Podcast Summary: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Dems DO give Money to Illegals & say Trump is "crazy" for causing Shutdown
Date: October 3, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson
Duration: ~18 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of The 47 Morning Update centers on two intertwined political controversies: Democratic support for federal funds allegedly benefiting illegal immigrants, and the ongoing government shutdown, which Democrats, according to Ben Ferguson, wrongly blame on President Trump. Ferguson aims to debunk claims made by Democrats and the media regarding federal spending on non-citizens, critique demands made by Democratic leaders during shutdown negotiations, and refute the narrative that Trump is the cause and catalyst for the shutdown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Dollars Going to Illegal Immigrants

(05:55 - 08:24)

• Debunking Democratic Denials:
  Ben recalls the 2020 Democratic presidential debate where "every single" Democratic candidate supported taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants.

  "Did they follow through on that promise? Yeah, they absolutely did. Joe Biden used executive orders and he expanded benefits, health care to illegal aliens." (00:30)

• Two Ways Federal Funds Go to Illegal Immigrants:

  • Emergency Medicaid:
    Billions annually go to ER and maternity care—a "legal carve out" covering illegal immigrants.
    • “That's one way that they're funneling money to illegal immigrant care.” (05:57)
  • Improper State Claims:
    California repaid $52.7M for wrongful federal billing—a single audit, indicating larger scale misallocations.
    • “That is just one state, one audit. And it's likely there's a lot more out there.” (06:18)
  • Summary:
    Ferguson: "The receipts don't lie. The money is clearly going to illegal immigrants in the hospital." (06:27)

2. Democratic Shutdown Demands

(06:32 - 08:23)

• Ben lists the demands he claims Democrats attached to avert a government shutdown:
  • Free health care for illegals
  • Restore NPR and PBS funding (“propaganda machines” allegedly favoring Democrats)

    “They desperately need NPR and PBS to be propped back up because otherwise they lose their juice, they lose their influence.” (07:07)

  • Revoke rural hospital funding (to redirect funds to urban/sanctuary cities)

    “They don't care about rural America. They don't care about the farmers... They say, the hell with you guys.” (07:38)

  • Increase climate and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) funding for foreign nations, not Americans

    “They want your tax dollars to go for diversity, equity, inclusion, advocacy, training. Foreign nations, not America, foreign nations.” (08:01)

  • Continue Obamacare subsidies
    Ben rehashes Democratic campaign promises and the result of the last election:

    “All of the things that they're shutting the government down over, their biggest issues, are things that were on the ballot.” (08:19)

3. Democrats Attack Trump, Blame for Shutdown

(08:26 - 10:58)

• New “Conspiracy”: Trump Is Unfit
  Democrats accuse Trump of immaturity and purposely harming Americans via a shutdown. Ferguson plays a clip and attributes statements to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer:

  “Donald Trump, instead of acting like an adult, he's the most immature president we have ever had...” – Chuck Schumer (09:16) “He is using the American people as pawns, threatening pain on the country as blackmail...” – Chuck Schumer (09:46)

• Ferguson’s Take:
  He argues this is political misdirection:

  “Chuck Schumer is trying to Jedi mind trick the American people into believing... that this shutdown is the fault of Donald Trump. I think everyone knows very clearly that is a lie.” (10:20)

• Historical Context:
  Ferguson recounts a 2018 Oval Office exchange:

  “We do not want to shut down the government because you can't get your way.” – Nancy Pelosi, 2018 (10:59)

  • He contrasts past Democratic opposition to shutdowns with their current role.

4. Critique of Shutdown Strategies and Media Coverage

(11:15 - 13:54)

• Scott Jennings on Democrats’ Unrealistic Demands:

  “It’s pretty reprehensible that the Democrats have taken us to the brink of a shutdown with a list of demands that frankly are just not even within the realm of the realistic right now.” – Scott Jennings (12:10)

• Ferguson’s Summary:
  He concludes Democrats are “lying” about the shutdown and reiterates that American taxpayers oppose funding care for illegal immigrants.

  "Elections have consequences. We all know it." (12:58)

• Media Critique:
  He criticizes mainstream media ("state-sponsored media") for underplaying positive economic news:

  “If a Democrat was in office, would they be just going berserk on the nightly news tonight? Yeah. Did they? No. Because the state sponsored media... are scumbags.” (14:21)

5. Highlight on Democratic Party Figures & Social Media Moments

(13:55 - 14:14)

• Ferguson cites left-wing leaders like Mandani (publicly refusing to apologize for anti-police statements) as examples of what he sees as radical Democratic priorities.

6. Shutdown Financial Impact & Spending Figures

(15:28 - 17:32)

• Cost of Shutdown:
  Estimated at $400 million/day, per the CBO, attributed to Democratic actions.

  “The CBO, 400 million a day. 400 million a day. This is their doing. They chose to do this.” (15:43)

• Democrats’ Continuing Resolution Subsidy Totals:
  Ferguson claims nearly $200 billion on healthcare for illegal immigrants/non-citizens is at stake in Democratic proposals.

  • Breakdown:
    • Ending Medicaid funding for noncitizens: $6.2 million
    • Emergency care for illegal immigrants: $34 million
    • Closing California loophole: $5 million
    • Ending Obamacare funding for noncitizens: $91 million
    • Repealing special rules: $27 million
    • Total: $192 million claimed, then corrects himself to "$200 billion" as cumulative impact (16:39–17:14)

• The Big Takeaway:

  “The Democrats shutting down the government because President Trump and Republicans are not forcing American taxpayers to pay for free health care for illegal immigrants. That is what the president ran on. That is what he said he was going to do. That is what he believes.” (17:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They say that we're making this up, this illegal aliens receiving taxpayer benefits. It's a talking point. Well, I'm going to show you how they're lying to you. And we've got the receipts to back it up.” (Ben Ferguson, 00:06)
• “Donald Trump is the most immature president we've ever had. Instead of doing something to stop the health care crisis is threatening to hurt countless hardworking Americans.” (Chuck Schumer, 09:16)
• “Democrats voted against [a clean continuing resolution]... The demands they're making now are just not even within the realm of the realistic right now.” (Scott Jennings, 11:45)
• "Elections have consequences. We all know it." (Ben Ferguson, 12:58)
• “The S&P hit 6700 for the first time ever... But closing just short of a record. Health care once again the best performing sector.” (CNBC clip, 14:41)
• “The CBO, 400 million a day. 400 million a day. This is their doing. They chose to do this.” (Ben Ferguson, 15:43)

Important Timestamps

• 00:06 — Democrats’ 2020 pledge & Biden’s follow through
• 05:55 — Two ways federal funds benefit illegal immigrants
• 06:32 — Complete list of Democratic shutdown-averting demands
• 08:26 — Democrats’ narrative: attacking Trump’s fitness and blaming him for shutdown
• 09:16 — Chuck Schumer attacks Trump (audio clip)
• 10:59 — Nancy Pelosi 2018 shutdown stance revisited
• 11:45 — Scott Jennings: Democrats’ "unrealistic" list of demands
• 12:58 — Ferguson’s "elections have consequences" argument
• 14:41 — Economic news: S&P all-time high, downplayed by media
• 15:43 — Shutdown cost: $400 million/day
• 16:39–17:14 — Ferguson details $200 billion claim for illegal immigrant health care subsidies

Tone & Style

• Direct, combative, and partisan: Ferguson uses a forceful tone with frequent rhetorical questions, emphatic statements, and sharp critiques of Democratic leadership and mainstream media.
• Populist framing: He positions Republican policies as aligned with “hardworking Americans,” framing Democrats as elitist or out-of-touch with “flyover country.”
• Emphasis on “receipts” and facts: Ferguson repeatedly claims to have factual evidence undermining Democratic narratives, though the episode is heavily opinion-driven.

Summary Takeaway

This episode builds a case that Democrats are misleading the public about federal spending on illegal immigrants, using the government shutdown to push through unpopular policies, and wrongly blaming Trump for resulting turmoil. Ferguson supports these claims with selected facts, audio clips, and a clear alignment with Trump administration talking points, ending with the broad message: elections have consequences, and current events are the direct result of Democratic priorities rejected by voters in the last election.