Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump Teases “Golden Fleet” & Fulton County Concerns Confirmed
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley
Produced By: The Daily Wire

Episode Overview

This episode covers three major news stories: President Trump’s intensifying military and political confrontation with Venezuela—including the announcement of a new, state-of-the-art “Golden Fleet” of battleships; shocking new revelations about large-scale social welfare fraud in Minnesota; and Georgia election officials admitting to serious ballot certification issues from the 2020 election. The discussions examine the facts, political implications, and future outlook in each situation.

1. Trump’s Naval Blockade and the “Golden Fleet”

[00:03] – [06:15]

Key Discussion Points

• Escalating U.S. Pressure on Venezuela:

  • Trump’s blockade began as a crackdown on illegal drug flow but has now evolved into a full-scale naval operation keeping Venezuelan oil tankers from exporting crude in defiance of American sanctions.
  • At least two tankers were seized in December, and U.S. Coast Guard pursued the large Venezuelan vessel “Bella One” after it was caught sailing without a valid national flag.

• Significance and Messaging:

  • The U.S. intends to send a clear message beyond Venezuela. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated:

    “The illegal activity that Bandero’s participating in cannot stand.” ([03:33])

    • She continued:

    “They’re using these dollars to funnel and purchase and proliferate drugs around the world… That’s killing the next generation of Americans.” ([03:43])

• Wider Context—Trump vs. Maduro:

  • Trump maintains pressure on Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, demanding the return of U.S. assets seized under Venezuela’s oil nationalization programs.
  • White House adviser Stephen Miller called it, “the largest recorded theft of American wealth and property in history.” ([04:17])
  • The situation is tense enough that Russia reportedly began evacuating its diplomats from Venezuela, fearing escalation to armed conflict.

• Trump’s “Golden Fleet” Announcement:

  • Channelling Teddy Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet,” Trump announced from Mar-a-Lago the construction of a new “Golden Fleet”—battleships with “100 times the force of power” to be deployed by 2028.
  • Trump:

    “There’s never been anything like these ships… These are the best in the world.” ([05:38])

• Global Implications:

  • The move is widely interpreted as both a direct show of force and a warning to Russia and China, especially given China’s recent major infrastructure investments in Latin America.

2. Minnesota’s $9 Billion Welfare Fraud Scandal

[06:31] – [10:13]

Key Discussion Points

• Scale and Scope of the Fraud:

  • Federal prosecutors revealed that up to $9 billion in taxpayer money may have been stolen through fraud in Minnesota, particularly impacting 14 state-funded programs since 2018 out of a total of $18 billion.
  • Prosecutor Joseph Thompson described the situation:

    “I think we’re an outlier in a bad way… Every day we look under a rock and find a new $50 million fraud scheme. That shouldn’t be the case in a state of our size.” ([07:22])

• “Fraud Tourism”:

  • Scammers allegedly traveled to Minnesota specifically to take advantage of lax enforcement, creating companies solely for fraud.
  • Thompson said:

    “These defendants came here not to enjoy our lakes… They came here because they knew and understood that Minnesota was a place where taxpayer money could be taken with little risk and few consequences.” ([07:54])

• Terrorism Funding Rumors:

  • Early reports suggested stolen funds may have indirectly supported terrorism via transfers to Somalia, where the Al Qaeda ally Al Shabaab controls territory. Thompson clarified:

    “There’s no indication that the defendants that we’ve charged were radicalized… Some money went to Somalia indirectly. Some money might have gotten into the hands of Al Shabaab, which controls significant parts of Somalia and imposes a tax there.” ([09:18])

• State Political Response:

  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz denied the claimed scale, accusing prosecutors of sensationalism.
  • Attorney General Keith Ellison released a video touting his anti-fraud efforts, but was widely criticized amid the scandal.

3. Georgia’s 2020 Ballot Chain of Custody Breach

[10:17] – [14:59]

Key Discussion Points

• Major Chain of Custody Error:

  • Fulton County failed to properly sign and certify tabulation and zero tapes for approximately 315,000 early-in-person votes in 2020, violating Georgia election rules.
  • These admissions came during a December 9, 2025, Georgia State Election Board meeting.

• Explanation from Election Officials:

  • Fulton County’s attorney, Ann Brumbaugh, admitted:

    “We do not dispute that the tapes were not signed. It was a violation of the rule. We have new leadership and…training has been enhanced.” ([11:17])

• Importance of Certification:

  • State election board vice chair Janice Johnston explained:

    “That is the one document that promises what’s in the ballot box… It’s a break in the chain of custody.” ([12:32])

• Potential Consequences:

  • Local activist David Cross, who uncovered the issue, argued that since the tapes weren’t certified, the county had no lawful authority to certify its advanced voting results.
  • State officials, including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, downplayed the error, emphasizing ballot recounts and the lack of any reversal mechanism for the 2020 results.

• Broader Impact:

  • The issue set off renewed debate over election integrity. DOJ lawsuits against Georgia and other states for voter information continue as the Trump administration signals plans for heightened election security ahead of 2026 and 2028.

Notable Quotes

• Kristi Noem [DHS Secretary], on Venezuela:

  “The illegal activity that Bandero’s participating in cannot stand.” (03:33)

• Stephen Miller [White House adviser]:

  “The largest recorded theft of American wealth and property in history.” (04:17)

• Trump, on the ‘Golden Fleet’:

  “There’s never been anything like these ships. These are the best in the world.” (05:38)

• Joseph Thompson [US Attorney], on Minnesota fraud:

  “Every day we look under a rock and find a new $50 million fraud scheme. That shouldn’t be the case in a state of our size.” (07:22)

• Ann Brumbaugh [Fulton County Election Attorney]:

  “We do not dispute that the tapes were not signed. It was a violation of the rule.” (11:17)

• Janice Johnston [GA State Election Board]:

  “That is the one document that promises what’s in the ballot box… it’s a break in the chain of custody.” (12:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s Venezuelan Blockade and Golden Fleet: [00:03] – [06:15]
• Minnesota Fraud Exposé: [06:31] – [10:13]
• Georgia Election Certification Blunder: [10:17] – [14:59]

Tone & Language

The tone is direct, urgent, and occasionally wry, with a focus on policy impacts and accountability. The hosts maintain a fast-paced, matter-of-fact delivery, punctuated by pointed quotes from major newsmakers.

Conclusion

This episode presents a stark portrait of growing skepticism and volatility across American politics and institutions, spanning military strategy, public sector oversight, and election security. Each segment illustrates a central tension: how to restore integrity and credibility in an era of both real and perceived institutional failures.