Podcast Summary: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: Race In America: Wesley Hunt joins us, plus Biden docs, Balloons & Immigration
Release Date: February 17, 2023

Hosted by Ben Ferguson on Premiere Networks, "The 47 Morning Update" delves into the latest political developments, offering unfiltered insights and exclusive interviews. In this episode, Ferguson engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Ted Cruz and newly elected Congressman Wesley Hunt, addressing critical topics ranging from President Biden's handling of classified documents to the intricate dynamics of race and politics in America.

1. Investigation into President Biden's Classified Documents

Timestamp: 00:00 - 03:21

The episode opens with Ben Ferguson highlighting a significant development concerning President Biden’s handling of classified documents. Ferguson references a previous call for the FBI to investigate the storage of Biden's Senate documents at the University of Delaware. Sen. Ted Cruz elaborates on the scope, stating, "The University of Delaware has Biden's Senate documents... it consists of over 1,850 boxes of documents" (01:36). This revelation emerged after Cruz and Ferguson advocated for a thorough FBI investigation, leading to actual FBI searches of the university's archives on at least two occasions.

2. President Biden’s Admission on Classified Documents

Timestamp: 03:21 - 07:08

Ben Ferguson brings attention to a recent admission by President Biden regarding classified documents. Biden was questioned about the timeline of some documents, to which Cruz criticizes Biden’s vague response: "His word was some pages of classified documents may date back to his first years in office. That's now we're talking about a 50-year window here" (05:18). Cruz emphasizes the improbability of Biden having documents from his vast political career scattered across various locations, urging for a meticulous review of all 1,850 boxes to ensure thoroughness.

3. The Chinese Balloons Incident and National Security Concerns

Timestamp: 07:08 - 21:56

A substantial portion of the discussion focuses on the unsettling incident involving unidentified objects, presumed to be Chinese balloons, that were shot down by the U.S. Air Force. Ferguson criticizes the White House’s handling of the situation, pointing out the inconsistent statements: "We're shooting down random stuff... we're overreacting" (05:47). Cruz elaborates on the national security implications, expressing concern over the administration’s apparent weakness against China: "They're weak on China because they're in bed with China" (09:56).

The conversation includes skepticism about the legitimacy of the objects shot down, with references to amateur hobbyist balloons potentially being mistaken for espionage devices. Cruz remarks, "We're shooting down a frigging balloon, launched by a high school science club... that is bizarre" (09:48). The hosts critique the administration's public relations approach, highlighting the lack of clarity and the potential overreach in military responses.

4. DEA Hearing on Drug Trafficking and Border Security

Timestamp: 15:40 - 22:11

Senator Cruz shifts the discussion to a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing involving the DEA Administrator, who deflects responsibility by deferring questions about border security to the Department of Homeland Security. Cruz aggressively questions the Administrator on whether the influx of drugs, particularly fentanyl, is a direct result of President Biden’s immigration policies. He asserts, "Is it a good thing for them to have tens of billions of dollars now that they didn't have? Hell, no" (18:31).

The Administrator remains evasive, prompting Cruz to label her responses as "Cold and unhelpful." The discussion underscores the administration’s perceived failure to adequately address the surge in drug trafficking and its economic ramifications for Mexican cartels. Cruz criticizes the denial of the correlation between open borders and the increase in drug-related crises, emphasizing the dire consequences for American communities.

5. Introduction of Congressman Wesley Hunt: Race and Media Bias

Timestamp: 22:11 - 34:00

The episode takes a pivotal turn as Senator Cruz introduces Congressman Wesley Hunt, a West Point graduate and one of the few black Republicans in Congress. Hunt shares his experiences navigating a predominantly Democratic media landscape that often marginalizes or misrepresents minority Republicans. He states, "This is not about race. This is an issue of public safety..." (28:41), addressing the conflation of race with policy issues by the Democratic Party.

Hunt articulates the challenges faced by black Republicans, noting the media's reluctance to highlight black excellence within the GOP. He criticizes the narrative that equates Republican positions with racism, arguing that such portrayals undermine legitimate conservative policies aimed at community upliftment and public safety. The conversation touches upon the historical context of party affiliations, with Cruz and Hunt asserting that the Democratic Party has historically marginalized minorities despite its current progressive stance.

6. Affirmative Action and Historical Party Dynamics

Timestamp: 34:00 - 49:00

Senator Cruz delves into the contentious issue of affirmative action, drawing from his personal experiences in law school where he opposed policies favoring minorities. He recounts a debate where a liberal advocate for affirmative action claimed, "If we end affirmative action, the Law Review will be nothing but white men" (57:12). Cruz vehemently disagrees, emphasizing meritocracy and the destructive nature of preferential treatment based on race.

Wesley Hunt echoes these sentiments, advocating for individual effort over systemic interventions. Both speakers criticize the Democratic Party's historical and present-day policies, arguing that they perpetuate dependency and inhibit true progress within minority communities. They highlight the shift in party ideologies over the decades, pointing out that Democrats once opposed civil rights legislation and now claim to champion minority rights, creating a dissonant narrative that confuses and alienates voters.

7. The Cadet Act and Reforming Service Academy Policies

Timestamp: 49:00 - 63:19

In a collaborative effort, Senator Cruz and Congressman Hunt discuss the passage of the Cadet Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at reforming policies at U.S. Service Academies concerning cadets who become pregnant. Cruz outlines the problematic choices previously offered to pregnant cadets—abortion, adoption, or withdrawal from the academy—and lauds the Cadet Act for allowing cadets to retain parental rights while continuing their education and service. He states, "It was idiotic policy... we could get Democrats and Republicans to come together" (60:36).

Hunt shares personal anecdotes about the negative impact of the old policies, recounting stories of cadets forced into hard choices that disrupted their lives and careers. Both legislators emphasize the importance of legislative action in rectifying institutional injustices, highlighting the transformative potential of bipartisan cooperation in addressing sensitive and impactful issues.

8. Conclusion: The Intersection of Race, Policy, and Media

Timestamp: 63:19 - End

The episode concludes with reflections on the ongoing struggle against media bias and the misrepresentation of minority Republicans. Hunt underscores the importance of representing diverse conservative voices to challenge prevailing narratives: "Black excellence is black excellence, even if you are a Republican" (33:27). Cruz and Hunt reiterate their commitment to upholding conservative values while addressing systemic issues within minority communities.

Senator Cruz praises the collaborative spirit and the significance of having new voices like Hunt in Congress, emphasizing that true progress requires confronting and dismantling entrenched biases both within political parties and the media. The discussion serves as a call to action for conservatives to actively participate in reshaping the political discourse around race and policy, ensuring that meritocracy and individual effort remain at the forefront of American progress.

Notable Quotes:

• "The University of Delaware has Biden's Senate documents... it consists of over 1,850 boxes of documents."
  - Ted Cruz (01:36)

• "We’re shooting down random stuff... we're overreacting."
  - Ben Shapiro (05:47)

• "Is it a good thing for them to have tens of billions of dollars now that they didn't have? Hell, no."
  - Ted Cruz (18:31)

• "Black excellence is black excellence, even if you are a Republican."
  - Wesley Hunt (33:27)

• "The Democrat Party founded the Ku Klux Klan."
  - Ted Cruz (39:20)

Key Takeaways:

1. Accountability in Government: The discussion underscores the necessity for thorough investigations into the handling of classified documents by high-ranking officials, emphasizing transparency and accountability.

2. National Security Concerns: The handling of unidentified aerial objects reflects broader anxieties about national security and the effectiveness of current defense strategies against potential espionage threats.

3. Drug Trafficking and Policy Failures: The episode highlights the dire consequences of perceived lax immigration policies on drug trafficking, calling for more robust measures to combat the rise of powerful cartels.

4. Race and Political Representation: Introducing Congressman Wesley Hunt brings to light the challenges faced by minority Republicans in a predominantly Democratic media landscape, advocating for broader representation and recognition of black conservatism.

5. Historical Context of Party Politics: A critical examination of the Democratic Party's historical stance on race issues challenges contemporary narratives, suggesting a need to revisit and reassess the evolution of party ideologies.

6. Legislative Reforms for Equity: The successful passage of the Cadet Act exemplifies the potential for bipartisan cooperation in addressing and rectifying institutional injustices, promoting fairness and inclusion within military academies.

7. Meritocracy vs. Affirmative Action: The debate around affirmative action emphasizes the tension between meritocratic principles and policies designed to address systemic inequalities, advocating for individual effort and responsibility.

This episode of "The 47 Morning Update" provides a robust platform for discussing pivotal issues at the intersection of race, policy, and media influence, encouraging listeners to engage critically with the current political landscape.