Democrats and Media try to Politicize Tragic Flooding in Texas as Families Pick up the Pieces

Summary

Summary of "Democrats and Media try to Politicize Tragic Flooding in Texas as Families Pick up the Pieces"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
• Host/Author: Premiere Networks
• Episode Title: Democrats and Media try to Politicize Tragic Flooding in Texas as Families Pick up the Pieces
• Release Date: July 8, 2025

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Introduction

In this emotionally charged special edition of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson addresses the devastating flash floods that struck Texas, resulting in significant loss of life and property. Ferguson delves into the unfolding tragedy, personalizes the impact, and critically examines the political narratives being spun by Democrats and mainstream media outlets.

Personal Connection and Initial Response

Ben Ferguson opens the episode by expressing his personal connection to the affected area, specifically Kerrville, Texas—a region he is intimately familiar with through family visits. He shares his sorrow for those who lost loved ones and those burdened with funerals and rebuilding efforts.

Notable Quote:

“I know people that have lost loved ones. I know people that are going to funerals over the next couple days who lost their children at camp right there on the Guadalupe river where the flooding happened.”
[00:55]

Overview of the Texas Flooding

Ferguson describes the unprecedented nature of the flooding, labeling it a "once in a lifetime hundred year flood." He emphasizes the suddenness and severity, highlighting that even with advanced warnings, the sheer volume of water—26 feet within 45 minutes—left no room for adequate preparation.

Notable Quote:

“When you're talking about 26ft of water in 45 minutes, there is simply no way to prepare for that. It is a tragedy and those politicizing it ought to be ashamed of themselves.”
[00:04]

Critique of Political and Media Narratives

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Ferguson’s critique of how Democrats and certain media outlets are politicizing the tragedy. He accuses them of attempting to blame former President Donald Trump for alleged staffing cuts in the National Weather Service (NWS), which he asserts is unfounded.

Notable Quote:

“The left is now trying to do and use this tragedy to push their own climate agenda and also blaming Donald Trump.”
[00:25]

Debunking Claims Against the National Weather Service

Ferguson meticulously deconstructs the claims that the Trump administration's staffing cuts in the NWS contributed to the loss of life and poor disaster response. He references credible sources, including the Associated Press and statements from NWS officials, to refute these allegations.

Key Points:

• The NWS had extra staff on duty during the storm, contrary to claims of staff cuts.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the NWS were proactive, issuing multiple flood warnings ahead of the catastrophe.
• Meteorologist Jason Runyon stated that the NWS office in New Braunfels had increased staffing levels during the event.

Notable Quote:

“The Associated Press reported on the weather community's pushback on the narrative, while the Democratic National Committee actually sent out memos arguing that the Trump administration, 'refused to backfill key roles likely contributing to preventable deaths and worsened devastation,' all of it a lie.”
[04:55]

Statements from Official Sources

Ferguson includes excerpts from official statements to bolster his arguments. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s remarks are highlighted to showcase the federal response and to counteract the misinformation being spread.

Notable Quote:

“Despite unprecedented rainfall, the National Weather Service executed timely and precise forecasts and warnings.”
[08:56]

White House Response

The episode covers the White House’s response to the tragedy, emphasizing that President Trump and his administration have been actively involved in relief efforts. Ferguson underscores that the administration is focused on supporting victims rather than engaging in political warfare.

Notable Quote:

“One thing that is for sure the President, United States of America will go visit the people in Texas and give them the support, the comfort and a government response that they deserve...”
[11:33]

Challenges in Forecasting and Preparedness

Ferguson acknowledges the complexities involved in forecasting such extreme weather events. He cites former NWS officials and local authorities who admit the difficulty in predicting the exact scale of the rainfall.

Key Points:

• Forecasts were as accurate as possible given the data at hand.
• Efforts to improve alert systems are necessary to better prepare for future events.
• Historical considerations, such as the proposed but never implemented flood warning siren system in Kerr County, underline the need for better preparedness.

Notable Quote:

“It’s pretty hard to forecast these kinds of rainfall rates is what a former National Weather Service director told the New York Times...”
[06:45]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ferguson concludes by reiterating his stance against the politicization of the tragedy. He calls for unity and support for the victims, condemning the left and media for attempting to exploit the loss of innocent lives for political gain.

Notable Quote:

“Unfortunately, instead of talking about the victims and the tragedy, the White House had to go and set the record straight.”
[07:30]

He urges listeners to subscribe for more in-depth news and to stay informed through his platform, emphasizing the importance of seeking the truth amid widespread misinformation.

Closing Statement:

“Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson... for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here tomorrow.”
[11:53]

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Final Note: This episode serves as Ben Ferguson's comprehensive response to the Texas floods, blending personal empathy with a focused critique on political and media narratives. By discrediting unfounded claims and highlighting official statements, Ferguson aims to provide his audience with a clear and truthful account of the tragic events.

Transcript

[Ben Ferguson]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Joe]

But I agree when you're talking about 26ft of water in 45 minutes, there is simply no way to prepare for that. It is a tragedy and those politicizing it ought to be ashamed of themselves.

[Ben Ferguson]

And Joe, again, we cannot tame Mother Nature at all.

This is a 47 Morning Update special edition with Ben Ferguson.

Good Tuesday morning. It is nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update is it is a tough morning, a sad morning, as we look at the horrific flooding and the loss of life in Texas. I'm going to give you personal details of what has happened and give you the full story of exactly what the left is now trying to do and use this tragedy to push their own climate agenda and also blaming Donald Trump. We'll give you the details on that in a moment. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now.

Story number one.

I want to first start by saying that this is a very tough show to do this morning. I know people that have lost loved ones. I know people that are going to funerals over the next couple days who lost their children at camp right there on the Guadalupe river where the flooding happened. I know this area because it is where my family goes to spend time throughout the year right there in Kerrville. It is an area that I know incredibly well as I've spent days and days there with my family. The thought of having to deal with the flooding and the way that it happened there, I want you to understand no one could prepare for what I would describe as a once in a lifetime hundred year flood. There are many in the left and in the media that are trying to politicize this, to attack Donald Trump and say that the National Weather Service had cuts in staff and that's the reason why people died. There are others that saying the disaster response was all Donald Trump's fault because of cuts. Both of these are absolute lies. You also need to understand in Kerrville, in this area where the flooding happened and the loss of life happened, this is an area that when it rains, the water is not really absorbed into the ground like in most parts of the country. If it rains at my house, significantly, the water goes into the ground, but there is so much rock and Kerrville in that area that you get these flash floods because the water builds up instantly and starts to flood the area. It's also an area where they don't actually receive that much rain. They can go hundreds of days without seeing rain. This is an area that is rural. It is a town that is so kind. It is a group of people that are incredibly welcoming. And you may not realize, but Kerrville was the same place where this tragedy took happen that was considered one of the best places to see the total eclipse. Just a little over a year ago, more than a million people went to the Hill Country, Kerrville being the epicenter of the blackout. That's where I was when the blackout happened. And it was truly incredible to see the people there were so welcoming to people that drove in and flew in from all over the country. But to watch and to witness what has happened since then by the left is truly just disgusting. I want to go through some of the lies for you so that you understand exactly what the truth is. For example, the left is saying that the National Weather Service didn't have the staffing that needed because it had been cut by Donald Trump. That is a lie. And I hope you'll take this show and share it everywhere that you can. We now know that meteorologists had argued that the national oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, known as noaa, and the National Weather Service did their jobs well during the devastating Texas flash floods. In fact, they even had, quote unquote, extra staff on hand for the storm. Despite Democrats claims that the Trump administration cut the agencies contributing to the loss of life over the holiday weekend, they were trying to score political points, trying to go after Donald Trump and conservatives, even establishment media outlets, ran with this lie. The Associated Press reported on the weather community's pushback on the narrative, while the Democratic National Committee actually sent out memos arguing that the Trump administration, quote, refused to backfill key roles likely contributing to preventable deaths and worsened devastation, all of it a lie. The Associated Press, for example, cited the NWS meteorologist Jason Runyon, who said the agency's office in New Braunfels that serves Austin, San Antonio and the surrounding areas in fact had more people on duty than normal just before the flash floods occurred before sunrise on Friday, saying this, there were extra people in here that night. And that's typical in every weather service office. You staff up for an event and bring people in overtime and you hold people over explaining that the office had up to five people on staff when they would typically have two. Not only did the National Weather Service also issue a series of flash flood warnings in the early hours Friday before issuing flash flood emergencies, a rare alert notifying of immediate danger. This according the ap, but they also put out the initial flood watch at 1:18pm the day before, yet again showing how much the left is willing to lie and no matter who's affected, including children that are dying just to score political points. What you also need to know is the notices grew increasingly in the early morning hours of Friday, culminating in a 4:03am warning for the potential of catastrophic damage and a severe threat to human life. Again, another warning going out notice. An outlet that characterized the National Weather Service staffing cuts as aggressive moves by the Trump administration even reported that the agency, quote, did have extra staff on hand for the storm. Yet again, more lies by the left at the River Forecast Center. We usually close overnight unless there is a flood threat. We identified the threat and we increased overnight coverage and we're staff 24 during this event is what Greg Waller, the service coordination hydrologist at the National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast center, said as well. The Austin, San Antonio and San Angelo offices had also beefed up their staffing prior to the storm. Some of the areas hit by the flash floods, like the grounds occupied by Camp mystic and Kerr county, may have been impacted by spotty cell service, so it is unclear if everyone who needed to evacuate actually received the alerts on their phone that went out, waller added in a statement to the Texas Tribune. We had adequate staffing, we had adequate technology. This was us doing our jobs to the best of our ability. Now they also reported that the National Weather Service forecast did not definitively state the record breaking rains that were going to fall that night. That is what a former agency official told the outlet, that the forecast was about as good as could be reasonably expected based on the math that they had on hand. Bottom line, we all need to work towards an improved alert system, the former official added. It's pretty hard to forecast these kinds of rainfall rates is what a former National Weather Service director told the New York Times and the Kerr county judge Rob Kelly, whose own property was among those damaged, said, quote, unquote, we know that we get these rains, we know the river rises, but nobody saw this coming. Kelly, the county's top elected official, added that a flood warning siren system was in consideration to be placed along the now devastated Guadalupe river before he was in office about six years ago. But unfortunately it was never executed. We've looked into it before. The public reeled at the cost, the judge told the Associated Press. Especially for a small community. So at the end of the day, there are two narratives. There's the narrative that they want to tell you on tv MSNBC putting it this way, saying, quote, the White House is taking a really defensive posture on the idea that Trump did anything to hurt the people of Texas. Well, he didn't hurt the people of Texas and he didn't have people that weren't on the job. And unfortunately, instead of talking about the victims and the tragedy, the White House had to go and set the record straight. And the White House press secretary put it perfectly when she said this.

[Kristi Noem]

I want to start by addressing the devastation from the tragic flash floods in Texas. Moments ago, the Department of Homeland Security provided an update that 91 innocent souls have now perished. Everyone here at the White House, including the President of the United States, is praying for the victims, families and friends during this unimaginable time. President Trump swiftly signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure our heroic first responders have every resource they need in the relief and recovery efforts. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem traveled to Texas over the weekend and the entire Trump administration is working hand in glove with state and local officials to provide every assistance available. The situation on the ground remains dangerous and there could be additional public safety threats with potential incoming heavy rain. So we encourage everyone in the area to remain vigilant and listen to all warnings and respond accordingly. Unfortunately, in the wake of this once in a generation natural disaster, we have seen many falsehoods pushed by Democrats such as Senator Chuck Schumer and some members of the media. Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning. Here are the facts. In the lead up to this tragic natural disaster, the National Weather Service did its job. Despite unprecedented rainfall, the National Weather Service executed timely and precise forecasts and warnings. On July 3, the National Weather Service office in Austin, San Antonio, Texas, conducted forecast briefings for emergency management in the morning and issued a flood watch in the early afternoon. Flash flood warnings were also issued on the night of July 3rd and in the early morning of July 4th, giving preliminary lead times of more than three hours before flash flooding conditions occurred. And the National Weather Service office in New Braunfels, which delivers forecasts for Austin, San Antonio and the surrounding areas, had extra staff on duty during the storms despite claims of the contrary. So to any person who has deliberately lied about these facts surrounding this catastrophic event, you should be deeply ashamed. At this time, the administration's focus will be on giving the victims in their communities the support they deserve during these recovery efforts in this tragic time. May God bless the great people of Texas, especially the parents who have lost their children. President Trump loves you. We are praying for you and he will be traveling to see you later this week.

[Ben Ferguson]

One thing that is for sure the President, United States of America will go visit the people in Texas and give them the support, the comfort and a government response that they deserve, regardless of how cynical and how sick the left and the media has become to lie using the death of children to try to score political points.

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.

This is an iHeart podcast.