Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: Schumer Shutdown Continues plus a Beautiful Tribute to Charlie Kirk as he receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

Brief Overview

In this episode, Sen. Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson dive deep into two critical topics:

1. Ongoing developments around the “Schumer Shutdown,” now on its 15th day—an inside perspective on why it continues and how political maneuvering is affecting federal workers and servicemen.
2. A moving, first-hand account of the White House ceremony, where President Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would have been his 32nd birthday. The discussion focuses on Kirk’s legacy, his impact on young conservatives, and emotional moments from his widow Erica.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Status and Politics of the Government Shutdown

[02:59–14:39]

• Shutdown Day 15 (10/15/25):

  • The government remains shut with no resolution in sight. Republicans have repeatedly voted to reopen, but Democrats, led by Schumer, continue to block it.
  • Sen. Cruz: “We voted on Tuesday to reopen the government. The Republicans voted to reopen the government. And sadly, the Democrats continued to say shut it down, shut it down, shut it down.” [02:59]

• Impact on Federal Workers and Military:

  • Federal employees missed paychecks; notable hardship for those living paycheck to paycheck, and especially for enlisted servicemen.
  • President Trump, in an unprecedented move, shifted departmental funds to ensure military paychecks went out—contrary to Democrats’ expectations.
  • Sen. Cruz: “He has readjusted money that was going to other expenses within the Department of War…to pay our servicemen and women. I’m grateful that he did so.” [06:54]

• Democratic Strategy & the “No Kings Rally”:

  • Democrats are hesitant to end the shutdown before the major “No Kings” rally in Washington on October 18, to avoid backlash from their left-wing base.
  • Sen. Cruz: “What I’m hearing is the Democrats are terrified of reopening the government before that ‘No Kings’ rally because…those radicals will be furious.” [08:28]
  • Cruz argues the real reason for the shutdown is Schumer’s need to shore up his position with radical Democrats by showing he “hates Trump as much as they do.”

• Predictions for Reopening:

  • The earliest reopen is expected next week, after the rally, possibly initiated by a group of retiring or moderate Democrats breaking ranks.
  • Ben Ferguson: “Do you believe that Democrats will actually sit down with Republicans?”
  • Sen. Cruz: “…It is going to be almost exclusively retiring Democrats, people who are on their way out…at letting a little bit of a jailbreak, at letting eight to ten Democrats vote to reopen the government.” [11:13–11:41]

• Leverage by Trump:

  • Trump has threatened to start cutting Democratic policy programs if the shutdown continues, targeting areas not aligned with his administration’s priorities.
  • Sen. Cruz: “…the longer the shutdown continues, the more government workers will be laid off. Not furloughed temporarily, but laid off…focus on policies…that are Democrat priorities. And I think that leverage will accelerate the Democrats…” [13:52–14:36]

2. The White House Tribute: Charlie Kirk’s Posthumous Medal of Freedom

[20:04–37:10]

• Setting & Attendance:

  • Held in the Rose Garden, with full Cabinet and members of Congress in attendance.
  • Erica Kirk, Charlie’s widow, accepted the medal; President Trump delivered heartfelt remarks.
  • Sen. Cruz: “It was truly a beautiful day…The President really, I think, did a very good job remembering Charlie, speaking from the heart, honoring Charlie’s legacy…” [20:38]

• Charlie Kirk’s Vision and Legacy:

  • Cruz recounts meeting Kirk at age 18 and witnessing his early vision to inspire young people to embrace conservative values.
  • Sen. Cruz: “His vision then was as clear as it was the day he died:…to energize, to mobilize young people, to love freedom, to love free enterprise, to love the Constitution, to love America.” [21:13]

• The Spiritual Impact – The Power of Forgiveness:

  • The most emotional moment highlighted is Erica Kirk’s public forgiveness of Charlie’s killer during his memorial—a testament to her faith and powerful gospel message.
  • Sen. Cruz: “She stood up…with the eyes of the world upon her…and said, that young man…the young man who pulled the trigger and murdered her husband…‘I forgive him.’ I don’t know that there was a dry eye in the house.” [24:24]

• President Trump’s Eulogy and Remarks:

  • President Trump (quote):
    • “On the day that he was assassinated, Charlie Kirk was a martyr for truth and for freedom. And from Socrates to St. Peter, from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, those who change history the most…have always risked their lives for causes they were put on earth to defend.” [29:32]
    • “Every time the enemies of goodness and virtue tried to silence the voice of righteous and noble leaders like Charlie, they fail…So today, like those martyrs before him, Charlie’s voice, his message, and his legacy are stronger and greater than ever before.” [30:32]

• A Back-and-Forth on Loving Enemies:

  • Trump candidly confessed having trouble loving enemies, but Erica countered, affirming Charlie prayed for his. The exchange was light-hearted but powerful, showing the contrast in their styles.
  • Sen. Cruz:
    • “Trump brought it up again…He said, you know, I know Erica talked about how [Charlie] loved his enemies, but…when he was in a battle, he would fight his enemies…” [33:06]
    • “[Erica] said: I can tell you from having been married to him, Charlie prayed for his enemies. And she said, I saw that…I thought that back and forth…was really powerful.” [34:29]

• Charlie’s Enduring Impact:

  • Discussion of how Kirk’s life and death have galvanized young conservatives and drawn new attention to his message.
  • Sen. Cruz: “More people heard Charlie’s words…than heard them in the entire 31, nearly 32 years of his life…that is a powerful legacy.” [32:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Shutdown:

  • Sen. Cruz: “Schumer recently said it was, quote, better for Democrats to extend the government shutdown. Now I gotta say that's a cynical statement. They're counting on the media to be dishonest…” [07:50]

• On Forgiveness:

  • Erica Kirk (paraphrased by Cruz): “That young man…the young man who pulled the trigger and murdered her husband…‘I forgive him.’…I don’t know that there was a dry eye in the house.” [24:24]

• Presidential Medal of Freedom Tribute:

  • Pres. Trump: “On the day that he was assassinated, Charlie Kirk was a martyr for truth and for freedom…like those martyrs before him, Charlie’s voice, his message, and his legacy are stronger and greater than ever before.” [29:32–31:02]

• Ben Ferguson on Kirk’s Legacy:

  • “Not only did Charlie and his legacy…set[ting]…young men and young women on fire to be bolder in their faith…what he was able to do in his death is phenomenal…” [31:17]

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:39 | Episode content begins—Show overview and topics preview | | 02:59–09:37 | Schumer Shutdown: Political dynamics, impacts on workers/military | | 09:37–14:39 | Echo chambers, potential paths to government reopening, Trump’s leverage | | 20:04–24:24 | White House Medal of Freedom event, Cruz’s reflections, Kirk’s legacy | | 24:24–26:50 | Erica Kirk’s forgiveness, spiritual impact, gospel message | | 29:32–31:02 | Donald Trump’s full remarks honoring Charlie Kirk | | 32:01–36:20 | Charlie’s legacy, engagement with adversaries, loving enemies | | 36:20–37:10 | Episode wrap-up, encouragement to watch full ceremony |

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a conversational, heartfelt, and at times passionate tone—especially when paying tribute to Charlie Kirk’s life and discussing the real-world effects of the shutdown. Quotations from Cruz, Ferguson, and Trump retain their original directness and emotional resonance.

Key Takeaways

• The government shutdown (“Schumer shutdown”) continues, driven largely by partisan posturing and Schumer’s need to demonstrate opposition to Trump before a major left-wing rally.
• The Trump administration moved decisively to pay servicemembers during the shutdown, angering Democrats and shifting political dynamics.
• The Rose Garden tribute to Charlie Kirk was emotional and powerful, highlighting Kirk’s impact, Erica’s extraordinary public demonstration of forgiveness, and the ongoing resonance of his mission.
• President Trump and Erica Kirk offered contrasting yet complementary perspectives on loving and praying for one’s enemies, providing listeners with a nuanced look at both public and private aspects of Charlie’s faith legacy.
• Kirk’s posthumous award and the public response to his death have ignited renewed conservative activism and soul-searching, especially among young people.

Final Thoughts

Verdict with Ted Cruz delivers a unique blend of inside-the-beltway analysis and personal, faith-driven reflection, especially in its tribute to Charlie Kirk. The episode not only covers political battle lines in Washington but also offers a rare and intimate look at the power of forgiveness and legacy in public life.