Verdict with Ted Cruz – Episode Summary Episode: Media Reporting on a Story They Once Buried, DOJ Pulls Plug on ABA & Kamala’s Word Salad on Colbert Week In Review
Release Date: August 9, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, co-host Ben Ferguson delves into three pivotal stories reshaping the current political landscape. From alleged media conspiracies and significant shifts in judicial nomination processes to high-profile political book launches, Ferguson provides a comprehensive analysis aimed at uncovering the underlying truths behind these events.

1. Media Cover-Up of President Biden’s Cognitive Decline

Ben Ferguson kicks off the Weekend Review by addressing what he describes as a "full blown cover up" regarding President Joe Biden's cognitive health. He accuses mainstream media outlets, particularly CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios's Alex Thompson, of deliberately obscuring evidence of Biden's mental decline.

• Book Revelation: Ferguson highlights the release of "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again" by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. He asserts that despite the book's revelations, the media has lauded Tapper for his "incredible reporting" while simultaneously suppressing crucial information about Biden's health.

  Ben Ferguson (04:05): "It's an absolute, complete, total cover up. It was knowing it was deliberate and you did it."

• Historical Context: He references past instances where media figures dismissed concerns about Biden's cognitive abilities. For example, during a 2020 interview with Laura Trump, Tapper reportedly ended the conversation abruptly, preventing further discussion on Biden's mental state.

  Ben Ferguson (06:42): "Now, don't take my word for it. Listen to Jake Tapper in his own words."

• Kamala Harris Clip: The episode includes a clip from Vice President Kamala Harris, where her questioning during a live interview reflects on Biden's cognitive abilities, further illustrating the alleged neglect by the media.

  Kamala Harris (07:09): "Cognitive decline. Biden embraces his stutter, talking about it while Trump mocks it..."

• Ferguson’s Critique: He criticizes the media's dual role in both reporting and covering up, suggesting a systemic issue aimed at preserving the status quo rather than informing the public.

  Ben Ferguson (09:15): "Original Sin. President Biden's decline its cover up and his disastrous choice to run again."

2. DOJ Removes American Bar Association from Judicial Nominations Process

The second major topic Ferguson addresses is the Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision to exclude the American Bar Association (ABA) from the judicial nomination process. This move, he argues, is a response to the ABA's historic bias against conservative judicial candidates.

• ABA’s Historical Bias: Ferguson points to several high-profile cases where the ABA rated highly qualified conservative candidates as "not qualified." Notable examples include Robert Bork, Edith Jones, and Frank Easterbrook, all esteemed figures in their fields.

  Ben Ferguson (16:00): "Robert Bork was one of the most qualified federal judicial nominees... yet the ABA concluded he was not qualified to be a judge."

• DOJ’s Statement: He references Pam Bondi’s declaration that the ABA will no longer receive privileged access to judicial nominees, likening the organization to other "left-wing advocacy groups" without recognizing its historical influence.

  Pam Bondi (from transcript, [15:07]): "Nominees will also not respond to questionnaires prepared by the ABA and will not sit for interviews with the ABA."

• Impact on Judicial Selections: Ferguson emphasizes that eliminating the ABA's role is a step towards ensuring a fairer, more unbiased selection process for federal judges, free from political manipulation.

  Ben Ferguson (18:22): "I have for years, for more than a decade, advocated that the ABA is wildly biased and it should not have a special role in the process."

• Exemplary Judicial Nominees: He discusses a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where a nominee failed to answer basic constitutional questions, illustrating the flaws in the current nomination and vetting process.

  Ben Ferguson (20:58): "The Constitution has seven articles... to not know what Article 2 is is stunning."

3. Kamala Harris’s Book Launch and Appearance on Stephen Colbert

The final segment focuses on Vice President Kamala Harris's recent book launch and her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Ferguson critiques her approach, labeling it as disjointed and lacking genuine introspection.

• Book Launch: Harris's book, purportedly a candid reflection on her 107-day presidential campaign, is portrayed by Ferguson as a "sanitized, whitewashed version" designed more for publicity than substance.

  Ben Ferguson (28:00): "It's so clearly written by a book publicist. The chances that there is anything resembling candor or reflection in this book are 0.0%."

• Colbert Interview Analysis: Ferguson dissects Harris's interview with Colbert, describing her responses as "word salad" and highlighting moments where she fails to provide clear, substantive answers.

  Ben Ferguson (35:58): "You hear that and it's like, what are you even talking about?"

• Democratic Party Critique: He extends his criticism to the broader Democratic Party, arguing that leaders like Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, and AOC lack coherent leadership and instead foster internal chaos driven by extreme left-wing factions.

  Ben Ferguson (38:30): "There is no leader of the Democratic Party. They are leaderless. They are rudderless."

• Irony in Defending Democracy: Ferguson finds it ironic that Harris professes to defend democracy while, in his view, supporting policies and actions that undermine democratic principles, such as indicting political opponents and manipulating electoral processes.

  Ben Ferguson (42:08): "This administration... Kamala Harris has demonstrated utter and complete contempt for democracy."

Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Ferguson of Verdict with Ted Cruz presents a scathing critique of current political dynamics, accusing mainstream media of bias, highlighting significant changes in the judicial nomination process, and dissecting high-profile political figures' actions and narratives. Through detailed analysis and strategic use of quotes, Ferguson aims to shed light on what he perceives as systemic issues undermining transparency, fairness, and true democratic values in the United States.

For listeners seeking an in-depth understanding of these contentious issues, this episode offers a provocative perspective that challenges prevailing narratives and calls for greater accountability and integrity within media, political institutions, and leadership.