BONUS POD: Twelve-Day War Ends in Ceasefire as Trump’s Mid East Win Sparks Media Meltdown

Summary

Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: BONUS POD: Twelve-Day War Ends in Ceasefire as Trump’s Mid East Win Sparks Media Meltdown
Release Date: June 24, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling bonus episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," co-host Ben Ferguson delivers an in-depth analysis of a pivotal moment in international politics: the conclusion of a tumultuous 12-day conflict in the Middle East. Titled "Twelve-Day War Ends in Ceasefire as Trump’s Mid East Win Sparks Media Meltdown," the episode explores President Donald Trump's instrumental role in mediating peace between Israel and Iran, the strategic maneuvers by Iran to de-escalate tensions, and the subsequent backlash from mainstream media outlets.

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President Trump's Historic Ceasefire Announcement

At the heart of the discussion is President Donald Trump's recent announcement on Truth Social regarding the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Ben Ferguson highlights the significance of this development:

Ben Ferguson [03:35]: "President Donald Trump announcing on Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a complete and total ceasefire after 12 days of ongoing war is nothing short of historic."

Trump detailed the ceasefire process as follows:

President Trump [02:55]: "Congratulations to everyone. It has been fully agreed by Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire in approximately six hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in-progress final mission for 12 hours, at which point the war will be considered ended, ENDED."

This strategic move by Trump not only halted the immediate hostilities but also set the stage for long-term peace and economic cooperation in the region. The episode underscores Trump's adept use of social media to communicate directly with the public, ensuring transparency and swift dissemination of critical information.

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Iran's Calculated Response and Desire for Peace

Ferguson delves into Iran's response to the conflict, emphasizing the measured and symbolic nature of their actions:

Ben Ferguson [05:10]: "Iran launched a barrage of 14 to 19 short and medium-range ballistic missiles targeting Qatar's NR Air Force base in a calculated retaliation against the U.S. bunker buster bombings of their nuclear sites."

Despite the aggression, Iran demonstrated restraint by ensuring the strikes were proportional and minimally damaging:

Ben Ferguson [06:20]: "Most missiles were intercepted, and only one struck the base without causing casualties. This was a deliberate effort by Iran to make their stance clear without escalating the conflict further."

He explains that Iran's leadership aimed to maintain strong rhetoric while avoiding actions that could lead to a full-scale war:

Ben Ferguson [07:45]: "Iran’s response was designed to deter further aggression while keeping the door open for diplomacy, signaling their intent to avoid total war despite aggressive posturing from figures like their Supreme Leader and IRGC."

This nuanced approach by Iran showcased their commitment to protecting their national interests without triggering extended regional instability.

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Media's Response and Perceived Bias

A significant portion of the episode critiques the mainstream media's portrayal of Trump's mediation efforts. Ferguson argues that media outlets, particularly CNN, exhibit a clear bias against Trump, undermining his achievements:

Ben Ferguson [09:30]: "The mainstream media hates Donald Trump more than they care about the success of ensuring our foreign policy keeps Americans safe around the world."

He references a specific CNN segment featuring Caitlin Collins to illustrate this bias:

Caitlin Collins [11:33]: "We're hearing incredibly optimistic views coming out of the White House as far as how long this can hold and what this is going to look like... it was just 24 hours ago that President Trump himself was suggesting a regime change in Iran was a possibility."

Ferguson counters by revealing that Iran confirmed their acceptance of the ceasefire, undermining media skepticism:

Ben Ferguson [12:34]: "I've just been given word that Iran, according to a diplomat who briefed CNN, has agreed to the ceasefire. This is incredibly significant…"

He criticizes CNN for attempting to sow doubt about the ceasefire’s legitimacy and portraying Trump as the instigator of further conflict:

Ben Ferguson [15:01]: "Whether it's the media or whether it was the Biden administration, they were lying to you the entire time about what was happening with their administration and they were not holding Iran accountable."

This segment highlights Ferguson’s perspective that media outlets prioritize their narratives over factual developments, thereby misleading the public.

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Historical Context and Comparisons

Ferguson draws parallels between the current ceasefire and historical conflicts to underscore the magnitude of Trump’s achievement:

Ben Ferguson [04:00]: "Trump's chosen title, the 12 Day War, is a clear allusion to the Six Day War of 1967, another dramatic victory by Israel over its enemies. The 12 Day War is no less dramatic and perhaps even greater, paving the way for peace and economic prosperity in the region."

This comparison serves to frame the ceasefire as not only a military success but also a strategic triumph with long-term benefits for global stability and economic corridors like the India-Middle East-European Trade Route.

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Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

The episode concludes with an analysis of the broader implications of the ceasefire and Trump's leadership:

Ben Ferguson [15:41]: "Why did so many Americans vote for Donald Trump? Because they wanted to make sure that countries like Iran, who are a threat to the United States, are held accountable. Once again, the President made good on his promise to protect and defend the homeland."

Ferguson emphasizes that the ceasefire sets a precedent for future diplomatic endeavors, showcasing Trump’s ability to navigate complex international landscapes and achieve tangible results.

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Notable Quotes

• President Donald Trump [02:55]:
  "This is a war that could have gone on for years and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't and never will. God bless Israel. God bless Iran. God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America. GOD BLESS THE WORLD."

• Ben Ferguson [09:30]:
  "The mainstream media hates Donald Trump more than they care about the success of ensuring our foreign policy keeps Americans safe around the world."

• Caitlin Collins [11:33]:
  "We're hearing incredibly optimistic views coming out of the White House as far as how long this can hold and what this is going to look like…"

• Ben Ferguson [15:01]:
  "They were lying to you the entire time about what was happening with their administration and they were not holding Iran accountable."

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Conclusion

This episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of a critical geopolitical event, highlighting President Trump's role in brokering peace between Israel and Iran. Ben Ferguson meticulously dissects the strategic elements of the ceasefire, critiques media biases, and underscores the implications for future international relations. For those seeking an informed and engaging analysis of current events, this episode serves as an essential listen, encapsulating the complexities of Middle Eastern politics and the enduring impact of presidential leadership.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented in the episode.

Transcript

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Unknown Speaker]

A ceasefire that will lead to peace is a wonderful thing. And the only reason we're talking about ceasefire is because of Donald J. Trump. But here's my question. The Iranian foreign Minister said at 4:00 clock Mideast time they would no longer attack Israel if Israel doesn't attack them. What I want him to say tomorrow morning is not only will we not attack Israel in the future, we recognize Israel as a legitimate member of the Mideast.

[Ryan Seacrest]

You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

[Unknown Speaker]

Good Tuesday morning. It's so nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update. And the big story is obviously Donald Trump announcing a ceasefire in Iran. This coming after our first big story, which was Iran who decided to retaliate this time against the United States of America. But the story behind the retaliation is one that's very interesting and we're going to explain that to you. And we're also going to cover what Donald Trump said and what this cease fire means and what could happen moving forward. We've got it all for you right now as it's a historic day in American history and a massive victory for President Trump and his leadership. And it starts right now, story number one, nothing short of historic. President Donald Trump announcing on Monday that Israel and Iran have have agreed to a complete and total ceasefire after 12 days of ongoing war between the two countries. The President putting it this way, saying, congratulations to everyone. It has been fully agreed by Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire in approximately six hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress final mission for 12 hours, at which point the war will be considered ended, ended, all capital letters. Trump putting this on Truth Social, saying officially, Iran will start the ceasefire and upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the ceasefire. And upon the 24th hour, an official end to the 12 Day War will be saluted by the world. During each ceasefire, the other side will remain peaceful and respectful. Trump added, for having agreed to a ceasefire on the assumption that everything worked as it should, saying, quote, this is a war that could have gone on for years and destroyed the entire Middle east, but it didn't and never will. God bless Israel. President then said, God bless Iran. God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America. And then in all caps, the president wrote, God bless the world. Now, Trump's chosen title, the 12 Day War, is a clear allusion to the Six Day War of 1967, another dramatic victory by Israel over its enemies. The 12 Day War is no less dramatic a victory and perhaps even greater one, opening a path for greater peace and prosperity in the region and for the India Middle East European economic corridor, the trade route that Trump has been talking about a lot lately. Now, the other part of this is what happened after Israel struck those Iran nuclear sites. It was clear that Iran wanted to get a deal done quickly, but they also had to save face. And so now we know more about their strike against American interests in Qatar. What we now know is that strike was symbolic and also calibrated retaliation. The missile strike on Qatar's NR Air Force base. Iran launched a barrage reportedly of 14 to 19 short and medium range ballistic missiles in response to US bunker buster bomb bombings of the three nuclear sites that the President ordered in America. Most missiles were intercepted. Why? Because they said beforehand this was going to happen. One of those missiles reportedly struck the base but caused no casualties, thank goodness. And Iran also stated that this was a proportional and measured response as they described it. In fact, they fired exactly as many missiles as the US Drop bombs, emphasizing symmetry and avoiding escalation by also saving face as a radical Islamic regime. It also provided advance notice, we now know, to Qatar and also to the U.S. signaling, quote, unquote restraint. And then the de escalation signals began. Despite that strike, Iran avoided broader disruptions. It didn't threaten global oil supplies or shut down the Strait of Hormuz. That is something that they're Parliament, in essence had said they were going to Advocate for just 24 hours earlier. But clearly the leadership in Iran didn't want to do that. Iran indicated it would, quote, stand down if Israel halted its bombings, hinting at a conditional truce. Now, the takeaway from all of this is that Iran's goal was clearly limited. It was also a symbolic blow and not a full military engagement. Why? Because Iran had to keep up their strong rhetoric, but no escalation. The Supreme Leader, for example, and the IRGC emphasized their, quote, readiness to hit the Achilles heel of US forces, but they actually didn't do that at all. The Foreign Minister in Iran also came out condemning the US Bombings as a, quote, heinous crime and warned of everlasting consequences, reserving all options. Clearly, that wasn't actually what they were planning on as well. And then the parliament backed that potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but the council did not act. So what does this mean? Overall, it's clear that this was a broader Iranian, well, miscalculation that they tried to get under control quickly, Iran is seen preparing a mix of options, the analysts have said at this hour. Targeted strikes on US Installations, cyber proxy attacks, and even plans to, well, disrupt global oil or naval routes. But what really happened is Iran seemed determined to avoid total war, wanting a balance and a deterrence for their own people to maybe topple them while allowing diplomacy to work in the United States of America. The bottom line is this. Iran has responded with a deliberate proportional missile strike that was pre warned, carefully designed to deter further US Or Israeli aggression without triggering full blown escalation. And by g advance warning matching US strikes one for one and tying any ceasefire to Israel stopping its attacks. Tehran now appears intent on framing its move as a strategic and restrained, not reckless regime who clearly learned their lesson. When Donald Trump tells you you have 60 days to make a deal, you better make the damn deal now. Story number two, there is a massive ceasefire that we all now know about. And it is a historic moment for the President of the United States of America who said, I do not want regime change. I do not want to take out the leader in Iran. I do want to make sure that we are safe and that they never receive nuclear weapons. Well, you put that in contrast with what the media wanted and my, oh my, is it a very different story. We know the mainstream media hates Donald Trump. We know that they care more about him being a failure than they do about the success of making sure that our foreign policy keeps Americans and others safe around the world. But if you need a moment to highlight exactly how biased the media is and exactly how much they hate Donald Trump and how much they would rather Trump fail than there be success and safety and security for the United States of America, then you just need to listen to what I'm going to play for you right now. Now, what I'm about to play for you was on cnn, right? The most trusted name in news. And it was an embarrassing moment if you were watching it. I hope you share this everywhere because CNN gets word that Iran has accepted the ceasefire deal just seconds after Kaitlan Collins sets up a narrative casting doubt on Donald Trump. Yes, this happened in real time. No, this is not me putting two different segments together from different parts of the day. I want you to listen to this to the very end. You really can't make this up. And I mean this. You cannot hate the liberal media enough.

[Caitlin Collins]

And we're hearing incredibly optimistic views coming out of the White House as far as how long this can hold and what this is going to look like. That obviously still remains to be seen on the implementation side of this and waiting to see if the firing does stop and if Iran and Israel do both agree to this. Because, you know, speaking of the fluidity of the situation, it was just 24 hours ago that President Trump himself was suggesting a regime change in Iran was a possibility. And obviously right before that, having the United States strike Iran. And so, yes, there have been a lot of phone calls going back and forth. In part, this has to do with Iran's limited response earlier, where they fired on a US Base in Qatar, but there were no casualties. We know that they did give a heads up that they were going to be firing on US Bases without exactly specifying. Specifying which ones. But that is the question here, is if the United States felt that it did not need to respond to the Iranian retaliation, did that create the space for this? That is what we've been hearing from administration officials. And so the question is whether or not this still holds for the next few hours.

[Unknown Speaker]

Caitlin, I've just been given word that Iran, according to a diplomat who briefed cnn, Iran has agreed to the cease fire. So this is significant. I just want to try to learn some more information as soon as we get it about that. But if that is the case, that's incredibly significant because that is, we were waiting. We had not heard from Iran, we had not heard from, from Israel. All we were going on so far has been the President's social media post, which was some two hours ago. So again, that is the first indication we have that Iran has agreed to this.

Oops. Right. Like, you cannot make this up. And this is the media showing you just how much they were hoping that what Donald Trump put out would somehow not become reality, that it would be a failure, that they could then point to him and say, he's starting World War Three. Donald Trump is putting everyone's lives at risk. Donald Trump is the problem. And you can hear it in real time. Now, that's not the only thing I want to remind you about. And this goes back to liberals that are in charge. I want to take you back to a guy by the name of Scott Kirby. He is a guy that was at the White House, a guy that was there under the Biden regime. And what did Scott Kirby say back on September 13th of 2023? And then what did he say January 4th of 2024? Remember this, Kirby on the 6 billion that Biden released to Iran saying the last administration was, quote, incredibly unserious, absolutely terrible for the world. Here is the compare and contrast of them.

The US will have visibility, will be able to engage in oversight about where the money was going and for what purpose. If Iran tries to divert the funds, we'll take action and we'll lock them up again. And there will be sufficient oversight to make sure that the request is valid and that it's going through vendors who we, who we and the Qataris can trust will actually contract for the goods, the medical equipment, the food, whatever it is. The regime doesn't get to touch the money, Peter, doesn't go to them. They don't get to, they don't get to decide ultimate destination and they have no direct access to it.

[Caitlin Collins]

John, Iran made transactions withdrawing from the.

[Unknown Speaker]

Previously frozen funds in Oman.

What were those transactions for?

I don't have the details on that, Jack. You're going to have to let me get back to you on that.

There's the line. Whether it's the media or whether it was the Biden administration, they were lying to you the entire time about what was happening with their administration and they were not holding Iran accountable. And now that President Trump has done it, they're now furious that it is a success and they're rooting against it and every step of the way. Which brings me to the point, why did it so many Americans vote for Donald Trump? It's actually very simple. Because they wanted to make sure that countries like Iran, who are a threat to the United States of America, are held accountable. And yet again, the President made good on his promise to the American people to protect and defend the homeland.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now. And for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here tomorrow.

[Unknown Speaker]

Anti Semitism is on the rise around the world. And sadly, right here in America. Jewish schools being targeted, synagogues threatened, families living in fear. This is the moment for all of us to take a stand. And that's why I want to tell you about the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You may know of it as ifcj. And they're giving food and shelter to Jewish families under threat. They're building bomb shelters for children helping survivors of hate rebuild their lives in Israel. And your gift of only $45 will help support their life saving work. Every dollar helps be the difference. Visit ifcj.org that's ifcj.org this episode is.

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

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