The Ben Ferguson Podcast

• Scope of Fraud

  • Fraud schemes involve billions of dollars across programs such as childcare assistance, healthcare billing, nutrition programs, and pandemic relief funds.
  • A major case cited is the Feeding Our Future scandal, which misappropriated $300 million in COVID-19 relief funds intended for child nutrition.

• Investigations and Enforcement

  • The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, has surged resources to Minne...

1. Alleged Fraud in Minnesota and Governor Tim Walz's Response

• A viral video that exposes widespread fraud involving childcare centers and federal aid programs in Minnesota, linked to the Somali community.
• Governor Tim Walz is criticized for refusing to address media questions and for advocating more inclusivity toward the Somali community despite the allegations.
• The report claims federal agencies, including the Department of...

• Daycare & Autism Centers Fraud

  • Numerous daycare centers and autism facilities have received millions in state funding but have no children enrolled.
  • Example: A daycare shut down for violations reopened under a new name and continued receiving funds.

• Home Healthcare Fraud

  • A single building allegedly housed 14 Somali-owned healthcare companies, all billing the state for services that were never provided.
  • F...

• Gas Prices Declining

  • Gas prices have fallen significantly, with national averages dropping below $3 per gallon and some states seeing prices as low as $2.36.
  • In contrast under Biden (around $5 per gallon in 2022) and frames this is a major success under Trump.

• Affordability Narrative

  • Affordability is presented as a central issue for elections, Democrats are blaming Trump for economic challenges while data sh...

• Inflation Drop

  • Inflation fell unexpectedly to 2.7%, which the author claims validates Trump’s economic strategy.

• Energy Policy Impact

  • Deregulation and expansion of domestic oil and gas production lowered energy costs, reducing transportation and manufacturing expenses across the economy.

• Tariffs and Trade

  • Contrary to predictions of price hikes and supply chain chaos, tariffs pressured fore...

• Government Waste and Reform

  • Musk discusses shocking inefficiencies in the U.S. federal government, such as:
    • Excessive software licenses and media subscriptions (often double the number of employees).
    • Duplicate credit cards and unexplained payments.
    • Fraudulent NGO funding (e.g., billions allegedly misused).
  • He emphasizes that the government is essentially run by computers and that reform requires direct access...

• Fraud and Improper Payments

  • The Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted investigations revealing major vulnerabilities in ACA enrollment and subsidy systems.
  • Examples include:
    • Approval of fictitious applicants with fake Social Security numbers.
    • Duplicate subsidies tied to the same SSN.
    • Payments for deceased individuals (estimated at $94 million).
    • Brokers exploiting weak verification systems for commissions.
    ...

• Objective of the Plan

  • Lower healthcare costs for Americans.
  • Extend expiring ACA subsidies temporarily while transitioning to a new system.
  • Shift financial benefits from insurance companies to individuals.

• Proposed Measures

  • Two-year extension of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (originally expanded during COVID-19).
  • Income eligibility cap for subsidies at 700% of the federal poverty line to prevent wealthy Americ...

• Main Allegation:

  • Widespread fraud in Minnesota involving daycare centers, childcare programs, and pandemic relief funds.
  • Fraud allegedly linked to Somali immigrant communities, with claims that stolen funds were sent overseas and possibly tied to terrorist organizations like Al Shabab.

• Federal Response:

  • Trump administration froze $185 million in childcare funds to Minnesota.
  • Actions include:
    • Defend the ...

• Main Allegation: Widespread fraud in Minnesota’s childcare programs, allegedly involving fake daycare centers and misuse of federal funds over the past decade.
• Federal Response:
  • The Trump administration froze $185 million in federal childcare funds to Minnesota.
  • Actions announced by Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill include:
    • Activation of the “Defend the Spend” system requiring receipts or photo ev...

• Fraud Allegations

  • A reported $9+ billion fraud in Minnesota’s Medicaid and childcare programs.
  • Fraud schemes allegedly involved fake daycare centers, autism centers, and home healthcare providers.
  • Claims that funds were diverted to terrorist groups like Al Shabaab.

• Actors and Accountability

  • Somali immigrants are the primary perpetrators.
  • Minnesota politicians (e.g., Governor Tim Walz) for alleged compl...

1. U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

• President Donald Trump announced the first known U.S. strike on land in Venezuela, targeting a drug-loading site.
• The operation is part of a broader pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro's government.
• Trump says 97% of drug trafficking by sea has been stopped and emphasizes the life-saving impact of these operations.
• Mentions covert operations authorized by Trump and a lack of off...

1. Minnesota Fraud Scandal: 

               Minnesota lets voters 'vouch' for up to 8 others (SEE STORY HERE)

• Allegations of massive fraud in childcare programs and federal aid schemes in Minnesota, involving Somali-linked organizations.
• Governor Tim Walz for refused to apologize and instead advocating for welcoming more Somali immigrants, despite fraud...

• The Scandal

  • Fraud schemes allegedly involve billions of dollars across multiple programs: childcare assistance, autism centers, and home healthcare.
  • Daycare centers licensed for dozens of children reportedly received $1–$3 million annually, yet appeared empty or inactive during visits.
  • Some facilities had blocked windows, locked doors, and no visible signs of operation.

• Nick Shirley’s Investigation

• Scale of Fraud:

  • FBI Director Cash Patel confirmed that the fraud is extensive, describing it as “just the tip of a very large iceberg.”
  • A single dismantled scheme tied to federal food aid programs amounted to $250 million, resulting in 78 indictments and 57 convictions.
  • Broader estimates suggest fraud across multiple programs in Minnesota could total billions of dollars, including Medicaid, childcare assistan...

• Massive Fraud Allegations (WATCH NICK's VIDEO HERE!)

  • Minnesota has spent $18 billion on Medicaid over several years, with up to $9 billion allegedly lost to fraud.
  • Fraud reportedly involves fake daycare centers and autism centers receiving millions in state funds without providing services or having children present.
  • Example: Facilities licensed for dozens of children but found empty, with windows blacked out and doors l...

• Supreme Court Decision on National Guard Deployment

  • A recent Supreme Court ruling (6–3 decision) denying Trump’s request to federalize Illinois National Guard troops to assist ICE agents in Chicago.
  • The legal reasoning: lack of statutory authority for the President to use military forces to enforce laws in Illinois.
  • Dissenting opinions by Justices Alito, Thomas, and Gorsuch, emphasizing concerns about protect...

1. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Subsidies and Alleged Fraud

• Democrats intentionally designed ACA subsidies to expire, framing it as a political strategy to secure votes during elections.
• The ACA was never truly affordable and alleges systemic fraud, waste, and abuse within the program, including:
  • Insurance companies benefiting from guaranteed government payments.
  • Fraudulent enrollments and improper subsidies (citing a Washin...

• Legal and Constitutional Battles involving President Donald Trump

  • A recent Supreme Court decision denying the Trump administration's request to federalize Illinois National Guard troops to assist ICE agents in Chicago.
  • The ruling emphasized that the administration failed to identify statutory authority for deploying military forces to enforce laws in Illinois.
  • Details of the majority opinion, concurring opinion by Justic...