Verdict with Ted Cruz

• 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 administration, not new tips.
  • Raises questions about accountability for prior DOJ and FBI leadership.

• Three Major White House Events

  • Monday: Signing of the Medals Act, authored by Cruz, which triples the monthly stipend for Medal of Honor recipients from $1,400 to $5,600.
  • Tuesday: Launch of Trump Accounts, a financial initiative aimed at creating investment accounts for every child in America, seeded with $1,000 and allowing contributions up to $5,000 annually. Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion to support this program.
  • Wednesday: Announcement of rolling back CAFE standards and EV mandates to reduce car prices and improve safety. The policy aims to lower costs, increase consumer choice, and restore steel in car manufacturing for safety.

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 strikes against Venezuelan narco boats. Clay and Buck analyze testimony from an admiral confirming that survivors of the initial strike were still “in the fight,” countering claims of a war crime. They highlight how this narrative is evolving in the media and why Democrats’ messaging on this issue may backfire politically. The segment includes sharp commentary on the fentanyl crisis, the devastating ripple effects on families, and the urgent need for a real war on drugs. Listener calls and talkbacks add perspective, including strong reactions to cartel violence and the human toll of addiction.

Getting the Porridge Just Right

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy  previews tomorrow’s major World Cup draw event at the Kennedy Center, a global spectacle coinciding with America’s 250th birthday celebrations. Secretary Duffy outlines the Department of Transportation’s critical role in ensuring smooth travel for millions of visitors, from upgraded transit systems to intercity connectivity. He also highlights the economic impact of the World Cup, projecting billions in revenue for hotels, airlines, and local businesses, and discusses President Trump’s involvement as a central figure in the event.

The conversation shifts to modernizing America’s air traffic control system, where Duffy details a $12.5 billion investment to replace outdated infrastructure and transition from analog to digital systems by 2028. He previews innovations like air taxis, drone deliveries, autonomous vehicles, and even supersonic flight technology that could revolutionize travel in the next decade. Duffy also addresses the air traffic controller shortage, revealing a 2,000-person gap and offering insights into recruitment, training, and incentives for experienced controllers to stay on the job.

Make America Affordable Again 

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise joins to discuss urgent legislative priorities before Congress adjourns for the year. Scalise emphasizes efforts to lower healthcare costs through expanded health savings accounts, association health plans, and increased competition beyond the Affordable Care Act. He previews upcoming bills on housing affordability, tax relief for overtime and tips, and the National Defense Authorization Act, underscoring a focus on reducing inflation and strengthening national security. Scalise also addresses the SCORE Act, aimed at restoring structure to college athletics, protecting student-athletes from exploitative contracts, and safeguarding Olympic and Title IX sports.

Julie Kelly on Pipe Bomber

Julie Kelly, one of the most prominent journalists covering January 6th, joins the show to provide expert insight. She calls the arrest a “massive scandal,” asserting that the FBI’s decision to shelve the investigation for years was deliberate and politically motivated. Kelly warns of significant legal ramifications, noting that exculpatory evidence was withheld from January 6th defendants while the DOJ pushed an insurrection narrative. The discussion also touches on Kamala Harris’s proximity to one of the pipe bombs, raising further questions about security lapses and media silence. 

• 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 available.
  • Trump says these changes will make cars more affordable and protect American auto jobs.
  • Mentions broader affordability goals: lowering prices of groceries, gas, and everyday goods.
  • Mark Meadows comments on potential $2,000 “Trump tariff checks” to help offset inflation and rising costs.

• Immigration Crackdown and National Security

  • Trump administration announces a freeze on legal migration pathways for nationals from 19 countries pending security checks.
  • Countries include Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Venezuela, and others considered “high-risk.”
  • Policy aims to review immigration benefits granted under Biden and prevent entry of individuals who could pose security threats.
  • Measures include halting asylum claims, green card approvals, and naturalization ceremonies for affected populations.
  • Trump frames this as a response to recent attacks on U.S. personnel and concerns about sleeper cells.

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 going to be a central issue heading into the midterms and beyond.  He also highlights President Trump’s first year in office, praising his administration’s achievements on border security and crime reduction. Clay underscores how Trump’s decisive actions have led to the most secure southern border in decades and dramatic crime declines in cities like Memphis, where murders are down 50%, assaults down 40%, and robberies down 60%. Nashville is also seeing historic lows in violent crime, reinforcing Trump’s “law and order” success story.

Clay frames these wins within the EBC strategy—Economy, Border, Crime—that defined the 2024 election, noting that while border and crime issues have been largely resolved, the economy remains the key challenge heading into 2026 midterms. He candidly addresses lingering inflation concerns, rising consumer costs, and the political implications for Trump’s second year in office.

She's Crazy!

Clay dives into a discussion about a high-stakes congressional race in Tennessee’s 7th District, where Republican candidate Matt Van Epps faces Democrat Afton Bain. Clay warns listeners about Bain’s controversial past statements, including her disdain for Nashville, country music, and traditional family values, as well as her radical positions on gender and policing. He urges voters in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and Clarksville to turn out for the December 2 special election, emphasizing that Democrats are pouring money into the race to flip a district Trump won by 20 points in 2024. Clay also tackles cultural flashpoints, criticizing Bain’s remarks about marriage and motherhood while advocating for expanded IVF support—a stance he credits President Trump for championing. The conversation explores broader cultural battles over family, ambition, and societal values, with listener calls adding personal perspectives.

Ryan Girdusky Reads the Tea Leaves

Data analyst Ryan Girdusky (host of It's a Numbers Game in the Clay and Buck podcast network) joins to break down early voting trends, turnout patterns, and what these signals might mean for the 2026 midterms. Ryan notes strong Democratic enthusiasm in special elections and shifting issue priorities, including healthcare, cost of living, and even AI policy, while reaffirming that immigration remains a strength for Trump despite media narratives.

Where Are All the Good Men?

Clay analyzes where the culture is on male and female relationships and where it all went wrong for women.  It leads to a larger conversation about the difference between the sexes and how the Girl Boss era hurt women and became every man's fantasy.