Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Verdict with Ted Cruz: MTG Resigns-Why & What it Means, Minnesota Taxpayers are LARGEST Funders of Al-Shabaab Terrorists
Date: November 25, 2025
Hosts: Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode, co-hosted by Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson, dives deep into three major stories shaping American politics and public debate:

• The resignation of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) and its implications for the Republican Party.
• A shocking exposé: Minnesota taxpayer welfare dollars allegedly funding the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, illuminating government fraud and the rise of radical Islam in the U.S.
• An update and analysis on Texas redistricting, its legal battles, and what it means for Republican control of the House.

Throughout, the hosts emphasize internal party accountability, threats to national security, and the ongoing fight over election maps, all delivered in an urgent, conversational, and frequently critical tone.

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Resignation: A Conservative Turning Point

[03:07 – 15:28]

Key Discussion Points

• Announcement and Context: MTG’s resignation was unexpected and is described as “a consequential moment for the House and...for the country.” (Ben Ferguson, 03:45)
• Rising Extremism: Greene’s increasingly extreme views, particularly on Israel and alleged antisemitism, spurred former President Trump to withdraw his support, triggering her decision to leave.
• Republican Party’s Self-Policing: The hosts contrast the GOP’s willingness to call out radicals with the Democratic Party’s alleged tolerance for its own far-left members.
• Role of Trump: Trump's social post withdrawing MTG's endorsement is cited as the crucial factor:
  • “If there’s one person who is most responsible for Marjorie Taylor Greene resigning, it is Donald J. Trump.” (Ben Ferguson, 09:47)
• Comparison to Democrats: MTG’s resignation is framed as proof Republicans “police our own” unlike Democrats, referencing prominent Democrats who have not resigned despite radical positions.
• Slippery Slope: The co-hosts warn that even conservative stars like Greene and Gaetz can “start down a slippery slope” once aligning with fringe views, leading them out of the party mainstream.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “All I see wacky Marjorie do is complain, complain, complain...” (Reading Trump’s statement, 10:40)
• “If you don't have moral clarity on issues like antisemitism, so goes your party.” (Ted Cruz, 12:16)
• “Are you surprised that Marjorie Taylor Greene stepped down?” (Ferguson recounting his conversation with Trump; Trump’s reply: “No, no, I wasn’t surprised at all.”, 13:45)
• “I do think it shows Republicans being willing to say we're not going to embrace the radicals and extreme in a way that it's hard to think of a time the Democrats have done that in modern history.” (Co-host, 14:55)
• Memorable Moment: Behind-the-scenes detail about MTG's frequent calls to Trump and his “too much” reaction (13:57-14:48).

Timestamps

• [03:07] Segment begins
• [09:41] Trump’s statement read aloud
• [13:26] Discussion of MTG’s future and phone habits with Trump
• [15:11] Segment wrap-up

2. Minnesota Welfare Fraud: Taxpayers Funding Al-Shabaab Terrorists

[17:26 – 29:24]

Key Discussion Points

• Scandal Summary: A City Journal investigation revealed that Minnesota’s taxpayer-funded welfare program, particularly the Housing Stabilization Services (HHS), was defrauded for hundreds of millions, with money transferred to Somalia and ultimately to terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
• Systemic Issues: The ease of enrolling as a provider, “minimal requirements,” and lack of adequate oversight enabled widespread scam operations by creating fictitious companies.
• Scale of the Problem:
  • In just a few years, projected costs of the housing program grew from $2.6 million to over $100 million due to rampant fraud.
  • Law enforcement sources estimate that $1.7 billion a year in remittances are sent from the Somali diaspora to Somalia, with substantial sums landing in terrorist coffers.
• Political and Media Critique: The hosts link the fraud to Democrat-led welfare expansion, voter base consolidation, and criticize mainstream media silence on the issue.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer.” (reading from City Journal, 19:50)
• “Tim Waltz...just looked the other way, just turned a blind eye.” (Co-host, 27:47)
• “How the hell do people not go to jail for this?” (Ted Cruz, exasperated, 24:20)
• “...skyrocketing costs, warning signs, and no one seemed to care.” (Paraphrase, 26:40-27:34)
• “Do you know of a single Democrat denouncing this?” “No.” (29:22)

Timestamps

• [17:26] Segment begins
• [19:26] Reading and breakdown of City Journal article
• [22:24] Details of indictments and investigation
• [24:20] Ted Cruz’s reaction to scale and consequences
• [26:22] Explanation of how remittances fund terrorism
• [29:05] Political implications and party critique

3. Texas Redistricting: Court Battles and the Future of the House

[30:41 – 36:03]

Key Discussion Points

• Legal Fight Overview: Texas legislature’s new map is favorable to Republicans, potentially shifting from 25 to 30 Republican seats. A federal district court struck it down; SCOTUS Justice Alito paused that decision.
• Republican vs. Democrat Gerrymandering: The hosts note Democrat-controlled blue states have higher Democratic representation than Texas’s post-redistricting GOP share—arguing Texas is drawing maps in line with what Democrats already do.
• Judicial Drama: Fifth Circuit Judge Jerry Smith’s blistering dissent is highlighted—called “the most remarkable dissent” (34:35) by the co-host.
• Supreme Court’s Potential Impact: Prediction that the district court decision will be stayed, with the new, Republican-favoring map likely in effect for 2026 elections—potentially deciding House control.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Instead of electing 25 Republicans, the new map is expected to elect 30 Republicans.” (Ben Ferguson, 32:07)
• “I’ve never read a dissent like Jerry Smith’s dissent. He just unloaded on the majority opinion...” (Co-host, 34:35)
• “It is a big, big deal because this outcome, the courts not throwing out the map that the legislature adopted, could very well determine whether the House of Representatives in 2027 is Republican or Democrat.” (Co-host, 35:41)
• “It really is a big one. And it's...another victory for rule of law.” (Ted Cruz, 36:03)

Timestamps

• [30:41] Segment begins
• [32:07] Texas and California comparison
• [33:19] Lawsuit discussion and panel breakdown
• [34:35] Dissent described
• [35:41] Decision’s impact on control of the House
• [36:03] Segment wrap-up

Overall Tone and Takeaways

• Assertive, urgent, critical of Democratic leadership and media.
• Hosts are clearly invested in defending Republican standards and celebrating moments of internal accountability.
• Emphasis on vigilance against both government corruption and ideological drift within the conservative movement.

Memorable Quotes Recap

• “If you don't have moral clarity on issues like antisemitism, so goes your party.” (Ted Cruz, 12:16)
• “The largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer.” (Reading City Journal, 19:50)
• “How the hell do people not go to jail for this?” (Ted Cruz, 24:20)
• “I've never read a dissent like Jerry Smith’s dissent. He just unloaded on the majority opinion.” (Co-host, 34:35)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:07] MTG resignation discussion begins
• [09:41] Trump’s withdrawal of support
• [13:26] MTG’s future & Trump call anecdote
• [17:26] Minnesota Al-Shabaab funding scandal begins
• [22:24] Fraud indictments
• [24:20] Scale & impact on terrorism
• [30:41] Texas redistricting fight begins
• [34:35] Smith’s dissent and legal analysis
• [36:03] Implications for House control

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (with Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson) unpacks the Republican Party’s break with Marjorie Taylor Greene over extremism, the jaw-dropping story of Minnesota welfare funds ending up with the Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab, and the political/ legal drama unfolding in Texas over election maps. The episode’s through-line is a call for conservative vigilance—both against ideological drift and governmental/ bureaucratic failure—taking aim at Democratic leadership and mainstream media silence along the way.