The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode Summary: "Biden Lied About Laptop from Hell, Catch and Release but w Terrorists at the Border plus Trump Luncheon-What's Next w GOP Week In Review" Release Date: June 15, 2024

In this pivotal episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson engages in a profound discussion with Senator Ted Cruz, delving into critical and timely political issues. The conversation is segmented into three primary topics: allegations against President Joe Biden concerning the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, the ongoing national security threats at the southern border, and the recent unity within the GOP propelled by former President Donald Trump’s engagements. Below is a comprehensive summary of the episode.

1. Biden and the Hunter Biden Laptop Controversy

The episode opens with a heated discussion between Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson regarding President Joe Biden's handling of information about his son, Hunter Biden's, laptop. Senator Cruz vehemently accuses the Biden administration of deception and calls for accountability.

• Allegations of Deception:

  • Ted Cruz [00:11]: "He's now been busted lying to the American people along with the intelligence community. They knew when they gave him that letter to get him through the presidential debate claiming that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation, the entire time they knew they were lying to the American people."

  • Unnamed Senator [02:33]: "Every word Biden said there was a deliberate lie. ... he was lying because it helped him politically."

• Impact of the Letter:

  • Ted Cruz [00:04]: Emphasizes the significance of the letter used during the presidential debate as a “get out of jail free excuse” for Biden.

  • Unnamed Senator [03:18]: "Biden would be president now if it wasn't for that letter."

• Media and Intelligence Community's Role:

  • Leslie Stahl [02:09]: Highlights that "50 former National Intelligence folks" have dismissed Biden's claims about the laptop as Russian disinformation.

  • Joe Biden [02:20]: "You mean the laptop is now another Russia, Russia, Russia hoax?"

• Consequences and Accountability:

  • Ted Cruz [04:42]: Criticizes CBS and journalist Leslie Stahl for not verifying the laptop's authenticity, labeling their coverage as a "flat out lie."

  • James Clapper [05:29]: "He stands by the letter of the laptop."

The senators express frustration over what they perceive as a coordinated attempt by the Biden administration and the media to downplay the laptop scandal, arguing that it significantly influenced the 2020 election in Biden's favor.

2. Border Security and Terrorist Threats

Transitioning to national security, the discussion pivots to the alarming rise in terrorist activities at the U.S. southern border, particularly focusing on individuals connected to the ISIS K faction.

• Recent Arrests:

  • CBS News Reporter [13:01]: Reports on the arrest of eight individuals from Tajikistan with possible ties to ISIS K across major U.S. cities.

  • Unnamed Senator [14:02]: "This is a big damn deal. We have eight suspected terrorists with ISIS K who've been arrested."

• Patterns of "Catch and Release":

  • Ben Ferguson [13:07]: Highlights the recurring issue of terrorists being apprehended but subsequently released due to overwhelmed border security systems.

  • Unnamed Senator [17:15]: References previous incidents, including the release of a known terrorist in April, emphasizing the recurring failures of border policy.

• Warnings from Authorities:

  • Christopher Wray [20:37]: Warns about the dangerous threats emanating from the border, specifically mentioning ISIS K's activities.

  • Unnamed Senator [21:52]: Stresses the lack of action from Democrats in addressing these security breaches, citing inaction even in the face of multiple warnings.

• Legislative Inaction:

  • Unnamed Senator [21:52]: Criticizes Democrats for blocking the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas and not addressing the escalating terrorism risks, stating, "We are on borrowed time... it's only a matter of time before, tragically, Americans are going to die."

The conversation underscores the senators' urgent call for stricter border controls and accountability within the Biden administration to prevent potential terrorist attacks reminiscent of September 11th.

3. Trump’s Recent Luncheon and GOP Unity

The final segment focuses on former President Donald Trump's recent meetings with GOP leaders, highlighting a newfound unity within the Republican Party and outlining strategic plans for the upcoming election cycle.

• Trump's Engagements:

  • Unnamed Senator [23:07]: Details Trump's meetings with House Republicans and GOP Senate leaders, noting an atmosphere of enthusiasm and collaboration.

• Signs of Republican Unity:

  • Unnamed Senator [23:31]: Observes, "The biggest thing about the lunch that struck me was the unity in the room... everyone in the room was focused on winning in November and turning the country around."

  • Ted Cruz [26:37]: Emphasizes the importance of this unity for passing legislation swiftly if the GOP gains control of both the House and Senate.

• Policy Focus Areas:

  • Border Security: Reiterates the necessity to secure the border as a foundational step towards national safety.

  • Energy and Inflation: Criticizes the Biden administration's energy policies, linking them to rising inflation, and asserts that reversing these policies will alleviate economic pressures.

  • National Security: Highlights the administration's financial dealings with Iran, promising to terminate such actions under a Trump presidency.

• Strategic Planning:

  • Unnamed Senator [27:17]: Discusses proactive measures taken by GOP leaders, including strategic legislative agendas to ensure swift action within the first hundred days of a potential Trump administration.

  • Ted Cruz [30:40]: Reflects on past legislative battles, urging the current GOP to learn from previous mistakes and seize legislative opportunities promptly.

• Call to Action:

  • Unnamed Senator [21:51]: Concludes with a rallying cry, "The only solution is the ballot box is throwing Joe Biden, the Democrats out of office. And then listen in January in a Trump administration that we're going to secure the damn border."

This segment encapsulates the GOP's strategic vision and the leadership's commitment to immediate and impactful policy changes, positioning former President Trump as the catalyst for a unified and effective Republican agenda.

Conclusion

Throughout this episode, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz present a compelling critique of the current Biden administration, emphasizing alleged deceit in the Hunter Biden laptop saga and significant national security lapses at the southern border. Concurrently, they highlight a revitalized and unified Republican Party, poised to implement substantial policy changes under former President Trump's leadership if elected. The conversation is marked by fervent calls for accountability, robust border security, and economic reforms aimed at mitigating inflation and enhancing national safety.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz [00:11]: "They knew when they gave him that letter to get him through the presidential debate... they knew they were lying to the American people."

• Unnamed Senator [02:33]: "He was lying because it helped him politically."

• Unnamed Senator [17:53]: "This is happening over and over and again."

• Unnamed Senator [21:51]: "The only solution is the ballot box is throwing Joe Biden, the Democrats out of office."

This episode serves as a crucial update for listeners seeking insight into the current political landscape, offering an in-depth analysis of ongoing controversies and the strategic maneuvers within the GOP as they gear up for future elections.