Podcast Summary

Overview

Episode Title: Europe Fines Elon Musk, Trying to Enforce Censorship in America, plus Tucker Carlson Buys Home in Qatar & Embraces America Hating Islamists
Podcast: Verdict with Ted Cruz
Release Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

This episode dives into two major stories: the European Union's (EU) $140 million fine against Elon Musk's social media platform X (formerly Twitter) for what they claim are transparency violations, and controversies surrounding American conservative figures—particularly Tucker Carlson—traveling to Qatar and allegedly embracing its anti-American stances. Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson explore the chilling effects of EU policies on free speech, the possible repercussions for U.S. companies, and probe Qatar’s extensive influence and lobbying efforts in the U.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. EU Fines X / Elon Musk: Threat to Free Speech

The EU’s Fine and Its Implications

• The EU fined X $140 million, allegedly for failing to comply with “transparency” regulations under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
• Ben Ferguson (03:03): "They want X to be censoring people. They want X to be silencing people who are speaking."
• The hosts argue the real goal is to enforce censorship, particularly of speech contrary to leftist orthodoxy.

The American Impact

• The EU’s moves set a precedent that American leftists might adopt, threatening U.S. free speech norms.
• Ted Cruz (05:40): “The single most important step for free speech in our lifetimes was Elon Musk's buying Twitter.”
• Ben Ferguson (05:52): "I don't know Donald Trump wins in 2024 if Elon Musk hadn't bought Twitter... it transformed it because he created a free speech oasis."

Breakdown of EU's Letter to Musk (Timestamps 10:09–14:19)

• The letter (August 12, 2024) warned Musk to comply with EU standards, especially around interviews with controversial figures like Donald Trump.
• EU didn't just demand transparency, but also pressured X to censor content related to sensitive political topics (border security, crime, immigration).
• Ben Ferguson (14:19): “If he talks about the open border, if he talks about murderers and rapists and gang bangers, terrorists coming across the southern border, we want you to censor that.”

Political Repercussions and U.S. Response (16:34–18:54)

• Cruz calls for Trump to impose harsh sanctions (e.g., 5% tariffs) on the EU in retaliation for attempts to regulate U.S. tech companies.
• He shares a conversation with Latvia’s foreign minister, warning that continued EU pressure fuels “isolationist” arguments within the U.S.
• Ted Cruz (17:35): "Americans are really, really deeply pissed off that the European Union is trying to fine X for allowing free speech."

2. Qatar’s Influence and the Conservative Movement

Qatar’s Influence Campaign

• Qatar is described as a malign actor, spending hundreds of millions to lobby the U.S., back anti-American and anti-Semitic propaganda, and fund protests (e.g., on college campuses).
• Senator Cruz (21:11): "Qatar is not our friend. Qatar is spending hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying the United States government... They are profoundly hostile to America."
• The topic shifts to U.S. conservative influencers attending the Doha Forum, with particular focus on Tucker Carlson.

Tucker Carlson’s Qatar Trip & Carlson’s Interview with the PM of Qatar (26:23–27:13)

• Carlson attended the Doha Forum, interviewed Qatar’s PM, and publicly stated he’s buying property in the country.
• Tucker Carlson (26:23): "I am, however, tomorrow buying a place in Qatar... both because I am pay a high check in Doha."
• Prime Minister of Qatar (27:10): "Just ask me. Whatever you want me to do for you, I will do it."
• The hosts deride Tucker for what they see as a "softball" interview, avoiding tough questions about terrorism, support for Hamas, human rights abuses, and anti-American actions.

Missed Opportunities for Accountability

• Cruz lists hard-hitting questions he tweeted to Tucker before the interview—on Al Jazeera funding, Muslim Brotherhood ties, Hamas, human rights abuses, and payments to U.S. influencers—which Carlson did not ask.
• Senator Cruz (25:38): "If Tucker had asked those questions, it would have been a big deal. He didn’t ask any difficult questions."
• Ben Ferguson (25:46): "He did the same thing he did when he interviewed Putin, which is he embraced him and kissed his rear end."

Critique of Carlson’s Positioning (29:08–31:40)

• The hosts claim Carlson has become anti-American, siding with America’s adversaries and undermining Trump’s administration.
• Carlson’s claim never to have been paid by Qatar is met with skepticism, particularly over his decision to buy property there.
• Senator Cruz (30:52): "Do you know any other American who wants to buy a home in Qatar?"
  Ben Ferguson: "Not one time. No one."
• They also highlight Carlson's prior critiques of Trump's Iran policy, all of which they consider to have been proven spectacularly wrong.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Europe can have a major influence on the US number one, but two, it gives crazies on the left in this country real ideas."
  —Ben Ferguson (04:03)

• "I will be shocked if Elon Musk pays this fine. I am publicly calling on the Trump administration to impose sanctions on the EU and sanctions that are of order of magnitude greater."
  —Sen. Ted Cruz (15:43)

• "Americans are really, really deeply pissed off that the European Union is trying to fine X for allowing free speech."
  —Senator Cruz (17:35)

• On Qatar and conservative influencers:
  "People that see that, like, what's the big deal? Tucker Carlson shows up, speaks at this Doha Forum. Why is that a big deal?"
  —Ben Ferguson (20:51)

• "Qatar is not our friend. Qatar is spending hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying the United States government... They are profoundly hostile to America."
  —Sen. Ted Cruz (21:16)

• "If Tucker had asked those questions, it would have been a big deal. He didn’t ask any difficult questions."
  —Sen. Ted Cruz (25:38)

• "He did the same thing he did when he interviewed Putin, which is he embraced him and kissed his rear end. He did the same thing when he interviewed the president of Iran."
  —Ben Ferguson (25:46)

• "I've never taken anything from your country...I'm buying a place in Qatar...because I like the city."
  —Tucker Carlson (26:23–26:44)

• "Do you know any other American who wants to buy a home in Qatar?"
  —Senator Ted Cruz (30:52)

• "Tucker claims to be America first. He is literally buying a home in Qatar."
  —Sen. Ted Cruz (29:19)

• On Tucker's critique of Trump:
  "Tucker predicted if Trump bombed Iran ... America would lose. Iran would beat us in World War III. Now, every one of those predictions was laughably, absurdly wrong."
  —Ben Ferguson (31:40)

Important Timestamps

• [02:37] – Start of content section: Free speech, EU fine on X
• [05:40] – Twitter/X’s impact on free speech in America post-Musk
• [10:09] – Cruz reads EU's August 2024 warning letter to Musk
• [16:34] – Cruz discusses potential sanctions against the EU
• [21:11] – Qatar’s influence operations in the U.S.; intro to Tucker Carlson segment
• [23:25] – Qatar’s hosting of Hamas leadership
• [24:35] – Women’s rights abuses in Qatar
• [25:38] – Assessment of Tucker Carlson’s missed interview opportunities
• [26:23] – Excerpt from Carlson/PM Qatar interview
• [29:19] – Qatar’s extensive lobbying in the U.S.
• [30:52] – Skepticism about Americans buying property in Qatar
• [31:40] – Recap of Carlson’s failed predictions on Iran
• [32:59] – Analysis of Carlson’s propagandistic interviews
• [33:15] – Comments on undermining of President Trump

Overall Takeaways

• The hosts believe the EU is dangerously overreaching and threaten to undermine free speech—not just in Europe, but in the U.S. via global tech regulations.
• They see Qatar’s use of soft power, financial lobbying, and propaganda (bolstered by American influencers) as a grave threat to U.S. interests, particularly when influential conservatives are perceived as complicit.
• Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson openly question the motivations and allegiances of figures like Tucker Carlson, while doubling down on Trump-era nationalist and “America first” policy positions.
• The tone is combative, conspiratorial, and pressing; the hosts don’t hesitate to call out perceived adversaries, both foreign (EU, Qatar) and domestic (Carlson, Biden administration).

For listeners seeking the key ideas: expect a vigorous defense of free speech, deep skepticism of both EU and Qatari intentions, and a sharp critique of fellow conservatives who, in the hosts’ view, court America’s enemies for personal gain.