The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Trump wants Bagram BACK plus Democrats Learn NOTHING in wake of Kirk Assassination
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson
Platform: Premiere Networks

Episode Overview

This episode of The 47 Morning Update tackles two major stories: President Donald Trump's announcement that the U.S. is seeking to regain control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, and the reaction from Democratic leaders following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Host Ben Ferguson delivers pointed commentary on both topics, exploring their implications for national security and political discourse in America.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Announced Effort to Regain Bagram Air Base

Segment Begins: [02:37]

• Breaking News: President Trump states the U.S. is "trying to get [Bagram Air Base] back" from the Taliban, emphasizing its strategic proximity to Chinese nuclear sites.

  • “We’re going to keep Bagram, the big air base that—one of the biggest air bases in the world. We gave it to [the Taliban] for nothing. We’re trying to get it back...that could be a little breaking news. We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back.”
    —Donald Trump [02:37]

• National Security Focus:

  • Ferguson underscores the significance of Bagram being "an hour away from where China is making its nuclear weapons."
  • The host frames Trump’s efforts as a classic negotiating strategy, “using leverage” to secure U.S. interests.

• Context & Commentary:

  • Recaps the U.S.’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan under Biden, noting Trump’s criticism:
    “He wanted American troops out all along. But also now with China just one hour away making their nuclear weapons, it is in our national interest, in our national security interests to make sure we do everything we can to get back Bagram Air Base.”
    —Ben Ferguson [09:53]
  • References earlier negotiations with the Taliban and diplomatic standoffs since the 2021 withdrawal, including a meeting between the U.S. hostage envoy and Taliban officials.

• Why It Matters:

  • Ferguson labels this “one of the most important stories of the year” for national security, expressing urgency around China’s military expansion and the Taliban’s control of strategic infrastructure.

2. Democrats’ Rhetoric After Charlie Kirk Assassination

Segment Begins: [10:50]

• No Shift in Democratic Tone:

  • Despite Kirk’s assassination—committed by an individual reportedly motivated by anti-fascist rhetoric—Ferguson asserts that Democratic leaders have “not learned a damn thing.”
  • Highlights Hillary Clinton’s endorsement of a new book by teachers’ union chief Randi Weingarten, accusing Republicans of fascism in the immediate aftermath of the killing.
    • “Congratulations, Hillary Clinton said to my friend on, quote, ‘Why fascists fear teachers.’ From banning books to controlling curriculum, authoritarians go after public education because it’s a cornerstone of democracy.”
      —Ben Ferguson quoting Hillary Clinton [11:49]

• Conservative Backlash:

  • Ferguson details the online response:
    “Clinton was criticized instantly by many conservatives online for the post, which they argued continued the smear campaign against political opponents that many believe contributed to the assassination of Charlie Kirk... They wrote an entire book on a word they don’t even understand.”
    —Ben Ferguson [13:41]
  • Notes the RNC’s statement:
    “They really can’t help themselves, can they?” —Referenced by Ferguson [15:55]

• Clash Over Randi Weingarten’s Book:

  • Book presents teachers as bulwarks against fascism, suggests attacks on public schooling are the “hallmark of fascist regimes,” and directly targets Trump-era policies.
  • Weingarten, in media comments, frames book as a “love letter to teachers,” pushing back against accusations it incites divisiveness.

• Ferguson’s Perspective:

  • Host links Democratic education policies and rhetoric to radicalization:
    “It’s where [Democrats] have indoctrinated children to hate this country. It’s where they...believe that anyone that disagrees with them is somehow instantly a fascist or a Nazi or Adolf Hitler and they should be taken out.”
    —Ben Ferguson [15:00]
  • Warns that high numbers of young people now see violence as justified against those they disagree with.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Donald Trump:

  • “We’re trying to get [Bagram Air Base] back because they need things from us. We want that base back. One of the reasons... it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” [02:37, 06:31]

• Ben Ferguson:

  • On Bagram: “This might be one of the most important stories of the year when it comes to national security.” [07:05]
  • On the Charlie Kirk assassination aftermath:
    “Democrats have not learned a damn thing about their rhetoric since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In fact... they’re doubling down on their radical words and trying to inspire others.” [10:53]
  • On public education and rhetoric:
    “The Democratic Party has taken over the education system. It’s where they’ve indoctrinated children to be ashamed of America, not be proud of it.” [15:00]

• Hillary Clinton (as quoted):

  • “Congratulations... on ‘Why fascists fear teachers.’ From banning books to controlling curriculum, authoritarians go after public education because it’s a cornerstone of democracy.” [11:49]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:37] — Trump’s breaking news: U.S. effort to reclaim Bagram Air Base
• [06:31] — Trump’s remarks from the UK; focus on China, Afghanistan withdrawal
• [07:05–10:50] — Ferguson analysis—significance of Bagram, Biden withdrawal recap, broader diplomatic context
• [10:50] — Segment shifts to Democratic rhetoric post-Kirk assassination
• [11:49] — Hillary Clinton’s book promotion and quotes
• [13:41–15:00] — Conservative responses; Ferguson’s critique of left-wing rhetoric in education
• [15:55] — RNC and broader conservative reactions
• [16:58] — End of content; outro begins

Tone and Style

Ben Ferguson’s delivery throughout the episode is urgent, direct, and highly critical of Democratic leaders, positioning himself as a conservative watchdog on both national security and cultural issues. The commentary is passionate, occasionally combative, and often personal, especially regarding topics of political violence and education.

Summary Takeaways

• The Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan—and the cascade of consequences—remains a flashpoint for criticism, with Trump actively pursuing strategies to reverse perceived strategic losses.
• The cultural and political fallout from Charlie Kirk’s assassination has not moderated rhetoric on the left, according to Ferguson, who warns of escalating partisan animosity and its potential for violence.
• The episode serves as both breaking news commentary (on Bagram) and a warning about the dangers, in the host’s view, of unchecked political labeling and incendiary rhetoric in public life.