Willis Disqualified & Israel Strikes Houthis | Afternoon Update | 12.19.24

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary: "Willis Disqualified & Israel Strikes Houthis | Afternoon Update | 12.19.24"

Release Date: December 19, 2024

Hosts:

• John Bickley, Editor-in-Chief, Daily Wire
• Georgia Howe, Co-host

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1. Fulton County DA Fannie Willis Disqualified from Trump Election Interference Case

Overview:
Fulton County District Attorney Fannie Willis has been disqualified from handling the election interference case against President-Elect Donald Trump. This decision stems from concerns over potential conflicts of interest and appearances of impropriety.

Details:
In a 2 to 1 decision, the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled that Willis's involvement in the case created a significant appearance of impropriety. The court cited her relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who was alleged to have misused taxpayer funds during the investigation. While the charges against Trump and 18 co-defendants remain, the case has been reassigned to a different prosecutor. Tim Rice, Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor, emphasized that this ruling is a major legal victory for President-Elect Trump, although an appeal to Georgia's Supreme Court is still possible.
“...another major legal victory for the president elect.”—Tim Rice [00:36]

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2. California Man Detained in Connection with Madison School Shooting

Overview:
A man from Carlsbad, California, has been detained following his connection to a tragic school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin.

Details:
Authorities discovered that the Carlsbad man had plotted a mass attack on a government building and was in communication with a 15-year-old shooter. FBI agents questioned him, and firearms were seized from his home under a red flag law. The Wisconsin shooter killed two individuals, injured six, and ultimately took her own life at a Christian school. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive based on seized writings. Police have assured the public there is no ongoing threat to the community.
“Authorities seized firearms and ammunition from his home under a red flag law.”—Zach Jewell [01:20]

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3. Israel Launches Airstrikes on Iranian-Backed Houthi Militants in Yemen

Overview:
In response to a missile strike on an empty school in Ramat Gan, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi militants in Yemen.

Details:
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deployed 14 fighter jets to attack ports and energy sites utilized for military purposes by the Houthis. Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized Israel's commitment to defending its people, stating, "We will continue to act against anyone in the Middle East that threatens the state of Israel and we will defend the people of Israel." This move comes amid reports that the Houthis have launched over 200 missiles and drones towards Israel, although no casualties were reported from the recent school strike.
“We will continue to act against anyone... we will defend the people of Israel.”—Prime Minister Netanyahu [02:05]

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4. Nationwide Strike by Amazon Workers Demands Better Conditions

Overview:
Thousands of Amazon employees across seven U.S. facilities have initiated a major strike, seeking improved wages, benefits, and safer working conditions.

Details:
Represented by the Teamsters Union, Amazon workers from states including Illinois, New York, and California walked off the job after the company missed a union negotiation deadline. Amazon has denied that the union fairly represents its employees, labeling the strike as misleading and illegal. In response, the Teamsters accused Amazon of exploiting workers and refusing to engage in good faith bargaining. The strike has also raised concerns about potential delays in holiday package deliveries.
“Worker. Power. Worker. Power.”—Fannie Willis [02:57]

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5. Nissan Halts Diversity Programs Amid Conservative Pressure

Overview:
Automaker Nissan is scaling back its diversity initiatives following discussions with conservative activist Robby Starbuck.

Details:
Nissan has announced the termination of funding for Pride events, the elimination of diversity hiring quotas, and the cessation of mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training. Additionally, the company plans to withdraw from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. Robby Starbuck hailed this move as a victory against "wokeness," noting that consumer buying power plays a crucial role in influencing corporate policies.
“Normal everyday people... vote with their dollar now.”—Zach Jewell [04:00]

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6. George Stephanopoulos Controversy Over Rape Allegation Language

Overview:
ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos faced criticism for using the term "rape" while discussing Donald Trump's civil lawsuit, leading to significant repercussions for the network.

Details:
During a March interview with Congresswoman Nancy Mace, Stephanopoulos stated that Trump was "liable for rape" in reference to the civil suit filed by E. Jean Carroll. This revelation sheds light on why Disney CEO Bob Iger swiftly approved the settlement. In the interview clip, Fannie Willis strongly objected to Stephanopoulos's choice of words:
“To sit here and ask me as a rape victim to try to shame me for my political choices is wrong. And I think it's offensive.”—Fannie Willis [04:43]
“You don’t find it offensive that Donald Trump has been found liable for rape?”—John Bickley [04:56]
Ultimately, ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to a presidential foundation and museum for Trump, along with an apology to Willis.

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7. Neil Cavuto Exits Fox News After 28 Years

Overview:
Veteran Fox News host Neil Cavuto is departing the network after nearly three decades, marking the end of an era for the channel.

Details:
Cavuto, a prominent figure since Fox's inception in 1996, will host his final episode of "Your World Today." Fox Networks praised Cavuto's illustrious career, describing it as "a masterclass in journalism." The network confirmed that Cavuto declined to renew his contract, which concludes this month. With his departure, Fox faces a 12-hour weekly programming gap and plans to announce permanent replacements shortly.
“Cavuto... a masterclass in journalism.”—Fannie Willis [05:11]

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Conclusion:
Today's Morning Wire episode covered significant developments ranging from high-profile legal battles and international conflicts to major labor strikes and corporate policy shifts. Hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe, along with their team, provided in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on these pressing issues. For more detailed reporting, listeners are encouraged to visit dailywire.com and tune into future episodes of Morning Wire.

Transcript

[Fannie Willis]

This episode is brought to you by Birch Gold Group. Text wyre to 989-898 for your free Gold IRA Information Kit and to claim your free silver with qualifying purchases. Offer ends December 18th. That's wire to 989-898.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, December 19th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Fannie Willis]

Fulton County DA Fannie Willis has been disqualified from the election interference case against President President Elect Donald Trump. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has the latest.

[Tim Rice]

In a 2 to 1 decision, the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled Willis involvement created a significant appearance of impropriety, citing her relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who allegedly misused taxpayer funds during the case. While the court stopped short of dismissing the charges, it ordered the case reassigned to another Prosecutor. Trump and 18 CO defendants still face racketeering charges stemming from alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. While the ruling can still be appealed to Georgia's Supreme Court, for now it's considered to be another major legal victory for the president elect.

[John Bickley]

A California man has been detained after being linked to Monday's school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has more.

[Zach Jewell]

Authorities say the man from Carlsbad plotted his own mass attack on a government building while communicating and coordinating with the 15 year old shooter. FBI agents questioned the man and authorities seized firearms and ammunition from his home under a red flag law. The the Wisconsin shooter, who we are not naming due to a company policy, killed two people and wounded six others at a Christian school before taking her own life. Police say they're investigating writings that may reveal a motive. Meanwhile, Carlsbad authorities say there's no ongoing threat to the community.

[Fannie Willis]

Israel launched airstrikes today targeting Iranian backed Houthi militants in Yemen after a missile struck an empty school in Ramat Ghan. The IDF says 14 fighter jets hit ports and energy sites used for military purposes.

[John Bickley]

We will continue to act against anyone, anyone in the Middle east that threatens the state of Israel and we will.

[Fannie Willis]

Defend the people of Israel, prime Minister Netanyahu warned. Those who harm Israel will pay a heavy price. The Houthis have reportedly launched over 200 missiles and drones toward Israel amid rising tensions. No injuries were reported in the school strike.

[Tim Rice]

This episode is brought to you by Shopify.

[Fannie Willis]

Get a $1 per month trial period.

[Tim Rice]

At shopify.com morningwire that's shopify.com morningwire.

[John Bickley]

Thousands of Amazon workers have walked off the job. The Teamsters union and several thousand Amazon employees it represents launched A major strike this morning demanding higher wages, better benefits and safer working conditions.

[Zach Jewell]

I say worker, you say power.

[Fannie Willis]

Worker. Power. Worker. Power. I say Amazon, you say unfair.

[John Bickley]

Amazon Unfair. Unfair. The workers, which span across seven US Facilities, including in Illinois, New York and California, walked out after Amazon missed a union deadline to negotiate. Amazon denies the union represents its employees, calling the strike misleading and illegal. Teamsters countered, accusing Amazon of exploiting workers and refusing to bargain in good faith. Holiday packaged delays are now a growing concern.

[Fannie Willis]

Nissan is scaling back its diversity programs after discussions with conservative activist Robby Starbuck. The automaker says it will end funding for Pride events, cancel diversity hiring quotas and drop mandatory DEI training. Nissan says it also plans to withdraw from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. Starbuck called the move a victory against wokeness. Starbuck has been behind several major company backpedals over the past year, something he spoke to Morningwire about back in August.

[Zach Jewell]

Normal everyday people, they're very acutely aware of their buying power and how they can vote with their dollar now. And so we've made that point very clear to these companies at this point, where many companies just fear being next and they don't want to be next. So I think we're going to continue to see a cascade of these policies being removed from major companies.

[John Bickley]

George Stephanopoulos was warned against using the term rape when discussing Trump's New York civil suit, but the ABC anchor said it anyway. The new revelation could explain why Disney chief Bob Iger signed off on the settlement quickly. In a March interview with Congresswoman Nancy Mace, Stephanopoulos claimed Trump was, quote, liable for rape while discussing the civil suit won by E. Jean Carroll. Here's a clip from that interview.

[Fannie Willis]

To sit here and ask me as a rape victim to try to shame me for my political choices is wrong. And I think it's offensive.

[John Bickley]

And I mean, you can repeat that again and again and again, and I'm.

[Fannie Willis]

Going to because I find it deeply offensive.

[John Bickley]

You don't find it offensive that Donald Trump has been found liable for rape? According to the settlement, ABC News will pay $15 million as a charitable contribution to a presidential foundation and museum for Trump. It also required an apology from the network.

[Fannie Willis]

And Fox News veteran Neil Cavuto is leaving the network after 28 years. Cavuto, who's been a fixture since Fox's launch in 1996, will host his final episode of youf World Today. Fox praised Cavuto's career as a masterclass in journalism and confirmed he declined to renew his contract, which ends this month. Cavuto has hosted Cavuto Live and Coast to coast, leaving a 12 hour weekly programming gap. Fox plans to announce permanent replacements next.

[John Bickley]

All right, those are your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and for more in depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune in to our full episode of Morning Wire every morning.