Verdict with Ted Cruz

Verdict with Ted Cruz

Join Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson as they break down the most important news stories of the day and reveal what they mean for you. On "Verdict with Ted Cruz,” you will go behind the scenes of the political debates that define our country. "Verdict with Ted Cruz" is being brought to you by Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC, a political action committee dedicated to supporting conservative causes, organizations, and candidates across the country. In 2022, Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC plans to donate to conservative candidates running for Congress and help the Republican Party across the nation.

Episodes

May 12, 2026 12 mins

1. Local Government Infiltration Case

  • A former Arcadia, California mayor (Wang) allegedly:
    • Admitted to acting as an undisclosed agent for the Chinese government.
    • Faces a felony charge with potential prison time.
  • Prosecutors claim she:
    • Worked with Chinese officials for years before and during her time in office.
    • Helped spread pro‑Beijing propaganda.

2. Use of Media for Influence

  • Wang alle...
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1. AOC

    • Misunderstanding or misrepresenting American history
    • Promoting socialist/communist ideology
    • Opposing wealth creation and free-market capitalism

2. The American Revolution

  • AOC’s claim:
    • The Revolution was against wealth concentration and powerful elites
  • Counterargument in the text:
    • The Revolution was about freedom from government power (King George), not wealth ineq...
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1. Spirit Airlines Bailout Debate

  • A proposed U.S. government bailout of Spirit Airlines ($500 million for ~90% ownership) was considered but ultimately rejected.
    • Government should not own or run private companies.
    • Bailouts are seen as wasteful and ineffective (compared to “burning money” metaphor).
      • Argument that free-market capitalism is more effective than government control.
...

1. ⚖️ DOJ Investigation into Virginia Prosecutor

  • The DOJ is investigating Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano.
  • Allegation:
    • Preferential treatment toward undocumented immigrants in plea bargains and sentencing.
  • Commentary framing:
    • He is a “Soros-backed DA.”
    • This is part of a broader trend of progressive prosecutors being lenient on crime.
  • Supporting anecdotes:
    • Repe...
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Can CA Be Saved?

Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss California’s role as a political bellwether. The hosts closely analyze both the California governor’s race and the Los Angeles mayoral race, framing them as potential indicators of whether voters are beginning to push back against progressive governance. They highlight moments from recent debates, particularly around the controversial issue of transgender athletes com...

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1. Shift to Aggressive, “Peace Through Strength” Approach

  • Emphasizes proactive and forceful action against threats.
  • Promises lethal retaliation against anyone planning harm to Americans.
  • Frames the strategy as a return to “common sense” and strong deterrence.

2. Top Priority: Threats Near the U.S. Homeland

  • Focus shifts to regional dangers, especially:
    • Drug cartels
    • Criminal networks ...
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1. Large-Scale Medicaid Fraud

  • There is widespread fraud in Medicaid-funded home healthcare programs, particularly in Ohio.
    • Companies bill the government for non-verifiable services (e.g., “companionship” or family care).
    • Some businesses are shell companies or share addresses.
    • Individuals may be paid to care for relatives, with limited oversight.
  • This represents systemic misuse of taxpayer funds, pot...
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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

The Deadliest Stretch 

 

Clay Travis and Buck Se...

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1. Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz

  • The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical maritime choke points in the world.
  • Over 20% of the global oil supply passes through it daily, not including broader commercial shipping.
  • Although often perceived as narrow and easily controlled, the strait is ~21 miles wide at its narrowest, making comprehensive surveillance extremely difficult.
  • Large commercial vessels are confin...
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  • Merger Blocked by Antitrust Action:

    • JetBlue offered $3.8 billion to acquire Spirit in 2022.
    • Shareholders, unions, and both companies supported the merger.
    • The DOJ and Department of Transportation, urged by Elizabeth Warren and supported by Buttigieg and Biden, sued to stop it.
    • A federal judge blocked the merger in January 2024.
  • Consequences Claimed:

    • Spirit declared bankruptcy and shut down, leading to:
      • ...
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1. Secret Service Funding & Political Conflict

  • The U.S. Secret Service stopped an alleged assassination attempt and they were underfunded due to Department of Homeland Security budget disputes.
  • Democrats repeatedly voted against DHS/Secret Service funding, framing this as irresponsible given security risks.
  • This political rhetoric contributes to political violence.
  • Discusses legal opposition to construction of a White Hous...
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1. Supreme Court Ruling on Racial Gerrymandering

  • A 6–3 Supreme Court decision invalidated Louisiana’s congressional map because it relied on race-based district drawing, which they describe as unconstitutional.
  • The ruling is a landmark rejection of racial gerrymandering, asserting that race should not be a controlling factor in redistricting, even when justified under the Voting Rights Act.
  • Democrats oppose the rul...
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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Getting Fat on Fraud

 

Clay and Buck discuss the Supr...

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1. Scope of Fraud

  • The testimony describes large‑scale, systemic fraud within Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
  • Individual childcare centers allegedly billed hundreds of thousands to over $1 million annually, often with no real children present.

2. Organized and Long‑Running Scheme

  • Fraud was not isolated or accidental; it showed characteristics of a loosely organized criminal enterprise operatin...
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1. King Charles III’s Visit to the U.S.

  • King Charles addresses a joint session of Congress, becoming only the second British monarch to do so (after Queen Elizabeth II in 1991).
  • The visit is symbolic of deep historical and constitutional ties between the U.S. and the U.K., especially as America approaches its 250th anniversary.
    • Shared Anglo-American legal traditions (Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, John Loc...
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  • Teachers’ Unions as Political Power Brokers

    • Major teachers’ unions (e.g., NEA, AFT) have contributed over $1 billion to left‑wing political causes over the past decade.
    • This funding overwhelmingly supports Democratic candidates, progressive activism, and ideological causes unrelated to education.
  • Education System as Ideological Indoctrination

    • Unions have shifted from focusing on education (readin...
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  • A Third Assassination Attempt:
    This is the third attempted assassination against President Donald Trump, crediting the Secret Service and law enforcement for stopping the suspect.

  • Attribution of Responsibility to Political Rhetoric:
    Violent acts are being fueled by inflammatory rhetoric from Democrats, left‑leaning media figures, and progressive commentators, who are normalizing or encouraging political violence.

  • Fo...

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1. Allegations of Qatar’s Influence Campaign in the U.S.

  • Qatar spends billions of dollars funding U.S. universities to influence American public opinion and academic culture.
  • Qatar hires Washington, D.C.–based PR and lobbying firms to “whitewash” its image, particularly regarding claims of support for extremist groups.
  • Qatar’s status is the largest foreign funder of U.S. universities, surpassing c...
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1. Allegations Against the Southern Poverty Law Center

  • The Southern Poverty Law Center:
    • Was criminally indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
    • Funded or financially supported extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi organizations, and organizers of the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally.
    • Engaged in wire fraud, money laundering, and donor deception.
  • The SPLC is operating a fraudulent fundrais...
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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Iran's Game Plan

 

Breaking news out of Virginia, whe...

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