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--:-- Georgia Howe: Welcome to Morning Wire, I'm Georgia Howe.
--:-- John Bickley: And I'm John Bickley, editor-in-chief of Daily Wire.
--:-- Georgia Howe: It's December 3rd, and we're here to bring you the news you need to know.
--:-- John Bickley: That's right, Georgia. Today, we're talking about a Hollywood elite claiming responsibility for funding the recent attacks on famous paintings in Europe.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Yeah, and we'll also be discussing why more Americans are tuning into the World Cup, and the decline of homeownership in the US.
--:-- John Bickley: And we'll have our guests to break it all down for us. So, let's get started.
--:-- Georgia Howe: First up, we have Christian Toto, a Daily Wire contributor. Christian, thanks for joining us.
--:-- Christian Toto: Thanks for having me, Georgia.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So, Christian, what have we learned about who or what is behind the funding of these art attacks?
--:-- Christian Toto: Well, one of the primary funders is someone very familiar in Hollywood circles. His name is Adam McKay, a famous director, producer, and he gave $4 million to the Climate Emergency Fund just earlier this year.
--:-- John Bickley: That's a lot of money. What's Adam McKay's background, Christian?
--:-- Christian Toto: He's directed some of Will Ferrell's best comedies, including Step Brothers and Anchorman. He also won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for The Big Short, a film he directed based on the 2008 financial crisis.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And has Adam McKay spoken out publicly about these attacks or addressed the fact that he's funding them?
--:-- Christian Toto: Yes, he has. He's defended them on Twitter, saying those people who are upset about these protests are just pearl clutchers. He's basically saying the time to be polite is over, and we need to take more direct action.
--:-- John Bickley: Wow, that's quite a statement. And what about the fact that these paintings themselves aren't being harmed, but the frames and other parts of the artwork might be?
--:-- Christian Toto: That's right. They're covered by glass, so the potatoes and soup and other items that are thrown on them just kind of slide off. But some of the frames have been damaged, and you never know. The works of art in question are extremely delicate, hundreds of years old.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And aside from Adam McKay, has anyone else in Hollywood spoken up about this?
--:-- Christian Toto: There have been some media pieces written on the subject that have been fairly negative toward what's happening with the different protests. And some of the art museum directors have spoken out as well. But as far as I know, I've not seen any prominent Hollywood players weighing in one way or the other.
--:-- John Bickley: That's interesting. And is there any evidence that this activism is effective? Does he believe that this is changing hearts and minds at all?
--:-- Christian Toto: A recent poll by the University of Pennsylvania shows that no, it's not really changing hearts and minds. It's having the opposite effect. Turns out that more people are turned off by what's going on and are less interested in kind of pushing climate change activism after they've read about these situations.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Thanks for coming on, Christian.
--:-- Christian Toto: Thank you.
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--:-- Georgia Howe: Next up, we have David Cohn, co-host of Crane & Company. David, thanks for joining us.
--:-- David Cohn: Thanks for having me, Georgia.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So, David, the US men's soccer team has advanced to the knockout round of 16 in the World Cup. What's the latest on their progress?
--:-- David Cohn: Yeah, they've had a great run so far. They advanced past the opening round group stage after defeating Iran on Tuesday.
--:-- John Bickley: That was a big win. And what about the controversy surrounding the Iranian reporter who interviewed US Captain Tyler Adams before the game?
--:-- David Cohn: Yeah, that was a big deal. The Iranian reporter made a point to correct Adams, citing his country was pronounced Iran, not Iran. And then he asked Adams if he was okay representing a country with so much discrimination against black people.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And how did Adams respond to that?
--:-- David Cohn: He responded with poise, saying, "There is discrimination everywhere you go. And in the US, we're continuing to make progress every single day."
--:-- John Bickley: That's great to hear. And what about the knockout round for those who don't follow soccer as closely?
--:-- David Cohn: Well, each World Cup begins with the group stage, and then the knockout stage means there are no more ties and the tournament becomes single elimination.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And what about the ratings for the US team in this World Cup?
--:-- David Cohn: The first game I mentioned, which pitted the US versus Wales, drew about 12 million people. The next game, which was the US and England, brought in almost 20 million viewers.
--:-- John Bickley: That's a big audience. And what about the future of soccer in the US?
--:-- David Cohn: Many soccer fans across the US are excited to see the sport growing.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Thanks for coming on, David.
--:-- David Cohn: Thanks for having me.
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--:-- Georgia Howe: Next up, we have Ash Short, a Daily Wire senior editor. Ash, thanks for joining us.
--:-- Ash Short: Thanks for having me, Georgia.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So, Ash, why are more Americans choosing to rent instead of buy homes?
--:-- Ash Short: In a word, cost. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is now 6.61%, which is double what it was this time last year when the rates averaged 3.33%.
--:-- John Bickley: That's a big increase. And what about the numbers? Are people really saving money by renting instead of buying?
--:-- Ash Short: According to data from John Burns Real Estate Consulting, it costs $888 a month more to buy an entry-level single-family home than to rent one.
--:-- Georgia Howe: That's a big difference. And what about the reasons behind this trend? Is it just inflation and mortgage rates?
--:-- Ash Short: Not entirely. Banks are also making it harder to get a loan by restricting their requirements, fearing loan defaults. And for some people, the move to remote work has made them less likely to want to settle in one place.
--:-- John Bickley: That makes sense. And what about the impact on cities and communities?
--:-- Ash Short: In some cities, rents can spike by hundreds of dollars a year, forcing people to move or even become homeless.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Thanks for coming on, Ash.
--:-- Ash Short: Thanks for having me.
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--:-- Georgia Howe: And that's all for today's show. Thanks for tuning in to Morning Wire.
--:-- John Bickley: Yeah, thanks for listening. We'll be back later this afternoon with more news you need to know.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And don't forget to check out our sponsors, Balance of Nature and Black Rifle Coffee.
--:-- John Bickley: That's right. Use promo code WIRE for 35% off your first order at Balance of Nature and 10% off your first order or Coffee Club subscription at Black Rifle Coffee.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Thanks for listening to Morning Wire.
--:-- John Bickley: And we'll see you next time.
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