Verdict with Ted Cruz

Verdict with Ted Cruz

Join Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson as they break down the most important news stories of the day and reveal what they mean for you. On "Verdict with Ted Cruz,” you will go behind the scenes of the political debates that define our country. "Verdict with Ted Cruz" is being brought to you by Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC, a political action committee dedicated to supporting conservative causes, organizations, and candidates across the country. In 2022, Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC plans to donate to conservative candidates running for Congress and help the Republican Party across the nation.

Episodes

June 26, 2026 35 mins

1. 🔥 Behind-the-Scenes Senate GOP Lunch with Donald Trump

  • Key points:
    • The meeting was “contentious,” “spirited,” and tense.
    • Trump is angry at Republican senators who supported a War Powers resolution limiting military action against Iran.
    • A heated argument occurred between Trump and Senator Bill Cassidy.
    • The confrontation reportedly influenced subsequent Senate votes.
  • Trump&rsquo...
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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 Sexton focuses heavily on Supreme Court decisions, especially a k...

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1. FBI Operation Riptide & Law Enforcement Activity

  • Crackdowns on cybercrime (credit card theft, ransomware, fraud schemes)
  • Arrests and convictions for:
    • Business email fraud ($25M)
    • Large-scale bank and investment fraud
    • COVID-19 relief fraud
  • Seizures of:
    • Firearms
    • Drugs (including fentanyl)
  • Prosecution of child exploitation cases

This is evidence of effective law enforcement under current leader...

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1. 🗳️ Election Results and Political Trends

  • New York City:

    • Victories by socialist or far-left candidates in Democratic primaries
    • Evidence that the Democratic Party is becoming more progressive or radical
    • Specific races and candidates are discussed as examples of this trend
  • South Carolina and Georgia:

    • Highlighted as having strong conservative (Republican) victories
    • Ted Cruz discusses his own endorsements and...
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1. Strait of Hormuz Situation

  • Iran claimed multiple times that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz.
  • However, actual shipping traffic continued, including oil and LNG tankers.
  • U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated:
    • Iran does not control the strait
    • Passage remains open and monitored
  • Data cited:
    • ~55 merchant ships transit per day
    • ~17 million barrels of oil moving through

2. Maritime Risk & Be...

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AI is a transformational technology impacting education, business, law, and productivity. The U.S. and China are in a high-stakes race to dominate AI development with the U.S. slightly ahead (estimated months, not years).

1. The Strategic Importance

    • An economic prize worth trillions of dollars
    • A geopolitical contest influencing global values and norms
  • Arguments suggest:

    • If China wins, AI could refl...
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1. Elon Musk, Capitalism, and Wealth Debate

  • Capitalism vs. criticism:
    • Free enterprise rewards value creation—people voluntarily buy products or invest.
    • Critics are hostile to Musk and supportive of wealth redistribution.
  • Comparison to other billionaires:
    • George Soros is contrasted with Musk as someone whose wealth is seen as aligned with political causes favored by the left
      • Musk could face gover...
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1. 🇮🇷 Iran Nuclear Deal & Foreign Policy Concerns

Key points:

  • Discussion of a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran.
  • Strong criticism of a proposal that could channel up to $300 billion into Iran’s economy.
  • Concern that funds (regardless of source) could:
    • Support terrorism
    • Strengthen the Iranian regime (Ayatollah / IRGC)
  • Comparison to past U.S. policy:
    • Claims that previous funding en...
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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 Art of the Iran Deal

Clay Travis and Buck Sexton analyze the evol...

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🧩 1: Iran Deal Analysis

  • Trump frames the deal as a major success, claiming it:

    • Prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons
    • Ends a military conflict
    • Reopens the Strait of Hormuz (a critical global oil shipping route)
    • Stabilizes or boosts global markets (stocks up, oil prices down)
  • Trump also emphasizes:

    • The deal was achieved through “peace through strength” (military pressure + negotiation)
    • The ...
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1. Georgia Election Discussion:

  • Focuses on the Republican primary for Georgia governor.
  • Ted Cruz discusses his endorsement of Rick Jackson over Burt Jones.
  • Jackson is portrayed as:
    • A self-made billionaire businessman
    • From a disadvantaged background (foster care, poverty)
    • A philanthropist supporting foster children and religious causes

Election Outcome:

  • Jackson wins the primary with about 52.6% vs. 47.4%.
  • ...

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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.

You Don't Build By Taking 

Clay Travis discusses the surge in U....

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  1. No Upfront Financial Incentives

    • Iran does not receive direct U.S. funds.
    • Economic benefits come only if Iran complies with the agreement.
  2. Conditional Sanctions Relief

    • Sanctions may be lifted gradually if Iran:
      • Abandons nuclear weapons development
      • Allows international verification
  3. Strategic Leverage

    • The U.S. maintains military and diplomatic power.
    • Iran must comply or receive no econo...
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1. Celebration of Elon Musk & Capitalism

  • The speakers frame Musk’s success as:
    • Proof of free-market capitalism working effectively
    • A result of innovation, entrepreneurship, and risk-taking
  • They highlight:
    • SpaceX technological achievements (reusable rockets, Starlink)
    • Tesla’s role in electric vehicles
    • Wealth generation not only for Musk but also:
      • Employees
      • Early investors
      • Workers (e.g., wel...
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1. 🇮🇷 Iran, Israel, and U.S. Foreign Policy

  • There were escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, including missile exchanges and Israeli airstrikes.
  • U.S. involvement:
    • The U.S. was not directly involved in strikes.
    • President Trump is portrayed as attempting to control escalation while negotiating a deal.
      • Preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
      • Criticism of previous administrations (Obama/Bide...
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1. ActBlue Investigation Allegations

  • ActBlue is a major Democratic fundraising platform.
    • The CEO pleaded the Fifth Amendment repeatedly during congressional testimony.
    • There are allegations of illegal foreign donations, including possible contributions from foreign nationals.
    • Congressional Republicans are investigating whether ActBlue:
      • Allowed foreign donations
      • Misled Congress
      • Failed to implement fraud safeguards
      • ...
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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.

Sports Life Lessons  

Buck Sexton celebrates the New York K...

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1. Immigration Green Card Policy Debate

   There is a new policy requiring some green card applicants to apply from abroad.

Administration View:

  • Closes loopholes
  • Restores intended immigration system structure

Criticism:

  • Could:
    • Separate families
    • Disrupt jobs
    • Create long delays

2. Allegations Against UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)

  • Over 100 UNRWA employees have been refe...
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1. Drone Rescue of U.S. Soldiers in Iran

    • American soldiers being shot down or stranded in Iran
    • A rescue mission using drones, possibly highlighting advanced military technology
  • The event is historic:
    • A first-of-its-kind use of drones in rescue operations, built in Texas
    • Or a significant geopolitical or military milestone

2. Minnesota Democrats & Private Investigators

    • Allegatio...
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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.

Republicans Buy Sneakers Too

Clay Travis and Buck Sexton talk about P...

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