The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: WH Declares Victory on Affordability Crisis w AI, Tech, and American Industry Boom
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson
Duration: Main content approximately 14 minutes (03:37–16:46)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson focuses on the state of the American economy, highlighting recent job growth, increased wages, and a surge of domestic and foreign investment in key industries. The discussion centers on the Trump administration's narrative of turning around the "affordability crisis" and countering media claims that the economy is in trouble. Ferguson unpacks White House statements and offers his signature commentary, framing economic improvements as a direct result of President Trump's policies—particularly in contrast to what he describes as "Bidenflation" and prior mismanagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Central Role of the Economy in Politics

• "In politics, it's the economy, stupid." (06:01)
  Ferguson stresses that economic sentiment shapes American politics: if people perceive the economy as weak, those in power are blamed.

2. White House Declares Progress on Affordability Crisis

• The Trump administration is actively combatting claims that the economy is in crisis.
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt touts the results of Trump's policies:
  • Historic tax cuts and major trade deals are credited with energizing the economy.
  • September saw 119,000 new jobs—over double expectations, with construction jobs surging by 19,000 (07:30–08:10).
  • Jobs are going mostly to native-born citizens, countering a trend cited under the Biden administration.
  • Wages have risen 3.8% over the year, with average workers on pace to see a $1,200 real increase in pay during 2025.
    “Real wages are at a pace to increase, roughly $1,200 for the average worker this year alone under President Donald Trump.” (08:14)
• The press secretary draws a contrast with the prior administration:
  • During "Bidenflation," inflation peaked at 9%, private sector workers lost about $3,000 in take-home pay, and job gains disproportionately went to foreign-born workers (08:30–09:00).

3. Breakdown of New Economic Data

• Jobs Report:
  • 119,000 new jobs in September (delayed due to a shutdown)
  • Construction jobs are a bright spot.
  • Wages are increasing faster than inflation—rare in recent years.
  • Ferguson emphasizes this is a "massive $4,200 swing" compared to Biden’s years (11:42).
• Quote – Economic Analyst:
  • “In the first 10 months of the Trump economy... we've increased take home pay by about $1,200 adjusting for inflation. So that's a huge, huge thing, and this jobs report confirms that.” (11:02)
• J.D. Vance (Vice President):
  • Points out under Biden, job growth mainly benefited foreign-born and illegal workers.
  • Job creation under Trump administration is directed at "native-born citizens."
• Senator Bernie Moreno:
  • Blames the Biden era for the influx of 20 million illegal immigrants, calling it impossible to undo the “damage that was inflicted upon the country” (12:20–12:50).

4. The "Trump Effect" – Investment & Manufacturing Boom

• Ferguson showcases massive new investments:
  • Total US and foreign investment: $9 trillion
  • Major Investors:
    • UAE: $1.4 trillion (manufacturing, industry, tech, aerospace)
    • Qatar: $1.2 trillion
    • Japan: $1 trillion (auto, steel, Apple)
    • EU, Saudi Arabia, OpenAI, Nvidia, India, South Korea, Micron, IBM, Pfizer, Google—each with investments from $68 to $600 billion
  • AI infrastructure and supercomputing (Nvidia, Oracle, SoftBank, OpenAI: $500 billion+)
  • Domestic and foreign companies in biopharma, automotives, semiconductors, energy, and tech (14:10–15:30)
• Policy Principle:
  • “He made it clear if you want to do business in America, you need to invest in America... And that is exactly why the President has made it possible...for the US to see a surge of private and foreign investments that are fueling job growth, innovation and opportunity across every corner of the country.” (15:30)
• Ben frames these as direct results of "America First" policies.

5. Contrasting Narratives: Administration vs. Media

• Ferguson accuses media of being “completely silent” on economic gains (03:37).
• He urges listeners to look beyond headlines and recognize “the reality is we're moving in the right direction.” (16:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Ferguson:
  • “If the economy's in such bad shape, how is it that wages are going up like this now?” (08:21)
  • “That is a massive $4,200 swing.” (11:42)
  • “What the media should be calling this is the Trump effect... very clear that his America first economic policies have sparked trillions of dollars in new investments in US manufacturing, technology and infrastructure.” (13:55)
• Press Secretary Caroline Levitt:
  • “These gains came after the summer passage of President Trump’s historic tax cuts and multiple big trade deals with countries around the world... Construction jobs have surged by 19,000 in September, the largest monthly gain in a year.” (07:45)
• Economic Analyst:
  • “Wages continue to way outpace inflation. If you go back to the three years of the Biden administration, the average American worker actually lost about $3,000... we've increased take home pay by about $1,200 adjusting for inflation.” (11:02)
• Senator Bernie Moreno:
  • “...Surging this country with up to 20 million illegal immigrants” (12:40)
• Ferguson’s wrap-up:
  • “...even though the media is trying to tell you that everything's terrible in America...the reality is we're moving in the right direction.” (16:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Main content starts: 03:37
• Economy discussion intro: 06:01
• White House statements, wage/inflation discussion: 07:00–09:00
• Vice President, jobs report commentary: 10:17–11:42
• Foreign investment and the “Trump Effect”: 13:30–15:30
• Conclusion & final messaging: 16:00–16:46

Tone & Language

Ben Ferguson maintains an assertive, conversational, and often combative tone, emphasizing what he frames as the administration’s under-reported achievements. He uses repetition (“massive swing”, “the Trump effect”, “America First policies”) to reinforce key messages. His language is colloquial, impassioned, and explicitly political.

Summary

This episode of The 47 Morning Update serves as an economic counter-narrative to mainstream media and opposition accounts, highlighting what the Trump administration brands as “victory” in the affordability crisis. Ferguson and featured voices point to surging job numbers, real wage gains, historically large investments (domestic and foreign), and a pivot in job allocation toward American citizens—painting a picture of a rapidly recovering economy. Throughout, Ferguson positions these as evidence of the success of “America First” policies, challenging listeners to reconsider pessimistic headlines about the state of the nation.