Verdict with Ted Cruz – BONUS POD: Dumpapalooza – ABC Buried Epstein Bombshell for 3 Years—Now It’s All Coming Out

Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz (appears via commentary/analysis), Ben Ferguson
Theme: Dissecting the political fallout and implications of the public release of the "Epstein files," with a focus on accusations, party politics, transparency in government, and the Democrats' handling of the Epstein scandal.

Episode Overview

This bonus episode centers on the long-awaited public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, officially titled the "Epstein Papers." Ben Ferguson explains the political maneuvering and repercussions surrounding these documents, with particular emphasis on their handling by Democrats, the response in Congress, and what their release means for prominent political figures such as Bill and Hillary Clinton. The episode explores the history of political donations by Epstein, the bipartisan tension, and the demand for accountability and transparency. The tone is partisan, with Ferguson framing the issue as a major political blunder for Democrats, and arguing that the episode should become a rallying point for Republicans.

Key Discussion Points, Insights, and Timestamps

1. Political Fallout and Background on the Epstein Files

• [03:43 - 06:00]

  • The U.S. House passed a bill (427-1) to release the Epstein files, followed by a unanimous Senate vote and presidential signature.
  • Ferguson contends Democrats only cared about Epstein when they saw an opportunity to damage Donald Trump, not to protect victims or pursue justice.
  • DOJ/FBI found “no credible evidence” of an Epstein client list; Democrats persisted in pushing for release to implicate Trump.

  Quote [04:44]:
  “They didn’t care about the victims, but what they did care about was trying to hurt President Donald Trump with the Epstein files.”
  — Ben Ferguson

  • The bill requires public release of unclassified materials and, where possible, declassification of classified information within 30 days.

2. White House, Congress, and Victim Protection

• [06:00 - 08:00]

  • President Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune led the push for transparency, though concerns lingered over victim protection and national security.

  Quote [06:54]:
  “There’s also the question of victim protection. The White House and GOP leaders expressed major concerns about protecting victim identities and ongoing investigations.”
  — Ben Ferguson

  • The law allows redactions for sensitive material.
  • Trump, on signing, labeled prior criticism as a Democratic hoax, affirming his administration had nothing to hide.

  Quote [07:12]:
  “Trump referred to prior criticism as a Democratic hoax, insisting that his administration has nothing to hide, and linked the matter politically, claiming all of the friends of Epstein’s were Democrats.”

3. Democrats’ Political Backfire & Donation Records

• [08:00 - 10:30]

  • Newly released campaign finance records show Epstein donated about 89% of his political contributions to Democratic and progressive causes, naming high-profile recipients such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Chuck Schumer.
  • Ferguson urges Republicans not to let this moment pass, arguing that inaction contributes to GOP electoral losses.

  Quote [09:21]:
  “You literally had Democrats in bed politically with Jeffrey Epstein at every corner.”
  — Ben Ferguson

  • Accuses GOP of failing to capitalize on opportunities to challenge the “radical left.”

4. Highlighting Notable Names and Allegations

• [10:30 - 13:00]

  • Lists prominent Democrats tied to Epstein by name, emphasizing the necessity for Republicans to demand accountability:
    • Bill Clinton
    • Hillary Clinton
    • Larry Summers
    • Reid Hoffman
    • Stacy Plaskett
    • Bill Richardson
    • George Mitchell
    • Hakeem Jeffries
    • Michael Wolf

  Quote [10:54]:
  “All of these names should be what Republicans should now be talking about... The two biggest names... that clearly don’t want you to know about what they were doing with Jeffrey Epstein… Bill and Hillary Clinton.” — Ben Ferguson

5. Legal Exposure for the Clintons and House Investigations

• [13:00 - 15:30]

  • House Oversight Chair James Comer is cited as believing Bill and Hillary Clinton face “criminal exposure” relating to Epstein documents.

  Quote [13:23]:
  “We expect to hear from Bill and Hillary Clinton. Comer said Donald Trump answered questions for years about Jeffrey Epstein… We’ve subpoenaed Republicans and Democrats. … We expect the Clintons to come in…”
  — Ferguson quoting James Comer

  • Notes that Congress has subpoenaed the Clintons and others following the release of 20,000+ pages of documents.

  • Flight records show Clinton took multiple trips on Epstein’s plane in 2002 and 2003.

  • Comer claims the Clintons have never responded to congressional or media inquiries about Epstein.

  Quote [14:42]:
  “They’re the one group in this investigation that’s never had to answer questions in front of a credible reporter and they’ve never certainly answered questions from attorneys or members of Congress.” — Ben Ferguson summarizing Comer

6. Political Weaponization and Historical Parallels

• [15:30 - 16:46]

  • Ferguson draws parallels with how Democrats treated Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro for defying subpoenas (both sentenced in contempt cases).
  • Predicts similar fates could await the Clintons if they refuse to cooperate.

  Quote [16:18]:
  “So we expect the Clintons to come in or I expect the Clintons be met with the same fate that Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro were met with when the Democrats were in control.” — Ben Ferguson

7. Conclusion, Summary, and Outlook

• [16:30 - 16:46]
  • Ferguson frames the episode as Democrats’ “biggest political backfire,” predicting more trouble for the Clintons and affirming the Republican narrative of transparency, justice, and political accountability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

1. On Democrat Motives

   • [04:44]
     “They didn’t care about the victims, but what they did care about was trying to hurt President Donald Trump with the Epstein files.” — Ben Ferguson

2. On Political Donations

   • [09:21]
     “You literally had Democrats in bed politically with Jeffrey Epstein at every corner.” — Ben Ferguson

3. On Legal Exposure and Testimony

   • [13:23]
     “We expect to hear from Bill and Hillary Clinton. ...We’ve subpoenaed Republicans and Democrats.” — Ferguson quoting James Comer

4. On GOP Response

   • [09:55]
     “This is a cycle, by the way, that keeps happening. It’s a reason why Republicans keep losing elections, because when they have the opportunity to stand up to the radical left, many times, they don't really do it.” — Ben Ferguson

5. On Accountability

   • [14:42]
     “They’re the one group in this investigation that’s never had to answer questions in front of a credible reporter and they’ve never certainly answered questions from attorneys or members of Congress.” — Ben Ferguson

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:43 | Announcement of Epstein files' release and House/Senate votes | | 04:44 | Allegations of Democrats’ motives for pushing release | | 06:54 | Concerns about victim protection and national security | | 09:21 | Epstein’s political donations to Democrats and individual names| | 10:54 | Emphasis on Bill & Hillary Clinton’s exposure | | 13:23 | Comer's call for Clintons’ testimony and subpoenas | | 14:42 | Clinton non-disclosure to Congress/media | | 16:18 | Comparison to Bannon/Navarro cases for noncompliance | | 16:46 | Concluding argument: political backfire for Democrats |

Summary Takeaways

• The episode frames the Epstein files' release as a monumental political event with far-reaching implications for the Democratic Party, especially for Bill and Hillary Clinton.
• Republicans are urged to persist in demanding transparency and not let Democrats control the narrative or use issues like Epstein as smokescreens for political attacks against Trump.
• Ferguson repeatedly suggests that Democrats underestimated the outcome and may face backlash for their tactics.
• The hosts position the Clintons and other prominent Democrats as central figures whose past relationships with Epstein demand greater scrutiny and accountability.
• The tone is sharply critical of Democrats and presented entirely from a conservative viewpoint aligned with the show’s audience.

Note: This summary focuses on the core content and analysis discussed in the podcast. Non-content sections, sponsored messages, and unrelated podcast promos have been omitted for clarity and conciseness.