Verdict with Ted Cruz: Tariffs, Terrorism & Tons of Money from Foreign Adversaries Flooding our Universities

Release Date: March 28, 2025

Hosts:

• Senator Ted Cruz
• Ben Ferguson

I. Introduction

In this episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson delve into three pressing issues impacting America today:

1. President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on imported cars.
2. The deportation of pro-Hamas radicals and the revocation of student visas.
3. The influx of massive foreign funds into U.S. universities from adversarial nations.

II. Tariffs on Imported Cars

Trump's Tariff Announcement:
Senator Cruz opens the discussion by addressing President Trump's recent declaration of a 25% tariff on imported cars. He emphasizes the complexity of tariffs and their dual nature as both strategic tools and economic instruments.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump at [03:29]:
  "So this is the beginning of Liberation Day in America... a 25% tariff on all cars that are not made in the United States."

• Senator Ted Cruz at [04:42]:
  "Tariffs can be very complicated. This is something that a lot of people are gonna hear and say, good, we're leveling the playing field, but they can also be very complicated."

Analysis:
Ben Ferguson supports the use of tariffs as leverage to compel foreign nations to act in America's interest, citing previous successes like the implementation of the "remain in Mexico" policy. He references President Trump's longstanding admiration for tariffs, underscoring their role in revitalizing American manufacturing and reducing dependency on countries like China.

• Ben Ferguson at [07:38]:
  "President Trump uses tariffs for multiple purposes... he loves tariffs. We've all heard him rhapsodize at length... 'tariff is the most beautiful word in the English language.'"

Cruz and Ferguson discuss the strategic implementation of tariffs, advocating for reciprocity to ensure that as the U.S. imposes tariffs, other nations reduce theirs on American goods. This approach aims to balance trade relationships, support domestic industries, and protect American consumers from inflated prices.

• Ben Ferguson at [09:29]:
  "I believe America prospers and does well when we can export our crops, our livestock, our goods, our services into other nations... I think we are the greatest producing nation."

Economic Implications:
The hosts highlight the potential impact on American consumers and businesses. While tariffs can protect certain industries, they may also lead to higher prices for consumers and uncertainty for businesses planning for the future.

• Ben Ferguson at [14:08]:
  "If you impose big tariffs, it means if you go and buy them, you pay a much, much higher price."

III. Deportation of Pro-Hamas Radicals and Student Visa Revocations

Current Measures:
Senator Cruz and Ferguson discuss the administration's efforts to revoke visas of individuals supporting Hamas and other terrorist organizations. They contrast these actions with previous administrations, emphasizing a tougher stance on foreign radicals.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz at [20:51]:
  "We're not putting up with this, and it shouldn't be happening in America."

• Ben Ferguson at [24:07]:
  "If you're a foreigner and you're saying, I love Hamas... get the hell out of our country."

Case Studies:
They cite specific instances, such as the arrest of a Tufts University graduate student and a doctoral student at the University of Alabama, to illustrate the administration's commitment to removing individuals who pose a threat to national security.

• Senator Ted Cruz at [23:21]:
  "According to the Department of Homeland Security, the woman was arrested for glorifying and supporting terrorists... she's angry, we're not putting up with this."

Policy Contrast:
The hosts criticize the previous administration for not taking similar actions, highlighting a shift towards stricter enforcement under the current leadership.

• Ben Ferguson at [25:49]:
  "Democrats... do you support protecting Americans... or do you support the violent anti-American protesters? They are choosing the violent anti-American protesters."

Legal and Moral Considerations:
They discuss the limitations of the First Amendment for non-citizens, asserting that the U.S. has no obligation to admit or retain individuals who actively undermine its values and security.

IV. Foreign Money Influx into U.S. Universities

Report Findings:
A significant portion of the discussion centers around a Fox News report revealing that $60 billion has flowed into American universities in recent years, with $795 million originating from adversarial nations like China, Russia, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson at [30:02]:
  "A new report... found that $60 billion in foreign gifts and contracts were funneled into American colleges and universities, including $20 billion alone to elite schools like Harvard, Yale, and others."

• Senator Ted Cruz at [29:01]:
  "What are they actually getting in return for the staggering amounts of foreign money? Is this covert ops by foreign nations? Is this trying to control the next generation of American minds?"

Historical Context:
Senator Cruz references his previous legislative efforts to curb foreign influence, specifically mentioning the shutdown of Confucius Institutes funded by China for espionage and propaganda purposes.

• Senator Ted Cruz at [32:57]:
  "Confucius Institutes were used as hubs of espionage... and tools of propaganda... we passed legislation resulting in more than 20 Confucius Institutes being shut down."

Current Concerns:
The infusion of foreign funds from adversarial countries raises alarms about potential espionage, intellectual property theft, and the shaping of future American leaders' perspectives.

• Ben Ferguson at [33:58]:
  "If Iran is funding your university, you're doing something fundamentally wrong."

Policy Recommendations:
Ferguson advocates for increased transparency and stringent penalties for universities accepting funds from nations hostile to the U.S. He emphasizes the necessity of safeguarding academic institutions from becoming conduits for foreign influence.

• Ben Ferguson at [35:45]:
  "We need transparency... require that universities report every dollar of foreign money they receive... put punitive tax penalties on universities that accept funds from enemy nations."

Conclusion:
The episode underscores the intertwined nature of economic policies, national security, and academic integrity. Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson call for decisive actions to protect American interests on multiple fronts, from trade to education.

Final Thoughts

"Verdict with Ted Cruz" provides a comprehensive analysis of critical issues facing the United States, emphasizing the need for strategic policy implementation to safeguard national interests. Through detailed discussions and pointed critiques, the hosts offer listeners valuable insights into the complexities of tariffs, national security, and the integrity of America's educational institutions.

For those interested in understanding the nuanced interplay between government policies and their broader implications, this episode serves as an essential listen.

Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions between Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson.