Podcast Summary:

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode: Trump Slams Political Opportunism Amid Global Tragedies: Brown University, Australia, and Syria Attacks
Release Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson examines President Donald Trump’s White House response to three recent tragedies: terrorist attacks in Syria, a mass shooting at Brown University, and a deadly incident in Australia. Ben critiques what he calls the "political opportunism" of Democrats in the aftermath of these global and national tragedies—specifically their calls for gun control and efforts to lay blame at Trump’s feet, often without evidence. The episode features Trump’s statements, details on the incidents, and Ben’s commentary on media and party responses.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump's Response to Global Tragedies

Timestamps: 06:55–10:10

• Trump addresses three tragedies within days—a terror attack in Syria (three Americans killed), the Brown University shooting (two dead, nine injured), and an anti-Semitic attack in Australia (eleven dead).
• He acknowledges the losses, sends condolences to families, and highlights bravery (in Australia, a bystander confronted a shooter and saved lives).
• Trump connects the incidents as examples of violence terrorism, and the struggle for safety in democratic societies.
• Trump pledges retaliation against ISIS for the Syria attack.
• He notes the celebration of Hanukkah at the White House, stating the Australia attack was “purely anti-Semitic.”

Notable Quote:

"I just want to pay my respects to everybody... in Syria also. We had an attack in Syria and we had three great patriots terminated by bad people. And not the Syrian government, it was ISIS. ...Likewise in Australia, as you know, there was a terrible attack. 11 dead, 29 badly wounded. And Brown University, great school. ...To the nine injured, get well fast. And to the families of those two that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards." – President Trump (08:00-09:20)

2. The Brown University Shooting: Facts and Fallout

Timestamps: 10:10–22:55

• At Brown University, a shooter entered a classroom during an exam session, killing two and injuring nine, mostly students.
• Details revealed:
  • The shooter used two handguns, one with a laser sight.
  • The suspect is a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin, apprehended at a nearby hotel.
  • Brown University issued a campus lockdown, later lifted; remaining exams were canceled.
• Law enforcement is withholding the suspect’s details (age, race, motive), only stating he “yelled something” before opening fire.
• Discussion of the immediate response and shelter-in-place, and the impact on the Brown University community.
• The host critiques the lack of transparency and political correctness in the release of information about the perpetrator or his motives.

Notable Quote:

"Police have a suspect... but they're refusing to provide the suspect's age, race or motive, only stating the shooter yelled something, quote unquote, before the attack... Why would they not tell us that?" – Ben Ferguson (17:05)

Memorable Commentary:

• Ben speculates, controversially, about the shooter yelling "Allah Akbar," expressing frustration with what he sees as “political correctness” preventing open discussion of radical religious violence.
• He contests that “gun-free zones” are ineffective and criticizes the Democratic push for new gun laws after such incidents.

Notable Quote:

"Gun free zones are a failure 100% of the time when someone decides to break that rule." – Ben Ferguson (14:50)

3. Political Reactions and Gun Control Debate

Timestamps: 22:55–32:50

• Democrats, particularly Senator Chris Murphy, blame Trump for a climate of violence, linking his administration to increased shootings and the Brown University attack.
• Chris Murphy accuses Trump of restoring gun rights to felons, eliminating the White House Office of Gun Violence Protection, and cutting support for anti-violence and mental health grants.
• Ben calls these claims baseless and accuses Democrats of using tragedy to promote an agenda, paraphrasing the phrase “never let a crisis go to waste.”
• Ben also targets media narratives—specifically, CNN’s reporting that the suspect’s handgun had a “sophisticated” laser sight, which Ben mocks as fearmongering.

Notable Quotes:

“Instead, he says it is time to attack Trump, saying that Donald Trump’s campaign is to increase violence in this country. ...Never let a crisis go to waste.” – Ben Ferguson (20:25)

“He is restoring gun rights to felons... eliminated the White House Office of Gun Violence Protection... he has stopped funding mental health grants... so he has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country." – Senator Chris Murphy, as quoted by Ben Ferguson (26:00)

“Now over at CNN, John Miller, he's now wanting you to be afraid of lasers. So that's the next thing they're going to want to ban. ...That is what like making blank up really is, like pathological liar.” – Ben Ferguson (29:10)

4. Media Transparency & the Role of Political Correctness

Timestamps: 17:55–22:15

• Ben argues that law enforcement and mainstream media often obscure facts—especially if the motive is sensitive or if the firearm used doesn’t match gun control narratives.
• He expresses frustration with journalistic reluctance to report on potential religious extremism.
• He claims there’s a double standard: Democrats block Trump’s efforts to tackle crime but then blame him when tragic violence occurs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump:

  "Brown University, great school... To the nine injured, get well fast. And to the families of those two that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects..." (08:55)

• Ben Ferguson (on political opportunism):

  "Democrats wasting no time using these tragedies to push their political agenda, demanding that we ban all AR-15 style weapons, even though ... two handguns were used." (11:00)

• Senator Chris Murphy (quoted):

  "He has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country." (26:00)

• Ben Ferguson (on media & fearmongering):

  “Now over at CNN, John Miller, he's now wanting you to be afraid of lasers... People use these things to play with cats and make videos on the Internet, folks. That's how advanced they are.” (29:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 06:55 – President Trump addresses the nation on three attacks
• 10:10 – Details of the Brown University shooting
• 14:50 – Critique of gun-free zones and political responses
• 17:05 – Frustration over withheld details, discussion of “political correctness”
• 22:55 – Democrats’ accusations against Trump (Chris Murphy’s comments)
• 26:00 – Quoting Chris Murphy on Trump’s policies and violence
• 29:10 – Media, laser sights, and narrative shaping

Episode Tone and Takeaways

• Tone: Direct, critical, unfiltered; Ben Ferguson is combative in critiquing Democrats and the mainstream press.
• Main Message: Tragedies are being politicized by opponents of Trump, the facts about these attacks are often stretched or hidden to support gun control, and current strategies (gun-free zones, media narratives) are failing to address the root problems.
• Call to Action: Ben urges listeners to distrust knee-jerk political responses and media spin—focus on facts and maintain a skeptical outlook toward opportunistic policies in the wake of tragedy.