Trump’s Appointment Pace & DoD’s Audit Failure | 11.18.24

Summary

Morning Wire: Trump’s Appointment Pace & DoD’s Audit Failure | Episode Summary

Release Date: November 18, 2024
Host: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Guests: Cabot Phillips (Senior Editor), Megan Basham (Culture Reporter), Amanda Presta Giacomo (Reporter)

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1. Trump’s Rapid Cabinet Appointments

President-elect Donald Trump is setting unprecedented records in staffing his administration, reflecting a stark contrast from his first term. In the initial 12 days post-election, Trump announced 12 cabinet appointments, showcasing a unified Republican Party backing him more firmly than before.

John Bickley highlights the shift in party dynamics:

“No president in modern history has announced cabinet appointments this quickly after an election. In the first 12 days after winning, he made 12 cabinet appointments.”—[02:01]

This swift action contrasts with the previous administration, where skepticism within the party led to cabinet members who sometimes opposed Trump’s agenda. The current appointments are characterized by a “total commitment to the Trump agenda,” indicating lessons learned from the first term and a readiness to implement policies without internal resistance.

Notable recent appointments include:

• Doug Burgum, North Dakota Governor, appointed as Interior Secretary and Energy Czar
• Chris Wright, a fracking executive, appointed as Energy Secretary
• Caroline Levitt, at 27, the youngest-ever White House Press Secretary

These appointments underscore Trump’s emphasis on energy independence and a robust public relations strategy, with Levitt poised to serve as the administration’s dynamic spokesperson.

2. Trump’s High-Profile UFC Appearance

In a move blending politics with pop culture, President-elect Trump made a headline-grabbing appearance at Madison Square Garden’s UFC Heavyweight Championship. His presence was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from athletes and fans alike, marking a notable shift in the relationship between Trump and professional sports figures.

John Bickley recaps the event:

“Trump returned to Madison Square Garden for the UFC Heavyweight championship and arguably got a more raucous welcome than any of the fighters.”—[04:20]

During the event, UFC star Jon Jones expressed his support:

“I also want to say a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight.”—[05:08]

The night concluded with Jones placing the heavyweight championship belt on Trump, symbolizing a symbolic alliance between the administration and the sports community. Additionally, NFL players celebrated big plays by emulating Trump’s iconic YMCA dance, signaling broader support across major American sports leagues.

3. Legacy Media Under Pressure Post-Election

The podcast delves into the seismic shifts within the legacy media landscape following Trump’s decisive victory on November 5. Major networks like CNN and MSNBC are grappling with declining viewership and financial instability, signaling a potential realignment in how news is consumed and trusted.

Georgia Howe provides a stark assessment:

“MSNBC’s primetime ratings fell by 54% immediately after the election, and owner Comcast is now reportedly looking to sell it along with some of its other cable channels.”—[07:24]

Similarly, Megan Basham discusses CNN’s turmoil:

“They lost about 36% of their viewership since November 5th. And there are reports that hundreds of positions, including those of the network's highest paid stars, are on the chopping block.”—[06:52]

In contrast, Fox News is experiencing growth, with a 21% increase in its primetime audience, highlighting the polarized media consumption patterns among Americans.

Jim Vande Hei, CEO of Axio, comments on this trend:

“Joe Rogan's more important than any of us. He just has a much bigger, hyper-connected audience that listens to his every word.”—[08:25]

The discussion also touches on the rise of podcasts and social media as dominant news sources, bypassing traditional outlets. Georgia Howe notes that audiences are gravitating toward platforms they perceive as providing fairer coverage, distancing themselves from perceived biases in legacy media.

4. Department of Defense's Ongoing Audit Failures

A significant portion of the episode addresses the Department of Defense’s (DoD) continued inability to pass its annual audit, marking the seventh consecutive failure. This persistent issue has ignited bipartisan calls for comprehensive reform to ensure accountability and fiscal responsibility within the largest U.S. government agency.

Amanda Presta Giacomo explains the audit outcome:

“The audit said the department earned a disclaimer of opinion overall from the 28 reporting entities, which just means it was unable to provide sufficient information to auditors to form an opinion about that.”—[10:30]

Vivek Ramaswamy, leading the new government efficiency task force "Doge," emphasizes the gravity of the situation:

“Every dollar wasted by the Department of Defense is either a waste of taxpayers money or it's weakening our national security.”—[12:23]

The DoD’s budget of $824 billion remains largely unaccounted for, costing taxpayers $178 million in audit expenses without providing concrete results. Historical context reveals that the Pentagon has never passed an audit since the requirement was instituted in 2018.

Ramaswamy highlights legislative efforts aimed at enforcing accountability:

“Chuck Grassley ... introduced the Pentagon Act of 2023, which would direct any DoD component that fails to complete a clean audit to return 1% of its budget to the Treasury.”—[12:52]

Despite the DoD’s claims of progress, with Michael McCord, Undersecretary of Defense, aiming for a clean audit by 2028, skepticism remains high. Ramaswamy and other critics argue that without significant structural reforms, the DoD’s financial management issues will continue to undermine both fiscal responsibility and national security.

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Conclusion

In this episode of Morning Wire, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe, along with contributors Megan Basham and Amanda Presta Giacomo, provide a comprehensive overview of President-elect Trump’s aggressive cabinet appointments, his strategic engagement with popular culture through the UFC, the tumultuous state of legacy media post-election, and the Department of Defense’s troubling audit history. Through insightful discussions and notable quotes, the episode underscores a transformative period in American politics and governance, reflecting broader themes of accountability, media trust, and political realignment.

Transcript

[Daley Weiher]

President Elect Trump is breaking records and announcing his cabinet picks and bringing the House down in a raucous UFC appearance.

[John Bickley]

So Donald Trump making his way to watch the ufc, which he absolutely loves, and doing so with some sort of victory left.

[Daley Weiher]

I'm Daley Weiher, editor in chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Monday, November 18th, and this is Morning Wire. With MSNBC reportedly up for sale and CNN considering mass layoffs, legacy media finds itself at a cultural crossroads.

[Georgia Howe]

Turn off msnbc, turn off cnn, and then go get a broadcast like ours or like Morning Wire on the other side.

[Megan Basham]

And the Department of Defense fails its seventh audit in a row, sparking calls for massive reform and catching the attention of Musk's Doge.

[Daley Weiher]

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

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

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[Megan Basham]

With Inauguration Day fast approaching, President elect Donald Trump continues to fill out his cabinet at a record setting pace.

[Daley Weiher]

Here with more is Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips. Hey, Cabot. So, a packed weekend. President Trump wasting no time staffing his administration. Catch us up to speeder.

[John Bickley]

Yeah. No president in modern history has announced cabinet appointments this quickly after an election. In the first 12 days after winning, he made 12 cabinet appointments. Now it's important to note Trump enters office for a second time with a very different Republican Party surrounding him. In 2016, many party leaders and policymakers were no doubt skeptical of him and his MAGA movement, and that left his options fairly limited for key appointments. As a result, a number of Cabinet hires ended up openly rebelling against him and really stifling much of his first term agenda. But today, the party is totally united behind him, and his cabinet has been filled with a wide array of folks with one thing in common, a total commitment to the Trump agenda. Folks in Trump's camp have told me for months now that they learned a lot of lessons in the first term. And if they won this time would be ready to hit the ground running. And the pace of these appointments is evidence of that strategy.

[Daley Weiher]

Yeah, clearly. So we've reported on several of these appointments, but more have streamed in over the weekend. Tell us about these latest Cabinet appointments.

[John Bickley]

Well, over the weekend, Trump tapped North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum for interior secretary and energy czar, as well as fracking executive Chris Wright for energy secretary. Trump has promised that his administration will tap into our nation's vast oil potential and as he says, drill, baby, drill. And these two men will no doubt help do it. Trump says he will make America energy independent and ultimately reduce our reliance on foreign sources. And then on Saturday, the president appointed Caroline Levitt, a familiar voice for Morning Wire listeners, as White House press secretary. At 27 years old, Levitt will be the youngest person to ever hold the position. She'll essentially serve as the public face of the administration.

[Daley Weiher]

Right. Let's follow up on a pick that got a lot of attention last week. A lot of blowback, also a lot of excitement about it. Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who is tapped for attorney general, tell us the latest on that.

[John Bickley]

Yeah, that pick was immediately cheered by the GOP base, but Republican lawmakers, especially those in the Senate, have been slower to get on board. Remember, Gates had been under an ethics investigation in the House for alleged sexual misconduct and drug use. GOP senators say they want to see those findings from that report before making a decision on whether to confirm him so things could get messy.

[Daley Weiher]

That was a packed weekend for the president elect, but he also had some fun making a high profile appearance in New York.

[John Bickley]

Yes, he did. Trump returned to the Madison Square Garden for the UFC Heavyweight championship and arguably got a more raucous welcome than any of the fighters. 45, soon to be 47. President elect Donald Trump. I wish the people at go home could hear the sound in this room.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

It's so loud in here.

[John Bickley]

It is so loud. Now. In the past, professional athletes were not exactly the biggest Trump supporters, or at least not openly. But if last night was any indication, that has changed. All night long, fighters warmly embraced him or thanked him in their post fight speeches. And after the main event, Jon Jones, widely considered the greatest fighter of all time, had this to say.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

I also want to say a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight.

[John Bickley]

And then to cap off the night, Jones hopped over the cage and put his heavyweight championship belt on Trump as the sellout crowd continued to chant usa. And then the next day, players across the NFL celebrated big plays by doing their own version of Trump's now iconic YMCA dance. So a number of athletes getting in on the Trump victory celebration this weekend.

[Daley Weiher]

Like you said, not something we were seeing back in 2016. Things have changed. Kevin, thanks for reporting.

[John Bickley]

Anytime.

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[Daley Weiher]

The legacy media is facing a reckoning following Donald Trump's overwhelming victory on November 5, with CNN planning widespread layoffs, including top talent and MSNBC reportedly being up for sale.

[Megan Basham]

Here to break it all down is daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham. So, Megan, a lot of people view this election not just as a loss for Democrats, but also as a repudiation of the media. What's happening in the industry as a result?

[Georgia Howe]

Well, I think that bloodbath would be an apt phrase here. If you look at MSNBC, its primetime ratings fell by 54% immediately after the election, and owner Comcast is now reportedly looking to sell it along with some of its other cable channels. And then you look at cnn. Now, it's been in turmoil for a while, but they lost about 36% of their viewership since November 5th. And there are reports that hundreds of positions, including those of the network's highest paid stars, are on the chopping block.

[Megan Basham]

So are these news execs just looking around and realizing they've lost half of America?

[Georgia Howe]

Well, it's actually more than half. And yeah, I think it was a glaring sign that the cultural center of gravity is just not aligned with their coverage. I think you couple that with surveys that show the public's trust in media is at an all time low. And it's not surprising that a lot of analysts are openly saying this election is a referendum on the industry itself. But there are also some technological disruptions driving this. Of course, obviously, social media is a growing factor and we saw this cycle how important podcasts have become. And then to give you just some numerical Comparisons for that, 6.3 million people watched Harris's interview with CNN. Their town hall with Trump got just over 3 million. Meanwhile, the audience for Joe Rogan's Trump interview has been estimated at around 38 million. So this was Axio CEO Jim Vande Hei on MSNBC recently talking about this.

[Jim Vande Hei]

I mean, I think all of us have to come to grips with legacy media is just not as important as it thinks it is. You have to go into the world as it is, not as you wish it to be. And basically, the way people get information has shattered into 20, 30 different pieces. And so if you just look empirically at the numbers, Joe Rogan's more important than any of us. He just has a much bigger, hyper connected audience that listens to his every word.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, that said, I don't think you can entirely separate this question of bias and medium. Part of the reason that podcasts and X have become so relevant is because so many people do feel that that's where they're going to get fair coverage. And it's not across the board because Fox isn't suffering here. Their primetime audience has actually grown 21% since election night and they were already beating the tar out of the competition, to use a technical ratings jargon there now.

[Megan Basham]

Just a thought, though. It's possible that left wingers are just taking a temporary break for now and that right wingers are energized, no?

[Georgia Howe]

Yeah, I think that's true. But there is evidence that these execs are seeing some major long term structural problems if you look at print media. Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos acknowledged in an op ed that the Washington Post and the New York Times win prizes. But he said, increasingly we talk only to a certain elite. And he promised to change that. And then you have the owner of the Los Angeles Times, he announced on X that he plans to replace the entire editorial board, which he called very left. And then there are also reports that ABC is looking for a Trump supporter to join the ladies on the View, all of whom. Back terrace.

[Megan Basham]

Hmm, Interesting. Well, I'll believe it when I see it. Megan, thanks for reporting.

[Georgia Howe]

Anytime.

[Megan Basham]

The Department of Defense, which is the largest agency in the U.S. government, has failed its seventh audit in a row.

[Daley Weiher]

Here to discuss is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presta Giacomo. Hey, Amanda. So what exactly happened with this latest audit?

[Vivek Ramaswamy]

So the DoD has a massive budget of $824 billion, and the Department was unable to fully account for that taxpayer money in its annual federal aud. Technically, the audit said the department earned a disclaimer of opinion overall from the 28 reporting entities, which just means it was unable to provide Sufficient information to auditors to form an opinion about that. Interestingly, though, Michael McCord, the undersecretary of Defense and Chief Financial officer, he refused to say the department failed the audit. He said at a press briefing on Friday that half of the opinions the department received were clean. He likened that to a report card being half good and half bad and said, quote, I don't know that you can call the student or the report card a failure. He also emphasized that the department is making progress. He said the momentum is on their side to earn a clean audit by 2028. So years from now, which would be mandated under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

[Daley Weiher]

Now, we noted at the top that this is now the seventh failure. How does this keep happening?

[Vivek Ramaswamy]

Yeah, that's the question everyone is asking. The fact is the Pentagon has actually never passed an audit since it was first legally obligated to back in 2018. Also worth noting, this audit cost the American taxpayers $178 million to conduct. So that's a lot of money for no solid results.

[Daley Weiher]

Yeah.

[Vivek Ramaswamy]

Since this has been a problem for a long time, we have seen some politicians on both sides of the aisle trying to get some accountability at the Pentagon and cut back on waste. For example, Republican and Democrat lawmakers, including Chuck Grassley, Bernie Sanders, and Rand Paul, introduced the audit, the Pentagon act of 2023, last year. That bill would direct any DoD component that fails to complete a clean audit to return 1% of its budget to the Treasury. Here's Grassley on that.

[Daley Weiher]

In one instance, I think it's unconscionable that a defense contractor could make 4,000% profit. Every dollar wasted by the Department of Defense is either a waste of taxpayers money or it's weakening our national security.

[Vivek Ramaswamy]

In a press release about the bill, Grassley cited the DoD buying $14,000 toilet seats and losing track of warehouses full of spare parts.

[Daley Weiher]

Okay, so you mentioned McCord's goal of receiving a clean audit in the future, a few years from now. Do we know what the plan is for a CH achieving that?

[Vivek Ramaswamy]

Well, McCord wasn't entirely clear about that. He did say that there needs to be reform and said that there are different ways to get at solving that problem. But he also said, and this is a direct quote, our strongest path forward is to keep a lot of continuity in what we're doing. So perhaps, you know, not really looking to change a whole lot, but we.

[Daley Weiher]

Do have change coming. The incoming Trump administration has vowed to take on government waste. It's going to launch its new government efficiency task force dubbed Doge. Have we heard a response from that group?

[Vivek Ramaswamy]

Yeah, well, one of the men who's been tasked with leading Doge Vivek Ramaswamy, has already taken note of this DoD failure. And here's what he told FOX News.

[Daley Weiher]

There's something deeper going on here. This is about restoring self governance and.

[John Bickley]

Accountability in America as well.

[Daley Weiher]

Most of the people making these decisions, from healthcare to the Department of Defense are failing on effectiveness because they have no accountability.

[Vivek Ramaswamy]

Ramaswamy also flagged this issue on X and he said, quote, doge is coming.

[Daley Weiher]

A lot of people very interested to see how sweeping the changes it recommends will be. Amanda, thanks for reporting.

[Vivek Ramaswamy]

You're welcome.

[Megan Basham]

Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back later this afternoon with more news you need to know.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

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