Obamacare Equals Expensive NO CARE, Why Democrats Hate Fetterman & Antifa at TPUSA Week In Review

Summary

---

Verdict with Ted Cruz – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Obamacare Equals Expensive NO CARE, Why Democrats Hate Fetterman & Antifa at TPUSA | Week In Review
Air Date: November 15, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

---

Overview

In this "Weekend Review" episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson dive into three headline topics:

1. The failures of Obamacare and the controversy over government shutdown subsidies.
2. Internal Democratic Party clashes, specifically targeting Senator John Fetterman and the growing left-wing radicalism.
3. Ongoing violence from Antifa at a Turning Point USA event and the funding behind left-wing campus protests.

The hosts blend analysis, personal anecdotes, and sharp criticism of Democratic policies and actions, emphasizing the conservative principles of individual freedom, limited government, and personal responsibility.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Obamacare: Broken Promises and Insurance Payouts

[03:10–11:03]

• Obamacare as "Corporate Welfare":
  • Cruz criticizes Obamacare (Affordable Care Act), describing it as "corporate welfare" for insurance companies profiting at the expense of consumers.
  • He recounts Trump’s involvement: the team asked Trump to call out these subsidies as corporate handouts in the shutdown standoff. Trump agreed, sending out a strongly worded social media post, substantially authored by Cruz, emphasizing this stance.
• Historical Claims vs. Reality:
  • Cruz recounts his 2013 filibuster and broken promises about reduced premiums.
    • Quote (Cruz):

      “Barack Obama promised the American people Obamacare would cut the average family's premiums by $2,500 a year. That was a lie... they skyrocketed.” [04:28]

  • Cites a Washington Post editorial admitting the ACA failed to make health care more affordable.
• Stock Market Data:
  • Cruz reads out a list of major health insurance companies whose stock prices have soared:
    • “Aetna... increased 595%. Centene... 604%. Molina... 859%. Humana... 490%... United Health Group... 1,177% increase.”
    • Cruz emphasizes these companies predominantly donate to Democrats.
    • Quote (Cruz):

      “What are the Democrats say they wanted to do in this shutdown, give $50 billion to those same health insurance companies whose profits have skyrocketed.” [10:38]

• The Republican Alternative: Expanded Health Savings Accounts:
  • Cruz and Ferguson tout expanding personal health savings accounts (HSAs) and “Trump accounts” (savings for kids) as real reforms.
    • Quote (Cruz):

      “Expanding health savings accounts so that you give you, the consumer, you, the patient, more control... that expands competition and empowers patients and it lowers prices.” [06:42]

• Contrasting Philosophies:
  • Ferguson quips:

    “…Trump is get the government out of your life. You can do better. Without it, we want to help you do that. And then the Democrats like, no, no, no... you should have no control of your life.” [07:22]

2. Welfare Fraud, Immigration, and the “Deporting Fraudsters Act”

[11:03–13:56]

• Bill Preview:
  • Cruz introduces his Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2025, aiming to make welfare fraud by non-citizens a deportable offense.
• Key Statistics:
  • 48% of households headed by illegal immigrants receive food-related welfare benefits.
  • 1.76 million non-citizens on SNAP (2023), costing taxpayers hundreds of millions.
  • Fraud in Texas alone: $126.8 million stolen from EBT cards in 2024.
• Policy Rationale:
  • Cruz:

    “If you’re here illegally, you do not have any entitlement to public welfare. And if you access fraudulently... that is yet another ground to deport you.” [13:18]

• Democratic Opposition:
  • Cruz jokes about Chuck Schumer’s lack of support:

    “No. And I feel confident that Schumer is not just a no, he’s a hell no.” [13:59]

---

3. Democratic Party Division: The Fetterman Backlash & Party Radicalization

[20:04–30:49]

• Fetterman’s Outspokenness & Backlash:
  • Fetterman, despite being a Democrat, dissented from party hardliners on reopening the government and support for Israel, causing intra-party anger.
  • Ferguson and Cruz highlight Democratic leadership’s intolerance for such dissent, referencing media commentary calling for Fetterman's ouster.
• On the Shutdown:
  • Fetterman’s response on “The View” is played, defending his stance and calling out extremes in both parties.
    • Quote (Fetterman):

      “If Democrats are celebrating crazy pants like that, then that’s on them... I don’t need a lecture... I’m trying to remind people that kinds of the extreme extremism, we can’t return to those kind of things.” [22:05]

• On Support for Israel and Antisemitism:
  • Fetterman describes feeling out of sync with a party that’s grown hostile to pro-Israel stances.
    • Quote (Fetterman):

      “Being devotion to Israel becoming increasingly incompatible with being a proud Democrat now too. And that's put me at odds.” [27:23]

• Democratic Intolerance for Moderation:
  • Cruz compares Democratic treatment of Fetterman with their past actions toward Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, asserting Republicans treat moderates with more respect.
    • Quote (Cruz):

      “They did the same thing to Joe Manchin. They did the same thing to Kyrsten Cinema. They succeeded in driving both of them out of the party because they want no dissent.” [29:50]

• Personal Perspective:
  • Cruz expresses sympathy for Fetterman’s health struggles and courage; criticizes Democratic strategizing to undermine him due to ideological nonconformity.

---

4. Antifa Violence at TPUSA Event and Left-Wing Funding Networks

[36:18–44:30]

• Incident Recap:
  • At a Turning Point USA event at UC Berkeley, left-wing Antifa protesters violently attacked attendees; Fox News covered the clash.
  • Notably, some of the protestors chanted celebrating previous violence against conservatives, including the assassination of TPUSA’s Charlie Kirk.
• Conservative Free Speech, Administrative Inaction:
  • Cruz and Ferguson decry the lack of intervention by Berkeley administrators and local police.
    • Quote (Cruz):

      “Where was the administration of Berkeley? Where was the police? Why are they allowing violent protesters?” [38:12]

• Financing & Organizing the “Radical Left”:
  • Cruz references reports revealing nonprofit organizations like By Any Means Necessary (B.A.M.N.) as key funders of these actions; Fox News identified 266 such groups with $2.9 billion in combined annual revenues.
  • Cruz touts his introduced “Stop Funders Act,” which lets authorities target fundraising for rioting under RICO laws.
• Department of Justice Response:
  • New investigation by the DOJ under AG Pam Bondi begins, seeking to uncover the flow of funds and administrative complicity at UC Berkeley.
    • Quote (Cruz):

      “There is an entire ecosystem with money flowing to promote violence. And thankfully the Department of Justice… has announced… an anti-terrorism investigation…” [42:06]

  • The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is demanding UC Berkeley preserve all records; expectation is that internal communications will reveal administrative bias against conservative students and speakers.
• Broader Parallels:
  • Cruz analogizes the “moral decay” and government inaction at universities with officials “looking the other way” in international incidents targeting Christians.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Obamacare’s Real Beneficiaries:

  "Obamacare scam goes straight to their best friends in the insurance industry. They are making a killing. While health coverage only gets worse..."
  — President Trump Statement, drafted with Cruz input [05:41]

• On Government vs. Individual Control:

  “That’s exactly the difference between the Republicans and Democrats right now.”
  — Ben Ferguson [07:52]

• On Democratic Party Intolerance:

  “You must obey and follow orders or they'll do everything they can to drive you out.”
  — Senator Ted Cruz [30:13]

• On Rising Corporate Profits:

  “United Health Group... when Obamacare passed, stock was $25.66. Today… $327.74. That is a 1,177% increase. That's what Obamacare did.”
  — Senator Ted Cruz [09:25]

• On Violence and Activism:

  “Classic Marxist technique of projecting and accusing your opponents of doing what you're doing.”
  — Senator Ted Cruz [40:36]

• On Support for Israel as a Democrat:

  “Being devotion to Israel becoming increasingly incompatible with being a proud Democrat now too.”
  — Senator John Fetterman [27:23]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Obamacare and Health Savings Accounts | 03:10–11:03 | | Deporting Fraudsters Act & Welfare Fraud | 11:03–13:56 | | Democrats vs. Fetterman: Party Division | 20:04–30:49 | | Antifa Violence at TPUSA and Funding Networks | 36:18–44:30 |

---

Tone & Style

The episode is unapologetically partisan, candid, and combative, with both hosts presenting conservative perspectives and deploying humor and sharp criticism toward Democrats, left-wing activists, and government bureaucracy. There is also genuine praise for individuals crossing party lines or showing independence, as with John Fetterman.

---

Conclusion

Listeners hear an assertive defense of conservative policy priorities—health care reform, individual savings, strict enforcement of immigration and welfare laws, and preserving free speech rights. The episode simultaneously highlights perceived excesses and hypocrisy within the Democratic Party and the organizational/money trail underlying radical activism.

For those seeking a snapshot of recent conservative talking points, interwoven with legislative previews and cultural commentary, this episode is essential listening.

---

Transcript

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Ben Ferguson]

Hey Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a very happy half off holiday because right now Mint Mobile is offering you the.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Gift of 50% off unlimited.

[Ben Ferguson]

To be clear, that's half price, not half the service.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Mint is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means a half day.

[Ben Ferguson]

Yeah, give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront.

[Commercial Announcer]

Payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed flow advert 35 gigabytes of networks.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Busy taxes and fees extra.

[Commercial Announcer]

Siemen mobile.com tired of spills and stains on your sofa? Wash away your worries with Anabe Anibe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly prices. That's right, sofas start at just $699. Enjoy a no risk experience with pet friendly stain resistant and changeable slip covers made with performance fabric. Experience cloud like comfort with high resilience foam that's hypoallergenic and never needs fluffing. The sturdy steel frame ensures longevity and the modular pieces can be rearranged anytime. Shop washablesofas.com for early Black Friday savings up to 60% off site wide backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not absolutely in love, send it back for a full refund. No return, shipping or restocking fees. Every penny back. Upgrade [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Hear that? It's the sound of truly immersive audio thanks to Vizio's new 4.1 soundbar and it's now available at Walmart. Powered by Dolby Atmos and DTS X. Experience rich cinematic sound with two wireless surround speakers and a compact wireless subwoofer that puts you in the center of your entertainment, all without the clutter of cables. Stream your favorite music radio and podcasts with the iHeartRadio app and trust us, your music has never sounded this good. Head to Walmart.com and upgrade your sound game today.

[Ben Ferguson]

AI agents are everywhere, automating tasks and making decisions at machine speed.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

But agents make mistakes. Just one rogue agent can do big.

[Ben Ferguson]

Damage before you even notice. Rubrik Agent Cloud is the only platform that helps you monitor agents, set guardrails and rewind mistakes so you can unleash agents, not risk. Accelerate your AI [e-mail] that's R U.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

B R-I K.com Travis I'm Rodney Williams. And I'm Travis Holloway. Welcome to the Wealth Break podcast, a real conversation about finance. Let's be honest, building wealth doesn't look the same for everyone.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

I feel like sometimes being broke is.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

A cycle and that we might have to revisit that.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

And we're not stopping at success stories.

[Commercial Announcer]

What happens when it doesn't go right? How do you cope with it?

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Because wealth isn't just about money. It's about creating a life where you thrive and help others do the same. Listen to the Wealth Break podcast on the iHeartRadio app.

[Ben Ferguson]

Welcome. It is Verdict with Ted Cruz, Weekend Review, Ben Ferguson with you. And here are some of the big stories that you may have missed that we talked about this week. First up, Democrats, they're pretty upset over the government shutdown, but what they're really upset about is your subsidies, billions and billions of dollars in payouts going to insurance companies that are getting rich. Obamacare is broken, known as the Affordable Care Act. It's anything but. And we'll explain it to you. Also, why are Democrats so angry with John Fetterman for just doing the right thing and saying it's time to open the government? We'll explain that as well. And finally, more violence as antifa attacks at a turning Point USA gathering. It's the Weekend Review and it starts right now.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

And the president, he was in a good mood, but he was, he was expressing his views emphatically, as he always does.

[Ben Ferguson]

Yeah. And by the way, for people that have ever done a phone call, like, if you've never gotten to do this, he does not ever hold back when you're talking about the phone. I not a single phone call. You've had a lot more than I have. But when I've had phone calls with him, whether it was in 16 to 20 or now forward, like, he does not hold back at all when you're on the cell phone on speakerphone as well.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

He does not. So one of the things we asked of him Friday night, we said, listen, in this battle with the Democrats over Obamacare, Obamacare is failing. It's a bad program. And if you go back, go back to 2013, 2013, when I did a filibuster against Obamacare, I said at the time, if you remember, Barack Obama promised the American people Obamacare would cut the average family's premiums by 2,500 a year. That was a lie. And in fact, they, they skyrocketed at the time, 5,000 a year. They've skyrocketed a lot more than that. Even the Washington Post has now admitted the editorial Page. The Affordable Care act, which is the misleading name of Obamacare, did not make health care more affordable. It caused premiums to skyrocket. So when we had Trump on the phone, we said, look, it would really help if you made the case that what Democrats are fighting for is these massive multibillion dollar corporate welfare payoffs to the health insurance companies instead of empowering consumers. And look, we want to lower prices. And so we said in particular, it would really help if you would send a truth. And Trump said, great, come up with something. And so I will tell you what the President sent. I had a lot of input in this, and here's what he put out. President Trump said, democrats claim to be working for, quote, the little guy and driving down your health insurance. But the. And the rest of this is in all caps. Obamacare scam goes straight to their best friends in the insurance industry. They are making a killing. While health coverage only gets worse if. If Democrats get their way again, they're in for another huge payday at the expense of the American people. No deal. In all caps, Republicans should give money directly to your personal health savings accounts, all in caps that I expanded in our great big beautiful bill. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Now, this is really important because if you want a really strong, principled, conservative reform to health insurance.

[Ben Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Expanding health savings accounts so that you give you, the consumer, you, the patient, more control. And instead of sending money to the insurance companies, send it straight to people's health savings accounts so you can spend it on premiums, you can spend it on deductibles, you can spend it on health care that expands competition and empowers patients and it lowers prices. The President leaning in with this tweet really helps in this political battle we'll have over the next six weeks, because the outcome he's advocating for is something I've advocated for a long time. And that was a direct result of that dinner on Friday night where we got him on the phone.

[Ben Ferguson]

You know, there's one interesting thing that's coming out of this first year of Trump being back in office. It is really empowering the American people, whether it is the accounts you just talked about, whether it's the Trump accounts that are going to be coming in this next year that you guys pass to give kids the opportunity to save money and to be able to grow accounts and to build wealth over their lifetime. Like, there is a lot of personal growth and personal excitement that it's Trump is get the government out of your life. You can do better. Without it, we want to help you do that. And then the Democrats like, no, no, no, no, Mandanis and others, you should have no control of your life. We want to run the whole damn show from, from, from birth to death. Just trust the US Government to be your daddy or your mommy or both. And that's exactly the difference between the Republicans and Democrats right now.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Look, it's a fundamental divide, as you noted. We passed the Trump accounts, as you know. Well, I wrote that legislation. Yep. This has been a major theme that I've been fighting for since the first day I got elected to the Senate. And whether you're talking about health savings accounts, whether you're talking about Trump accounts that are, that are essentially 401k savings accounts for kids, or whether you're talking about school choice and getting tax credits, the unifying theme of all of those is individual choice, empowering you, the individual, rather than government competition and giving you control. That is the fundamental difference between left and right. And President Trump has been a great partner in this. And I'll tell you, as a part of his tweet, he sent out a chart, a chart which I had sent him. But I want you to see the chart. We're going to put it up on, on, on YouTube for anyone that's watching it on YouTube. But it goes through the major health care companies. Their stock performance since Obamacare passed. I'm going to walk through them. Aetna, Obamacare, March 2010 is when it passed Aetna stock stock price was $30.50. Today it's $212. So it's increased 595% since Obamacare passed. Centene, its stock has increased 604%. Molina, its stock has increased 859%. Humana, its stock has increased 490%. Anthem Elevance Health, its stock has increased 414%. Cigna, its stock has increased 822%. And United Health Group, when Obamacare passed, United health stock was $25.66. Today, November 2025, it is $327.74. That is a 1,177% increase. That's what Obamacare did. It massively increase the profits of the health insurance companies. By the way, those health insurance companies overwhelmingly give to Democrats. They give to Chuck Schumer. They give to Akeem Jeffries and the Democrats because they recognize when Democrats are in power, their profits go through the roof and the American people's premiums skyrocket. What are the Democrats say they wanted to do in this shutdown, give $50 billion to those same health insurance companies who profits have skyrocketed. And it's why what the President said is so important. No, we're not going to give money to health insurance companies. Instead we're going to expand health savings accounts so you, the individual, has control over your own health care.

[Ben Ferguson]

Senator, I also want to get a little preview of something that you're working on. We're going to do a more expansive show on this. But it's important that people know that even while the government has been shut down, you have been working very hard on other things. One of those things is you have now introduced the quote Deporting Fraudsters act of 2025. And it deals with SNAP and public benefits abuses that is costing the American people millions and millions of dollars. Give us a little preview of this so people know what's been going on.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Look, this is a very simple bill. It is an astonishing fact that right now, welfare fraud, fraudulently taking government assistance benefits is not a deportable offense under the immigration laws. This law will change that and make it a deportable offense. Let me give you some basic statistics. 48% of households headed by illegal immigrants received food related welfare benefits. 48%. Nearly half specifically SNAP. A CIS analysis found that 31% of illegal alien households with children draw SNAP benefits. One in five households getting wick women's infants and children or SNAP is headed by a non citizen and 96% of the children in those households are us but born. Showing how illegal aliens exploit child based eligibility to access Benefits indirectly, the US Department of Agriculture reports 1.76 million non citizens on SNAP in 2023. That is roughly $312 million in taxpayer funds in 2012. Or not 2012 rather 2022, it was 1.5 million recipients that cost 222 million. Fraud is rampant. For example, in 2024, $126.8 million was stolen from EBT cards in Texas. 3.7 million people, about 11% of the state relies on SNAP. Every stolen or unlawfully claimed dollar robs a citizen family in genuine need. And According to the CBO, about 200,000 illegal aliens from the surge of alien asylum seekers from 2023 to 2024 already received SNAP growing to 800,000 by 2034. Assuming no deportations. A 10 year cost. You said this cost millions. Yeah, the 10 year cost is $15 billion. And so this bill is to target that and say if you're here illegally, you do not have any entitlement to public welfare. And if you access fraudulently access public welfare, that is yet another ground to deport you.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now, Chuck Schumer is a co sponsor of this bill, right?

[Senator Ted Cruz]

No. And I feel confident that Schumer is not just a no, he's a hell no. Because today's Democrat party it is all for giant health insurance corporations. It is all for illegal immigrants, it is all for violent criminals. It is all for men and women's sports. It's all for everyone except the average American citizen trying to work hard and provide for his or her family. And that's exactly backwards.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now if you want to hear the rest of this conversation, you can go back and listen to the full podcast from earlier this week. I am sure if you've been listening to conservative radio and podcasts, you've heard a lot of talk about gold and silver. Now there are people that ask me all the time who do I trust? And I and that is Kirk Elliot Precious Metals. You get more than gold and silver. You get trusted guidance from a team that puts people first. Always. The mission is clear. They want to help you and your family protect what matters the most with real metals, real service and real clarity. Here's what sets Kirk Elliot apart. Number one, a bullion only approach. They focus on investment grade metals. No overpriced collectibles or gimmicks. That means more precious metals for your money. Fair value when it's time to sell. They also have transparent pricing. This is why I recommend them and love using them. Just 8% when you buy and zero commissions when you sell. No hidden fees ever. Many companies do that. They also give you personalized guidance. You're never just a number. There's no pressure. They give you honest answers and education that put you in control. I want you to go to kepm.comben that's K-E P M.com to schedule your personal portfolio review. Ask about today's unique market window and how the current silver to gold ratio might work in your favor. Protect what matters visit kepm.com ben or call them 720-605-3900 Kirk Elliott Precious Metals Smarter Metal Investing starts with them. Operation Overlord the D Day Beaches It's Ben Ferguson and you and I share a passion for history, so I hope you'll join me next spring on the D Day beaches in Normandy. The invasion that sealed Hitler's doom. Omaha and Utah. Discover the sacred patch of sand with me. 10 days in Europe, luxury hotels and fully escorted by America's leading expert on France and the D Day invasion Kin chase Paris champagne country 5757 and that includes your airfare stand at General Patton's gravesite, Bastone, point du Hawk and Mulberry Harbor. Call now on your cell phone, dial pound250 and say the keyword Conservative Tours or go to conservativetours.com an A plus rating with the BBB. All your sightseeing in Paris too. You'll have the option to receive a one time auto dialed text message from iheartmedia and I'll see you on the Champs Elysees.

[Commercial Announcer]

There's nothing like sinking into luxury. Annabe sofas combine ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. Annabe has designed the only fully machine washable sofa. From top to bottom. The stain resistant performance fabric slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space and style. Whether you need a single chair loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Anna Bay has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Sofas started just $699 and right now get early access to Black Friday savings up to 60% off storewide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop [e-mail] Add a little to your life. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Hear that? It's the sound of truly immersive audio thanks to Vizio's new 4.1 soundbar and it's now available at Walmart. Powered by Dolby Atmos and DTS X Experience rich cinematic sound with two wireless surround speakers and a compact wireless subwoofer that puts you in the center of your entertainment, all without the clutter of cables. Stream your favorite music radio and podcasts with the iHeartRadio app and trust us, your music has never sounded this good. Head to Walmart.com and upgrade your sound game today.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

I'm Rodney Williams. And I'm Travis Holloway. Welcome to the Wealth Break. Lets be honest, building wealth doesn't look the same for everyone. It's not just about saving, it's about investing. It's about navigating systems that weren't built for you, embracing your hustle and relying on your community to create something bigger. And that's exactly why we created the wealthbreak. We made something different, something more human. It's not just Another financial podcast. It's a conversation about real life, real struggles and real wins. We're here to talk about the journey. You'll hear from people who've broken barriers, found creative ways to succeed, and learn to build wealth on their terms. Whether it's the first time homeowner, a gig worker, or someone turning a side hustle into a six figure business. We're bringing you their stories. And we're not stopping at success stories. We're breaking down the realities, like what it means to take risk, how to navigate failure, and why resilience matters. Because wealth isn't about money. It's about creating a life where you can thrive and help others to do the same. So if you're ready for a podcast as much as about people as it is about money, you're in the right place. Listen to the Wealth Break podcast on the iHeartRadio app.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now on to story number two. This is the Civil War. Let's be clear. And that's part of what I gotta ask you about is there are Democrats now that are basically like off with his head in leadership. They want him gone. They're publicly saying that. They're saying this is the end of him. He has done, MSNBC said it multiple times. CNN commentators said the same thing. Like he's done. They got to get rid of him. He's, his career's over. This goes back to the being held hostage by the Marxists, the socialists and the communists of the Democratic Party. Now, they didn't police them, now they're running the party and they're anarchists. And Chuck Schumer shut down the government for the longest period in history of this country. And that wasn't good enough for them.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

And he still voted no on reopening it. So he shut it down for the longest in history. He voted no consistently. And yet they're still off with his head. It really is. The crazies are driving the Democrat Party. And look, if you don't believe me, maybe you will believe John Fetterman. I want you to listen to this exchange. Senator John Fetterman, Democrat from Pennsylvania, was on the View. And Sonny, you know, one of the left wing hosts there comes after him and comes after him hard. Listen to her unhinged question and then listen to Fetterman's response.

[Ben Ferguson]

Well, Senator Bernie Sanders said the vote.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Was a horrific mistake. Governor Gavin Newsom called it pathetic. And a surrender poll after poll found more Americans on both sides of the aisle blaming Republicans.

[Ben Ferguson]

Even Marjorie Taylor Greene blamed the gop.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

As you mentioned, Democrats had big wins last week, so you had momentum. Why give in now? Why bring a butter knife to a gunfight? Are you willing to gamble that the GOP will negotiate on health care in good faith once the government reopens? Because if that gamble is wrong, half a million Pennsylvanians that you represent, their health care costs will skyrocket. If you are wrong, and I believe you are wrong.

[F]

Well, first of all, you know, MTG is quite literally the last person in America that I'm going to take advice or to get their kinds of my leadership and values. And now if Democrats are celebrating crazy pants like that, then that's on them. And now I don't need, and I don't need a lecture. I don't need a lecture from, from whether it's Bernie or the governor in California because they are representing very deep blue, blue kinds of populations. And a lot of those things, a lot of those things were part of the extreme. And now remember, we, what really needs to win, to win the big win, is involving my state and other states and those things. And why have we arrived here after the election a year ago? We want to forget, we got to forget some of the things that cost us that election. Or now for me, it's like that's why I'm trying to remind people that kinds of the extreme extremism, we can't return to those kind of things and realize we need to find a way forward. And I would like to, rather than cite mtg, I'm going to cite one of the new governor elects saying that my election is not a green light to continue this shutdown. Because I promise you, this isn't a political game. It is viewed by that, by many of us. But the reality is 42 million Americans now not sure where their next meal is going to come from. And because we vote like that, vote like that, or people that haven't been paid for five weeks now. And that kinds of chaos. Those workers borrow more than half a billion doll, you know, from their credit union just to pay their bills.

[Ben Ferguson]

You listen, talking about paying their bills and I love that from Fetterman there. He, they also were very quiet because I didn't think, I don't think they realized he was going to come back with facts that way and describe it. I jokingly said to you before the show started, when's John Fetterman going to join the Republican Party? Because he's been speaking an awful lot of truth about the reality of this shutdown.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Well, look, I like John Fetterman and I will tell You Republicans actually treat him much more nicely than the Democrats do. The Democrats are mean to him. They're vicious to him. They really have a deep antipathy to him. And the amazing thing, he votes the overwhelming majority of the time with the Democrats. You know, he's on the Commerce Committee with me on virtually every vote. He votes party line with the Democrats on most votes on the floor. He votes party line with the Democrats. He has a few defections. So he did vote to open the government, and that's viewed as this great heresy because he didn't want to have a force a government shutdown and hurt millions of Americans and continue the longest government shutdown in history. And the main area that he's been willing to dissent from, virtually every other congressional Democrat is in support of Israel. And we've talked about before that there is a real and cognizable pro Hamas caucus in the Democrat Party. It rose up about 10 years ago. The Democrats did nothing. They looked the other way, and it's now taken over their party. And Fetterman is a massive outlier because he is genuinely pro Israel. He is vocally pro Israel, and the radicals in the Democrat Party hate him for that. And again, if you don't believe me, listen to what John Fetterman said on exactly this topic. You are not Jewish, at least as.

[Ben Ferguson]

Far as I know.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Feel free to cut. Feel free to come out here to me right now. But you have been one of the most outspoken. It's beyond Washington, it's beyond politicians.

[Commercial Announcer]

You have been one of the most.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Outspoken people in American life on the.

[Ben Ferguson]

Issue of anti Semitism. Why is this issue so important to you?

[F]

Ironically, I did that 23andMe, 97% German and 3% Neanderthal. And it's like, maybe it's ironic that, that a big German guy from Pennsylvania who's been very, absolutely devoted to Israel and to experience the kind of anti Semitism in my life. I mean, you know, what, you know, the Tree of life. I mean, that's. That's where you're from, too. Absolutely appalling. And my heart breaks for what the Jewish communities suffered, especially after 10, 7. I've had the honor of meeting, you know, members of the hostages, former people that were kept underground for 500 days. I mean, those are heroes I've met with widows. Their husbands were lost in the Gaza war, and they have eight children. Raising eight children by their own. That's a hero for all of it. So for me, it's heartbreaking. And, and that's been what's so difficult for me is like being devotion to Israel becoming increasingly incompatible with being a proud Democrat now too. And that's put me at odds. And the things that put me at odds have all converged at the same time. You know, the Gaza war, the peace deal, and then we move right into a shutdown. You know, like now Democrats might not be allowed to hold these views. And I'm not changing my party and you know, run the numbers, run the numbers. You know, I, you would find that I am a, I'm a Democrat.

[Ben Ferguson]

You know, he is a Democrat. But you've walked past his, his Senate office countless times. I've walked past it probably dozens of times when I'm up in D.C. and he had all the hostage pictures up in his front office, which I thought was incredible.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Look, he has been genuinely courageous and sincerely courageous on Israel and it's earned the absolute ire, hatred, animosity, venom of the radical left in the Democrat Party. I mean, you heard what he just said there, that being pro Israel is becoming incompatible with being a proud Democrat. I mean, that's a tragic statement. I wish that statement were not true, but, but it is the biggest reason why their radicals hate him. And much of, you know, when he was first elected and he came into office, he had had a stroke during the campaign. And the stroke was very debilitating. When John showed up, the stroke really limited. Like when I first met him, what the stroke did is it limited his ability to process auditory input. So you would talk to him and his brain was not able to process the words he was hearing. And so he would carry with him an iPad that had a translator because it just. This is one of the consequences that can be from a stroke is your ability to process words that you hear. Your brain just can't put them together. So you would talk and he would read it, but when he first got there, you would talk to him and he would literally, he was not able to understand what you were saying. And I mean, it hurt your heart. I mean, this is a, He's a very bright man. The man's a Harvard graduate. But he had a medical issue that he had real consequences. Early on, the Democrats all circled around him and said, he's perfectly capable, there are no issues whatsoever. Because they assumed he would be a left wing Democrat. That's what they expected of him. That was not a crazy expectation going in. And then when he started standing up, particularly on Israel, standing up and defying the pro Hamas caucus, you started seeing the Democrats leaking and planning stories and really attacking his mental capability. And the irony is, look, you heard in those exchanges, he's now able to have a conversation. He still is a little halting in his communication and I think that's some of the aftermath of the stroke. But the difference is night and day, you can now have a conversation and he can hear you in a way that when he showed up in the Senate, he was not able to. And yet Democrats are running to reporters to plant negative stories attacking him. Many of his colleagues want to drive him out of the party. And at least on the Republican side, I like John and I think consistently all the Republicans are just trying to be nice to him. By the way, they did the same thing to Joe Manchin. They did the same thing to Kyrsten Cinnamon. They succeeded in driving both of them out of the party because they want no dissent. You, you must obey and follow orders or they'll do everything they can to drive you out. And to be honest, both Cinema and Manchin, I think Republicans were much nicer too than Democrats were. And the consequence was they were both driven out of the party as before.

[Ben Ferguson]

If you want to hear the rest of this conversation on this topic, you can go back and download the podcast from earlier this week to hear the entire thing. In times like these, true peace comes from trusting God's provisions and stewarding it well. And at Kurt Elliott Precious Metals, they believe managing your resources isn't just business. It's a calling guided by biblical principles. That's why I want you to know about the amazing job they do with precious metals. They know wealth isn't just numbers. It's about legacy, purpose and the lives you impact for generations. Gold and silver that you can actually hold, steward and pass on. With Kirk Elliot Precious Metals, you're going receive three important things. Real bullion. No gimmicks. Just investment grade gold and silver. No overpriced coins. No flashy, ridiculous markups. You're also going to get transparent pricing something very hard to find in the gold and silver space. You just pay 8% when you buy and nothing when you sell. No hidden fees ever on transactions. At the end of the day, they're a faith driven, guided company. They treat every client like family, offering honest upfront answers that make you understand exactly you're doing with your hard earned money. Now if you're seeking a partner with an eternity mindset, go to kepm.com ben that's K-E-P M.com ben or call them 720-605-3900 or [e-mail] ben Operation Overlord the D Day Beaches It's Ben Ferguson and you and I share a passion for history and so I hope you'll join me next spring on the D Day beaches in Normandy, the invasion that sealed Hitler's doom. Omaha and Utah. Discover the sacred patch of sand with me 10 days in Europe luxury hotels and fully escorted by America's leading expert on France and the D Day invasion. Ken chase Paris champagne country 5757 and that includes your airfare stand at General Patton's grave website, Baston Point du Hawk and Mulberry Harbor. Call now on your cell phone, dial pound 250 and say the keyword Conservative Tours or go to conservativetours.com an A plus rating with the BBB. All your sightseeing in Paris too. You'll have the option to receive a one time auto dialed text message from iheartmedia and I'll see you on the.

[Commercial Announcer]

Shaz Elizay Tired of spills and stains on your sofa? Wash away your worries with Anabe. Annabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly prices. That's right, sofas start at just $699. Enjoy a no risk experience with pet friendly stain resistant and changeable slipcovers made with performance fabric. Experience cloud like comfort with high resiliency foam that's hypoallergenic and never needs fluffing. The sturdy steel frame ensures longevity and the modular pieces can be rearranged anytime. Shop washablesofas.com for early Black Friday savings up to 60% off site wide, backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not absolutely in love, send it back for a full refund. No return, shipping or restocking fees. Every penny back. Upgrade [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Hear that? It's the sound of truly immersive audio thanks to Vizio's new 4.1 soundbar and it's now available at Walmart. Powered by Dolby Atmos and DTS X, Experience rich cinematic sound with two wireless surround speakers and a compact wireless subwoofer that puts you in the center of your entertainment, all without the clutter of cables. Stream your favorite music radio and podcasts with the iHeartRadio app and trust us, your music has never sounded this good. Head to Walmart.com and upgrade your sound game today.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

I'm Rodney Williams. And I'm Travis Holloway. Welcome to the Wealth Break. Let's be honest Building wealth doesn't look the same for everyone. It's not just about saving. It's about investing. It's about navigating systems that weren't built for you, embracing your hustle, and relying on your community to create something bigger. And that's exactly why we created the wealthbreak. We made something different, something more human. It's not just another financial podcast. It's a conversation about real life, real struggles, and real wins. We're here to talk about the journey. You're hearing from people who've broken barriers, found creative ways to succeed, and learn to build wealth on their terms. Whether it's the first time homeowner, a gig worker, or someone turning a side hustle into a six figure business, we're bringing you their stories. And we're not stopping at success stories. We're breaking down the realities, like what it means to take risk, how to navigate failure, and why resilience matters. Because wealth isn't about money. It's about creating a life where you can thrive and help others to do the same. So if you're ready for a podcast as much as about people as it is about money, you're in the right place. Listen to the Wealth Brave podcast on the iHeartRadio app.

[Ben Ferguson]

I want to get back to the big story number three of the week you may have missed. All right. I want to end the show with talking about something else that has really made me sad this week. It's also, I think, really telling you where we are as a country with the radical left. We have seen violent protesters at a Turning Point USA USA event at UC Berkeley. I wish it wasn't what we witnessed, but it was radical leftists. I want to know who's funding them, Senator. I want to know who's behind this. But it is shocking to see this level of rhetoric and attacks on conservatives who are just going to have a conversation. And it's very eerily close to what we witnessed with the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Yeah, look, the pattern of left wing violence continues and it continues across the country. And it continues with the acquiescence and support of many on the far left. Far too many on the far left. This week, Turning Point USA had a rally at UC Berkeley. Now, the speakers at the rally were Dr. Frank Turek, who's a. A Christian pastor, and Rob Schneider, who's a comedian and actor. So it's not like either of these speakers were particularly controversial in any normal or sane place. But UC Berkeley is not necessarily a normal or sane place. And antifa targeted them targeted the people coming into the rally, coming in to see, to listen to the speakers and they were violent. Let me read how, how, how Fox covered it. A bloody fight broke out near the University of California, Berkeley on Monday afternoon ahead of a Turning Point USA event on campus. The event, which featured Dr. Frank Turek and Rob Schneider, marked the end of the this is Turning Point tour. It took place just two months after Turning Point USA's founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated at a campus event in Utah on September 10th. The confrontation erupted around 4:30pm Pacific Standard Time. During the brawl, two men were seen fighting each other, one of whom had blood gushing from his face. And you can watch the video. Video taken by Fox News Digital also shows a crowd of agitators gathered around the fight. Uh, these were left wing antifa activists. They, they were, they were chanting obscene chants that they were celebrating that Charlie Kirk had been murdered. They were chanting how happy they are about that. Most of them had masks. And, and it, you can watch the video online of one of the people coming to the Turning Point event who they beat the hell out of him and his face is bleeding profusely. And they engaged in violence. And I'll tell you what is frustrating is where was the administration of Berkeley? Where was the police? Why are they allowing violent protesters? And look, these are the same administrators, this is the same faculty that allowed their campuses to be taken over for weeks and months on end by radical anti Semitic protesters, by antifa communists who again engage in threats of violence. And in both instances, these are not organic. They're being paid for. There is, I've been saying for a long time, follow the money. I've been urging the Department of Justice and the FBI to follow the money. I've introduced legislation, the Stop Funders act to add rioting as a predicate act to RICO to let us go after the money that is behind these violent anarchists. And I'll tell you what's being reported now this is another story. Fox News covered. UC Berkeley's bloody protest of Turning Point USA allegedly funded by far left nonprofit Attorney General Pam Bondi opens anti Terrorism investigation into Campus Clash outside Turning Point USA event. And, and, and here's what Fox reports. Last month, a band of demonstrators marched across West Temple street in downtown Los Angeles in the national anti Trump no Kings protest carrying a banner that read Defeat Trump's Fascist takeover. Stop ICE raids and deportations by any means necessary. And in one corner, four bold letters stood out. B A M and an acronym for by any means necessary. The rest of the Banner spelled out clues to the group's full name and smaller print quote, coalition to defend affirmative action, integration and immigration rights and fight for equality by any means necessary. That organization, one of 266 groups with combined annual revenues of 2.9 billion, $2.9 billion, identified by Fox News Digital. Leading the no Kings protests would soon reappear at this week's Flashpoint on the campus of University of California, Berkeley. And so this group, a flyer circulated before the demonstration urged participants to quote, end fascist Turning Points, youth oriented campaign of incitement to violence. Now ironically, they're accusing Turning Point of incitement to violence and they show up and violently assault the people who are going to Turning Point. This is, it's, it's classic Marxist technique of projecting and accusing your opponents of doing what you're doing. And, and, and this flyer announced a rally outside of Zellerbach hall an hour before the doors open for the event. Well, the good news is, and, and, and, and a QR page printed on the flyer leads to a page on b a m n.com which is a domain of this group that was helping fund the no Kings rallies. And so there is an entire ecosystem with money flowing to promote violence. And thankfully the Department of Justice under Pam Bondi has announced that they're doing an anti terrorism investigation to go after to follow the money. And I'll tell you also, uh, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights is, is questioning, is, is questioning why Berkeley allowed this to happen. In fact, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dillon formally demanded that UC Berkeley preserve all records regarding their response to the mob violence at, at Berkeley's Turning Point USA event. All records.

[Ben Ferguson]

Good.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

And that's because I suspect they're going to find, they're going to find emails, they're going to find administrators saying, communicating back and forth just like we did with the anti Semitic protesters where it is clear that the administrators do not want to protect the people at Turning Point usa, do not want the police to stop violence if it's directed against conservatives. And there's a real moral decay at our universities. And I'm glad we have a Department of justice that's willing to enforce the law and go after, number one, the money behind the left wing violence. But number two, the administrators who are facilitating, and I gotta say it is not dissimilar to what's happening in Nigeria we talked about a minute ago where you have government officials who look the other way and refuse to enforce the law to protect the Christians. In Berkeley's case, I suspect the evidence will indicate the school administrators look the other way and refuse to protect the students at Turning Point USA because they're rooting for the antifa rioters who are physically assaulting those students.

[Ben Ferguson]

As always, thank you for listening to Verdict with Senator Ted Cruz Ben Ferguson with you. Don't forget to download my podcast and you can listen to my podcast every other day. You're not listening to Verdict or each day when you listen to Verdict afterwards. I'd love to have you as a listener to again the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here on Monday morning. Oral health goes beyond just aesthetics. It's deeply connected to your general health and well being. That's why preventing oral health problems before they start is so important. When you use the Colgate Total Active Prevention System, you're not just helping to prevent oral health problems like cavities and gingivitis, you're laying the groundwork for overall wellness. Colgate Total's three product routine includes a reformulated toothpaste, an innovative toothbrush, and a.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Refreshing antibacterial mouthwash that all support a healthy mouth.

[Ben Ferguson]

In fact, the three products were designed to work together to be 15 times more effective at reducing bacteria buildup in six weeks starting from week one compared to a non antibacterial fluoride toothpaste and flat trimmed toothbrush.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Take control of your oral health and get the Colgate Total Active Prevention System.

[Ben Ferguson]

Today so you can be dentist ready. Visit shop.colgate.com total.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Hear that? It's the sound of truly immersive audio thanks to Vizio's new 4.1 soundbar and it's now available at Walmart. Powered by Dolby Atmos and DTS X Experience rich cinematic sound with two wireless surround speakers and a compact wireless subwoofer that puts you in the center of your entertainment, all without the clutter of cables. Stream your favorite music radio and podcasts with the iHeartRadio app and trust us, your music has never sounded this good. Head to Walmart.com and upgrade your sound game today.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

I'm Rodney Williams. And I'm Travis Holloway. Welcome to the wealthbreak podcast, a real conversation about finance. Let's be honest, building wealth doesn't look the same for everyone.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

I feel like sometimes being broke is.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

A cycle and that we might have.

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

To revisit that and we're not stopping at success stories.

[Commercial Announcer]

What happens when it doesn't go right? How do you cope with it?

[Rodney Williams and Travis Holloway]

Because wealth isn't just about money. It's about creating a life where you thrive and help others do the same. Listen to the Wealth Break podcast on the iHeartRadio app.

[Ben Ferguson]

America's Christian Credit Union stands firm in faith, serves the community and delivers top financial services with elite Checking. Earn up to 4% APY on balances under $15,000. Get paid early, enjoy loan discounts and.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

More, because at Accu your money should reflect your mission.

[Ben Ferguson]

Visit AmericasChristianCu.com Elite to learn more.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Early pay depends on when your employer sends your paycheck. We can't guarantee early direct deposit.

[Ben Ferguson]

APY equals annual percentage yield. America's Christian Credit Union is federally insured by the ncua.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Spinquest Social Casino It's Thanksgiving time. The turkey's hot and the families loud. Instead of football, play a different game on your phone. Live dealer blackjack, crafts and slots play anytime, anywhere. Spinquest.com this Thanksgiving, gobble up a $30 coin pack for just $10. Come play today. Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.