Morning Wire: Trump’s Press Conference & Wisconsin’s School Shooting | December 17, 2024

Hosted by Georgia Howe and John Bickley, Daily Wire’s Morning Wire provides comprehensive coverage of the latest developments in politics, culture, education, sports, and more. In this episode, the focus is on former President Donald Trump’s first post-election press conference and a tragic school shooting in Wisconsin.

1. Donald Trump’s First Post-Election Press Conference

a. Economic Initiatives and SoftBank Investment

In his inaugural press conference after the 2024 election, Donald Trump outlined ambitious economic plans aimed at revitalizing the American economy. A significant highlight was the announcement of a major investment from Japanese telecommunications giant SoftBank.

• John Bickley ([02:00]): “Trump announced that SoftBank would invest $100 billion in America over the next four years, creating at least 100,000 American jobs.”

• Donald Trump ([02:19]): “We’re going to go full prosperity and build the greatest economy the world has ever seen.”

This investment aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to attract international businesses to the United States, fostering job creation and economic growth even before his official inauguration.

b. Border Wall Material Sale Controversy

A contentious issue addressed by Trump was the Biden administration’s decision to sell off construction materials intended for the border wall at significantly reduced prices.

• Donald Trump ([07:32]): “They’re trying to sell it for 5 cents on the dollar. That has nothing to do with a smooth transition. That has to do with people really trying to stop our nation.”

Trump criticized the administration’s actions as an attempt to undermine his border security initiatives, suggesting that the sale of these materials would lead to substantial future costs for rebuilding the wall.

• Tim Pierce ([08:16]): “GOP lawmakers want to look into it. Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter demanding full accountability and transparency from the Department of Defense about the disposal of excess border wall materials.”

Despite efforts to halt the sale, the Department of Defense stated that the materials were sold as government surplus under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, making it challenging to reverse the transactions.

c. Legal Actions Against Media Outlets

Trump also addressed ongoing legal battles with major media organizations, highlighting a recent settlement with ABC and indicating plans to pursue further actions against other outlets perceived as defamatory or interfering in elections.

• Donald Trump ([05:57]): “We have to straighten out the press. Our press is very corrupt.”

This stance underscores Trump’s commitment to challenging what he views as biased or misleading reporting from established media entities, positioning himself as a defender against media corruption.

2. Wisconsin School Shooting Incident

A heartbreaking incident unfolded at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where a 15-year-old female student opened fire during a late-night study hall.

a. Incident Details and Immediate Response

• Zach Jewell ([10:22]): “At least two people were killed and seven others were wounded after a 15-year-old female opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School.”

The shooter was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound upon police arrival. Rapid response by medics, who were nearby due to a training exercise, was credited with saving lives.

• Chief Sean Barnes ([11:05]): “A teacher and a teenage student were pronounced dead at the scene. Six other students and a teacher were injured.”

b. School Profile and Security Measures

Abundant Life Christian School serves approximately 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, emphasizing academic excellence within a Christ-centered environment.

• Zach Jewell ([11:42]): “The school does not allow staff members to carry guns on the property.”

Details about existing security measures during the incident remain limited, and the school has requested privacy as investigations continue.

c. Shooter’s Profile and Investigation

Initial ambiguity surrounded the shooter’s identity and motives, with early reports only confirming fatalities without specifying the perpetrator’s demographics.

• Chief Sean Barnes ([13:07]): “We have not been able to verify that it’s authentic. We’re looking into some of the things written in that particular document.”

Speculations about the shooter’s motives, including unverified claims about transgender identification, were addressed by Chief Barnes, who urged the public to refrain from spreading unconfirmed information.

• Chief Sean Barnes ([13:41]): “Whatever happened today has nothing to do with how she or he or they may have wanted to identify. I encourage people to be responsible with your social media.”

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking more information to understand the circumstances leading to this tragic event.

Conclusion

In this episode of Morning Wire, Georgia Howe and John Bickley provided an in-depth analysis of Donald Trump’s post-election press conference, highlighting his economic initiatives, challenges with border security material sales, and ongoing legal confrontations with major media outlets. Additionally, the podcast covered the distressing school shooting in Wisconsin, offering detailed reporting on the incident, the affected community, and the ongoing investigation. Listeners are kept informed with timely quotes and insights, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of these significant events.

For more detailed coverage and daily updates, tune in to Morning Wire presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe.