The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson - Episode Summary Release Date: April 8, 2024

Hosts:

• Ben Ferguson – Host
• Senator Ted Cruz – Guest

Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, Ben Ferguson engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Ted Cruz. The conversation delves into pressing national security concerns, border issues, economic challenges, and the administration's policies affecting the middle class.

1. Southern Border Security and Terrorism Threats

The episode opens with a focus on the deteriorating situation at the U.S. southern border, highlighting an increase in unauthorized entries and individuals on the terrorist watch list.

• Senator Ted Cruz emphasizes the severity of the situation:

  "If you're a terrorist, you're not likely gonna go turn yourself in to the border Patrol agents, which is what millions of the illegal immigrants Joe Biden has let in are doing." [05:17]

• Ben Ferguson comments on the administration's open border policies, linking them to heightened security risks:

  "The number of gotaways has skyrocketed, Senator... the list of their perks is skyrocketing as more and more illegals coming across the border." [04:34]

Key Points:

• Significant rise in "gotaways" (individuals who evade border patrol).
• Increase in apprehensions of individuals on the terrorist watch list under the Biden administration.
• Concerns about sophisticated methods of illegal entry, including drone incursions.

2. Iran's Escalating Threats and U.S. Foreign Policy

A substantial portion of the discussion centers on Iran's aggressive stance and its implications for U.S. national security.

• Senator Ted Cruz highlights Iran's commitments to terrorism and the administration's inadequate response:

  "Iran is funding millions and millions of dollars to fund Hamas terrorists, to fund Hezbollah terrorists... Joe Biden continues to this day not to enforce the oil sanctions." [19:34]

• Ben Ferguson questions the administration's approach, suggesting a lack of decisive action:

  "What message does that send to them? They can do whatever they want in the middle east and America won't respond." [18:32]

Key Points:

• Iran's promise of retaliation following strikes in Damascus, targeting U.S. facilities.
• Biden administration's efforts to secure a new nuclear deal prioritized over enforcing existing sanctions.
• Historical context of oil waivers under previous administrations and their impact on Iran's economy.

3. Iranian Oil Sales and U.S. Sanctions

The conversation delves into the complexities of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil and their enforcement.

• Senator Ted Cruz provides a historical overview:

  "When he pulled out of the deal, there were still significant components of the deal that remained in place, and the most significant was what was called the oil waivers... we ended up with now an anti American leftist, Petro, who again, hates America." [20:04]

• He criticizes the Biden administration for lifting sanctions in practice:

  "They have not officially lifted the sanctions. The sanctions are technically still there in name only, but we're allowing them to export their oil." [20:04]

Key Points:

• Termination of oil waivers drastically reduced Iran's oil exports from 1 million to 300,000 barrels per day.
• Biden administration's failure to enforce sanctions led to a resurgence in Iranian oil sales, now exceeding pre-waiver levels.
• The increase in oil exports funds Iran's support for terrorist organizations.

4. Economic Challenges: Bidenomics

The episode critiques the current administration's economic policies, labeling them detrimental to the American populace.

• Senator Ted Cruz outlines the economic downturn:

  "Overall prices are up 18.6%. Real average weekly earnings are down 4.2%... In the month of March, zero new manufacturing jobs were added." [30:25]

• Ben Ferguson counters the administration's claims about gas prices:

  "Now, Senator, that's just a lie. Gas prices are not down. Anyone that goes the pump knows this." [29:55]

Key Points:

• Significant increases in gas and grocery prices, straining household budgets.
• Decline in real average weekly earnings and stagnation in manufacturing job growth.
• Bidenomics criticized for failing to deliver economic relief and stability.

5. IRS Audits Targeting the Middle Class

A critical examination of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reveals a shift towards auditing middle-class Americans contrary to presidential promises.

• Senator Ted Cruz discusses the IRS findings:

  "As of last summer, 63% of new audits targeted taxpayers with incomes of less than $200,000. Only a small overall share reached the very highest earners." [32:22]

• The administration's plan to expand the IRS workforce is seen as a tool for increased scrutiny:

  "They are right now hiring the first 30,000 of those employees... it means a whole bunch more IRS employees there to harass you." [32:33]

Key Points:

• Contrary to promises, the IRS is predominantly auditing middle-income earners.
• Expansion of the IRS workforce aimed at intensifying audits and potentially exploiting loopholes.
• Impact on small businesses and average citizens feeling targeted.

6. National Security and Domestic Policy Failures

The discussion underscores the administration's focus on domestic issues at the expense of national security.

• Senator Ted Cruz labels the Biden White House's foreign policy as ideologically driven:

  "They divide the world into blue countries and red countries... Their entirety of the Biden foreign policy is to undermine, to alienate, to weaken the red countries." [27:10]

• Ben Ferguson calls for greater media coverage and public awareness:

  "The American people have to have a moment where they say, no, no, we don't believe you anymore." [33:18]

Key Points:

• Prioritization of domestic policies over critical foreign relations and national security.
• Perception of the administration as undermining traditional U.S. allies while appeasing adversarial nations.
• Urgent need for public recognition and response to administration's policy failures.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to stay informed, share truthful information, and recognize the critical issues threatening national security and economic stability. Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson emphasize the importance of accountability and the need for a collective response to the administration's policies.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz on border security threats:

  "The risk of a terror attack here in the United States keeps going up and Joe Biden's open border is making it worse and worse." [02:36]

• Ben Ferguson on Iran's threats:

  "Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced the death of seven military advisers in the Damascus strike... Iran promised, 'to take a decisive response.'" [10:47]

• Senator Ted Cruz on economic hardships:

  "Anyone who goes to the grocery store, anyone who fills up their tank at the pump... discovering, holy cow, what I thought I could afford is now out of reach." [34:01]

This episode of The 47 Morning Update provides a critical analysis of current administration policies, highlighting significant concerns in border security, foreign policy, economic management, and the treatment of the middle class. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on these issues and engage in informed discussions to advocate for effective policy changes.