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Trump-Zelenskyy Talk & UPenn’s Federal Funding Paused | Afternoon Update | 3.19.25
Wed, 19 Mar 2025
Trump talks with Zelensky as Putin allegedly breaks the partial ceasefire, UPenn’s federal funding is paused, and the Fed leaves interest rates unchanged. Developing stories you need to know just in time for your drive home. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. Fast Growing Trees: Get 15% off your first purchase when using the code WIRE at checkout or by visiting https://fastgrowingtrees.com/wireVanta: Get $1,000 off Vanta at https://vanta.com/morningwire.
Chapter 1: What are the key headlines in this episode?
Trump talks with Zelensky as Putin allegedly breaks the partial ceasefire. UPenn's federal funding is paused. And the Fed holds interest rates steady. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley. It's Wednesday, March 19th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.
Chapter 2: What did Trump and Zelenskyy discuss during their call?
President Trump held what he's calling a very good phone call with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy today. It comes just hours after Russia allegedly reneged on its deal agreeing to halt attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure for 30 days. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pearce has more.
Trump said the call focused on aligning both Ukraine and Russia's needs after Putin agreed yesterday to halt attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. But Russia is accused of breaking the partial ceasefire overnight after it hit two hospitals and energy infrastructure in the Sumy region of Ukraine. Still, Trump remains optimistic about reaching a ceasefire soon.
For his part, Zelenskyy condemned Putin's broken promise, while other global leaders accused the Russian president of playing games with international diplomacy. Meanwhile, Zelensky also confirmed a significant prisoner exchange and called for further action to pressure Putin toward ending the war, such as additional sanctions on Russia.
Chapter 3: What actions are being taken in Gaza by the Israeli Defense Force?
Israeli troops are headed back into Gaza as the Israeli Defense Force launches its first ground operation since ending the ceasefire with Hamas. The key focus of the op is to retake part of the key Gaza corridor. The IDF seized control of the southern Netzerim corridor and plans to expand the buffer zone.
Defense Minister Israel Katz urged Palestinians to evacuate combat zones in Gaza as the IDF renews its mission to eliminate Hamas. Katz warned that airstrikes were just the first step in a broader offensive.
The Federal Reserve says it's leaving its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.25% to 4.5% as it continues assessing economic conditions. The decision follows three consecutive rate cuts in late 2024. The central bank remains focused on promoting maximum employment and controlling inflation.
Chapter 4: Why is the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady?
The Federal Open Market Committee cited increased uncertainty around the economic outlook as it moves cautiously forward.
Millions of federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania has been paused, pending an investigation into potential Title IX violations. Daily Wire reporter Mairead Elordi has the details.
Chapter 5: What is the controversy surrounding UPenn's federal funding?
The Trump administration's decision follows the national controversy sparked by UPenn swimmer Leah Thomas, a trans-identifying male who won a national title in women's swimming. While the PAWS funding represents a small portion of UPenn's total federal funds, the university could face further cuts if the investigation finds violations.
The investigation also includes San Jose State University and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. Yesterday, a Biden appointed federal judge blocked President Trump's executive order banning trans identifying people from military service, ruling it's likely unconstitutional.
Trump administration lawyers argue that military officials have broad discretion to decide how to assign and deploy service members without judicial interference. They have until Friday to appeal.
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Elon Musk took aim at Joe Biden, saying he left astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stranded in space for political reasons. The comments came during an interview with Sean Hannity last night in which Musk praised SpaceX and NASA for rescuing the astronauts.
The astronauts were only supposed to be there for eight days, and they've been there for almost 10 months. So obviously that doesn't make any sense. SpaceX could have brought the astronauts back after a few months at most, and we made that offer to the Biden administration. It was rejected for political reasons, and that's just a fact.
China and Hong Kong are seeking to thwart a deal between BlackRock and CK Hutchinson to take control of key Panama Canal ports. The U.S. sees the deal as a way to gain an edge in the region and reclaim the canal from Chinese influence. China relation expert Gordon Chang says Beijing has gained a dangerous foothold at the canal.
It not only has port operations at both ends of the canal, it's got infrastructure there. It's got a lot of state enterprises. So there are many ways that Beijing can block the canal if it wanted to. And some people say that the first indication that we will have that China intends to use force in East Asia will be an accident. in the Panama Canal because that will prevent the U.S.
Navy from surging ships from the Atlantic to the Pacific fleets through the canal. So there's the concern.
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