Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: Trump Takes Out Venezuelan Narcoterrorists in Decisive Military Attack plus Stopping DC Crime & Trump is ALIVE!

Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

Overview

In this episode, Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson deliver a fast-paced breakdown of the week’s major news—President Trump’s high-profile military strike against Venezuelan narco-terrorists, new legislative efforts to combat DC’s crime wave, and the bizarre media frenzy swirling around (false) rumors of Trump’s death. The hosts frame these events as vivid examples of “America first” policy, decisive leadership, and what they view as the sharp contrasts between Trump’s administration and Democrats both in Congress and the media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Military Strike Against Venezuelan Narco-Terrorists

[00:00] - [15:40]

• Description of the Strike:
  President Trump ordered a U.S. military attack on a drug boat off Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of 11 suspected Trender Aragua gang members and the destruction of a significant quantity of narcotics. The dramatic video was widely shared, sending what the hosts call a “psychological message” to cartels worldwide.

  • Quote (Ben Ferguson):
    “There are certain days where it’s just really extra fun to be an American… watching us take on the cartels and watching us blow up a boat filled with drugs after the President warned…” [00:00]
  • Quote (Ted Cruz):
    “I know Donald Trump. I think there is a 0% chance… that four years will pass without President Trump acting decisively to take out the Mexican drug cartels.” [04:56]

• Impact & Messaging:
  The attack is framed as “Trump Doctrine, CAFO 101”—uncompromising action against threats to the U.S. Cruz emphasizes that the operation targets not only cartels but also acts as a warning to countries like Venezuela’s Maduro regime and indirectly, to Mexico’s leadership.

• The Host’s Take:
  Both see this as a departure from what they view as Biden’s passivity. Cruz argues that Trump’s willingness to use targeted force is an “America first” strategy that falls between isolationism and interventionism.

  • Quote (Cruz):
    “There’s a big difference between targeted use of force against enemies of America and trying to invade other countries and turn them into democracies.” [22:18]

• Analogies & Deterrent Effect:
  Cruz likens the psychological effect to Israel’s targeted strikes on terrorist leaders: the uncertainty and fear instilled among enemies.

  • Quote (Cruz):
    “You are now a target… look in the sky, because there could be a drone about to light you up any second.” [21:20]

• Clip—Trump’s Statement:
  President Trump is heard in a calm, businesslike tone:

  • Quote (Trump):
    “We just over the last few minutes literally shot out a boat, a drug-carrying boat, a lot of drugs in that boat… you’ll be seeing that and you’ll be reading about that…” [18:47]

2. Message to Mexico and Venezuela

• Diplomatic Fallout:
  Cruz discusses his recent trip to Mexico, emphasizing his tough message: Mexico can either partner with the U.S. against cartels, or watch the U.S. act unilaterally. He cites Marco Rubio and reiterates the $50 million bounty on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, noting the potential for internal instability.
  • Quote (Cruz):
    “If you are a government official in Mexico, you gotta make a choice now… you are our friend and ally. We would like to cooperate with you.” [13:55]

3. The Clean DC Act and the DC Crime Wave

[26:03] - [30:27]

• Legislative Update:
  Cruz unveils the “Clean DC Act,” intended to overturn DC’s 2022 ordinance that lessened penalties for violent crimes. He claims the result of that law has been surging violence, and argues for a federal response in support of stricter enforcement.

  • Quote (Cruz):
    “If you lessen the penalty for violent crime, the crimes increase. And this is the thing that the left doesn’t understand.” [27:25]
  • The bill has support from the DC Police Union and Fraternal Order of Police. Cruz predicts Democrats will oppose the bill and accuses them of siding with criminals.

• Personal Anecdote:
  Cruz shares his own experience with crime in D.C. (his car was broken into and his briefcase stolen during a late-night podcast recording).

4. Media Hysteria Over Trump’s Health and Death Rumors

[30:27] - [37:14]

• Social Media Speculation:
  Internet rumors recently swirled that President Trump had died or was incapacitated, with some progressive commentators and Democratic politicians openly contemplating or celebrating the possibility.

  • Quote (Ben Ferguson):
    “If you thought the Democratic Party could be any… more soulless, well, here’s another example…” [02:14]

• Trump’s Response:
  Trump, during a press availability, jokes about the rumors and criticizes the media for falling for conspiracy talk.

  • Quote (Trump):
    “...I did numerous news conferences, all successful...then I didn’t do any for two days. And they said there must be something wrong with him… it’s fake news.” [32:21]

• Critique of Political Decorum:
  Cruz expresses dismay at Democratic politicians and some in media openly wishing for the death of a sitting president, contrasting it with his own respect for the office regardless of party.

  • Quote (Cruz):
    “Let me say that is sick. And I have never wished death upon Joe Biden or Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton or any of the Democrat leaders... what the hell is wrong with these people?” [35:37]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Decisive Leadership:
  “Beware is all caps. Thank you for your attention to the matter. And it looks like nine exclamation marks. Now, I gotta say, nine exclamation marks for 11 terrorists who blew up. That's a really powerful message.”
  — Ted Cruz [06:45]

• On Terrorist Organizations:
  “By any rational definition, [the cartels] are a terrorist organization. Now, they're not motivated by politics… But their means is terrorism.”
  — Ted Cruz [21:05]

• On Crime in DC:
  “When you react with weakness, the result is domestically, you get more and more crime… the converse is true. When you lock up murderers and rapists and child molesters, you get fewer violent crimes.”
  — Ted Cruz [26:25]

• On Political Decorum:
  “I have never wished death upon Joe Biden or Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton or any of the Democrat leaders… what the hell is wrong with these people?”
  — Ted Cruz [35:37]

Important Timestamps

• [00:00] — Opening on the Venezuelan strike; introduction of “Trump Doctrine.”
• [04:56] — Cruz discusses diplomatic pressure on Mexico and Trump’s resolve.
• [09:42] — Discussion of video, messaging, and psychological impact on cartels.
• [12:55] — Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, on U.S. policy towards cartels’ terrorism.
• [18:47] — President Trump’s audio clip on Venezuela military operation.
• [22:18] — Cruz outlines his philosophy: “non-interventionist hawk.”
• [26:03] — Overview of DC crime, introduction of the Clean DC Act.
• [32:21] — Trump refutes death rumors in offhand, joking style.
• [35:16] — MN Governor Tim Walz’s controversial comments and Cruz’s rebuke.

Tone & Language

The hosts use direct, emphatic, and, at times, incendiary rhetoric typical of conservative talk shows. Humor, sarcasm, and combative language—especially toward Democrats and media critics—are frequent. Trump is portrayed as calm, decisive, and energetic. Cruz positions himself as both a tough pragmatist and a policy intellectual.

Summary

This episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz delivers a robust defense of Trump’s newly aggressive military posture against drug cartels, laying out its deterrent power both abroad and at home. Cruz and Ferguson draw sharp contrasts with Democratic policies on crime and foreign threats, and round off the discussion by condemning what they see as media double-standards and indecorous political commentary. Both hosts position themselves—and Trump—as leaders who pair strength with American values, promising more of the same in weeks to come.