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)

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.

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.