Verdict with Ted Cruz – Eric Trump: Exclusive Interview on "Under Siege"
Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson
Guest: Eric Trump
Episode Overview
In this special episode, Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson welcome Eric Trump to discuss his new book, Under Siege: My Family's Fight to Save Our Nation. The conversation dives deep into the Trump family's experiences facing government investigations, legal battles, and what Eric describes as the weaponization of both government and private sector institutions against them. They also touch on the broader implications for conservatives in America, family values, and the experience of growing up as the son of Donald Trump.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why "Under Siege" and Going Number One (03:07–03:58)
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The episode kicks off after advertisements (skip to ~02:42 for the real start), with Ted Cruz highlighting Eric Trump's newly released book, which quickly became a bestseller.
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Eric shares how writing the book was a grueling process, given the gravity of his family's experiences under intense scrutiny.
"It will probably be my last book as well because...the return on time of books, especially when you put your heart and soul into it...but yeah, we're number one on Amazon. I mean, it just went viral. I think, you know, people in this country are pissed off."
— Eric Trump (03:58)
2. The "Siege" on the Trump Family and America (03:58–08:49)
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Eric recounts his role as the Trump Organization leader, the lack of legal protections as a civilian, and feeling like a "piñata" for political opponents.
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He outlines the cascade of investigations, subpoenas, and what he frames as governmental overreach and corrupt legal actions.
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Emphasizes that the attacks weren't just about the Trumps, but a broader assault on average Americans and conservative values.
"What they tried to do to us, what they tried to do to our family, what they tried to do to this nation, what they tried to do to you and all your viewers on this show is unthinkable. Somebody had to materialize it because it was the greatest governmental corruption this nation has ever seen."
— Eric Trump (04:27)"This siege wasn't just against the Trump family. It was against all of us...people are pissed off in this country. And that's why this book went to number one."
— Eric Trump (08:47)
3. Inside the Mar-a-Lago Raid (08:49–10:31, 13:27–14:50)
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Eric describes the moment he was notified of the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago, recalling the confusion, secrecy, and emotional impact—he was tasked with telling his father.
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Criticizes the justification for the raid, reflecting on the media aftermath and alleged overreach.
"I'll never forget that call: 30 FBI agents outside of Mar-a-Lago. They searched Melania's room, they searched Barron's room. They took attorney-client privilege documents, they took HIPAA documents. You can't make it up."
— Eric Trump (10:25)"They wanted to imprison him. They wanted to take his voice, they wanted to imprison him...and they weren't able to do it."
— Eric Trump (14:46)
4. "Debanking" & Private Sector Deplatforming (15:14–19:52, 25:01–28:05)
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Eric details how major banks and tech companies closed hundreds of the Trump Organization’s accounts, allegedly for political reasons, impacting business operations and employees.
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He asserts this was not isolated to his family, but increasingly affects conservatives nationwide.
"They canceled us like we were dogs...these aren't baby banking accounts. These are massive commercial buildings that have hundreds of tenants...your accounts are going to get closed...and congratulations, you're done. All because we wore a hat that said Make America Great Again."
— Eric Trump (15:46) -
Eric credits small local banks with helping keep their operations afloat during these times.
"If you can't bank, you can't survive...and yet they turned us off like we were dogs."
— Eric Trump (27:00)
5. Subpoenas and Legal "Siege" — The Toll (31:39–33:50)
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Eric states he received 112 subpoenas, describing "big boy subpoenas" from prominent political figures, and testifies to the exhausting document searches and depositions the family endured.
"I sat in more depositions than any human being in the history of depositions...they Would list national and international. Every email signature of every person in the company either has the word national or international...that's their fishing expedition."
— Eric Trump (31:41)
6. Financial and Personal Costs (37:52–40:26)
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Eric estimates the cost of legal defense for the Trump Organization at roughly $400 million.
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Scoffs at claims they ever profited off government service.
"We spent $400 million to defend ourselves against nonsense...if you want Trump’s profit, we spent $400 million to defend ourselves."
— Eric Trump (37:52) -
Labels Letitia James the worst official to deal with, citing "corruption" and bias in the courtroom.
7. Media, Harassment, & Impact on Business (28:22–31:39)
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Eric says journalists and political opponents targeted Trump family businesses, clients, and even event guests (like couples getting married at Trump properties) with threats of bad press and intimidation.
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Claims DAs and AGs attempted to "flip" employees and family to turn on President Trump.
"They were extorting employees. They were going up to employees. They frankly tried to do it to me...They weaponized every DA in AG to try and flip every single person to say anything negative."
— Eric Trump (29:02)
8. Family Dynamics: Growing Up Trump (41:12–45:50)
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Eric talks about Donald Trump's approach to parenting—strict, demanding integrity and a strong work ethic.
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He recounts working on construction sites, earning any perks he wanted, and not being handed money or leisure.
"Honestly, the greatest dad you could ever imagine. Expected big things from us, right?...He wanted us to learn the value of a dollar. And by the way, he wanted us to be tired as hell at the end of the day."
— Eric Trump (41:12)"Keep them poor, and make them start working early. Honestly, that’s what it is. Keep them poor, don’t give type A kids money and don’t give them endless time. That’s just a bad recipe."
— Eric Trump (44:29)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On being the most subpoenaed man:
"112 subpoenas. I sat in more depositions than any human being in the history of depositions."
— Eric Trump (31:41) -
On the Mar-a-Lago raid:
"They searched Melania’s room, they searched Barron’s room. They took attorney-client privilege documents...they took HIPAA documents. You can’t make it up."
— Eric Trump (10:25) -
On financial impact:
"We spent $400 million to defend ourselves against nonsense."
— Eric Trump (37:52) -
On "debunking" child-raising myths:
"Keep them poor, don’t give type A kids money and don’t give them endless time. That’s just a bad recipe."
— Eric Trump (44:29) -
Sen. Ted Cruz on media bias:
"It doesn’t matter how many copies of the book you sell, the New York Times is going to insist that left-handed transgender witches is the number one book in America."
— Ted Cruz (12:31)
Important Timestamps
- 02:42
Show proper starts, hosts introduce Eric Trump and his new book - 03:07–04:52
Eric explains why he wrote the book and the political climate - 05:34–06:07
Ted and Eric joke about Mar-a-Lago valuation and the New York AG case - 08:49–10:31
Inside the Mar-a-Lago raid and how Eric got the call - 13:27–14:50
Trump's reaction to the raid and family resilience - 15:14–19:52
The realities and logistical nightmare of being debanked and deplatformed - 25:01–28:05
How small banks stepped up, and the effect of financial cancellation on conservatives - 31:39–33:50
The toll of subpoenas and document fishing expeditions - 37:52–40:26
Discussing the staggering legal expenses, with Letitia James as the standout adversary - 41:12–45:50
Family life, lessons from Donald Trump, and advice for young parents
Conclusion
This episode offers an expansive, candid look at the Trump family's account of being "under siege" from government and private entities. Eric Trump paints a picture of resilience, family unity, and defiance against what he sees as coordinated attacks from both the political establishment and major corporations. The discussion also touches on deeper themes of parenting, generational values, and the future of conservative activism.