Podcast Summary: "The Wuhan Coverup" on The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode Information

• Title: The Wuhan Coverup
• Release Date: April 17, 2020
• Host/Author: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson (featuring Senator Ted Cruz)

Introduction

In the April 17, 2020 episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Ted Cruz, focusing on the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, the implications of government actions on the economy, and the role of the media in shaping public perception. The episode, titled "The Wuhan Coverup," delves into the controversial links between U.S. funding and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, critiques governmental responses to the pandemic, and highlights the economic and societal consequences of prolonged shutdowns.

1. Origins of the Coronavirus and U.S. Funding to Wuhan Labs

Senator Ted Cruz brings to light critical information regarding the potential origins of the coronavirus, challenging mainstream narratives that dismissed such theories as conspiracy theories.

• U.S. Government Funding: Cruz reveals that the U.S. government was aware of and funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. "The U.S. government was funding the Chinese research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Your taxpayer dollars and my taxpayer dollars," he states at [10:18].

• Scope of Funding: He specifies that in fiscal year 2019, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) allocated $76,301 to the Wuhan Institute of Virology as part of a broader $3.7 million funding program targeting viral diversity studies in several Asian countries. "The project included studying viral diversity in animal (bats) reservoirs, surveying people that live in high-risk communities for evidence of bat coronavirus infection," Cruz explains at [11:00].

• Concerns Over Lab Safety: Cruz emphasizes the State Department's prior concerns about safety protocols at the Wuhan labs. "There were internal State Department wires before this pandemic, raising concerns about the security in those labs and that an accidental virus could escape and cause a global pandemic," he asserts at [12:00].

• Lack of Transparency from China: He presses for accountability, questioning whether the novel coronavirus was studied at the lab and criticizing China's lack of response. "They need to answer that question. And over 100,000 lives have been lost while they refuse to answer that question," Cruz condemns at [14:21].

2. Media Complicity and Coverage of the Pandemic

The conversation shifts to the media's role in disseminating information about the pandemic and the perceived failures in reporting.

• Censorship and Bias: Cruz criticizes major media outlets for censoring stories that could reveal the truth about the virus's origins. He highlights instances where media companies avoided negative coverage of China to maintain access, stating, "They edit out... if you remember the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, wonderful, wonderful movie... in China when they aired that they edited out the fact that Freddie Mercury was gay" at [16:14].

• Misinformation: He points out that outlets like CNN have propagated Chinese propaganda, such as unverified claims about the Chinese military's prowess against the virus. "CNN writes a story, Chinese military doing much better than American military. Thus saith Chinese propaganda," Cruz remarks at [17:00].

• Integrity in Journalism: Calling for greater journalistic courage, Cruz urges media professionals to investigate the labs and expose the truth despite potential economic repercussions. "Anyone in the media who gives a damn about integrity, who gives a damn about truth, ought to be investigating these labs and ought to be speaking the truth," he emphasizes at [16:19].

3. Impact of Shutdowns on the Economy and Public Health

Cruz articulates his concerns about the prolonged economic shutdowns and their broader implications on public health and societal well-being.

• Economic Consequences: Highlighting the staggering number of Americans out of work, Cruz states, "22 million people out of work, mass. Millions of small businesses on the verge of bankruptcy" at [02:50]. He warns that continued economic suppression could lead to far-reaching public health crises, including mental health issues and increased substance abuse.

• Balancing Public Health and Economy: He argues for a geographically tailored approach to reopening, advocating for the protection of vulnerable populations while allowing others to resume work with appropriate safety measures. "But for much of the rest of the country, the virus numbers are not nearly as bad. We have flattened the curve," Cruz explains at [03:16].

• Sustainability of Shutdowns: Cruz criticizes policies that have halted essential services like elective surgeries, which have had detrimental effects on hospitals' financial stability. "They have shut down elective surgeries and elective medical procedures that's having a devastating impact on hospitals," he notes at [08:06].

4. Government Overreach and Civil Liberties

The discussion touches upon instances where government actions during the pandemic have overstepped, infringing on civil liberties and public safety.

• Release of Criminals: Cruz highlights the dangerous decision to release violent criminals to prevent virus spread, which led to increased crime rates. "In Travis County, Austin, in Texas, they're releasing violent criminals... that's really dangerous," he states at [05:25].

• Enforcement of Minor Infractions: He criticizes the enforcement of trivial rules, such as penalizing individuals for playing catch with their children, and opposes measures that infringe upon personal freedoms. "He wasn't endangering anyone. That was just stupid," Cruz argues at [06:00].

• Authoritarian Tendencies: Cruz accuses Democratic officials of abusing power, referencing incidents where church attendees were wrongfully ticketed and censored. "To all of these little petty tyrants, stop it," he declares at [06:12].

5. Personal Anecdotes and Human Interest

Amidst the heavy topics, Cruz shares a personal story about celebrating his daughter's birthday during the pandemic, illustrating the human side of political figures.

• Celebrating Amidst Restrictions: Cruz recounts how he adapted his daughter's 12th birthday celebration to comply with social distancing, emphasizing family resilience. "We put up three poster boards, and the kids came and wrote little sign... It was a nice and fun birthday," he shares at [20:00].

6. Mailbag: Audience Questions on Economy and Future Implications

In the mailbag segment, Cruz addresses audience concerns about the economic reopening and the long-term effects of the pandemic.

• Reopening the Economy: Responding to questions about the urgency of restarting the economy, Cruz reiterates the need to allow businesses to reopen to revive tax revenues and overall economic health. "Stop killing the economy. Let people get back to work," he urges at [23:21].

• Future of Education: Addressing concerns about higher education, Cruz discusses the potential for a resurgence of the virus in the fall, which could impact colleges and universities. "We may see the numbers go back up again... I hope not," he comments at [27:05].

7. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Topics

Cruz concludes the episode by previewing future discussions on the timeline of the pandemic's origins and emphasizing the importance of uncovering the truth to prevent future crises.

• Upcoming Discussions: "We're going to walk through a timeline of what happened in China," Cruz announces, setting the stage for deeper exploration in subsequent episodes at [19:49].

• Call for Media Accountability: He reiterates the need for media outlets to pursue truth over economic interests, maintaining journalistic integrity even when faced with powerful adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.

Key Takeaways

• Transparency in Research Funding: The episode underscores the necessity for transparency regarding governmental funding of international research, especially when linked to potential pandemic origins.

• Balanced Approach to Public Health: Cruz advocates for a strategy that protects vulnerable populations while mitigating economic damage, highlighting the interconnectedness of economy and public health.

• Media Responsibility: A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to holding media outlets accountable for biased reporting and failing to pursue truth, emphasizing the critical role of independent journalism.

• Civil Liberties vs. Public Safety: The conversation navigates the delicate balance between ensuring public safety and preserving individual freedoms, critiquing instances of governmental overreach during the pandemic.

• Personal Resilience: Through personal anecdotes, Cruz humanizes the political discourse, showcasing the challenges faced by families during unprecedented times.

Notable Quotes

• "If we keep on this path, there is a real public health consequence to killing the economy. We're going to see mental health issues. We're gonna see depression. We're gonna see increased rates of suicide." — Senator Ted Cruz [02:50]

• "We need to protect lives. The objective should be protect as many lives as possible and on both sides of the ledger." — Senator Ted Cruz [03:40]

• "They edit out... in Bohemian Rhapsody, they edited out the fact that Freddie Mercury was gay." — Senator Ted Cruz [16:30]

• "Any media outlet that gives a damn about integrity ought to be investigating these labs and ought to be speaking the truth." — Senator Ted Cruz [16:19]

Conclusion

"The Wuhan Coverup" episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson provides a critical examination of the COVID-19 pandemic's origins, the economic fallout from governmental shutdowns, and the role of media in either perpetuating or uncovering the truth. Through a candid conversation with Senator Ted Cruz, listeners gain insights into the complex interplay between public health policy, economic stability, and media responsibility. The episode calls for greater transparency, balanced policy-making, and journalistic integrity to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.