This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click here.
Louisville Shooting Update
Nearly a dozen people were shot in Louisville, Kentucky, early Monday morning when an assailant opened fire inside the Old National Bank. The shooting happened near Louisville Slugger Field, a minor-league baseball stadium inside the city. The suspect was reportedly a current or former employee of the bank. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked the nation to “Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville” and revealed that several of the victims were his friends:
“This is awful. I have a very close friend that didn’t make it today,” Beshear said. “And I have another close friend who didn’t, either. And one who’s at the hospital, that I hope is going to make it through. So when we talk about praying, I hope people will.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said two of his close friends were killed in the shooting and another was injured. The shooter had a connection to the downtown Louisville bank targeted in Monday’s shooting, authorities said during a news conference.
“I have a very close friend… pic.twitter.com/X17XagqiO1
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 10, 2023
White House Recruits Social Media Influencers
The White House digital strategy team is seeking out hundreds of social media “influencers” nationwide to tout the Biden administration’s record. Daily Wire reporter Brandon Drey has the details:
DREY: Biden officials told Axios four White House staffers would lean on unpaid influencers and independent content creators to gain support from young voters and mothers ahead of the president’s likely bid for re-election in 2024. Although President Biden has yet to announce his re-election campaign, a White House spokesperson said the digital strategy team would push content on different platforms to reach various demographics. The team of content creators could also potentially have their own briefing room at the White House.
Riley Gaines Reacts To San Francisco State University Downplaying Mob Violence
Last week, former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines was attacked and surrounded by a mob of pro-transgender activists during a speaker’s gig at San Francisco State University.
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In reaction to the negative press and viral videos, the university issued an email statement calling the scene a “peaceful” protest and praising the activists for their “tremendous bravery.” Here’s a portion of Gaines’ response:
“What I experienced … wouldn’t even be peaceful in an alternate universe. I mean it was quite literally the exact opposite. I was barricaded in a room where I could not leave for three hours where they were yelling obscene, violent things. … It was terrible, it was atrocious, it was heinous.”
Swimming Champion @Riley_Gaines_ responses to the email statement issued by San Francisco State University which described the trans activists who assaulted her and held her hostage as “peaceful” and demonstrating “tremendous bravery.”
Riley has responded by saying:
“What I… pic.twitter.com/ZfuxU1UNvE
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 10, 2023
Gaines also announced that she will be pursuing legal action against those who participated — and the university.
Macron Warns Against Following American Way
Following a trip to Beijing, French President Emmanuel Macron said he does not believe Europe should follow the “American rhythm” on Taiwan. Here with more is Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips:
PHILLIPS: After a six-hour meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Macron told the media that he believes Europe must reduce its dependency on the United States and avoid getting dragged into a confrontation between China and the U.S. over Taiwan. Macron also stated that Europe needs to, quote, “reduce its dependence on the extraterritoriality of the U.S. dollar.”
Super Mario Bros. Succeeds At Box Office
And “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” defied expectations and smashed records by pulling off the most lucrative opening weekend at the box office ever for an animated film, a title which was previously held by the Disney sequel “Frozen 2” (2019). Daily Wire entertainment reporter Amanda Harding has more:
HARDING: “Super Mario” brought in about $377 million in global box office sales and $205 million in domestic sales between Wednesday and Sunday. That also makes the movie the highest-grossing film of the year so far, beating Disney’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” “Mario” is already the highest grossing video game adaptation all-time.
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