The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Shocking Audio Shows Hunter Biden BEGGING For Money From Family, plus Gas Prices Soaring Under Govt. Regulations
Release Date: October 12, 2022

Introduction and Co-Hosting with Ted Cruz (00:00 - 02:29)

In this episode, Ben Ferguson welcomes listeners to a significant update on the Hunter Biden controversy involving the Biden family. Joining him is Senator Ted Cruz, marking the inaugural episode of their co-hosted podcast, "Verdict." Ben expresses his excitement about expanding the podcast to three days a week through Premier Networks and iHeart, aiming to reach a broader audience with unfiltered political insights.

Ben Ferguson:
"It is a moment that is an honor for me. I am beyond excited to co-host your podcast with you..." (00:00)

Ted Cruz:
"The expansion is gonna change the format a little bit... to connect with a lot more folks looking for the inside scoop." (00:46)

Ben Ferguson’s Background and Media Journey (02:29 - 19:23)

Ben delves into his personal history, sharing a poignant story from his childhood. At five years old, he survived a traumatic car accident caused by a drunk driver, an event that shaped his resolve to stand up against wrongdoing. This early experience, coupled with his upbringing in a law enforcement family, ignited his passion for law and order.

At twelve, Ben made his radio debut by challenging a liberal city council member's misleading statements about the school lunch program. His assertiveness led to multiple radio appearances, eventually landing him a job in radio at the age of twelve. Transitioning to television at seventeen, Ben became a familiar face on various Fox News shows, balancing his media career with a tennis scholarship at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).

Ben recounts his college years, highlighting the challenges of maintaining his media presence while excelling as a varsity athlete. He also shares an anecdote about struggling in a left-leaning "Editorial and Opinion Writing" class, where he faced bias and unfair grading due to his conservative views. His determination led him to appeal to higher authorities, resulting in his grades being overturned.

Ben Ferguson:
"I started in radio when I was 12 years old... It was my mission field." (02:29)
"I've never talked to anybody that regretted playing in college..." (18:56)

Ted Cruz:
"I think it's really important to see companies pushing back..." (Various timestamps)

Hunter Biden Audio Scandal (29:04 - 35:12)

The centerpiece of the episode is a shocking audio clip featuring Hunter Biden pleading for money from his family, ostensibly for rehab. Ben and Ted analyze the conversation, highlighting Hunter's desperation and the family's inability to trust other relatives to assist him effectively.

Key Highlights:

• Ben Ferguson plays the audio where Hunter Biden begs for points from his wife's credit card, claiming it's for rehab. His pleas escalate from his wife to his uncle and then to his father (00:00 - 29:47).

• Compassion for Addiction: Both hosts express sympathy for Hunter's struggle with addiction, comparing his situation to personal losses and emphasizing the cruelty of the disease.

Ben Ferguson:
"He was a financial burden to his dad... This is about Joe Biden." (29:04)

Ted Cruz:
"This administration laughs that off... it's all about having the look how even-handed we are." (35:12)

The discussion pivots to the broader implications of Hunter Biden's actions, suggesting that his father's position potentially shielded him from more severe repercussions. They argue that while the Department of Justice (DOJ) focuses on minor charges like taxes and gun issues, there's a glaring lack of investigation into more substantial corruption allegations involving Joe Biden.

Ben Ferguson:
"If my dad was giving a massive government contract to my gun range... that's a conflict of interest." (33:52)

Ted Cruz:
"Those conversations wouldn't be talked about if Hunter were not Joe Biden's son." (39:05)

Partisan Issues with the Department of Justice (35:12 - 45:16)

Ben and Ted critique the DOJ's handling of Hunter Biden's case, positing that it operates with a partisan bias that protects President Joe Biden from significant legal scrutiny. Ted Cruz emphasizes the need for congressional oversight and the potential for impeachment proceedings against DOJ head Merrick Garland due to perceived partisanship.

Ted Cruz:
"With a majority, what the hearings can do is shine a light and put pressure." (41:11)
"One of the reasons why I believe one of the first orders of business should be impeaching Merrick Garland." (45:16)

Ben concurs, calling for balanced justice and expressing concerns about the integrity of the DOJ and the FBI under Garland's leadership.

Gas Prices and California’s Regulatory Impact (45:16 - 51:30)

Shifting focus, the hosts discuss the soaring gas prices and the role of California’s stringent regulations. They highlight statements from Valero’s CEO criticizing California’s energy policies as hostile and detrimental to refining operations. The conversation connects these policies to broader national energy issues, blaming the Biden administration's environmental regulations and drilling bans for exacerbating fuel prices.

Key Points:

• Valero's Criticism: California's unique gasoline blend requirements and high regulatory costs make it the most expensive operating environment for refiners.

• Biden’s Energy Policies: The administration's restrictions on federal land drilling and pipeline projects have limited domestic oil production, increasing reliance on foreign oil and driving up prices.

Ben Ferguson:
"California is the most challenging market to serve in the United States... they have made us produce a unique blend of gasoline." (47:44)

Ted Cruz:
"California is the Wuhan virus, epicenter of the craziness in the Biden administration." (51:30)

They argue that these policies not only hurt local economies but also contribute significantly to national energy instability and high gas prices. The hosts assert that deregulation and increased domestic production are essential for stabilizing fuel markets and reducing costs for consumers.

Conclusion and Future of the Podcast (51:30 - 52:15)

The episode concludes with Ben expressing enthusiasm for the podcast's expansion, encouraging listeners to engage by sharing and reviewing the show. He and Ted reaffirm their commitment to providing in-depth, unbiased political commentary and look forward to continued discussions on pressing national issues.

Ben Ferguson:
"Make sure you hit that little forward arrow on your phone and share this on your social media..." (51:30)

Ted Cruz:
"We're going to have a lot of fun." (52:13)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Ferguson (00:00):
  "Big breaking news in the Hunter Biden fiasco with the Biden family. We're going to have that for you in just a moment."

• Ted Cruz (00:46):
  "The expansion is gonna change the format a little bit... to connect with a lot more folks looking for the inside scoop."

• Ben Ferguson (11:53):
  "Ma'am, I'm 12."

• Ben Ferguson (29:04):
  "I've never felt more compassion for him as a human being than this tape that just came out."

• Ted Cruz (35:12):
  "This is all about having the look how even-handed we are."

• Ben Ferguson (33:52):
  "If my dad was giving a massive government contract to my gun range... that's a conflict of interest."

• Ted Cruz (45:16):
  "One of the reasons why I believe one of the first orders of business should be impeaching Merrick Garland."

• Ben Ferguson (47:44):
  "California regulators have mandated a unique blend of gasoline that is not readily available outside of the West Coast."

Key Takeaways

1. Hunter Biden’s Struggles: The audio clip reveals Hunter Biden's desperate attempts to secure money for rehab, highlighting his addiction issues and raising questions about the family's response and potential exploitation by the Biden administration.

2. Allegations of Corruption: The hosts argue that Hunter's business dealings, particularly with Burisma, are intrinsically linked to Joe Biden, suggesting conflicts of interest and possible corruption that the DOJ is not adequately addressing.

3. Partisan DOJ Concerns: Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson express deep concerns about the Department of Justice's impartiality, advocating for congressional oversight and even impeachment to ensure justice is served without political bias.

4. Impact of California’s Energy Policies: Stringent regulations in California are blamed for exacerbating gas prices, with the hosts arguing that federal restrictions under the Biden administration have led to decreased domestic oil production and increased reliance on expensive foreign oil.

5. Podcast Expansion: The collaboration between Ben Ferguson and Ted Cruz marks a significant expansion of the "Verdict" podcast, promising more frequent and in-depth political commentary aimed at informing and influencing public opinion.

This episode of "The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson" provides a comprehensive analysis of Hunter Biden's personal struggles intertwined with broader allegations of political corruption, alongside a critical examination of current energy policies affecting national gas prices. Through detailed discussions and poignant personal anecdotes, Ben and Ted aim to shed light on issues they believe are pivotal to America's political and economic landscape.