In the first half, analyst John M. Curtis offered commentary on current events, including the upcoming Trump administration, conflict zones, and the Los Angeles wildfires. Curtis, who lives in the LA vicinity, was critical of how the situation was being portrayed, stating, "There's been a lot of hype by the government in order to keep people out of their homes." He pointed out that many areas, including Brentwood, were not experiencing the severe conditions reported. He noted, "There are no active fires... no sign of smoke," suggesting that the evacuation orders may have been excessive in certain neighborhoods. Yet in other spots like the Palisades, he warned of unprecedented property losses, estimating potential insurance claims could reach $200 billion, which could lead to California's financial collapse if federal assistance is not provided. Curtis also called for a task force to investigate potential arsonists, emphasizing the severity of the catastrophe: "25 people have died. To me, that's manslaughter, that's murder."
Discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, Curtis argued that the conflict could have been avoided with more competent leadership, claiming, "Biden has been a titular president... incapable of engaging in any real diplomacy." He highlighted Trump's promise to end the war quickly, asserting that his relationship with Vladimir Putin could facilitate a resolution. Curtis suggested that a political solution is necessary to end the conflict, stating, "There is no military way out for Ukraine... Zelensky is going to have to sacrifice a lot of Ukraine's prime territory." As to what Trump plans to do with executive orders once he's back in office, Curtis thinks he'll immediately allow for more domestic oil drilling, re-establish the Keystone XL Pipeline, and tighten border security.