Canada & Mexico Submit to Trump-Vow to Help Secure Border & Stop the Flow of Drugs

Summary

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Canada & Mexico Submit to Trump-Vow to Help Secure Border & Stop the Flow of Drugs

Release Date: February 4, 2025

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into significant developments concerning President Donald Trump's administration, focusing on border security, international relations, and federal agency reforms. The discussion is structured around three primary stories: the successful negotiation with Canada and Mexico on border security and drug trafficking, the shutdown of USAID due to alleged waste and abuse, and controversies surrounding New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's stance on immigration.

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1. Trump's Victory: Canada and Mexico Concede to Border Security Demands

Ben Ferguson opens the episode by highlighting a substantial triumph for President Trump. Initially perceived by the mainstream media as a potential economic misstep, Trump's imposition of tariffs on Canada and Mexico swiftly transformed into a strategic win within less than 36 hours.

• Canadian Response: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to a 30-day pause on tariffs, committing to a $1.3 billion investment in border security and the appointment of a fentanyl czar to combat drug trafficking. Ferguson emphasizes, “This was a massive victory to save lives in America” (Ben Ferguson, [02:30]).

• Mexican Response: Mexico matched Canada’s concession by deploying 10,000 military personnel to bolster border security and intensify efforts against fentanyl smuggling. Tom Homan, discussing the Mexican president’s commitment, states, “That is not a pathway to making Americans worse off. That's a pathway to making Americans better off” ([03:29]).

• Media Critique: Ferguson criticizes the media for misrepresenting Trump's actions as reckless, asserting that the tariffs served as an effective negotiating tool for enhancing national security and establishing favorable trade conditions. He remarks, “Donald Trump was leveraging tariffs for national security” ([04:14]).

The episode underscores the administration's adept use of economic measures to address critical issues, positioning Trump's approach as both strategic and beneficial for American interests.

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2. Shutdown of USAID: Exposing Waste and Abuse

The second major topic centers on the Trump administration's aggressive stance against what it perceives as inefficiency and ideological drift within USAID.

• Caller and Elon Musk's Critique: A caller expresses frustration with USAID, labeling it a “radical left lunatic filled organization wasting taxpayer dollars” ([00:00]). Elon Musk is quoted criticizing USAID’s expenditures on programs he views as frivolous, such as funding for DEI initiatives and transgender-themed cultural projects across various countries ([07:34]).

• Administrative Actions: In response, USAID staff received directives to operate remotely, effectively shutting down the agency's D.C. headquarters. Ben Ferguson details, “Staffers with the U.S. agency for International Development were actually ordered... to work remotely” ([06:19]).

• Exposing 'The Receipts': Ferguson lists specific instances of alleged waste, including funds allocated to DEI programs in Serbia, a DEI musical in Ireland, a transgender opera in Colombia, and a transgender comic book in Peru. He questions the accountability of fund allocation, suggesting potential misappropriation ([08:17]).

• Elon Musk’s Involvement: Musk is portrayed as a key figure tasked by Trump to eliminate fraud and misuse within federal agencies, signaling a broader initiative to reclaim taxpayer money from what the administration considers unnecessary or ideologically driven expenditures.

This segment reflects the administration's commitment to fiscal responsibility and ideological alignment within federal programs, aiming to rectify what it deems as entrenched inefficiencies and misplaced priorities.

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3. Controversy Surrounding Governor Phil Murphy's Immigration Stance

The final story addresses New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's contentious remarks regarding illegal immigration, highlighting the ongoing partisan divide on immigration policies.

• Governor Murphy's Comments: In a gathering with liberal supporters, Murphy allegedly stated, “there's someone in our broader universe whose immigration status is not yet at the point that they are trying to get it to...[We] let her live at our house above our garage” ([10:36]).

• Immediate Backlash: Following the viral spread of the video, Murphy's staff retracted his statements, claiming he was misinterpreted and denying that he was sheltering an illegal immigrant ([11:35]).

• Tom Homan’s Response: On Sean Hannity's show, Homan vows to investigate and potentially prosecute Murphy if the allegations are proven true, stating, “If he's bluffing. If he's not, we'll deal with that” ([11:18]).

• Ferguson's Analysis: Ferguson criticizes Murphy's actions as emblematic of Democratic defiance against Trump's immigration policies, suggesting that such behavior undermines law and order and sets a troubling precedent for state-federal relations on immigration enforcement.

This narrative underscores the heightened tensions between state governors and the federal administration over immigration enforcement, illustrating the broader ideological battles shaping U.S. policy.

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Conclusion

Ben Ferguson wraps up the episode by reiterating the administration's successes in securing border agreements with Canada and Mexico, addressing federal agency inefficiencies, and confronting opposition from Democratic leaders on immigration policies. He encourages listeners to subscribe for continued coverage and in-depth analysis of the pressing issues facing America.

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Notable Quotes:

• Elon Musk: “I don't know about you, but as an American taxpayer, I don't want my dollars going towards this crap. And I know the American people don't either.” ([00:07])

• Tom Homan: “Now actually I was in the air. I talked to the President very briefly about this...” ([03:29])

• Ben Ferguson: “Donald Trump was leveraging tariffs for national security.” ([04:14])

• Tom Homan: “If he's normally, normally harboring, concealing an illegal alien. That's a Violation of Title 8, United States Code 1324.” ([11:18])

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and viewpoints presented in the episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a clear understanding of the topics covered and the perspectives offered by Ben Ferguson and his guests.

Transcript

[Caller]

I love the concept, but they turn out to be radical left lunatics. And the concept of it is good, but it's all about the people.

[Elon Musk]

I don't know about you, but as an American taxpayer, I don't want my dollars going towards this crap. And I know the American people don't either.

[Ben Ferguson]

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

Good Tuesday morning, Ben Ferguson with you. And these are the big stories we're covering today on the 47 Morning Update. First up, a massive win for Donald Trump is Canada and Mexico cave Trudeau submitting to Donald Trump announcing a 30 day PAUs on tariffs and a $1.3 billion spend on border security. Trudeau even agreed to appoint a fentanyl czar which will save countless American lives. Up next, Donald Trump goes to war with US Aid saying it turned out to be a radical left lunatic filled organization wasting taxpayer dollars. It has now been, in essence, shut down and the lunatics have been not allowed back in the building. I'll have the details on that in just a moment. And final, the New Jersey governor came out bragging that he had an illegal immigrant living in his compound. His staff is now walking it back saying it's not actually true. Tom Homan responds to this news and explains what he's going to do Next. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now. If you believe the headlines from the liberal media, you would have thought that Donald Trump made a massive mistake, threatening to put tariffs and then actually signing an executive order on Canada and Mexico. NBC News's headline on Monday morning read this way, Trump dealing with fallout after imposing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. The leaders of Canada and Mexico threatened retaliatory tariffs while China said it will file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization. All doom and gloom. Well, it didn't take months or weeks or even really that many days for this tariff threat to become a massive victory for Donald Trump. Not only did Canada cave, but so did Mexico. Let's talk about Canada first. Trudeau submitted to Donald Trump and announced a 30 day pause on the tariff, saying he's excited to work together with America. He also, as part of the deal, is now going to spend $1.3 billion on a border security plan. He has even decided to appoint a fentanyl czar. This was a massive victory to save lives in America. And not only did the Canadian prime minister cave to President Donald Trump's demand to crack down on fentanyl trafficking and to reinforce the Canada U.S. border, but he also Said he's looking for a long term solution to the problem. You look at Mexico and they in essence did the same exact thing. Sending 10,000 of their men and women from the military to the border to actually help secure it and also going after the fentanyl that is flowing into this country. There's no denying that this is a massive victory for safety, security and to get rid of drugs in this country. Yet the media wanted you to believe that Donald Trump was being reckless, dangerous and putting your livelihood and the cost of goods and services at risk. Something that J.D. vance decided was a great moment to mock the media for doing exactly what I just said.

[Tom Homan]

Now actually I was in the air. I talked to the President very briefly about this. He spoke with the President of Mexico this morning. And the President of Mexico committed to putting 10,000 additional Mexican troops on that southern border, our southern border, of course, the Mexicans northern border, to take law enforcement more seriously, to go after those Mexican drug cartels a little bit more aggressively. So for literally three days I heard the far left in this country say that these tariffs would make Americans lives worse off. And what actually happened is the Mexican government was so afraid of the tariffs that they actually are taking their border enforcement and their anti cartel activity more seriously. That is not a pathway to making Americans worse off. That's a pathway to making Americans better off.

[Ben Ferguson]

If the media was being intellectually honest and not slandering and attacking the President Donald Trump, they would have told you, the American people this. Donald Trump was leveraging tariffs for national security. And the use of these tariffs has been an effective negotiating tool to secure commitments for from these trading partners addressing the critical issues like drug trafficking and border security. Now the foundation for future agreements has also been laid because of these tariff threats. The agreements with Canada and Mexico are now setting a positive precedent for all future negotiations potentially leading to more comprehensive trade deals that benefit the U. S and in essence all parties involved. Because the President has also made it clear that the trade deficits are unacceptable. Now these developments clearly highlight the administration's efforts to use economic measures strategically to enhance our national security and promote favorable trade conditions with our neighbors. At the end of the day, Donald Trump was right. And it took less than 36 hours to prove to the world and to the biased media and to the Democrats that he understands the art of the deal.

Now story number two.

When Donald Trump was running for the presidency the second time, he made a very clear promise the American people he was going to go into this government and save your tax dollars from fraud. Waste and abuse. Well, apparently an awful lot of our tax dollars have been going to all of those categories when it comes to U.S. aID, a program that Donald Trump actually liked when he was president back in 2016. So what did they find this time after it was radicalized by the Biden Harris administration?

[Tom Homan]

The first term, though, USAID was something that you liked in some respects.

[Caller]

I love the concept of. Yeah, sure, I love the concept, but they turn out to be radical left lunatics. And the concept of it is good, but it's all about the people.

[Ben Ferguson]

President Donald Trump making it clear USA turned out to be radical left lunatics. So what did he do? In response, USAID staffers were told to stay out of the D.C. headquarters after Elon Musk said that Trump agreed to shut it down, calling it just a ball of worms. The workers received an email Monday telling them to stay out of the agency's D.C. headquarters. Now, staffers with the U.S. agency for International Development were actually ordered, quote, at the direction of agency leadership, to work remotely, except for personnel with essential on site and building maintenance functions individually contracted by senior leadership. This, according to an agency wide email that was sent out. Further guidance will be forthcoming is what the email said at the end. Now, you may ask yourself, why such a massive reaction from the White House? Well, the media, of course, said this was an overreaction. And Democrats went to USAID and stormed the building almost like it was an insurrection. Well, they brought receipts at the White House as the White House press secretary let the American people know exactly why they decided it's time to shut it all down.

[Elon Musk]

And here's the reason why Elon Musk and others have been taking a look. Because if you look at the waste and abuse that has run through USAID over the past several years, these are some of the insane priorities that that organization has been spending money on. $1.5 million to advance DEI in Serbia's workplaces. 70,000 for a production of a DEI musical in Ireland. 47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia. 32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru. I don't know about you, but as an American taxpayer, I don't want my dollars going towards this crap. And I know the American people don't either. And that's exactly what Elon Musk has been tasked by President Trump to do to get the fraud, waste and abuse out of our federal government.

[Ben Ferguson]

And that, my friends, is what you call bringing the receipts. The list of just some of the waste and abuse at USAID that Doge had been working on. Eliminating that list is just some highlights. They apparently are finding even more abuse of your tax dollars being used for the most ridiculous things you could imagine. That 47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia. No one, whether you're Republican or Democrat, should be in favor of that. 32, 000 for transgender comic books in Peru. None of our money should be going to comic books in Peru, ever. Period. And the 1.5 million to advance DEI in Serbia's workplaces. The real question now people should be asking is, who was on the take when the money went to these different countries? Where did the money actually end? Did 70,000 actually really go to production of a DEI musical in Ireland? Or was someone just taking that money, funneling that money? That, I have a feeling is what Elon Musk is going to dig into next. But let me say this. It's clear the Trump administration is not just stopping with dei. They're not just stopping with usaid. They're not stopping with anywhere in the government where they see waste and abuse and the abuse of our tax dollars that we work so hard for being sent all over the world.

And lastly, story number three.

So let's be very clear about one thing we've learned about the Democrats over the last two weeks as Donald Trump has been president. They are not going to sit down and just honor the American people's wishes. A perfect example of this is the New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy sticking his finger in the eye of the Trump administration, giving the middle finger to law and order and bragging apparently about harboring an illegal immigrant in his home. Problem is, it has backfired on him very quickly. The comments that you're about to hear came from a weekend get together of a bunch of liberals. And this is what the New Jersey Democratic governor said Tammy and I were talking about.

[Tom Homan]

I don't want to get into too much detail, but there's someone in our broader universe whose immigration status is not yet at the point that they are trying to get it to. And we said, you know what, let's have her live at our house above our garage and good luck to the feds coming in to try to get her.

[Ben Ferguson]

It didn't take long for his staff to then claim that he was actually incorrectly saying that illegal immigrant was staying, staying at his home. Why? Because the video went viral. And Tom Homan was asked about on Sean Hannity's show and this is what he had to say in response.

[Caller]

I got note of it, won't let it go. We'll look into it. And if he's normally, normally harboring, concealing an illegal alien. That's a Violation of Title 8, United States Code 1324. I will seek prosecution or the secondary would seek prosecution. So maybe he's bluffing. If he's not, we'll deal with that.

[Ben Ferguson]

Maybe he's bluffing. Well, that is exactly what the staff is hoping you will believe. Here is what they said to the media late last night. Phil Murphy's rep is now claiming that the New Jersey governor is, quote, not sheltering a migrant, AKA an illegal immigrant at his home, despite daring the feds to, quote, unquote, try to get her. The New Jersey Governor's office is, quote, furiously fighting back at the Governor's comments, boasting that he had open his home to the illegal immigrant. The rep is telling the New York Post that the loose lip Jersey leader had been misinterpreted, quote, unquote, and that no such situation had occurred, even though Murphy had dared the feds to come after the illegal immigrant. Now, when the media press for a clarification a little bit more than what they were saying, here is the final response from the staff. Quote, no one ever lived in the home under those circumstances that the governor clearly described. The representative insisted the moral of the story. You may not have to take the Governor's word for it after all. As Tom Homan and ICE are preparing quite possibly to go take a look at Governor Murphy's home.

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.