Transcript of Congestion Toll Controversy & Diddy’s Charge Petition | Afternoon Update | 2.19.25

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Trump and Musk push back on critics. Tensions escalate between Trump and Zelinski, and violence erupts in Brooklyn. I'm Georgia Howe with Daily WIRE Editor-in-Chief, John Bickley. It's Wednesday, February 19th, and this is your Morning Wire Afternoon Update.

Demonstrators gathered outside the US Department of Health and Human Services today to protest cuts made by the Trump administration. The protest centered on advocating for federal workers and funding for what they say is critical research. Democrats like Senator Chris Van Holland say this has nothing to do with making government more efficient. This has everything to do to taking over the reins of government, to serve the already powerful and to slash public services that help every American to make more room for tax cuts for Elon Musk. That is what this corrupt bargain is all about. Meanwhile, last night in an interview with Fox's Sean Hannity, both Trump and Musk hit back against the left's, quote, absurd and politically motivated claims. They say critics are projecting their own wrongdoing onto the administration. They're saying that things are being are unconstitutional, but what they are doing is unconstitutional. They are guilty of the crime of which they accuse us.

That's always the first thing they do. It's in violation of the Constitution. They don't even know what they're talking. Well, it's just a con job. It's a big con job. And they're so bad for the country, so dangerous and so bad, and the media is so bad.

The two also said they'll discuss giving American taxpayers a $5,000 tax refund known as the DOGE dividend.

President Trump and Ukrainian President and Zelensky continue to be at odds following yesterday's peace negotiations. While speaking to reporters in Kyiv this morning, Zelensky accused Trump of being a disinformation space regarding peace talks with Russia. This comes after Trump made the following comments yesterday.

I hear that they're upset about not having a seat. Well, they've had a seat for three years, and a long time before that, this could have been settled very easily. A half baked negotiator could have settled this years ago without either Without the loss of much land, very little land, without the loss of any lives, and without the loss of cities that are just laying on their sides.

Trump doubled down this morning, calling Zelenskyy a dictator without elections, while accusing him of prolonging the war in order to stay on the gravy train.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is suing after the Trump administration effectively slam the brakes on New York City's congestion pricing plan. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has the latest.

As was first reported by the New York Post, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the toll a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners in a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul today. Hours later, the MTA filed a suit to block the administration's move, touting the unpopular program as highly successful. The $9 surcharge for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street was meant to fund the MTA's $15 billion transit plan, but federal officials argue the program violates highway funding rules and was designed more for revenue generation than traffic reduction. Governor Hochul would face a major funding shortfall for transit projects should the toll be axed.

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At least one person is dead following a midair plane collision at an Arizona Regional Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating. Today's incident follows a series of recent air travel disasters, including the deadly collision at Reagan National Airport last month. In response, the Trump administration has pledged a nationwide review of air traffic control systems.

Violence Violence erupted in Brooklyn last night as anti-Israel protesters clashed with counterprotesters in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood. This guy with you, folks.

He's got with you.

He's got with you.

No, no, no, no, no, Protesters chanted anti-Israel slogans while counter-protesters waved Israeli and MAA flags. One person was arrested for assault after allegedly punching a 61-year-old man. Authorities say the demonstration, led by the activist group Hal Outta, lasted nearly four hours. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

Lawyers for Sean Diddy Combs are claiming a prostitution charge is racist and are petitioning to have it dropped. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presta Giacomo explains.

Attorneys for Combs claim that, No white person has ever been the target of a remotely similar prosecution. Among other offenses, Combs is charged with violation of the Man Act, a 1910 law which criminalizes the transportation of individual individuals across state lines to engage in prostitution. The Man Act has also been called the White Slave Traffic Act. Combs' lawyers say that the charge implies racial bias in the prosecution.

A boy who identifies as a girl, one means Class B state Championship in Girls Pole vaulting, spark outrage from lawmakers and parents. The boy's female division victory gave Greenley High School's team the Championship by just one point on Monday. This comes just days after the State's Department Children of Education and Principals Association refused to enforce Trump's ban on males competing in female sports. Lawmakers in the state, like Republican State Representative Lauren Libby, are calling for federal intervention.

The Trump administration will have to cut federal funding to Maine schools in order to motivate the Democrat majority in the legislature and the unelected bureaucrats pushing this agenda to change the policy currently allowing boys to compete in girls' sports in Maine. This session, Republican legislators have submitted several bills to protect girls' sports in Maine. I invite every legislator to join me in standing up for fairness in girls' sports by passing these bills.

Actress Cynthia Arrivo has been cast as Jesus in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl this summer. The decision has sparked controversy online. Daily Wire Culture reporter Megan Basham has more.

Supporters argue that the rock opera has always featured unconventional casting, but critics accuse Hollywood of pushing an agenda. After the casting announcement, many took to social media to slam the move. Actor nick Searsy said, Hollywood is just trolling us now. The production, set for August, marks the first return of musicals to the Hollywood Bowl since the pandemic. Those are your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire. Com. In case you missed it this morning, we covered some major stories, including the Russia and US Reset, the uncertain future of New York City's mayor, and the housing crisis in DC. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MorningWire.