Morning Wire

Evening Wire: Another Epstein Arrest & Mexican Cartels Erupt | 2.23.26

12 min
Feb 23, 2026about 2 months ago
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Summary

Evening Wire covers major international incidents including arrests of British officials tied to Epstein, deadly cartel violence erupting across Mexico, and a severe winter storm impacting over 100 million Americans in the Northeast. The episode also addresses political controversies involving California Governor Newsom and security breaches at Mar-a-Lago.

Insights
  • Netflix's $225 billion economic contribution over 10 years demonstrates streaming platforms' significant impact on domestic employment and production infrastructure across all 50 states
  • Mexican cartel violence escalation following targeted government operations suggests increased instability and potential spillover risks for U.S. border regions and American tourists
  • Political messaging missteps, such as Newsom's SAT score comments, highlight risks of tone-deaf outreach attempts that can backfire on social media and invite bipartisan criticism
  • Sanctuary city policies create operational friction between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement, as evidenced by Detroit police suspensions
  • Timing of Black Vault archive deletion amid Trump's UFO declassification demands raises questions about information control and institutional resistance to transparency
Trends
Escalating cartel violence in Mexico creating humanitarian and security concerns for North American trade and tourismIncreased scrutiny of political figures with Epstein connections across multiple countries and administrationsSanctuary city policies creating legal and operational conflicts between local and federal law enforcement prioritiesWinter weather events impacting critical infrastructure and requiring coordinated emergency response across multiple statesPolitical communication challenges in reaching diverse voter bases through traditional messaging approachesTransparency demands regarding classified government documents and intelligence declassificationSecurity vulnerabilities at high-profile government residences despite advanced protective measures
Companies
Netflix
Highlighted for $225 billion economic contribution to U.S. over 10 years and hiring 150,000+ Americans in production ...
Balance of Nature
Sponsor offering phytonutrient supplements through fruit, vegetable, and fiber capsule products
People
Peter Mandelson
Former UK U.S. Ambassador arrested over suspicion of misconduct in office and alleged exchange of confidential docume...
Prince Andrew
Former British royal arrested on similar Epstein-related grounds as Peter Mandelson
Keir Starmer
British Prime Minister who fired Mandelson from ambassadorship in September and apologized for the appointment
Claudia Scheinbaum
Mexican President who addressed nation regarding cartel violence, urging calm and claiming government neutralized blo...
Nick Reiner
Hollywood figure pleading not guilty to double murder of parents Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer, facing potential dea...
Rob Reiner
Iconic Hollywood director found brutally stabbed to death in December along with wife Michelle Singer
Donald Trump
President who called U.S. hockey team, offered military plane for State of the Union, and demanded UFO document decla...
Gavin Newsom
California Governor facing backlash for declaring low SAT score and inability to read while addressing Black voters
Nicki Minaj
Rapper who criticized Newsom's approach to bonding with Black voters via social media
Sean Hannity
Fox News host who posted Newsom clip on X, prompting political response from the governor
Ted Cruz
Senator who replied to Newsom controversy on X with criticism about low expectations
Austin Tucker Martin
21-year-old armed man shot and killed at Mar-a-Lago after pointing weapon at Secret Service agents
Kash Patel
FBI Director who facilitated Trump's call to U.S. hockey team celebrating Olympic gold medal victory
Todd Bettison
Detroit Police Chief who sought to fire officers for cooperating with federal immigration agents
Denise Wallet
Suspended Detroit police sergeant who sued the city after suspension for cooperating with Border Patrol
John Greenwald Jr.
Ufologist and researcher who maintained Black Vault archive of 3.8 million declassified documents for three decades
Quotes
"Over the past 10 years, Netflix has contributed $225 billion to the U.S. economy. They've brought productions to all 50 states and hired over 150,000 Americans as cast and crew."
Georgia HoweOpening segment
"I'm not trying to impress you. I'm just trying to impress upon you. I'm like you. I'm no better than you. You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy, literally a 960 SAT guy."
Gavin NewsomNewsom segment
"I don't know how long I'll be around. I've got a lot of people gunning for me, don't I? But I will not forget them. I'm never going to forget them."
Donald TrumpMar-a-Lago security breach segment
"Americans across the country are wondering why you need present identification to shovel snow, but not to vote."
Andy ValdezNew York emergency snow shoveler segment
"Following the incident, Greenwald posted on X that he did not wipe the servers and that access had been changed without his knowledge."
Lyndon BlakeBlack Vault archive segment
Full Transcript
Let's talk about Netflix, but I don't want to talk about their shows and movies. I want to talk about the economic impact Netflix makes in this country. Over the past 10 years, Netflix has contributed $225 billion to the U.S. economy. They've brought productions to all 50 states and hired over 150,000 Americans as cast and crew. That's carpenters, electricians, and small businesses, all real American jobs. Netflix, investing in America. Another British official is arrested over Epstein connections, cartel violence erupts across 20 Mexican states, and a monster snowstorm strikes over 100 million Americans in the Northeast. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Monday, February 23rd, and this is Evening Wire. The UK's former U.S. ambassador is in custody today after British police made another arrest related to Jeffrey Epstein. Peter Mandelson was arrested over suspicion of misconduct in office as it came to light that he may have exchanged confidential government documents as well as funds with Epstein. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired Mandelson from the ambassadorship in September and apologized for appointing him to the plum position. Mandelson's arrest follows that of former Prince Andrew on similar grounds. Deadly cartel violence spread to 20 of Mexico's 31 states on Sunday. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more. On Sunday, government forces killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel in a shootout that killed at least eight people. U.S. and Mexican intelligence had tracked the leader, referred to as Almencho, to a cabin in a secluded, forested area outside of Te Palpa after tailing one of his girlfriends. The cartel immediately responded by declaring war on the Mexican government. The violence began with pockets of chaos in a few locations across Jalisco State, including the Puerto Vallarta Airport, a hotspot for American tourists. The violence included setting buses and cars on fire to create street blockades and gunfire. At least 250 of these fiery narco blockades have been reported across Mexico, and dozens of deaths have been reported so far. Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum addressed the nation today, urging calm and normalcy, claiming all the fire blockades have been neutralized by government forces. Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty today in the double murder of his parents, iconic Hollywood director Rob and his wife, Michelle Singer. Reiner made his first appearance in court today after his parents were found brutally stabbed to death in their home in December. Nick faces two charges of first-degree murder and could be sentenced to death or life in prison if convicted. He's currently being held in solitary confinement without bail. He's set to appear in court again on April 29th. President Trump made a call on Sunday to a locker room in Milan, Italy, congratulating the men's US hockey team after winning their first gold medal in nearly half a century. Video circulated on X of the team receiving the call via FBI Director Kash Patel as they celebrated their overtime victory over rival Canada Trump had especially high remarks for goaltender Connor Hellebike And by the way you goalie played not bad How are you? Say hi. How are you? Say hi to him. How you doing, Dan? I have seen hockey goalies have slightly worse games. It's unbelievable, and you are all unbelievable. And that team is pretty good you've played. Trump went on to offer a, quote, military plane to bring the team to his State of the Union address tomorrow. Many of the team members could be heard saying they were, quote, in. What would really be cool, and we'll do the White House the next day, we'll just have some fun. We have medals for you guys. And we have to, I must tell you, we're going to have to bring the woman's team. You do know that. Absolutely. I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK? And I want to shake hands. I'm going to shake hands with everybody, but I've got to shake hands with that goalie. We'll see you Tuesday night, Mr. President. California governor and presumed White House hopeful Gavin Newsom is facing intense backlash after attempting to relate to Black voters by declaring that he had a low SAT score and can't read. Yikes. Daily Wire assistant editor Andy Valdez has more. Speaking to a largely Black audience on Sunday while promoting his new book, Newsom highlighted his 30th percentile SAT score. I'm not trying to impress you. I'm just trying to impress upon you. I'm like you. I'm no better than you. You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy, literally a 960 SAT guy. I cannot, you've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech. Rapper Nicki Minaj responded on X saying his way of bonding with black people is to tell them how stupid he is and that he can't read. Fox News host Sean Hannity posted the clip of Newsom on X and Newsom hit back, referencing a recent video posted to President Trump's account that included a short clip featuring the Obamas as apes, which the president says he did not see. Newsom added, quote, but you're going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Senator Ted Cruz also replied on X saying simply, the soft bigotry of low expectations. President Trump has reacted to yesterday's security breach at his Florida home, in which a 21-year-old armed man was shot and killed at Mar-a-Lago. During an angel family's remembrance ceremony today, the president said the following. I don't know how long I'll be around. I've got a lot of people gunning for me, don't I? But I will not forget them. I'm never going to forget them. Authorities say Austin Tucker Martin entered the property carrying a shotgun and a gas can. When confronted by Secret Service agents and a sheriff's deputy, officials say he pointed the weapon at officers and was fatally shot No agents were injured and Trump was not at the residence Investigators say a motive remains unclear though acquaintances told media outlets that Martin had recently expressed strong views about the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. The investigation is ongoing. Two Detroit police officers have been suspended without pay for cooperating with federal immigration officers. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell reports. The officers contacted Border Patrol on two separate occasions during traffic stops leading to the arrests of illegal migrants. Citing a violation of department policy, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison sought to have the officers fired, but the Board of Commissioners opted to suspend the officers without pay for 30 days. While Detroit has not officially declared itself a sanctuary city, it effectively acts as one by prohibiting police from cooperating with federal immigration agents. ICE responded to the situation from their official X account and offered each of the suspended police officers a job. One of the suspended officers, Sergeant Denise Wallet, has sued the city of Detroit. Let's be honest. Most of us have no idea what phytonutrients actually are. And that's exactly why our sponsor, Balance of Nature, makes getting them into your diet so simple. So here's the thing about phytonutrients. They're these naturally occurring plant nutrients and whole foods that actually give fruits and vegetables their color, taste, and smell. Now, what Balance of Nature does is they take all that produce, run it through their specialized vacuum-cold process that keeps everything stable, then they powder it down without any binders, fillers, or flow agents. Just the real stuff. Their whole health system is essentially a value bundle that combines their fruit and veggie capsules with their fiber and spice supplements, so you're getting 47 different ingredients, fruits, vegetables, spices, and fibers, along with those naturally occurring phytonutrients every single day. I really like the convenience that Balance of Nature offers. I can take my tablets with me on the go. I've even got some bottles loaded up in my work backpack for easy access. Plus, I feel great when I take them. So whether you've been on the fence for a long time or it's the first time you're hearing about them, I truly recommend that you go to balanceofnature.com and order their Whole Health System supplements as a preferred customer today. That's balanceofnature.com. Ukraine says it struck a major Russian ballistic missile factory deep inside the aggressing country, marking one of its longest-range attacks of the war. Daily Wire Foreign Affairs reporter Cassie Akiva has the details. According to Ukrainian authorities, they hit a missile manufacturing plant in Vatbrinsk, east of Moscow, about 800 miles from Ukraine's border. Keef says the facility produces short-range Iskander and intercontinental topol ballistic missiles. Ukraine says it carried out the strike using domestically produced ground-launched Flamingo cruise missiles, sparking a fire at the site. The strike comes as Russia continues to use ballistic missiles and drones to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread winter power outages as the war enters its fifth year. Cities across the Northeast spent the last few days warning that winter is coming and now it definitely here Daily Wire reporter Breka Stoll has more Forecasters warn conditions in cities like Boston New York Atlantic City and Portsmouth are expected to worsen today as a powerful winter storm strengthens into a blizzard. Cities in the region are expected to see more than a foot of snow, with nearly 100 million people in the storm's path. New York, New Jersey, and Boston have all declared emergencies with power outages expected amid forecast of strong winds and whiteout conditions. New York Mayor and self-described Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani is calling on residents to sign up as emergency snow shovelers to help keep the streets and sidewalks clear during the storm. This is a way that New Yorkers get paid to shovel snow in assistance with the city's response to a winter storm event. The recruitment push immediately drew attention since participants must provide two forms of identification to become a snow shoveler under federal labor laws. Federal law requires that employers get authorization and documentation to pay people for their work. We are not allowed to just cut checks to individuals for their work. And these are the policies that we've had in place, but I understand that for many, it's the first time that they've ever heard about it. The irony hasn't gone unnoticed. Americans across the country are wondering why you need present identification to shovel snow, but not to vote. The Democratic Socialist of America's New York chapter, of which Maldani is a member and which enthusiastically endorsed the mayor, has strongly advocated against voter ID requirements in elections. And a curious development in the UFO saga has conspiracy theorists and laymen both scratching their heads. Daily Wire reporter Lyndon Blake has a story. Just days after President Trump demanded the release of classified UFO-related intelligence, a massive online public catalog of extraterrestrial related documents has been wiped clean. The archive, known as the Black Vault, contained more than 3.8 million documents related to UFOs, CIA projects, and other major conspiracies. For over three decades, researcher and ufologist John Greenwald Jr. maintained the archive as a resource for those interested in declassified information. Following the incident, Greenwald posted on X that he did not wipe the servers and that access had been changed without his knowledge. The timing of the alleged sabotage has led to speculation about the president's proposed release and whether anyone wishes to prevent it. 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 last-ditch effort to stave off strikes against Iran, Secret Service taking down an intruder at Mar-a-Lago, and Team USA reigniting the American spirit with thrilling victories on the Olympic ice. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.