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Ben Ferguson
Welcome. It is Verdict with Senator Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson with you. And, Senator, with overwhelming support from the Senate, this foreign aid package has passed that obviously is the center of the world right now. For not only in this country, people wondering what was going to happen, but obviously these nations around the world, including Israel.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, that's exactly right. It is a major foreign aid bill that just passed the Senate, and it is now headed to President Biden's desk. Uh, we're gonna break it down. We're gonna get into the good, the bad, and the ugly about what, what was in it and what's gonna happen next. We're also gonna talk about what continues to happen on college campuses. The antisemitism. It keeps getting worse. And we're gonna talk about the Biden White House's pathetic response to these instances of violence and antisemitism that sadly, the radicals and his party support.
Ben Ferguson
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Senator Ted Cruz
Well, look, just because the National Enquirer made up that my father played a part in killing Kennedy doesn't mean that he didn't secretly play a part in killing Kennedy. I'm just saying that they haven't proven a negative. Although they did admit they doctored the photograph and like basically mashed two photos to create literally the very embodiment of fake news. And I gotta say, my favorite response on this whole issue was something Marco Rubio said at a set at lunch shortly after this idiotic story broke where Marco stood up and he said, look, I need all of y'all to know that I know for a fact this story about Ted's dad is a lie. And Marco's explanation, he said it has to be a lie because if a Cuban had done that, he would have told everybody. And so I appreciated Marco coming to my dad's defense.
Ben Ferguson
I love this. I hope you frame this for your father because it's hysterical and you should put it side by side and give it to him for Father's Day, cuz it's just amazing. It is official. National Enquirer made up the story about your father.
Senator Ted Cruz
I got to say. Does that mean that Elvis is not working at a Walmart in Idaho?
Ben Ferguson
There is a chance. There is a chance, but they haven't confirmed that yet. So let's not jump to conclusions here. We'll get fact check on that one. But congrats to your dad.
Senator Ted Cruz
The aliens are real, the space aliens are real.
Ben Ferguson
Yes. I'm no longer afraid of your dad. Like we hang out. I've always been a little nervous. Now I know he's just really just.
Senator Ted Cruz
Just watch your P's and Q's.
Ben Ferguson
I love it. All right, let's get into this vote in Washington and, and explain for everyone listening. This came out of the House, it was a big fight. There is a very divided, I, I think conservative mindset on this. I have a lot of friends that are very upset about this. I have others that say it's important that we fund Israel and other things. This then came to the Senate. Walk us through the mindset of not only you, but also other Republicans. That are saying this is something that need to get done and that's why we passed it.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, listen, this is a bill, number one, the House struggled mightily to vote out. It was a huge battle. There were lots of pieces there that they agonized on and ultimately voted it out before the Senate. Listen, I struggled with this vote. I struggled with this vote as much as any vote I've ever cast in the Senate. And the reason is there are elements in this bill that I very strongly support and there are elements in this bill that I really dislike. And sometimes you have legislation that combines good and bad and you've got a way, okay, does the bad outweigh the good? And in this case it was, I found a very difficult decision. I spent hours and hours thinking through the pros and cons and what the right principled approach was. Let me tell you what's good about this bill. The biggest thing that is good and important about this bill is it finally provides emergency military aid to Israel. Israel is in the middle of a war. It has been in a war since October 6th. The horrific terrorist attack that occurred. It has been battling Hamas in Gaza, battling Hamas, while the Biden administration has been undercutting it over and over and over again and pressing the government of Israel to stop killing Hamas terrorists. It's also been the subject of a massive attack from Iran. Over 300 drones and missiles, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Iran has been waging war against Israel. And so I think it's critically, critically important that we provide military aid to Israel now. And that's going to happen now. So I'm very glad of that. That aid is finally going to go. Let me be clear though. This military aid to Israel should have gone six months ago. It should have gone right after October 7th. It should have gone when this war started. And you'll recall back in November, I and several other senators forced a vote on the Senate floor. We took over the Senate from Chuck Schumer. We used a rare procedural technique called a rogue cloture petition to force a vote on a standalone Israel emergency military aid bill. And every single Democrat, all of them voted no. And the only reason this military funding didn't go six months ago is because the Democrats obstructed it each and every day since then. And so I'm glad finally that military aid is going to Israel. But it should have gone last month. It should have gone the month before. It should have gone all the way back six months ago. And it's the Democrats fault. It didn't.
Ben Ferguson
So, so let's talk about some of the other things that were in this bill as well and explain what all is is in this big kind of conglomerate here.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, let me tell you what else is good in the bill. So, so number one, the, the military aid to Israel. Number two, this bill includes the House's bill to force the Chinese Communist Party to give up control of TikTok in the United States. That's something also that I strongly support. I think it is very important for national security. The Chinese Communist Party uses TikTok. It has the capacity for, number one, espionage and surveillance of every American. I think that is very dangerous. Number two, the Chinese Communist Party uses this to push propaganda, particularly to our young people. And so this bill forces the CCP to divest from TikTok. That's another very good thing in this bill. Thirdly, this bill also includes $8 billion in funding for Taiwan to defend itself against aggression from China. And listen, I have long, long made clear that China I believe represents the most significant long term geopolitical threat to the United States and Taiwan is on the front lines of China's global aggression. And so I think it is critically important that we continue standing with the people of Taiwan. So those are three really good things in the bill.
Ben Ferguson
Let's go back to TikTok for a second and explain when will this kick in, the metrics of it, how this will work. And I want to go back to and compare this also on a story we've done before. TikTok has had like 40 to 1 stories supporting the Palestinians, Hamas over Israel. Clearly that has had a major impact on younger people who are, who are actually against Israel. And we've seen this on the college campuses and this is being used as is a mind war machine to clearly influence and change public opinion on people like Jewish people, the Israeli government and even to make people sympathetic towards terrorists. That's what China's been doing. And this is just in real time when it comes to Israel.
Senator Ted Cruz
Yeah, no, that's exactly right. That TikTok, the CCP uses TikTok to push pro Hamas propaganda to undermine Israel, to push anti American propaganda, including things like trending Osama bin Laden speaking out on jihad and against America and so removing the ability of the Chinese Communist Party to have control over that. That's really important.
Ben Ferguson
How long will this take then for the divestion and for it truly to be a separation where China isn't dictating what happens on the platform? Is this going to be immediate before the election or in reality is this going to be after the election.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, one of the prices that the Democrats insisted upon to pass this was that it be delayed till after the election. So it will be.
Ben Ferguson
Isn't that amazing?
Senator Ted Cruz
Yeah, you know, that's how the Democrats approached it.
Ben Ferguson
Yeah. Cuz they wanted to make sure that they had the advantage using TikTok all the way up and through the election.
Senator Ted Cruz
Those are the Democrats we have.
Ben Ferguson
So you look at this bill and you talk also about Taiwanese and the allies and them being able to defend themselves. There was some criticism that this wasn't enough money for them to actually defend themselves against China. Can you explain why this amount of money was chosen and why you think this is adequate at this moment?
Senator Ted Cruz
Look, $8 billion is a significant amount of military aid and it's designed to help Taiwan be more resilient. You know, in military defense theory, the idea, obviously the Taiwanese army is not sufficient to defeat the Chinese army. China is a much more massive country with a much larger military. But the idea is to make Taiwan, the phrase that is often used is a porcupine, make Taiwan difficult to invade to deter China from doing so. And so that's really what the military aid is focused on doing, is helping Taiwan be more resistant to an amphibious military assault so that China doesn't engage in war. And listen, that is often the smartest way to approach national security is to engage in deterrence so you don't have to engage in war. And that's exactly what this is trying to do with China and Taiwan.
Ben Ferguson
Let's talk about how what was in the bill that was frustrating for you, that upset you? That is irritating. The reality is I'd love that if we could just get only what we want. There are compromises that have to be made. There's Democrats who are the majority in the Senate and we have a very slim majority now in the House. Republicans. You have a president who's a Democrat. So what in here is frustrating that you say, hey, yeah, I'm not okay with this, but this is the reality of how this went down.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, there were several other, other elements in the bill that, that in, in total were too problematic for me to support. The, the, the full package. First of all, the Bill spends over $9 billion on, on so called humanitarian aid, much of which goes to Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas. And we have seen under Joe Biden this pattern over and over again of their sending millions and millions of dollars to Gaza only for it to be diverted by Hamas, only for it to be used for terrorism. And this bill follows that Pattern. It doesn't learn from the failures of the Biden administration. And it keeps sending money that will be used ultimately against America and against our allies.
Ben Ferguson
When you see this happen and the way it came out of the Senate, for conservatives that are listening, that are just frustrated because they feel like we're sending too much money overseas, we're not securing our southern border and we're putting other countries ahead of our interests, what is your message to them? Because that's an important one right now.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, look, there are aspects when it comes to military aid, particularly for Israel and Taiwan, we are doing that because that is in America's interest, that the enemies of Israel are the enemies of America. And standing with Israel advances America's national security interests. And by the way, we get enormous military benefits from our alliance with Israel, including benefits from the Mossad intelligence benefits that the people they are fighting. Listen, Iran, there is a reason the Ayatollah in Iran chants death to America and death to Israel. The Ayatollah also refers to Israel as the Little Satan and America as the Great Satan. And so helping Israel prevail benefits American national security. It keeps us safer. The same is true with Taiwan, that deterring China. Listen, if China, God forbid, were to invade Taiwan, that would be an enormous problem for US national security interest for a lot of reasons. But let me just focus on one, which is advanced semiconductors. Right now, we manufacture very few. A very small percentage of advanced semiconductors are manufactured in the United States. The overwhelming majority is manufactured overseas, primarily in China and Taiwan. And if China were to invade Taiwan, it would give the Chinese Communist Party the ability to have the American economy and the American military in a stranglehold. You look at virtually everything we use in today's modern life, it involves semiconductors and advanced semiconductors. That's true for your phone. That's true for your car or truck. That's true for just about every appliance you have in your home. That's true for just about every serious piece of military equipment we have. Whether it's every tank or every fighter jet or every ship or every computer. We are massively dependent on advanced semiconductors. It's one of the reasons I have been so vigorous in fighting to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, back to Texas. It's one of the reasons why I co authored legislation to streamline the environmental permitting for building new semiconductor fabs, including massive ones that are going into Texas. My legislation, which I authored with, with Mark Kelly, Democrat from Arizona, the Kelly Cruz Bill passed the Senate 100 to nothing. We're working to get it through the house. But. But in the interim, until this passes into law, until we build up semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the United States, America is incredibly vulnerable. And so deterring Chinese aggression in Taiwan is all about protecting America's national security interests.
Ben Ferguson
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Senator Ted Cruz
Well, they're big problems. Number two, this bill has $3.4 billion for quote migration and refugee Assistance. And, and, and, and that's the, the pocket of money the Biden administration has used to pour cash into the NGOs that are assisting with illegal immigration at our southern border. And so this gives them billions more to keep funneling into these organizations that are trafficking people illegally into this country and helping traffickers bring people illegally into the country. I can't support that.
Ben Ferguson
No, that's something that is obviously very frustrating. And this is what I think so many conservatives have been hearing about. And they're frustrated because why is it that this always happens?
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, and listen, that leads to the third and the single biggest problem with this bill is it does nothing, zero, nada to secure our southern border. It doesn't, it doesn't address the crisis and it is an existential crisis. We are seeing a full on invasion. And just a few months ago Republicans all stood united and said we are going to use this Ukraine bill as leverage to force the Democrats to do something on our southern border. And all of us initially stood united on that. Listen, I still believe that, I still believe. And the Democrats, they care passionately about this Ukraine aid bill. Listen, we saw in the House of Representatives, we saw House Democrats ridiculously waving Ukrainian flags on the floor of the House. It was a pitiful spectacle. And as an aside, can you imagine those Democrats ever showing the same joy waving an American flag? It's hard to imagine, but no, they were happy to jump up and down and wave Ukrainian flags on the House floor. It's clear they care passionately about that. And so I believe we should have stuck to our guns and said, okay, if you want additional money for Ukraine, let's take serious steps to secure the border. Not the bogus Chuck Schumer bill that would have made the problem worse and would have put catch and release into law and would have normalized 2 million illegal immigrants a year. But serious legislation to secure the border. Once again in front of the Senate, I introduced HR2 as an amendment to the bill. And to be clear, if they had attached HR to strong border security to this bill, I would have voted yes. But they didn't. And, and ultimately the House was not able to move it out with border security included. And for me, as, as a senator representing the great state of Texas, I can't sit by while our state and our country is invaded and, and, and, and, and allow this moment to go by. I can't support this bill without border security. I can't allocate funds to secure Ukraine's border before we secure our own. Border, and that is the number one reason that I had to vote no is the crisis we have at home is too grave to allow this bill to move, at least with my support, without fixing the problem here at home.
Ben Ferguson
You mentioned the open border. House Committee on Homeland Security found that illegal aliens are costing us an estimated $451 billion per year, the majority of that going to health care for illegal immigrants. As crime is skyrocketing now our hospitals are being filled with illegals who can't pay. And that is what they found. And yet we're sending money, like you said, to secure another country's border.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, and it's. The Democrats have gone all in. They have decided that they are the open border party, that they are willing to give up anything, including apparently they were willing to give up Ukraine aid in order to keep the open borders. I think we should have held the line and use this to force real border security, not the fake kind that Chuck Schumer was trying to get attached to this.
Ben Ferguson
I want to move also to another major issue, Senator, and that is we've been covering anti Semitism on college campuses and exposing what's been happening, but now we're getting to see the White House, specifically the president of the United States of America's just pathetic. And that word doesn't seem strong enough, but a pathetic response to anti Semitism on college campuses. I want to play this for you from a reporter to the president of the United States of America and get your reaction to it. Listen to this.
Senator Ted Cruz
And the anti Semitic protests on college campuses.
C
I condemn the anti Semitic protests. That's why I've set up a program to deal with that. I also condemn those who don't understand what's going on with the Palestinians and.
Senator Ted Cruz
How they're being Columbia University president resigned.
C
I didn't know that. I'd have to find out more about it.
Ben Ferguson
I love that they asked, should she resign? He goes, I didn't know that. I'll have to find out more about that. But he condemns people that are anti Semitic and then says, I also condemn those that don't know about the Palestinians. Like, what in the hell is the president doing here, sir?
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, look, he said he didn't know that. And I actually believe that's some of the most honest words that he said. I think he has no idea what's going on. He's not aware of what's going on. And in particular, he's. He's professing ignorance as to what's happening at Columbia. What's happening at Yale. And it is utterly disgraceful. But you know who's not ignorant? I mean, I agree he's oblivious, but who's not ignorant are the other Democrats who are supporting this. And I want you to listen to. So there was an event, a Climate Core event where AOC was speaking right next to Joe Biden and he was right there. And AOC had something to say on this that I want everyone to listen and hear. Here's AOC addressing Columbia and Yale.
D
It is especially important that we remember the power of young people shaping this country today of all days as we once again witness the leadership of those peaceful student led protests on campus like Columbia, Yale, Berkeley and many others.
Ben Ferguson
Really? Because a group of Yale Student center formed a human chain to block a Jewish student from entering the university yesterday. And if you know history, this was a chilling act of anti Semitism that echoed 1939 when Nazis blocked Jewish students were entering Vienna University simply because they were Jews.
Senator Ted Cruz
No, that's absolutely right. And you also had a Jewish student at Yale who was poked in the eye with a flag and had to seek medical treatment because of that. And to say when you have threats of murder and violence and death, when you have, as you had it at Columbia, a student saying that Hamas should murder the Jewish students on that campus, that is not peaceful. Threats of violence and calling from the murder of your former students is not remotely peaceful. But understand aoc, this is a sitting member of Congress. She's singling out Colombia and Yale. She's praising what's happening at Columbia and Yale. Understand she supports this vicious anti Semitism. And there is Joe Biden happily sitting there. In fact, he said at the same event that he's learned that when AOC listen speaks, you got to listen to her. Well, you know that that is unfortunately today's Democrat Party, which, which is the White House, is utterly tepid, unwilling to condemn specifically what is happening at Columbia and Yale and and the radicals in their party explicitly endorse it and celebrate it.
Ben Ferguson
You mentioned the radicals of the Democratic Party. You and I have said this for a long time. When they tell you what they believe in, believe them. I'll give you an example of this. A group of Columbia University professors actually held a rally Monday. These are the professors who are indoctrinating the kids to hate Jews and hate Israel. They held a rally to express solidarity with the anti Semitic students that had been suspended for holding unauthorized protests on campus. And not only that, but when you go back and look at what these leaders, these universities believe, whether it's, you know, Claudine Gay who we've exposed on the show multiple times. But at an event just two months after 9 11, Columbia University's current president remarked, and this was two months after 9 11, that terrorism is a, quote, form of protesting. When they tell you who they are, believe them. Listen to this.
E
So it's not. You'll always have individuals who will have extreme views. But what's really troubling in the region is that there's actually quite a broad base of society which has some sympathy for the terrorists. Not so much because they approve of their methods, but it's a form of protesting against a system which is not delivering for them on the economic or the political front.
Ben Ferguson
I mean, that's no wonder that this university is totally just lost its mind. And we're watching this anti Semitism, if that's what you're saying in public two months after 9 11, then imagine how many children you've been able to indoctrinate college students to believe that the Jews are Israel and that you should feel sympathy for Hamas, Hezbollah, isis, al Qaeda, the list goes on and on.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well, and when she says there's a broad base of society that has sympathy for these terrorists, she's revealing a lot about the world in which she lives. About Ivy League universities, about our elite universities, about our academic system, about the left. Everyone she associates with falls into that crowd when they look at the terrorists and understand we're not talking about terrorists in the abstract. We're talking about Hamas and what they did on October 7th, murdering 1200 Israelis, murdering some 30Americans, raping women and little girls, committing atrocities that the world has not seen since the Nazis. And in today's leftist academy, using the president of Columbia's own word, they have some sympathy for that. No, there is no sympathy. Terrorism is not a form of protest. Terrorism is a horrific form of violence that targets civilians, that targets women and children, that commits murder. An act of cruelty. And that's exactly what. What Hamas did. And it's the reason these college campuses are allowing these anti Semitic protests to go on, these threats against Jewish students to go on. It's the reason Jewish students are being advised by the Orthodox rabbi at Columbia to stay home, because Colombia will not protect your physical safety. And the reason is the president of Colombia, the administrators of Colombia, they explicitly side with the radicals and with the terrorists. And it is shameful and it's sick.
Ben Ferguson
Finally, on this, we're gonna do a deep dive about the dark money that is clearly backing and orchestrating these not only events, but the shutting down of roads and bridges and supporting what's happening on these college campuses, being anti Semitic. But there is one caveat, and this should be talked about. And like I said, we're going to give you a lot more on this in another episode. But we've now found out that the NFL, the National Football League, funded a left wing group bailing out anti Israel bridge blockers. And this is again how the left just holds these companies and these organization hostage. Like, you better give us money. We need some money to bail out some people. And they just do it.
Senator Ted Cruz
Well. And look, we talked about in the wake of October 7, how Black lives Matter, how the Chicago chapter put out a tweet praising Hamas, saying we stand with Palestine and having a picture of a paraglider. Remember, it was paragliders that came in that the Hamas terrorists used to murder young people in Israel. And the cultural Marxist, they support each other. And we're seeing that look on Columbia. It's not just the students that are facing threats of violence, it's the faculty too. So a Columbia professor, Shai Davidai, wanted to go, and we talked about this on Monday's pod, that he intended to go and be right among these protesters and stand up for Israel. And what Columbia did, they revoked his past to campus, they zeroed out his access and blocked him. This is the administration of Columbia. They decided between a professor on their faculty who happened to be Jewish or the anti Semitic protesters who are threatening violence, that, that, that the problem was the professor who dared to be Jewish. Uh, you know, one of the things that, that this professor Davidi tweeted out, he said, quote, to all the journalists, I promise I will try to get back to each and every one of you. In the meantime, I want you to consider this. To the best of my knowledge, the last time that a professor was denied access to their own university for being Jewish was Nazi Germany. Well, actually that's not accurate because we covered on this podcast how USC did that to a USC professor where they ordered him to stay at home and teach from home for precisely the same reason. Because anti Israel protesters were threatening violence and they decided not to protect him, but instead to stand with the protesters.
Ben Ferguson
Yeah, we're going to talk more about this dark money, I can promise you that. Don't forget, we do this show Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So make sure that subscribe Follow auto download button. Also, if you will help us reach other people by putting and sharing this podcast on your social media. It is amazing when you guys get in the fight and when you share what we're bringing to you, how many people find it for the very first time and hear what the media is basically covering up and refusing to cover. So when you do that, it makes a huge difference. Thank you for doing that. Don't forget you can grab my podcast on those in between days. I'll keep you updated on the latest breaking news, the Ben Ferguson podcast as well, and the center. I will see you back here in a couple of days.
The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: Israel, Ukraine & TikTok Bill in Depth: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Release Date: April 24, 2024
In this compelling episode of The 47 Morning Update, Ben Ferguson engages in a substantive conversation with Senator Ted Cruz, dissecting the recently passed foreign aid package in the Senate. The discussion navigates through critical facets of the bill, including military assistance to Israel, funding for Taiwan, the contentious TikTok divestment, and the broader implications for U.S. national security and domestic policies.
Senator Cruz underscores the significance of the military aid allocated to Israel, emphasizing its immediacy and necessity.
Senator Ted Cruz [00:54]: "The biggest thing that is good and important about this bill is it finally provides emergency military aid to Israel... It has been battling Hamas in Gaza... and Iran has been waging war against Israel."
Cruz criticizes the Biden administration for delays in providing this aid, attributing the obstruction to Democratic opposition. He highlights the strategic importance of supporting Israel amidst ongoing conflicts and Iranian aggression.
The bill also allocates $8 billion to support Taiwan in defending against Chinese aggression. Cruz articulates the long-term geopolitical threats posed by China and the critical role of Taiwan in maintaining regional stability.
Senator Ted Cruz [11:12]: "Deterring Chinese aggression in Taiwan is all about protecting America's national security interests."
He explains that enhancing Taiwan's resilience serves as a deterrent against potential invasions, thereby safeguarding U.S. interests in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and broader economic stability.
A significant portion of the aid package addresses national security concerns related to TikTok. The bill mandates the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to relinquish control of the platform in the United States.
Senator Ted Cruz [09:03]: "The Chinese Communist Party uses TikTok. It has the capacity for espionage and surveillance of every American."
Cruz emphasizes TikTok's role in spreading pro-Hamas propaganda and anti-American sentiment, advocating for its divestment to mitigate these risks.
Cruz expresses strong support for military aid to Israel and funding for Taiwan, recognizing their alignment with U.S. national security interests.
Senator Ted Cruz [07:42]: "This bill also includes the House's bill to force the Chinese Communist Party to give up control of TikTok in the United States. That's something I strongly support."
However, Cruz voices significant reservations about the $9 billion allocated for humanitarian aid to Gaza, which he argues may inadvertently support Hamas terrorism.
Senator Ted Cruz [12:38]: "The bill spends over $9 billion on so-called humanitarian aid, much of which goes to Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas... it keeps sending money that will be used ultimately against America and against our allies."
He criticizes the Biden administration's track record of funding Gaza without ensuring the aid doesn't bolster terrorist activities.
A particularly contentious aspect for Cruz is the $3.4 billion earmarked for migration and refugee assistance, which he contends exacerbates illegal immigration and undermines border security.
Senator Ted Cruz [18:44]: "This gives them billions more to keep funneling into these organizations that are trafficking people illegally into this country... and does nothing to secure our southern border."
Cruz underscores the Senate's failure to link Ukraine aid with tangible border security measures, a compromise he vehemently opposes.
Early in the episode, Senator Cruz addresses recent developments regarding the National Enquirer's admission of fabricating a story about his father's alleged involvement in the JFK assassination.
Ben Ferguson [02:47]: "National Enquirer has come out in the court case in New York and admitted they made up the story centering about your father."
Cruz dismisses the fabricated claims while asserting the possibility that his father could have been involved, criticizing the Unproven negative stance.
Senator Ted Cruz [03:41]: "Just because the National Enquirer made up that my father played a part in killing Kennedy doesn't mean that he didn't secretly play a part in killing Kennedy."
He commends Marco Rubio for defending his family, highlighting intra-party support amidst sensationalist media attacks.
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the rising tide of antisemitism on college campuses and the perceived lackluster response from the Biden administration.
Cruz recounts alarming incidents at Columbia University and Yale, where Jewish students faced hostility and threats.
Senator Ted Cruz [25:34]: "A group of Yale Student center formed a human chain to block a Jewish student from entering the university yesterday... this was a chilling act of anti Semitism."
He condemns university administrations for prioritizing protester demands over the safety and rights of Jewish students and faculty.
Cruz criticizes President Biden's inadequate response to these antisemitic incidents, portraying it as indicative of broader governmental indifference.
Senator Ted Cruz [23:35]: "The president condemns anti Semitic protests but professes ignorance about specific incidents... that's utterly disgraceful."
The episode highlights Democratic figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) who, in Cruz's view, indirectly support antisemitic sentiments by praising student-led protests without addressing the violence.
Senator Ted Cruz [24:54]: "AOC had something to say on this that I want everyone to listen and hear... she's praising what's happening at Columbia and Yale."
Cruz underscores the disconnect between Democratic rhetoric and effective action against antisemitism.
The bill's provisions to decouple TikTok from CCP control are a focal point. Cruz elaborates on the national security implications of allowing a Chinese-controlled platform to operate unchecked in the U.S.
Senator Ted Cruz [09:03]: "The CCP uses TikTok to push propaganda, particularly to our young people."
He points out that Democrats delayed this divestment until after the election, undermining the bill's effectiveness.
Senator Ted Cruz [10:33]: "One of the prices that the Democrats insisted upon to pass this was that it be delayed till after the election."
Towards the episode's conclusion, Cruz touches upon the influence of dark money in orchestrating antisemitic events and blocking pro-Israel initiatives on college campuses.
Senator Ted Cruz [31:05]: "We've now found out that the NFL funded a left-wing group bailing out anti-Israel bridge blockers. This is how the left holds companies hostage."
He warns of the pervasive reach of corporate and organizational funding in perpetuating antisemitism and undermining pro-Israel efforts.
Senator Ted Cruz provides a nuanced critique of the passed foreign aid package, balancing support for critical national security measures with staunch opposition to allocations he views as detrimental to U.S. interests and domestic security. The episode delves deep into the complexities of legislative compromises, the urgency of addressing antisemitism, and the overarching influence of political and financial entities in shaping policy and public discourse.
Notable Quotes:
Senator Ted Cruz [00:50]: "This foreign aid package has passed that obviously is the center of the world right now."
Senator Ted Cruz [03:55]: "Does that mean that Elvis is not working at a Walmart in Idaho?"
(Humorous remark following the National Enquirer confession)
Senator Ted Cruz [12:09]: "Deterring Chinese aggression in Taiwan is all about protecting America's national security interests."
Senator Ted Cruz [22:04]: "The Democrats have gone all in. They have decided that they are the open border party..."
Senator Ted Cruz [25:34]: "A group of Yale Student center formed a human chain to block a Jewish student from entering the university yesterday... this was a chilling act of anti Semitism."
This episode of The 47 Morning Update offers listeners a thorough examination of pivotal political issues, articulated through Senator Cruz's experienced and resolute perspective. From international alliances to domestic challenges, the discussion provides valuable insights into the current legislative landscape and its broader implications for American society.