Summary of Episode: CBS Cans Journalist Following Biden Crime Family, Behind the Death of Alexei Navalny, & the Headlines Turn on Joe Biden Week In Review

Release Date: February 24, 2024
Podcast: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Host: Ben Ferguson
Guests: Senator Ted Cruz

1. CBS News Fires Investigative Reporter Kathryn Herridge and Seizes Her Files

Discussion Highlights:

• Firing of Kathryn Herridge: Ted Cruz opens the discussion by addressing the recent termination of Kathryn Herridge from CBS News. Herridge, renowned for her investigative journalism on sensitive issues, including the Biden administration’s “crime family,” was abruptly let go amid CBS's financial downsizing. (00:01)

• Seizure of Journalistic Files: Pratt emphasizes the alarming move by CBS News to seize Herridge’s journalistic files, including her notes on privileged sources. This unprecedented action raises serious concerns about journalistic integrity and corporate interference. (02:11)

  • Ben Ferguson's Insight: Ferguson underscores the gravity of this action, pointing out that seizing a reporter’s confidential sources is an abuse of power and highly unusual in American journalism. He cites an article from The Hill where Jonathan Turley highlights the unprecedented nature of CBS’s actions and the chilling effect it has on other journalists. (03:40)

  • Ken Thompson's Quote: "CBS News went full communists after, quote, seizing her journalistic files." (02:11)

• Impact on Journalism: Cruz and Ferguson lament the decline of genuine investigative journalism, attributing it to corporate media's corruption and reluctance to report unfavorable news about the administration. They argue that laying off Herridge was strategic to silence critical reporting.

2. Media Bias Against Joe Biden and Corporate Media Corruption

Discussion Highlights:

• Corporate Media's Shift Post-Trump: Ferguson attributes the current media bias to the post-Trump era, claiming that media outlets abandoned objective reporting to support the Democratic regime and propagate left-wing agendas. (06:38)

• Ted Cruz's Experience at CNN:

  • Hiring for Conservative Voices: Cruz recounts his tenure at CNN, noting that he was initially hired to introduce genuine conservative perspectives. However, following Trump's rise, the network shifted its stance, ultimately silencing pro-Trump voices like his own. (09:26 – 14:49)

  • Cancellation and Financial Implications: Cruz explains that despite being a high-earning contributor (earning upwards of $100,000 annually), his appearances were drastically reduced from over 250 to just two in his final year, indicating a deliberate move to suppress conservative viewpoints. (13:08 – 14:49)

  • Media as Propagandists: Both Cruz and Ferguson describe CNN and other networks as "left wing" propagandists, emphasizing their transformation from legitimate news outlets to biased platforms supporting Democratic interests. (10:09 – 15:54)

3. The Death of Alexei Navalny and Joe Biden’s Inaction

Discussion Highlights:

• Biden’s Promises vs. Actions: Cruz criticizes President Biden for failing to follow through on his 2021 promise to impose severe consequences on Vladimir Putin following the poisoning and death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He contrasts Biden’s initial strong stance with his current ineffective response. (16:50 – 19:11)

  • Biden’s Statement on Navalny: Cruz plays Biden’s recent statement offering condolences but highlights Biden’s admission that previous threats of severe consequences did not materialize. (17:41 – 18:37)

  • Cruz’s Legislative Efforts: He details his efforts to impose sanctions on Russia, particularly targeting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Despite bipartisan support and foreign backing, Biden’s administration waived these sanctions, contributing to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. (19:11 – 28:53)

  • Impact of Weak Sanctions: Cruz argues that Biden’s weak enforcement of sanctions emboldened Russia and other adversaries, undermining global stability and American credibility. (24:24 – 28:53)

• Senator’s Statement on Navalny: Cruz shares his own statement condemning the Russian regime for Navalny’s murder and criticizes the Biden administration for interpreting American weakness as appeasement. (16:50 – 19:11)

4. Current Media Attacks on Joe Biden’s Competence and Age

Discussion Highlights:

• Media Scrutiny: Cruz addresses recent headlines questioning President Biden's cognitive abilities and age, citing sources like The Washington Post and The New York Times. He suggests that the media is now turning against Biden, a shift from previous coverage that was more favorable or benign. (28:53 – 31:00)

  • Fox News Segment: A clip from Fox News highlights headlines questioning Biden’s capacity to run for president, illustrating the media’s intensified scrutiny. (29:54 – 31:09)

• Biden’s Inexperience with Hostile Media: Ferguson contrasts Biden’s current treatment with his past experiences, noting that Biden is unaccustomed to the hostile and aggressive questioning that Republicans regularly face. This sudden shift has left Biden and the Democratic Party scrambling to manage the narrative. (31:00 – 35:35)

• Potential Political Repercussions: Both Cruz and Ferguson predict that the media’s newfound hostility may be an attempt by the Democratic Party to offload Biden, possibly replacing him with a stronger figure like Michelle Obama to avoid a contested election against Trump. (35:35 – 37:41)

  • Predictions on Media Behavior: They foresee the media increasing attacks on Biden's age and competence if he remains the nominee, aiming to undermine his re-election campaign. (37:10 – 37:41)

5. Predictions and Future Implications

Discussion Highlights:

• Democratic Party Concerns: Cruz posits that both the media and the Democratic Party are worried about Biden’s re-election prospects, fearing that a contest between Biden and Trump could lead to a Republican victory. This concern is driving the media’s aggressive stance against Biden. (37:10 – 37:41)

• Potential for Increased Media Attacks: He anticipates that as the election approaches, the media will continue to amplify negative narratives about Biden to sway public opinion and ensure Democratic continuity. (37:10 – 37:41)

• Call to Action: Cruz urges listeners to stay informed and recognize the media’s shift in coverage as a sign of deeper political maneuvers within the Democratic Party aimed at maintaining power. (Concluding Remarks)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ted Cruz on CBS Firing Herridge: "CBS News went full communists after, quote, seizing her journalistic files." (02:11)

• Ben Ferguson on Media Corruption: "The corporate media is so utterly corrupt that they do not report on news that is inconvenient to the regime." (02:11)

• Cruz on His CNN Experience: "I can say this and you'll laugh. I will go down history as being the highest paid CNN contributor in history if you count it per appearance." (13:54)

• Ferguson on Biden’s Weakness: "The Russian regime interprets weakness from the United States as appeasement and has only escalated its oppression in recent years." (17:41)

• Cruz on Sanctions and War: "The Biden White House is all about weakness and appeasement. And waiving these sanctions directly caused the war." (24:56)

• Ferguson on Media's Treatment of Biden: "We're seeing the corporate media starting to turn on Joe Biden. And we've talked at length. Listen, it was this podcast that drove news and, and drove news across the country." (31:22)

Conclusions and Insights

• Erosion of Journalistic Integrity: The episode highlights a troubling trend of corporate media suppressing investigative journalism and prioritizing partisan agendas over unbiased reporting.

• Political Maneuvering: There is a strong emphasis on the Democratic Party and media’s strategic efforts to undermine President Biden’s re-election chances, potentially replacing him with a more favorable candidate.

• Foreign Policy Critique: Cruz’s critique of Biden’s handling of foreign policy, particularly relating to Russia and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, underscores significant concerns about American leadership and global stability.

• Media Bias and Polarization: The discussion underscores the increasing polarization within media outlets, shifting from a facade of balanced reporting to overt partisanship, thereby influencing public perception and political outcomes.

Final Note: For the full, in-depth conversation and additional context, listeners are encouraged to download and listen to the complete podcast episode released on February 24, 2024.