Podcast Summary: BONUS POD – America’s Economy Rebuilding After Biden Disaster as Trump Promises Stronger, Better Than Ever

Podcast: Verdict with Ted Cruz
Hosts: Ben Ferguson, with remarks from President Donald Trump
Date: November 18, 2025
Duration: ~17 minutes
Main Theme:
A deep dive into the U.S. economic recovery during President Donald Trump's second term, following what the hosts frame as an “economic disaster” under Joe Biden. The episode lays out specific metrics, administration actions, policy comparisons, and Trump’s own pledges and rhetoric as he positions his ongoing presidency as a period of exceptional economic growth and reversal of Democratic policies.

Episode Overview

Ben Ferguson presents a detailed, unapologetically pro-Trump overview of key economic indicators, citing statistics and White House messaging to argue that the American economy is robustly recovering from prior mismanagement. Ferguson intersperses direct statements and campaign-style pledges from President Trump, who emphasizes his administration’s efforts to reduce inflation, create jobs, boost investment, and ensure all Americans benefit from economic prosperity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Framing the Economic Narrative (02:00–04:00)

• Ferguson contrasts media/Democratic claims of an underperforming Trump economy with what he calls “the receipts” — statistical evidence of economic recovery and improvement.
• Asserts Trump “inherited an economic mess” caused by the Biden administration:
  • High inflation, excessive government spending, and soaring prices.
  • Democratic messaging that inflation was “transitory,” later contradicted by sustained economic distress.

2. Inflation and Price Stabilization (04:00–09:30)

• Under Biden: Inflation averaged 5%; peaked at 9.1% (worst in decades).
• Under Trump’s second term: Inflation down to 2.7% on average; citing Consumer Price Index data and White House sources.
• First overall price declines in key categories since 2020.
• Wage gains: Under Biden, workers lost $2,900 in purchasing power; under Trump, real wages have grown by nearly $700.

3. Cost-of-Living & Everyday Prices

• Gas Prices:
  • Under Biden: Highest ever, even after using strategic oil reserves for pre-election relief.
  • Under Trump: Lowest average gas price in four years; Americans spending less disposable income on gas than in last two decades.
• Grocery & Housing Prices:
  • Prices for staples (eggs, butter, ice cream, fresh produce, etc.) are trending downward.
  • Mortgage rates have dropped: from highs under Biden to 6.17% (October), reportedly 12% lower than at Trump’s inauguration.
  • 12-month change in shelter costs at its lowest in four years.

4. Deregulation, Tax Cuts & Take-Home Pay (09:30–11:00)

• Deregulatory efforts credited with saving Americans $180 billion (approx. $2,100 per family of four).
• Trump halted what he describes as “burdensome” Biden-era efficiency standards, lowering prices on appliances.
• Landmark tax reform bill signed by Trump:
  • No tax on tips, overtime, or Social Security.
  • Expected to raise take-home pay up to $13,300 and wages by $11,600.

Notable Quote

“While Democrats wanted to give Americans the largest tax hike in history, in July, I proudly gave you the largest tax cuts in American history and signed the one big beautiful bill... no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security for our great seniors. That is a big deal.”
— Donald Trump [10:23]

5. Trump’s Economic Pledge & Vision (11:00–12:00)

• Trump frames his leadership as delivering “the greatest economy in the history of the world” — now promising to repeat and surpass past successes.
• Vows no rest until every American family and small business is “richer, stronger, more successful, happier.”
• Emphasizes “affordable” as an inherently Republican value, claiming Democrats have appropriated the term despite presiding over historic price increases.

Notable Quote

“My pledge to every family and every small business is that I will not rest until you are richer, stronger, more successful, happier, until you’ve gotten a piece of the American dream.”
— Donald Trump [11:03]

6. Jobs, Investments, and Trade Policies (12:00–15:00)

• Domestic job growth: 1.9 million more American-born workers employed since Trump took office, highest employment in history.
• Investment: Trump administration claims $17–21 trillion invested in the US in nine months (projecting $20–21 trillion by year’s end), far surpassing historical precedents.
• Tariffs/Trade:
  • New deals with Switzerland and modifications for agricultural products.
  • Exemptions for certain exports after reciprocal tariffs and further trade deals with EU, Japan, UK, and Western Hemisphere allies.
  • Tariff revenues contributing to deficit reduction and domestic investment.

Memorable Exchange

“We have over $17 trillion being invested in our country in nine months. It’s now just about ready to crack 18. And by the end of one year, we will have about 20 to 21 trillion dollars invested in our country. That’s more by 10 times the highest amount ever invested in any country ever before. And it’s largely because of tariffs and I think November 5th election, but it’s the largest amount as an example. ... Sleepy Joe Biden, you know what? He was less than one for four years.”
— Donald Trump [14:52]

7. Immigration and Border Security (13:00–13:45)

• Trump declares that border security is at an all-time high, with only legal immigration permitted.
• Contrasts current situation with “millions... storming our borders” a year ago.

“We have the strongest borders in the history of our country. Nobody comes in unless they come in legally... A year ago, millions of people were storming our borders. Today, they only come in if they come in legally.”
— Donald Trump [13:13]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Trump on tax cuts: “I caught the great big beautiful bill into law that includes no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security for our great seniors. That is a big deal.” [10:23]
• Trump’s economic pledge: “I will not rest until you are richer, stronger, more successful, happier...” [11:03]
• Trump on foreign investment: “By the end of one year, we will have about 20 to 21 trillion dollars invested in our country.” [14:52]
• Trump on jobs: “1.9 million more... American-born workers are employed today than when I took office. Think of that.” [13:13]
• On border security: “We have the strongest borders in the history of our country. Nobody comes in unless they come in legally.” [13:13]

Tone & Delivery

• The episode maintains a triumphalist, campaign-style tone.
• Data and White House talking points are interwoven with direct presidential rhetoric and emotional appeals.
• Ferguson and Trump both repeatedly contrast Trump’s record to Biden’s, using strong partisan language but with an emphasis on factual specificity (inflation, real wages, investments).

For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard

This episode is a tightly focused, number-laden review of the Trump administration’s economic record and policy ambitions, as presented by staunchly supportive hosts. Key highlights include direct statements from President Trump on his policy priorities, vivid statistical contrasts with the preceding Biden administration, and a forward-looking call for continued progress. The episode functions as both a policy round-up and a rallying campaign update, emphasizing themes of affordability, wage growth, investment, and revived American optimism.

Key Segments & Timestamps:

• [03:00] Recap of Biden administration’s economic challenges
• [05:30] Inflation under Biden vs Trump
• [08:00] Gas, groceries, housing price improvements
• [09:30] Trump’s deregulatory and tax reforms
• [10:23] Trump on tax cuts (clip)
• [11:03] Trump on economic vision and pledge (clip)
• [12:45] Job creation and employment highs
• [13:13] Trump on jobs and border security (clip)
• [14:52] Trump on unprecedented investment and tariffs (clip)