Gavin Newsom's ICE Policy, Charlie Kirk's Israel Stance, and TikTok Deal

Gavin Newsom's ICE Policy

• 🏛️ Gavin Newsom signed legislation to ban ICE from wearing masks, aiming to prevent disguises during federal operations.
• ⚖️ The bill faces likely legal challenges, questioning California's authority over federal agencies.
• 🗣️ Newsom's press office tweeted, "Christy Gnome is going to have a bad day today. You're welcome, America," which was interpreted as a threat by some.
• 🎭 The hosts found irony in a blue state governor fighting against masking, while generally agreeing that law enforcement should not disguise their identity to avoid mistakes and ensure transparency.

Charlie Kirk's Stance on Israel

• 💬 Charlie Kirk's best friend and producer, Andrew Kulvit, clarified Kirk's nuanced position on Israel.
• 🤝 Kirk was a friend of the Jewish people and Israel, but had opinions on the conduct of the war and believed their public relations were abysmal.
• 💰 Kulvit denied allegations that Kirk was offered $150,000 from Israel, stating Turning Point only accepted American money.
• 🗣️ The discussion highlighted that while not on Hamas's side, one should be free to criticize Israel's conduct and US support for its government.
• 🤝 Charlie Kirk's approach was to moderate debates on US support for Israel, fostering discussion rather than imposing strict stances.

Political Maneuvering and Candidate Strategies

• ✍️ Governor Josh Shapiro warned Kamala Harris about answering for her silence on Biden's health during the 2024 race, as detailed in her new book.
• 🎯 Shapiro stated he was vocal privately about concerns regarding Biden's fitness for another term.
• 🗳️ The hosts discussed how Newsom mirrors Trump's strategy, Shapiro aims to distance himself from Biden, and Harris is trying to distance herself from Biden, but it might be "too little too late."
• 🤔 Questions were raised about the timing of these revelations in tell-all books and whether candidates should have spoken up sooner.

TikTok Deal and Data Security

• 🔒 The White House announced terms for a TikTok deal, stating it would be owned by majority American investors and controlled by a US board.
• 🤝 Oracle will serve as TikTok's security provider, ensuring US user data is stored securely in the United States, protected from Chinese access.
• 🇺🇸 The US will not own a stake or be part of TikTok's board.
• ⚙️ The TikTok algorithm will be secured, retrained, and operated in the United States, outside of ByteDance's control.
• 🤔 Concerns were raised about the deal potentially being a loophole, with leased technology and the possibility of US government-aligned entities influencing the algorithm, similar to past concerns with Twitter.

Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Charlie Kirk's Memorial

• 🙏 Benny Johnson reported that Elon Musk told him he was proud to sit with Donald Trump at Charlie Kirk's memorial service, suggesting a mending relationship.
• 🕊️ Charlie Kirk is credited with bringing Musk and Trump back together, with a viral clip showing him praying for their reconciliation.
• 🇺🇸 At the memorial, Trump called Kirk a martyr and used the event as a campaign rally, which some, like Don Lemon, viewed as a mobilization rather than mourning.
• 🗣️ Others defended the evangelical style of the memorial, noting its rally-like nature is common in that tradition.
• 💡 The discussion also touched on Elon Musk's influence on MAGA, pushing it towards a more economically libertarian direction, advocating for skilled immigration and opposing tariffs, contrasting with figures like Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller.