Trump-Zelenskyy Talk & UPenn’s Federal Funding Paused | Afternoon Update | 3.19.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: Trump-Zelenskyy Talk & UPenn’s Federal Funding Paused | Afternoon Update | March 19, 2025
Release Date: March 19, 2025

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1. Trump and Zelenskyy Discuss Ceasefire Amid Alleged Russian Violations

In the opening segment, Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley reports on President Donald Trump's recent phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussion centered on aligning the needs of both Ukraine and Russia following a fragile ceasefire.

• Trump's Optimism: Trump expressed confidence in a swift ceasefire, stating, “We’re going to reach a ceasefire soon” (01:10).

• Russian Accusations: Despite Putin’s agreement to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Russia is accused of violating the ceasefire by targeting hospitals and infrastructure in the Sumy region (00:52).

• Zelenskyy's Stance: Zelenskyy condemned Russia's actions, emphasizing the breach of promises and calling for increased sanctions to pressure Putin into ending the war (00:52).

2. Israeli Defense Forces Launch Ground Operations in Gaza

Georgia Howe reports on the escalation of Israeli military actions in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have initiated their first ground operation since lifting a ceasefire with Hamas, aiming to reclaim the southern Netzerim corridor.

• Operation Objectives: The IDF's mission includes expanding the buffer zone and eliminating Hamas, with Defense Minister Israel Katz warning, “Airstrikes are just the first step in a broader offensive” (01:27).

• Evacuation Orders: Katz urged Palestinians to evacuate combat zones, highlighting the intensified military efforts to regain control over key areas within Gaza (01:27).

3. Federal Reserve Maintains Interest Rates Steady

Tim Pierce updates listeners on the Federal Reserve's decision to hold the benchmark interest rate steady between 4.25% and 4.5%, citing ongoing economic uncertainties.

• FOMC Statement: The Federal Open Market Committee emphasized their cautious approach due to “increased uncertainty around the economic outlook” (01:58).

• Economic Focus: The Fed remains committed to promoting maximum employment and controlling inflation, following three consecutive rate cuts in late 2024 (01:58).

4. UPenn's Federal Funding Paused Over Title IX Investigations

Georgia Howe covers the Trump administration’s recent suspension of millions in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania, pending an investigation into potential Title IX violations.

• Case in Point: The controversy revolves around UPenn swimmer Leah Thomas, a transgender athlete who won a national title in women’s swimming, sparking national debate (02:36).

• Potential Consequences: While the current funding pause affects only a portion of UPenn’s federal funds, additional cuts may follow if further violations are uncovered. Other institutions under investigation include San Jose State University and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (02:36).

• Legal Developments: A Biden-appointed federal judge recently blocked Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from military service, deeming it likely unconstitutional. The Trump administration plans to appeal the decision by Friday (02:36).

5. Elon Musk Criticizes Biden Over Astronaut Rescue

In a candid interview with Sean Hannity, Elon Musk criticized President Joe Biden for what he perceives as political interference in the rescue of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.

• Musk's Accusation: Musk claimed, “SpaceX could have brought the astronauts back after a few months at most, and we made that offer to the Biden administration. It was rejected for political reasons, and that's just a fact” (04:05).

• Praise for NASA: Despite his criticism, Musk lauded SpaceX and NASA for their roles in rescuing the stranded astronauts, highlighting the collaborative efforts between private and governmental space entities (04:05).

6. China and Hong Kong Block BlackRock's Panama Canal Deal

Georgia Howe discusses the geopolitical tensions surrounding BlackRock and CK Hutchinson's attempt to control key Panama Canal ports, which China and Hong Kong are actively opposing.

• Strategic Concerns: The U.S. views the deal as a strategic move to gain regional advantage and reduce Chinese influence over the canal (04:26).

• Expert Insight: China relations expert Gordon Chang warned, “Beijing has gained a dangerous foothold at the canal,” explaining that China’s control over port operations and infrastructure could allow them to block the canal, potentially disrupting U.S. naval movements (04:45).

7. Trump Administration Pressures MTA on Subway Safety

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has issued a directive to New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), demanding comprehensive data on subway safety measures by March 31 or face the risk of losing federal funding.

• Safety Measures: The Trump administration is responding to rising subway crime and fare evasion, urging the MTA to demonstrate effective use of federal funds for enhancing safety (05:18).

• Governor's Response: Governor Kathy Hochul has simultaneously ramped up security efforts, resulting in a 27% decrease in crime compared to 2024, though felony assaults remain concerningly high (05:18).

8. March Madness: Alabama State's Dramatic Win

Tim Pierce provides an exciting update on the ongoing March Madness tournament, highlighting a last-second victory by Alabama State over CL.

• Game-Winning Play: With just one second remaining, Micah Simpson passed the ball to Amar Knox, who secured the winning layup, sealing a 70-68 triumph for Alabama State (05:54).

• Commentator's Reaction: A sports commentator captured the moment, saying, “Seconds left and here we go. This is where dreams are made. Simpson home run play. The deflection, seven seconds left” (06:14).

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Conclusion

The Morning Wire afternoon update on March 19, 2025, provided an in-depth look at significant global and national events, from high-stakes geopolitical maneuvers and economic decisions to pivotal moments in sports. For more detailed coverage, visit dailywire.com.

Transcript

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[Georgia Howe]

Trump talks with Zelensky as Putin allegedly breaks the partial ceasefire UPenn's federal funding is paused and the Fed holds interest rates steady. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. Wednesday, March 19 and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Tim Pierce]

President Trump held what he's calling a very good phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today. It comes just hours after Russia allegedly reneged on its deal agreeing to halt attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure for 30 days. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.

[John Bickley]

Trump said the call focused on aligning both Ukraine and Russia's needs after Putin agreed yesterday to halt attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. But Russia is accused of breaking the partial cease fire overnight after it hit two hospitals and energy infrastructure in the Sumy region of Ukraine. Still, Trump remains optimistic about reaching a ceasefire soon. For his part, Zelenskyy condemned Putin's broken promise, while other global leaders accused the Russian president of playing games with international diplomacy. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy also confirmed a significant prisoner exchange and called for further action to pressure Putin toward ending the war, such as additional sanctions on Russia.

[Georgia Howe]

Israeli troops are headed back into Gaza as the Israeli Defense Force launches its first ground operation since ending the ceasefire with Ha Hamas. The key focus of the OP is to retake part of the key Gaza corridor. The IDF seized control of the southern Netzerim corridor and plans to expand the buffer zone. Defense Minister Israel Katz urged Palestinians to evacuate combat zones in Gaza as the IDF renews its mission to eliminate Hamas. Katz warned that airstrikes were just the first step in a broader offensive.

[Tim Pierce]

The Federal Reserve says it's leaving its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.25% to 4.5% as it continues assessing economic conditions. The decision follows three consecutive rate cuts in late 2024. The central bank remains focused on promoting maximum employment and controlling inflation. The Federal Open Market Committee cited increased uncertainty around the economic outlook as it moves cautiously forward.

[Georgia Howe]

Millions of federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania has been paused pending an investigation into potential Title IX violations. Daily Wire reporter Mairead Elordi has the details.

[Mairead Elordi]

The Trump administration's decision follows the national controversy sparked by Upenn swimmer Leah Thomas, a trans identifying male who won a national title in women's swimming. While the paused funding represents a small portion of UPenn's total federal funds, the university could face further cuts if the investigation finds violations. The investigation also includes San Jose State University and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. Yesterday, a Biden appointed federal judge blocked President Trump's executive order banning trans identifying people from military service service, ruling it's likely unconstitutional. Trump administration lawyers argue that military officials have broad discretion to decide how to assign and deploy service members without judicial interference. They have until Friday to appeal.

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[Tim Pierce]

Elon Musk took aim at Joe Biden, saying he left astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stranded in space for political reasons. The comments came during an interview with Sean Hannity last night in which Musk praised SpaceX and NASA for rescuing the astronauts.

[Elon Musk]

The astronauts were only supposed to be there for eight days and they've been there for almost 10 months, so obviously that doesn't make any sense. SpaceX could have brought the astronauts back after a few months at most, and we made that offer to the Biden administration. It was rejected for political reasons, and that's just a fact.

[Georgia Howe]

China and Hong Kong are seeking to thwart a deal between BlackRock and CK Hutchinson to take control of key Panama Canal ports. The US Sees the deal as a way to gain an edge in the region and reclaim the canal from Chinese influence. China relations expert Gordon Chang says Beijing has gained a dangerous foothold at the canal.

[Gordon Chang]

It not only has port operations at both ends of the canal, it's got infrastructure there, it's got a lot of state enterprises. So there are many ways that Beijing can block the canal if it wanted to. And some people say that the first indication that we will have that China intends to use force in East Asia will be an accident in the Panama Canal because that will prevent the US Navy from surging ships from the Atlantic to the Pacific fleets through the canal. So there's the concern.

[Georgia Howe]

The Trump administration is telling New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority to get on board with subway safety or get off the gravy train. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has demanded the MTA provide detailed data on subway safety measures by March 31 or risk losing federal funding. The letter comes in response to rising subway crime and fare evasion. It also urges the MTA to prove federal funds are being used for safety, while Governor Kathy Hochul has increased security efforts. Crime is down 27% compared to 2024, although felony assaults remain high.

[Tim Pierce]

And March Madness is off to an exciting start. Last night, Alabama State pulled off a dramatic 70 to 68 win, picking up the game winning bucket with just one second left on the CL. At about the three second mark, Micah Simpson chucked the ball down court to Amar Knox who nabbed the last second layup, winning the game. Here's that moment.

[Sports Commentator]

Seconds left and here we go. This is where dreams are made. Simpson home run play. The deflection, seven seconds left.

[Georgia Howe]

Those are your drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, we covered some key stories, stories this morning including Trump, Putin talks, the JFK file release, and the state of the US Economy. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.