Verdict with Ted Cruz

• 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.,...

• 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...

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. 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).

 &...

• 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...

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.

Trump IS Fixing the Economy

Inflation has dropped t...

• 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. 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...

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.

I'm Getting a Bad Vibe

Updates on the Brown University sho...

• 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...

• 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...

• 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. 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 ...

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.

• U.S. authorities, including the Coast Guard, FBI, Homeland Security, and Navy, seized the tanker in a coordinated operation. Video footage of the boarding was released publicly.
• Official Justification: The seizure was based on violations of U.S. sanctions and links to illicit oil networks supporting sanctioned entities, including Iran.
• Venezuelan Reaction: The Maduro government condemned the action as “international pira...

1. European Union vs. Elon Musk and Free Speech

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.