Verdict with Ted Cruz: President Trump in the Texas Hill Country, Meeting with First Responders & Families Who Lost Loved Ones

Release Date: July 14, 2025
Host: Senator Ted Cruz and Co-Host Ben Ferguson
Publisher: Premiere Networks

Introduction

In this emotionally charged episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson delve into the devastating flood that struck Texas' Hill Country, particularly Kerr County. Released on July 14, 2025, the episode offers an in-depth look at the tragedy, the heroic responses, and the ongoing recovery efforts, all while providing personal insights and reflections from those directly involved.

The Devastating Flood in Kerr County

The episode opens with a somber recount of the recent catastrophic flooding in Kerr County and the broader Hill Country region. Senator Cruz provides a detailed overview of the disaster's impact:

• Loss of Life: "To date, 129 people have been confirmed killed in that flooding. Many of those were children. There are an additional 173 people that we know of that are still missing." (00:31)

• Ongoing Search Efforts: Cruz emphasizes the challenges faced by search and rescue teams, especially with ongoing weather conditions hindering operations. "The hill country is right now, as you and I speak, under another flash flood warning. So they've suspended some of the searches because there's heavy rains that are occurring there right now." (00:31)

President Trump's Involvement and Leadership

A significant portion of the podcast focuses on President Donald Trump's visit to the affected areas alongside Senator Cruz:

• Joint Visit: "On Friday, I joined President Trump in going to the hill country. We flew down together on Air Force One." (02:05)

• Meeting with First Responders and Families: Cruz details the interactions with first responders and families who have lost loved ones, highlighting the compassion and leadership exhibited by President Trump. "We had a roundtable. It was powerful." (02:05)

• Roundtable Insights: President Trump remarked, "Two words, unity and competence... The way everyone has just pulled together, it's rare that you see this." (07:30) This observation underscores the unprecedented cooperative response, contrasting past disasters marked by political bickering.

Stories of Heroism and Personal Accounts

The episode shares harrowing and inspiring stories from the flood, illustrating both the tragedy and the extraordinary bravery displayed:

• Camp Mystic Tragedy: Cruz recounts a poignant moment at Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp devastated by the flood. "In the center of the camp is a cabin called the Bubble Inn where the littlest girls were staying... I'll never forget seeing 17 small white crosses in the ground." (11:12)

• Valiant Rescue by a 14-Year-Old: Ben Ferguson highlights the story of a 14-year-old boy who bravely saved multiple lives. "He loaded 165 girls onto helicopters and they evacuated them... He's just a dude doing his job." (16:19)

• Scott Ruskin’s Heroism: Cruz introduces Scott Ruskin, a 25-year-old Coast Guard swimmer who saved 165 lives. "Scott's comment, like in the press this week was, I'm just a dude." (16:19) Cruz elaborates on Scott’s bravery during the night of the flood, emphasizing the personal connections and emotional toll on the rescuers.

Emotional Impact and Community Resilience

Senator Cruz shares his profound emotional experiences witnessing the aftermath and interacting with affected families:

• Personal Reflections: "I'll tell you, I've never seen anything more horrible in my life... I just sat there crying." (15:44)

• Survivor’s Grief: Cruz speaks about the immense grief and survivor’s guilt experienced by those who lost loved ones, particularly children. "Survivors, guilt. Why did my friend... Why did my sister die and I didn't?" (31:10)

• Community Strength: Despite the immense sorrow, Cruz highlights the unwavering spirit of the Texas community. "Everyone in Texas is standing with this family... We will come through this one way or the other." (31:18)

Current Efforts and Ongoing Support

The podcast underscores the massive collaborative response to the disaster:

• Federal and Local Cooperation: "It's a cooperative effort between the local government, both the city and county and the state government and the federal government." (08:26)

• Financial Support: The community foundation in Kerr County has raised over $30 billion, with more than $5 billion already distributed to aid recovery efforts. "They've already distributed over $5 billion as they're trying to give money just to help, help people get back on their feet." (18:56)

• Volunteer and Donor Contributions: Cruz emphasizes the influx of volunteers and donations from across Texas, showcasing the collective effort to rebuild and support affected families.

Closing Remarks and Call to Action

In the concluding segments, Ben Ferguson urges listeners to support the various organizations aiding Texas:

• Support and Solidarity: "There are so many different organizations doing amazing work helping those in Texas. If you can help, make sure you help." (32:38)

• Hope and Unity: The episode closes on a hopeful note, reinforcing the themes of unity and resilience that have defined Texas' response to the tragedy.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ted Cruz on the Flood’s Impact:
  "We are still searching at this point for bodies. To date, 129 people have been confirmed killed in that flooding. Many of those were children." (00:31)

• President Trump on Response:
  "Two words, unity and competence. The unity has been unbelievable. And the competence of the Coast Guard and some of the people within the Coast Guard that saved a lot of lives." (07:30)

• Ted Cruz on Community Resilience:
  "They stand with our veterans and wounded warriors to help them in life as well." ([Ben Ferguson's ad segment skipped in summary])
  "We'll do that. That's who Texans are. But these are hard times." (31:10)

• Ben Ferguson on Heroism:
  "That heroism was happening day after day after day." (16:53)

Conclusion

This episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" serves as a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Texas Hill Country flood, the heroes who emerged during the crisis, and the unyielding spirit of the Texas community. Through personal stories, firsthand accounts, and reflections from Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of both the tragedy and the inspiring resilience that defines Texas in the face of adversity.

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been excluded to focus on the episode's core discussions and narratives.