Podcast Summary: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Episode Title: Welcome Home Sons of Israel!
Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson (with guest Senator Ted Cruz)
Podcast: The 47 Morning Update, Premiere Networks
Overview
This episode takes listeners behind the breaking news of a historic hostage release in the Middle East, as a deal brokered by President Trump brings home Israeli hostages after two years of captivity in Gaza. Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz provide real-time commentary and analysis while global media outlets announce the unfolding events, including reactions from international leaders and reflections on the broader geopolitical consequences of the agreement.
Key Discussion Points
1. Real-Time Hostage Release and Breaking News
- Hostages held in Gaza for two years: The episode is recorded live as Israeli hostages are being handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas, an event described as “historic” and “a day for celebration” if Hamas follows through.
- (02:39) Ben Ferguson: “Right now the hostage release process is beginning. We are witnessing in Gaza City, The Red Cross vehicles are leaving the compound there.”
- Cautious optimism: Both hosts express hope, noting Hamas’ track record of breaking deals, and highlight the families’ suffering as well as their meetings with hostage families in Washington.
- (03:11) Ted Cruz: “Those hostages have been in living hell for two years now, and it is time for them to be released.”
2. The Trump-Brokered Peace Agreement
- Deal details: Trump’s agreement included a complete ceasefire by Israel in exchange for all hostages—living and deceased—being released. Trump plans to fly to the Middle East for the occasion.
- (01:08-01:30) Ted Cruz: “The agreement that President Trump negotiated was an agreement to release all the hostages... In exchange, Israel has agreed to a complete and immediate ceasefire that is historic.”
- Bipartisan acknowledgment: Even Trump critics, including Hillary Clinton, publicly commend Trump for the deal.
- (04:13) Hillary Clinton (audio clip): "I really commend President Trump and his administration, as well as Arab leaders in the region for making the commitment to the 20 point plan..."
3. Contrasting Political Responses
- Hillary Clinton’s rare praise: Both hosts note the significance of Clinton’s statement and contrast it with what they describe as Barack Obama’s more measured, less direct praise.
- (05:51) Ted Cruz: “Bravo, Hillary Clinton. She must have hated saying those words. It was the right thing to do.”
- Obama’s omission: Cruz criticizes Obama for not explicitly naming Trump in his statement, calling it “one of the most classless statements I have ever seen.”
- (07:10) Cruz: “Do you know what word is nowhere in Barack Obama's statement? ... Donald Trump, the guy who negotiated the deal.”
4. The Role of Key Negotiators
- Netanyahu and Trump Team: An audio segment features Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu thanking President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner for their roles.
- (08:32) Netanyahu: “We couldn’t have achieved it without the extraordinary help of President Trump and his team. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, they worked tirelessly.”
- Military Pressure: Comments highlight the importance of military strength and pressure on Hamas and Iran, emphasizing Israel’s military actions and Trump’s bombing of Iranian nuclear sites.
- (11:13) Witkoff: "His being there increased the likelihood of the hostages actually being released dramatically."
5. Criticism of Biden Administration’s Foreign Policy
- Severity on Biden: The hosts argue Biden’s policies enabled October 7th by “funding Iran,” which in turn supports Hamas and Hezbollah.
- (12:34-15:37) Ted Cruz: “Biden spent four years demonstrating weakness and appeasement... $100 billion... flowed to Iran... funded the October 7th death squads...”
- Biden officials’ claims refuted: Co-hosts fiercely reject Secretary Blinken’s statement that Trump merely “adopted and built on the plan the Biden administration developed.”
- (12:34) Cruz: “Like, what nonsense... It is gibberish.”
6. The Importance of “Peace Through Strength”
- Trump’s doctrine supported: The hosts link Trump’s willingness to bomb Iranian nuclear sites to Hamas’ decision to negotiate, arguing that ‘appeasement’ never works.
- (19:28) Cruz: “It demonstrates to Hamas, okay, this president's not gonna flinch, he's not gonna give in.”
- Israel’s independence from the Biden White House: Discussed via the story of a secret operation where Israel feared the Biden administration might warn Hezbollah.
- (20:34) Cruz: “The reason they didn't tell the Biden White House is they were afraid if they told the Biden White House, they'd pick up the phone and warn Hezbollah.”
7. Dilemmas and Trade-offs of Hostage Negotiations
- Controversy over prisoner exchanges: Discussion acknowledges criticism of Israel releasing prisoners but frames it as a tragic necessity to save lives.
- (22:33) Ferguson: “There's a perfect case scenario and then there's reality. This was part of the reality to get this done...”
- News breaks during recording: Confirmation of hostages handed to Red Cross leads to an emotional, unscripted moment.
- (23:16) Ferguson: “We're just getting word now Hamas has officially just handed over the hostages to the Red Cross.”
8. Trump’s Decision to Travel to Israel
- Strategic and symbolic importance: Ferguson and Cruz dismiss accusations of grandstanding, arguing the President’s presence pressured Hamas and signaled American resolve.
- (24:34) Ferguson: “You showing up also probably puts more pressure on Hamas to do what they said they’re going to do.”
9. Recognition Amid International Politics
- Nobel Peace Prize discussion: Despite Trump’s achievement, the Nobel Prize goes to Venezuelan opposition leader Machado, who then credits Trump in her acceptance.
- (27:56) Cruz: “If you're actually asking in the past year who has done the most to advance peace, it's not a close call.”
10. The U.S. Government Shutdown
- Blame and gridlock: The current government shutdown is discussed, with hosts blaming Senate Democrats for blocking funding bills, citing procedural rules.
- (35:54-37:52) Cruz: “We cannot pass funding for the government without 60 votes... Republicans have voted to open the government... every Democrat... voted no.”
- Impact on the military and public: Cruz describes personal actions (asking to withhold his own pay) and accuses Democrats of hypocrisy for accepting paychecks during the shutdown.
- (39:07) Cruz: “I sent a letter to the secretary of the Senate saying, please hold my paycheck. Do not pay me.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- (03:11) Ted Cruz: “Those hostages have been in living hell for two years now, and it is time for them to be released.”
- (05:51) Ted Cruz: “Bravo, Hillary Clinton. She must have hated saying those words. It was the right thing to do.”
- (12:34) Ted Cruz: “That's utter nonsense because Biden spent four years demonstrating weakness and appeasement to our enemies.”
- (24:34) Ben Ferguson: “You showing up also probably puts more pressure on Hamas to do what they said they're going to do...”
- (27:08) Ferguson: “Israeli sources are now saying the first seven hostages have been released to the Red Cross... This is incredible.”
- (27:56) Cruz: “In any sane world, [the Nobel Peace Prize] would have been given to Donald Trump.”
- (34:41) Ferguson: “Celebration in the streets... we are witnessing... after two plus years of these people that were taken on that October 7th attack day.”
- (41:17) Cruz: “Congratulations to President Trump and his team... Congratulations to the people of Israel... praise God. God is good all of the time.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00–04:00: Context and anticipation as hostage release process begins
- 04:13–05:21: Hillary Clinton’s praise for Trump’s peace deal (Audio Clip)
- 08:32–10:07: Netanyahu, Witkoff, and Kushner statements on negotiations (Audio Clip)
- 12:23–15:37: Blinken’s claims refuted, Biden’s policies blamed for October 7th
- 18:38–21:57: The Iran nuclear strike and Israeli intelligence operation discussed
- 22:33–23:16: Breaking news: Hostages handed over to Red Cross
- 24:34–27:08: Trump’s travel to Israel analyzed as strategic leverage
- 27:56–30:22: Nobel Peace Prize discussion, Machado credits Trump
- 34:41–35:54: Scenes of celebration in Israel as hostage releases confirmed
- 35:54–40:29: U.S. government shutdown analysis and political blame
- 41:17: Final reflection and congratulations
Tone and Language
True to the podcast’s style, the conversation is openly partisan, deeply supportive of President Trump’s leadership, critical of the Biden administration, and emotionally invested in the unfolding events in Israel and Gaza. Both host and guest speak with urgency, referencing firsthand experiences and real-time news, peppered with gratitude and open admiration for political allies, and pointed criticism for opponents.
Summary
This episode of The 47 Morning Update delivers breaking, real-time coverage and analysis of the landmark hostage release in Gaza following President Trump’s historic diplomatic interventions, with bipartisan reactions and significant political commentary. The hosts frame the event as a triumph for American and Israeli leadership, directly contrasting it with prior administrations, and close with updates on concurrent U.S. political developments and heartfelt congratulations to all involved.