The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode: Media Reporting on a Story They Once Buried, DOJ Pulls Plug on ABA & Kamala’s Word Salad on Colbert Week In Review
Release Date: August 9, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into three critical political stories that have significant implications for America’s current landscape. Joined by Senator Ted Cruz, Ferguson offers a robust discussion on media accountability, judicial nomination reforms, and Kamala Harris’s latest endeavors. This summary captures the essence of their conversation, highlighting key points, insightful arguments, and notable quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for listeners.

1. Joe Biden's Cognitive Decline and Media Cover-Up

Ben Ferguson opens the Weekend Review by addressing the controversial topic of President Joe Biden's alleged cognitive decline. He asserts that there has been a widespread media conspiracy to bury the truth about Biden’s mental fitness, implicating major news outlets in a systematic cover-up.

Key Points:

• Media Complicity: Ferguson claims that mainstream media, including CNN’s Jake Tapper, were aware of Biden’s cognitive issues but chose to suppress this information.
• Jake Tapper’s Book: The discussion centers around Jake Tapper’s forthcoming book, "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," which, according to Cruz, exposes the media’s role in hiding Biden’s deteriorating mental state.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz at [04:03]: "If you just look at the title of the book, you understand the debauchery of journalistic scumbaggery."
• Ben Ferguson at [04:23]: "The media is praising him for this incredible reporting. And this is the guy that literally helped cover up the cognitive decline."

Discussion Highlights:

• Evidence of Decline: Cruz refers to instances where Biden failed to recognize public figures, such as not recognizing George Clooney at a fundraiser ([08:14]).
• Media Integrity: The hosts express skepticism about the media’s integrity, suggesting that outlets like CNN and the New York Times are complicit in misleading the public.

2. DOJ Ends ABA's Role in Judicial Nominations

The conversation shifts to a significant development where the Department of Justice (DOJ) has decided to discontinue the American Bar Association’s (ABA) involvement in judicial nominations. This move is portrayed as a response to perceived biases within the ABA.

Key Points:

• Historical Role of the ABA: For over 75 years, the ABA had a formal role in evaluating and rating judicial nominees, supposedly ensuring their qualifications and impartiality.
• Bias allegations: Cruz argues that the ABA has a long history of bias, especially against conservative nominees. He cites examples like the ABA’s unfavorable ratings of esteemed judges such as Robert Bork and Edith Jones.
• DOJ's Statement: Pam Bondi, representing the DOJ, stated that the ABA would no longer receive special treatment or access in the judicial nomination process, treating it as just another advocacy group.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz at [17:54]: "The American Bar Association... is a radical left organization."
• Pam Bondi’s Letter Excerpts at [18:17]: "Nominees will also not respond to questionnaires prepared by the ABA and will not sit for interviews with the ABA."

Discussion Highlights:

• Impact on Judicial Quality: Ferguson and Cruz suggest that removing the ABA from the process will enhance the quality and impartiality of judicial appointments.
• Examples of ABA Bias: Cruz references specific cases where the ABA unjustly rated prominent conservative judges as "not qualified," undermining their careers without substantial cause.
• Political Reaction: The hosts note that the Democratic Party reacted negatively to the DOJ's decision, highlighting the ABA’s significant influence and the implications of its removal.

3. Kamala Harris’s Book and Appearance on Colbert

The final segment critiques Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent book launch and her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The hosts express skepticism regarding the authenticity and substance of Harris’s messaging.

Key Points:

• Book Launch: Harris released a book titled 107 Days, which is touted as a candid reflection of her presidential campaign. However, Ferguson and Cruz argue that the book lacks genuine insight and is heavily sanitized by publicists.
• Colbert Appearance: During her interview with Stephen Colbert, Harris makes statements that Ferguson and Cruz interpret as incoherent and politically charged, particularly criticizing the Supreme Court and defending democratic principles while simultaneously undermining them.
• Critique of Messaging: The hosts contend that Harris’s narrative is disingenuous, focusing more on blaming political opponents and less on constructive solutions.

Notable Quotes:

• Kamala Harris at [37:00]: "There are lots of leaders and there's... really on all of our shoulders."
• Ted Cruz at [40:34]: "It is broken because the American people voted for Donald Trump and not for Kamala Harris."

Discussion Highlights:

• Lack of Leadership: When asked who leads the Democratic Party, Harris provides vague responses, which Cruz and Ferguson highlight as indicative of the party’s disarray and lack of clear direction.
• Policy Criticisms: The hosts point out Harris’s criticisms of the Supreme Court and democratic processes, framing them as contradictory and serving a partisan agenda.
• Public Perception: The conversation underscores a belief that Harris’s actions and statements are more about political maneuvering than genuine public service or policy advocacy.

Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz present a critical perspective on the current political climate, focusing on media accountability, judicial reforms, and the strategies of Democratic leaders like Kamala Harris. Through incisive discussions and pointed critiques, the hosts encourage listeners to question mainstream narratives and seek transparent, unbiased information.

Listeners seeking to understand the dynamics of media influence, judicial nominations, and Democratic Party strategies will find this episode both informative and provocatively opinionated. For a deeper dive into these topics, listeners are encouraged to download the full podcast available on the iHeartRadio app or other major podcast platforms.

Notable Excerpts with Timestamps:

• [04:03] Ted Cruz on Media Cover-Up:
  "Everyone on MSNBC knew they were lying."

• [08:14] Ted Cruz on Biden’s Fundraiser Incident:
  "In June of 2024, Joe Biden didn't recognize George Clooney..."

• [17:54] Ted Cruz on ABA's Bias:
  "The American Bar Association... is a radical left organization."

• [37:00] Kamala Harris on Democratic Leadership:
  "I think there are a lot of... it's really on all of our shoulders."

• [40:34] Ted Cruz on System Being Broken:
  "It is broken because the American people voted for Donald Trump and not for Kamala Harris."

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