Verdict with Ted Cruz

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Daily Review With Clay and Buck - Nov 10 2025 Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Clay's New Studio!

Clay debuts his new studio, complete with a treadmill that he'll be walking on during the show to try stay in shape. He jokes that he might have to change his background though because it resembles a penis.

Clay and Buck argue that the shutdown was a strategic move by Democrats to sow chaos and emotional unrest ahead of the elections but ultimately backfired. The hosts emphasize that the disruption to air travel—delayed flights, unpaid air traffic controllers, and public frustration—was a tipping point that forced Democrats to retreat. President Donald Trump’s response to the shutdown is spotlighted, including his call for bonuses for air traffic controllers who continued working and criticism of those who took time off. The show frames this as a leadership moment, contrasting Trump’s decisive stance with what they describe as Democrat disarray.

Clay and Buck also dive into the internal conflict within the Democratic Party, noting that eight Democrat senators broke ranks, leading to what they call a “civil war” within the party. Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders are both criticized, with Sanders accused of using emotional manipulation and class warfare rhetoric to rally support. The show mocks the Democrats’ messaging around “Trumpism” and their failure to deliver tangible results from the shutdown.

Most Hated Industry in America

Clay and Buck argue that the Affordable Care Act has led to skyrocketing premiums, reduced quality of care, and a broken system that benefits insurance companies more than patients. The discussion includes commentary on SNAP benefits, obesity-related healthcare costs, and the lack of price transparency in medical services. The hosts call for market-driven reforms and accuse Democrats of subsidizing the most hated industry in America—health insurance.

Healthcare Realities

A major segment focuses on healthcare policy and the future of Obamacare, with in-depth criticism of how Democrats have handled healthcare reform. The hosts argue that the Affordable Care Act has empowered insurance companies and failed to deliver meaningful improvements, potentially setting the stage for a push toward a single-payer system. A retired healthcare executive calls in to offer a free-market solution, emphasizing the need to reduce government control and restore physician autonomy.

In a cultural pivot, the show covers President Trump’s surprise appearance at an NFL game, where he flew over in Air Force One and joined the Fox Sports broadcast booth. Trump’s commentary on football, his high school playing days, and interactions with players like Drew Brees are discussed as emblematic of his growing cultural acceptance. The hosts highlight how athletes, including the Detroit Lions, celebrated Trump with the now-viral “Trump dance,” signaling a shift in how young men and sports figures view the president.

Leftwing Bitchiness

Reflections on the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, with Clay and Buck criticizing Democrats for what they describe as a performative and damaging political stunt. The hosts argue that the shutdown achieved little beyond public frustration and economic disruption. The conversation shifts to pop culture as Kim Kardashian’s repeated attempts to pass the California bar exam are discussed. While acknowledging her billionaire status, the hosts commend her persistence and ambition, contrasting it with what they perceive as a lack of humility and gratitude from former First Lady Michelle Obama. A significant portion of the hour is dedicated to a critical examination of Michelle Obama’s public statements, her Princeton thesis, and her perceived victimhood narrative. The hosts argue that the Obama family received unprecedented media grace and support, especially compared to other presidential families, including the Bushes, Clintons, and the current First Family under President Donald Trump.

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Government Shutdown ENDING! We Explain When & How Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

1. 🏛️ Government Shutdown Status

The government had been shut down for 40 days, the longest in U.S. history.
A Senate vote secured 60 votes (including 8 Democrats) to begin the reopening process.
The continuing resolution (CR) will fund the government through January 30, avoiding a holiday-season funding crisis.

2. ⚙️ Reopening Process

Despite the vote, procedural delays (e.g., Senate rules requiring 60 votes and time gaps between votes) mean the government may not fully reopen until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Unanimous consent could have expedited the process, but some Democrats (e.g., Bernie Sanders) were accused of obstructing.

3. ✈️ Impact on Travel and Public Services

TSA agents and air traffic controllers were working without pay, leading to sick-outs and flight delays.
Even after reopening, normal operations may take several days to resume.

4. 📜 Legislation Introduced

Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2025:
- Would make welfare fraud by illegal immigrants a deportable offense.
- Cites statistics on non-citizens receiving SNAP and WIC benefits.
- Claims a 10-year cost of $15 billion due to illegal immigrant access to benefits.
Obamacare Subsidies Debate:
- Discussion on expiring subsidies for health insurance companies.
- Republicans agreed to a vote in early December on whether to extend these subsidies.
- Cruz and Trump oppose the subsidies, calling them corporate welfare, and advocate for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) instead.

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Who Elected Comrade Mamdani, How to Test Negative for Stupid & a Pilgrimage to Israel Week In Review Nov 08, 2025

Show notes

🗳️ U.S. Election Analysis

The speakers describe the recent election as a “disaster” for conservatives, with high turnout among left-wing voters, particularly young women.
Zohran Mamdani, referred to repeatedly as “Comrade Mandani,” is portrayed as a symbol of far-left politics, with accusations of communism and ties to wealthy donors like Alex Soros.
Detailed demographic breakdowns are given for voter support in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, highlighting gender gaps and educational differences.
Young women (ages 18–29) overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates.
Voters with advanced or bachelor’s degrees leaned toward Mamdani, while those with less education favored Cuomo.
Newer residents of NYC (less than 5 years) were more likely to vote for Mamdani than native New Yorkers.

📚 Book Promotion & Personal Stories

Senator John Kennedy promotes his book “How to Test Negative for Stupid and Why Washington Never Will.”
He shares personal anecdotes about his upbringing, legal career, and entry into politics.
The tone is humorous and self-deprecating, with jokes about Washington, Chuck Schumer, and political bumper stickers.

🇮🇱 Trip to Israel & War Commentary

Ben recounts a visit to Israel, including meetings with victims of Hezbollah rocket attacks and families of children killed while playing soccer.
Descriptions of psychological warfare, hostage situations, and military operations (like the “pager attack” targeting Hezbollah leaders) are included.
The trip is framed as both a spiritual pilgrimage and a political mission, with references to Christian faith and biblical sites.

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When the Shutdown Ends, Why the FAA is Cancelling 5000 Flights per Day & Inside the Numbers behind Mamdani's Election Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

1. Government Shutdown and FAA Flight Cancellations

Cruz and Ferguson argue that Democrats are intentionally prolonging the shutdown for political gain, particularly to hurt Donald Trump.
Essential federal workers like TSA agents and air traffic controllers are working without pay, leading to staffing shortages and safety concerns.
The FAA has announced a mandatory 10% reduction in air traffic at the 40 largest U.S. airports due to understaffing.
This could result in up to 5,000 flight cancellations per day, affecting potentially 500,000 passengers daily.
Cruz says Democrats blocked a bill to pay essential workers during the shutdown, including air traffic controllers.

2. Analysis of Election Results

The podcast dives into the election of Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist/communist, in New York City.
Cruz and Ferguson portray Mamdani as emblematic of the radical left’s growing influence in the Democratic Party.
They analyze exit poll data and voter demographics, highlighting:
- Young women (18–29) were the most supportive group, with 81% voting for Mamdani.
- Educational attainment correlated with support: those with bachelor’s or advanced degrees leaned heavily toward Mamdani.
- Income brackets between $30,000 and $300,000 favored Mamdani, while the very poor (<$30k) and very rich (>$300k) leaned toward Cuomo.
- Religious affiliation showed that Protestants, Catholics, and Jews leaned toward Cuomo, while Muslims and non-religious voters favored Mamdani.
- LGBTQ+ voters supported Mamdani by 81%, despite the podcast hosts expressing disbelief due to Mamdani’s alleged Islamist sympathies.

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Shutdown Showdown: Will Friday Bring a Government Reboot? Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

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BONUS POD: Burned Alive, Shot, Raped: The Brutality of Oct 7th as seen from Ben's Pilgrimage to Israel Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

1. Setting and Context

Ben is reporting live from Israel, specifically Jerusalem.
He describes his visit to multiple sites affected by the Hamas attacks, including:
- Northern border areas near Syria and Lebanon.
- Kibbutzim (rural communities) attacked by Hamas.
- A music festival where mass killings occurred.
- A military base overrun by terrorists.

2. Eyewitness Accounts and Graphic Details

Ferguson recounts firsthand stories from survivors and victims’ families.
He describes:
- Families slaughtered in their homes.
- Children and elderly burned alive.
- Soldiers, especially young women, raped and executed.
- Civilians at a music festival massacred while seeking shelter.
The narrative includes vivid imagery of bullet-riddled safe rooms, abandoned toys, and homes left untouched since the attacks.

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Election Disaster: Wipeouts in VA, NJ & NYC plus Ben on the ground in Israel Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

🗳️ U.S. Election Analysis

The hosts express deep concern and disappointment over recent election results in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City, which they characterize as a “disaster” for Republicans and conservatives.

Key Points:

Virginia: Republicans suffered major losses, including the defeat of Winsome Sears and Jason Miyares. The hosts cite massive Democrat spending and controversial candidates like J. Jones, who allegedly made violent remarks.
New Jersey: Jack Ciattarelli lost to Mikie Sherrill by a wide margin, surprising the hosts who expected a stronger Republican showing.
New York City: The election of Zohran Mamdani (referred to as a “communist jihadist” by Cruz) is described as alarming. Cruz accuses Mamdani of supporting Hamas and promoting radical ideologies.
California Proposition 50: Passed to redistrict and create five new Democrat seats, which Cruz claims is a power grab and anti-democratic.

The tone is highly critical of Democratic strategies, voter behavior, and what the hosts see as a growing radicalism within the party.

🇮🇱 Ben Ferguson’s Visit to Israel

Ben Ferguson shares emotional and spiritual experiences from his first trip to Israel, including:

Highlights:

Spiritual Pilgrimage: Visits to the Sea of Galilee, the Whaling Wall, and the tomb believed to be where Jesus was buried and resurrected.
War Zone Encounters:
- Met families of children killed by Hezbollah rockets while playing soccer.
- Visited northern Israel near the Lebanon border, witnessing destruction and meeting displaced farmers.
- Described the “Pager Attack” — a covert Israeli operation targeting Hezbollah leadership using explosive-laden pagers.
- Met with Holocaust survivors and families of hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas attack.
Psychological Warfare: Ferguson recounts stories of hostages being mentally tortured, lied to, and starved.

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Bonus - Daily Review with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

It's Election Day!

A high-energy Election Day edition packed with breaking political analysis and cultural commentary. Clay celebrates the release of his new book “Balls”, urging listeners to support conservative voices in publishing. The hour dives deep into the New York City mayoral race, spotlighting the shocking Donald Trump endorsement of Andrew Cuomo as a strategic move to block socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani. Clay and Buck debate whether this last-minute endorsement helps or hurts Cuomo, referencing insights from Stephen Miller and Van Jones, and warning that a split in the anti-Mamdani vote could hand victory to the far-left.

The hosts analyze key battlegrounds in Virginia and New Jersey, stressing the importance of down-ballot races like Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor. They predict razor-thin margins and urge listeners nationwide to get out and vote. Discussion turns to Mamdani’s progressive promises—rent freezes, free buses, and government grocery stores—which Cuomo calls “TikTok promises” with no legal basis. Clay and Buck argue these policies would worsen crime and quality of life, drawing parallels to failed corporate virtue-signaling like Starbucks’ bathroom policy and Bud Light’s marketing missteps.

Get Some Balls!

Clay promotes his new book “Balls”, endorsed by President Trump, and shares plans for charitable initiatives tied to free speech advocacy. Clay and Buck analyze the high-stakes contests in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, emphasizing how Democrats will frame victories as a referendum on Donald Trump’s presidency, despite these being deep-blue strongholds. The hosts spotlight the New Jersey governor’s race, where Jack Ciattarelli’s chances hinge on massive Republican turnout to overcome Democrats’ early voting lead. They slam progressive policies like plastic bag bans, arguing they harm consumers and the environment, and highlight housing affordability crises caused by government mandates and rent control schemes.

Our Data Guru Crunches the Early Numbers

Data analyst Ryan Girdusky joins to break down record-breaking voter turnout, surging Democratic numbers in key counties, and the implications for future elections. The discussion expands to electricity price spikes, the impact of data centers, and Democrats’ strategy to nationalize local races around Trump. In New York City, the conversation centers on the mayoral showdown featuring Zohran Mamdani, whose socialist platform promises rent freezes, free buses, and government grocery stores—policies Clay and Buck call “fairy tales” that would worsen crime and quality of life.

They dissect Andrew Cuomo’s failure to give Republicans a reason to support him, despite Trump’s last-minute endorsement, and warn that a Mamdani victory could embolden far-left figures like AOC to push national socialism. The hour also covers Virginia’s gubernatorial race, where Winsome Sears struggles after running a single-issue campaign on transgender bathrooms, while down-ballot races for Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor remain competitive.

Gonna Be Gavin and The Empire Strikes Back

The hosts revisit the stakes in New York City’s mayoral race, the Virginia and New Jersey governor contests, and California’s Proposition 50, warning that Democrats will frame any wins as a repudiation of Donald Trump’s presidency despite these being deep-blue strongholds. Clay and Buck emphasize the importance of voting and highlight how Democrats use emotional manipulation—rather than real solutions—to distract from failures on crime, cost of living, and governance.

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BONUS POD: Safe in the Holy Land-A Firsthand Look at Life in Jerusalem Today Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

1. Hostage Remains and Psychological Warfare

The podcast opens with a news story from the Jerusalem Post about Hamas returning partial remains to Israel.
These remains were not from known hostages, which the speaker describes as a form of psychological torture against Israeli families.
The Red Cross acted as an intermediary in the handover, but Hamas did not specify whose remains were being returned.

2. Personal Reflections and Pilgrimage

Ben then shares that this trip to Israel is a spiritual journey, visiting sites related to Jesus and expressing feelings of safety and peace in Jerusalem.
Encourages others to visit Israel, stating it feels safe despite the conflict.

3. Rise of Antisemitism in the U.S.

A major theme is the alleged rise of antisemitism among American conservatives.
Specific figures mentioned include Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and Nick Fuentes, accused of downplaying Israel’s importance as a U.S. ally.
The speaker references Senator Ted Cruz, who warned of a “growing cancer” of antisemitism on the political right and urged Christian leaders to confront it.

4. Media Criticism

Ben criticizes mainstream media for allegedly portraying Israel as the aggressor and failing to tell the stories of Israeli victims and hostages.

5. Support for Donald Trump

Ben praises Donald Trump’s leadership, particularly his role in the Abraham Accords and efforts to secure the release of hostages.
Expresses gratitude from Israelis for Trump’s support and contrasts it with previous U.S. administrations.

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The Wit & Wisdom of Sen John Kennedy One-on-One Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

1. Kennedy’s Humor and Persona (GRAB SEN KENNEDY'S NEW BOOK HERE!)

Kennedy is a "Southern trial lawyer with a sharp wit", often underestimated due to his accent and folksy demeanor.
He’s known for devastating cross-examinations of judicial nominees, both Democrat and Republican.
His humor is often biting and irreverent, with jokes about colleagues like Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, and even Ted Cruz.

2. Behind-the-Scenes Senate Culture

Kennedy compares the Senate to junior high school, full of cliques, egos, and petty drama.
He shares stories of interactions with nominees who failed basic constitutional knowledge.
The book aims to demystify the Senate and show how disconnected Washington can be from everyday Americans.

3. Critique of Washington

Kennedy argues that Washington lacks common sense, and that change is only possible by removing entrenched interests (“pigs out of the creek”).
He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in politics, using humor to make serious points.

4. Praise and Promotion

Cruz and Ferguson praise Kennedy’s storytelling and comedic timing.
The book is a very giftable item, especially for those with conservative leanings or frustrations with Washington.

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