The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson – Episode Summary

Release Date: May 11, 2024
Host: Ben Ferguson
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz
Title: Media Normalizing Terrorists in America, Social Media Censoring Conservatives & Biden Campaign Doubles Down on Amnesty

Ben Ferguson returns with a compelling episode of The 47 Morning Update, featuring a deep dive into pressing national security concerns, the suppression of conservative voices on social media, and the Biden administration's controversial amnesty policies. Joined by Senator Ted Cruz, the episode unpacks the intersection of media influence, political strategy, and immigration policy shaping America's current landscape.

1. Media Normalizing Terrorist Threats

The episode opens with Senator Ted Cruz expressing his alarm over the media's portrayal—or lack thereof—of terrorism threats stemming from the southern border. He questions why media outlets seem to downplay these national security concerns.

• Ted Cruz (00:01):
  "Why is it that they're trying to act like this isn't a national security threat?"

Ben Ferguson reinforces this concern by referencing FBI Director Chris Wray's warnings about the imminent risk of a terror attack within the United States.

• Ben Ferguson (01:16):
  "If you want to be outraged, listen to what Chris Wray, the administrator of the FBI, is saying about the risk we have of a terror attack right now in the United States."

The conversation highlights troubling statistics indicating a sharp increase in individuals on terror watch lists apprehended at both southern and northern borders. For instance, fiscal year 2023 saw 169 individuals on terror watch lists apprehended at the southern border halfway through the year—a significant rise from the single-digit numbers during Trump's presidency. Additionally, 630 terror suspects were encountered at the northern border over the past two fiscal years.

• Senator Cruz (03:30):
  "In fiscal year 2023, 169 people on the terror watch list were apprehended at our southern border."

Cruz critiques Democratic leaders, including President Biden, for their perceived inaction and policy decisions that he believes contribute to these escalating threats.

• Senator Cruz (05:38):
  "They do not want to hear the evidence. They're like an ostrich plunging their head in the sand."

2. Social Media Censoring Conservatives

Shifting focus, the episode delves into the influence of Big Tech on public opinion and the systematic suppression of conservative voices. Senator Cruz shares personal anecdotes about his experiences with account suspensions following his criticism of platforms like Facebook.

• Senator Cruz (11:30):
  "I've been a victim of it. I spoke out again against Big Tech a few years ago at a CPAC convention and before I landed home, after I spoke out about Big Tech, specifically Facebook, my accounts were shut down."

Ben Ferguson introduces a significant Senate report titled "Weaponizing Terms of Service: How Online Service Providers Use Broad Policies to Silence Conservatives." The report documents numerous instances where social media platforms have disproportionately targeted conservative content and figures. Notable examples include:

• Twitter suspending the Babylon Bee for satirical content about a Biden official.

• Facebook and Twitter suppressing stories related to Hunter Biden's laptop before the 2020 election.

• YouTube removing content from conservative figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and blocking episodes of Ferguson's own podcast, "Verdict."

• Ben Ferguson (15:35):
  "We know that Twitter, before Elon Musk purchased them, suspended the account of the Babylon Bee for making a joke about a Biden administration official."

Further, the report discusses how online service providers exploit their control over essential infrastructure—such as domain registrars, web hosting, and security services—to deplatform conservative organizations effectively, limiting their ability to communicate and organize.

• Ben Ferguson (20:35):
  "There are three main categories of infrastructure that keep websites running: domain registrars, web hosting companies, and security protection companies."

This strategic silencing is portrayed as a deliberate effort to skew public discourse and influence election outcomes by marginalizing conservative viewpoints.

3. Biden Campaign Doubles Down on Amnesty

In the final segment, Ferguson and Cruz tackle President Biden's immigration policies, specifically his push for amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants. They argue that this approach not only exacerbates national security risks but also prioritizes political gain over the safety and well-being of American citizens.

• Senator Cruz (21:20):
  "We need to start handing out amnesty. Somehow that's going to fix the problems in this country..."

Ben Ferguson criticizes the administration for favoring illegal immigrants as potential future Democratic voters, suggesting that this strategy undermines national security and strains public resources.

• Ben Ferguson (22:43):
  "Given the choice between illegal immigrants and American citizens, they're with the illegals."

The discussion highlights the case of Marvin Perez Lopez, an illegal immigrant arrested for kidnapping and sexual assault, to illustrate the real-world consequences of current immigration policies.

• Ben Ferguson (23:27):
  "Marvin Perez Lopez... was arrested on May 4. He turned himself into the border patrol but was released, only to be charged with serious crimes shortly after."

Cruz and Ferguson argue that Democratic lawmakers are complicit in these outcomes by supporting policies that allow dangerous individuals to enter and remain in the country, prioritizing political advantage over public safety.

• Senator Cruz (29:09):
  "Why do they keep voting in favor of releasing 11 million illegal immigrants... when there's an enormous risk of terrorism?"

The episode also touches on local resistance to migrant shelters in Chicago ahead of the Democratic National Convention, framing it as a politically motivated attempt to manage public perception.

• Ben Ferguson (29:15):
  "They're trying to be utter hypocrites and say, don't do it to our own community."

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz present a critical view of current media practices, Big Tech policies, and Democratic immigration strategies, arguing that these elements collectively pose significant threats to national security and political integrity. They call for greater accountability and transparency to address these issues, emphasizing the need to prioritize the safety and interests of American citizens over political expediency.

Listeners are encouraged to engage further by accessing the full podcast for an in-depth exploration of these topics.

For continued updates and in-depth analysis on America's most pressing issues, subscribe to The 47 Morning Update on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ted Cruz (00:01):
  "Why is it that they're trying to act like this isn't a national security threat?"

• Ben Ferguson (01:16):
  "If you want to be outraged, listen to what Chris Wray, the administrator of the FBI, is saying about the risk we have of a terror attack right now in the United States."

• Senator Cruz (03:30):
  "In fiscal year 2023, 169 people on the terror watch list were apprehended at our southern border."

• Ben Ferguson (15:35):
  "We know that Twitter, before Elon Musk purchased them, suspended the account of the Babylon Bee for making a joke about a Biden administration official."

• Senator Cruz (21:20):
  "We need to start handing out amnesty. Somehow that's going to fix the problems in this country..."

• Ben Ferguson (22:43):
  "Given the choice between illegal immigrants and American citizens, they're with the illegals."

• Senator Cruz (29:09):
  "Why do they keep voting in favor of releasing 11 million illegal immigrants... when there's an enormous risk of terrorism?"

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn by Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz. It provides listeners with a clear understanding of the topics covered, complete with notable quotes and their context within the conversation.