Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: Trump Scolds U.N. & Kimmel Returns | 9.24.25
Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe
Notable Guests: Cabot Phillips, Jim Jordan, Amanda Presta Giacomo
Overview
This episode of Morning Wire delivers a comprehensive look at the latest headlines in politics and culture. The main focus areas are President Trump’s combative speech at the United Nations, revelations about Google and YouTube's censorship practices, and the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night TV following his suspension over comments made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Key Segments & Insights
1. Trump’s Scathing U.N. Speech
Segment Begins: [02:08]
- Recap of the Speech: President Trump addressed the United Nations, criticizing its actions as "incompetent, inefficient, and weak," and likened his address to a "Festivus" airing of grievances ([02:27], Cabot Phillips).
- Main Criticisms:
- Accused the U.N. of "funding a war against themselves" and being "all talk, no action."
- Called out countries buying oil from Russia "while fighting Russia" ([00:39], Trump quoted by John Bickley).
- Warned western nations against open borders and mass migration, tying these issues to rising crime ([03:30], Trump).
- Condemned the U.N.'s push for aggressive green energy policies, suggesting they merely "redistribute manufacturing" to countries like China with weaker regulations ([03:56], Trump).
- Palestinian Statehood: He voiced strong opposition to the U.N.’s support for Palestinian statehood, claiming it would reward terrorism, especially after the October 7th attacks ([04:53], Trump).
- Ukraine Stance Change: After a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump took an unexpectedly supportive stance, stating Ukraine could "retake the 20% of their land held by Russia" with EU and NATO support—marking a shift from previous calls for Ukraine to cede territory ([05:17], Cabot Phillips).
- Notable Quote:
- “The only thing that solves war and wars is action.” — Donald Trump [03:17]
- “The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities.” — Donald Trump [04:53]
2. Google, YouTube, and Censorship
Segment Begins: [07:29]
- Google’s Admission: Google admitted to the House Judiciary Committee that they censored Americans on YouTube in response to Biden administration pressure and agreed to reinstate banned creators ([07:41], John Bickley with Jim Jordan).
- Quote:
- “A win for the First Amendment, a win for free expression.” — Jim Jordan [01:06], [09:00]
- Committee Context: Jim Jordan discussed their three-year investigation into the "censorship industrial complex" and described the process by which the administration pressured platforms to deplatform conservative voices ([07:59], Jordan).
- Historical Note: Reference made to the Disinformation Governance Board and concerns over the role of government in moderating speech ([09:12], Jordan).
- Enforcement in Europe: Jordan flagged concerns that what is happening with American tech censorship could soon happen to Americans traveling abroad, referencing a recent comedian’s arrest in the UK over tweets posted in the U.S. ([10:52], Jordan).
- Next Steps: Ongoing investigation into demonetization on YouTube and ensuring that such censorship does not repeat under another administration ([10:52], Jordan).
3. Jimmy Kimmel’s Return & Charlie Kirk’s Legacy
Segment Begins: [11:43]
- Kimmel’s Suspension: Jimmy Kimmel returned to air after being suspended for making misleading comments regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
- His monologue referenced political pressure and clarified that he had not intended to make light of Kirk’s death or blame a specific group ([12:13]–[13:17], Kimmel).
- Quote:
- “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man… If the situation was reversed, there's a good chance I'd have felt the same way.” — Jimmy Kimmel [12:43]
- Ongoing Fallout: Despite the lifted suspension, dozens of ABC affiliates (notably Nexstar and Sinclair) refused to air his show, citing a need for "respectful, constructive dialogue" ([13:17], Amanda Presta Giacomo).
- Some affiliates will not air the show until they are satisfied improvements have been made.
- Details of the Controversy: The suspension followed Kimmel’s false suggestion that Kirk was killed by a “MAGA gang,” despite official confirmation that the suspected assassin was a leftist with a personal grievance ([14:17], Presta Giacomo).
- Charlie Kirk’s Tour Resumes: Despite Kirk’s assassination, Turning Point announced their campus tour would continue in his memory, with his widow Erica Kirk stepping up as CEO ([14:26], Presta Giacomo).
- The tour was renamed “The Turning Point Tour” and speakers include Michael Knowles, Megan Kelly, Glenn Beck, Alex Clark, Tucker Carlson, among others.
- Emotional Tribute: At a University of Minnesota event, Knowles left an empty chair for Kirk and addressed the community’s grief and resolve ([15:20], Presta Giacomo).
- Quote:
- “The enemies of civilization… thought they could stop Charlie Kirk’s movement. In reality, they have not even stopped his lecture tour.” — Michael Knowles [15:44]
- Quote:
Memorable Quotes
- Donald Trump on the UN:
- “It’s embarrassing to them and it was very embarrassing to them when I found out about it. I can tell you that.” [00:39]
- Jim Jordan on Censorship:
- “It is never the good guys who are for censorship. It is always the bad guys.” [09:12]
- Jimmy Kimmel’s Acknowledgment:
- “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual.” [12:43]
- “If the situation was reversed, there’s a good chance I’d have felt the same way.” [13:10]
- Michael Knowles on Kirk’s Assassination:
- “I'm confident even fewer people will watch [Kimmel] this time.” [16:06]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Trump's U.N. Speech Breakdown: [02:08]–[06:23]
- Google/YouTube Censorship & Jim Jordan Interview: [07:29]–[11:39]
- Jimmy Kimmel Return & Charlie Kirk Legacy: [11:43]–[16:31]
Tone & Takeaways
The episode maintains a critical tone toward the establishment (UN, media, big tech). The hosts and their guests are direct, skeptical of institutional motives, and frame their coverage as corrective to mainstream narratives. The emotional highlight centers on the remembrance of Charlie Kirk and the continuing of his mission, contrasted by the controversy and fallout facing prominent media figures like Jimmy Kimmel.
For listeners seeking concise coverage of major political and cultural events with a conservative perspective, this episode encapsulates the ongoing tensions between government, tech, and media—with emphasis on newly shifting positions, ongoing fights for free expression, and the enduring cultural divides.