Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Blockade & AmFest Kicks Off | 12.18.25

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Morning Wire

Episode: Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Blockade & AmFest Kicks Off
Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley

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Quick Overview

This Morning Wire episode covers three key news stories:

• President Trump's full naval blockade of Venezuela’s sanctioned oil tankers and the implications for U.S. foreign policy and the Maduro regime.
• Trump’s rare primetime speech where he announced a “warrior dividend” for U.S. service members and discussed economic and border achievements.
• America Fest (AmFest), Turning Point USA’s annual conference, kicking off amid significant organizational changes following the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk.

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Main Segments and Key Points

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1. Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Blockade

[03:15 – 07:24]

Main Points:

• President Trump has announced a “total and complete blockade” of Venezuelan oil tankers, intending to escalate pressure on President Maduro.
• The move targets tankers already sanctioned for dealings with Russia, Iran, and China, using tactics like flag-switching and renaming (“ghost ships”).
• This step signifies a major escalation beyond existing sanctions, aiming to choke off Venezuela’s primary revenue stream from oil exports, mainly to China.
• The U.S. hopes economic strangulation will force Maduro into exile, with military intervention not ruled out but not preferred.
• The Trump administration has designated Maduro's regime as a terrorist organization due to drug smuggling links.
• Recent congressional briefings provided “sound intelligence” supporting military action against drug shipments, acknowledged even by Democratic Senator John Fetterman.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenny Terre (Immigration Reporter) [03:36]:
  “These vessels are already sanctioned... but they've been navigating through international waters ...as part of a longstanding effort to crack down on these vessels that are exporting to our foreign adversaries.”
• Jenny Terre [04:19]:
  “The oil industry in Venezuela is really its main source of income... They're going to have a real problem economically.”
• John Bickley (quoting Senator Fetterman) [06:28]:
  “Some things out in the media ... that the military is just picking off any boat ... that's just not true. When they move on those kinetic kinds of strikes, you know, they have absolute confidence that who's on it and what's on it.”

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2. President Trump’s Primetime Address

[08:33 – 11:58]

Main Points:

• In a rare primetime speech, Trump announced a one-time “warrior dividend” of $1,776 for U.S. service members, funded by tariffs—a first real-world example of rumored tariff dividends.
• Trump claimed significant progress: declaring the border “secure,” inflation “stopped,” wages up, and America “respected” globally.
• He taunted previous efforts under Biden, asserting that border security required “just a new president,” not new legislation.
• Trump teased his choice for the next Federal Reserve chair, indicating a pick favoring much lower interest rates and further relief for homeowners.
• The address presented a mixture of victory lap and forward-looking agenda, setting the tone for the coming year.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump [09:23]:
  “Because of tariffs ... I am also proud to announce that more than 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special—we call [it] Warrior dividend—before Christmas... We're sending every soldier $1,776, and the checks are already on the way.”
• President Trump [10:25]:
  “After 11 months, our border is secure, inflation has stopped, wages are up, prices are down, ... our country is back stronger than ever before.”
• President Trump [11:09]:
  “Biden said he needed Congress to help close the border... As it turned out, we didn’t need legislation—we just needed a new president.”
• President Trump [11:36]:
  “I’ll soon announce our next chairman of the Federal Reserve, someone who believes in lower interest rates by a lot, and mortgage payments will be coming down even further.”

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3. Turning Point USA’s America Fest (AmFest) Kicks Off

[12:04 – 16:18]

Main Points:

• AmFest 2025 is the first since the assassination of Charlie Kirk; his widow Erica Kirk is now CEO and will give a key address.
• Turning Point aims to continue Kirk’s focus on coalition-building and free speech, emphasizing unity.
• Prominent conservatives—including JD Vance, Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and Michael Knowles—are scheduled to speak; attendance has hit capacity.
• Recent controversies, notably conspiracy theories about the organization, prompted a high-profile meeting between Erica Kirk and Candace Owens, brokered by Megyn Kelly. Erica called it “very productive” and wants to move forward.
• Congressional testimony highlighted concerns about the SPLC’s “hate map” — which labels Turning Point as a hate group—claiming it blurs lines between genuine extremism and mainstream conservative groups. Turning Point’s FBI association was recently severed by the administration.

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Presta Giacomo (Reporter) [12:24]:
  “Leaders have described this year’s AmFest as a powerful celebration of faith, freedom and the legacy of Charlie Kirk... Prominent conservatives will be giving speeches ... It’s been sold out for a while now and tens of thousands ... expected.”
• Erica Kirk (via Amanda) [14:07]:
  “Looking forward to AmFest this week. Time to get back to work.”
• Andrew Colvette (TPUSA Spokesman, quoted by John Bickley) [14:47]:
  “Good for Erica Kirk leading the way, showing the world how to do things by example, modeling a Christian ethic and good behavior ... I hope the olive branch that was offered is going to bear fruit.”
• Andrew Cipher (TPUSA, Congressional Testimony) [15:40]:
  “The SPLC hastily labels ideologically opposing organizations as hate groups, misleading well-intentioned entities and blurring the line between real hate and mere differences of opinion.”

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Memorable Moments & Analysis

• The “warrior dividend” announcement ($1,776 per service member) was hailed as a symbolic and material win, marking the administration’s use of tariff proceeds for direct military benefit ([09:23]).
• Congressional bipartisanship emerged on intelligence supporting strikes against Venezuelan shipping, with even Democrats voicing support ([06:28]).
• Turning Point’s resilience after Charlie Kirk’s assassination is cast as a “celebration of legacy,” with Erica Kirk’s leadership and mediation efforts praised as vital for the organization’s future ([14:47]).
• The ongoing debate over ideological censorship by groups like SPLC and their ties to federal law enforcement is highlighted as a flashpoint for conservatives ([15:40-16:11]).

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Timestamps on Key Segments

• [03:15] Trump’s Venezuela Oil Blockade Explained
• [04:19] Blockade’s Economic Consequences
• [06:28] Bipartisan concerns and intelligence on Venezuelan strikes
• [09:23] Trump announces “warrior dividend”
• [10:25] Trump on border, economy, and U.S. strength
• [11:36] Hints about new Federal Reserve chair
• [12:24] AmFest – Erica Kirk’s leadership & event focus
• [14:07] Erica Kirk’s meeting with Candace Owens
• [15:40] TPUSA’s congressional testimony versus SPLC

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Conclusion

This episode delivers a blend of breaking foreign policy news, high-impact domestic politics, and major developments on the conservative activist landscape. From Trump's aggressive stance on Venezuela and direct payouts to the troops, to Turning Point USA's resolve amid tragedy and controversy, listeners are given a comprehensive view of current dynamics on the American right.

Further Viewing:
AmFest is available for livestream on Daily Wire Plus.

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Transcript

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[Georgia Howe]

President Trump declares Venezuela completely surrounded blockading their sanctioned oil tankers.

[Host/Announcer]

You remember they took all of our energy rights. They took all of our oil and we want it back.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

We break down the latest on the showdown between Trump and Maduro.

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Thursday, December 18th, and this is Morning Wire.

[Host/Announcer]

Over the past 11 months, we have brought more positive change to Washington than any administration in American history.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Trump speaks to the nation in a rare primetime address, laying out his agenda heading into the new year.

[Georgia Howe]

And TPUSA kicks off its annual America Fest conference today under a vastly different spotlight than years past.

[Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley]

It was Charlie's super bowl event of the year. It'll be our first one that we do without him. I fully intend and I fully expect that the team's gonna make him proud.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

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

[Producer Brandon]

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[Daily Wire Reporter]

President Trump has announced a total and complete blockade of sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of Venezuela. It comes as the US Escalates a pressure campaign against the Maduro regime.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with more details is Daily Wire immigration reporter Jenny Terre. So, Jenny, another dramatic move from Trump this week with regards to Venezuel. What is he hoping to accomplish with this blockade?

[Jenny Terre]

These vessels are already sanctioned by the US Government for doing business with countries like Russia and Iran, our enemies. But they've been navigating through international waters and transporting oil largely to countries like China as well, through what's called ghost ships. So they change the flags to show a different country of origin, or they change the name of the ships throughout the journey to other countries. So this is part of a longstanding effort to crack down on these vessels that are exporting to our foreign adversaries.

[Georgia Howe]

So technically, we've had sanctions on them for years now, but this is a step up in terms of enforcement, it sounds like. Now how is this blockade expected to affect them economically?

[Jenny Terre]

The oil industry in Venezuela is really its main source of income. It's how the Maduro regime is able to really sustain itself without being able to export this to, let's say, its main source of income, which is Chinese buyers who consume roughly 80% of it. They're going to have a real problem economically. And again, the Trump administration really wants Maduro out, and they don't necessarily want to go and do that militarily, although it hasn't been ruled out. But they're trying to build this pressure to say, okay, maybe we can just get him to leave the country. He's already been offered refuge in other countries like Belarus. So if, if he can just leave on his own, and then that will be how regime change is done, then we can walk away from this without any US Casualties to our troops or anything like that. So that's the hope here from the Trump administration.

[Georgia Howe]

So if effective, this would be an absolutely crippling measure for Maduro. Is he standing his ground? What are we expecting to see from him?

[Jenny Terre]

Right. So far, he's standing his ground and he's accusing the US Government of committing crimes against his regime. The US Government has also, in all of this, designated his regime as a terrorist organization. They've also effectively said that Maduro himself is the leader of a designated terrorist organization. That's the Cartel de Los Solas. So this also goes back to the issue of drug smuggling in the region, which we know those strikes the Trump administration has been continuously carrying out for months on vessels going out of Venezuela that are purported to be carrying drugs. There's obviously been a lot of pushback from Democrats about these strikes that the Trump administration has been carrying out in the region. And there was a briefing on Capitol Hill this week where members could hear directly from the Department of War about the intelligence that they've collected on these boats. Even Senator John Fetterman came out of that meeting, a Democrat, and said that the intelligence seems very sound. Listen to what he had to say.

[Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley]

Some things out in the media, it's kind of putting out this, that, that the military is just picking off, you know, any boat that comes across. That's just not true. When they move on those kinetic kinds of strikes, you know, they have absolute confidence that who's on it and what's on it. And that's exactly what it's about. And it's undeniable that that's oil that's going to support Iran. So for me, it makes a lot of sense, at least what I've seen.

[Jenny Terre]

And then also the immigration crisis. This goes back to the Biden era at the border. Trump wants revenge for that. Trump saw the waves of illegal immigration that were largely perpetuated by Venezuelan nationals. And so he wants to put a stop to all of this and to go back in time and say we still remember what you did.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, I know we've been saying this for weeks now, but things escalating by the day. Jenny, thanks for reporting.

[Jenny Terre]

Thank you.

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[Georgia Howe]

President Trump gave a major address to the nation late last night.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Daily Wire political reporter Cameron Arcan joins us now with more. So, Cameron, a rare primetime speech from the president. What did we hear?

[Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley]

Well, the newsiest portion of the night was the fact that the president announced a warrior dividend, a payout of $1,776 to American Service members. Now, this is the first iteration we've seen of kind of this policy being floated as a result of tariffs. Now, there was this idea speculated weeks ago that Americans all could be getting a tariff payout. We don't know if that will come to fruition at this point. But this is the first time we've kind of seen this element of the policy come to life. And that was held very closely to their chest at the White House until tonight when this was announced. Let's hear more from the president on that.

[Host/Announcer]

Because of tariffs, along with the just passed one big beautiful bill tonight, I am also proud to announce that more than 1,450 thousand. Think of this, 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special we call Warrior dividend before Christmas, a Warrior dividend in honor of our Nation's founding in 1776. We are sending every soldier $1,776 and the checks are already on the way.

[Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley]

The president also focused his remarks largely on the economy, including on the concept of affordability. Now, affordability has become a key topic and nearly a buzzword, touted by Democrats and slammed as hypocritical by Republicans, including the president in recent months as Biden era inflation has cooled significantly since its peak back in 2022.

[Host/Announcer]

Tonight, after 11 months, our border is secure, inflation has stopped, wages are up, prices are down, our nation is strong, America is respected and our country is back stronger than ever before. We're poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.

[Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley]

In addition, the president also made immigration one of his key themes in his year end address. He noted how the border has largely gone quiet and poked fun at a border related proposal in Congress while Biden was in office. And the southern border faced a major humanitarian crisis with thousands of illegal crossings daily at some points throughout his administration.

[Host/Announcer]

Do you remember when Joe Biden said that he needed Congress to pass legislation to help close the border? He was always blaming Congress and everyone else. As it turned out, we didn't need legislation. We just needed a new president.

[Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley]

Now the president also dropped hints about what he's looking for the next chair of the Federal Reserve and what that could mean for American home buyers as his foe Jerome Powell will be finishing up his term next year.

[Host/Announcer]

Wait till you see, the numbers are going to be shocking. And I'll soon announce our next chairman of the Federal Reserve, someone who believes in lower interest rates by a lot and mortgage payments will be coming down even further.

[Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley]

In short, the president touted some of his wins from the past year and laid out some of his goals going into 2026.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Well, the nation's eyes on the president last night for this address. Cameron, thank you so much for reporting.

[Georgia Howe]

Turning Point USA's annual America Fest conference kicks off today, marking the first major Turning Point event since the tragic assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Here with the details is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presta Giacomo. So, Amanda, obviously this is a pivotal moment for this organization, their big annual event. What can we expect this year?

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Well, Kirk's widow, Erica Kirk, and leadership at Turning Point usa. They've made it clear that they want Kirk's mission of advancing conservatism and his legacy to move forward. Leaders have described this year's Amfest as a powerful celebration of faith, freedom and the legacy of Charlie Kirk. Now there will be a very significant moment at the conference when we hear directly from Erica Kirk. She's stepped in as CEO of Turning Point in the wake of her husband's murder. Erica has recently been promoting Charlie Kirk's last book and she spoke at a CBS town hall. But this speech I would imagine would be more focused on Turning Point specifically and her leadership there. So a lot of people will be tuning in for that. As usual, very prominent conservatives will be giving speeches at the event that includes Vice President J.D. vance, Megan Kelly, Tucker Carlson and the Daily Wires, Ben Shapiro and Michael Knowles and literally dozens of others. Turning Point leadership seems to be stressing unity and free speech despite a lot of background noise over the past few months. Kirk was known for being very good at coalition building within the movement and promoting free speech. And that's clearly still a priority for Turning Point. Now, the event runs today through December 21st at the Phoenix Convention center in Arizona. It's been sold out for a while now and tens of thousands of people are expected to be at the facility. And we should note that if you want to tune in virtually, it will be live streamed on Daily Wire, will have coverage from our DC team.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Right. We're certainly looking forward to that coverage here. Now you mentioned the background noise that TPUSA is overcoming. There have been a bunch of conspiracy theories aimed at the organization in recent weeks. Where do things stand now, especially as we head into this conference?

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Right. There's been a lot of media and online attention on Erica's meeting earlier this week with the most prominent person who's been promoting many of those theories, Candace Owens. Megyn Kelly has actually gotten involved here. She said that she worked behind the scenes to broker this meeting. In fact, now after the meeting, Erica said it was, quote, a very productive conversation. And she also made clear that she wants to put this behind her and the organization. She said, quote, looking forward to Amfest this week. Time to get back to work. Now. One more note on this Turning Point. Spokesman Andrew Colvette really applauded Erica for this meeting and he said it was a good example of her leadership.

[Daily Wire Executive Editor John Bickley]

I'm not going to jump to conclusions. I'm not going to get out over my skis. I'm just going to say good for Erica Kirk leading the way, showing the world how to do things by example, modeling a Christian ethic and good behavior. I'm going to just hope that the seeds planted in good faith and the olive branch that was offered that that's going to bear fruit.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Now one more question before you go. There was also congressional testimony from Turning Point earlier this week about the influence of far left group Southern Poverty Law Center. Tell us about that testimony.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Yes. So the SPLC's hate map, which is supposed to track extremism, it includes Turning Point. Amazingly, this very partisan group had a partnership or an association with the FBI. But that association was cut back in October from the Trump administration. Here's Turning Points. Andrew Cipher testifying on Tuesday, the SPLC.

[Producer Brandon]

Hastily labels ideologically opposing organizations as hate groups, misleading well intentioned entities and blurring the line between real hate and mere differences of opinion. Charlie warned just before his murder that the SBLC's hate map designation equating campus.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

Kids who promote the Constitution, the Bill.

[Producer Brandon]

Of Rights and pro life, pro family values with the KKK and neo Nazis would put Turning Point in the crosshairs.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

This proved prophetic Well, a big week on a number of levels for Kirk's organization. Amanda, thank you so much for reporting.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

You're welcome.

[Daily Wire Reporter]

And again, for listeners, you can watch America Fest live on Daily Wire plus starting this afternoon.

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with us. And if you're listening to the show now, you can watch for free on Daily Wire plus, we'll be back later this evening with more news you need to know.

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