Trump Sues BBC & Michigan Athletics Probed | 12.17.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump Sues BBC & Michigan Athletics Probed | 12.17.25
Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe

Episode Overview

This episode of Morning Wire delivers a sharp look at major news stories: President Trump’s lawsuit against the BBC over alleged media bias, newly revealed FBI-DOJ friction during the Mar-a-Lago raid, and a deep dive on the ongoing scandal and investigation into the University of Michigan athletic department following the firing and arrest of its head football coach. The hosts, along with a slate of expert guests, break down the facts, responses, and implications for each high-impact story.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Trump Sues BBC for $10 Billion

Segment Start: [02:07]

Main Points

• President Trump filed a 46-page lawsuit accusing the BBC of defamation and violating Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
• The lawsuit stems from a BBC documentary, “Trump: A Second Chance,” which aired before the 2024 elections. Trump claims the film deceptively edited two separate quotes from his January 6, 2021, speech, splicing them together out of context to imply incitement.
• The BBC already acknowledged inappropriate editing, launching an internal review that admitted to “serious bias,” and issued an apology but denies grounds for defamation.
• Trump seeks $10 billion in damages, arguing that this was an intentional attempt to interfere with the 2024 election.

Notable Quotes

• Cabot Phillips (Daily Wire Senior Editor) [03:13]:
  "The problem is that quote is actually two quotes, and they were spoken nearly an hour apart during that speech... it's much more clear that Trump was not telling people to storm the Capitol."
• Trump's lawsuit (quoted by Phillips) [03:53]:
  “‘Intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctored his speech in a brazen attempt to interfere in the 2024 presidential election.’”
• BBC statement via Phillips [04:16]:
  “They, ‘regret the manner in which the video was edited, but strongly disagree that there is a basis for a defamation claim.’”

---

2. Trump White House "Hit Piece" and Staff Reaction

Segment Start: [04:19]

Main Points

• A Vanity Fair article by Chris Whipple included on-the-record and surprisingly candid quotes from Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, critiquing high-profile officials like J.D. Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
• Wiles also described President Trump as having an “alcoholics personality.”
• Despite these revelations, the White House responded with unified public support for Wiles. President Trump confirmed and even agreed with her assessment, reflecting on his own “possessive and addictive type personality.”

Notable Quotes

• Susie Wiles (via Phillips) [04:41]:
  "He [JD Vance] has been a conspiracy theorist for a decade." "Pam Bondi completely whiffed... There is no client list, and it sure as hell wasn't on her desk." "[Trump has an] alcoholics personality. He operates with the view that there is nothing he cannot do."
• JD Vance (Vice President) [05:49]:
  "I've never seen her be disloyal to the President of the United States. And that makes her the best White House chief of staff that I think the president could ask for."
• President Trump [05:58]:
  "I've said that many times about myself, I'm fortunate, I'm not a drinker."
• Susie Wiles (on the article) [06:21]:
  "A disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest president, White House staff and cabinet in history."

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3. FBI-DOJ Splits Over Mar-a-Lago Raid

Segment Start: [07:41]

Main Points

• Newly released messages evidence internal FBI doubts about raiding Mar-a-Lago for classified records in August 2022: the Washington field office believed the tip about Trump’s documents was not corroborated and suggested less intrusive means.
• DOJ, under the Biden administration, insisted they had sufficient probable cause and pressed for a broad search.
• FBI agents were concerned not only about lack of evidence, but also about the optics due to DOJ’s more confrontational approach, highlighting significant tension between the agencies.
• Senate Intelligence Chair Chuck Grassley called the raid a “miscarriage of justice.”

Notable Quotes

• Tim Pierce (Daily Wire Reporter) [08:07-09:25]:
  • "An assistant special agent... received some tip that Trump had boxes of classified information at Mar a Lago. But the bureau's Washington field office quote, has some concerns that the information is single sourced, has not been corroborated and may be dated."
  • "Another message said, 'the Washington Field office does, not believe that we have established probable cause for the search warrant...' But DOJ opined that they do have probable cause, requesting a wide scope..."
  • "[DOJ] frankly, doesn't give a damn about the optics of the raid."
  • Sen. Chuck Grassley, quoted [10:31]:
    "These documents show that the raid was a miscarriage of justice."

---

4. Update: Brown University Shooting

Segment Start: [10:42]

Main Points

• The FBI and police have released more images of the suspected Brown University shooter as the investigation continues.
• Law enforcement suspects the attack may have been specifically targeted at Brown University, but definitive confirmation is still pending.

Notable Quotes

• Tim Pierce [10:42]:
  "Police have said that they believe the attack was targeted against Brown University and that there have been some suspicions that he was even more targeted than that, but nothing yet confirmed by law enforcement."

---

5. Michigan Athletics Investigation and Coach Firing

Segment Start: [11:08]

Main Points

• Michigan football head coach Sharrone Moore was fired after university officials discovered an inappropriate relationship with a staff member; Moore was arrested the same evening.
• The investigation, led by a Chicago legal firm, involves a deep dive into Michigan’s athletic department practices and culture.
• Details from prosecutors: Moore went to the staff member’s apartment post-firing, threatened self-harm, and was charged with felony home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering. He pleaded not guilty; hearing set for January 22, 2026.
• Athletic Director Ward Manuel is under scrutiny but remains in his post. The University is also led by an interim president.
• The football team is preparing for a major bowl game under interim coach Biff Poggi. Players are reported as feeling “betrayed” but the staff is working hard to support them.

Notable Quotes

• David Cohn (Former Michigan QB) [11:34]:
  • "It's certainly been a tumultuous week for Michigan football and for the Ann Arbor community...continue to pray for all involved."
  • "[Moore] went to the staff member's apartment...and then threatened to take his own life. And he stated, and I'm quoting here, 'I'm going to kill myself. I'm going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands. You ruined my life,' unquote."
• Interim President Domenico Grasso (quoted by Cohn) [14:03]:
  "Together we will move forward with integrity and excellence and reaffirm our dedication to serving the public good.”
• Coach Biff Poggi (via Cohn) [14:41]:
  • “It has been a tumultuous time. A lot of first disbelief, then anger, then really what we're in right now is the kids quite frankly feel very betrayed and we're trying to work through that."
  • "Lots of arms around shoulders, lots of listening, lots of telling them that you are loved."

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Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode’s tone is brisk, factual, and lightly skeptical, particularly regarding media credibility and political maneuvering.
• Hosts and guests balance terse analysis with empathy, especially in sensitive segments on the Mar-a-Lago raid and Michigan athletics.
• John Bickley [13:52]: "Yeah, and again, let's hope he's okay psychologically,"—a rare moment of openly voiced concern in the generally analytical tone.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump Sues BBC: [02:07]
• White House Hit Piece and Staff Response: [04:19]
• Mar-a-Lago Raid DOJ-FBI Rift: [07:41]
• Brown University Shooting Update: [10:42]
• Michigan Athletics Scandal: [11:08]

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Concluding Notes

Morning Wire's December 17th episode offers fact-driven, concise reporting on stories of politics, government overreach, and sports scandal. Listeners get a front-row seat to the latest developments, with analysis and roundtable reaction that capture the ethos and underlying concerns driving each news item. The hosts maintain a “get the facts first” spirit throughout, capping each segment with direct source quotes and high-profile guest commentary.

Transcript

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[John Bickley]

President Trump files a multibillion dollar lawsuit against the BBC while the White House rebuffs another media driven controversy.

[Georgia Howe]

This was unfortunately another attempt at fake.

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News by a reporter who was acting disingenuously and really did take the chief's words out of context.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire Executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Wednesday, December 17th. This is Morning Wire.

[Georgia Howe]

Newly declassified documents raise questions about the raid on Mar a Lago.

[David Cohn]

This is going to go down as a very dark chapter in American history.

[Tim Pierce]

And President Trump may have recourse now.

[David Cohn]

To be able to seek damages at some point in time.

[John Bickley]

And the University of Michigan launches an investigation after the arrest of its fired coach. We have the latest on the scandal that's rocked the sports world.

[Georgia Howe]

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

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[Georgia Howe]

Launched a multi billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC as he continues to clash with media outlets at home and abroad.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here to get us up to speed on the latest from the White House. Hey, Cabot. So a lot going on in D.C. let's start with this BBC lawsuit, a massive lawsuit. What's going on here?

[Cabot Phillips]

So this week, President Trump filed a 46 page lawsuit in a federal court in Miami accusing the BBC of of not only defamation but also a violation of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices act. And he is looking for $10 billion from the broadcaster. Now, Trump has long clashed with the BBC, but this particular suit stems from a documentary that they put out ahead of the 2024 election. It was called Trump A Second Chance. And the film played this clip of the President's National Mall speech to supporters back on January 6, 2021.

[Donald Trump]

We're gonna walk down to the Capitol, and I'll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not gonna have a country anymore.

[Cabot Phillips]

The problem is that quote is actually two quotes, and they were spoken nearly an hour apart during that speech. When you listen to each of them on their own in the broader context of the speech, it's much more clear that Trump was not telling people to storm the Capitol. For example, here's the original clip in its context.

[Donald Trump]

We're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.

[Cabot Phillips]

Now, that deceptive editing sparked an internal review at the BBC which concluded that there had been, quote, a string of incidents that demonstrates serious bias in the corporation's reporting. Again, that's in their own words. Trump's lawsuit includes that quote from the outlet and says they, quote, intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctored his speech in a brazen attempt to interfere in the 2024 presidential election. Now, the network has already issued an apology to Trump, but the outlet says that they are going to fight back against this lawsuit. In a statement this week, they conceded that they, quote, regret the manner in which the video was edited, but strongly disagree that there is a basis for a defamation claim.

[John Bickley]

Now, the Trump administration had another, you know, hit piece against them related to some of the top advisors of Trump. Tell us about that situation.

[Cabot Phillips]

Y wild story from Vanity Fair that has just taken Washington by storm this week. So, for the last year, Vanity Fair reporter Chris Whipple has been sort of shadowing some of the President's inner circle, mainly chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Part one of that story was published Tuesday, and it included a number of remarkably candid on the record quotes from Wiles talking about some of the inner circle and even cabinet members in the White House. For example, of J.D. vance, Wiles said, quote, he has been a conspiracy theorist for a decade. She also implied that his shifting ideology over the last decade was driven by political motives of Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the Epstein files. Wiles said, quote, pam Bondi completely whiffed. She said that the witness list or the client list was on her desk. There is no client list, and it sure as hell wasn't on her desk. And perhaps most notably, Wiles said President Trump has a, quote, alcoholics personality. He operates with the view that there is Nothing he cannot do.

[John Bickley]

All right, so some head turning comments to say the least. What has been the response from the White House so far?

[Cabot Phillips]

Well, Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olihan spoke to a number of folks in the administration and they weren't exactly thrilled by the quotes that Wiles gave, but they were very quick to defend her as a loyal supporter of the President. Virtually every cabinet member and spokesperson then issued statements after that story was published defending Lyles. Here's VP JD Vance on Tuesday afternoon.

[David Cohn]

I've never seen her be disloyal to the President of the United States. And that makes her the best White House chief of staff that I think the president could ask for.

[Cabot Phillips]

And then hours after those comments, President Trump himself weighed in telling the New York Post that he actually agreed with her assessment about his alcoholics personality, saying, quote, I've said that many times about myself, I'm fortunate, I'm not a drinker. He then went on to say that he has a, quote, possessive and addictive type personality.

[John Bickley]

So the White House not rattled at all, maybe enjoying this a little bit. Yeah.

[Cabot Phillips]

And then Wiles again to close out, said that she thought the interview was a, quote, disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest president, White House staff and cabinet in history.

[John Bickley]

All right, so more drama. And again, maybe they're enjoying this a little bit. Kev, thanks so much for reporting.

[Cabot Phillips]

Absolutely.

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[John Bickley]

The FBI did not believe it had the proper justification to raid Mar a Lago in August 2022, but the Biden Justice Department pushed forward anyway.

[Georgia Howe]

Here to talk about the new revelations around the FBI's raid on Mar A Lago, as well as some updates from the Brown University shooting case, is Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce. So, Tim, first off the FBI raid at Mar A Lago, we have some new information about what was going on behind the scenes. We what did we find out?

[Tim Pierce]

Right. Credit for this scoop goes to Brooke Singman at Fox News. She obtained messages exchanged between the FBI and Biden DOJ that seemed to give more credibility to Trump's claims of political targeting. In the months before the raid, an assistant special agent in charge at the FBI had received some tip that Trump had boxes of classified information at Mar A Lago. But the bureau's Washington field office quote, has some concerns that the information is single sourced, has not been corroborated and may be dated. The doj, on the other hand, asserted that the evidence met the probable cause standard for search warrants. But weeks later, another message from an FBI agent said, we haven't generated any new facts, but keep being given draft after draft after draft, absent a witness coming forward with recent information about classified on site. At what point is it fair to table this? Another message said, the Washington Field office does, quote, not believe that we have established probable cause for the search warrant for classified records at Mar A Lago. That concern had been passed on to the doj. But according to another message, the DOJ has opined that they do have probable cause, requesting a wide scope, including residence, office and storage space. The FBI's stance on this was that the records probably could be obtained through a much less intrusive process, maybe as simple as having a conversation with Trump's attorney.

[Georgia Howe]

But what's being alleged here is that Biden's DOJ overruled that and said move forward anyway.

[Tim Pierce]

Yeah, and it looks that way. On top of that, we see in the messages that even as the bureau was preparing for the raid, it was still pushing back against the doj. The FBI wanted to be the first to contact Trump's team about the raid, hopefully to secure better cooperation and how the raid comes out. The logic here being that the DOJ had already poisoned its relationship with Trump's team and the FBI could be a better messenger. An FBI agent wrote that then Deputy Assistant Attorney General George Toscas had said on a call with the FBI that he frankly, doesn't give a damn about the optics of the raid and that the department's counterintelligence head, Jay Bratt, had already built an antagonistic relationship with Trump's attorneys. So the FBI agent wanted to put in a request to be the first to speak with Trump's team about the raid. He wrote, quote, I understand that this request may not go well at doj. However, it is the FBI serving and executing the search and it will be our personnel who will have to deal with the reaction to that first contact. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said that these documents show that the raid was a miscarriage of justice.

[Georgia Howe]

Very interesting inside information about the rift between the DOJ and FBI during that time. Now we also have some updates in the Brown University case. What are we hearing from that?

[Tim Pierce]

Yeah, we don't have much, but police and the FBI have released more images of the suspected shooter, presumably as tips continue to come in from members of the community. And police have said that they believe the attack was targeted against Brown University and that there have been some suspicions that he was even more targeted than that, but nothing yet confirmed by law enforcement.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, pretty incredible that he's been on the run this whole time. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[Tim Pierce]

Good to be on.

[Georgia Howe]

The University of Michigan continues to investigate following the firing of head football coach Sharon Moore and his subsequent arrest.

[John Bickley]

Here to tell us more is Crane and Co. Co host and former Michigan QB David Cohn. David, good to have you back on. So we wanted to have you back on here to talk about the fallout from this story. We reported on it last week. We've learned a lot more about what actually happened behind the scenes. Now, where do things stand now with this investigation at Michigan?

[David Cohn]

Well, John and Georgia, thank you both for having me. It's certainly been a tumultuous week for Michigan football and for the Ann Arbor community. And I just want to encourage everyone listening to continue to pray for all involved. As we discussed last week, the University of Michigan did fire Sharon Moore after it was discovered he had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and then he was subsequently arrested that evening. Now the University of Michigan has commissioned a full scale investigation into the practices and culture of its entire athletic department. The investigation will be handled by the same Chicago based law firm that opened an inquiry earlier this fall into this situation. And we know a little bit more information now that I can recap. According to prosecutors in Washtenaw county, the staff member in question told investigators the relationship did occur and presented corroborating evidence the staff member had on Monday apparently broken off a multi year relationship with the former head coach. And this is according to prosecutors, but became concerned when Moore sent a flurry of texts and calls that went unreturned. In light of this new information, Michigan athletic director Ward Manuel then terminated Sharrone Moore after two seasons as the head football coach.

[John Bickley]

And what do we know now about what took place after Moore was fired?

[David Cohn]

So again, this is coming from the prosecutors in Washtenaw County. Soon after the firing, Sharon Moore went to the staff member's apartment, this is just outside of Ann Arbor, barged in grabbing kitchen scissors and a butter knife and then threatened to take his own life. And he stated, and I'm quoting here, I'm going to kill myself. I'm going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands. You ruined my life, unquote. This is why I'm encouraging people to continue to pray in this situation here. Following that altercation, Moore, who was married and a father of three daughters, was charged Friday on three counts, including felony home invasion, misdemeanor charges of stalking in a domestic relationship, and breaking and entering. Now, Moore pleaded not guilty. Guilty. And the probable cause hearing was set for January 22, 2026. Friday evening, after spending two nights in jail, Sharon Moore was released on $25,000 bond with a GPS monitoring system in order to receive counseling.

[John Bickley]

Yeah, and again, let's, let's hope he's okay psychologically. Now, a lot of focus has fallen on Michigan's athletic director now, Ward Manuel, as you mentioned, what does this investigation mean for him?

[David Cohn]

The timeline is of great importance, as we discussed earlier. So that has certainly shined a spotlight on Ward Manual's office. But as for now, he remains on the job as the program moves forward to look and hire a new football coach. It's worth noting as well, John, that Michigan currently is operating with an interim president. And this is Domenico Grasso, who said in a statement, this is quote, together we will move forward with integrity and excellence and reaffirm our dedication to serving the public good.

[John Bickley]

As we sit here, Michigan is gearing up to play a big bowl game, Texas, on New Year's Eve, as I understand it. Is there any word from the team?

[David Cohn]

Yes, and thank you for asking because in situations like this, it's oftentimes the players who get lost and they fall through the cracks. Biff Poggi has been named the interim head coach for the bowl game. And remember, he served as the interim coach for two games this season, Central Michigan and Nebraska. When Sharon Moore was suspended by the NCAA he made a statement this week during his first media availability and he said, quote, it has been a tumultuous time. A lot of first disbelief, then anger, then really what we're in right now is the kids quite frankly feel very betrayed and we're trying to work through that. He went on to say he has tried to help the players with lots of arms around shoulders, lots of listening, lots of telling them that you are loved. And again, like I said, this is Biff Poggi who did serve as the interim for two football games this fall.

[John Bickley]

Well, as always, we appreciate you bringing us inside information on stories like this in this sports world. Dave, thanks so much for coming on.

[David Cohn]

Thank you for having me.

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with us. And if you're listening to the show now, you can watch for free on Daily Wire. Plus, we'll be back later this evening with more news you need to know.