The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode: Balloons, 80s Rock, Big Tech, Radicals On The FCC & James Clapper Running Scared
Release Date: February 15, 2023
Host: Ben Ferguson
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz

Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Ted Cruz, delving into a variety of pressing national issues. The conversation spans from recent balloon incidents and Big Tech oversight to the contentious nomination of Gigi Sohn to the FCC and James Clapper's controversial statements regarding the Hunter Biden laptop. This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during their in-depth dialogue.

1. Balloon Incident and Classified Briefing

Overview: The episode opens with Ben Ferguson addressing the recent surge in unidentified objects, popularly referred to as "balloons," detected in American airspace. Senator Cruz provides his perspective on the administration's handling of these incidents.

Key Points:

• Initial Incident: Senator Cruz recounts his previous discussion about a Chinese spy balloon that traversed the U.S. airspace before being shot down by the Biden administration over the Atlantic. Since then, three additional objects have been intercepted and neutralized.

• Classified Briefing Discontent: During a recent classified briefing, Cruz expressed frustration over the lack of concrete information provided. He stated, “Not a damn thing.” (01:19) He emphasized the administration's failure to offer clear answers about the origin, purpose, and nature of these objects.

• Administrative Response: Cruz criticized the Biden administration for avoiding transparency, highlighting a specific moment where senators pressed for honesty. He remarked, “The Biden administration is answering zero of them. It’s not telling the American people.” (02:54)

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz: “What can I tell you about it? Not a damn thing.” (01:19)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “I think the American people are quite reasonably asking a whole series of questions.” (02:54)

2. Cultural References and Nostalgia

Overview: Amidst the serious discussions, Ferguson and Cruz engage in a light-hearted exchange about 80s pop culture, specifically referencing the song "99 Luftballons."

Key Points:

• Song Reference: Cruz explains the significance of the song "99 Luftballons" by the German artist Nena, connecting it metaphorically to the balloon incidents. He shares, “It was a German protest song against war about this guy and girl that released 99 red balloons into the sky.” (04:09)

• Personal Anecdotes: The conversation shifts to Cruz sharing personal memories from his childhood, including receiving a Pong video game for Christmas in 1976—the first video game many had at home.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz: “It was a German protest song against war about this guy and girl that released 99 red balloons into the sky.” (05:00)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “I would like to know what the hell it is we shot down.” (12:12)

3. Big Tech Oversight Investigation

Overview: Senator Cruz discusses his pivotal role as the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce and outlines his initiatives to investigate Big Tech censorship.

Key Points:

• Committee Jurisdiction: Cruz explains that the Commerce Committee oversees significant aspects of the U.S. economy, including telecommunications, the Internet, aviation, transportation, and various federal agencies like the FTC and FCC.

• Investigation Launch: He has initiated an extensive investigation into Big Tech's censorship practices, targeting companies like Google, Meta, Twitter, and TikTok. Cruz is particularly focused on recommendation algorithms and their implications on free speech.

• Amicus Brief and Section 230: Cruz filed an amicus brief advocating for a narrow interpretation of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to prevent Big Tech from having broad immunity that could facilitate censorship.

• Engagement with Elon Musk: Cruz highlighted a discussion with Elon Musk, indicating that revelations from Musk's management of Twitter could serve as a roadmap for the ongoing investigation.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz: “Big tech censorship is the greatest threat in America to free speech and the greatest threat to free and fair elections.” (21:10)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “We're going to engage in a systematic, careful investigation of the wholesale censorship of conservative speech we see on big tech.” (21:08)

4. Partisan Dynamics and Bipartisan Efforts

Overview: The dialogue explores the partisan landscape surrounding Big Tech regulation, emphasizing Cruz's efforts to garner bipartisan support and the challenges therein.

Key Points:

• Bipartisan Challenges: Cruz admits that obtaining bipartisan support is difficult, but he cites a previous collaborative effort with Senator Amy Klobuchar to address Big Tech's influence on local media.

• Legislative Efforts: Although their joint bill did not pass the Senate, Cruz sees their amendment on censorship as a foundational step towards future legislative successes.

• Engagement with Democrats: Cruz shares his attempts to persuade Democrats of the dangers posed by unregulated Big Tech, highlighting instances where media companies have suppressed conservative viewpoints, such as the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz: “I think big tech censorship is the greatest threat in America to free speech and the greatest threat to free and fair elections.” (21:10)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “The traditional media is becoming just captive to and obedient to Big Tech.” (24:20)

5. FCC Nomination of Gigi Sohn

Overview: Cruz critically examines the nomination of Gigi Sohn to the FCC, raising concerns about her partisan background and potential conflicts of interest.

Key Points:

• Nomination Concerns: Cruz details Sohn's history as a left-wing activist and her extreme political stance, arguing that her partisan background disqualifies her from a nonpartisan regulatory role.

• Conflict of Interest: He points out that Sohn raised funds for organizations that actively attacked Democratic senators, including those she is supposed to regulate, indicating a blatant conflict of interest.

• Confirmation Challenges: Cruz predicts significant resistance to Sohn's confirmation, anticipating a majority vote against her appointment due to her partisan actions and affiliations.

• Senate Hearing Highlights: During the hearing, Cruz challenged Sohn on her support for groups that labeled Democratic senators as corrupt, questioning her impartiality and suitability for the FCC.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz: “Gigi Sohn has attacked conservative media. She describes Fox News as state-sponsored propaganda.” (27:35)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “This is being driven not by a level-headed view of the national security needs of the United States, but rather by the desire to tell a political PR communications narrative.” (15:36)

Transcript Excerpt:

Cruz: "Ms. Sohn, I think you have a long and consistent career as a zealous partisan advocate. There is a role for partisan advocates. It just doesn't happen to be on an independent agency charged with overseeing communications in the United States."

(31:11)

6. James Clapper and the Hunter Biden Laptop Controversy

Overview: The conversation shifts to James Clapper's recent statements regarding the Hunter Biden laptop story, highlighting Cruz's skepticism and criticism of Clapper's credibility.

Key Points:

• Clapper's Allegations: Clapper claims that the reporting on the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation and accuses Politico of deliberately distorting the letter he signed.

• Historical Inconsistencies: Cruz references Clapper's past dishonesty, notably his false statement under oath regarding the NSA's data collection practices, which was later exposed by Edward Snowden's leaks.

• Partisan Motives: Cruz argues that Clapper's attempts to rewrite history are motivated by partisan interests and are aimed at covering his own misconduct.

• Ryan Clapper's Motivations: Cruz posits that Clapper's actions are intended to diminish scrutiny from House Republicans and shield himself from congressional hearings.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz: “Clapper was the head of the Department of National Intelligence under Barack Obama... He lied to Congress under oath.” (44:12)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “Clapper wants that story written two weeks before the election because he didn't want anyone to focus on what was in the Hunter Biden laptop.” (44:12)

Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Cruz emphasizes the importance of maintaining nonpartisan institutions and holding individuals accountable for partisan conduct. Ferguson encourages listeners to stay informed and engaged, highlighting the significance of the issues discussed.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz: “I think we have a good shot at defeating this [Gigi Sohn nomination].” (35:40)
• Senator Ted Cruz: “The Democrats are captive to and care what the radical left wing of the party says. And the radical left wing wants Gigi Sohn.” (35:40)

Conclusion

This episode of The 47 Morning Update offers a critical examination of current national security concerns, the influence of Big Tech, and the partisan dynamics within regulatory bodies like the FCC. Senator Ted Cruz provides insightful critiques of the Biden administration's strategies and underscores the need for transparency and accountability in both government actions and corporate practices. The discussion serves as a call to action for listeners to remain vigilant and informed about the forces shaping America's political and social landscape.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments within the transcript have been omitted to focus solely on the content-rich discussions between Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz.