Verdict with Ted Cruz – "Trump's Art of the Peace Deal, Charlie Kirk Honored, Plus Eric Trump & the Cost of Political Warfare"

Date: October 18, 2025
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson
Guests: Donald Trump (audio clip), Eric Trump

Overview

In this "Week in Review" episode, Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson revisit the major political events of the previous week. They analyze Donald Trump's pivotal role in orchestrating a historic Middle East peace agreement, reflect on the moving Medal of Freedom ceremony for Charlie Kirk, and get candid insight from Eric Trump on the personal and financial costs of ongoing legal battles against the Trump family. The episode is marked by a tone of conservative resolve, personal reflection, and behind-the-scenes details from prominent political moments.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Donald Trump’s Middle East Peace Agreement

Segment: 00:35 – 05:35

• Historic Moment:
  Cruz situates Trump’s brokering of a peace deal as “a moment of history that ended a war that is extended for two years, that freed people… subject to horrific treatment.”
  (Senator Ted Cruz, 01:44)

• “Peace Through Strength” Doctrine:

  • Trump’s actions are described as “the opposite of weakness and appeasement,” making clear that his foreign policy has never been isolationist.
  • Cruz details Trump's past military actions—defeating ISIS, taking out Soleimani and al Baghdadi, confronting the Houthis, narco-terrorists, and crippling Iran’s nuclear facilities.

  Quote:

  “Strength is the best way to avoid war. Our enemies are afraid, afraid of Donald Trump. That is a very good thing.”
  (Senator Ted Cruz, 04:50)

• Contrast with Biden:
  Cruz attributes current wars in Ukraine and Gaza to what he terms Joe Biden’s weak and appeasing presidency.

2. Government Shutdown Analysis

Segment: 05:35 – 10:44

• Current Status:
  The U.S. government has been shut down for almost two weeks, affecting various sectors, especially healthcare and military families.

• Blame and Partisan Gridlock:
  Cruz accuses Senate Democrats of orchestrating the “Schumer shutdown” by refusing to provide enough votes in the Senate to reopen government.

  Quote:

  “To fund the government takes 60 votes in the Senate. There are only 53 Republicans. We need at least seven Democrats. We keep voting to open the government; Dems keep voting to shut it down.”
  (Senator Ted Cruz, 06:56)

• Upcoming Rally:
  Cruz claims that Democrats are prolonging the shutdown until after a left-wing “No Kings Rally” in DC (October 17), fearing backlash from their political base.

• Congressional Pay and Hypocrisy:
  Cruz criticizes elected officials for continuing to accept pay during the shutdown and pledges to withhold his own salary until service members are paid.

3. Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom Ceremony

Segment: 13:58 – 27:49

• Setting and Significance:
  The White House Rose Garden ceremony honored the late Charlie Kirk on what would have been his 32nd birthday. Trump awarded him the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.

  Personal Reflections:
  Cruz shares his deep friendship with Kirk, noting Kirk’s “vision of creating a movement to energize… young people to love freedom… and America.”
  (Senator Ted Cruz, 15:00)

• Faith and Forgiveness:
  The most poignant moment occurred when Erica Kirk, Charlie’s widow, stood before the audience and said, “I forgive him,” speaking about her husband’s killer.
  Cruz highlights the gospel message embodied in Erica’s statement and calls it “astonishing.”

  Quote:

  “She stood up with the eyes of the world upon him and said, that young man, the young man who pulled the trigger and murdered her husband… She said, I forgive him. I don’t know that there was a dry eye in the house.”
  (Senator Ted Cruz, 18:40)

• Presidential Tribute:
  Trump’s speech characterized Charlie as a “martyr for truth and for freedom” and compared his legacy to historic figures.
  (Donald Trump, 21:01)

  Quote:

  “Every time the enemies of goodness and virtue tried to silence the voice of righteous and noble leaders like Charlie, they failed… Charlie’s voice, his message, and his legacy are stronger and greater than ever before.”
  (Donald Trump, 21:16)

• Legacy of Discourse:
  Erica Kirk emphasizes that Charlie “prayed for his enemies,” modeling vigorous but respectful debate—an example for both political leaders and youth.

4. The Personal Cost of Political Warfare – Eric Trump Interview

Segment: 31:01 – 39:26

• Financial Toll:
  Eric Trump reveals the Trump family spent “roughly $400 million” on legal defenses during the four-year period, countering narratives that they profited from public service.

  Quote:

  “If you want to come in, I'll break down the finances. You want Trump's profit? We spent $400 million to defend ourselves against nonsense.”
  (Eric Trump, 31:37)

• Legal Siege:
  Eric details facing investigations and prosecutions from various state and federal entities—highlighting Letitia James as the “worst” and characterizing the process as deeply politicized.

  Quote:

  “I would not leave my father's side. I sat next to him every single day. If he was there, I was gonna be there as a son to support him.”
  (Eric Trump, 32:52)

• On Trump as a Father:

  • Eric describes his upbringing as strict but loving; the Trump children were made to work for things, emphasizing work ethic and family loyalty over privilege.
  • His advice to parents: “Keep them poor and make them start working early… Don’t give type A kids money and don’t give them endless time. That’s just a bad recipe.”

  Quote:

  “He wanted us to be tired as hell at the end of the day because don’t give type A kids… free time because bad things happen.”
  (Eric Trump, 35:47)

  Cruz responds that many admire Trump most for his “kids are like not messed up and incredibly successful and put together,” underscoring the family’s unity and resilience.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Leadership:

  “Our enemies are afraid, afraid of Donald Trump. That is a very good thing… America is safer.”
  (Senator Ted Cruz, 04:50)

• On Forgiving Charlie Kirk’s Murderer:

  “She stood up… and said, I forgive him. I don’t know that there was a dry eye in the house.”
  (Senator Ted Cruz, 18:40)

• Trump on Charlie Kirk’s Legacy:

  “Today, like those martyrs before him, Charlie’s voice, his message, and his legacy are stronger and greater than ever before.”
  (Donald Trump, 21:16)

• Eric Trump on Cost of Legal Battles:

  “We spent $400 million to defend ourselves against nonsense… They did everything they possibly could to take us down.”
  (Eric Trump, 31:37)

• Eric’s Parenting Wisdom:

  “Keep them poor, don’t give type A kids money and don’t give them endless time. That’s just a bad recipe.”
  (Eric Trump, 38:17)

Important Timestamps

• Trump’s Middle East Peace Achievement: 00:35–05:35
• Government Shutdown/Blame Game: 05:35–10:44
• Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom Ceremony: 13:58–27:49
• Eric Trump on Legal Costs: 31:01–32:32
• Eric Trump on Family and Upbringing: 34:54–39:26

Tone & Style

The conversation is passionate, direct, and often personal. Cruz and Ferguson speak with frankness, celebrating conservative triumphs and using personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes details to humanize larger political issues. The tone is at times reverent (discussing Charlie Kirk and the Medal of Freedom), gritty (detailing legal battles), and practical (parenting wisdom from Eric Trump).

Summary

This episode offers a multi-dimensional view of conservative politics in America—combining news analysis, heartfelt tribute, and family narrative. It illustrates how political decisions ripple through personal lives and legacies, with a focus on the Trump family’s experience and values, the enduring importance of principle over popularity, and the power of forgiveness and faith in public life.