Verdict with Ted Cruz: Episode Summary – March 29, 2025

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, hosted by Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson, the duo delves into three pressing issues impacting America: the escalating threats against conservatives by Democrats, the enforcement of deportations against pro-Hamas protesters on college campuses, and the alarming influx of foreign money into U.S. universities. Released on March 29, 2025, this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of these topics, enriched with firsthand accounts and incisive commentary.

1. Democrats Threatening Conservatives with Violence

Overview: Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson open the discussion by addressing the concerning trend of increasing violence and threats directed at conservatives. They highlight incidents involving high-profile figures like Elon Musk and extend the conversation to personal threats against Senator Cruz himself.

Key Points:

• Violence Against Elon Musk and Tesla Dealerships: The hosts discuss the recent threats and acts of violence targeting Elon Musk and Tesla dealerships, including the discovery of incinerated devices and bombs at locations such as Austin, Texas.

• Personal Threats to Ted Cruz: Cruz shares his personal experiences with receiving death threats, emphasizing the hostile environment faced by conservatives in politics.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson [00:01]: “Democrats continue to threaten conservatives with violence if you disagree with them. Is this basically the Democrat political playbook?”

• Ted Cruz [01:32]: “The Democrats today are the party of rage. They're the party of anger.”

• Jasmine Crockett Clip [02:08]: “...there is no Niceties with him, like, at all.”

• Ted Cruz [03:36]: “One of the downsides of this job... I have literally hundreds of death threats against me.”

Analysis: Ted Cruz criticizes Democrats for what he perceives as a strategy to intimidate and financially ruin their political opponents. He cites the example of Jasmine Crockett, a Texas House member, who made threatening remarks against him and Governor Greg Abbott, illustrating the extreme rhetoric employed by some Democrats.

Notable Interaction:

• Jasmine Crockett Clip [09:09]: “We in these hot ass Texas streets, honey....”

Cruz condemns Crockett's remarks, particularly her attacks on Governor Abbott’s disability, labeling them as hateful and unworthy of the Democratic Party's reputation.

2. Deportation of Pro-Hamas Campus Protesters

Overview: The second segment focuses on the enforcement of deportations against individuals involved in pro-Hamas activities on college campuses. The case of Mamadou Tal, a dual British and Gambian national studying at Cornell University, serves as a primary example.

Key Points:

• Mamadou Tal’s Actions: Tal, described as an anti-Semitic and anti-American Marxist, called for the destruction of the United States and celebrated Hamas attacks. His provocative tweets and actions led to the revocation of his F1 student visa.

• Legal Proceedings: Tal was summoned by ICE for personal service of the notice to appear and surrender to custody, but he resorted to legal battles to block the deportation.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz [11:47]: “He is a communist. He's a Marxist. We talked about how cultural Marxism...”

• Ted Cruz [16:47]: “Zionist Jewish students at Ivy League institutions... There can be no path forward except for the complete eradication of Zionism materially and mentally.”

• Ben Ferguson [17:23]: “It really is about threatening Americans and threatening kids on college campuses.”

Analysis: Cruz underscores the severity of allowing individuals who openly threaten American values and safety to remain in the country. He criticizes Democrats for not taking a firm stance against such individuals, highlighting the inconsistency in promoting free speech while condoning anti-American rhetoric.

Notable Interaction:

• Cruz’s Commentary [09:33]: He discusses the personal connection and respect he has for Governor Abbott, countering Crockett's derogatory remarks.

Cruz emphasizes the potential dangers posed by individuals like Tal, who, if left unaddressed, could orchestrate violent acts, drawing parallels to prior assassination attempts on Donald Trump and the broader threat landscape.

3. Foreign Money Flooding U.S. Universities

Overview: The third and final segment examines the substantial influx of foreign money into American universities, raising concerns about potential espionage, propaganda, and the influence of adversarial nations on academic institutions.

Key Points:

• Scale of Foreign Investments: A report by Americans for Public Trust reveals that $60 billion has been funneled into U.S. colleges and universities, with $20 billion directed towards elite institutions like Harvard and Yale. Notably, $795 million originated from nations considered adversaries to the U.S., including China, Russia, Venezuela, and Yemen.

• Historical Context – Confucius Institutes: Cruz references his legislative efforts to shut down Confucius Institutes, which he argues were hubs for Chinese espionage and propaganda, drawing a parallel to the current situation.

• Legislative Proposals: Cruz advocates for increased transparency and legislation requiring universities to report all foreign funding, imposing punitive tax penalties on institutions accepting funds from enemy nations.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz [21:56]: “This is shocking. It is fundamental corruption, I can tell you.”

• Ted Cruz [24:50]: “I introduced legislation to require at a minimum, that universities report every dollar of foreign money they receive so that we have scrutiny.”

• Ben Ferguson [28:08]: “It’s about buying the minds of American students or influence, or even stealing intellectual property or spying on America and future leaders. This scares the hell out of me.”

Analysis: Cruz warns that the influx of foreign capital is not merely philanthropic but serves strategic purposes for adversarial nations aiming to influence American education and sow discord. He calls for robust measures to monitor and regulate foreign investments, protecting intellectual property and maintaining the integrity of educational institutions.

Notable Interaction:

• Discussion on Legislative Efforts [21:56]: Cruz elaborates on his past success in shutting down Confucius Institutes with bipartisan support, highlighting the bipartisan necessity of addressing foreign influence.

Cruz stresses that elite universities’ dependence on foreign funds compromises their independence and potentially exposes them to foreign espionage and propaganda efforts, threatening national security and academic freedom.

Conclusion

In this episode, Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson present a critical examination of the current political climate, emphasizing the threats facing conservatives, the dangers of allowing extremist individuals to remain in the country, and the perilous influence of foreign money in American education. Through detailed analysis and personal anecdotes, the hosts underscore the urgent need for legislative action and greater accountability to safeguard American values and security.

Listeners are encouraged to engage further by downloading the full podcast for an in-depth exploration of these topics, ensuring they remain informed and empowered to address these challenges head-on.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• Ben Ferguson [00:01]: Introduction of the week’s topics, spotlighting Democrat threats against conservatives.

• Ted Cruz [01:32]: Labeling Democrats as the “party of rage” and discussing Jasmine Crockett’s threatening behavior.

• Jasmine Crockett Clip [02:08]: Explicit call for violence against Cruz.

• Ted Cruz [03:36]: Detailing the personal toll of receiving countless death threats.

• Ted Cruz [11:47]: Defining Mamadou Tal as a Marxist and highlighting cultural Marxism’s divisive tactics.

• Ted Cruz [16:47]: Condemning anti-Semitic rhetoric and advocating for the eradication of Zionism.

• Ted Cruz [21:56]: Expressing shock over the vast amounts of foreign money in U.S. universities and introducing his legislative efforts.

• Ben Ferguson [28:08]: Expressing deep concern over foreign influence in American education and national security.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions from Verdict with Ted Cruz, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the episode's key issues and the hosts' perspectives.