Trump Calls Midterms a Political Survival Fight plus Radical Ideology Flooding Classrooms Nationwide

Summary

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Trump Calls Midterms a Political Survival Fight plus Radical Ideology Flooding Classrooms Nationwide
Date: May 16, 2026
Host: Ben Ferguson (Premiere Networks)
Summary by Podcast Summarizer

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Episode Overview

This episode of The 47 Morning Update centers on two deeply contentious topics in American politics. First, host Ben Ferguson analyzes President Donald Trump’s stance on the upcoming midterm elections, describing them as a pivotal “make or break” moment for his presidency and the “survival” of his agenda. Second, Ferguson and his co-host dig into the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) presence in public school curricula, asserting that radical left-wing ideologies are spreading nationwide through classroom materials.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Midterms: Trump’s Political Survival Fight

Time: 03:45 – 10:19

• Trump’s Sense of Urgency:
  Ferguson opens by stating President Trump is “very concerned about the midterm elections,” emphasizing that for Trump, "the midterm elections are not just another political fight, but in his words, they are make or break for his presidency, his agenda and the future direction of the country.” (04:02)

• Potential Consequences of Losing Congress:
  The discussion highlights warnings from Trump about Democrats crippling his second term through “investigations, subpoenas, and potentially even another impeachment effort…even the vice president, J.D. Vance, and also…cabinet members.” (04:38)

• Weaponization of Government:
  Ferguson asserts:

  “This is a party, and I’m talking about the Democratic Party, that’s made it clear they are going to weaponize government, to subpoena and to destroy anyone that is around Donald Trump. Why? Because that’s all they have to run on. They hate Donald Trump, and it seems to make their base want to show up to vote.” (05:23)

• Unification and Messaging:
  According to the host, Trump is urging Republicans to unify around a clear message: securing the border, strengthening the economy, lowering prices, restoring law and order—“You compare that to the radical Democrat chaos.” (06:12)

• Notable Trump Quote:

  “Their policies are insane, and they would drive our country into ruin. And we’ve got to do great in the midterms. And if we don’t, they will do everything they can to destroy our country. There’s something wrong with them.” – Donald Trump (06:31)

• Voter Complacency and Swing Districts:
  The hosts discuss a key challenge: “The team that’s in charge, usually they stay home because they feel like everything’s fine. And the team that hates the leadership in Washington, they show up, they’re focused, they’re angry, and they want to get rid of conservatives.” (07:55)
  They emphasize battleground states—Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin—will decide Congress.

• Trump’s “Firewall” Perspective:
  Ferguson distills the stakes:

  “In many ways, Donald Trump is now saying that 2026 is literally the firewall protecting the rest of his presidency.” (09:53)
  He notes Republicans tend to stay home in midterms when in power: “Democrats aren’t going to stay home, so you shouldn’t either.” (10:15)

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2. Radical Ideology in Schools: The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Influence

Time: 10:19 – 17:04

• SPLC Facing Controversy:
  The co-host introduces the SPLC’s current federal fraud charges and outlines an alleged “covert paid informant program worth $3 million.” (10:41)

• Curriculum Penetration:
  Watchdog reports reveal the SPLC’s “far-left content…integrates into your kids’ classrooms…as early as kindergarten in more than 40 states across the United States.” (11:00)

• Learning for Justice Program:
  Ferguson and his guest explain that the SPLC’s “Learning for Justice” education program, formerly “Teaching Tolerance,” is now active in “more than 169 school districts in 42 states plus Washington D.C.” (11:45)
  The curriculum “reinforces far left culture and political ideologies, including what they describe as anti-racism, Black Lives Matter, gender ideology…and queer theory with a side of white privilege, white supremacy, whiteness, and then of course transgenderism.” (11:53)

• Impact on Core Classes:

  “…issues such as queer theory, white privilege and anti-racism have well become traditional coursework in your kids history classes, your kids social studies classes and other core curriculum classes.” (12:53)

• Divisiveness and Educational Performance:
  The hosts argue these materials “intentionally sow division and mistrust between students at a formative stage,” using “finite classroom time and resources” for ideological content instead of reading, writing, and arithmetic. (13:14, 13:45)

• Mandates and Institutional Endorsement:
  According to the episode, the SPLC’s standards are embedded not just in curriculum but in professional development, district policies, and resources (14:30). The New York State Education Department, California Department of Education, Illinois State Board of Education, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian are named as institutions referencing or utilizing SPLC standards. (15:44)

• Notable Quote:

  “Teaching children to view themselves and others through the lens of identity politics and that America is forever stained by its ‘original sin’ is part of the curriculum.” (13:14)

• Host’s Call to Action:
  Ferguson challenges listeners:

  “I want you to google or use AI and ask AI or Google where does California’s education standards rate? Where does Illinois State Board of Education standards rate? Where does the Chicago public school system rate?...why are they failing their kids so badly in the school system? That’s a question you should be asking right now.” (16:20)

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Memorable Quotes

• Donald Trump (on Democrats & midterms):
  “Their policies are insane, and they would drive our country into ruin. And we’ve got to do great in the midterms. And if we don’t, they will do everything they can to destroy our country. There’s something wrong with them.” (06:31)

• Ben Ferguson (on Democratic strategy):
  “They are going to weaponize government, to subpoena and to destroy anyone that is around Donald Trump. Why? Because that’s all they have to run on.” (05:23)

• Co-host (on SPLC curriculum):
  “Teaching children to view themselves and others through the lens of identity politics and that America is forever stained by its ‘original sin’ is part of the curriculum.” (13:14)

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Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:45] – Introduction to midterm “survival fight” and Trump’s concerns
• [04:38] – Potential consequences if Republicans lose Congress
• [06:31] – Trump’s quote on the necessity of midterm victory
• [07:34] – States and districts likely to decide Congressional control
• [10:19] – Transition: The SPLC and radical curricula in schools
• [11:45] – SPLC’s Learning for Justice program & nationwide reach
• [13:14] – Identity politics, division, and critique of curriculum
• [15:44] – SPLC-aligned standards in government education departments
• [16:20] – Ferguson’s challenge to investigate educational performance by state

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Closing Thoughts

Ben Ferguson’s tone throughout is urgent, combative, and unapologetically critical of Democrats and progressive institutions, calling for GOP unification and vigilance from conservative parents and voters. The episode weaves together national politics with education policy, characterizing both as existential fronts in a broader culture war. Listeners are urged to treat the 2026 midterms as a referendum on the administration’s entire agenda, and to scrutinize and oppose perceived left-wing indoctrination in schools.

For further in-depth news, Ferguson encourages subscribing to both The 47 Morning Update and the Ben Ferguson Podcast.

Transcript

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[Ben Ferguson]

I got it. I got it.

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I insisted first.

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Okay.

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[Donald Trump (quoted)]

And then I said yeah He's a dumb guy. And then I said, he's a Democrat. And I don't know if people are going to like that term or not, but it's true. Their policies are insane and they would drive our country into ruin. And we've got to do great in the midterms. And if we don't, they will do everything they can to destroy our country. There's something wrong with them.

[Ben Ferguson]

You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

Good Saturday morning. It's nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update. And we've got two major stories for you.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

First up, the midterms are getting really close.

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

So what is it that the president needs you to do and what does he have to do to sell the country? To make sure that we don't lose control of the House or the Senate or both in the midterm elections? We break it down. Up next in a shocking story, the Southern Poverty Law center may be putting their radical political agenda inside of your kids and your grandkids, kids heads in our public schools all over the country. Just how much influence does their curriculum have and where is it being used? I'll give you that as well. It's a 47 Morning Update and it starts right now.

[Ben Ferguson]

Story number one, President Donald Trump, he

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

is very concerned about the midterm elections, and it's clear that he's trying to be president of the United States of America. But he also understands that if he doesn't turn into Donald Trump the campaigner right now that we could have major problems come November. Now, President Trump is making it very clear that the Republicans better get their act together, saying that the midterm elections are not just another political fight, but in his words, they are make or break for his presidency, his agenda and the future direction of the country. We also are learning now that behind closed doors, it's also getting really intense. Trump has been warning Republicans that if they lose control of Congress, Democrats will immediately move to cripple his second term with investigations, subpoenas, and potentially even another impeachment effort. Democrats have said they're actually willing to go further than Donald Trump and impeach the vice president, J.D. vance, and also go after and try to impeach cabinet members as well. There was a House Republican retreat that happened earlier this year. Trump bluntly told the lawmakers, you gotta win the midterms. And he warned that if Republicans lose, they'll find a reason to impeach me. Now, whether you love President Trump or hate him, there's no denying the political reality behind what he's saying. This is a party, and I'm talking about the Democratic Party that's made it clear they are going to weaponize government, to subpoena and to destroy anyone that is around Donald Trump. Why? Because that's all they have to run on. They hate Donald Trump, and it seems to make their base want to show up to vote. The White House knows that if Democrats retake the House, the next two years will turn into nonstop political warfare. And it's exactly what they did back in 2016, 2018, and really, every year, even when Joe Biden was in office, there will be committee investigations. They will explode overnight. I'm quoting Democrats. They've already said that hearings will dominate cable news. It's not a legitimate agenda for America. It's a legitimate agenda to destroy the presidency of the United States of America. And that's why Donald Trump has been aggressively pressuring Republicans to unify around a simple message. We secure the border, we strengthen the economy, we lower prices, we restore law and order. And you compare that to the radical Democrat chaos. Now, the president also sang this about the midterms at the White House earlier.

[Donald Trump (quoted)]

And I said, yeah, he's a dumb guy. And then I said, he's a Democrat. And I don't know if people are going to like that term or not. It maybe catches on and maybe it doesn't, but it's true. Their policies are insane, and they would drive our country into ruin. And we've got to do great in the midterms. And if we don't, they will do everything they can to destroy our country. There's something wrong with them. The flow of deadly fentanyl across our border is down, by the way, by over 60%, which is a record. Nobody ever thought it was even possible. And coming in by sea, it's down by 97%. And again, we're trying to find the 3%, because we consider them to be among the bravest people anywhere in the world. Anybody willing to get into one of those boats after what they've witnessed, we would consider them to be among the bravest in the world. These gains have been the result. And what a job our military and others are doing. With respect. Is that right, Paul? With respect to drugs coming in by sea, meaning drugs coming in by water, by the ocean, by the sea. A lot of people don't know what I mean by sea.

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

President Trump talking at the White House and again making it clear the control of the House is literally going to come down to just a handful of districts in states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin. The swing states in many of those races, the president warns, will be decided by suburban swing voters who have bounced back and forth between Republican candidates and Democratic candidates over the last several election cycles. Trump is also facing another challenge presidents always encounter in the midterms. There is voter complacency. The team that's in charge, usually they stay home because they feel like everything's fine. And the team that hates the leadership in Washington, they show up, they're focused, they're angry, and they want to get rid of conservatives. When your side wins the White House, some supporters actually, well, they relax.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Right.

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

The opposition is energized. And as we know from the Democratic leaders, they're angry. Now, Democrats are already organizing around abortion rights, health care costs, and accusations, of course, that Trump is abusing his executive power. Republicans now fear that there's a real enthusiasm gap. I'm one of those. And that's why Donald Trump is making it very clear. He may not be on the ballot come November, but his agenda certainly is. He's essentially telling Republicans, if you want this presidency to succeed, you have to treat the midterms like a presidential election. And behind the scenes, the stakes are enormous. Trump's entire legislative agenda depends on Congress. We're talking about things that matter to everyday Americans. The most incredible tax cuts of our lifetime. Energy independence and expansion in the U.S. immigration reform, judicial appointments, which have been phenomenal for President Trump.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Budget fights.

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

Yes. The president saying we're spending too much money getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse and military spending, which Democrats always hate. You even have the fight over the SAVE Act. Election law changes. All of it becomes dramatically harder if Democrats regain power. In many ways, Donald Trump is now saying that 2026 is the literally, the firewall protecting the rest of his presidency. And there's another major factor here as well. Republicans like to stay home when they're in power, historically. And what the president is saying is the Democrats aren't going to stay home, so you shouldn't either.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now, story number two.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Southern Poverty Law Center. Yeah, things aren't going well for them. The far left, quote, anti racism group.

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

Right.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Well, we now found their curriculum has been found in classrooms as early as kindergarten. A new watchdog group is exposing, apparently

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

the Southern Poverty Law center, currently facing federal fraud charges over an alleged cover

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

covert paid informant program worth $3 million. Well, as the liberal activist organization is facing those charges, an education watchdog group warned that the group continues to integrate its Far left content and its materials into your kids classrooms. And they're doing this as early as kindergarten in more than 40 states across the United States of America. The president of Defending Education, which was once actually labeled this is not a joke. An extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law center told Fox News Digital that unbeknownst to parents, the Southern Poverty Law center has been poisoning your children's minds around the country for years with its quote, toxic curriculum. Defending Education published a new expose and

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

it details how the Southern Poverty Law

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Center's education program called Learning for Justice, formerly it was known this is not a joke as Teaching Tolerance is now heavily integrated into K through 12 lesson plans and materials in more than 169 school districts. Not schools, school districts in 42 states plus Washington D.C. according to the report. The program's design is to reinforce far left culture and political ideologies, including what they describe as anti racism, Black Lives Matter, gender ideology, and most importantly with your tax dollars, queer theory with a side of white privilege, white supremacy, whiteness, and then of course transgenderism. This is in 169 school districts in 42 states. What does that mean? More than likely your tax dollars have been going to fund this curriculum in our schools. Now the watchdog group said that due

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

to the Southern Poverty Law Center's integration

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

in schools, issues such as queer theory, white privilege and anti racism have well become traditional coursework in your kids history classes, your kids social studies classes and

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

other core curriculum classes.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Teaching children to view themselves and others through the lens of identity politics and that America is forever stained by its quote, original sin is part of the curriculum. Now, according to the watchdog group, the material intentionally so division and mistrust between students at a formative stage of their development, adding that it is deeply disappointing that administrators and educators believe this is an appropriate use of the finite classroom time and resources.

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

But let's be clear. The majority of public schools in America

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

are failing your kids at reading, writing and arithmetic. And you may wonder why. Well, it's probably because of this type of radical ideology that has now been indoctrinated in your kid's mind, claiming that it's actually education when it really isn't. Now, the Southern Poverty Law center has not responded to requests for comment for Defending Education's report. The report also reveals the Southern Poverty Law Center's website and documents can be found actually on your school district web pages. Also in teacher professional development and trainings, classroom lessons, district wide curricula, social emotional learning, social justice standards, and district anti racism and equity policies and resources. The Learning for Justice program, which the report said is focused on education for liberation, encourages the implementation of a set of anchor standards and then they call them age appropriate learning outcomes divided into domains of, number one, identity, then diversity, then justice, and then action. Now under the action category, they say students are encouraged to com commit to join the diverse people to plan and carry out collective action against exclusion, prejudice and discrimination.

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

And also the plan says you should

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

be thoughtful and creative in our actions in order to achieve our goals. And silly me, I thought that school was supposed to just be about reading, writing and arithmetic, but apparently not anymore. Defending education said the New York State Education Department added equity revisions to its New York Social Emotional Learning benchmarks that

[Ben Ferguson (Main Host)]

aligned the benchmarks with the Southern Poverty Law center social justice standards.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

So they're not just doing the curriculum, they're mandating and directing how it is actually being taught in America's schools. Now the report also notes that the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian actually lists Learning for Justice as a recommended resource in certain lesson materials. So our government is backing it as well. It further points to guidance and then curriculum resources for the California Department of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education as well as Chicago Public Schools that include or reference the standards. Now let me just hit pause there and I'm going to give you some homework. I want you to google or use AI and ask AI or Google where does California's education standards rate? Where does Illinois State Board of Education standards rate? Where does the Chicago public school system rate? And you tell me that if the three places that they're saying are amazing or so good that that you should be mimicking their lesson plans on all this woke ideology. Ask them the question as simple as question why are they failing their kids so badly in the school system? That's a question you should be asking right now.

[Ben Ferguson]

Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now. And for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here on Monday morning.

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[Ben Ferguson]

I got it.

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[Ben Ferguson]

Okay.

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[Donald Trump (quoted)]

No.

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