The Gravy Train is OVER: Trump Cuts Billions Funding Left-Wing Activists, NPR CEO Faces Congressional Scrutiny & Signalgate Dem Attack Fails

Episode Release Date: March 31, 2025
Podcast: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Host: Ben Ferguson
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz

Introduction

In this pivotal episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson engages in a compelling discussion with Senator Ted Cruz. The conversation delves into significant developments within the Trump administration, particularly focusing on the administration's strategy to cut funding to left-wing organizations and media outlets. Additionally, the episode covers the fallout from the NPR CEO’s congressional testimony and examines the failed Democratic attempt to undermine President Trump through the Signalgate scandal.

Cutting Funding to Left-Wing Networks

Senator Ted Cruz opens the discussion by asserting that the "gravy train is over" for left-wing activism funded by the government. He emphasizes the Trump administration’s proactive measures to dismantle the financial foundations of left-wing institutions and activists.

[00:26] Senator Ted Cruz: "The gravy train is over. And I gotta say, we're two and a half months into the Trump administration and we have never seen such a concerted onslaught on the entire wall of left-wing control."

Cruz explains that the administration is targeting billions in funding allocated to agencies like USAID and the EPA, which he claims were being used to support left-wing agendas and activists.

[00:35] Senator Ted Cruz: "What Doge is doing, what Trump is doing, what Elon is doing, is going after the billions and billions of funding... that is funding the entire apparatus of the left wing."

He further critiques the misuse of taxpayer money by organizations like the EPA, stating that funds were diverted to support activist networks under the guise of environmental initiatives.

[04:05] Senator Ted Cruz: "...the EPA was absolutely being used to push out this green slush fund to their friends... Zeldin has canceled hundreds of contracts worth $1.5 billion that were tabbed to go essentially to left-wing activist networks focused on, quote, environmental justice."

This strategic defunding aims to destabilize left-wing influence by cutting off the financial resources that sustain their operations.

NPR CEO's Congressional Testimony

The episode transitions to the contentious congressional hearing involving the NPR and PBS CEOs. Senator Cruz criticizes Catherine Marr, NPR’s CEO, for her performance before Congress.

[11:54] Ben Ferguson: "NPR and PBS promoted a book called 'In Defense of Looting.' Do you think that that's an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars?"

[11:02] Senator Ted Cruz: "Catherine Marr is arrogant, drippingly arrogant. She is a hard left..."

Cruz highlights the perceived bias within NPR, pointing out the lack of political diversity on its editorial board.

[23:19] Congressman: "You have 87 registered Democrats, not a single Republican in your editorial boards... How does that work to give us the perception that you're doing your job?"

[23:53] Ngholi I. Cruz: "I do believe that we need to have journalists who represent the full breadth of the American society..."

Cruz argues that NPR’s editorial slant undermines its credibility as an unbiased news source and calls for restructuring its funding streams to eliminate perceived propaganda.

Signalgate: Failed Democratic Attack on President Trump

The discussion shifts to the Signalgate scandal, where Democrats attempted to leverage a text exchange to discredit President Trump. However, Cruz asserts that this effort backfired, strengthening Trump’s approval among Americans.

[28:27] Senator Ted Cruz: "...we will try to use exceptions to the filibuster rule... I certainly hope so. And I can tell you this, I'm fighting tooth and nail to make it happen."

He critiques the Democrats' lack of subtlety and coordination, stating that their unified approach revealed their true intentions of censorship and propaganda rather than genuine journalistic integrity.

[30:21] Senator Ted Cruz: "Look, the left is not subtle. The Democrats in the media, they tell you exactly what they're doing... they believe in propaganda."

Cruz emphasizes that the Signalgate attack did not dent President Trump’s popularity as the American public remains more concerned with national security issues than with the internal disputes exemplified by Signalgate.

[31:40] Ben Ferguson: "CBS poll numbers are proving that to be true. ... their entire effort to take him down failed utterly."

Impact on Media and Political Landscape

Senator Cruz articulates a broader critique of the media landscape, portraying organizations like NPR and PBS as extensions of left-wing ideology rather than impartial news providers.

[19:12] D (Catherine Marr): "The number one challenge here that we see is, of course, the First Amendment in the United States is a fairly robust protection of rights."

Cruz counters this by suggesting that the very notion of protecting free speech is being manipulated to suppress opposing viewpoints, thereby advocating for a media environment that truly represents the diversity of American thought.

Legislative Outlook and Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Senator Cruz expresses hope that the administration’s efforts to defund left-wing propaganda networks will be enshrined in legislation. However, he acknowledges the challenges posed by the Senate’s filibuster rules and Democratic resistance.

[27:32] Ben Ferguson: "What happens next? ... Will she actually lose our taxpayer dollars that are funding them?"

[27:40] Senator Ted Cruz: "I very much hope so... it's an open question right now, Ben..."

Cruz remains optimistic about overcoming these legislative hurdles, emphasizing his commitment to pushing these initiatives forward despite potential obstacles.

Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz provide a critical examination of the Trump administration's proactive measures to curtail left-wing influence through strategic defunding of key organizations. They scrutinize the perceived bias within major media outlets, illustrated by the NPR CEO’s congressional testimony, and evaluate the failed Democratic attempt to undermine President Trump via the Signalgate scandal. The conversation underscores a broader battle over media integrity and political influence, highlighting the ongoing struggle to shape America's media and political landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:26] Senator Ted Cruz: "The gravy train is over."
• [04:05] Senator Ted Cruz: "...the EPA was absolutely being used to push out this green slush fund to their friends."
• [23:19] Congressman: "You have 87 registered Democrats, not a single Republican in your editorial boards."
• [28:27] Senator Ted Cruz: "...I'm fighting tooth and nail to make it happen."
• [30:21] Senator Ted Cruz: "The left is not subtle. The Democrats in the media... they believe in propaganda."

Final Thoughts:

This episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson offers an in-depth look at the Trump administration’s strategies to neutralize left-wing influence and the resultant tensions within major media organizations. By featuring Senator Ted Cruz's insights and critiques, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the current political dynamics and their implications for American society.