Shutdown Finally Over, Protecting Nigerian Christians & ANTIFA Violence Targets Turning Point

Summary

Podcast Summary: Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: Shutdown Finally Over, Protecting Nigerian Christians & ANTIFA Violence Targets Turning Point
Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

---

Overview

In this packed episode, Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson discuss the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and the recent violent Antifa attacks targeting Turning Point USA at UC Berkeley. The conversation blends passionate political commentary, personal anecdotes, and pointed criticism of political opponents, all set against a backdrop of current events that, as the hosts argue, are shaping the nation.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The End of the Government Shutdown

Timestamps: 03:09–13:19; 17:04–24:36

• Ted Cruz’s Reaction: Expresses relief and exasperation at the 43-day shutdown, blaming Democrats for what he calls “the Schumer shutdown.” He frames the shutdown as a political power play meant to hurt Trump and, by extension, Americans.
  • “After 43 days... The purpose was not to actually get a concession. The purpose was simply to inflict a whole lot of pain on the American people, to demonstrate that... Schumer and the Democrats hate Donald Trump.” (Senator Cruz, 03:32)
• Impact on Americans: Parks, museums, government services, and flights were disrupted. Federal employees went unpaid, putting financial stress on millions.
• Legislative Resolution: Trump signs a bill to reopen the government, with Cruz highlighting Republican unity and Democratic opposition to the resolution.
• Data & Voting Breakdown:
  • In the Senate, only 8 Democrats voted to reopen the government.
  • In the House, only 6 Democrats joined Republicans.
  • “Virtually every Democrat still voted against reopening the government.” (Cruz, 09:01)
• Political Futures: Ferguson speculates on the “excommunication” of establishment Democrats (Schumer, Pelosi), predicting generational and ideological shifts toward the far left.
• Obamacare in the Crosshairs:
  • The shutdown shone a spotlight on the “financial disaster” of the Affordable Care Act.
  • Cruz and Ferguson argue premiums are skyrocketing and the Democratic solution is “corporate welfare” for insurance companies.
  • “Their stock prices have increased in some instances more than 1,000% since Obamacare was signed into law.” (Cruz, 20:25)
  • Cruz lays out potential Republican strategies for healthcare reform: bipartisan legislative compromise (unlikely) or the budget reconciliation process for a GOP-driven overhaul.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “We're not gonna give this money for the Obamacare scam to health insurance companies. Instead, the money ought to flow to individuals, to real people in health savings accounts...” (Cruz, paraphrasing Trump, 21:27)

---

2. The Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Timestamps: 24:36–37:05

• Cruz’s Advocacy: For over a decade, Cruz has advocated for persecuted Christians globally. He highlights alarming statistics:
  • “Since 2009, more than 50,000 Christians have been murdered in the country of Nigeria.” (Cruz, 27:43)
  • Over 20,000 churches and schools destroyed by Boko Haram.
• US Policy Shift: Cruz proposed legislation for sanctions against Nigerian officials complicit in the persecution. Trump responded by designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” drawing attention to mass killings.
  • “[President Trump’s tweet:] ‘Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern.’” (Cruz quoting Trump, 30:13)
• Critique of Tucker Carlson:
  • Cruz takes aim at Tucker Carlson for downplaying or dismissing Christian persecution in Nigeria, connecting this attitude to a broader “dark path” of defending anti-Israel and anti-American actors.
  • “Tucker has unfortunately gone down a very, very dark path. A path where he brings on Hitler-praising nut jobs... but it also results [in] attacks on Israel, and now, disputing Christians are being persecuted.” (Cruz, 32:40)
• Personal Testimony: Cruz recounts the story of Miriam Ibrahim, a Christian woman saved from execution in Sudan due to international advocacy, symbolizing his long-standing commitment to oppressed Christians.
  • “I asked her... you've been sentenced to die for your faith. How did you not give up hope?... She just said, 'Jesus was with me.' And, I mean, it was powerful.” (Cruz, 34:54)
• Broader Point: The episode draws connections between antisemitism, anti-Christian persecution, and the necessity for a robust U.S. response using both voice and sanctions.

---

3. Antifa Violence at Turning Point USA (UC Berkeley)

Timestamps: 37:05–47:36

• Description of the Attack:
  • Violent protests erupted at a Turning Point USA event featuring Dr. Frank Turek and Rob Schneider. Attendees were assaulted, with some suffering visible injuries.
  • “Most of them had masks... they beat the hell out of him and his face is bleeding profusely.” (Cruz, 41:45)
  • Protesters allegedly chanted approvingly about the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk at a campus event.
• Critique of UC Berkeley Administration: Cruz and Ferguson accuse the university’s administration and police of standing by and failing to protect conservative students and speakers.
• Funding & Organization:
  • Cruz points to evidence of large-scale funding, specifically from the group "By Any Means Necessary" (BAMN), alleging an organized, well-financed set of far-left agitators behind the violence.
  • “There is, I've been saying for a long time, follow the money... There is an entire ecosystem with money flowing to promote violence.” (Cruz, 44:32)
• Legal Action: DOJ and AG Pam Bondi launching terrorism investigations and demanding UC Berkeley preserve records related to the protests.
• Wider Pattern: Both hosts see connections between government officials "looking the other way"—whether in Nigeria or U.S. universities—when it comes to violence against conservatives or Christians.
  • “In Berkeley’s case, I suspect the evidence will indicate the school administrators look the other way… because they're rooting for the antifa rioters.” (Cruz, 47:11)

---

Notable Quotes

• “The purpose was simply to inflict a whole lot of pain on the American people, to demonstrate that... Schumer and the Democrats hate Donald Trump.”
  — Sen. Ted Cruz (03:32)
• “Even liberals are saying, well, we know that premiums have gone up 100, 200, 300% with Obamacare. So that's why we need the subsidies. That is the definition, Senator, of a disaster.”
  — Ben Ferguson (20:06)
• “Since 2009, more than 50,000 Christians have been murdered in the country of Nigeria.”
  — Sen. Ted Cruz (27:43)
• “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.”
  — Sen. Ted Cruz (40:15)
• “Follow the money. I've been urging the Department of Justice and the FBI to follow the money... there is an entire ecosystem with money flowing to promote violence.”
  — Sen. Ted Cruz (44:32)

---

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Shutdown discussion and resolution:
  03:09–13:19, continued at 17:04–24:36
• Obamacare and Healthcare Policy Debate:
  18:05–24:36
• Persecution of Nigerian Christians & U.S. Policy:
  27:43–37:05
• Critique of Tucker Carlson & Story of Miriam Ibrahim:
  32:40–36:14
• Antifa Violence at Turning Point USA (UC Berkeley):
  37:05–47:36

---

Tone & Language

The tone throughout the episode is impassioned, combative, and unapologetically partisan. Cruz delivers legal, historical, and policy arguments while also weaving in personal recollections and moral appeals. Ferguson poses questions, amplifies outrage, and adds personal travel anecdotes (including a recent trip to Israel) that underscore the global stakes of the issues at hand. The language mixes direct accusation, dramatic storytelling, and calls for vigilance and activism.

---

Episode Takeaways

• Shutdown’s End: Framed as a political defeat for Democrats but with lasting pain for ordinary Americans.
• Obamacare: Asserts the next big legislative and political fight centers on health care and insurance subsidies.
• Religious Persecution: Nigeria emerges as a focal point for international religious rights advocacy, with Cruz positioned as a key player.
• Campus Violence: Highlights growing political violence against conservatives, the alleged complicity of university administrators, and rising efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible.
• Overarching Message: The episode underscores the need for conservative vigilance, legislative action, and public engagement, portraying current events as pivotal battles in the broader culture war.

---

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. There's nothing like sinking into luxury. Anabe 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 with 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 start at 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.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Spinquest Social Casino It's Thanksgiving time. The turkey's hot and the family's 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.

[Commercial Voice]

AI agents are everywhere, automating tasks and making decisions at machine speed. But agents make mistakes. Just one rogue agent can do big 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 age, not risk. Accelerate your AI [e-mail] that's R U B R-I K.com I'm Rodney Williams.

[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.

[Commercial Announcer]

I feel like sometimes being broke is.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

A cycle and that we might have.

[Rodney Williams]

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]

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.

[Commercial Announcer]

Ready to go big Vizio's supersized 100 inch QLED TV is now available at Walmart for only $16.98. Immerse yourself in breathtaking color and contrast with cutting edge QLED on a screen so large it transforms any room into your personal theater. And with Watch Free plus built, you'll enjoy free live and on demand TV right out of the box. You can even stream your favorite music and podcasts with the iHeartRadio app. Head to Walmart.com and bring home the Vizio 100 inch QLED TV today for only 16.98.

[Ben Ferguson]

Welcome. It is Verdiqua Center Ted Cruz. So nice to have you with us. Many of you listening on the radio across the country. And it was, well, one interesting week. I guess that's the best way you can put it. The sausage truly being made for all the American people to see. With the longest government shutdown in history finally over. Senator, your reaction to that?

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Well, Hallelujah. Hallelujah. After 43 days of the government being shut down, 43 days of the Schumer shutdown, where federal employees didn't get their paychecks and yet thousands went into work, 43 days of parks being closed, museums being closed, government services being highly limited, 43 days of delays in airports, of air traffic controllers not being paid, TSA agents not being paid, flights being canceled, all because the Democrats were throwing a gigantic temper tantrum. Because Chuck Schumer has a political crisis and this shut down, the Democrats got nothing. But the purpose was not to actually get a concession. The purpose was simply to inflict a whole lot of pain on the American people, to demonstrate that, man, oh man, Schumer and the Democrats hate Donald Trump. And they hate Donald Trump so much they're willing to hurt their own constituents. President Trump Wednesday evening signed the legislation. We passed it in the, in out of the Senate Monday night. The House came back on Wednesday. They voted on Wednesday. They passed the legislation that we had passed and President Trump signed it into law. Listen to him as he's signing the legislation reopening the government Wednesday night.

[Donald Trump]

With all of that, I just want to tell you the country has never been in better shape. We went through this short term disaster with the Democrats because they thought it would be good politically. And it's an honor now to sign this incredible bill and get our country working again.

[Ben Ferguson]

Senator, you can hear Republicans there cheering in the Oval Office. It's not every day you actually hear real cheering like that in the Oval Office. It's a little more formal usually. Obviously, Republicans surrounding the president, they were happy this is finally over and the American people aren't being held hostage anymore.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Yeah, look, the Democrats, they inflicted pain on millions of Americans. They also wasted billions of dollars of taxpayer money, just the thousands upon thousands of government workers who stayed home for 43 days. They didn't go to work. They're all going to get paid back pay now. So 43 days. Now for 43 days they had the challenge of not having a paycheck, not knowing how they'd pay their mortgage, not knowing how they'd pay their rent. But now they'll get paid for all those 43 days. But you know what the American people didn't get? They didn't get any work from all the workers who stayed home for over a month because Chuck Schumer and the Democrats wanted to throw a tantrum. President Trump, at the signing ceremony, he describes some of the real harms that the Schumer shutdown caused. Here, give a listen.

[Donald Trump]

The past seven weeks, the Democrats shutdown has inflicted massive harm. They caused 20,000 flights to be canceled or delayed. They departed so many times so late. People were hurt so badly. Nobody has ever seen anything like this one. This was a no brainer. This was an easy extension, but they didn't want to do it the easy way. They had to do it the hard way. And they look very bad, the Democrats do. They deprived more than 1 million government workers from their paychecks and cut off food stamp benefits for millions and millions more Americans in need. They caused tens of thousands of federal contractors and small businesses to go unpaid. And the total effect of the damage their antics caused will take weeks and probably months to really calculate accurately, including the serious harm that they did to our economy and to people and to families. So I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this when we come up to midterms and other things. Don't forget what they've done to our country. I also want to call for a termination to the filibuster so that this can never happen again.

[Ben Ferguson]

You know, Senator, this really was about inflicting pain. I was on CNN the night the shutdown ended, as the President was talking this live. And it was amazing to see the disconnect from so many of the liberals on the show. And I'm like, what did you guys get out of this? This was the same deal that was on the table before the shutdown. So you just wanted to try to score political points. You hate Donald Trump so much that you just wanted to shut down the government and see if he could bring his approval rating down. You didn't give a damn about the kids and their food because if you did, you would have at least made sure that those on Food stamps would have gotten those benefits. You didn't care about those waiting on flights and having canceled flights and their lives being change. Many of them go into things that are hard, like funerals or sick family members. Not everything's a vacation when you're at the airport. You took countless dollars out of our economy. Small businesses that were hurt. There's a long list of people that were hurt during this, and this was all just for one reason. They hated Donald Trump and they didn't care who got hurt in the process.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Yeah, look, the shutdown had had real negative effects on the economy, on the gdp. It had real negative effects on small businesses. It had real negative effects on millions of ordinary Republicans. And all of that was inflicted to score political points for the Democrats with a handful of really the crazies. You know what's amazing? After 43 days after the longest government shutdown in history, virtually every Democrat still voted against reopening the government. So in the Senate, the vote was 60 to 40. Only eight Democrats voted to reopen the government. 39 Democrats voted to keep the government closed. Chuck Schumer voted to keep the government closed. Every potential presidential candidate on the Democrat side voted to keep the government closed. So Cory Booker voted to keep it closed. Amy Klobuchar voted to keep it closed. Kirsten Gillibrand voted to keep it closed. Chris Murphy voted to keep it closed. Bernie Sanders voted to keep it closed. All of those are possible and even likely Democrat presidential candidates, and they all voted to keep it closed. In the House, the same thing was true. So the vote. The vote in the House. So the vote in The House was 222 to 209. But of the 222, only six were Democrats. Uh, the six Democrats who voted to reopen the government in the House were Adam Gray of California, Jared golden of Maine, Tom Susie of New York, Marie Gluson, Camp Perez of Washington State, Don Davis of North Carolina, and Henry Cuellar of Texas. Other than that, every single Democrat in the House voted keep the government shut, keep food stamps off, keep pay stopped, don't pay air traffic controllers, keep the delays, keep the cancellations, by the way, just on flights. The FAA said it was. It was going to reduce flights 10%. But if, if the shutdown had continued, the FAA had already said it would phase into 20% or more. And virtually every Democrat in both chambers said, that sounds good by me. Let's keep this going. Let's keep the shutdown, I suppose, through Thanksgiving, through the busiest travel time of the year. It is amazing. The question you have to ask is who are the Democrats listening to and who are they working for?

[Ben Ferguson]

Yep.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Because I think it's obvious on the face of it, they're not listening to the American people or working for the American people. Instead, they're listening to their radical base and they're working for their radical base and frankly, their own political self interest.

[Ben Ferguson]

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 online at ke-p m.com ben tired.

[Commercial Announcer]

Of spills and stains on your sofa? Wash away your worries with Annabe. Annabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and 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.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Spinquest Social Casino It's Thanksgiving time. The turkey's hot and the family's lo. 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.

[Rodney Williams]

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. 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.

[Commercial Voice]

Do you feel like your values are being challenged right now?

[Ben Ferguson]

It seems like our beliefs are constantly under fire. That's why it's important to partner with.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Organizations that share your beliefs.

[Ben Ferguson]

America's Christian Credit Union is committed to.

[Commercial Voice]

Standing firm in our faith, serving the community and bringing you the best financial services.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now, with their elite checking program, you.

[Commercial Voice]

Can take your banking to a whole new level. With up to 4% APY on checking.

[Ben Ferguson]

Balances under $15,000, early pay, exclusive loan.

[Commercial Voice]

Discounts, built in cell phone protection, ID theft monitoring, everyday shopping discounts, and more.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

ACCU works alongside Christians nationwide to advance God's work.

[Commercial Voice]

Because your money should reflect your mission.

[Ben Ferguson]

Are you ready to bank with purpose?

[Commercial Voice]

Visit americaschristiancu.com elite to learn more and make the switch.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

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

[Commercial Voice]

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

[Ben Ferguson]

Senator, I want to get back into the shutdown aspect of this for just a moment. There is one, I do think, silver lining that's come out of this, and that is one, I think we now really know who the Democratic Party is. Chuck Schumer is going to be out of a job. Nancy Pelosi is not running for reelection. The Democratic Party has gone full Socialists or Marxists or Communists, depending on who you talk to. But. But it's very clear there's an excommunication happening of the old establishment Democratic radicals. That is Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. So that's one thing that I do think has come out of the shutdown. The other part of this is there's a lot of talk right now about Obamacare and the financial disaster that it is. The Affordable Care Act. It's not affordable. And that's a grand debate that's now happening in this country. Kevin O', Leary, Mr. Wonderful, you know him from Shark Tank, we talked about this. He said this may be the biggest thing Democrats didn't plan for, is that now the spotlight is on Obamacare, the subseason, how unaffordable it is, even though they said it was supposed to be a great thing. Yeah.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

I will say that there are a couple things. You're right, that Nancy Pelosi next year will be her last year in Congress. I think Chuck Schumer. My prediction is Chuck Schumer doesn't even run for reelection. I think he is not electable in a Democrat primary in the state of New York, although he's tenacious, he may well try. But it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Schumer announce his retirement at the end of his term. But look, one of the infuriating things of realizing that virtually every Democrat, even after 43 days, voted to keep the government shut down. We're gonna replay this whole thing like groundhog Day on January 30, because the continuing resolution that President Trump just signed expires January 30th. So we'll get through Thanksgiving, we'll get through Christmas, we'll come back January. And I think there's a very real possibility the Democrats try this again. Maybe not. Maybe the same eight state who ultimately said, okay, reopen the government. Maybe they'll say, we don't want to do this again and maybe they'll start right at the beginning by agreeing to fund the government. We'll see where things are. And I think the answer to that depends on what you just raised, Ben. What, what happens with Obamacare and healthcare. And listen, they claimed every day of these, of this 43 day shutdown that they had to have major concessions on Obamacare to save that failing government health program. Well, they didn't get those major concessions. They got nothing whatsoever. The government's now open. But listen to what President Trump said when he signed the legislation opening the government because he talked about Obamacare and what's going to happen next. Give a listen.

[Donald Trump]

I'm always willing to work with anyone, including the other party. We'll work on something having to do with health care. We can do a lot better. We can do great. So much money is involved and we're willing to pay so much money to the people. So we're going to pay a lot of money to the people. They're going to go out and buy their own health care and we're going to forget this Obamacare madness.

[Ben Ferguson]

You hear him talk about madness, he's not wrong. Even liberals are saying, well we know that premiums have gone up 100, 200, 300% with Obamacare. So that's why we need the subsidies. That is the definition center of a disaster. It is, it is, it is insolvent.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Look, that was the predictable result of Obamacare. That's what I and the other critics of Obamacare said would happen. It's exactly what's happened. Even the Washington Post admits the so called Affordable Care act is not affordable. And that was the Democrats solution to that is give $50 billion in subsidies from the taxpayers straight to giant health insurance corporations. It's just corporate welfare. And mind you, these health insurance corporations, their stock prices have increased in some instances more than 1,000% since Obamacare was signed into law. The executives that are running these companies are making tens of millions of dollars in salary. Their stock has increased, presumably if they had stock that whole time, their stock has increased hundreds of percent, if not more than a thousand percent. And the Democrats, I mean, they're craven. By the way, virtually all of the political contributions from the health insurance companies go to Democrats. So the Democrats are delivering $50 billion of cash to their political donors. And what President Trump said, said there is really important. And we talked about this on Wednesday's podcast during the shutdown. I hosted a dozen senators for dinner Friday night and we got the President on the phone and we Asked the President if he would engage and help make the argument that their demands for $50 billion for health insurance companies were unreasonable and a bad idea. And he sent out a series of tweets, which I helped him write, that said, we're not gonna give this money for the Obamacare scam to health insurance companies. Instead, the money ought to flow to individuals, to real people in health savings accounts that you control, that you own, that you're the one making the choice of how to spend money on your health care. That is a fundamental reform in health care that will lower prices, lower costs, that actually will help keep things affordable. And I think we have an opportunity to really increase competition, increase consumer choice, and put consumers in a significantly better situation now. Now, there are two ways that can happen. One, we could see 8, 9, 10 reasonable Democrats willing to work with Republicans on something that does that. And we could have legislation that gets 60 votes, because to do that through ordinary, ordinary procedures takes 60 votes, just like it takes 60 votes to fund the government. I think that's unlikely, although I'm sure in the next month there will be some Republicans who try. If the Democrats are not willing to do that, the other avenue we have to address this problem is reconciliation. And we can take up another budget reconciliation that only takes 50 votes. And it may well be that we have to do a budget reconciliation, which is how we passed the one big beautiful bill this summer to fix Obamacare and effectively to repeal the mess that is Obamacare, and instead expand consumer choice and enhance affordability and give people access to health savings accounts, where the money that would have gone to enrich the health insurance companies instead is going to you, the patient, you, the consumer. And if we can do that on reconciliation, that would be a major victory for our constituents. It's actually why I think the Democrats are not going to have any interest in doing it. They're much more interested in taking care of their fat cat political donors than they are actually in making healthcare affordable for real. People are struggling. Remember, these are the same people that were happy to see food stamps shut down because it was more important to them to make a political point to their activists than to help people who were in need of food to actually get the food they needed. And so I think when it comes to health care, my prediction is we'll have to do it on reconciliation because I think the Democrats will not be willing to do anything reasonable. But, but we'll see in the next couple of months.

[Ben Ferguson]

I want to talk to you real quick about our amazing sponsor and it is Patriot Mobile. I just went to Israel and people ask me all the time how good is the coverage? Because you want to stay with the big mobile companies. I've been saying now for years and they've been in business for well over a decade that it is amazing coverage. If you've got coverage right now you love, you're going to love your coverage of Patriot Mobile even more. But you get rid of the woke agenda. I am proud to report to you that my phone worked in Israel. I traveled internationally and had zero issues with my cell service whether I was in Bethlehem or literally calling from Gaza at the Gaza Strip. This is not a joke. I had amazing coverage everywhere that I went. I flew back to the US My phone worked perfectly. My emails, all the data I was posting on social media from my phone Tel Aviv last night, it was phenomenal. So if you're worried about coverage, don't be. Now why should you switch to Patriot Mobile? Not only you're probably going to save real money every month, but then the magic happens. A portion of your bill every month goes back to support conservative causes, candidates organizations that fight for first and our second amendment rights, the rights of unborn children. And they do something that's really special. They stand with our men and women in uniform, whether it's police officers or law, law enforcement general or our men and women that fight for this country overseas. They stand with our wounded warriors and our fallen families who've lost a loved one so that there is the financial need and aid that is needed. So that's why I want you to switch to Patriot Mobile because every time you pay that bill you're making a real difference. Now I also want to give you a free month of Service. Go to patriotmobile.com verdict that's patriot mobile.com verdict or call them 972 Patriot. That's 972 Patriot for a free month of service switch today make a difference patriotmobile.com verdict or 972patriot and get a free month of service with a promo code verdict. Senator, one of the reasons why you do this show and why I love co hosting it with you is we get to talk about issues that are not getting the attention they deserve. One of those right now is the persecution of Christians and Nigeria. It is shocking what is happening there. And I just came back from Israel. We haven't got to talk about that as much as we thought because the government shut down and we're going to get to that. But one of the things that you see when you see that people are under attack because their faith. And I witnessed it going into the kibbutz, into the, into the homes of those that were killed, including that nine month old child. When I met with the parents who lost their loved ones on that soccer field as their kids were just playing soccer. When I went to the north and I, and I saw the homes that were destroyed and met with people whose lives were destroyed by Hamas there. And you, you witness this type of persecution and death and destruction and went to the site where the music festival was and watched people die just because they were Jews. It makes me angry to now see what's happening in Nigeria. You're shining a light on that. The White House is doing that as well. And the American people need to know what's going on.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Yeah, listen. Radical Islamic terrorists, they hate Christians and they hate Jews. And they have murdered vast numbers of Christians. They have murdered vast number of Jews. They continue to do so and they also murder a significant number of Muslims. Radical Islamic terrorists, if you don't embrace their radical jihadist view, their ideology justifies violence or even murder to force you to submit. And, and the 13 years I've been in the Senate, I've spent a lot of time fighting for persecuted Christians, fighting for persecuted Christians all across the globe, especially those being persecuted by radical Islamic terrorists. Boko Haram, that is in Nigeria, is a vicious radical Islamic terrorist group. And if you look at, there is no country on planet earth where more Christians have been murdered in the last 20 years than Nigeria. Since 2009, more than 50,000 Christians have been murdered in the country of Nigeria.

[Ben Ferguson]

I mean, literally, these Christians are being hunted down.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Yeah, they absolutely are. Over 20,000 Christian churches and schools have been burned to the ground or otherwise destroyed. I mean, this has been mass murder and it is horrific. And so I filed legislation in the Senate, Senate to direct the administration to designate Nigeria a country of particular concern and to impose in particular sanctions on the government officials. Because there are many government officials who are acquiescing in this mass murder against Christians. And so my legislation would impose sanctions on particular government officials. There are 12 states in the north where Sharia laws or blasphemy laws are enforced. There's also federal Sharia and blasphemy laws that are enforced. And the government officials use those laws to discriminate against and to persecute Christians. In some instances, they simply just turn a blind eye as Boko Haram and other radical Islamic terrorists murder Christians. In other instances, they actually use the law to facilitate the persecution. But after I filed the legislation and I began pressing the administration to designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern. President Trump did so, and he, and he sent, sent out a tweet. Here's what his tweet says. It says, Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern. But that is the least of it. When Christians or any such group is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria, 3100 versus 4476 worldwide, something must be done. I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee to immediately look into this matter and report back to me. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing and able to save our great Christian population around the world. Donald J. Trump, President of the United States that was exactly the right thing to do. I saw President Trump shortly after he issued, issued that designation, and I thanked him. I said, it really makes a difference. It's the right thing to do. He was happy to do it. And I'll tell you, the government of Nigeria is deeply dismayed. And their response, their main defense. They say, well, now they argue it's not a genocide. And, and, and, and what they say is, well, yes, 50,000 Christians have been killed, but you know what? Boko Haram has also killed Muslims, so it's all fine. Well, it is true. They have killed Muslims. Nobody's disputing that. They've killed Muslims as well. But, but radical Islamic terrorists target Christians in particular for persecution, and the government is complicit in that persecution. That's what this is designed to address. And you know, I gotta say, you and I have talked about before that those who hate Jews hate Christians and those who hate Israel hate America. That, that is true. We've also talked about rising antisemitism and we've talked quite a bit about Tucker Carlson, because I think Tucker has unfortunately gone down a very, very dark path. A path where he brings on Hitler praising nut jobs onto his show over and over and over again, but it also results. Not only does he attack Israel at almost every show he does, but when you go on the path of hating Israel and blaming everything on the Jews, that often that same dark path leads you to embrace the enemies of America. So Tucker has said we should apologize to the family of Osama bin Laden. No, no, we should not. Tucker has said he doesn't know that Hamas is a terrorist. Organization. They might just be a political group. I'm sorry, but when you murder 1200 innocent civilians and rape women and children, you are most definitely a terrorist group. And Hamas has killed a great many Americans. But it really was striking. Just recently, Tucker did a show where he talked about Nigerians, and he disputed that Christians in Nigeria are being persecuted. I want you to give a listen. Because he took the chance to basically defend Boko Haram. Give a listen.

[Rodney Williams]

But he's all of a sudden kind.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Of out of nowhere, deeply concerned about the plight of Christians in Nigeria, which I want to restate.

[Rodney Williams]

Maybe it's only about concern, I don't know.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

But that's weird. What is?

[Rodney Williams]

That all of a sudden, everybody's concerned.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

About people who clearly have no track.

[Rodney Williams]

Record being interested in Christians at all, including Ted Cruz. What.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

What is going on?

[Ben Ferguson]

That, to me, was pretty unhinged, Senator.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Look, I. I gotta say, I. Listen, I. I understand that Tucker's told the world there's no one. He hate Christian, Zionist, and he singled out me and Mike Huckabee as the people he hates the most in the world. But that's truly a bizarre claim, what he says there, which is that I have no interest in defending persecuted Christians. I've literally spent 13 years doing that. I might ask Tucker, does he have any idea who Miriam Ibrahim is? And I suspect he doesn't. So Miriam Ibrahim was a Christian woman in Sudan, and she was imprisoned, and she was sentenced to receive 100 lashes and then to hang by the neck until dead for the crime of being a Christian. And this was during Barack Obama's presidency. This was early in my time in the Senate, And I spoke out vocally for Miriam Ibrahim. And she had two little kids. She had a son named Martin, and she actually gave birth to a daughter, Maya, while she was in Lagos. And I'll tell you, I repeatedly practically begged the Obama administration for President Obama to just say her name. He would not do it. He never once said her name. I went to the Senate floor, I gave floor speeches, I shined a light. And globally, many the Pope got involved, shining a light, defending her. And the pressure became so great, Sudan released her. And Ben, I'll tell you, it's an amazing thing. I actually got to meet Miriam Ibrahim when she came to Washington, and I asked her, she was a little bitty woman. She's not very, very tall, maybe 5:1. She couldn't have weighed more than 100 pounds. And I asked her, I said, miriam, tell me when you were in that prison cell and your babies are in front of you, and you've been sentenced to die for your faith. How did you not give up hope? And she looked at me with a peace that I'll never forget, and she just said, jesus was with me. And, I mean, it was powerful. But I think this illustrates how antisemitism is a poison that ends up poisoning every other view. So now Tucker is running around defending Hamas, defending Boko Haram, saying, well, I don't know that Nigerians or Christians are being killed in Nigeria, and why does anyone care about that? And apparently Tucker is only interested in atrocities if he can blame them on Israel. And since it's not Israel that's killing Christians in Nigeria, it's not a concern for him. Look, I think we should defend Christians when they're being persecuted. I think we should defend Jews when they're being persecuted. I think we should stand up and make a difference. Now, that doesn't mean that we invade every country in which there's injustice, but it does mean we use our voice as a voice to stand up for those. And look, as you know, my dad was imprisoned and tortured in Cuba. And so I have a particular heart for people who are unjustly detained and have spent a long time highlighting and doing everything we can to get people out of unjust detentions, whether in Sudan or China or. Or Lebanon or anywhere. And. And. And I'm very glad President Trump is standing up for the Christians in Nigeria.

[Ben Ferguson]

Want to take a moment and just talk to you real quick about an incredible opportunity for you to continue to expand your mind and learn, no matter what your age is. Senator Cruz and I were at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, and one of the people that spoke was the president of Hillsdale College, and he talked about meeting with Charlie early on and how he said, you're going to have to work hard, you're going to have to suffer, and you're going to have to continue to learn. When he was so young and he talked about all of the classes that Charlie ended up taking at Hillsdale, I immediately said, I want the listeners of this show to be able to have the same opportunity to do that. There are amazing classes. History, economics, the great works of literature, the meaning of the US Constitution. And if you didn't study these things in school, or maybe you did, but you were like, you know, just trying to check the box and make the grade. When you're 20, now is a great time for you to go back and learn so much more. Hillsdale College is offering More than 40 free. I want to say that again. 40 free online courses. That's right. More than 40 free online courses. You can learn about the works of C.S. lewis, the stories in the book of Genesis, the meaning of the US Constitution. I'm doing that one. It's incredible. The rise and fall of the Roman Republic or the history of the ancient Christian Church with Hidden College's free online courses. Now I'm also looking at the Constitution 101. It's amazing. A refresher course and you can see and explore the design, the purpose of the Constitution, the challenges it faced in the Civil War, and how it's been undermined for more than a century by progressives and liberals. This 12 lecture course is self paced, so you start whenever you want to and it is truly amazing. So how do you do this? You can go right now to Hillsdale Edu Verdict to enroll. There is no cost and it's easy to get started. That's Hillsdale Edu Verdict V E R D I C T to enroll for free and take any one of these classes. Take advantage of it. It's free Hillsdale Edu V E R D I C T Verdict and go check out the amazing classes they have there. 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, 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, it is shocking to see this level of, 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 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. 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 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 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 Dhillon formally demanded that UC Berkeley preserve all records regarding their response to the mob violence. And at Berkeley's Turning Point USA event, all records good. 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, protect Christians. In Berkeley's case, I suspect the evidence will indicate the school administrators look the other way and refuse to protect the, the students at Turning Point USA because they're rooting for the antifa rioters who who are physically assaulting those students.

[Ben Ferguson]

Amen. Don't forget we do this show three days a week. Make sure you share the podcast wherever you can and you can watch on YouTube as well. It's Verdict with Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson with you. Be safe. We'll see you back here on the podcast in a couple of days.

[Rodney Williams]

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

[Senator Ted Cruz]

I feel like sometimes being broke is a cycle and that we might have.

[Rodney Williams]

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]

Because wealth isn't just about money 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.

[Commercial Voice]

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 refreshing antibacterial mouthwash that all support a healthy mouth. 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 trim toothbrush? Take control of your oral health and get the Colgate Total Active Prevention System today so you can be dentist ready. Visit shop.colgate.com total.

[Commercial 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 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.

[Commercial Voice]

Tired of juggling sales tools or spending hours on prospecting just to book a few meetings. Meet Apollo, the go to market platform for finding leads, connecting with buyers, and closing deals all in one place. Apollo gives you access to over 210 million contacts and AI that handles all your busy work finding leads, drafting emails, and even prioritizing your day. So stop paying for five different sales tools when one does it all. Visit Apollo I.O. and sign up free today.

[Rodney Williams]

This is the story of the One as head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Granger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Commercial Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.