Morning Wire Episode Summary: "Trump Super Bowl Buzz & New Media Rises | 2.10.25"

Release Date: February 10, 2025

In this episode of Morning Wire, Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe delve into the latest developments surrounding former President Donald Trump, the shifting landscape of media under the new administration, and ongoing legal battles with legacy media outlets. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

1. Trump’s Prominent Super Bowl Sunday Presence

Timestamp: 00:03 – 05:58

The episode opens with a focus on President Donald Trump’s significant appearance during Super Bowl Sunday, marking his active role early in his second term. John Bickley highlights Trump's strategic efforts to reform the federal government, emphasizing the need to "solve the efficiency problem" by addressing "fraud, waste, abuse" within governmental operations (00:09).

Key Highlights:

• Super Bowl Interview: Trump conducted a high-profile interview on Super Bowl Sunday, aiming to communicate his administration’s agenda directly to the public.

  Quote: Georgia Howe states, “We have to solve the efficiency problem. We have to solve the fraud, waste, abuse, all the things that have gone on in the government.” (00:09)

• First Sitting President at Super Bowl: Megan Basham notes that Trump became the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl in person, breaking a two-year trend where President Joe Biden declined similar opportunities (01:58).

  Quote: Georgia Howe comments on the symbolic importance, saying, “I think just the spirit of the country. The country's taken on a whole new life. I thought it would be a good thing for the country to have the president be at the game.” (02:11)

• Engagement with Athletes and Fans: Trump’s presence was met with enthusiasm as he interacted with players and fans, receiving applause during the national anthem despite limited on-screen time.

  Quote: Megan Basham describes the scene, “the arena burst into applause when he was shown on the Jumbotron during the national anthem.” (03:00)

2. Surging Approval Ratings for Trump

Timestamp: 05:35 – 05:58

The conversation shifts to Trump’s rising approval ratings, supported by recent polling data that suggests an increase in his popularity compared to his previous term.

Key Highlights:

• Poll Results: CBS’s latest national poll reveals Trump with a 53% approval rating, his highest in eight years. Similar trends are observed in Rasmussen and Emerson polls, with net favorability ratings of +6 and +8 respectively.

  Quote: Megan Basham emphasizes the improvement, “Simply put, he is disproving the notion that after eight years on the national stage, Americans have their minds made up on it.” (04:39)

• Support Among Young Voters: Notably, Trump enjoys substantial support from younger demographics, with 55% approval among Americans under 30, a significant rise from previous years.

  Quote: Megan Basham shares insights from interviews, “My life was better and more affordable when Trump was in office.” (05:49)

3. Revolutionizing Media Access: Embracing New Media Outlets

Timestamp: 07:06 – 11:05

A major portion of the episode examines the Trump administration’s overhaul of media engagement, aiming to democratize press access by integrating non-traditional media outlets into the White House press briefings.

Key Highlights:

• Inclusive Press Briefings: Caroline Levitt outlines how the administration is expanding media access to include political podcasts, bloggers, and independent journalists, acknowledging the need to reach diverse and underserved audiences.

  Quote: Caroline Levitt explains, “Because of that, they're now welcoming non traditional media outlets into the briefing room.” (07:18)

• Permanent Seats for New Media: The White House has introduced a permanent seat for rotating members of the new media, with over 11,500 outlets applying for credentials.

• Impact on Legacy Media: Legacy outlets like The Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, Politico, and NPR face reduced access and workspace, causing significant friction.

  Quote: Megan Basham criticizes the traditional media backlash, “Owners, saying, we will not speak truth to power. We will acquiesce to power at the expense of truth.” (10:41)

• Administration’s Stance: The administration is perceived as favoring Trump-friendly outlets, though it also includes outlets with left-leaning audiences, such as The Huffington Post and The Free Press.

Conclusion: The Trump administration's media reforms signify a strategic pivot away from historically dominant legacy media, embracing a broader spectrum of voices to reshape public discourse.

4. Legal Battles with Legacy Media Outlets

Timestamp: 09:59 – 11:05

The episode delves into Trump’s ongoing legal confrontations with established media organizations, highlighting recent settlements and potential future lawsuits.

Key Highlights:

• ABC’s Settlement: ABC has agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit with Trump, issuing a public apology as part of the resolution.

• CBS’s Legal Challenges: Paramount, CBS’s parent company, is anticipated to settle a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Trump against 60 Minutes, accusing the network of deceptive editing meant to aid Kamala Harris’s campaign.

  Quote: Caroline Levitt states, “He claims that during the election, the network deceptively edited its interview with Kamala Harris in order to help her campaign.” (10:22)

• Legacy Media's Criticism: Figures from legacy media, including Jake Tapper at CNN, express outrage over these legal actions, framing them as attacks on journalistic integrity.

  Quote: Megan Basham asserts, “For Paramount to settle this suit would be hoisting a white flag of surrender.” (10:35)

Conclusion: These legal disputes underscore the escalating tensions between Trump and traditional media outlets, reflecting broader battles over media influence and credibility.

5. Challenges Within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Timestamp: 11:16 – 14:45

The final segment addresses the legal impediments faced by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as it endeavors to reform federal operations, revealing internal conflicts and external resistance.

Key Highlights:

• Judicial Obstacles: A federal judge has temporarily barred DOGE from accessing Treasury Department data, part of a series of injunctions hindering the agency’s efforts to streamline government operations.

• Origins of DOGE’s Structure: Luke Rosiak explains that DOGE, originally the US Digital Service established by Obama, was repurposed by Trump into a supposedly nonpartisan office. However, internal staffing issues led to allegations of partisan bias and inefficiency.

  Quote: Luke Rosiak details, “The staff exploited that kindness and turned it into a weakness... USDS became a hotbed of radical far left activism operating from within Trump's White House.” (12:56)

• Elon Musk’s Involvement: Elon Musk’s agency, influenced by the legacy of DOGE, faces scrutiny as legal challenges persist. Musk responded on social media with, “live by the sword, die by the sword,” hinting at further confrontations if Trump intensifies his efforts.

Conclusion: DOGE’s struggles exemplify the complexities of governmental reform under Trump, highlighting both internal mismanagement and external legal resistance.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Morning Wire provides a thorough analysis of Donald Trump’s strategic moves in his administration’s early days, particularly focusing on his media strategies and approval ratings. The discussions reveal a concerted effort to reshape media engagement, challenge legacy outlets, and reform governmental operations amidst significant legal and political obstacles. The insights shared by John Bickley, Georgia Howe, and contributors like Megan Basham and Caroline Levitt offer listeners a detailed perspective on the evolving political and media landscape.

Note: All quotes are attributed with their respective timestamps for reference.