Verdict with Ted Cruz

1. Current Situation in Iran 

• Over one million Iranians are protesting against the regime in major cities.
• The Iranian leadership has shut down the internet, phones, and media to suppress information and maintain control.
• Protesters are risking their lives; acts of defiance include burning hijabs and removing religious coverings in public.

2. Historical Context

• References to the 1979 Islamic Revolution...

• U.S. Military Action in Venezuela and Its Aftermath

  • U.S. operation in Venezuela was not a war but a short military action to arrest Nicolás Maduro, described as an indicted narco-terrorist.
  • This was not intended as a regime change through force but rather a law enforcement action supported by the military.
  • After Maduro’s arrest, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s former Vice President and a staunch co...

1. New Year’s Resolutions

The first part of the discussion is lighthearted and personal. Both hosts share their resolutions for 2026:

• Ted Cruz’s resolutions:
  • Lose 30 pounds (from 236 lbs to 206 lbs) through diet and exercise.
  • Complete a “Dry January” (no alcohol for the month).
  • Read the Bible daily throughout the year.
• Ben Ferguson’s resolutions:
  • Focus on building muscle after sig...

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.

Poor Choices and Chaos

the fatal ICE-involved shoot...

• Incident Overview

  • ICE agents were conducting operations in Minneapolis when a woman blocked their vehicles and refused repeated commands to exit her car.
  • She allegedly accelerated toward an ICE agent, prompting the officer to fire through the windshield, resulting in her death.
  • The shooting is described as defensive and necessary to prevent harm to law enforcement officers.

• Context and Escalation

  • The woman h...

• Cilia Flores’ Role: Far from being a symbolic first lady, Flores is a mastermind behind corruption and drug trafficking. She was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury and linked to major criminal activities, including her nephews’ cocaine smuggling.

• Western Hemisphere Strategy: The discussion emphasizes the Monroe Doctrine and its modern interpretation under Trump (“Donroe Doctrine”), asserting U.S. domina...

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.

Twist of Irony

Clay and Buck dive into the fallout ...

• Trump’s stance on Venezuela’s oil and U.S. role

  • Trump is asserting the U.S. will “run” or strongly direct efforts in Venezuela, with U.S. oil companies going in to rebuild the country’s “broken” oil infrastructure. Trump is quoted saying elections should occur “at the right time” after stabilization.
  • Venezuela’s oil reserves are worth trillions of dollars a...

• Event Summary (WATCH: PRESIDENT TRUMP PRESS CON HERE)
  

  • The U.S. military executed a highly complex and precise operation in Caracas, Venezuela, to apprehend Maduro.
  • The mission involved over 150 aircraft, advanced coordination across multiple military branches, and cyber and space operations.
  • The operation was completed without any American casualties, which is emphasized as a major success.

• Geopolitical Conte...

• 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...

• 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...

• 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...

• 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. 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...

• 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...

1. Welfare System Fraud and Structural Issues

• Based on an op-ed by Phil Gramm and John Early in The Wall Street Journal titled “The Biggest Fraud in Welfare”.
• Key points:
  • U.S. welfare spending has skyrocketed 765% since the mid-1970s, now totaling $1.4 trillion annually.
  • If distributed evenly among the 19.8 million families classified as poor, each would receive $71,000 per year.
  • The government fails to count ...

• Hollywood and Media Bias:

  • Cruz argues that the NYT list prioritizes political messaging over storytelling and entertainment.
  • He claims the list reflects elitist, left-leaning Hollywood values and ignores popular, inspirational, or patriotic films.

• Alternative Film List:

  • Cruz presents his own list of 30 films from the past 25 years that he believes are more representative of quality cinema.
  • His sel...

1. Cultural Debate on Santa Claus

• UK museum’s guidance to “decolonize” Father Christmas.
• Santa is criticized for being “too white” and “too male.”
• Suggests changes like:
  • Santa working alongside elves to show equality.
  • Mrs. (Mother) Christmas taking a more prominent role.
  • Removing the “naughty or nice” list, which is framed as colonial and judgmental.
• Links these...

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.,...