The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Deadliest U.S.–Cuba Flashpoint in Decades plus Oz & Vance on MN's Outrageous Medicaid Scam

Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Ben Ferguson, Premiere Networks
Main Guests: Vice President J.D. Vance, Dr. Oz, Senator Marco Rubio

Episode Overview

This episode of The 47 Morning Update delivers an in-depth look at two breaking stories:

1. The dramatic and deadly confrontation between the Cuban Coast Guard and a US-registered speedboat—a potential geopolitical flashpoint called the “Deadliest U.S.–Cuba Flashpoint in Decades.”
2. A major federal crackdown on Medicaid fraud in Minnesota, with statements from Vice President J.D. Vance and Dr. Oz regarding the Trump Administration’s unprecedented move to temporarily halt over $250 million in Medicaid payments to the state.

The episode is packed with firsthand commentary, expert analysis, and tough questions about national security, diplomatic relations, and taxpayer accountability.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cuba-U.S. Maritime Incident: What Really Happened?

(03:49–12:40)

• Incident Details:
  The Cuban Coast Guard fired on a US-registered, Florida-documented speedboat near Cuban territorial waters, resulting in four deaths and six injuries. Cuba claims the boat’s occupants, all reportedly Cuban nationals living in the U.S., were attempting an armed infiltration and initiated the shootout.

• Cuban Account vs US Uncertainty:

  • Cuba alleges the passengers were armed with assault rifles, handguns, bulletproof vests, and more, accusing them of terrorism.
  • The U.S. government has not confirmed these events or motives.
    • “The U.S. Government has not independently verified any of what the Cuban government is actually saying on their version of the events. Details about the boat, the motives of those on board, and whether Cuba claims of armed terrorism are accurate remain obviously unconfirmed.” (05:19, Main News Anchor/Host)

• U.S. Official Responses:

  • Senator Marco Rubio:

    “As it stands now, the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, others were involved. The majority of the information we still possess is what Cuban authorities are providing… We will independently verify… I’m not going to speculate… but we’re going to find out exactly what happened here, and then we’ll respond accordingly.” (07:27, Marco Rubio)

  • Vice President J.D. Vance:
    Monitoring the situation, refused to trust Cuba’s version, stressed the need for independent investigation.

  • Florida Officials:
    Demanded a thorough investigation and accountability if Cuba used unnecessary force.

• Historical Context:
  Reminded listeners of past U.S.–Cuba maritime incidents, notably the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, emphasizing long-standing tensions and the high diplomatic stakes.

  “This new incident recalls that legacy. And given the current hardline US Posture towards Havana under the Trump administration, it's pretty clear the stakes are probably even higher now.” (09:55, Main News Anchor/Host)

• Potential Ramifications:

  • May escalate into a diplomatic crisis if not handled carefully.
  • Raises serious questions about the safety of American citizens and the possibility of aggressive acts by nation-states against U.S. nationals.

2. Minnesota Medicaid Fraud and Trump Administration Crackdown

(12:40–19:55)

• Scope of the Crackdown:
  The Trump administration is withholding $259.5 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota until the state can prove it’s not facilitating massive fraud.

• Allegations and Scams Described:

  • “Criminals… pay moms a thousand dollars roughly in order to enroll their children as being autistic… then bill Medicaid… millions of dollars for services that were never rendered… These schemes disproportionately involve immigrant communities… It ultimately diverts resources away from kids who truly have autism.” (13:49, Dr. Oz)
  • Behavioral health organizations claimed “450 days where they claim they were working more than 24 hours a day.”
  • Centers billed for services to beneficiaries who had already died.

• CMS and Federal Action:

  • Dr. Oz:

    “CMS is done paying and chasing. We don’t think jail sentences are the right way out. These criminals flee the country… Instead, we’re launching the largest action against fraud that we’ve ever taken. The money’s not going to ever leave the building again.” (16:10, Dr. Oz)

  • $259 million withheld; Minnesota has 60 days to submit a corrective action plan or risk further deferred payments, up to $1 billion over the year.

  “If Minnesota fails to clean up the systems, the state will rack up a billion dollars of deferred payments this year. Governor Walsh has 60 days, 60 days, sir, to respond to our letter…” (17:58, Dr. Oz)

• Vice President J.D. Vance’s Statement:

  “We have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that are going to the state of Minnesota in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligations… seriously to be good stewards of the American people’s tax money.” (18:26, Vice President J.D. Vance)

• Assurance to Minnesotans:

  • Providers already paid.
  • Deferred payments are intended to target leadership and demand accountability, not harm care recipients.

• Host Analysis:

  • Reiterates that this is the kind of government accountability many Americans sought in President Trump, specifically targeting fraudulent waste rather than cutting services.

  “This is exactly, by the way, what so many Americans were hoping would happen when Trump was elected. Accountability. And Donald Trump is now doing it right now in real time To Minnesota.” (19:41, Main News Anchor/Host)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Marco Rubio on the Cuba incident:

  "We will independently verify... I’m not going to speculate… but we’re going to find out exactly what happened here, and then we’ll respond accordingly." (07:27)

• Dr. Oz on Medicaid scams:

  “Even in the White House, that’s tough. It’s hard to work more than 24 hours a day. How it didn’t get picked up is shocking to us at CMS.” (15:35)

• Dr. Oz on significance:

  “It is unponderable that you would take advantage of these precious programs, yet they are putting it at risk, all of it, by stealing the money.” (16:55)

• Vice President J.D. Vance:

  “We are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations seriously to stop the fraud that’s being perpetrated against the American taxpayers." (18:26)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|------------| | Cuba-U.S. Flashpoint — Incident described, details, reactions | 03:49–12:40 | | Senator Marco Rubio’s statement | 07:27 | | Historical parallels & significance | 09:55 | | Medicaid Fraud: Dr. Oz’s exposé | 13:49–18:10 | | Dr. Oz statements—financial specifics, demands to MN | 16:10–17:58 | | VP J.D. Vance announcement | 18:26 | | Host Analysis/Wrap | 19:10–19:55 |

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a direct, urgent, and critical tone—often skeptical of “mainstream media” and government sources outside the Trump administration. The language is blunt and focused on accountability, urgency, and confronting fraud or threats to Americans.

Summary

This episode provides an in-depth, unfiltered look at two critical breaking stories: a deadly U.S.–Cuba maritime clash and a major Medicaid fraud crackdown in Minnesota. The discussion is driven by firsthand statements from top officials, a skepticism towards foreign (Cuban) narratives, and a hard stance on domestic accountability for taxpayer funds. The stakes are presented as high both internationally (potential for a new U.S.–Cuba crisis) and domestically (quarter-billion taxpayer dollars at risk), with the Trump administration promising thorough investigation and swift action on both fronts.