The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Not a Trump Referendum, Reject the Media Spin plus CA to GOP: Pack Up & Leave

Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson (Premiere Networks)
Location: Jerusalem, Israel

Episode Overview

Ben Ferguson delivers a sharp and candid post-election analysis in this episode, pushing back against media narratives framing Democratic victories as a "referendum on Trump." Broadcasting live from Jerusalem, Ferguson breaks down key races in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, and California. He argues that results in deep-blue strongholds are unsurprising and do not forecast trouble for Republicans nationwide, challenging perceptions of a Democratic sweep and urging listeners to reject media spin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Morning After: Context for Democratic Wins

• Ferguson stresses that Democrats won in traditional strongholds, and the media is exaggerating the significance of these victories.
• He frames the night as one in which Democrats won exactly where they were expected to.
• Quote (04:37):

  "Let’s be clear, it was wins in places that Democrats almost always win. They are going to spin this in the media as this was a bloodbath and a referendum on Donald Trump. I want to be clear. I think that is an exaggeration and, and not even close to reality."
  — Ben Ferguson

2. Virginia: A Perfect Storm for Democrats

• Ferguson highlights that Democrats outspent Republicans, uniting around a single candidate and pouring in outside money.
• The government shutdown, which affected a high number of government workers in Virginia due to its proximity to D.C., hurt Republicans.
• Contrasts this year’s election to Governor Youngkin’s earlier win, citing previous unique issues galvanizing Republican voters that were absent this time.
• Notes extremism tolerated on the left: a Democratic candidate was elected despite being caught advocating violence against political opponents.
• Quote (06:30):

  "You had a strong Democratic candidate that probably at the end of the day will have outspent the Republican side three to one... They shut down the government on purpose and noticed that the government shutdown was playing to their advantage in Virginia."
  — Ben Ferguson

• Memorable Moment (08:30):

  "You had a candidate on the ballot there that had been busted in his own words in a text message chain calling for the assassination, the death of a former Republican speaker of the House in Virginia... That candidate in Virginia also won last night."

3. New Jersey: No Surprises in a Blue State

• Ferguson describes New Jersey as even more characteristically Democratic than Virginia.
• Notes that the anticipated competitiveness was overblown, with Democrats dominating the results.
• Attributes the outcome partly to unionized government workers and the impact of the shutdown.
• Quote (09:40):

  "New Jersey is a little bit different. The New Jersey race there was one that many conservatives thought was a real chance for us to win a governor's race in a liberal state. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way... Again, this goes back to simple politics and math. Virginia and New Jersey are liberal states."
  — Ben Ferguson

4. New York City: Mandani’s Win Framed as Inevitable

• Ferguson labels New York City a "communist red apple," citing Mamdani’s sweeping win as a foregone conclusion.
• Argues that even with unified Republican support, the left's dominance in the city cannot be challenged.
• Describes Mamdani as radically anti-police and anti-Israel.
• Quote (10:30):

  "It is official now, it is a communist red apple. Comrade Mandani won overwhelmingly there. And even if the Republican spoiler would have dropped out... it still would have not meant there was a victory."
  — Ben Ferguson

5. California: Gerrymandering and Republican Marginalization

• Ferguson alleges blatant gerrymandering, underscoring how redistricting further disenfranchised the state's sizable Republican population.
• Asserts that California’s new congressional maps all but erase Republican representation, despite 40% of the population leaning Republican.
• Quote (11:15):

  "Even though almost 40% of the state is Republican, 90% of its representation will be Democrat. They've redrawn the lines to add five Democratic seats... California is saying to Republicans, get out. Move, Leave. You will not be represented here." — Ben Ferguson

6. Overall Takeaways: Is This a Referendum on Trump?

• Ferguson repeatedly emphasizes that these results are not predictive of the national midterm landscape.
• Notes that Trump's approval ratings increased during the government shutdown, and that Republican morale should not be dictated by deep-blue states' politics.
• Frames the election as evidence of entrenched partisan divides and the influence of national funding on local races.
• Quote (13:13):

  "Does this mean that this is a total disaster and is a referendum on Donald Trump? No, it's not. And it's clear with Donald Trump's approval rating going up... he still has a mandate from the American people to make America great again."
  — Ben Ferguson

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Media Spin:
  "They are going to spin this... as a bloodbath and a referendum on Donald Trump. I want to be clear. I think that is an exaggeration and, and not even close to reality." (04:37)

• On Virginia's Unique Circumstances:
  "The government shutdown was playing to their advantage in Virginia. Why? Because Virginia has a disproportionately high number of workers who are government workers and aren't receiving a paycheck right now..." (07:42)

• On Political Extremism:
  "Not a single Democrat in a major part of the Democratic Party condemned these comments. And that candidate in Virginia also won last night." (08:35)

• On California's Gerrymander:
  "California is saying to Republicans, get out. Move, Leave. You will not be represented here." (11:15)

• On National Implications:
  "Could you do that and have the same results nationwide? The answer is obvious. No." (13:12)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:34] – Start of main episode analysis
• [04:37] – Ferguson's take on media “referendum” spin
• [05:20] – In-depth Virginia race breakdown
• [08:30] – Discussion of Democratic candidate’s controversial remarks in Virginia
• [09:40] – New Jersey election overview
• [10:30] – New York City election (Mamdani win) analysis
• [11:15] – California’s redistricting and GOP ejection
• [12:10] – Overall national implications and takeaways
• [13:13] – Ferguson's conclusion: No Trump referendum

Conclusion

Ben Ferguson’s post-election breakdown is resolutely optimistic for conservatives, insisting Democratic wins were expected and driven by outsized spending, targeted shutdowns, and deep structural advantages rather than a broad anti-Trump sentiment. He challenges listeners to ignore the “referendum” narrative and reiterates confidence in Trump’s standing and future Republican prospects. The tone is combative, occasionally sardonic, and unambiguously partisan—offering a counter-narrative to mainstream election coverage.