Summary of "The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson" Episode: May 23, 2025

Release Date: May 23, 2025

Hosts and Guests:

• Ben Ferguson – Host
• Ted Cruz – Guest Senator
• Jack Armstrong – Co-host
• Joe Getty – Co-host
• Neil McDonough – Actor, Guest Speaker

1. Tragic Murder in Washington D.C. and Rising Anti-Semitism

The episode opens with a heartbreaking discussion about the recent horrific murder of two individuals at the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C., highlighting the surge of anti-Semitism and hate on college campuses.

• Jack Armstrong (05:26): Describes the victims, Sarah Milgram and Jerome Leschinsky, who were brutally murdered by Elias Rodriguez, a left-wing radical from Chicago. "He executed her in cold blood. He fired at least 219 millimeter bullets at them" (05:26).

• Ted Cruz (07:17): Emphasizes the alarming rise of anti-Semitism among younger generations and its manifestation on campuses. "This is one of those moments where you realize just how bad antisemitism has become specifically in this country" (07:17).

• Jack Armstrong (09:42): Shares a poignant account from a witness interviewed on CNN, critiquing CNN's portrayal of anti-Semitic incidents as mere protests. "They did not shoot. They created. They gave permission and they've called for this" (09:42).

• Impact Story (07:17 – 11:58): Armstrong narrates a personal story about Jaron, a Middle East expert, and the connections between the victims and Senator Cruz, underscoring the deep personal losses caused by hate-driven violence.

Notable Quote:

"It's the absolute manifestation of evil."
— Jack Armstrong (05:26)

2. No Tax on Tips Legislation Passes the Senate Unanimously

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the unanimous passage of the No Tax on Tips legislation in the U.S. Senate, co-authored by Senator Cruz. This legislation aims to relieve burden on workers in the service industry by eliminating taxes on their tips.

• Jack Armstrong (12:21): Explains the bipartisan support for the bill, detailing how it originated from a conversation between President Trump and a waitress. "No taxes on tips passed the United States Senate this week 100 to nothing" (12:21).

• Ted Cruz (16:41): Expresses excitement over the rare unanimous vote. "It's a policy that really is the manifestation of how the Republican Party today is a blue collar party" (16:47).

• Jack Armstrong (17:48): Highlights the broader implications for American workers across various service sectors, noting the unanimous support from both Republicans and Democrats.

Notable Quote:

"Every Republican voted for it, every Democrat voted for it."
— Jack Armstrong (12:21)

3. Take It Down Act Signed into Law

The episode covers the signing of the Take It Down Act, legislation aimed at combating non-consensual explicit imagery, including revenge porn and deepfakes. This act seeks to protect individuals, especially minors, from malicious digital harassment.

• Jack Armstrong (24:00): Details the legislative journey of the Take It Down Act, emphasizing its bipartisan nature and the role of victims' stories in its passage. "It's a victory for everyone that is a target of this kind of exploitation" (34:13).

• Senator Cruz (28:14): Praises the involvement of the First Lady and the collaborative effort across party lines to pass the legislation.

• Impact Stories (32:12): Shares testimonies from Elliston Berry, a teenage girl whose experience with deepfakes propelled the bill's creation, showcasing the real-world impact of the legislation.

Notable Quote:

"This legislation I introduced makes it a crime, a federal felony, to post non-consensual intimate images, either real pictures or deep fakes."
— Jack Armstrong (27:05)

President Trump's Statement: At the signing ceremony in the Rose Garden, President Trump emphasized the critical need for the law.

"Today we're making it totally illegal to distribute explicit images without consent, including deepfakes."
— Donald Trump (27:05)

4. Preview of "The Last Rodeo" Movie Featuring Neil McDonough

The episode culminates with an exclusive preview of the new family-friendly movie "The Last Rodeo", starring Neil McDonough. The film celebrates themes of family, faith, and resilience, aligning with the show's emphasis on wholesome entertainment.

• Ted Cruz (35:03): Introduces Neil McDonough and discusses the film's release, highlighting its inspirational story about a veteran bull rider returning to save his grandson.

• Neil McDonough (35:03): Shares his excitement about the project, mentioning the personal significance of acting alongside his real-life wife. "I'm so excited about this film. It's hard to even put it into words, man." (35:03).

• Audience Engagement: Listeners are invited to participate in a giveaway for free movie tickets by visiting angel.com verdict.

Notable Quote:

"This is one of those films where you can bring the whole family and not have to cover ears or eyes."
— Neil McDonough (35:54)

5. Supporting Organizations and Calls to Action

Throughout the episode, listeners are encouraged to support various initiatives and organizations:

• International Fellowship of Christians and Jews: Providing aid to Holocaust survivors in Israel.

  "For only 25 bucks, you can help provide a food box. And better yet, $335 provides hot meals for an year."
  — Ted Cruz (20:21)

• All Family Pharmacy: Offering an alternative pharmacy experience.

  "Visit AllFamilyPharmacy.com USA and use the code USA10 for 10% off."
  — Lisa Booth (20:21)

• Talkspace: Advocating for mental health support during Mental Health Awareness Month.

  "Make your mental health a priority and start today."
  — Joe Getty (21:19)

6. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with reinforcement of the day's key topics and encouragement for listeners to engage with the content and support the initiatives discussed.

• Ted Cruz (43:10): Closes the show with a reminder to support family-friendly movies and to participate in the ticket giveaway.

  "Support great movies that have been greenlit for your family."
  — Ted Cruz (42:52)

Key Takeaways:

• The tragic anti-Semitic murders in D.C. highlight the urgent need to combat hate and protect marginalized communities.
• The unanimous Senate passage of the No Tax on Tips bill marks a significant legislative victory for service industry workers.
• The Take It Down Act represents a crucial step in safeguarding individuals from digital harassment and non-consensual explicit imagery.
• "The Last Rodeo" stands as a beacon of family-friendly entertainment, promoting values of faith and resilience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "It's the absolute manifestation of evil." — Jack Armstrong (05:26)
• "Every Republican voted for it, every Democrat voted for it." — Jack Armstrong (12:21)
• "This legislation I introduced makes it a crime, a federal felony, to post non-consensual intimate images, either real pictures or deep fakes." — Jack Armstrong (27:05)
• "This is one of those films where you can bring the whole family and not have to cover ears or eyes." — Neil McDonough (35:54)

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the May 23, 2025 episode of "The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson," providing listeners with insights into critical legislative changes, societal issues, and uplifting entertainment news.