The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Biden’s Watergate & The Black Book of Arctic Frost
Date: November 1, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson

Overview

This episode dives into explosive allegations against President Joe Biden, with a focus on a new House Oversight Committee report. The episode scrutinizes the president’s use of the "auto pen" to sign executive actions and pardons—raising questions about Biden’s cognitive health, the transparency of his administration, and who is truly running the White House. Host Ben Ferguson features extended segments from House Oversight Chairman James Comer and a collection of testimony and commentary from key administration insiders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The House Oversight Report on Biden’s Auto Pen Use

[03:38–09:21]

• Committee Demands DOJ Probe: The House Oversight Committee, led by James Comer, asks the Justice Department to investigate President Biden's reliance on an auto pen for signing documents, suggesting this might represent a cover-up of cognitive decline.
• Testimony from Inner Circle: Comer details how 11 out of 12 deposed staffers never saw or met with President Biden regarding key legal documents.
  • Quote:

    “Each staffer gave conflicting reports as to how the auto pen use was authorized. But ... they never saw Joe Biden. ... There was a cover up of Joe Biden's mental decline.”—James Comer [05:33]

• Physician Pled the Fifth: Dr. O’Connor, the White House physician, declined to answer questions on Biden’s health by invoking the Fifth Amendment.
• Pardons and Orders Under Scrutiny: Staffers gave inconsistent accounts about the process for signing executive orders and granting pardons, particularly in Biden’s final months in office.
  • Quote:

    “No one saw Joe Biden. No one who authorized the auto pen ... ever heard directly from Joe Biden. ... This is appalling.”—James Comer [07:56]

Allegations of a "Shadow Presidency"

[09:21–10:56]

• Staffers Running the Show: Testimony reveals some prominent aides and officials had almost no personal contact with Biden for months or years. The implication is that unelected staff may have held de facto power.
  • Quote:

    “No one, quote, ever got direction from Joe Biden. No notes, no meetings, no orders. Just staffers running the country with an auto pen.”—Ben Ferguson [09:21]

Montage: Testimony & Media Spin

[10:56–18:53]

• Conflicting Stories and Denials: A mix of staff depositions, whistleblower emails, and media commentary heavily criticizes the administration for lacking transparency and for misleading both the public and other Democrats about Biden’s condition.
• The Fifth Amendment Pattern: Multiple key advisors and former officials invoked the Fifth Amendment rather than answer questions about Biden's condition or participation.
• Hunter Biden’s Unusual Influence: Jake Tapper is mentioned alleging that Hunter Biden acted as a "chief of staff" for the president.
  • Quote:

    “Hunter was driving the decision making for the family. He was almost like a chief of staff.”—Referencing Jake Tapper [14:45]

• White House Press Secretary & Staff Isolated: Some officials reportedly only interacted with Biden a handful of times; White House communications director Ian Sams saw Biden just twice in two years.
  • Quote:

    “Ian Sams ... interacted with him two times.”—James Comer [15:08]

• Debate Night Excuses: Advisors attribute Biden’s public stumbles to temporary illnesses, “cheap fake” videos, or downplay cognitive concerns.
• No Accountability Chain: No staff could definitively say who authorized or operated the auto pen, and no documentation exists outlining Biden’s real involvement in decision-making.
  • Quote:

    “That auto pen was used excessively and yet no one can say for certain that Joe Biden was given the orders to use the auto pen.”—James Comer [18:53]

• Suggested Remedies: Comer claims every pardon signed with the autopen under suspect circumstances should be declared null and void.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Core of the ‘Cover-Up’:
  • “There was A cover up of Joe Biden's mental decline.”
    — James Comer [05:33]
• On Staff Isolation:
  • “The staffers confirmed that they would go weeks, months, and even years without communicating with Joe Biden.”
    — James Comer [09:04]
• On Lack of Presidential Oversight:
  • “Who was running the country? Well, we know that Joe Biden was not running the show at all.”
    — Ben Ferguson [09:20]
• On Fifth Amendment Invocations:
  • “She has now taken the Fifth ... Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy.”
    — Ben Ferguson [13:38]
• On Media Complicity:
  • “Start your tape right now because I'm about to tell you the truth. And f you if you can't handle the truth. This version of Biden is the best Biden ever.”
    — James Comer [12:44]
• On Administration’s Messaging:
  • “His rhetorical skills were not as strong as they had been and his speeches were less effective. ... We tried to design a strategy.”
    — Unnamed Senior Advisor [12:20, 12:28]
• On Hunter Biden:
  • “Hunter was driving the decision making for the family. He was almost like a chief of staff.”
    — Referencing Jake Tapper, shared by Ben Ferguson [14:45]
• Summarizing Impact:
  • “They stole the presidency of the United States.”
    — Ben Ferguson [17:02]
  • “No one can say for certain that Joe Biden was given the orders to use the auto pen.”
    — James Comer [18:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:38 — Start of main report: House Oversight investigation unveiled
• 05:33 — Comer discusses the “cover-up” and lack of presidential involvement
• 07:56 — More detail on depositions, lack of evidence Biden was involved in key decisions
• 09:21 — Summary: “Staffers running the country with an auto pen”
• 10:56 — Montage of testimony, press exchanges, and media commentary
• 14:45 — Hunter Biden’s role characterized as de facto chief of staff
• 17:02 — “They stole the presidency” claim
• 18:53 — Final word on excessive auto pen use, calls for sharing the episode

Tone and Language

Ben Ferguson presents in a highly skeptical, combative tone focused on media distrust and exposes. The language is direct, punctuated by wide-ranging accusations including “cover-up,” “shadow presidency,” and “massive conspiracy.” The overall stance is accusatory and incredulous, repeatedly criticizing both the administration and the press for perceived cover-ups.

Summary

This episode delivers a highly critical examination of President Biden’s fitness and legitimacy, anchored on testimony and investigatory findings from the House Oversight Committee. With repeated emphasis on Biden’s lack of direct involvement in executive actions and staff's evasiveness or legal protections, Ferguson and guests paint a picture of a presidency managed behind closed doors—echoing Watergate-style scandal rhetoric.

The episode frames the story as a major crisis deserving wider media attention and encourages listeners to share the findings on social media, positioning itself as a corrective to “mainstream” narratives.