The Ben Ferguson Podcast

• 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...

Overview of the Incident

• The FBI disrupted a credible and imminent domestic terrorist threat targeting Southern California on New Year’s Eve.
• Four individuals were arrested in the Los Angeles area; a fifth suspect was later apprehended in New Orleans.
• The suspects were linked to a radical anti-government group called Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF) and its extremist faction, Order of the Black Lotus.

Det...

• Crime Data Manipulation in Washington, D.C.

  • Investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the House Oversight Committee revealed that crime statistics were deliberately misclassified by the Metropolitan Police Department.
  • The outgoing police chief, Pamela Smith, allegedly pressured commanders to report lower crime figures, downgrade serious offenses, and even retaliated against those who tried to report accurate...

• Incident Summary

  • A terrorist attack occurred at Bondi Beach during a Jewish holiday event attended by over 1,000 people.
  • Casualties: At least 12 people were killed (including one attacker) and 29 injured. Victims included children and a rabbi.
  • Attackers were a father and son, aged 50 and 24, motivated by anti-Semitic ideology.
  • Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found near the scene.
  • A heroic bystander disarmed one ...

• President Trump’s Address

  • Expressed condolences for victims of all three attacks.
  • Confirmed details:
    • Australia: 11 dead, 29 wounded in an anti-Semitic attack; praised a heroic bystander who disarmed a shooter.
    • Brown University: 2 killed, 9 injured during an exam review session; suspect is a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin, detained with two handguns.
    • Syria: 3 U.S. service members killed, 3 injured in an ISIS at...

• Tragic events highlighted
  • Rob Reiner & spouse killed in Los Angeles, allegedly by their son, who reportedly struggled with addiction and mental illness; attribution is said to be from “People magazine,” with police not yet confirming details.
  • Brown University shooting: 2 dead, 9 injured in an economics exam-prep class; a suspect was later found at a hotel south of Providence; motive and affiliation are des...

• Fraud Investigations in Minnesota

  • Investigations have begun on an alleged large-scale fraud involving pandemic aid programs (e.g., Feeding Our Future) and Somali-American community members.
  • Treasury Department, IRS, and FinCEN actions are tightening money transfer verifications.

• Scale of Losses & Evidence

  • CBS News reported lavish spending by convicted fraudsters (luxury cars, cash boxes).
  • Claims losses e...

1. Illegal Immigration and Sanctuary States

• Sanctuary states (Illinois, California, New York) are releasing undocumented immigrants charged with serious crimes instead of honoring ICE detainers.
• Statistics:
  • Illinois released 1,800 illegal aliens charged with crimes (including murder, assault, sex crimes).
  • Over 4,000 active ICE detainers reportedly ignored.
• Specific Cases: Individuals were involved in kidnapping, se...

• Fraud Allegations

  • Claims Somali-American individuals and organizations misappropriated billions in taxpayer funds, especially COVID-era aid programs like school meal initiatives.
  • References the Feeding Our Future scandal, estimating losses at $300 million and citing lavish spending (luxury cars, Maldives honeymoon, $270k cash box).

• Federal Investigations

  • States the Treasury Department, IRS, and FinCEN are in...

• Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Debate

  • Senator Ted Cruz discusses his decade-long effort to have the Muslim Brotherhood designated as a terrorist organization.
  • Explains legislative strategy shift from a “top-down” global designation to a “bottom-up” affiliate-first approach.
  • Mentions bipartisan support, Trump administration’s executive order, and resistance from State Department off...

1. Black Lives Matter Embezzlement Case

• Focuses on Reverend Tee Sharia Moore Dickerson, Executive Director of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City, charged with:
  • Wire fraud and money laundering involving $3.15 million in misappropriated funds.
• Allegations:
  • Diverted bail funds and donations into personal accounts from 2020 to 2025.
  • Spent money on luxury travel (Jamaica, Dominican Republic), retail shopping, food de...

1. Welfare Usage Among Somali Refugees

• Based on Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) data analyzed by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS):
  • 81% of Somali-headed households in Minnesota use one or more forms of welfare.
  • Breakdown:
    • 27% on cash welfare
    • 54% on food stamps
    • 73% on Medicaid
• For households with children, the numbers are even higher:
  • 89% on welfare
  • 86% on Medicaid
  • 62% o...

1. National Security Concerns

• We open with alarming claims that 18,000 known or suspected terrorists have entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, allegedly due to lax border security.
• The source cited is testimony from Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing.
• Specific examples include Afghan nationals linked to terrorist organizations who entered ...