The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode: Elder Abuse or Executive Power, Take It Down Act Targeting Deepfakes Signed plus Tom Homan & the Battle for Border Accountability Week In Review Release Date: May 24, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson delves into pressing political and social issues shaping America. The discussion is anchored by a special segment titled "Verdict," featuring Senator Ted Cruz, who presents three critical stories: the alleged decline of President Joe Biden, the signing of the historic Take It Down Act by former President Donald Trump, and an interview with Tom Homan regarding border accountability.

2. Decline of Joe Biden and Allegations of Elder Abuse

Key Discussion Points:

• Allegations of Vulnerability: Senator Ted Cruz opens the segment expressing concern over President Biden's capacity, stating, "I actually feel bad for Joe Biden. I think it's very clear that people are taking advantage of him. I think this is a form of elder abuse." (03:08)

• Classified Documents Controversy: The conversation transitions to a disclosure involving President Biden's handling of classified documents. An excerpt from a press conference reveals Joe Getty questioning Biden about retaining a memo post-vice presidency.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty: "This memo... I don't recall how it got back in the book because I sent it to the president." (04:28)

• Senator Cruz: "If DOJ had not concluded that the sitting President of the United States was incompetent to stand trial... that exchange would have featured prominently in the criminal trial convicting him of violating that law." (09:19)

Insights:

• Legal Implications: Jack Armstrong emphasizes the legal significance of Biden's inability to recall deliberately retaining classified documents, suggesting potential criminal liability. (07:54)

• Media and Congressional Oversight: The hosts advocate for congressional hearings and robust media reporting to uncover the individuals involved in exploiting Biden, highlighting the necessity for accountability. (10:34)

3. Signing of the Take It Down Act

Key Discussion Points:

• Legislative Breakthrough: Former President Donald Trump announces the signing of the Take It Down Act, aimed at combating the distribution of non-consensual explicit imagery and deepfakes. The act establishes federal penalties and mandates tech platforms to remove such content upon victim notification. (20:55)

• Background Story: The initiative stems from the ordeal of Ellison Berry, a 14-year-old girl whose life was devastated by a classmate's creation and dissemination of deepfake images. Her case galvanized bipartisan support for the legislation. (22:14)

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Cruz: "Take a listen to what President Trump said this week in the Rose Garden as he signed the Take It Down Act into law." (20:55)

• Ellison Berry: "Having the opportunity to speak about this and to bring awareness really just means so much." (26:08)

Insights:

• Bipartisan Support: The Act received unanimous support in the Senate (100-0) and overwhelming majorities in the House, underscoring its non-partisan significance. (21:54)

• Impact on Victims: The legislation provides a statutory right for victims to have non-consensual explicit content removed promptly, addressing previous inadequacies where tech platforms failed to act efficiently. (21:09)

4. Border Security and Accountability

Key Discussion Points:

• Critique of Biden's Policies: The episode features a robust critique of the Biden administration's border policies, citing increased illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and associated violence. Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson argue that these policies have emboldened Mexican cartels and jeopardized national security. (33:05 - 42:44)

• Tom Homan's Insights: Tom Homan discusses the dire state of border security, highlighting a 96% decline in illegal immigration under previous administration policies and the strategic advantages of a secured border. (33:05 - 42:44)

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson: "What he did was borderline treasonous... sex trafficking increased tenfold. A record number of migrants died making that journey." (37:09)

• Jack Armstrong: "Turning these vicious criminals into the most powerful economic force in Mexico has increased the murder rate, the crime rate, the kidnapping rate." (41:54)

Insights:

• Economic Impact on Cartels: The discussion points to a staggering increase in revenue for cartels from human trafficking—from $500 million in 2018 to over $13 billion, illustrating the catastrophic impact of lax border policies. (38:02)

• Call for Action: The hosts advocate for U.S. military intervention to dismantle cartel operations in collaboration with Mexican authorities, drawing parallels to past successes in Colombia. (40:21)

• Prosecution of Officials: The episode highlights the recent charges against Congresswoman LaMonica McIver for assaulting law enforcement at an ICE facility, framing it as a necessary enforcement of legal boundaries to protect officers and uphold law. (42:11)

5. Enforcement Actions Against Congresswoman McIver

Key Discussion Points:

• Assault Charges: The charging of New Jersey Democrat Congresswoman LaMonica McIver for assaulting ICE officers is presented as a pivotal moment in enforcing accountability among elected officials. (42:44)

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson: "What she did was just horrendous... no one's above the law. You're damn right they're not above the law." (42:44)

Insights:

• Message of Accountability: By prosecuting a member of Congress for assault, the administration sends a strong message that legal boundaries are enforceable regardless of one's political standing. This contrasts with previous administration approaches where similar offenses by officials went uncharged. (42:44)

6. Conclusion and Implications

The episode concludes by reinforcing the necessity for stringent oversight and legislative action to address both the misuse of executive power and the exploitation of vulnerable populations. The signing of the Take It Down Act is portrayed as a significant victory for victims of non-consensual explicit content, while the discussions on border security underscore the urgent need for robust policies to prevent criminal activities and protect national integrity.

Takeaways:

• Legislative Action is Crucial: Effective laws like the Take It Down Act can provide necessary protections and set precedents for future legal standards.

• Accountability Across the Board: Ensuring that no individual, regardless of status, is above the law is fundamental to maintaining trust in governmental institutions.

• Addressing Root Causes: Combating systemic issues such as human trafficking and illegal immigration requires comprehensive strategies that include both national and international cooperation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Senator Cruz on Elder Abuse Allegation: "I actually feel bad for Joe Biden. I think it's very clear that people are taking advantage of him." (03:08)

• Joe Getty on Classified Memos: "This memo... I don't recall how it got back in the book because I sent it to the president." (04:28)

• Ellison Berry on Take It Down Act Impact: "Having the opportunity to speak about this and to bring awareness really just means so much." (26:08)

• Ben Ferguson on Border Policies: "What he did was borderline treasonous... sex trafficking increased tenfold." (37:09)

• Ben Ferguson on Congresswoman McIver: "What she did was just horrendous... no one's above the law." (42:44)

Final Thoughts

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson offers a critical lens on current political dynamics, advocating for accountability and legislative reform. Through incisive discussions and compelling narratives, the episode underscores the importance of safeguarding democratic principles and protecting citizens from systemic abuses.