Podcast Summary: BONUS POD: Gunman Left Online Manifesto w Anti-Trump & Anti-Israel Rhetoric

Podcast: Verdict with Ted Cruz
Date: August 28, 2025
Hosts: Ben Ferguson (with clips from Fox News, law enforcement, and the Mayor of Minneapolis)

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, Ben Ferguson covers the tragic shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis that claimed the lives of two children and wounded seventeen others. The discussion focuses on the investigation, the shooter’s motives, media coverage, and political reactions—especially how the event is used in debates over hate crimes, mental health, and gun control. The episode challenges how the media and political leaders are framing the incident, particularly in relation to the shooter’s identity and manifestos left online.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Shooting in Minneapolis (00:40 – 05:52)

• Incident Details:

  • Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed at a Catholic school; 17 others were wounded.
  • The shooter used a pistol, rifle, and shotgun, firing from inside the church during Mass.
  • The assailant, identified as Robin Westman (born Robert Westman), was a 23-year-old who recently transitioned and was a graduate of the school.

• Hate Crime Investigation:

  • FBI Director (Cash Patel) publicly declared this is being investigated as a hate crime targeting Catholics and as domestic terrorism.
  • Minneapolis authorities, including the mayor and police chief, stopped short of calling it a hate crime, prompting criticism from Ferguson.

“If you want to know what's wrong in this country, this is a perfect example of it. Democrats, even when evil is staring them in the face, will refuse time and time again to call it exactly that.”
— Ben Ferguson (08:12)

2. The Shooter’s Motives and Manifesto (05:52 – 10:10)

• Online Clues and Rhetoric:
  • The shooter left a series of disturbing videos and a manifesto on YouTube, now removed with the FBI’s help.
  • Weapons and magazines painted with slurs and radical messages, including anti-Trump and anti-Israel statements (“kill Donald Trump,” “where is your God,” “Israel must fall”).

“The transgender gunman who opened fire during that mass at the Minneapolis Catholic school had a YouTube channel that contained his manifesto as well as the anti-Trump rhetoric.”
— Ben Ferguson (10:10)

• Media Narrative:
  • Hosts argue national media coverage focuses on gun control and avoids discussing the shooter’s transgender identity, anti-Trump, and anti-Israel messages.
  • Reference to similar failures in coverage after previous shootings involving transgender individuals.

“So why is the media not covering that? Why is the media also not covering the fact that this was a transgendered shooter? ... When will the media actually start asking the tough questions?”
— Ben Ferguson (11:22)

3. Political and Media Responses (10:10 – 16:07)

• Calls for Gun Control:
  • Democrats, such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, call for gun reform even before full details are known about the weapons used.
  • Local politicians and prominent media figures demand immediate action, focusing largely on access to firearms.

“Amy Klobuchar said, I have long supported assault weapons ban, even before she knows what guns were even used yet.”
— Ben Ferguson (09:22)

• Mental Health and Identity Politics:

  • Ferguson claims politicians ignore the role of mental health and the shooter’s identity.
  • He criticizes the normalization of “radical left ideology” and lack of support for individuals with mental health challenges.

• Minneapolis Mayor’s Stance:

  • The mayor passionately advocates stronger gun regulations:

“We have more guns in America than people. Say it again. We have more guns in America than people. Why?”
— Minneapolis Mayor (13:06)

• The mayor also chastises those offering “thoughts and prayers,” calling for concrete action.

“...don’t say it's about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. …So don't say it's about thoughts and prayers right now. Wow.”
— Ben Ferguson recounting Mayor’s remarks (15:02)

• Backlash Against Mayor:
  • Ferguson highlights public outrage over the mayor attacking people of faith and focusing on gun control instead of the targeted group and the shooter’s rhetoric.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On lack of motive clarity:

  “There is no answer to the why. Nothing explains shooting at children.”
  — Unnamed podcast commentator (00:05)

• Law enforcement on shooter:

  “The coward that shot these victims took his own life in the rear of the church. That coward has been identified as 23 year old Robin Westman.”
  — Police Official (06:18)

• On radicalization and shooter’s family:

  “Former FBI profiler said the shooter's parents, well, they're ones to blame as well, saying you helped them change their name at 17. That's probably when the fuse was lit.”
  — Ben Ferguson (09:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:40 – 05:52: Shooting details, FBI’s hate crime investigation, shooter’s background
• 05:52 – 08:12: Manifesto contents, media coverage, law enforcement statements
• 08:12 – 10:10: Ferguson’s critique of reluctance to call it a hate crime and media’s approach
• 10:10 – 12:45: Anti-Trump, anti-Israel rhetoric from shooter’s manifesto; media ignored aspects
• 12:45 – 15:02: Minneapolis Mayor’s gun control push and emotional remarks
• 15:02 – 16:07: Public backlash to mayor’s criticism of “thoughts and prayers,” focus on faith and targeted rhetoric

Tone and Style

The tone is urgent, highly critical of both local leadership and the broader media landscape, with the host adopting a combative stance against what he perceives as political spin and lack of transparency. Ben Ferguson’s language is direct, at times indignant, reflecting the style of conservative talk radio.

Summary

This episode examines the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting through a highly political lens, raising issues about media coverage, the handling of hate crimes, and responses from Democratic officials. Ferguson asserts the tragedy is being used to further gun control agendas while ignoring deeper issues of ideology, mental health, and anti-religious or anti-political rhetoric associated with the shooter. The episode ends with a critique of local officials, particularly the Minneapolis mayor, for allegedly tone-deaf responses and misplaced priorities.