Summary of "BONUS: Let's Create a Signal Thread...What Could Go Wrong? plus Dems in Crisis, Embracing Rage & Violence - Verdict with Ted Cruz"

Release Date: March 27, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Hosts: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton, featuring Senator Ted Cruz as a guest

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this bonus episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into a significant controversy involving Senator Ted Cruz and the use of the Signal app within the Trump administration. The discussion expands to critique the current state of the Democratic Party, highlighting increasing instances of rage and violence among its members, and examining media portrayals that suggest the party is in decline.

2. The Signal App Controversy

Overview:
Senator Ted Cruz introduces a major story concerning an inadvertent inclusion of journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a private Signal app group chat used by the Trump administration's national security team. This incident has sparked media frenzy, termed "Signal Gate," raising questions about national security and administrative competence.

Key Points:

• What Happened:
  The Signal app, known for its encryption and secure communication, was used by senior officials, including National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to discuss military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. Journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to this group chat, leading to unintended disclosures.

  "And a journalist that was inadvertently put on apparently one of those text message threads." [01:30]

• Media Reaction:
  The media leveraged this slip-up to criticize the Trump administration, alleging mishandling of sensitive communications and attacking President Trump and his national security team.

  "The media are aflutter with what they're calling signal gate... using it as an excuse to attack President Trump, to attack his national security team." [01:30]

• Substance vs. Mistake:
  Ben Ferguson emphasizes that while the inclusion of Goldberg was a mistake, the discussions within the group were substantive and focused on effectively countering the Houthis, who have been disrupting shipping in the Suez Canal.

  "The mistake was inadvertently, they added this journalist who then wrote this sort of breathless bombshell story about... But the underlying substance, every one of us ought to be really happy about." [05:18]

• President Trump's Response:
  President Trump addressed the issue candidly, acknowledging the error but deflecting criticism by highlighting the administration's successful actions against the Houthis.

  "It was a screw up, it was embarrassing. But the underlying substance... we have a commander in chief who's standing up for America." [05:18]

• National Security Advisor Michael Waltz's Defense:
  Waltz defended the administration's actions, lauding the decisive measures taken to protect American interests and downplaying the significance of the inadvertent journalist inclusion.

  "We are looking into and reviewing how the heck he got into this room... Thank God for American leadership." [12:38]

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson:
  "It was clear it was a mistake. It was embarrassing." [05:18]

• President Trump:
  "There was no classified information, as I understand it." [10:47]

3. Democrats in Crisis: Embracing Rage and Violence

Overview:
The conversation shifts to the current state of the Democratic Party, which Cruz and Ferguson argue has become increasingly radical and violent in its rhetoric and actions. They cite specific incidents and broader trends that suggest a departure from traditional democratic values.

Key Points:

• Incidents of Violence and Threats:

  • Threats Against Elon Musk and Businesses:
    Increased targeting of high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Tesla dealerships, including threats of bombs and violence.

    "We've got Democrats who are firebombing Tesla and radical leftists...

  • Assassination Attempts:
    Reference to attempted assassination of President Trump, highlighting the deadly consequences of politicized violence.

  • Congressional Threats:
    Jasmine Crockett, a new Congresswoman from Texas, made threatening remarks against Senator Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott, advocating for physical violence.

    "I think you're okay with punching?... She has to be knocked over the head, like, hard, right?" [24:14]

• Impact on Political Climate:

  • Threats to Public Officials:
    Both Cruz and Ferguson share personal experiences with receiving death threats, underscoring the dangerous polarization in politics.

    "I've had the threats. Not like you've had threats, but it's like part of the business now." [25:29]

  • Hostility in Public Spaces:
    Examples of aggressive confrontations in everyday settings, such as airports, where individuals shout expletives at political figures.

    "It infuriates them. And, you know, there's a principle in the Bible that if you repay hatred with kindness." [28:41]

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson:
  "The Democrats today are the party of rage. They're the party of anger." [23:20]

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  "There is no niceties with him, like, at all." [26:19]

4. Media Portrayal of the Democratic Party's Decline

Overview:
Cruz and Ferguson discuss an article from Axios that paints a bleak picture of the Democratic Party's current standing, suggesting it is in "its deepest hole in nearly 50 years."

Key Points:

• Axios Article Findings:
  The article outlines several challenges facing the Democratic Party, including low favorability, lack of strong national leaders, dwindling influence over media ecosystems, and a shift toward younger voters becoming more conservative.

  "Top Democrats tell us their party is in its deepest hole in nearly 50 years and they fear things could actually get worse." [35:37]

• Consequences for Elections:
  Democratic setbacks in Senate races, fewer House Republicans in certain districts, and a declining path to winning future presidential elections.

• Stakeholder Opinions:
  The discussion reinforces the notion that the Democratic Party is losing its traditional voter base and struggling to maintain influence, partially due to radical elements within the party.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson:
  "We have another one announced tomorrow, a big one, very big. Like in the history of our country, nobody has ever seen anything like it." [12:38]

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  "That's why it seems like the President, I think, truly has a majority support on that... Democratic Party does seem to be floundering." [34:39]

5. Conclusion and Final Remarks

The episode wraps up with Cruz emphasizing the importance of unity and the tangible support President Trump enjoys, despite media attacks and internal party struggles. He highlights the listener base's positive engagement as a source of encouragement against growing political hostility.

Key Points:

• Support From Listeners:
  Acknowledgment of the audience's role in sustaining Republican efforts and fostering a positive community amidst national divisions.

• Call to Action:
  Encouragement for listeners to support the show and share it to broaden its reach, reinforcing the message of unity and resistance against Democratic radicalism.

6. Notable Quotes Throughout the Episode

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  "But she didn't say any of them. She's just like, yeah, I randomly scream f you at people at the airport. I'm a great person." [28:41]

• Ben Ferguson:
  "The mistake was inadvertently, they added this journalist who then wrote this sort of breathless bombshell story about... But the underlying substance, every one of us ought to be really happy about." [05:18]

• Senator Ted Cruz:
  "We have to create a safe country, a safe world, and that's what we're doing." [15:15]

7. Final Thoughts

This episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show presents a critical examination of recent controversies involving the Trump administration and highlights deepening divisions within American politics. By combining firsthand accounts with media analysis, hosts Cruz and Ferguson provide listeners with a perspective on the challenges facing the Republican Party and the Democratic Party's apparent decline.

Note: This summary excludes promotional segments and focuses solely on the substantive discussions between Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson regarding national security, political violence, and party dynamics.