Are YOU Ready for a DOGE Rebate Check plus CIA Going after Cartels

Summary

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Episode Summary Release Date: February 19, 2025

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson delves into three major stories impacting the United States: an explosive interview between Donald Trump and Elon Musk uncovering Social Security fraud, a staggering revelation of $4.7 trillion in untraceable Treasury payments, and the CIA’s intensified efforts against Mexican cartels using advanced drone technology. Below is a comprehensive summary of each segment, enriched with notable quotes and insights from the discussion.

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1. Donald Trump and Elon Musk Expose Social Security Fraud and Propose DOGE Rebate

Interview Highlights:
Ben Ferguson begins the episode by spotlighting a high-profile interview featuring former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk. The duo, alongside Sean Hannity, discuss alarming findings related to Social Security fraud uncovered by Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Key Revelations:
Trump and Musk reveal that millions of Social Security checks are being issued to individuals who are deceased or would be impossibly old if still alive. Elon Musk notably tweeted about the discrepancies in the Social Security database, highlighting absurd ages of beneficiaries:

• Elon Musk (01:15): "We'll give mine to the Taliban."
• Ben Ferguson (05:24): "We gave money to the Taliban. And then Elon Musk raises his eyebrows and says, like, a lot."

Shocking Statistics Presented:

• Ages 100-109: 4.7 million beneficiaries
• Ages 110-119: 3.6 million beneficiaries
• Ages 120-129: 3.4 million beneficiaries
• Ages 130-139: 3.9 million beneficiaries
• Ages 140-149: 3.5 million beneficiaries
• Ages 150-159: 1.3 million beneficiaries
• Ages 200-229: Over 2,000 beneficiaries

Notable Quotes:

• Elon Musk (04:39): "I think the average taxpaying American should be mad as hell because their tax money is being poorly spent."
• Donald Trump (05:48): "He’s actually a very good businessman. And when he talks about the executive orders... Get it done, get it done."

Potential Solutions and Future Plans:
Ben Ferguson discusses the possibility of a DOGE rebate, a financial return to taxpayers based on identified savings from cutting government waste. Musk estimates that there is approximately a trillion dollars in government waste, indicating a substantial potential rebate for Americans.

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2. $4.7 Trillion in Treasury Payments Sent Without Identification Codes

Discovery and Implications:
Ben Ferguson addresses a significant issue uncovered by DOGE: the U.S. Treasury Department had issued over $4.7 trillion in payments lacking the Treasury Access Symbol (TAS) identification codes. This omission rendered the payments virtually untraceable, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in government spending.

Government Response:

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant (07:01): "This is not some roving ban. This is being done methodically and is going to yield big savings for the American taxpayer."

Changes Implemented:
As of the past weekend, TAS codes are now mandatory for all Treasury payments, enhancing oversight and ensuring that every dollar is accounted for. The Department of Government Efficiency has lauded this improvement, highlighting the establishment’s role in securing around $55 billion in estimated savings since its inception.

Political Fallout:
Democrats and several state attorney generals have opposed DOGE’s audit, arguing that DOGE should not have access to sensitive taxpayer data. Fourteen states have initiated lawsuits to block DOGE’s access, citing concerns over executive overreach.

Media Coverage:
Fox News emphasized the importance of TAS codes, quoting the Bureau of Fiscal Service:
"All financial transactions made by the federal government are classified by these symbols when reporting the treasury and importantly the Office of Management and Budget."

Elon Musk’s Endorsement:

• Elon Musk (08:00): "This is a combined effort of DOGE, the U.S. Treasury, and the Federal Reserve. Nice work by all."

Ben Ferguson’s Commentary:
He underscores the relentless efforts of Trump, DOGE, and Musk in identifying and eliminating wasteful government spending, affirming their commitment to safeguarding taxpayer money.

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3. CIA’s Quest to Defeat Mexican Cartels with Reaper Drones

Situation Overview:
The episode shifts focus to national security concerns regarding Mexico, described by Ferguson as a "failed state" dominated by powerful cartels that influence government actions. The primary threat identified is the rampant distribution and production of fentanyl, a potent and lethal opioid.

CIA’s Strategic Move:
To combat the cartels, the CIA has ramped up the use of MQ-9 Reaper drones for surveillance and intelligence gathering. These drones, typically employed in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, are now tasked with identifying fentanyl labs and cartel operations within Mexico.

Operational Details:

• Unarmed Drones: Currently, the Reaper drones are unarmed but are capable of carrying lethal payloads for targeted strikes.
• Designation of Cartels: Under President Trump’s administration, Mexican cartels have been labeled as foreign terrorist organizations, justifying the increased military attention.

Notable Quotes:

• Unnamed Interviewee (12:14): "President Trump has demanded they take action... we've been in office, less than a month... total Southwest border apprehensions, 229."
• Unnamed Interviewee (13:10): "President Trump will wipe them off the face of the earth."

Potential for Armed Action:
While the current drone missions are unarmed, discussions are ongoing regarding the authorization of lethal strikes against cartel leaders who pose direct threats to American border security. The CIA is diligently gathering intelligence to support any future military actions against these organizations.

Tom Holman Interview Excerpts:
Tom Holman, an expert interviewed on the show, highlights the systemic issues within Mexico’s governance:

• Tom Holman (12:00): "Look, I agree with you. They don't enforce... President Trump has put military on their northern border and our southern border."

Ben Ferguson’s Analysis:
Ferguson emphasizes the gravity of the situation, noting that such military interventions represent a significant escalation in the U.S. strategy to dismantle cartel operations in Mexico. He underscores Trump’s dedication to transforming border security and eliminating threats posed by foreign terrorist organizations.

Media Reporting:
CNN reported on the CIA’s deployment of MQ-9 Reaper drones, detailing their specifications and intended use: "The MQ9 drones used for the mission are not armed, but they can be equipped with payloads to carry out precision strikes. The US regularly uses them to target suspected terrorists in Syria, Iraq, and Somalia."

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Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Ferguson presents a trio of impactful stories that underscore significant concerns regarding government accountability, national security, and fiscal responsibility. From exposing unprecedented Social Security fraud and untraceable Treasury payments to the CIA’s proactive measures against Mexican cartels, the episode offers listeners a deep dive into issues that shape contemporary American policy and governance. Through insightful commentary and exclusive information, Ferguson provides a comprehensive overview that keeps the American electorate informed and engaged.

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Notable Quotes for Reference:

• Elon Musk: "I think the average taxpaying American should be mad as hell because their tax money is being poorly spent." (04:39)
• Donald Trump: "He’s actually a very good businessman... Get it done, get it done." (05:48)
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant: "This is not some roving ban... yield big savings for the American taxpayer." (07:01)
• Unnamed Interviewee: "President Trump will wipe them off the face of the earth." (13:10)

For those seeking to stay ahead of national developments and gain unfiltered insights into the political landscape, The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson continues to deliver timely and crucial information.

Transcript

[Person A]

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[Person B]

So good.

[Ben Ferguson]

Your bill, ladies.

[Person B]

I got it. No, I got it. Seriously, I insist. I insisted first.

[Ben Ferguson]

Don't be silly.

[Person B]

You don't be silly.

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[Person B]

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[Ben Ferguson]

Shoot. No.

[Advertiser]

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[Donald Trump]

I wanted somebody really smart to work with me in terms of the country, a very important aspect. You write an executive order and you think it's done. You send it out. It doesn't get done. It doesn't get implemented. They don't implement it. Maybe they're from the last administration.

[Elon Musk]

We'll give mine to the Taliban.

[Person A]

More money to the Taliban.

[Ben Ferguson]

Like a lot.

[Advertiser]

You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

[Ben Ferguson]

Good Wednesday morning. Ben Ferguson here. It's nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update. And here are the big stories we're going to be talking about today. First up, Donald Trump and Elon Musk sit down for an interview with. And, boy, did they bring receipts, including some from the Taliban. I'll have that for you in just a second. Also, Doge has discovered $4.7 trillion of payments that they cannot trace. Was this done on purpose to hide where your tax dollars are going? I'll explain that as well. And finally, the CIA is going after cartels in Mexico using Reaper drones, the same ones we use in Iraq and Afghanistan, to spy on the cartels. It's the 47 Morning and it starts right now.

[Advertiser]

Story number one, another day.

[Ben Ferguson]

And Donald Trump and his team at DOGE are finding more of your tax dollars that are going to, for example, dead people. DOGE is investigating potential Social Security fraud. Millions are receiving checks right now that are aged over 130 years old. This is the most shocking part of all, is it's been happening for decades and no One stopped it. Elon Musk putting out a tweet saying, according to Social Security database, these are the numbers of people in each age bucket with the death field set to false. Maybe Twilight is real and there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security. You wanna know how many people on his list are over the age of a hundred? Well, 100 to 109. There are 4.7 million apparently eligible for Social Security. It gets worse. Those 110 to 119, 3.6 million. Those that are eligible between the ages of 120 to 129, 3.4 million. Oh, and don't worry, it gets worse. From 130 to 139 years old, there are 3.9 million people that are apparently eligible for Social Security. That's not all. At 140 to 149, there's 3.5 million. From 150 to 159, 1.3 million. And yes, there are even people on the Social Security roles that are over the age of 360. Yes, there's a 361 year old person on the list from the age of 200 to 229. There are more than 2,000 people apparently that are still alive at the age of 220 to 229. Now, let's just let you digest that for a moment as I move to the other big part of the day, which was Elon Musk and Donald Trump sitting down with Sean Hannity to talk about all the fraud they're finding. And here is part of what they said, including your tax dollars going directly to the Taliban.

[Person A]

Average America makes $66,000 a year.

[Elon Musk]

Yeah.

[Advertiser]

Okay.

[Person A]

We have $37 trillion in national debt.

[Advertiser]

Yes.

[Person A]

Now all the money I'm about to mention and what we're going to scroll on our screen and all of this is going to foreign countries. It is not being spent here in America for better schools, law and order.

[Elon Musk]

I think the average taxpaying American should be mad as hell because their tax money is being poorly spent.

[Person A]

All right, let me go to the second question first. I want to know because people like Joni Ernst and Joni Ernst has tried.

[Elon Musk]

For a long time and she's actually got a lot of good data. Senator Ernst has been really helpful, actually.

[Person A]

They actually hide what the real purpose of the spending is. In other words, and this is a question, how did you decipher? It will say humanitarian, blah, blah, blah. In Serbia or Afghanistan. We even give money to China, for crying out loud. Which I think is nuts.

[Elon Musk]

Or give money to the Taliban, but.

[Person A]

Money to the Taliban, like a lie.

[Ben Ferguson]

I mean, just listen to that statement from Elon Musk. We gave money to the Taliban. And then Elon Musk raises his eyebrows and says, like, a lot. Can you imagine being in these meetings and this is what you were finding. Now, Donald Trump was asked about Elon Musk and hey, like, can Americans have confidence in what he's doing? Is the Democrats and the media are trying to turn him into the worst person in the world. Trump said this about Elon.

[Donald Trump]

I wanted somebody really smart to work with me in terms of the country, a very important aspect, because, I mean, he doesn't talk about it. He's actually a very good businessman. And when he talks about the executive orders, and this is probably true for all presidents, you write an executive order and you think it's done. You send it out. It doesn't get done. It doesn't get implemented. They don't implement it. Maybe they're from the last administration and they are. In some cases, you try and get them out as fast as you can. And he would take that executive order that I'd signed and he would have those people go to whatever agency it was. When are you doing it? Get it done, get it done. And some guy that maybe didn't want to do it, all of a sudden he's signing, he just doesn't want to be bothered.

[Ben Ferguson]

You want to talk about a dream team? It is very clear that these two men, they genuinely love working together every day, they love saving money for Americans, and now they're even talking about giving you a Doge rebate. That's right. Giving your taxes back to you based on what they can cut. Elon Musk believes there's about a trillion dollars in government waste. Wouldn't it be nice to get a check from Doge? It's something they are working on, and there's a very good chance it may be coming to your mailbox in the not too distant future.

[Advertiser]

Next story number two.

[Ben Ferguson]

Imagine finding $4.7 trillion of treasury payments that are purposely made almost impossible to trace. That is exactly what your federal government has now been caught doing. The Treasury Department had sent out more than $4.7 trillion of payments without an identification code that links a Treasury payment to a budget line item that comes from Congress. Doge announcing this today, making these payments, they said, almost impossible to trace. And clearly the government wanted to do this so you would never be able to ask questions. Doge said the identification payment code called TAS for Treasury Access Symbol is now being required as of the weekend when they found the problem. Why? Because they want to increase the oversight into where your money actually ends up. The Department of Government Efficiency Tweeting this out the Treasury Access Symbol TAS is an identification code linking a Treasury payment to a budget line item, standard financial process in the federal government. The task field was optional for 4.7 trillion in payments and was often left blank, making traceability almost impossible. As of Saturday, this is now being required, increasing the insight into where your money is actually going. A big thank you the U S Treasury for the great work that again coming from the Department of Government Efficiency. Fox News also reported on the importance of the TAS payment code as well saying quote, according to the Bureau of Fiscal Service, which is under the treasury task codes are used to describe any one of the account identification codes assigned by the treasury and is also referred to as the quote unquote account. All financial transactions made by the federal government are classified by these symbols when reporting the treasury and importantly the Office of Management and Budget. You may know it as omb. Now the discovery was announced on the same day. Also the Doge appeared to have populated the doge.govsavings page which as of Monday evening said the total estimated estimated savings since the establishment of the department has already totaled about $55 billion. Quote, major improvement in treasury payment integrity is going live. Elon Musk posted on X this is a combined effort of doge, the U S Treasury and the Federal Reserve. Nice work by all. Now the absence of the code was discovered during a DOGE audit of the Treasury Department to find wasteful spending, fraud and abuse. Democrats, guess what? They came out in full opposition to the audit of the Department of Treasury. The audit they said on the ground should never have been allowed to happen. Why? Because they said that Doge, a department within the federal government should not have access to taxpayer sensitive data. Even Attorney Generals on the left are now coming out in force. Fourteen states have already sued to block DOGE from accessing the data alleging executive overreach. Now the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said this in a statement, quote, this is not some roving ban. This is being done methodically and is going to yield big savings for the American taxpayer. If there's anything I can agree on, it is that Donald Trump and Doge and Elon Musk are not stopping to find you all of your wasted tax dollars.

[Advertiser]

And here is story number three.

[Ben Ferguson]

It's a sad reality. Mexico is in essence a failed state. It is being controlled and run by cartels. They choose the leaders and the leaders do what the cartels say. Well, there's two very interesting reports that are dealing with Mexico now and our safety from drugs and also human trafficking. Fentanyl, as you know, is one of the biggest killers in this country. We now have confirmation that the CIA is flying surveillance drones over the cartels in Mexico. Multiple outlets are now reporting the CIA is stepping up their drone flights. The currently unarmed flights are said to be searching for fentanyl labs that are run by the Mexican cartels designated by President Donald Trump as foreign terrorist organizations. One US Official saying to the New York Times that the flights will go well into sovereign Mexico, quote, unquote. Now, the flights reportedly began during the Biden administration, but were never really used to stop the flow of the drugs. Then they were stepped up by the new CIA director, John Radcliffe, after President Trump made the foreign terrorist designation. The flights are not authorized. We're being told at this point to use lethal force. However, CIA officers are gathering the intelligence data and they're passing it along to those that may need to see it. Now, Tom Holman was asked about Mexico in general in an interview that he did earlier. I want you to hear what he had to say about the country.

[Tom Holman]

Let me ask you a question. It's against the law in Mexico to traffic children, but they don't do anything about it. It's against the law in Mexico to transit through the country, but they don't do anything about it. Is the Mexican government, in your opinion, anti American?

[Unnamed Interviewee]

Look, I agree with you. They don't enforce. And they allow illegal analysts from all the world to transit Mexico without a transit visa, which is against the law. By thinking President Trump has them where he wants them. They've now put military on their northern border and our southern border. They are now participating and beginning to participate and remain in Mexico. President Trump has demanded they take action and we're monitoring them. President Trump, you know, he's a game changer. We've been in office, what, less than a month? And notice in the last 24 hours, total Southwest border apprehensions, 229. Now, I started in a border patrol in 1984. I've never seen those numbers. At least I don't remember seeing those numbers. We went from 11,000 a day under Biden to 229. President Trump's already got Mexico where he wants them, and he's going to force more on them in the near future.

[Tom Holman]

Just quickly, Tom, because I'm up against a break, but I got to ask you the cartels are very powerful. Is the US Military use of the US Military on the table to hit cartel targets in Mexico?

[Unnamed Interviewee]

That's something we're working on now. But I can tell you President Trump has made a if Mexican cartels would put a death threat against BOR patrol agents or our military, if they harm a border police agent in the military, President Trump will wipe them off the face of the earth.

[Ben Ferguson]

There it is. Working on striking cartels in Mexico is a real possibility now. President Trump declared those cartels foreign terrorist organizations on his first day in office and now borders are home and is saying there are active discussions about U S Military strikes on terrorist targets in Mexico. This is we're being told that the Reaper drones are already working on full time surveillance. Quote from CNN the CIA is flying the MQ9 Reaper drones. The drones are equipped to deliver lethal payloads but are not currently armed. The MQ9 drones used for the mission are not armed, but they can be equipped with payloads to carry out precision strikes. The US Regularly uses them to target suspected terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Somalia. Well go back to the very first statement that I said earlier. Donald Trump has already said that these cartels are in fact foreign terrorist organizations.

[Advertiser]

Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now and for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here tomorrow.

[Unnamed Advertiser]

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