Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: Ukraine’s New Deal & Christian Colleges Snub TPUSA?
Date: November 25, 2025
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Produced by: The Daily Wire

Overview

This episode of Morning Wire covers:

• The latest developments in U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
• A growing controversy over Christian colleges rejecting Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapters, even as conservative student activism surges.
• The Trump administration’s significant overhaul of federal homelessness policy.
• A brief update on Trump’s move to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations

[03:00–06:35]

• Developments in Peace Talks:
  White House presented a 28-point peace plan, demanding concessions from Ukraine for peace.
  Initial hardline stance ("Thanksgiving deadline" and threat to cut off aid) now softened—described as a "negotiating tactic."

  “That all or nothing language from the White House was nothing more than a sort of negotiating tactic from Trump. Call it an anchoring technique.” — Cabot Phillips [03:24]

• Positive Momentum:
  Recent Geneva talks involve U.S. diplomats (including Secretary of State Rubio), who's “all smiles” after what he called,

  “Probably the most productive day we have had on this issue, maybe in the entirety of our engagement.” — Rubio [04:13]

  Trump commented cautiously on Truth Social:

  “Is it really possible that big progress is being made in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine? Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening.” — Trump [04:25]

• Key Shifts in Proposal:
  Now a 19-point plan, more favorable to Ukraine:

  • No cap on future Ukrainian military size.
  • No blanket amnesty for war crimes (Russians could still face charges).

• Remaining Hurdles:
  Major sticking point: Ukraine would have to cede territory in the east, recognizing it as Russian.

  “It is crucial to support the principles on which Europe stands—that borders cannot be changed by force.” — Zelensky [05:32]

  Zelensky also demands stronger security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe in case Russia tries to invade again.

2. Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation

[05:47–06:35]

• Policy Move:
  Following Texas, Trump administration signals intent to federally designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
  Would outlaw material support, freeze assets, and potentially pave the way for military action.

  “Final plans are being drawn.” — Trump [05:58]

  This is seen as consistent with broader Trump national security priorities.

3. Christian Colleges Deny TPUSA Chapters

[07:48–12:27]

• Phenomenon:
  TPUSA saw 44,000 new chapter applications following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
  However, about 20 Christian colleges have rejected or blocked chapters.

• Notable Rejections:

  • Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU): Denied TPUSA requests three times.
  • Biola University: Rejected once in 2023; new request still stalled.
  • Others: Bob Jones University, Asbury, Oral Roberts, Loyola New Orleans, and more.
  • Concordia University (Wisconsin): Initially denied but relented after viral backlash.

• Official Reasons Given:

  • Concerns over TPUSA's “problematic rhetoric.”

  • Objections to the Professor Watch List, which reportedly documents professors accused of discriminating against conservatives.

  • Clubs must foster “constructive communication” (PLNU).

  • TPUSA’s “narrative and tactics” not aligning with values (Biola).

    “The reason they gave for denying the chapter is that Turning Point USA promotes problematic rhetoric, which of course is very vague.” — Megan Basham [01:58]

    “I think those are just nicely worded statements to cover the real reason. I think that they do not want for conservative students to find their voice.” — Lydia Harvey, PLNU alum [10:34]

• Perceived Double Standard:
  Left-leaning clubs (focused on gender equality, immigration, racial justice) have been approved, while TPUSA is blocked.

  “Biola approved the left-leaning club Students for Justice and Liberation... yet the verdict on TPUSA is still being drug out...” — Megan Basham [11:00]

• Concerns from Students/Alums:
  Administration moving left of conservative student and parent base.
  Conservative discomfort—e.g., schools removed Charlie Kirk memorials but allow BLM protests.

  “Parents are also pointing out that these same campuses that wouldn’t allow a Charlie Kirk memorial will allow BLM protests.” — Megan Basham [11:52]

4. Trump Administration Changes Federal Homelessness Policy

[12:59–17:02]

• Background:
  Federal government annually issues $3.5B in grants (Continuum of Care, CoC) for homeless housing.

• Shift in Policy:
  Old Policy: “Housing First” — Give subsidized housing to homeless people with no conditions (no requirements to seek treatment, etc.).

  “For a little over a decade... these annual funding announcements said the federal money would be given almost exclusively to groups that practice housing first.” — Judge Glock [14:12]

  New Approach:

  • Ends housing-first mandate.

  • Requires nonprofits to provide or facilitate treatment (e.g., addiction, mental health).

  • More funding directed to transitional (time-limited) housing, encouraging movement toward self-sufficiency.

    “The biggest change is there's no more Housing First mandate. Instead... nonprofits must provide treatment for underlying issues instead of just focusing on housing.” — Judge Glock [14:45]

• Criticism/Opposition:
  Critics say the changes could force 200,000 people out of housing.

  "That concern is a little overblown, to say the least." — Judge Glock [15:28]

  In reality, Judge Glock argues, funding will shift but not disappear; groups must simply demonstrate program effectiveness.

• Debate Over Focus:
  Critics say many homeless clients are “disabled” and can't be expected to achieve self-sufficiency.
  Glock counters that the legal definition of disabled includes addiction/alcoholism, and recipients “are certainly capable of undergoing treatment and ideally at some point returning to work.”

  “To many people, including myself, people struggling with addiction are certainly capable of undergoing treatment and ideally at some point returning to work.” — Judge Glock [16:53]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• [04:13] Rubio:
  “It is probably the most productive day we have had on this issue, maybe in the entirety of our engagement…”

• [05:32] Zelensky:
  “It is crucial to support the principles on which Europe stands—that borders cannot be changed by force.”

• [10:34] Lydia Harvey (PLNU alum):
  “I think those are just nicely worded statements to cover the real reason. I think that they do not want for conservative students to find their voice.”

• [11:25] Estella Becerra (Biola Sr.):
  “The fact that he died through political violence was really heartbreaking and it was heartbreaking for my generation and for Biola not to see that and be so disconnected from the student body.”

• [14:12] Judge Glock (on old homeless funding):
  “For a little over a decade... these annual funding announcements said the federal money would be given almost exclusively to groups that practice housing first.”

• [16:53] Judge Glock (on capacity for treatment/self-sufficiency):
  “To many people, including myself, people struggling with addiction are certainly capable of undergoing treatment and ideally at some point returning to work.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |--------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------| | Ukraine Peace Deal & Negotiations | 03:00 | 06:35 | | Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Update | 05:47 | 06:35 | | TPUSA Rejected by Christian Colleges | 07:48 | 12:27 | | Trump Admin Homelessness Policy Overhaul | 12:59 | 17:02 |

Tone & Language

• The tone is factual, urgent, and slightly combative—consistent with Morning Wire’s conservative-leaning editorial style.
• Balanced inclusion of sourced statements from administration officials, skeptical students, and interview guests.
• Significant skepticism toward left-leaning policies and a focus on transparency and “double standards” in higher education and policy.

Takeaways

• Ukraine conflict: Progress in talks but key disagreements remain—especially over territorial concessions.
• Christian colleges: The rejection of TPUSA has ignited debate about free expression, campus politics, and ideological drift within Christian higher ed.
• Homeless policy: The administration is moving away from “housing first,” stirring debate over what best reduces homelessness and what outcomes should be prioritized.
• National security: Pending designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group could have wide-reaching consequences.

This episode is a snapshot of major U.S. and international policy developments, campus culture war flashpoints, and ongoing debates about the direction of conservative activism and governance.