The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Trump-Venezuela Oil Deal 

• Trump has reached an agreement involving access to 65 billion barrels of V...

Gun Control and Religious Language

• Ben Discusses a Texas House floor speech in which James Tallarico argued for stricter firearm restrictions following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.
• Emphasis on Tallarico's comments that lawmakers were "ignoring God's messengers" by not advancing certain gun-control proposals.

Uvalde School Shooting Legislation

• • Review of debates surrounding legislation proposed after the Uva...

Trump-Venezuela Oil Deal

• An oil agreement involving Venezuela's estimated 65 billion barrels of oil.
• Examination of potential benefits for U.S. energy access, jobs, and long-term gasoline prices.
• Concerns about dealing with the Venezuelan government, competition issues for private energy companies such as Chevron, and the federal government's ownership stakes in private businesses.

Government Equity Ownership and Sociali...

In this episode of 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben examines the escalating conflict between Democratic Party veterans and influential voices on the far left, focusing on James Carville’s criticism of Piker, the role of the Democratic Socialists of America, and what they argue are signs of growing tension within the party. They discuss ideological battles over socialism, party identity, economic policy, generational poli...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben discusses allegations involving the Chinese state-owned shipping company COSCO, broader concerns about Chinese intelligence operations, cyber campaigns including Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, espionage cases involving former U.S. Navy personnel, and recent Justice Department actions targeting Chinese-linked hacking operations. The conversation focuses on what these devel...

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson discuss a CEO roundtable focused on Trump Accounts, contributions pledged by business leaders including Michael Dell and Gwynne Shotwell, the role of investing education for children, and efforts to broaden nationwide participation. They also pivot to comments previously made by James Talarico, examining his remarks about capitalism, climate policy, and eco...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben examines the Supreme Court's decision allowing work on the White House ballroom project to proceed despite ongoing litigation. They discuss the Court's analysis of standing, the debate over presidential authority, and what the ruling could mean for future legal challenges against executive actions. The conversation then turns to a newly announced Venezuela energy agreemen...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben discusses the surge of state legislation aimed at limiting or restricting aspects of federal immigration enforcement, ongoing lawsuits challenging Trump administration immigration policies, and concerns about judicial rulings involving ICE detention cases. They also examine President Donald Trump's comments on border security, comparisons to immigration debates in Europe,...

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson discuss reported Chinese bot farm activity targeting the debate over AI data centers, the political and economic implications of America’s AI race with China, and the Trump administration’s newly announced Venezuela oil agreement. They examine potential benefits for energy production and jobs, concerns surrounding government equity ownership in ...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben discusses allegations of political coordination between prominent Democrats and Canadian leaders, the Trump administration’s tariff strategy toward Canada, and new immigration enforcement priorities involving refugee screening, election integrity, and unlawful voter investigations. They examine how these policies fit into broader debates over trade, border security,...

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz reflects on the release of Cruz’s fifth book, discuss the inspiration behind the project, and examine key themes from Clarence Thomas’s life. They cover Thomas’s childhood, his formative relationship with his grandfather, his experiences with racism, his years as a student activist, his return to faith, and the judicial philosophy that has defined more tha...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben discusses President Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario, the breakdown of trade negotiations with Canada, proposed tariffs on Canadian autos and steel, and comments about the future of U.S.-Canada economic relations. The conversation also turns to rising beef prices, concerns about consolidation among major meat processors, and a discussion between Preside...

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson discuss the inspiration behind Cruz’s new book, the extensive interviews he conducted with Clarence Thomas, the justice’s remarkable life story, his legal philosophy, and the contentious confirmation battle that brought him to the Supreme Court. They also reflect on why Thomas remains one of the most influential and debated figures in American l...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben discusses Chris Coons’ remarks about American leadership, debate the role of Volodymyr Zelensky on the world stage, examine Democratic positions on ICE and immigration enforcement, and analyze reports involving CARE Action, the Unity and Justice Fund, and support for candidates including Abdul El-Sayed. They also explore campaign fundraising, voter mobilization effo...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson , Ben examines the backlash surrounding Hassan Piker's comments about American Jews and Israel, the responses from Democratic leaders, and the political consequences that could follow. They discuss statements from figures including Hakeem Jeffries, Jeremy Moss, and Democratic strategist Joel Rubin, while evaluating how the controversy may affect Democratic candidates and upcom...

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz presents part 2 of his one-on-one interview with Justice Clarence Thomas, covering the Justice’s views on constitutional interpretation, precedent, property rights, the Second Amendment, Reconstruction, and the role of the judiciary in protecting individual liberty. Thomas shares personal stories from his early career, discusses the lasting influence of thinkers like ...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson Ben examines the Trump administration’s latest sanctions strategy against Iran, the significance of increased commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the impact of the ongoing naval blockade, and reports that the United Arab Emirates has suspended trade ties with Tehran. They discuss how economic pressure, regional diplomacy, and energy markets are shaping the n...

In this episode of the 47 Morning Update w Ben Ferguson, Ben examines the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks, the Trump administration's decision to impose new tariffs, Canada's planned response, and the potential economic consequences for manufacturers, businesses, workers, and consumers on both sides of the border. They also discuss comments made during the Michigan Senate race involving Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Vice...

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz welcomes Justice Thomas for a rare and personal discussion about his life story, from growing up in segregated Georgia to attending Yale Law School, confronting racism in both the South and the North, and developing the constitutional philosophy that would define his career on the Supreme Court. Thomas reflects on the people, ideas, and moments that shaped his thinking and ...