Podcast Summary: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: On the Ground with President Bukele in El Salvador plus Cracker Barrel Surrenders
Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson with Senator Ted Cruz (guest)
Network: Premiere Networks

Overview

In this engaging episode, Ben Ferguson and guest Senator Ted Cruz dive into Senator Cruz’s recent travels on a congressional delegation (CODEL) through Latin America, with a detailed focus on El Salvador’s dramatic turnaround under President Nayib Bukele. The discussion highlights Bukele’s crackdown on gang crime, especially the infamous MS-13, and the resulting transformation into one of the world’s safest countries. The episode also covers domestic U.S. politics with commentary on the Maryland MS-13 gangbanger controversy, and pivots to cultural warfare around companies like Cracker Barrel, analyzing their response to consumer backlash over “woke” rebranding.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senator Ted Cruz On-The-Ground in El Salvador

Timestamps: [00:21]–[19:55]

• Purpose of CODEL:

  • Cruz explains the significance of Congressional delegations as opportunities for U.S. lawmakers to understand global affairs firsthand, particularly where foreign issues impact U.S. national security or the economy.
  • Quote:
    • "A CODEL is very simple. That is an abbreviation for Congressional delegation, and that is official travel as part of your job serving in Congress." (Sen. Cruz, [03:32])

• El Salvador's Transformation:

  • The country transitioned from being the murder capital of the world to one of the safest nations.
  • Over 80,000 gang members arrested, including targeted crackdowns on MS-13.
  • Construction of the massive Secot prison to house up to 40,000 gang members.
  • Massive decrease in homicides: from 100 per 100,000 in 2015 (one of the world's highest) to 1.9 per 100,000 in 2024 (a 98% drop).
  • Shift in national confidence: reverse migration, with Salvadorans now wanting to return home.
  • Quote:
    • “It went from 100 murders per 100,000 people to last year in 2024, it was 1.9 murders per 100,000 people. It was a 98% decrease in murders. It is stunning.” (Sen. Cruz, [11:53])
    • “You had to murder 10 people [to get in to MS-13].” (Sen. Cruz, [09:57])

• Tech-Driven Law Enforcement:

  • Real-time national crime tracking using advanced computer and AI systems.
  • Every police officer and arrestee’s status tracked centrally.

• Bukele’s Leadership:

  • Both Cruz and those he interviewed—American servicemembers, Salvadorans, government officials—universally praised Bukele, noting a rare political consensus.
  • Quote:
    • "I did not find a single person, a single Salvadoran, a single American... who had anything negative to say. That is rare." (Sen. Cruz, [06:49])

• US Policy Frustrations:

  • Cruz and Bukele both express frustration at the Biden administration’s attempts to undermine Bukele, despite his efforts benefiting U.S. public safety.
  • Praise for President Trump’s support and the effectiveness of strong anti-crime policies.

2. Parallels Between El Salvador and US Cities

Timestamps: [15:08]–[19:55]

• The pair draw analogies between El Salvador’s progress and the challenges faced by crime-ridden U.S. cities like New York, Memphis, Detroit, Baltimore, San Francisco, and D.C.
• They argue that decisive political will—like Bukele's—can restore order and safety anywhere.
• Quote:
  • “It just takes the willpower and the leadership...” (Ben Ferguson, [15:08])
  • “It is a political choice and that's what everyone here was emphasizing. It was a choice before.” (Sen. Cruz, [16:15])

3. Maryland’s MS-13 Gangbanger & Democratic Politics

Timestamps: [27:04]–[31:38]

• The show critiques Democrats for allegedly defending or supporting high-profile criminal illegal aliens, focusing in detail on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a notorious MS-13 member.
• Discussion of legislative and political posturing: Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen is singled out for perceived misplaced sympathies.
• Commentary from Lisa Booth and Pam Bondi amplifies the anti-criminal, law-and-order stance.
• Quote:
  • “Why are the Democrats so emotionally attached to this man who beats his wife and is part of a terrorist organization? Because they think he's going to be good for votes. And I think he's very bad for votes. These people are deranged.” (Sen. Cruz, [29:17])

4. Cracker Barrel’s “Surrender”: Companies and the “Woke” Backlash

Timestamps: [31:38]–[37:33]

• Cruz and Ferguson mock Cracker Barrel’s ill-fated attempt at “woke” rebranding, referencing similar missteps by corporations like Bud Light and Target.
• They credit consumer backlash and market losses for reversing the controversial changes.
• Praise for President Trump and Cruz’s social media advocacy, which they claim pressured the company to restore its original image.
• Insight into internal dissent, with major investor Sardar Biglari’s critical letters highlighted as early warnings ignored by management.
• Quote:
  • “It is a great, great victory for common sense that Cracker Barrel finally gave in and said, you know what? We're going to stop being woke because we'd like to actually have one or two customers when this is all said and done.” (Sen. Cruz, [34:01])
  • “If you're in corporate America, don't listen to marketing executives that don't understand and don't like your customers.” (Sen. Cruz, [36:35])

5. Closing—Looking Ahead and Takeaways

Timestamps: [37:33]–[40:06]

• Cruz teases further insights from the ongoing CODEL, noting upcoming meetings with other Latin American heads of state.
• Positive note on law enforcement: El Salvador now sees 10,000+ police applications, contrasting with past demoralization and danger.
• Notable statistic: With improved conditions, 1.5 million Salvadorans in the U.S. now want to return home—a reversal of migration trends.
• Quote:
  • “They've had over 10,000 applications for people who want to be police officers. Suddenly, people are eager to be police officers because it's making a difference, because they're making their communities safe.” (Sen. Cruz, [39:04])
  • “Now we are seeing reverse migration...about one and a half million [Salvadorans], have said they want to come back to El Salvador.” (Sen. Cruz, [39:38])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You had to murder 10 people. Wow, 10...if you killed nine, you're not in yet. You're still an amateur.” — Sen. Cruz describing MS-13 initiation in El Salvador ([09:57])
• “It was a choice to end it. And it was a choice that was dramatic in terms of the effects.” — Sen. Cruz, on combatting crime ([16:15])
• “Turns out locking up the criminals, getting them off the street, that works.” — Sen. Cruz ([13:02])
• “How do you not stop and say, wait a second, you told me you couldn't fix this and then in 24 hours you fixed it. ...because my kids don't matter to you as much as the leader of China.” — Sen. Cruz, on San Francisco’s cleanup for Xi’s visit ([21:34])
• “It is a great victory for common sense that Cracker Barrel finally gave in and said... we're going to stop being woke because we'd like to actually have one or two customers when this is all said and done.” — Sen. Cruz ([34:01])
• “It's about your family and safety. And it sounds like people are judging him based on that, not on...liberal-conservative politics.” — Ben Ferguson, on Bukele’s appeal ([19:24])

Segment Timestamps

• CODEL and El Salvador context: [03:32]–[08:40]
• Crime statistics and MS-13 crackdown: [08:48]–[12:39]
• Bukele’s popularity and politics: [12:39]–[19:55]
• Parallels to U.S. cities and policy: [15:08]–[19:55]
• U.S. politics and MS-13 in Maryland: [27:04]–[31:38]
• Cracker Barrel/Corporate Wokeness: [31:38]–[37:33]
• Closing—reverse migration and optimism: [37:33]–[40:06]

Tone

The conversation is punchy, direct, and unapologetic, mixing detailed policy insight with sharp humor and culture-war commentary. Cruz brings a mix of admiration for effective leadership and criticism for what he sees as misguided U.S. government and corporate decisions. The show encourages listener engagement and presents strong, straightforward opinions on topical issues.