Morning Wire

Evening Wire: Comey Indicted Again & Fauci Advisor Charged in COVID Cover-Up | 4.28.26

14 min
Apr 28, 2026about 1 month ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

Evening Wire covers major political indictments including James Comey and a Fauci advisor, geopolitical shifts with UAE leaving OPEC, and emerging threats from AI misuse and Chinese hacking. The episode also addresses controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's remarks about Melania Trump and security concerns from a foiled Taylor Swift concert attack.

Insights
  • OPEC's influence is fragmenting as major producers like UAE pursue independent energy strategies, signaling a structural shift in global oil markets and U.S. energy independence
  • AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming instruments in violent crimes, prompting government scrutiny of tech companies' responsibility for how their platforms are weaponized
  • Tech billionaires are undergoing significant political realignment, with figures like Sergey Brin shifting from progressive causes to Republican support and White House positions
  • Chinese state-sponsored cyber operations continue targeting U.S. research institutions and COVID-related scientific data, representing ongoing national security vulnerabilities
  • Corporate accountability for employee speech is accelerating, with companies like UnitedHealthcare taking swift action on controversial social media posts
Trends
Geopolitical realignment: OPEC unity eroding as members pursue independent foreign policy strategiesAI governance gap: Criminal use of generative AI outpacing regulatory frameworks and corporate safeguardsTech billionaire political shift: Wealthy tech founders moving from Democratic to Republican alignmentChinese cyber espionage targeting U.S. scientific research and intellectual propertyCorporate social media accountability: Rapid termination policies for employee statements deemed threateningAssassination attempt frequency: Multiple foiled plots against U.S. leadership within short timeframeBiotech security concerns: COVID research theft and cover-up investigations expandingOpenAI growth deceleration: Revenue and user acquisition missing targets despite aggressive expansion spending
Companies
OpenAI
Facing legal scrutiny over ChatGPT's use in violent crimes; missing revenue and user growth targets ahead of potentia...
EcoHealth Alliance
Received taxpayer-funded grant that funneled money to Wuhan lab; central to COVID origins investigation
UnitedHealthcare
Terminated social media manager who posted violent rhetoric; responding to security concerns following CEO's murder
Google
Co-founder Sergey Brin opposing California billionaire tax and shifting political alignment toward Republican support
OPEC
Losing influence as UAE announces withdrawal, signaling broader fragmentation of the oil cartel's unity
People
John Bickley
Host of Evening Wire episode covering major political and security developments
James Comey
Indicted by Justice Department for social media post interpreted as threatening President Trump
David Morins
Indicted for concealing records about COVID origins and overseeing grant to EcoHealth Alliance
Sergey Brin
Donated $60M to defeat California billionaire tax; shifted political alignment toward Republican causes
Sam Altman
Pursuing aggressive IPO timeline despite company missing revenue and user growth targets
Kash Patel
Announced arrest of Chinese hacker Shu Zwei for stealing COVID research from U.S. scientists
Jimmy Kimmel
Under fire for Melania Trump widow joke; refused to apologize and doubled down on remarks
Melania Trump
Issued blistering statement condemning Jimmy Kimmel's violent rhetoric and calling for ABC accountability
Shu Zwei
Chinese national extradited to U.S. for stealing COVID research and hacking thousands of U.S. organizations
Hesham Abugarbia
Charged with two counts of first-degree murder; allegedly used ChatGPT to plan and cover up crimes
Quotes
"the decision to withdraw from OPEC is part of a broader decision by the UAE to chart its own path when it comes to alliances"
Eric Alter, Dean of Anwar Gargash Diplomatic AcademyEarly in episode
"I fled socialism with my family in 1979"
Sergey BrinTech billionaire segment
"hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country and that his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America"
Melania TrumpJimmy Kimmel controversy segment
"he says it was the biggest mistake of his life"
Defense attorney for Taylor Swift concert attack suspectSecurity threats segment
"Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand"
Melania TrumpJimmy Kimmel controversy segment
Full Transcript
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OPEC currently represents about 40 percent of oil produced in the world today, but has been unsteady as American production ramps up and disunity in the Middle East causes growing fractures. Eric Alter, the dean of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi, responded to the decision stating, quote, the decision to withdraw from OPEC is part of a broader decision by the UAE to chart its own path when it comes to alliances. As global alliances continue to shift and OPEC's influence wanes, the departure of the UAE could lead to other defectors. A close advisor to Dr. Fauci has been indicted for concealing records about the origins of COVID. David Morins, who oversaw the infamous grant to EcoHealth Alliance that funneled taxpayer money to the Wuhan lab, was indicted today along with two unnamed conspirators. The charges include conspiracy against the United States, destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in a federal investigation, concealment, and aiding and abetting. Also today, the Justice Department announced the second indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. This time for his, quote, 8647 social media post that could be interpreted as threatening the life of President Trump. Look for our full report on the indictments tomorrow morning. The Iranian embassy attempted to recruit martyrs in London. Daily Wire foreign affairs reporter Cassie Akiva has more. Iran's embassy in London is reportedly recruiting Iranians in the UK for its martyrdom program, according to the Daily Mail. The embassy allegedly recruited on its official Telegram channel calling on, quote, proud Iranian compatriots residing in Britain to join Jand Fada, which translates to sacrificing life. quote let us all to a man give our bodies to be slain for it is better than giving our country to the enemy the message reportedly said in response britain has summoned syed ali mousavi the iranian ambassador to the uk over what the government described as the embassy quote unacceptable in inflammatory social media activity hamish falconer britain minister for the middle East said the embassy quote must cease any form of communication that could be interpreted as encouraging violence in the UK or internationally according to the Foreign Office Statement. An Austrian citizen with connections to ISIS has pleaded guilty to plotting an attack on a Taylor Swift concert. Daily Wire lifestyle reporter Lauren Baer has the details. The 21-year-old whose identity has not been disclosed due to Austrian privacy law, planned to detonate a homemade explosive outside Vienna's Ernst Hoppel Stadium as Swift performed. U.S. intelligence services shared information with Austrian authorities, who were then able to apprehend the would-be bomber one day before the concert. The defendant was allegedly in contact with members of the Islamic State prior to the plot, discussing bomb-making techniques and the possibility of purchasing weapons. Following the guilty plea, defense attorneys say that their client is deeply regretful, stating, quote, he says it was the biggest mistake of his life. Under Austrian law, the defendant now faces up to 20 years in prison. A killer relied on chat GPT to cover up his crime, and now the state is responding. Daily Wire reporter and host of That So Criminal, Lyndon Blake, has the story. Hesham Abugarbia, who is 26 years old, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and the deaths of University of South Florida doctoral student Samil Limon and Nahida Bristie, both 27. The two victims vanished on April 16th. Days later, investigators would uncover a trail of evidence pointing to the suspect and a series of disturbing interactions with Chad GPT. A day before the victims disappeared, he asked, quote, can a VIN number on a car be changed? And quote, can you keep a gun at home without a license? After the killings, the inquiries didn't stop. Prosecutors say he asked ChatGPT, quote, has there been someone who survived a sniper bullet to the head? And will my neighbors hear my gun? Florida Attorney General James Uthmeyer is now moving to fold the case into his ongoing criminal investigation into OpenAI, raising the prospect that the company behind ChatGPT could face legal scrutiny for how its technology is used in violent crimes. The FBI has arrested a Chinese computer hacker who stole COVID research. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has the details. FBI Director Kash Patel announced in a social media post this morning that a Chinese computer hacker has been arrested. He said that 34-year-old Chinese national Shu Zwei has been extradited to the United States to face charges for stealing research from American scientists and participating in a hacking campaign targeting thousands of U.S. organizations. Patel explained how Zoué targeted specific virologists and immunologists from key universities with, quote, aggravated identity theft. Zoué was arrested in Milan, Italy on April 27th, years after a bench warrant was first issued for him in 2023. The Daily Wire spoke with Zoué's lawyer who only shared that his client pleaded not guilty on every count I want to tell you about what our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom are doing to protect the sanctity of life right now Under the Biden administration the FDA made high abortion pills available by mail in an attempt to evade state laws protecting life. Now, anyone can get them, including abusers and bad actors. Women are coming forward with their stories of what happens when abortion pills fall into the wrong hands. In Texas, Katherine Herring's ex-husband attended to poison her with abortion pills seven times. Miraculously, her baby survived, but no woman should have to go through this. That's one huge reason why Alliance Defending Freedom is challenging the FDA now in federal court. A victory in this case could protect countless women and unborn babies. For a limited time, every dollar you give to ADF will be doubled, but only while matching funds remain available. Go to joinadf.com slash wire or text wire to 83848 to have your gift for life matched. That's joinadf.com slash wire or text wire, W-I-R-E, to 83848. Open AI has fallen short on key growth targets ahead of a potential IPO. Daily Wire Assistant Editor Andy Valdez has the story. According to company leaders, new user and revenue numbers are below expectations. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Fryer has reportedly expressed concern that the AI giant will not be able to maintain contracts with data processing partners if revenue continues at the current pace. As CEO Sam Altman continues to seek an IPO at an aggressive pace, slowing growth may turn away potential investors. Questions are now being raised over Altman's data center strategy. OpenAI, despite falling revenues, has poured billions into new data centers, straining the company's resources. The gamble could pay off, but poor numbers are causing some to question Altman's leadership. Google co-founder Sergey Brin issued a rare public statement this week ripping California's proposed billionaire tax. Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham has the story. Brin told the New York Times, quote, I fled socialism with my family in 1979. And he added that he doesn't want to see California go the way of the Soviet Union. Brin, worth an estimated $273 billion, has poured nearly $60 million into efforts to defeat the tax in the state legislature, making him California's second largest individual donor this cycle, behind only Democratic billionaire and gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer. The tech mogul, who previously funded same-sex marriage campaigns and backed Barack Obama's re-election bid, has undergone a striking political shift that mirrors that of other tech billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. Bryn has dined with the president at Mar-a-Lago with his Trump-supporting girlfriend and has donated nearly half a million dollars to the RNC. He's also accepted a seat on the White House Tech Council. House lawmakers are urging Trump to prohibit China's automakers from building cars in the U.S. Daily Wire D.C. Bureau Chief Tim Rice has the details. More than 70 House Democrats signed off on a letter urging President Trump to permanently bar Chinese automakers from manufacturing vehicles on American soil The letter obtained by the Wall Street Journal frames the issue as a national security risk and a further blow to U.S. manufacturing. President Trump, for his part, has signaled a desire to improve relations with China after a months-long trade war and is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month. A Senate bill targeting Chinese manufacturing in the United States is reportedly in the works with possible support from Republicans in Midwestern states. The White House, responding to a similar Democratic letter earlier this month, called any suggestion that the administration would compromise national security to court Chinese automakers, quote, baseless and false. The UnitedHealthcare Group fired an employee who called for Trump's assassination. Daily Wire reporter Breckis Stoll has more. Alison Keen, a now former social media manager at UnitedHealth, posted a video in response to the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. In the video, King says that her reaction to the incident was, quote, aw, they missed? United Health Group swiftly responded to the video terminating King. A senior United Health employee told the Daily Wire that company leadership was appalled at the statement, especially given the murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson. That employee also noted that the company initiated the termination process immediately upon seeing King's post. Jimmy Kimmel is hitting back at critics of his Melania Trump widow joke. Daily Wire entertainment reporter Amanda Harding has more. Jimmy Kimmel is under fire after refusing to apologize for his disgusting joke that First Lady Melania Trump looked like an expectant widow. Instead of showing remorse, Kimmel doubled down during his monologue last night, insisting it was just a, quote, very light roast and not by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination. He was responding to the First Lady's blistering statement saying Kimmel's hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country and that his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America. She also blasted ABC for shielding him, writing, Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt joined the condemnation, asking who in their right mind says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband. For many on the right, the episode is another example of corporate media protecting anti-Trump figures while excusing rhetoric they would never tolerate if it was aimed at Democrats. And a heartwarming story has come out of the chaos at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. After the event was cut short by a would-be assassin, thousands of meals were left unserved. But event organizers found a way to turn the disaster into a positive by donating the meals to multiple shelters for abused women and children. Those are your drive home updates this evening. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com. And in case you missed it earlier today, we covered some major stories, including the DOJ charging the latest would-be Trump assassin, the Iranian regime fracturing under the blockade, and controversy brewing over the reopening of Camp Mystic. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.