The Ben Ferguson Podcast

• Massive Interest Payments on National Debt

  • $1.2 trillion spent on interest payments in 2025 alone, making it the third-largest government expense after Social Security and Medicare.
  • Highlights the unsustainable nature of U.S. borrowing and debt ($38.4 trillion total).

• Animal Experimentation

  • $13.8 million for beagle experiments involving tick-borne illnesses.
  • $5.2 million for dosing beagles with cocaine and m...

1. Christmas and Its Religious Significance

• The discussion begins with warm holiday greetings and reflections on the meaning of Christmas.
• Emphasis is placed on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, highlighting its spiritual importance over commercial aspects like gifts and Santa Claus.
• Ben and the Senator share personal traditions, such as reading Luke Chapter 2 during Christmas dinner, and discuss cultural practices (e.g.,...

• Poll Analysis & Approval Ratings

  • We dispute claims that Trump’s presidency is a “disaster,” citing an Insider Advantage poll showing Trump at 50% approval and +9 net rating.
  • Breakdowns by demographics:
    • Men: 59% approve, 34% disapprove.
    • Women: Majority disapprove.
    • Age groups:
      • 18–39: 44% approve, 44% disapprove.
      • 40–64: 54% approve.
    • Party affiliation: 84% approval among Rep...

• Golden Fleet Announcement

  • Trump unveils plans for the construction of two massive battleships, described as:
    • The largest ever built.
    • “100 times more powerful” than previous Iowa-class ships.
    • Part of a new Golden Fleet to revitalize U.S. naval power.
  • Long-term vision: expand to 20–25 ships, boosting American shipbuilding and jobs.
  • Emphasis on national security, military supremacy, and economi...

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...

• Epstein File Release

  • The files include photos of former President Bill Clinton in compromising contexts:
    • On Epstein’s private plane with unidentified individuals.
    • In a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell and other women (faces redacted).
    • In a hot tub with a redacted woman.
  • The commentary argues that if these were photos of Donald Trump, media coverage would be relentless, but Clinton’s involvement is bein...

To our listeners a GREAT THANK YOU! Without you this would not be possible. We thank EACH and every one of you for making Verdict what it is today and supporting this show. Much more to blow you away in 2026 so keep listening, and keep sharing!

                               &nbs...

1. Fentanyl Classified as Weapon of Mass Destruction

• Action: President Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a WMD, equating its impact to nuclear or chemical weapons.
• Rationale: Trump cited overdose deaths (200k–300k annually) and national security threats from narco-terrorists.
• Military Measures:
  • U.S. strikes on drug-smuggling boats since September, killing ~90 people.
  • Deployment of the world&rsq...

1. Crime Statistics Manipulation

• Allegations:
  • U.S. Attorney and House Oversight Committee report claim D.C. authorities and outgoing Police Chief Pamela Smith manipulated crime data to make the city appear safer.
  • Misclassification of crimes, pressure on commanders to report lower stats, and retaliation against those reporting accurately.
• Impact:
  • Trump’s crime reduction efforts were more significant than ...

• Operation Hawkeye

  • A large-scale U.S. military strike targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites across more than 70 locations in Syria.
  • Ordered by President Trump in response to an ambush that killed two U.S. service members and a civilian interpreter.
  • Objective: Deliver a “declaration of vengeance,” not a declaration of war.

• Military Details

  • Use of precision munitions and advance...

1. Immigration and Housing

• Mass immigration under President Biden increased rental demand and housing prices.
• Trump’s deportations and border enforcement are lowering rents and home prices.
• Median age of first-time homebuyers is rising above 40 (highest since WWI).
• Wharton study: “Every 1% population increase → rents up 1%.”
• Recent rent declines (−1.1% YoY, −5.2% vs. 2022 peak).

 &...

1. ACA Marketplace Fraud

• GAO (miswritten as “GOA”) found “significant fraud vulnerabilities” where fictitious applicants with “fake or invalid Social Security numbers” were still approved for subsidies. It says “nearly all of the fake applicants were accepted.”
• Duplicate subsidy payments, repeated payments tied to the same SSN, and “tens of thousands” of subsidies con...

• Inflation Drop as a Surprise

  • Inflation fell sharply to 2.7%, described as a “tumble” rather than a gradual decline.
  • This is a direct contradiction to warnings from economists and political opponents who predicted Trump’s policies would cause inflation to spike.

• Energy Dominance

  • Major factor behind falling inflation.
  • Trump administration rolled back federal barriers, accelerated drilling app...

• Border Security

  • Illegal immigration reportedly dropped by 99%.
  • $100 billion invested in border security infrastructure (wall, technology, personnel).
  • Claimed economic benefits: reduced housing costs and rents due to deportations.

• Working Families Tax Cut (formerly “One Big Beautiful Bill”)

  • Permanent extension and expansion of Trump-era tax cuts.
  • Specific provisions:
    • No taxes on tips, overtim...

• Economic Recovery & Affordability

  • Trump has reversed inflation and lowered prices on essentials (gas, groceries, energy).
  • Promises largest tax cuts in U.S. history, including:
    • No tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
    • Families projected to save $11,000–$20,000 annually.
    • Anticipated largest tax refund season ever next spring.
  • Secured $18 trillion in investment, tied to tariffs and reshoring of m...

• Economic Agenda

  • Promises of major tax relief starting in 2026:
    • No tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security for most Americans.
    • Projected savings: $11,000–$20,000 per family annually.
    • Anticipated largest tax refund season ever next spring.
  • Emphasis on record investment inflows, job creation, and tariff leverage.
  • Goal: “Greatest economy in history.”

• Military Support

  • Announcement...

1. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Fraud and Waste

• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report: a preliminary GAO watchdog report reveals systemic fraud in ACA insurance exchanges.
• Findings:
  • Federal auditors submitted 24 fake applications; 23 were approved for subsidies.
  • Fake enrollees received thousands of dollars monthly in taxpayer-funded subsidies.
  • $94 million paid to insurers for deceased individuals.
  • 68,000 Social Secur...

• Lack of Probable Cause

  • Internal FBI emails reportedly show that agents, particularly from the Washington Field Office, did not believe they had sufficient evidence to justify a search warrant.
  • Agents suggested alternative approaches, such as negotiating with Trump’s attorneys, rather than conducting a raid.

• DOJ Pressure and Decision

  • Despite internal resistance, DOJ leadership pushed forward. Attorney G...

1. Foiled Terror Attack in Los Angeles

• Incident: FBI arrested five suspects allegedly planning coordinated New Year’s Eve bombings in Los Angeles.
• Group: Identified as the Turtle Island Liberation Front, described as a radical pro-Palestinian, anti-American extremist group.
• Details:
  • Planned attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at five locations.
  • Four suspects arrested in Lucerne Valley while testing bom...