The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Democrat Party in Disarray plus SNAP into Fraud (November 14, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson delivers pointed commentary on two major issues: the escalating internal conflict within the Democratic Party following the record-breaking government shutdown, and a damning exposé on widespread fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Through sharp analysis, direct quotes, and a high-profile interview with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the episode explores how these headline stories impact American governance, policy, and taxpayer trust.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Civil War Inside the Democratic Party

[04:34 – 09:40]

• Backdrop: The U.S. has just emerged from the longest government shutdown in history, with a new shutdown possible in early 2026.
• Party Fractures: Ben describes a "full blown civil war" within the Democratic Party, with progressives led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) turning on establishment leaders like Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi.
  • Quote: “AOC and the progressives are now turning on Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. It is an unprecedented moment of civil war for the Democratic party.” — Ben Ferguson [04:39]
• Cause of Discord: Schumer is criticized for perceived weakness and “capitulation” in negotiations to reopen the government, failing to secure key Democratic demands (notably Obamacare subsidies).
• Progressive Outrage: The party’s radical left is demanding more aggressive opposition, including rhetoric of direct confrontation with Republicans.
  • Quote: “The movement demands what? Well, aggressive opposition, including violence against Donald Trump and any Republican that gets in their way.” — Ben Ferguson [05:55]
• Leadership Future: Despite mounting public pressure, Schumer refuses to step down. There's no formal caucus move yet, but “progressive groups are going to war.”
• Pelosi’s Retirement: Nancy Pelosi has announced she won’t seek reelection, further amplifying the party’s leadership uncertainty.
• AOC’s Rising Star: Ben speculates AOC may win Schumer’s Senate seat and possibly his leadership position, highlighting her increased profile post-shutdown.

2. SNAP Program Fraud Exposed

[09:41 – 15:10]

• Scope of the Problem: Following data from 29 mostly red states, the USDA (under Secretary Brooke Rollins) has identified staggering fraud in the SNAP program.
  • Quote: “186,000 deceased men and women and children in this country are receiving a check... 187,000 dead men and women and children in this country are receiving food stamps.” — Ben Ferguson [10:12]
• Nature of the Fraud:
  • Half a million people receiving double SNAP payments.
  • Example: One individual collecting SNAP in six states under the same identity.
  • Fraud persists due to lack of oversight, especially in non-cooperating blue states.
• Brooke Rollins Interview: Secretary Rollins joins Fox News’ Laura Ingram to detail her findings and the administration’s aggressive new reforms.
  • Quote (on DNC priorities): “What the Democrats did not include in their calculation in their insane government shutdown was the fact that this spotlight was going to be shined upon one of their favorite government welfare programs that under Joe Biden increased 40%... Where all that money went trying to buy elections, we're not 100% sure, but we're rolling it back now.” — Brooke Rollins [11:33]
  • Quote (on fraud mechanisms): “Half a million people getting benefits two times under the same name. 5,000 dead people. 80% of the able bodied Americans… can work and they choose not to work, of course, because they’re getting significant benefits from the taxpayer.” — Brooke Rollins [12:11]
  • Quote (on blue states): “And by the way, Laura, these are the red states that turn their data over. It is the blue states we're still trying to get data on. Can you imagine if this fraud is happening in the red states, what's happening in the blue states?” — Brooke Rollins [14:03]
• Motivations & Outcomes:
  • Ben and Rollins suggest Democrats are using SNAP to "buy votes" and foster dependency.
  • Comparison to Trump-era policies, arguing Trump moved more minorities out of poverty and into work.

3. Broader Political Framing

[15:10 – 17:01]

• Systemic Critique: Ben repeats the charge that Democrats want to maintain a corrupt welfare system for political gain.
  • Quote: “Democrats want to protect this system and they want to protect the abusers of the system because this, they believe, is giving them some sort of political power. They are, in essence, buying votes.” — Ben Ferguson [15:10]
• Contrast with Trump: Ben highlights historic low minority unemployment under Trump, presenting this as a model for empowerment versus dependency.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Democratic Civil War:
  • “AOC publicly now questioning whether Schumer should remain in his role as leader of the Senate, pointing to broader structural issues in the Democratic Party.” — Ben Ferguson [05:27]
• On Welfare Fraud Magnitude:
  • “It’s staggering and so discouraging. You know, if you’re a taxpayer and you’re working hard every day and you’re paying your taxes and then you look and you see these stories of this fraud… We found one guy in six states who was collecting in six different States under the same number.” — Brooke Rollins [13:44]
• On Efforts for Reform:
  • “We now have a plan to fix it and we’re really, really excited about doing that for the American people.” — Brooke Rollins [12:55]
• On Political Motivation:
  • “That system is designed for one purpose, for the Democrats to count votes, to buy votes, to bribe people into supporting them and convincing people that they cannot make it without the Democratic Party. It’s an abusive relationship.” — Ben Ferguson [16:19]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:34] - Ben introduces the Democratic Party internal strife
• [05:27] - Specifics on Schumer’s leadership being challenged
• [09:41] - Transition to SNAP and welfare fraud expose
• [11:08] - Brooke Rollins interview begins
• [12:11] - Depth of fraud described by Rollins
• [13:44] - Discussion of individuals exploiting the system
• [14:03] - Examination of red vs. blue state SNAP fraud data
• [15:10] - Ben summarizes Democratic incentives/accusations
• [16:19] - Ben on system as a "vote-buying" tool

Final Takeaways

This episode spotlights what Ben Ferguson sees as two urgent crises: (1) the Democratic Party’s internal rupture post-shutdown, with radicals like AOC eyeing leadership amidst accusations of establishment weakness, and (2) the exposure of massive, systemic fraud within SNAP, used by Democrats (in his view) for political patronage and control. The tone is direct, combative, and critical—characteristic of Ferguson’s style—while the inclusion of Secretary Rollins’ comments provides substance and urgency to the SNAP fraud allegations.

Listeners come away with a sharp critique of Democratic leadership dynamics and welfare policy, framed from a distinctly conservative, anti-establishment vantage.