Podcast Summary: "Trump Was Negotiating While the Media Was Lying"

Verdict with Ted Cruz | Premiere Networks
Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Ben Ferguson, Senator Ted Cruz (not featured in this particular episode segment)
Main Guest: Former President Donald Trump (audio responses and clips)

Episode Overview

This bonus episode centers around breaking news that Donald Trump, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, reached a framework agreement involving Greenland and the broader Arctic region. The hosts argue that the media and political opponents falsely accused Trump of seeking military action or destructive tariffs, while he was, in fact, pursuing a diplomatic and strategic deal. The episode explores the negotiations, the context and reactions, and the broader implications for U.S. national security and Trump's foreign policy approach, including a controversial proposal to create a "Board of Peace."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Media Criticism and the Greenland Deal (02:44–04:48)

• Media Narrative vs. Reality:
  • The media and Democratic Party claimed Trump would invade Greenland, start World War 3, and destroy the economy through sanctions.
  • Ben Ferguson asserts these accusations were false and sensationalized:

    "Democratic Party and the media claiming that Donald Trump was going to invade Greenland, go to war and just start killing innocent people. Yeah, they were lying to you." (03:18)

• Framework Agreement Achieved:
  • Trump announces a "concept of a deal" involving NATO and the US that covers Greenland and the entire Arctic region, focusing on security and resource access.

2. Structure and Details of the Deal (04:48–06:24)

• Security & Economic Aspects:
  • Trump emphasizes the deal is beneficial for both the US and Greenland, implicates NATO's involvement, and mentions elements like mineral rights and the "golden dome."
  • Ownership and duration of the agreement: Trump claims it is "forever," contrasting it with previous international agreements like the Iran nuclear deal:

    "It'll be forever for Greenland at this point ... It's better than a 90-year deal." (06:10–06:24)

• Denmark's Role:
  • Host inquires about Denmark’s stance, and Trump suggests Denmark has been consulted via NATO ("Mark" likely referencing Denmark’s leader).

3. De-escalation of Economic and Military Tensions (06:36–08:36)

• Tariffs Withdrawn:
  • Trump removes threats of new tariffs against European allies; hosts frame this as evidence of true negotiation rather than aggression.
• No Military Option:
  • Trump publicly rules out the use of US military force in relation to Greenland:

    "The military's not on the table. I don't think it'll be necessary. I really don't. Okay. I think people are going to use better judgment..." (08:40–08:55)

• Diplomacy First:
  • Audience and international community are reassured that diplomacy, not confrontation, is guiding Trump’s approach.

4. Reframing Arctic Security and American Strategy (08:56–11:23)

• Broader Arctic Cooperation:
  • White House frames the agreement as a starting point for further multilateral cooperation on security, strategy, and peaceful development in the Arctic.
• Countering China and Russia:
  • The hosts emphasize Trump's action as a check on Russia and China’s ambitions in the Arctic, contrasting “media lies” about aggression with strategic restraint.

5. "Board of Peace" - Proposing a New International Body (11:23–12:17)

• Criticizing the United Nations:
  • Trump unveils his intention to create a "Board of Peace," suggesting the UN is defunct and unable to ensure global peace and justice.

    "The Board of Peace will be the most prestigious board ever ... It's going to get a lot of work done that the United Nations should have done." (11:37–11:53)

  • Cites prior successes in the Middle East, claims a new board would build on this momentum.

6. United Nations' Past Failures (12:17–17:37)

• Case Studies of UN Inaction:
  • Ferguson lists several historical failures by the UN (Rwanda, China’s Uyghur persecution, Syria, Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, Gaza), arguing these showcase the need for a "Board of Peace."
• Thematic Quote:

  "The United Nations is all about anarchy and chaos and protecting the bad guys." (12:20)

• Presidential Priority:
  • Asserts Trump's commitments: keep America safe, reposition global strategy away from failed multinational institutions, and push forward with new diplomatic ideas.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Military Force and Diplomacy:

  Donald Trump: "The military's not on the table. I don't think it'll be necessary. I really don't. Okay. I think people are going to use better judgment, use their best judgment. And I don't think that will not be necessary." (08:40–08:55)

• On the Nature of the Deal:

  Donald Trump: "It'll be forever for Greenland at this point ... It's better than a 90-year deal ... Better than the Obama deal with the famous Iran nuclear deal." (06:10–06:26)

• On the "Board of Peace":

  Donald Trump: "The Board of Peace will be the most prestigious board ever ... It's going to get a lot of work done that the United Nations should have done." (11:37–11:53)
  "We're going to have peace. It started off with Gaza, the Middle East. We've got peace in the Middle east, tremendous peace in the Middle East. Nobody thought that was possible. And that happened by taking out the Iran nuclear threat. Without that, it could have never happened." (11:54–12:10)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Media framing and Trump's response on Greenland: 02:44–04:48
• Trump on the deal's scope and duration: 04:48–06:24
• Tariff withdrawal and military force ruled out: 06:36–08:55
• International cooperation and larger Arctic strategy: 08:56–11:23
• Trump’s comments on the 'Board of Peace': 11:23–12:17
• UN criticism and list of failures: 12:17–17:37

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode takes a combative, triumphalist tone, positioning Trump as a dealmaker who subverts media and political critics through negotiation and strength.
• Emphasizes a narrative of media dishonesty and political opposition underestimating Trump.
• Strong critique of the United Nations and established international consensus, pitching Trump’s alternative vision for global order.
• Memorable for its framing of the Greenland/Arctic agreement as a “forever” deal, and for floating the novel, controversial Board of Peace concept.

Summary Prepared For:
Listeners seeking a comprehensive, annotated breakdown of the episode’s major themes, discussions, and rhetorical highlights, with clear navigation by segment and quotation.