accountable for the perceived mishandling of the pandemic ([13:07]).

• Investigations: The episode highlights ongoing investigations and the push for accountability from congressional members, although specific actions remain to be seen ([13:39]).

Notable Quotes

• Michael Shellenberger: "This is one of the most significant coverups. I mean, it's hard to find a bigger one." ([00:57])

• Mike Waltz: "We do not recognize the occupied territories as territories of Russia, and we will never recognize them." ([02:21])

• John Bickley: "We have to ask ourselves, is it in our national interest? Is it realistic?" ([04:47])

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Conclusion and Insights

The Morning Wire episode provides a comprehensive analysis of two pivotal issues: the potential end to the Ukraine conflict through a Trump-Putin dialogue and the controversial revelations surrounding the origins of COVID-19. Through expert interviews and detailed reporting, the podcast underscores the complexities of international diplomacy, national security, and public health accountability. Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of the current geopolitical landscape and the internal challenges within the United States.

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Note: This summary excludes non-content sections such as advertisements, intros, and outros to focus solely on the informative segments of the podcast episode.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

Trump and Putin are set today to discuss peace and dividing up assets with Ukraine.

[John Bickley]

As both President Putin and Zelensky said on our first call just a few weeks ago, only President Trump could drive this to an end.

[Cabot Phillips]

What can we expect from the high stakes call between the two leaders?

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor in chief John Bickley. It's Tuesday, March 18th, and this is Morning Wire. Trump pushes ahead with deporting violent gang members despite legal efforts to bring them.

[Tom Homan]

Back to the U.S. these are heinous monsters. Rapists, murderers, kidnappers, sexual assaulters, predators who have no right to be in this country and they must be held accountable.

[Cabot Phillips]

And new reports show both the UK And Germany had intel that the COVID virus was created in a lab, but chose to suppress it.

[Michael Shellenberger]

This is one of the most significant coverups. I mean, it's hard to find a bigger one.

[Georgia Howe]

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

[Caroline Levitt]

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[Cabot Phillips]

President Trump will hold what could be a pivotal phone call with Russia's Vladimir Putin today as the two sides move closer to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

[Georgia Howe]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here with the latest on what to expect. So, Cabot, this really could be the end of the war. What are we expecting them to talk about?

[Mike Waltz]

So today's conversation will likely center on a potential ceasefire. At the moment, it seems that Putin will only agree to a ceasefire if he has assurances that the US Would pause new weapons shipments to Ukraine in the meantime and that Ukraine would not be allowed to mobilize new forces during that 30 day period. But there are plenty of folks, including Volodymyr Zelensky, who say Putin is exaggerating his openness to a ceasefire.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, where does Zelensky stand?

[Mike Waltz]

So over the weekend he told reporters that, quote, the Russians say we support a ceasefire, but. And then after the but they start coming with various details to delay the process. He says Putin is well aware that Western support for Ukraine is starting to dwindle, and he wants to drag out the ceasefire process to allow his side to gain as much territory as possible ahead of negotiations so that, you know, he'll have more leverage. And to that point, Moscow has recently launched a counteroffensive in the Kursk region, territory in Russia that had fallen into Ukrainian hands last summer after a surprise incursion. Putin says thousands of Ukrainian troops there are currently surrounded. He called on them to, quote, lay down their arms and surrender in exchange for their lives. So the longer a ceasefire is delayed, the more time Putin will have to close in on those troops and the more leverage that he would likely have once talks begin. For that reason, among others, Zelensky is calling on Trump to exert pressure on Moscow to accept a ceasefire. Now, over the weekend, he issued a plea for, quote, maximum additional sanctions on Russia if they continue to stall. For his part, Trump said, quote, we can do that, but I hope it's not necessary. Speaking from the Kennedy Center, President Trump addressed his looming call with Vladimir Putin.

[Donald Trump]

We're getting down to a very critical stage, and we want to get the whole Russia, Ukraine thing done. And I think Ukraine wants it. I know they want it. Everybody wants it. It's tremendous death. The bloodshed is unbelievable.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, assuming Putin does agree to a ceasefire today, and, and that's a big if, what is he going to be looking for during the formal peace talks?

[Mike Waltz]

Well, the biggest debate will be over territorial concessions. At this point, it's pretty clear that Ukraine will need to cede land to the Russians in order for this war to end. The question is really just how much. Putin has shown a clear willingness to continually throw young and old Russians into the front lines and is unlikely to end the war if it means coming back empty handed. Specifically, he wants to formally retain control of Crimea as well as the Donbass region in Eastern Ukraine. For his part, Zelenskyy had insisted that he would never cede land to Putin. This week, he said, quote, we do not recognize the occupied territories as territories of Russia, and we will never recognize them. But at this stage, it's all but guaranteed that he'll have to agree to some land being lost in order to end the war. As the Trump White House sees it, the cost of retaking that land is just too high, even if it is unfair. Here's Trump national Security Adviser Mike Waltz speaking to CBS about that difficult reality.

[John Bickley]

We have to ask ourselves, is it in our national interest? Is it realistic? Are we going to drive every Russian off of every inch of Ukrainian soil, including Crimea. We can talk about what's right and wrong and we also have to talk about the reality of the situation on the ground.

[Mike Waltz]

The other big points of contention surround peacekeeping forces in Ukraine following a potential agreement. Putin has said from day one that he will never agree to a deal that includes NATO membership for Ukraine. And to this point, most of Europe and the US Seem to agree that they will not be given member status. So that makes it likely that Ukraine will push for European peacekeepers within their borders after the war. European leaders have already agreed to send boots on the ground. Now the question becomes if Putin will sign off on a deal that includes such a security guarantee. Hopefully we'll get some more answers later today.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, there's a lot riding on this call. Hopefully we see some progress. Cabot, thanks for reporting.

[Mike Waltz]

Anytime.

[Caroline Levitt]

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[Cabot Phillips]

A showdown over a planeload of suspected trend Aragua gang members has pitted immigrant activists against Trump. The administration is moving forward with deportation of over 250 individuals despite legal moves from the ACLU.

[Georgia Howe]

Here to discuss the situation is Daily Wire senior editor Ash Short. So, Ash, can you first clarify the timeline and why these deportations became so controversial?

[Ash Short]

Sure. On Friday night, President Trump signed an executive order invoking the Alien enemies Act of 1798, which allowed suspected gang members in the country illegally to be deported without a judicial hearing. The signing wasn't promoted, but the media caught wind of it on Saturday morning. The left wing ACLU then jumped in and filed a court order trying to stop the deportations. By Saturday afternoon, however, the planes were already in the air. By the time Judge James Boasberg's order was issued, the flight was already outside US Airspace. That's according to a senior administration official speaking to Axios. Trump's border czar Tom Homan dismissed the ruling, saying he and Trump will not stop until America is safe.

[Cabot Phillips]

We're not stopping.

[Donald Trump]

I don't care what the judges think. I don't care what the left thinks. We're coming.

[Georgia Howe]

Okay, so these individuals believed to be a part of trend Aragua, are now in El Salvador. Does this order mean that they now have to be brought back to the.

[Ash Short]

U.S. that's the legal battle that's now taking shape. The Trump DOJ filed a response in court saying plaintiffs cannot use these proceedings to interfere with the president's National Security and Foreign Affairs Authority. They also asked to vacate the hearing and stop interfering with the executive branch. The other legal issue here is the use of the Alien Enemies act and whether it gives the president the authority to deport illegal immigrants without a judicial hearing. But the White House welcomes the fight. In fact, press Secretary Caroline Levitt addressed the topic in her press briefing on Monday.

[Tom Homan]

This administration acted within the confines of the law, again within the president's constitutional authority and under the authority granted to him under the Alien Enemies Act. We are quite confident in that, and we are wholly confident that we are going to win this case in court.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, this is just one battle in a much larger war over what to do with the illegal immigrants that are currently in the US where else is this playing out?

[Ash Short]

Well, ever since Trump was inaugurated, Democrats have fought tooth and nail to keep illegal immigrants, even those convicted of violent crimes, from being deported. California set up a legal slush fund to fight deportations. And other sanctuary cities have said they would openly defy administration orders. And just recently, emails were leaked showing Minneapolis area lawyers actively working to keep ICE from apprehending illegal immigrants. Minneapolis is one of many sanctuary cities that said it wouldn't comply with ice. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, issued a formal legal opinion after emails were sent from a leftist legal organization saying that state law, quote, prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from holding someone based on an immigration detainer if the person would otherwise be released from custody.

[Georgia Howe]

But in general, the Trump administration has made some significant headway on immigration. What do the recent numbers show?

[Ash Short]

Absolutely. In the first 50 days of the Trump administration, ICE made more than 32,000 enforcement arrests, just a hair shy of the total number of arrests made in all of fiscal year 2024. Nearly half of those arrested were convicted criminals, and about a third had pending criminal charges, meaning 75% of those arrested were accused or convicted criminals. Illegal border crossings also fell by 94% in February compared to the previous year. And illegal encounters at the Del R Rio sector declined by 99% since 2023. In fact, Trump has been so successful with illegal immigration in his first two months of office that concerns about the issue have dropped from a top priority to a fourth priority for a majority of voters.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, it was a major campaign promise. Ash, thanks for reporting.

[Ash Short]

You're welcome.

[Georgia Howe]

We learned this week that the former head of the UK's Foreign Intelligence Agency told the British Prime Minister in early 2020 that the COVID virus escaped from the infamous Wuhan lab.

[Cabot Phillips]

Joining us now to discuss is independent journalist and author Michael Shellenberger. Hey Michael, thank you so much for joining us.

[Michael Shellenberger]

Thanks for having me.

[Cabot Phillips]

So let's start with what we found out from the UK related to the origins of the coronavirus. What did we just learn and how does this change the way we think about how the UK in particular handled this situation? Sure.

[Michael Shellenberger]

I mean, what just got released was a memo sent from the former head of MI6, which is the UK's version of the CIA. And it was sent with a very well known and respected professor from London School of economics in early 2020 that essentially debunked this Nature article called Proximal Origin, which claimed to have debunked that the virus came from a lab. We had done earlier reporting on this way back in 2023, showing that there was higher ups, to use the language of the key authors, Christian Andersen, who had basically changed the direction that they were going in their research. And so we already knew that this proximal origin paper was manipulated. Well, now we have this British memo again from the former head of MI6, saying that the Chinese government is engaged in an information and influence operation to deflect responsibility. The memo says, beyond a reasonable doubt, the Wuhan Institute of Virology retro engineered a Bat virus in January 2020. We surmise that this was done to align with COVID 19, to sustain the natural causation narrative. So, you know, the implications of this conspiracy, I think it's the correct word in this case, are pretty significant because it would suggest that you now have the us, uk, Chinese and German governments who all knew that the virus escaped from the lab arguably as early as January. And we had reported that the US intelligence community had known in fact the names of the first three people to be infected by the COVID virus, and that didn't come out. So, I mean, this is significant both because it obviously implicates a number of senior American officials, including Anthony Fauci. But it may have meant that our response to the virus may have been different had we known that it come from a laboratory. Yeah, and it's worth noting that just a few days before the British announcement, two major newspapers in Germany revealed that the German Foreign Intelligence Service, their version of the CIA, had also believed that there was a 80 to 90% chance that the coronavirus had leaked from a Chinese Lab.

[Cabot Phillips]

Now, you mentioned Fauci. Trump has just made the statements declaring that Biden's preemptive pardons for Anthony Fauci and others are invalid. His argument is that all of these pardons were signed by an auto pin, and thus Biden did not actively sign them and allegedly was not even fully aware what was being enacted in his name. Trump's going to try to make that case. We'll see if that holds up. But related to this topic, a lot of people are looking for some sort of accountability, particularly from Fauci. What do you see coming on that front? What investigations are ongoing with congressional members? Where can we look for potential accountability?

[Michael Shellenberger]

Yeah, I mean, first, I should say I don't. I don't know that I'm comfortable with this idea that you would revoke pardons. I just think that that opens up a whole Pandora's box that I don't think we want to do, and I appreciate, desire. People have to get some revenge on Fauci. He certainly appears to have done wrong in many ways. But the most important thing is just to get the truth out. And whatever it takes to do that, I think is important. And so I don't know what's possible legally, but, I mean, we still don't have all the documents. I mean, we. We reported on a bunch of the documents, but there's just got to be a lot more there. There's probably more from various agencies, including the intelligence community, but I think the priority should be on getting the truth out, not on prosecuting or incarcerating people that lied.

[Cabot Phillips]

What we've seen so far, this administration seems like it's pretty committed to transparency. Let's hope that holds up and we get some more transparency on this issue. Thank you so much for talking with us.

[Michael Shellenberger]

Thanks for having me.

[Georgia Howe]

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