The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Trump’s Economy Defies Critics plus Polls Show Voters Back POTUS on Crime
Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson (Premiere Networks)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on recent positive economic data under President Donald Trump’s administration, contradicting previous media and Democratic forecasts of doom. Ben Ferguson also delves into new polling numbers indicating strong public support for Trump’s approach to crime, particularly in response to federal crackdowns in Washington, D.C. The show critiques mainstream narratives and Democratic politicians, highlighting what Ferguson frames as widespread support for the President’s policies and a shift in public sentiment on crime and the economy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Booming” Trump Economy

[03:49 - 08:45]

• Media Criticism vs. Economic Reality

  • Ben calls out the media and Democrats for their negative predictions about Trump’s economic policies, asserting:

    “They said that Donald Trump was going to destroy the economy... Well, guess what? They lied to you. The US Economy is surging past expectations as spending and investments are soaring.” (Ben Ferguson, 03:52)

  • He highlights revised government data showing the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose at a 3.3% annualized rate in the second quarter, beating both initial estimates and economists' forecasts.

• Drivers of Growth

  • Ferguson attributes growth to increased household spending on health care, pharmaceuticals, and dining out, as well as business investments in equipment and intellectual property (software, R&D, commercial structures).
  • He interprets these trends as signals of broad economic confidence under Trump:

    “…people are expanding. You don't do these things unless you have confidence in an economy.” (Ben Ferguson, 05:43)

• Trade Wars Controversy

  • Counters claims that Trump’s tariff policies would stifle economic growth:

    “We also know that the media lied to you about Trump's trade wars and the tariffs… Guess what? They lied to you again. In fact, trade flows also contributed to the growth.” (Ben Ferguson, 06:06)

• Inflation & Government Spending

  • Notes that personal consumption and Federal Reserve inflation measures remain in check (2.0% annual rate).
  • Government spending was “revised lower,” which Ben emphasizes as remarkable:

    “Let me just say that again. Government spending was revised lower.” (Ben Ferguson, 07:52)

• Business Income & Corporate Profits

  • Real gross domestic income climbed by 4.8%, with corporate profits rebounding after a first-quarter dip.

2. Crime, Public Safety, and Polling

[08:45 - 15:28]

• D.C. Crime Crackdown & Political Shift

  • The episode features discussion about Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s public acknowledgment that a federal law enforcement surge has reduced carjackings by 87% in just 20 days:

    “Mayor Bowser cited an 87% reduction in carjackings during the 20 day federal law enforcement deployment.” (Ben Ferguson, 08:49)

  • Ben highlights this change in tone as Democrats “reversing course” and indirectly crediting Trump’s policies.

• Resident Comments and Community Impact

  • Clips from D.C. residents and local news underscore improved safety and public spaces:

    “Before all the, you know, additional security. It was a little dicey at times, especially at the later times in the hour... But now it's a lot more quiet.”
    (Navy Yard Resident, 09:56) “I have noticed that they have been cleaning some of the graffiti off in some of the areas, like on the highways…”
    (Local Resident, 10:13)

• Poll Data on Crime and Presidential Approval

  • A political analyst summarizes new polling:

    “81% of people think that crime is a problem in major, major problem in urban areas. Trump's approval rating on crime was 54% in that poll. In the Harvard Harris poll, it was 51%, his highest rating of any of the issues that they, they question voters about.”
    (Political Analyst, 10:26)

• Democrats on the Defensive

  • Ferguson frames Democrats as out of touch on this “80/20 issue,” citing their historical retreat from tough-on-crime stances:

    “Democrats have managed to box themselves in on another 80, 20 issue and are trying to find a way out.”
    (Political Analyst, 10:39)
    “Yet again here, Democrats on the wrong side of the issue. This is an issue where the majority of Americans say that they want to feel safe.”
    (Ben Ferguson, 11:10)

• Why Are City Leaders Opposed?

  • Offers a pointed rhetorical question about politicians in high-crime cities:

    “Why would the leaders of high crime cities like Washington, D.C. or Chicago object to the president helping to make their streets safer?... They're panicked. They're panicked that Donald Trump is succeeding, exposing them as inept, as corrupt…”
    (Ben Ferguson and Kirk Elliott, 11:40)

3. Trump’s Direct Remarks on Crime Intervention

[12:51 - 14:05]

• President Trump’s Promise to Expand Crime Initiatives
  • Trump (audio clip) vows to bring similar federal interventions to other cities:

    “Chicago's a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. And we'll straighten that one out probably next. That will be our next one after this and it won't even be tough...”
    (Donald Trump, 12:51)

  • He asserts that citizens, especially African Americans, are seeking federal support for safer communities.

4. Historical Framing: Democrats’ Evolving Crime Policy

[14:05 - 15:28]

• Points out that Democrats once championed tough anti-crime laws (1994 Crime Bill), but now distance themselves or apologize for those policies.
• Credits a “post-George Floyd” shift for increased crime, citing policies like police defunding and no bail, which Ferguson links to spikes in urban violence.
• Ben concludes:

  “They favored criminals over their citizens... President Trump saying, hey, I'm going to do this. I'm going to save people's lives. We're going to reverse course on this… And what do Democrats say? You're a dictator and a tyrant if you do it.”
  (Ben Ferguson, 15:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Economic Narratives:

  “They said that Donald Trump was going to destroy the economy... Well, guess what? They lied to you.”
  (Ben Ferguson, 03:53)

• On Crime and Partisan Reactions:

  “Yet again here, Democrats on the wrong side of the issue. This is an issue where the majority of Americans say that they want to feel safe.”
  (Ben Ferguson, 11:10)

• On Federal Crime Initiatives:

  “Chicago's a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. And we'll straighten that one out probably next.”
  (Donald Trump, 12:51)

Timestamps – Important Segments

• 03:49 - Ben Ferguson starts “Story number one”: Economy beats expectations
• 05:43 - Economic indicators discussed: Confidence, business investment
• 06:06 - Debunking “trade war” doomsaying
• 07:52 - Inflation, government spending data
• 08:46 - “Story number two”: D.C. crime crackdown, Mayor Bowser’s reversal
• 09:56 - D.C. resident voices experience with increased safety
• 10:26 - Polling data on crime and Trump's approval rating
• 12:51 - Trump’s direct message about crime and his plan for more cities
• 14:05 - Discussion on Democrats’ shifts on crime policy
• 15:14 - Ferguson’s concluding commentary on crime, citizen safety, and political narratives

Tone and Style

Ben Ferguson’s delivery is assertive, conversational, and highly critical of Democratic politicians and mainstream media. The tone is combative and clearly aligned with pro-Trump policy positions, aiming to reframe recent news as vindication for the President’s agenda while employing rhetorical questions and direct language to engage listeners.