Verdict with Ted Cruz

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 under the Operation Allies Welcome program.
• The conversation emphasizes the risks posed by "got-aways" (migrants who evade border patrol) and criticizes the administration for prioritizing politics over security.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and U.S. Leadership

• The second segment focuses on President Trump’s executive order aimed at centralizing AI regulation to prevent fragmented state-level rules.
• Senator Cruz frames AI as the “economic battle of the 21st century”, comparing it to the U.S. winning the internet race in the 1990s.
• Whoever leads in AI will shape global values—either American principles of liberty or China’s model of surveillance and control.
• Trump’s remarks highlight the need for a single federal approval system to accelerate AI development and maintain U.S. dominance.

3. Designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization

• Senator Cruz advocates for legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates as terrorist organizations.
• He explains a shift from a top-down approach (targeting the global organization) to a bottom-up strategy (starting with affiliates like Hamas).
• The discussion notes bipartisan support but criticizes the House for weakening the bill.
• Cruz stresses that allies such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have already designated the group as a terrorist organization.

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.

Buck Flying Solo

The discussion opens with the economic outlook under President Donald Trump’s second term, emphasizing persistent affordability issues and inflationary pressures that remain despite strong stock market performance. Buck highlights the lingering impact of COVID-era shutdowns and stimulus spending, noting that prices for essentials like housing, healthcare, and education remain high. He cites recent trade deficit improvements as evidence of Trump’s “America First” trade policies and tariff strategy, while warning that Democrats will weaponize price discontent in upcoming elections.  Insights from former SEC Chair Jay Clayton on the 22% price surge under Biden, framing affordability as the defining economic challenge. Buck stresses that Republicans must go beyond blaming Biden-era inflation and articulate clear solutions, including boosting supply and efficiency rather than resorting to destructive price controls—a policy he compares to Venezuela’s economic collapse.

The Unaffordable Care Act

Buck also addresses healthcare policy battles, revealing dueling Senate bills on Obamacare subsidies and criticizing Democrats’ push to extend Affordable Care Act provisions, which he argues have made healthcare far less affordable. He warns that rising premiums and taxpayer-funded coverage for illegal immigrants remain underreported but critical issues.  Buck calls for unity on the right, rejecting intramural squabbles and urging focus on core priorities: fixing costs, securing the border, and countering media misinformation. He promotes his upcoming book Manufacturing Delusion, which explores propaganda and political manipulation, framing it as essential reading for understanding today’s ideological battles.

The Truth About Immigration

Buck Sexton leads a candid discussion on the breaking news that a federal judge has ordered the release of Ilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member previously detained by ICE. This controversial ruling sparks debate about the legal wrangling surrounding deportations, the Supreme Court’s involvement, and the Trump administration’s efforts to treat MS-13 as a foreign terrorist organization.

Buck frames the immigration crisis as a systemic failure spanning decades, criticizing both Democrats and establishment Republicans for enabling what he calls a “third-world invasion.” He cites expert commentary from Steven Miller, who argues that unchecked immigration impacts every major policy issue—from education and healthcare to crime and the federal deficit. Miller’s analysis underscores how subtracting illegal immigration from these metrics would dramatically improve outcomes, revealing the hidden costs of current policies.

We Have to Draw a Line

The conversation expands to Trump’s stance on merit-based immigration, including his blunt remarks about prioritizing immigrants from high-functioning countries like Norway and Denmark over those from unstable regions plagued by crime and terrorism. Buck explores the cultural implications of mass migration, questioning whether America can maintain its identity amid tens of millions of illegal immigrants—estimated at 20 to 30 million today. He warns that Democrats’ push for amnesty and open borders could permanently alter the nation’s political and social fabric.

Listeners hear Buck dismantle common pro-immigration narratives, challenging the notion that assimilation is automatic. He points to examples in Europe, where large migrant populations have resisted integration, fueling crime and cultural clashes. Buck emphasizes that shared language, law, and culture are essential for national unity, advocating for stronger enforcement and a slowdown in immigration to preserve American values.

The hour also touches on DHS Secretary Noem’s testimony on Capitol Hill, where she defends Trump’s immigration policies against Democratic attacks. Buck critiques media coverage, particularly CNN’s framing of the issue, and calls for honesty about historical immigration patterns and their consequences. He argues that America’s foreign-born population has reached unsustainable levels, making assimilation and economic stability increasingly difficult. 

• 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 piracy” and a violation of sovereignty, vowing to raise the issue in international forums.
• Geopolitical Impact: The incident escalated U.S.-Venezuela tensions, contributed to rising global oil prices, and raised questions about potential military escalation.
• Media Coverage: CNN and Fox News-while some portray the move as controversial, analysts argue it is consistent with past U.S. actions against Iranian oil tankers.

1. European Union vs. Elon Musk and Free Speech

• The EU fined Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) $140 million under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to comply with transparency and moderation requirements.
• Ben and the Senator argue this is an attack on free speech, claiming the EU wants to impose censorship globally, including on American platforms.
• They highlight a letter from the EU in August 2024 urging Musk to censor content related to Donald Trump’s interview, framing it as an attempt to silence political discourse.
• The discussion emphasizes the contrast between U.S. First Amendment protections and Europe’s regulatory approach, warning of potential ripple effects on American free speech.
• There’s a call for the Trump administration to retaliate with sanctions against the EU, such as tariffs, to prevent foreign influence on U.S. speech norms.

2. Tucker Carlson’s Ties to Qatar

• Tucker Carlson’s visit to Qatar, where he interviewed the Prime Minister during the Doha Forum.
• Ben and Senator Cruz criticize Carlson for allegedly failing to ask tough questions about Qatar’s:
  • Support for Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
  • Funding of anti-American and anti-Semitic propaganda, including protests on U.S. campuses.
  • Lobbying efforts in Washington and influence campaigns targeting conservative figures.
  • Restrictive policies on women’s rights.
• They express concern over Carlson reportedly buying property in Qatar, framing it as aligning with a regime hostile to U.S. interests.
• The commentary portrays Carlson as sympathetic to authoritarian leaders (similar to his interviews with Putin and Iran’s president), undermining American values and Trump’s foreign policy.