The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Copyright: 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

Trump Slams Political Opportunism Amid Global Tragedies: Brown University, Australia, and Syria Attacks Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

President Trump’s Address
- Expressed condolences for victims of all three attacks.
- Confirmed details:
  - Australia: 11 dead, 29 wounded in an anti-Semitic attack; praised a heroic bystander who disarmed a shooter.
  - Brown University: 2 killed, 9 injured during an exam review session; suspect is a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin, detained with two handguns.
  - Syria: 3 U.S. service members killed, 3 injured in an ISIS attack.
- Promised retaliation against ISIS and emphasized solidarity with allies.
Brown University Shooting Details
- Occurred in an academic setting during finals week.
- Campus went into lockdown; classes and exams canceled.
- Investigation involves FBI, ATF, and local police.
- Suspect apprehended at a hotel; firearms recovered.
Political Commentary
- Democrats accused of exploiting tragedies for political gain.
- Criticism of calls for banning AR-15 rifles despite handguns being used in the Brown shooting.
- Senator Chris Murphy cited as blaming Trump for rising violence.
- Document argues gun-free zones are ineffective and criticizes Democratic policies.

Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Face of Evil: Bondi Beach Massacre & Mass Murder at Brown Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

Tragic events highlighted
- Rob Reiner & spouse killed in Los Angeles, allegedly by their son, who reportedly struggled with addiction and mental illness; attribution is said to be from “People magazine,” with police not yet confirming details.
- Brown University shooting: 2 dead, 9 injured in an economics exam-prep class; a suspect was later found at a hotel south of Providence; motive and affiliation are described as unknown at the time of recording.
- Australia shooting (Bondi Beach): 16 dead, 40 injured; allegedly conducted by a father–son pair targeting a Hanukkah gathering; the hosts frame this as clearly motivated by anti-Semitism.
  - Sen. Chris Murphy was some how linking the Brown University shooting to Donald Trump on CNN.
  - Democrats use tragedies to push gun control and allegedly “justify violence,” contrasted with Trump preventing violence by arresting and deporting criminals/terrorists.
    - References to post–Oct. 7 protests in Sydney with chants like “Gas the Jews,” used to illustrate the normalization and escalation of anti-Jewish hate.
Security & personal safety
- Open borders, sleeper cells, and insufficient vetting is to blame

Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz

X: https://x.com/tedcruz

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeding Our Future or Funding Our Fraud -Minnesota’s Somali Fraud Grows Dec 13, 2025

Show notes

Fraud Allegations
- Claims Somali-American individuals and organizations misappropriated billions in taxpayer funds, especially COVID-era aid programs like school meal initiatives.
- References the Feeding Our Future scandal, estimating losses at $300 million and citing lavish spending (luxury cars, Maldives honeymoon, $270k cash box).
Federal Investigations
- States the Treasury Department, IRS, and FinCEN are increasing scrutiny on money transfer services and businesses wiring funds abroad, particularly to Somalia.
Terrorism Links
- Some funds may have reached Al Shabab, but no defendants have been charged with terrorism-related crimes.

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labeling the Muslim Brotherhood, AI needs a Soft Touch plus Cruz Calls Out Carlson & Qatar Week In Review Dec 13, 2025

Show notes

Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Debate
- Senator Ted Cruz discusses his decade-long effort to have the Muslim Brotherhood designated as a terrorist organization.
- Explains legislative strategy shift from a “top-down” global designation to a “bottom-up” affiliate-first approach.
- Mentions bipartisan support, Trump administration’s executive order, and resistance from State Department officials.
AI Regulation and U.S.–China Tech Race
- AI is the “single most important economic battle” of the 21st century.
- the AI race is akin to the 1990s Internet revolution, arguing for light-touch regulation to keep America competitive.
- Trump’s executive order centralizing AI regulatory approvals to prevent fragmented state-level rules.
- Emphasizes national security implications if China dominates AI development.
Foreign Influence and Qatar Controversy
- Qatar is lobbying U.S. officials, funding anti-American and anti-Semitic propaganda, and hosting Hamas leadership.
- Concerns have been raised about conservative influencers (including Tucker Carlson) attending Qatar-sponsored events and allegedly promoting propaganda.
- We list eight tough questions Carlson “should have asked” during his interview with Qatar’s Prime Minister but did not.
- Carlson is giving “softball interviews” to adversarial leaders (Qatar, Iran, Putin) and undermining U.S. interests.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz

X: https://x.com/tedcruz

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minnesota’s Welfare Whopper '81% of Somali Refugee Households Cash In' Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

1. Welfare Usage Among Somali Refugees

Based on Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) data analyzed by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS):
- 81% of Somali-headed households in Minnesota use one or more forms of welfare.
- Breakdown:
  - 27% on cash welfare
  - 54% on food stamps
  - 73% on Medicaid
For households with children, the numbers are even higher:
- 89% on welfare
- 86% on Medicaid
- 62% on food stamps
- 23% on cash welfare
Comparison: Native-born Minnesotans have much lower rates (e.g., 21% on any welfare, 6% on cash welfare).
Additional disparities:
- 66% of Somali refugees live in or near poverty vs. 20% of native-born Minnesotans.
- Language barrier: ~60% of Somali refugees speak English poorly.
- Education gap: ~40% lack a high school diploma.

2. Broader Immigration and Housing Impact

Includes remarks from HUD Secretary Scott Turner linking illegal immigration to housing affordability issues.
Claims:
- 12+ million illegal immigrants have strained housing supply.
- 59% of illegal immigrant families use welfare, costing $42 billion annually.
- Immigrants account for 100% of rental growth and over half of owner-occupied housing growth in states like California and New York.
HUD report warns that unchecked immigration could price Americans out of housing markets.

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DEMS Let 18K Terrorists into America plus Trump Leads on AI & Moving to Designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

1. National Security Concerns

We open with alarming claims that 18,000 known or suspected terrorists have entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, allegedly due to lax border security.
The source cited is testimony from Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing.
Specific examples include Afghan nationals linked to terrorist organizations who entered under the Operation Allies Welcome program.
The conversation emphasizes the risks posed by "got-aways" (migrants who evade border patrol) and criticizes the administration for prioritizing politics over security.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and U.S. Leadership

The second segment focuses on President Trump’s executive order aimed at centralizing AI regulation to prevent fragmented state-level rules.
Senator Cruz frames AI as the “economic battle of the 21st century”, comparing it to the U.S. winning the internet race in the 1990s.
Whoever leads in AI will shape global values—either American principles of liberty or China’s model of surveillance and control.
Trump’s remarks highlight the need for a single federal approval system to accelerate AI development and maintain U.S. dominance.

3. Designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization

Senator Cruz advocates for legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates as terrorist organizations.
He explains a shift from a top-down approach (targeting the global organization) to a bottom-up strategy (starting with affiliates like Hamas).
The discussion notes bipartisan support but criticizes the House for weakening the bill.
Cruz stresses that allies such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have already designated the group as a terrorist organization.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz

X: https://x.com/tedcruz

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Teases ‘Other Things Happening’ After Bold Tanker Seizure Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

U.S. authorities, including the Coast Guard, FBI, Homeland Security, and Navy, seized the tanker in a coordinated operation. Video footage of the boarding was released publicly.
Official Justification: The seizure was based on violations of U.S. sanctions and links to illicit oil networks supporting sanctioned entities, including Iran.
Venezuelan Reaction: The Maduro government condemned the action as “international piracy” and a violation of sovereignty, vowing to raise the issue in international forums.
Geopolitical Impact: The incident escalated U.S.-Venezuela tensions, contributed to rising global oil prices, and raised questions about potential military escalation.
Media Coverage: CNN and Fox News-while some portray the move as controversial, analysts argue it is consistent with past U.S. actions against Iranian oil tankers.

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cleaning the Economic MESS the Children Left Behind Trump Hits the Road Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

Economic Success Narrative
- Trump is lowering inflation, reducing prices, increasing wages, and boosting the stock market and retirement accounts.
- He frames these outcomes as a reversal of what he calls “the disaster of Joe Biden and the radical left.”
Border Security and Immigration
- A major talking point is the assertion that Trump has fixed the U.S. border, contrasting it with what he describes as chaos under Biden.
- He links immigration to economic issues, arguing that unchecked migration fueled inflation and harmed American jobs.
- He introduces the concept of “reverse migration” as a positive development for wages and employment.
Future Policy Proposals
- Trump Accounts: A proposed savings program for every newborn American child, starting with $1,000 and allowing contributions from family and employers.
- Tax Cuts: Promises of no taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits for seniors, framed as “the largest tax cuts in American history.”
Contrast with Democrats
- Democrats are responsible for high inflation, job losses, and economic decline.
- Biden is “the worst president in the history of our country.”

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe Fines Elon Musk, Trying to Enforce Censorship in America, plus Tucker Carlson Buys Home in Qatar & Embraces America Hating Islamists Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

1. European Union vs. Elon Musk and Free Speech

The EU fined Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) $140 million under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to comply with transparency and moderation requirements.
Ben and the Senator argue this is an attack on free speech, claiming the EU wants to impose censorship globally, including on American platforms.
They highlight a letter from the EU in August 2024 urging Musk to censor content related to Donald Trump’s interview, framing it as an attempt to silence political discourse.
The discussion emphasizes the contrast between U.S. First Amendment protections and Europe’s regulatory approach, warning of potential ripple effects on American free speech.
There’s a call for the Trump administration to retaliate with sanctions against the EU, such as tariffs, to prevent foreign influence on U.S. speech norms.

2. Tucker Carlson’s Ties to Qatar

Tucker Carlson’s visit to Qatar, where he interviewed the Prime Minister during the Doha Forum.
Ben and Senator Cruz criticize Carlson for allegedly failing to ask tough questions about Qatar’s:
- Support for Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
- Funding of anti-American and anti-Semitic propaganda, including protests on U.S. campuses.
- Lobbying efforts in Washington and influence campaigns targeting conservative figures.
- Restrictive policies on women’s rights.
They express concern over Carlson reportedly buying property in Qatar, framing it as aligning with a regime hostile to U.S. interests.
The commentary portrays Carlson as sympathetic to authoritarian leaders (similar to his interviews with Putin and Iran’s president), undermining American values and Trump’s foreign policy.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz

X: https://x.com/tedcruz

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pritzker releases 1,800 Criminal Illegal Aliens Despite ICE Detainers Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Sanctuary State Policies
- Illinois is releasing over 1,800 illegal immigrants charged with crimes such as murder, assault, burglary, robbery, sex crimes, and drug offenses.
- Illinois ignored more than 1,700 ICE detainers and released individuals back into communities.
Specific Cases
- Individuals like Victor Manuel Menendez Garcia (kidnapping), Juan Morales Martinez (fatal crash), and others accused of sexual assault and violent crimes.
- Also a tragic case from California involving a drunk-driving crash that killed an 8-year-old girl.
Criticism of Political Leaders
- Governor Pritzker (Illinois), Governor Newsom (California), and New York Mayor-elect Mundani are prioritizing undocumented immigrants over public safety.
- Quotes statements from DHS and ICE officials urging cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Call to Action
- Emphasizes President Trump’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and deploying resources to apprehend criminal aliens.
- The issue is a battle between federal enforcement and “radical” sanctuary policies.