Verdict with Ted Cruz — BONUS POD: Deadliest U.S.–Cuba Flashpoint in Decades plus MN's Outrageous Medicaid Scam

Date: February 26, 2026
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz (not present this ep.), Ben Ferguson
Notable Guests/Voices: Senator Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, Dr. Mehmet Oz

Episode Overview

In this high-stakes "47 Morning Update" edition of Verdict, Ben Ferguson breaks down two pressing news stories:

1. A deadly maritime confrontation between the Cuban coast guard and a US-registered speedboat, resulting in four fatalities and escalating US–Cuban tensions.
2. An unprecedented federal crackdown on Medicaid fraud in Minnesota, with Vice President J.D. Vance and Dr. Oz announcing a block on $259.5 million in Medicaid funds due to systemic fraud.

Beyond the headlines, the hosts emphasize themes of American security, federal accountability, and the political contrast between current Republican leadership and Democrats.

1. US–Cuba Deadly Flashpoint: The Speedboat Incident

Synopsis

A violent and fatal encounter unfolded as Cuban coast guard forces opened fire on a Florida-registered, US-documented speedboat near Cuban territorial waters. The confrontation left four dead, several wounded, and led to a high-level diplomatic row and uncertainty about the true motives behind the incident.

Key Details & Timeline

• Reported by Ben Ferguson:
  • Incident occurred near Cuban territorial waters; Cuba claims the US vessel attempted “infiltration.”
  • Cuban authorities allege the boat occupants, all Cuban nationals residing in the US, were heavily armed and fired first ([04:00–05:00]).
  • Survivors detained by Cuban authorities; US has not independently verified Cuba's version.
  • Motives, identities, and stories remain largely unconfirmed — raising questions of propaganda, sovereignty, and international law.

US Response

• Senator Marco Rubio Statement ([06:39]):

  "So this morning we were made aware by Cuban authorities of an incident off the coast of Cuba. We immediately began to look into it. As it stands now, the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, others were involved...Most of the information we still possess is what Cuban authorities are providing...We will verify [the facts] independently, and as we gather more information, then we'll be prepared to respond accordingly. I'm not going to speculate...but we're going to find out exactly what happened here, and then we'll respond accordingly."

• Additional Takeaways:

  • Rubio emphasizes no initial evidence of US governmental involvement, and the rarity of such shootouts ([07:39]).
  • Vice President J.D. Vance and the White House monitoring the situation. State and federal leaders call for investigation and accountability, especially if force was excessive.
  • The situation is a flashpoint in already fraught US–Cuba relations, evoking echoes of the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue incident.

Geopolitical & Human Implications

• Ben Ferguson Commentary ([09:00–11:40]):

  • The story is framed as a crucial test of US resolve—given Trump’s hardline Cuba stance.
  • Ongoing US sanctions, recent cut-offs of oil shipments, and designation of Cuba as a threat inform context.
  • Human lives are at stake: for the families of those killed or detained, answers are urgently needed.
  • US administration ramps up fact-finding, with expectations of further Congressional and international pressure.

• Notable quote (Ben Ferguson, [05:00]):

  "The US Government has not independently verified any of what the Cuban government is actually saying on their version of the events. Details about the boat, the motives, and whether Cuba's claims of armed terrorism are accurate remain obviously unconfirmed."

Bottom Line

• Trump administration pledges a thorough, independent investigation.
• The potential for diplomatic crisis looms if the facts support allegations against either side.
• The incident is viewed as a litmus test for US national security credibility and as a symbol of renewed Republican leadership.

2. The Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Crackdown

Synopsis

In a bold move framed as part of a “war on fraud,” the Trump administration—via Vice President J.D. Vance and Dr. Oz (head of CMS)—halts over $259 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota, citing massive, systemic abuse and lack of fiscal accountability.

Background & Action

• Ben Ferguson’s Introduction ([11:41–13:01]):

  • Reports a multi-million-dollar Medicaid fraud in Minnesota, particularly in autism services.
  • Example: Criminal networks allegedly paid parents to falsely diagnose children as autistic to bill Medicaid for phony treatments.

• Dr. Oz’s Statements ([13:01–17:22]):

  • Describes the scope of fraud as staggering, with “millions of dollars for services that were never rendered.”
  • Notes how some “behavioral health organizations” claimed more than 24 hours of services in a single day.
  • Outlines egregious red flags: dead beneficiaries still being billed, a single organization billing for impossible numbers of patients.

  "We had eight beneficiaries in one of these substance use disorder centers, eight who were already dead. But the center was still billing us. Not only did they let the person pass, they kept billing for it. That's the level of average we're talking about...The CMS is done paying and chasing...We're going to start draining the swamp of the crooks that have inhabited it and are defrauding us." ([15:12])

  • Announced three bold actions, foremost being the deferment (“quarter billion dollar deferment”) of federal Medicaid funds to Minnesota.

• V.P. J.D. Vance’s Summary ([17:39]):

  "We have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that are going to the state of Minnesota in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligations seriously to be good stewards of the American people's tax money."

  • Stipulates that Minnesota has 60 days to respond and develop a corrective action plan.
  • Emphasizes that the people and providers of Minnesota, not the leadership, are being protected:

    "This is not a problem with the people of Minnesota. It's a problem with the leadership of Minnesota and other states who do not take Medicaid preservation seriously." ([16:59])

• Implications:

  • The money will not flow until Minnesota proves proper controls and audits are in place.
  • If state leadership fails to respond, a billion dollars in payments might be withheld over the year.
  • Message to other states: expect stringent oversight going forward.

Context & Political Framing

• Ferguson positions this as a major Trump administration victory and a fulfillment of campaign promises regarding fiscal accountability and corruption cleanup:

  "This is exactly, by the way, what so many Americans were hoping would happen when Trump was elected. Accountability. And Donald Trump is now doing it right now in real time to Minnesota." ([18:23])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sen. Marco Rubio [06:39]:

  "We will quickly [have] many more facts about this incident. The majority of the facts, we will verify that independently...I'm not going to speculate. I'm not going to opine on what I don't yet know, but we're going to find out exactly what happened here, and then we'll respond accordingly."

• Dr. Oz [13:50]:

  "These schemes disproportionately involve immigrant communities. They're insulated, they're able to organize efforts. And sometimes they don't understand what's going on. It ultimately diverts resources away from kids who truly have autism."

• Dr. Oz [15:20]:

  "There was one behavioral health organization...the top biller submitted 450 days where they claimed they were working more than 24 hours a day. I mean, even in the White House, that's tough. It's hard to work more than 24 hours a day."

• VP J.D. Vance [17:39]:

  "We have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that are going to the state of Minnesota in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligations seriously to be good stewards of the American people's tax money."

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment & Topics | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:21-03:00 | Opening framing, political contrasts (Ferguson) | | 03:00-06:39 | Details on Cuban coast guard incident; Cuba’s claims | | 06:39-07:39 | Sen. Rubio’s official response | | 07:39-11:40 | US leadership & diplomatic context; historical precedent; administration’s plans | | 11:41-13:00 | Introduction to the Minnesota Medicaid fraud story | | 13:01-17:22 | Dr. Oz exposes Medicaid fraud details and the rationale for federal action | | 17:22-18:23 | VP Vance anchors official announcement on holding funds | | 18:23-19:07 | Ferguson closes fraud discussion, frames as major Republican action |

Tone & Language

The episode maintains an urgent, combative tone—heavily critical of Democratic leadership and determined to highlight contrasts between the Trump administration’s “America First” approach and perceived Democratic failings. The language is direct, sometimes indignant, and designed to frame the administration's actions as bold and necessary correctives.

Summary Flow

• The episode opens with Ferguson setting an assertive, politically charged context, asserting stark differences between Republican and Democratic priorities.
• The first story presents the Cuban speedboat incident as both a human tragedy and a national security crisis—stressing uncertainty, risk of escalation, and the need for US skepticism regarding Cuban claims.
• Rubio and administration officials’ reactions reinforce the themes of vigilance, independence, and cautious but strong American diplomacy.
• The second story pivots to domestic accountability: a deep dive into Medicaid fraud in Minnesota, with detailed anecdotes and a major policy move that underscores zero tolerance for waste, fraud, and abuse.
• The hosts close by celebrating the administration’s actions as a realization of the Trump campaign’s promises and a warning to other states and foreign actors alike.

For Listeners

For those who haven't heard the episode, this summary captures the episode’s central events, controversies, and Republican framing—providing clear context, statements, and a roadmap of what’s at stake both internationally and domestically. The coverage emphasizes urgency, skepticism toward adversarial narratives (especially Cuba), and pride over federal interventions against fraud.