Verdict with Ted Cruz

1) Media vs. Military: Narco‑Boat Strikes

• Central assertion: Media outlets (especially The Washington Post) allegedly “slandered” the military with false reporting about a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan drug boat; Senator Tom Cotton is quoted saying everyone on the boat was a “valid target” based on intelligence.
• Details cited:
  • References to NBC’s question about orders by Defense Secretary Pete ...

• Recent attacks & immigration/vetting

  • Ben and Senator Cruz link a shooting of National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. to failures in vetting Afghan nationals admitted under “Operation Allies Welcome,” asserting a broader pattern of violence from inadequately vetted immigrants. They cite a TikTok bomb-threat arrest in Texas and connect these incidents to Biden administration policies. 

• Bord...

• Pipe Bomber Arrest (Main News Story)

  • After nearly five years, the FBI arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., accused of planting pipe bombs near the DNC and RNC headquarters on January 5, 2021.
  • The discussion criticizes the Biden administration for delaying the investigation despite having evidence early on.
  • Quotes from Pam Bondi and Dan Bongino emphasize that the arrest was achieved through renewed focus under the Trump administra...

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.

Vindication

Capitol Hill hearings on U.S. military ...

• Affordability and Economic Policy

  • Trump says his administration is taking “historic action” to lower costs for American consumers.
  • Key measures include:
    • Rolling back fuel economy standards (terminating Biden-era CAFE standards).
    • Criticism of electric vehicle mandates and environmental regulations, calling them part of the “Green New Scam.”
    • Emphasis on keeping gasoline-powered cars widely avai...

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 Cost of Things

Clay points out the economy is g...

Scott Jennings latest book: A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization

• Book Overview: Jennings explains the book’s premise, which chronicles Donald Trump’s second term, his governing style, and major policy initiatives.
• Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Jennings shares personal anecdotes about meeting Trump, interviewing cabinet members, and observing Oval Office...

• Whistleblower Allegations

  • Over 400 employees from the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services claim they warned Governor Walz about the fraud early but faced retaliation instead of cooperation.
  • Allegations include monitoring, threats, and discrediting of fraud reports.

• Nature of the Fraud

  • Fraud reportedly involved members of the Somali diaspora misappropriating millions from Medicaid autism program...

• Attack Incident

  • We begin with the recent violent attack of two National Guard members that were shot by an Afghan national who allegedly entered the U.S. through Biden’s resettlement program.
  • One guard member died, and the other was critically injured.

• Criticism of Biden Administration

  • The administration prioritized political optics over security during the Afghanistan withdrawal.
  • Accusations of incomp...

• Massive Welfare Fraud in Minnesota Funding Terrorism

  • Allegations that Minnesota taxpayers indirectly funded the terrorist group Al-Shabab through fraudulent welfare programs.
  • Fraud reportedly involved members of the Somali community, with billions of dollars stolen and millions sent to Somalia, some ending up with Al-Shabaab.
  • The program cited is Minnesota’s Medicaid Housing Stabilization Services (HHS), which ball...

• Affordability Narrative

  • Democrats were previously dismissing inflation and now emphasizing affordability.
  • Democrats are trying to portray the economy as a disaster and blame Trump.

• Gas Prices & Energy

  • Positive news: Thanksgiving gas prices at their lowest since the pandemic.
  • National average forecast: $3.02 per gallon.
  • Nearly 30 states have prices under $3; Oklahoma leads at $2.50.
  • Liberal states like Ca...

• Incident Details

  • Location: Near Farragut West Metro Station, close to the White House.
  • Victims: Two National Guardsmen (one female shot in chest and head, another hit in the neck).
  • Suspect: 29-year-old Afghan national, entered U.S. in 2021 during evacuation, overstayed visa.
  • Attack: Ambush-style, suspect fired multiple rounds, seized a guard’s weapon, and was subdued after being shot.

• Political Framing

  ...

• Personal & Family Reflections

  • Opening segment emphasizes gratitude during Thanksgiving, family bonding, and playing games like poker and dominoes.
  • Anecdotes about family traditions and childhood experiences.

• Political Commentary

  • Muslim Brotherhood Designation:
    • Discussion on Donald Trump’s executive order to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
    • Ted Cruz explains his dec...

• Investigation of Senator Mark Kelly

  • The Department of War is investigating Senator Mark Kelly for allegedly making a seditious video urging military personnel to refuse illegal orders from President Donald Trump.
  • The video featured Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers encouraging military and intelligence officials to uphold the Constitution and reject unlawful commands.
  • Trump responded by calling the act sedition, deman...

• Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Resignation

  • Greene announced she will resign from Congress in January.
  • This is a significant moment for the Republican Party, emphasizing internal accountability and contrasting it with perceived Democratic inaction on radical elements.
  • Greene’s shift from pro-Trump to anti-Israel and anti-capitalist positions is highlighted as a cautionary tale.
  • Donald Trump’s withdrawal of sup...

1. Michelle Obama and Presidential Politics

• Opening Context

  • The famous phrase: “It’s the economy, stupid” stresses the importance of economic perception in politics.
  • Dissatisfaction with the economy often leads to blame on the sitting president.

• Criticism of Biden Administration

  • Claims Biden’s tenure caused high inflation (up to 9%) and wage decline (approx. $3,000 loss in take-home pay).
  • Biden favored policies benefiting forei...

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.

1. Legislative Action and Presidential Approval
   • The U.S. House voted 427–1 to release Epstein-related documents, followed by unanimous Senate approval.
   • President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requiring the DOJ to release unclassified records and declassify materials where possible within 30 days.
   • Trump publicly celebrated the signing, calling prior criticism a “Democratic hoax” and...