Verdict with Ted Cruz

1. Investigation of Chinese-Linked Activist Financier Neville Roy Singham
Ted Cruz discusses a federal investigation into Neville Roy Singham, a wealthy businessman with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The investigation reportedly involves potential violations of: The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
Federal tax laws

Singham is accused of funding left-wing organizations, including: The People's Forum
Code Pink

Cruz argues that money from foreign-linked sources may be supporting: Anti-Israel campus protests
Anti-capitalist activism
Other progressive political movements

The discussion highlights concerns about foreign influence campaigns designed to shape U.S. public opinion and technology policy.
Singham denies working for or taking orders from the Chinese government.
2. White House Discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Cruz describes attending a meeting in the Oval Office with: President Trump
Senator Marsha Blackburn
Administration officials and advisors

The meeting focused on AI regulation and policy.
Blackburn promoted several AI-related bills, including: Child online safety measures (KOSA)
App-store age verification requirements
The “No Fakes” Act addressing AI-generated fake voices and images

Cruz expressed support for parts of the proposals but questioned whether they had enough political support to become law.
He argued that: AI legislation should protect consumers and children.
Regulations should not unintentionally restrict free speech.
The U.S. must remain competitive with China in AI development.

The conversation also addressed concerns over deepfakes and AI-generated political misinformation.
3. Reading and Education Reform Legislation
Cruz discusses a bipartisan education bill focused on improving reading outcomes among American students.
He cites statistics showing declining reading proficiency among students nationwide.
The bill would require states receiving certain federal literacy funds to use reading methods proven effective through research.
The discussion contrasts: Phonics-based instruction ("science of reading")
Three-cueing methods, which Cruz argues are less effective

Examples highlighted include: Mississippi's dramatic improvement in reading scores after adopting phonics-focused instruction ("Mississippi Miracle")
Similar gains in Alabama and Louisiana

The legislation was introduced jointly with Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii.
Cruz presents the bill as a bipartisan effort to improve literacy and educational outcomes.
The discussion outlines the legislative process needed for the bill to advance through Congress.
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
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic Party and DSA Discussion
Cruz "the Democratic Party is increasingly influenced by the DSA and other far-left activists"
He characterizes the DSA as Marxist and contends that its ideology is becoming more prominent within Democratic politics.
The hosts discuss voting patterns, education levels, and income demographics, asserting that highly educated, lower-income voters are among the strongest Democratic constituencies.
They argue that universities contribute to political radicalization and ideological indoctrination.
Education and Reading Instruction
Cruz discusses legislation he introduced to encourage schools receiving federal literacy funds to adopt teaching methods supported by evidence.
The bill promotes the "science of reading" and phonics-based instruction rather than approaches such as “three-cueing.”
The conversation cites literacy concerns and references improvements in reading scores in states such as Mississippi after adopting phonics-focused methods.
The bill is described as bipartisan, with Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii as a co-sponsor.
New York City and Israel-Related Issues
The hosts discuss a stabbing incident in New York involving victims who were reported to be Jewish and Asian.
They criticize New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, alleging that his comments regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demonstrate hostility toward Israel.
Cruz argues that local officials do not have authority to enforce actions based on International Criminal Court warrants.
New Jersey Voting Controversy
New Jersey entered thousands of non-citizens into the state voter rolls
State findings show that some improperly registered individuals cast ballots.
This supports stricter voter registration and identification requirements.
Democrats oppose these election-integrity measures.
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
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Buy Sophie Cunningham's Jersey! (HR 1, Seg 1)
Bland white guy predictions (HR 1, Seg 2)
Rut on the Truth about T and the military (HR 2, Seg 3)
Steve Deace with Big Odyssey Thoughts (HR 3, Seg 3)

Clay and Buck focused heavily on the growing cultural and political battle surrounding women's sports, transgender athlete participation, WNBA star Sophie Cunningham, and the future direction of the Democrat Party heading into the 2028 presidential election cycle. The hour opened with extensive discussion of Cunningham's comments defending the idea that biological males should not compete in women's sports. The hosts praised the WNBA player for refusing to backtrack under media pressure and highlighted her statements that women's athletic opportunities and protections under Title IX should be preserved. They contrasted Cunningham's position with arguments from progressive activists and former soccer star Megan Rapinoe, framing the debate as one of fairness, biological differences, women's rights, and the future of female athletics. The conversation also explored public reaction to Cunningham's comments, growing support from athletes and fans, and the broader cultural implications of high-profile female athletes speaking out on controversial issues.

The hosts then turned to what they described as increasing political activism and ideological bias within the sports media. They criticized coverage surrounding Caitlin Clark, the WNBA, race, and identity politics, including commentary that linked Clark's popularity to broader social and racial debates. Clay and Buck argued that sports journalism has become increasingly politicized and used the discussion to examine how cultural issues influence public opinion and electoral politics. Throughout the segment, they emphasized the connection they see between winning cultural debates and winning elections, arguing that public support for figures like Sophie Cunningham reflects larger shifts in American opinion on gender, sports, and free expression.

A major political segment focused on the Democratic Party's developing 2028 presidential primary landscape. Clay and Buck analyzed reports that Democratic leaders are debating whether South Carolina or Nevada should hold the first presidential contest, framing the dispute as a contest between key Democratic voting blocs, particularly Black and Hispanic voters. The hosts discussed how the primary calendar could shape potential candidacies from figures including Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Gavin Newsom, Mark Kelly, Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, Wes Moore, Josh Shapiro, and others. They examined the strategic advantages different states could provide various candidates and debated whether Democratic leaders are trying to influence the nomination process through primary scheduling decisions.

The guys speak with former Navy SEAL David Rutherford, host of The David Rutherford Show and a member of the Clay & Buck Podcast Network. Rutherford first shared stories from a recent African safari in South Africa, including close encounters with lions, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife. The discussion covered the realities of safari tourism, animal behavior, and the expertise required to safely navigate the African wilderness.

The interview then moved into military readiness, veteran health, and national security issues. Rutherford praised new Pentagon attention to what he described as "operator syndrome," a collection of physical and psychological health challenges experienced by military personnel exposed to years of combat deployments and high-intensity operations. He specifically discussed the Department of Defense’s growing focus on testosterone levels, endocrine health, hormone replacement therapy (TRT), mental health, sleep performance, and long-term care for active-duty service members and veterans. Rutherford argued that recognizing these issues could significantly improve military preparedness, recovery, and overall quality of life for warfighters.

The hosts also examined escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, Middle East security concerns, military deployments, oil shipping routes, and potential military strategy. Rutherford discussed threats to American interests in the region, attacks on U.S. installations, instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and the possibility of future ground operations in Iran. The conversation explored strategic military options, force deployment considerations, and the political implications of an expanded conflict as the country approaches the midterm election cycle. Clay and Buck also discussed how ongoing wars and overseas military engagements could influence voter attitudes and congressional races.

Steve Deace joined the show to discuss Iowa politics, the state’s upcoming statewide elections, and the political environment heading into future campaign cycles. Deace analyzed the strength of Democratic candidates in Iowa, Republican prospects, voter registration trends, and the changing electoral landscape. The conversation then turned to entertainment and culture, focusing heavily on Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of The Odyssey. Deace offered a sharply critical review of the movie, arguing that it deviates significantly from the original source material and reflects broader trends in Hollywood storytelling. The hosts discussed movie production, cultural messaging in entertainment, sound design issues in modern filmmaking, and the opportunity they believe exists for filmmakers to create stories aimed at mass audiences without overt political messaging.

The discussion expanded into Hollywood, conservative media, independent filmmaking, storytelling, faith-based entertainment, cultural influence, and audience demand for non-political content. Deace argued that many successful modern films focus too heavily on ideological objectives rather than compelling storytelling. Clay and Buck agreed, suggesting that there is significant market demand for films that prioritize strong narratives over political agendas. They explored how storytelling shapes culture and the role entertainment can play in influencing public opinion.

The hosts returned to the subject of Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin Clark, women’s sports, and transgender athlete policies, with Deace praising Cunningham’s refusal to retreat from her position. He argued that standing by one’s beliefs in the face of organized criticism is just as significant as the position itself. The group also analyzed Caitlin Clark’s unique impact on professional basketball, her historic popularity, and the complicated relationship between her fan base and portions of the sports media establishment.

Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8

For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/

Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media:
X - https://x.com/clayandbuck
FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck
Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuck


YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1: New York City Mayor and Benjamin Netanyahu
Key Points
The mayor initially suggested that New York City might be able to arrest Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
The mayor later stated that New York City lacks the legal authority to execute such an arrest.
A lengthy excerpt of the mayor's remarks is included, in which: Netanyahu is accused of war crimes.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is discussed.
Support is expressed for the ICC arrest warrant.
The mayor calls on the U.S. federal government to take action instead.

The mayor is misleading supporters and making promises he cannot legally fulfill.
2: New Jersey Non-Citizen Voter Registration Controversy
Key Points
The governor claimed that a software glitch resulted in hundreds or thousands of non-citizens being registered to vote.
Some of those individuals allegedly cast ballots in elections.
The software company (Idemia) disputes the governor's explanation.
The company argues that: Its role is only to transmit voter registration information.
State election officials are responsible for verifying voter eligibility.

The commentator presents this as evidence that state officials are attempting to avoid responsibility.
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
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. World Cup Final Experience
Ted Cruz recounts attending the World Cup Final with his daughter, Katherine.
He describes the event as a memorable father-daughter experience and reflects on a longstanding tradition of attending major sporting events with her.
The discussion includes: The atmosphere at the World Cup.
International fans visiting the United States.
Cruz's thoughts on soccer and his own experience playing the sport in high school.
Comparisons to memorable sporting events such as the 2017 World Series, Super Bowl LI, and the 2006 Rose Bowl.

2. Celebrity Encounters
Cruz shares stories about meeting Drew Barrymore at the World Cup.
He describes her as friendly, genuine, and approachable.
The hosts discuss some of her films, including: E.T.
Charlie’s Angels
50 First Dates

3. White House Meeting on Artificial Intelligence
A significant portion of the podcast focuses on Cruz's meeting in the Oval Office regarding AI policy.
Participants included: President Trump
Senator Marsha Blackburn
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
White House economic advisers and staff

4. Debate Over AI Legislation
Cruz explains several AI-related legislative proposals:
Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA):
Intended to improve online protections for children.
Previously passed the Senate but stalled in the House.

App Store Accountability / Age Verification Measures:
Would require age verification for app usage.
Faces opposition from some technology companies and lawmakers.

NO FAKES Act:
Designed to combat AI-generated impersonations, deepfakes, and unauthorized use of a person's image or voice.
Raises concerns regarding free speech and parody protections.

5. Cruz's Legislative Perspective
Cruz emphasizes balancing: Protection from AI-related harms.
Preservation of free speech.
Practical political realities needed to pass legislation.

He argues that several proposed AI bills face significant obstacles due to opposition from various stakeholders and lack of sufficient bipartisan support.
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
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.