Verdict with Ted Cruz – Episode Summary

Episode Title: PEACE in the Middle East – Hostages Freed under Historic Trump Agreement
Release Date: October 13, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

Overview

This pivotal episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz centers on the historic agreement brokered by President Donald Trump leading to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held since October 7, 2023. The discussion unfolds in real-time as breaking news comes through about the transfer of hostages to the Red Cross, providing both analysis and raw, emotional reactions. Cruz and Ferguson contrast the Trump administration’s achievements with those of Biden and Obama, discuss the role of key international and Israeli players, and reflect on the broader implications for Middle Eastern politics and U.S. leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News Coverage: Hostage Release in Real Time

• The episode is recorded live as news emerges that the hostage release in Gaza is underway.
• Ben Ferguson announces, “We are witnessing in Gaza City, the Red Cross vehicles are leaving the compound there... the release process is beginning and going as planned. That certainly is a great sign as we're recording this right now.” (05:14)
• Senator Cruz: “Those hostages have to have been in living hell for two years now, and it is time for them to be released. And hopefully within minutes, they will be, they will be back with their families.” (05:45)

2. Details of the Historic Agreement

• The agreement, negotiated by Donald Trump, stipulates the release of all hostages (alive and the remains of those killed) in exchange for an immediate and complete Israeli ceasefire.
• Trump is traveling to the Middle East to personally welcome the hostages.
• Cruz: “It is such a big deal that President Trump is flying to the Middle East to be there to welcome the hostages to their release." (04:24)

3. Recognition from Political Figures Across the Spectrum

• Hillary Clinton publicly praises Trump’s efforts:
  • Clinton (audio played on-air): “I really commend President Trump and his administration, as well as Arab leaders in the region, for making the commitment to the 20 point plan and seeing a path forward for what's often called the Day after...” (06:47)
• Cruz’s Response: “Bravo, Hillary Clinton... She must have hated saying those words. It was the right thing to do.” (08:26)

4. Contrasting Obama and Biden Responses

• Obama issues a statement not mentioning Trump’s role.

  • Cruz: “Do you know what word is nowhere in Barack Obama's statement?”
  • Ferguson: “Yeah. The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, the guy who negotiated the deal...” (09:43)
  • Cruz: “Obama cannot acknowledge that Trump accomplished something... this is one of the most classless statements I have ever seen.” (09:45)

• Tony Blinken (Biden’s Secretary of State) claims credit, suggesting Trump built on Biden’s plan.

  • Cruz: “It literally is Tony Blinken saying, well, this, this Trump peace deal, it's really the Biden peace deal. And that's utter nonsense...” (15:56)
  • Cruz accuses the Biden administration of weak foreign policy emboldening Iran and funding violence through released assets. (16:40)

5. Acknowledgments from Israeli Leadership

• Audio from Netanyahu: "We couldn't have achieved it without the extraordinary help of President Trump and his team... for the benefit of these families who will finally get to be with our loved ones." (11:07)
• Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are also commended for their roles.

6. Military and Diplomatic Pressure

• Trump’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities and Israel’s twelve-day war significantly weakened Iran and Hamas, setting the stage for the deal.
  • Cruz: “We don't have this peace agreement without Trump's strength... without President Trump ordering the bombing attack on Iran and taking out Iran's nuclear facilities... All of that... is a major reason this deal was reached today.” (17:26)

7. Debate Over Hostage Negotiation Terms

• Some criticize Israel for exchanging Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages.
  • Cruz: “Negotiations for the release of hostages are always difficult... I'm not going to second guess the decisions President Trump made and Prime Minister Netanyahu made...” (25:08)

8. Real-time Confirmation: Hostages Released

• Ferguson: "We're just getting word now. Hamas has officially just handed over the hostages to the Red Cross. That is coming from multiple news agencies." (25:28)
  • First seven hostages confirmed released (33:25)

9. Reactions to Trump’s Presence in Israel

• Media accusations of grandstanding are dismissed:
  • Ferguson: “Having Donald Trump fly there had to put more pressure on them to do what they said they were going to do and help almost guarantee or secure or have a better chance of those hostages being released. I don't think it's grandstanding. I think it was a smart move...” (31:20)
  • Cruz: “That ratcheted up the pressure enormously... his being there increased the likelihood of the hostages actually being released dramatically.” (32:43)

10. Global and Domestic Repercussions

• Trump’s peace-through-strength doctrine is contrasted with what Cruz describes as Democratic appeasement.

  • Claims Trump should have won the Nobel Peace Prize; Machado, the winner, acknowledges Trump’s deservingness. (34:13)

• Cruz: “Strength is the best way to avoid war. Our enemies are afraid of Donald Trump... You look at Joe Biden when they look and say the commander in chief is weak and completely incapacitated. And that is why we went from no wars across the globe to two wars, Ukraine and Gaza, both raging under Joe Biden.” (37:06, 39:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Peace in the Middle East is a big damn deal... We are waiting, we are hoping, we are praying.”
  — Senator Ted Cruz (03:42)
• “I think he's probably the only guy in the world that could have pulled this off the way he did as quickly as he did.”
  — Ben Ferguson (08:23)
• “Bravo, Hillary Clinton.”
  — Senator Ted Cruz (08:26)
• “That ratcheted up the pressure enormously. … Hamas knew that President Trump would be unbelievably pissed if that were the case.”
  — Senator Ted Cruz (32:43)
• “Hamas has officially just handed over the hostages to the Red Cross.”
  — Ben Ferguson (25:28)
• “Congratulations to President Trump and his team. Congratulations to Prime Minister Netanyahu and his big team. Congratulations to the people of Israel who are celebrating right now and rightly celebrating. And I just want to say, praise God. God is good all of the time.”
  — Senator Ted Cruz (47:15)

Timeline of Important Segments

• [02:24] – The episode transitions to live coverage, with Ben and Cruz reacting to breaking news from Gaza
• [03:42] – Senator Cruz underscores the historic impact if Hamas delivers on the agreement
• [05:14] – Ferguson reports the hostage release is beginning in Gaza City
• [06:47] – Audio of Hillary Clinton praising Trump’s agreement is played
• [09:45] – Cruz critiques Obama’s omission of Trump’s role in his public statement
• [11:07] – Audio statement from Netanyahu, Witkoff, and Kushner included
• [15:56] – Cruz rebuts Blinken’s attempt to credit the Biden administration
• [17:26] – Discussion of Trump’s Iran strike as pivotal to the hostages’ release
• [25:28] – Breaking news: Hamas hands hostages to the Red Cross
• [33:25] – Ferguson updates that seven hostages have been released, providing emotional, real-time commentary
• [34:13] – Cruz argues Trump should have won the Nobel Peace Prize, relaying Machado's call to Trump
• [37:06] – Cruz previews Trump’s expected remarks to the nation and contextualizes his approach as peace through strength
• [42:11] – Cruz and Ferguson discuss the ongoing US government shutdown

Tone, Style, and Final Thoughts

The episode is marked by a mix of solemnity, patriotism, and overt partisanship, celebrating Trump’s foreign policy as “peace through strength” in sharp contrast to what they label as Democratic “appeasement.” The conversation blends heartfelt, real-time news with political rivalry, and intersperses moments of gratitude and faith (“praise God. God is good all of the time.”) as the hosts respond to “history in the making.”

Takeaway for Listeners:
This episode provides a unique combination of live-breaking updates, political analysis, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on what the hosts declare as a monumental step towards peace in the Middle East—with a clear message that, in their view, it was President Trump’s leadership and strength that made it possible.

For more:

• Expect further coverage and updates in the next episode, as the situation continues to develop.
• See the recommended segments above for specific moments you may wish to revisit.