Democrat Party Loyalty Ends Where Polls Begin plus Iran Tests Trump, Here's the Response

Summary

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The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Democrat Party Loyalty Ends Where Polls Begin plus Iran Tests Trump, Here's the Response
Date: July 8, 2026
Host: Ben Ferguson
Network: Premiere Networks

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Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson tackles two pressing political stories: the Democratic Party's shifting loyalty in the wake of scandals involving Graham Platner and Abdul El Shayeed, and President Trump's forceful response to Iranian aggression in the Strait of Hormuz. Ferguson offers pointed commentary on party hypocrisy, the calculus behind political support, and the Trump administration's demonstration of “peace through strength” both domestically and abroad.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democratic Party and the Fall of Graham Platner

• Democrats Distance Themselves from Platner:
  With new polling suggesting he can't win, Democrats are rapidly abandoning Graham Platner, not out of moral conviction, but, according to Ferguson, due to sheer electability concerns. (04:48)

• Change in Attitude Toward Accusations:
  Ferguson notes the party’s claim that Platner’s recent accuser is more credible “because she's a liberal”—a stark contrast, he argues, to the party's prior “believe all women” stance, especially when allegations came from the right. (06:04)

• Hypocrisy in ‘Believe All Women’:

  “So much for a party that said literally believe all women. Well, apparently, unless you’re Republican. You got it.” — Ben Ferguson (06:47)

• John Fetterman Calls Out Sanders and Party Leaders:
  Ferguson replays a clip of Sen. John Fetterman urging Bernie Sanders to apologize for supporting candidates accused of sexual assault, suggesting fractures within party ranks. (07:16)

  “Maybe he should consider, sit a few out and stop pushing these kind of communists and people. Now, he has been credibly accused of rape...” — John Fetterman (07:16)

• Polling and Party Loyalty:

  “The Democratic Party is not doing the right thing here. They're just trying to win a seat. Their moral compass is literally only what the polling data shows.” — Ben Ferguson (08:09)

2. The Abdul El Shayeed Controversy

• New Audio Contradicts Candidate’s Claims:
  A resurfaced 2020 recording shows Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El Shayeed explicitly supporting moves to defund the police, contradicting his more recent denials.

• Evolving Messaging:
  While Al Shayeed now claims his views have changed, Ferguson frames this as evidence of Democratic candidates' dishonesty:

  “Instead of just straight up lying to you, saying, I never said it, they're now saying, well, maybe he did say it, but, well, he didn't really mean it.” — Ben Ferguson (10:55)

• Polling Trumps Principles:
  With El Shayeed holding a 28-point lead in the primary, Ferguson asserts party leaders overlook past statements or alleged behavior as long as electoral victory seems likely.

  “It doesn't matter if they lie to your face. It doesn't matter if they've abused women...as long as they think they can win. It doesn't matter.” — Ben Ferguson (10:55)

• Democratic Party as ‘Win at All Costs’:

  “Win at all costs. But if the polling data changes, they'll excommunicate you as fast as they did Eric Swalwell. And now Graham Platner.” — Ben Ferguson (11:27)

3. Trump’s Policy and Military Response on Iran

• Trump’s Oval Office Warning:
  Ferguson recaps President Trump’s ultimatum to Iran: either negotiate or face the rapid destruction of critical infrastructure.

  “We can knock out their electricity and power generating plants. And I would say a small part of an afternoon, every plant will be gone.” — Donald Trump (11:57)

• Military Strikes Ordered:
  Following threats in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. strikes over 80 Iranian military targets in response to attacks on commercial vessels. (13:15)
  • Key sites hit include missile launch sites, command facilities, surveillance, and fast-attack boats.
• Reimposed Sanctions:
  The administration reverses recent sanctions relief, cutting off Iranian oil exports as additional punishment for aggression.

  “The administration’s message appears to be, well, yet again straightforward. If Iran attacks international shipping, it will not simultaneously receive economic relief from the United States of America.” — Ben Ferguson (13:50)

• Global Implications:
  • Oil prices surge 5% in anticipation of wider conflict and market instability.
  • Both the White House and Iranian officials accuse each other of breaching recent agreements.
• Broader Strategy—Peace Through Strength:

  “The president clearly saying exactly what he said days in advance and actually sticking to those words, showing peace but also military strength when he needs to.” — Ben Ferguson (17:08)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Party Hypocrisy:

  “So to be clear, the only women that Democrats will actually believe are radical lefties. And only when they've gotten their marching orders to come out and accuse a candidate that they believe is going to lose of something.” — Ben Ferguson (06:47)

• On Poll-Driven Loyalty:

  “The Democratic Party is not doing the right thing here. They're just trying to win a seat. Their moral compass is literally only what the polling data shows.” — Ben Ferguson (08:09)

• John Fetterman’s Rebuke:

  “Maybe [Bernie Sanders] should consider, sit a few out and stop pushing these kind of communists and people. Now, he has been credibly accused of rape...” — John Fetterman (07:16)

• President Trump on Iran:

  “We can knock out their electricity and power generating plants. And I would say a small part of an afternoon, every plant will be gone.” — Donald Trump (11:57)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:44] Episode Intro & Stakes of the Current Administration
• [04:48] Democrats Abandon Platner: Polls vs. Morals
• [06:04] Analysis of Allegations Against Platner & Party’s Response
• [07:16] John Fetterman Criticizes Party Leadership on Fox News
• [08:09] Polls Dictate Loyalty, Not Values
• [09:00] Abdul El Shayeed and “Defund the Police” Controversy
• [11:27] Summary: Win at All Costs for Democrats
• [11:38] Trump’s Warning and Rapid Response to Iran
• [13:15] Details of Strikes & Economic Pressure
• [15:00] Global Market and Geopolitical Impacts
• [17:08] Episode Conclusion

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Summary

Ben Ferguson offers a critical, fast-paced analysis of the Democratic Party’s internal crisis and the Trump administration's foreign policy. Through careful breakdowns, he argues that Democratic loyalty is poll-driven, not principle-driven, as evidenced by the abandonment of scandal-ridden candidates only when victory seems out of reach. Moving to international issues, Ferguson details Trump’s aggressive response to Iranian provocations, highlighting the administration’s dual-track approach of military power and economic sanctions, with significant repercussions for both global politics and markets. Throughout, the tone is combative and direct, embodying Ferguson’s characteristic style.

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Transcript

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I am here because Washington needs fighters and Graham Platner is the fighter we need. You bet. I said to myself that's my kind of man that's my, that's my, that's my kind of man that's my, that's my, that's my kind of man. Because that is a man who not only has the values, but a man who believes in accountability.

[Ben Ferguson]

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

Good Wednesday morning. It's so nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update and we've got two very big stories for you. First up, Graham Platner, Democrats turning on him, trying to get him out of the race. But if you think they found their moral compass, we've got to tell you about another candidate they're backing with everything they've got. Plus the President, United States of America. He says he's had enough of Iran's threats in the Strait of Hormuz and now has said sanctions are coming back on their oil and even strikes against Iran. Now, before we get to both those stories, I want to talk to you right now about how the stakes could not be any higher. We finally have a president and administration fighting hard for America first. But if conservatives like you and I lose focus now, the same people who created this mess are ready and waiting to resume their destruction. Their progressive agenda. And protecting this momentum takes more than votes. It takes every American like you staying in the fight for our rights and freedoms. And that's why more and more people I know are switching to Patriot Mobile. It is America's only Christian conservative wireless provider. Now Patriot Mobile, which I use every day and they're amazing. They offer premium priority nationwide service on all three major US Networks, unlimited data plans, mobile hotspots, international roaming, they've got it all. And I love their team. Because it's 100 US based customer support, switching has never been easier. You can do it in minutes while keeping your same phone and the same phone number you've got right now. Now this is where the magic comes in. Unlike the other carriers, Patriot Mobile, they put their money towards causes that defend faith, family and freedom. They literally contribute millions of dollars each year to organizations on the front lines fighting for our God given rights. And that is why I love Patriot Mobile. So whether you've got a small business or a bunch of family lines or just your phone number, switch it today. Join the movement. Go to patriotmobile.com ben47patriotmobile.com Ben 47 or 972-patriot and if you use the promo code Ben 47, you're going to get a free month of service. That's patriotmobile.com Ben47 or 972 Patriot to make that switch today. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now. Story number one, Democrats are turning quickly on Graham Platner not because of the latest accuser, but because they realize he can't win. The polling data is now showing that he is a lame duck candidate. And now Democrats do what they do well, they excommunicate you quickly, even Ms. Now you know, formerly of msnbc, they are suggesting that Platner's latest Accuser is somehow, quote, more reliable because his other accuser, well, it was associated with right wing politics. That's their exact quote. So because they say that she's. Now this woman is a liberal, I guess you can believe her. So much for a party that said literally believe all women. Well, apparently, unless you're Republican. You got it. This actually happened on MSNBC to that

[Political Commentator]

comment about the sort of post MeToo era and the debate that sort of happened in the Democratic Party after this series of allegations around Graham Platner. Part of, I think what made it complicated for some Democrats to fully believe the woman who was at the center of the last round was that she was associated with right wing politics. But this woman, she. I want to read part of what's out here. One of the reasons she says to Politico I didn't come forward sooner was the huge moral conflict that I had between supporting his politics. So she is saying, I actually agree with Graham Platner, his positions, his politics. She's clearly more on the left, but not supporting him as a person. I just want the truth out there. I just want people to have a whole scope of who he is as a person.

[Ben Ferguson]

So to be clear, the only women that Democrats will actually believe are radical lefties. And only when they've gotten their marching orders to come out and accuse a candidate that they believe is going to lose of something. This is very much like Eric Swalwell in California. And then we will say, okay, fine, you must drop out. John Fetterman, the only Democrat out there who actually is calling out Democrats for their hypocrisy, he said this on Fox News Channel about Bernie Sanders.

[John Fetterman]

Yeah, I mean, I refuse to overlook that, but honestly, I would, I would really call Bernie Sanders to apologize for pushing this kind of predator more than anyone, he helped him elect and now apologize to the victims, especially the woman that she claimed that he raped her. So I don't know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people. Maybe he should consider, set a few out and stop pushing these kind of communists and people. And now people, you know, like, like Hussle. Now, he has been credibly accused of rape, and that's fairly recent, too. That was only less than five years ago.

[Political Analyst]

Well, he said the allegations are untrue, but that he's basically reviewing his options. His. He's obviously going to drop out.

Correct.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now you listen to that from Fetterman and what you learn is this. The Democratic Party is not doing the right thing here. They're just trying to win A seat. Their moral compass is literally only what the polling data shows. And if you don't believe me, let me give you this fact. New audio has surfaced in another race. It is now audio that contradicts Abdul El Shayeed's claim that he never backed the radical identity politics of defunding the police. Yes, that far left Muslim Michigan Senate candidate is now facing renewed scrutiny after this new audio showed him explicitly supporting efforts to defund the police departments completely. Now, in his previous interviews, Al Saeed had denied ever calling to defund the police, arguing that his old social media posts were just misrepresented after, of course, being taken out of context. But now a recording from just 2020 tells a very different story. In one interview from June 2020, Al Said said he believed police funding should be reduced while more taxpayer dollars should be directed towards schools, mental health services and of course, anti poverty programs. Because remember, this is how you justify defunding the police. Alid said this as well. We are in a moment when a lot of our public conversation gets chewed down into 280 characters or less, and that is not the best way to talk about anything. So you'll note I didn't say defund the police. I just described what needed to be done. And I do think we need to be really focused on describing or explaining rather than sort of hedging on one side or the other behind a, quote, hashtag. He then said, defunding the police is disinvesting in the means of incarcerating someone or killing them on the streets and investing more in the means of educating and empowering and engaging communities with the means of being able to take on systemic poverty that we've allowed to fester in too many communities. Now, again, these comments originally came out in 2020, right as the quote, defund the police movement was picking up major steam after the death of George Floyd. Ale's campaign now has to admit, and they have admitted that his views have, quote, changed since then. So instead of just straight up lying to you, saying, I never said it, they're now saying, well, maybe he did say it, but, well, he didn't really mean it. Now the issue is coming up again because Alcid is currently leading the Democratic primary for Michigan's top U.S. senate seat. The new polls that have come out earlier this May showed him out in

[Political Commentator]

a 28 point lead.

[Ben Ferguson]

Yeah, that's big. So Al said, well, now he's getting people that are actually looking at what he believes in and he is another radical communist. Now, this is again the Democratic Party. This is the candidates they keep choosing. It doesn't matter if they lie to your face. It doesn't matter if they've abused women, it doesn't matter if they lie about anything in their past, as long as they think they can win. It doesn't matter if you've abused women, hit them, raped them, it doesn't matter.

[Political Commentator]

This is the Democratic Party.

[Ben Ferguson]

Win at all costs. But if the polling data changes, well, they'll excommunicate you as fast as they did Eric Swalwell. And now Graham Platner.

Next story number two.

President Donald Trump 24 hours ago issued a stark warning to Iran declaring the US Is prepared to completely dismantle the country's infrastructure in a small part of an afternoon if a diplomatic deal cannot be reached. The president saying this from the Oval Office.

[Donald Trump]

Look, we're going to win one way or the other. We're either going to make a deal or we're going to finish the job. Okay? And it won't be tough to finish the job. I'd rather make a deal because I don't want to affect 91 million people. We can knock down their bridges in one hour. We can knock out their energy supply. All of those big plants that they built, big, beautiful modern plants, they had a lot of money. They don't have any money now. We haven't given them any money. But we can knock out their electricity and power generating plants. And I would say a small part of an afternoon, every plant will be gone.

[Political Commentator]

And they know that the president sang that from the Oval office. Well, just 24 hours after that, President Trump has ordered a new round of US Military strikes against Iran.

[Ben Ferguson]

Why?

[Political Commentator]

Because Iranian forces, well, they decided to go after shipping, commercial shipping in the

[Ben Ferguson]

Strait of Hormuz, one of the most

[Political Commentator]

strategic and important waterways on the planet. Now, at the same time, the Trump administration has also reversed course on sanctions relief. They have instantly reimposed restrictions on Iranian oil exports and what officials described as a direct response to Tehran's actions.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now, the Strait is the world's most

[Political Commentator]

critical oil choke point and it's extremely important to Iran. Roughly one fifth of the global traded oil moves through the narrow stretch of water and when Iran threatens or attacks ships there, it's not simply a regional issue. It has the potential and does in fact affect energy markets, gasoline prices, inflation and the global economy. Now, according to U S officials, Iranian forces attacked multiple commercial vessels, including oil and liquid natural gas tankers using projectiles

[Ben Ferguson]

near the Strait of Hormuz. And in response, the president went back to maximum pressure strategy, he authorized a significantly expanded military operation. US forces reportedly struck more than 80 Iranian military targets, including missile launch sites, command and control facilities, surveillance systems, and dozens of fast attack boats believed to have been involved in threatening the shipping channel. Now, the administration says these were defensive strikes designed to restore freedom of navigation and deter additional attacks, not the beginning of a broader war. US Officials have continued to say they remain open to negotiations even while responding militarily because again, this is peace through strength. Now, the second major move may have just as much long term significance as well. The Trump administration revoking the temporary authorization that it allowed Iran to legally sell oil. Under the recent diplomatic understanding between Washington and Tehran, treasury officials say Iran's attacks on commercial shipping made continuation of those waivers unacceptable. The wind down period for Iranian oil sales has been dramatically shortened as well, cutting off a key source of revenue for the Iranian government that they desperately need. And that is significant because oil exports are the financial lifeblood of Iran's economy. The administration's message appears to be, well, yet again straightforward. If Iran attacks international shipping, it will not simultaneously receive economic relief from the United States of America. Iran, meanwhile, is also doing what they do well as a terrorist country, accusing Washington of violating the recent memorandum, understanding that it temporarily reduced tensions. Iranian officials argued the US Strikes and renewed sanctions represent breaches to that agreement. Now, U.S. officials contend it was Iran that first violated the understanding by literally attacking commercial vessels and actually giving warnings on the radio to multiple ships that you either stop and turn around or you will be attacked. Now the financial markets, they're also reacting immediately. Oil prices have jumped more than 5% as traders worried about additional instability in the Persian Gulf. And investors understand that any prolonged disruption in the strait could also have worldwide consequences for energy markets and energy supplies. The broader question now is whether this has become another short lived military exchange or the beginning of another dangerous cycle of retaliation. Iran has already come out at this hour condemning the strikes and warned of major consequences. The United States says it remains prepared to defend American forces and international shipping if additional attacks occur. So that's where we are right now. President Trump has responded to the attacks on commercial shipping with both military force and renewed economic pressure. The president clearly saying exactly what he said days in advance and actually sticking to those words, showing peace but also military strength when he needs to.

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.

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