Verdict with Ted Cruz

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.

Trump Accounts

President Trump joined Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CEOs and investors at an all-day summit in D.C. Highlighting a new imitative that will encourage fiscal responsibility.

Joe Lavorgna, Counselor to U.S. Treasury Secretary

An in‑depth interview with Joe Lavorgna, counselor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and former Wall Street economist. Lavorgna explains the Trump administration’s newly announced “Trump Accounts,” a policy initiative designed to provide newborn children with seed investment capital to encourage long‑term wealth building, financial literacy, and participation in the U.S. capitalist system. Clay and Buck explore the power of compound interest, with Lavorgna outlining how early investment contributions—combined with historical stock market returns—could grow into hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over time. The discussion highlights the administration’s broader goal of expanding equity ownership and addressing the fact that millions of American households currently lack any exposure to the stock market.

The conversation then expands to affordability, inflation, and economic growth heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Lavorgna argues that Trump‑era policies emphasizing deregulation, domestic energy production, capital investment, and productivity growth are creating what he describes as a “disinflationary boom.” He explains how rising productivity allows wages to increase while prices stabilize or fall, improving living standards and restoring purchasing power. Clay and Buck also question Lavorgna about public versus private markets, access to wealth creation for average investors, and the long‑term implications of the AI boom. Lavorgna expresses optimism that innovation, strong GDP growth, and declining inflation will continue to support market expansion and job creation.

FBI Raid in Fulton County

FBI agents are reported to be executing a search warrant at an election facility in Fulton County. Clay and Buck frame the raid as potentially tied to lingering questions surrounding the 2020 presidential election, noting that such discussions were once heavily censored on social media. While acknowledging the seriousness of federal involvement, both hosts caution listeners to temper expectations, citing statutes of limitation, institutional reluctance, and the likelihood that any findings—no matter how significant—would still be dismissed by partisan audiences.

Election integrity and voter confidence dominate the early portion of Hour 3, with Clay and Buck debating whether meaningful accountability for 2020 is still possible and arguing that the most important outcome now is ensuring future elections are secure. They discuss how political polarization has hardened perceptions on both sides, referencing long‑standing beliefs among Democrats about Russian interference in 2016 and skepticism among Republicans about 2020 results. The hosts emphasize that Trump’s decisive return to the White House in 2024 may represent the most consequential response to past disputes, arguing that his second term has proven more powerful and effective than a hypothetical uninterrupted presidency would have been.

The hour also includes updates on law enforcement actions tied to recent unrest, with Buck highlighting announcements from the Department of Justice regarding arrests of individuals accused of assaulting federal officers during anti‑ICE riots in Minnesota. While expressing skepticism about whether meaningful penalties will ultimately be imposed at the local level, both hosts agree that federal arrests represent a necessary step toward restoring order and protecting immigration enforcement personnel. Listener calls follow, including personal stories expressing support for law enforcement and reflections on accountability, responsibility, and respect for police officers doing difficult jobs under intense scrutiny

Mark Halperin on the Future of Media

An extended interview with veteran political journalist Mark Halperin. Halperin assesses the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, arguing that Trump benefited strategically from four years out of office to plan, staff, and refine priorities. Halperin highlights what he describes as a more energized and deliberate administration, while outlining three major challenges ahead: passing legislation in a divided Senate, managing long‑term competition with China, and navigating the looming midterm elections. The discussion also addresses internal administration tensions, particularly surrounding DHS leadership and messaging failures related to ICE enforcement, with Halperin predicting that while personnel changes are unlikely, visibility and roles may shift.

Halperin and the hosts further analyze the spread of anti‑ICE protests beyond Minneapolis, including incidents in New York City, and discuss how the administration must balance maintaining firm enforcement with controlling optics and preventing escalation. Halperin argues that better crowd control and clearer operational perimeters could reduce danger to both agents and civilians while limiting copycat protests. The hour also includes lighter moments, including a viral exchange about generational cultural knowledge involving legendary sports broadcasters John Madden and Pat Summerall, which sparks a humorous debate about media literacy, generational divides, and shared cultural reference points.

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1. Life in Cuba Before and After the Revolution
At first, many Cubans—including Sonia’s family—believed Fidel Castro would bring hope and equality.
Very quickly, Castro imposed strict control, destroyed economic freedom, and made the entire population equally poor.
2. The Reality of Communist Cuba
Universal poverty: Everyone was paid the same and had almost nothing—food shortages, basic needs unmet.
State surveillance: Every neighborhood had assigned informants who monitored households and reported any anti‑government sentiment.
Restrictions on daily life: Cubans were barred from renting boats, traveling, or accessing certain services, even if they had citizenship elsewhere.
3. Persecution and Indoctrination
Sonia witnessed the regime executing and imprisoning dissenters.
Castro used propaganda to turn children against their families, encouraging them to report relatives critical of the government.
Schools were forced to teach pro‑communist, pro‑Castro ideology.
4. Family Resistance
Sonia’s mother (a teacher) was ordered to teach communist doctrine.
Rather than comply, she pretended to have a mental breakdown so she could be removed from teaching, since quitting was illegal.
Sonia herself resisted the regime and was repeatedly detained, imprisoned for days, and disappeared without her family knowing her whereabouts.
5. Life After Leaving Cuba
Sonia left in 1962 but returned over the years with suitcases of medicine, food, clothing, and household essentials—items extremely scarce in Cuba.
She often left behind even her own clothes because relatives in Cuba lacked basics like underwear and bedsheets.
6. The Illusion Presented to Foreign Visitors
Tourists and foreign politicians were only shown “model” schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods.
This created a false image of prosperity, hiding the suffering of everyday Cubans who lived in extreme poverty.
7. Misconceptions About Socialism and Communism
The conversation highlights how younger Americans often romanticize socialism without understanding its authoritarian outcomes.
It emphasizes that socialist regimes destroy incentive, suppress faith, and strip away basic freedoms.
The leaders of these systems live in luxury while the people remain impoverished.
8. The Human Cost
Sonia stresses that the worst suffering was the inability of families to secure food and basic necessities for their children.
Many Cubans survive by drinking sugar water to feel full.
Average income was described as around $30 per month, making survival nearly impossible.
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1. Phone call between President Trump and Governor Walz
President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that Governor Tim Walz called him to discuss cooperation related to Minnesota.
Trump said the call was “very good” and that they were “on a similar wavelength.”
Trump said he would send Tom Homan (former ICE acting director) to work with Minnesota officials.
2. Immigration‑related demands from Trump
Trump outlined several expectations for Minnesota leaders:
Turn over all criminal undocumented immigrants currently held in state/local custody to federal immigration authorities.
Cooperate with ICE by transferring all undocumented individuals arrested locally.
Assist federal officers in locating and detaining undocumented immigrants with criminal histories or outstanding warrants.
3. Broader claims made by Trump
Trump referenced: A $20+ billion welfare fraud investigation in Minnesota.
Ongoing federal scrutiny of Rep. Ilhan Omar concerning her reported wealth.

He linked these issues to unrest and protests occurring in Minnesota.
4. White House press secretary comments
The press secretary emphasized the administration’s stance on: Ending “anarchy and chaos.”
Prioritizing law and order.
Urging Minnesota’s leaders to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

The administration also reiterated support for ending sanctuary policies nationwide.
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2. Minneapolis Situation & ICE Confrontations A. Escalating Conflict
Recent fatal confrontations between civilians and ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Two individuals (not known to be violent criminals) have been killed during encounters.
Host urges toning down rhetoric from both political sides to prevent further escalation.
B. Comparison Between Texas and Minnesota
Texas sees far more ICE arrests but fewer violent confrontations.
Reasons suggested: Texas law enforcement cooperates with ICE.
Minnesota politicians (governor/mayor) allegedly encourage public confrontation with ICE.

C. Violent Protest Structure
Minneapolis protests are organized, funded, and oper­ated similarly to military groups.
Reports mentioned: Surveillance operations against law enforcement
Protesters allegedly sabotaging vehicles and physically attacking officers
Autonomous‑zone style barricades forming in some areas

3. Responsibility & Advice Regarding Police Encounters
Do not escalate encounters with law enforcement.
Entering a protest with a firearm greatly increases danger for everyone involved.
Legal principles discussed: Lethal force is justified if officers reasonably believe there is a threat.
Officers cannot shoot fleeing suspects unless they pose serious immediate danger.

4. Media Narratives & Political Messaging A. Suburban Women as Target Audience
Democrats viewed as shaping narratives (e.g., “ICE shoots mother of three,” “ICE detains 5‑year‑old”) to emotionally influence suburban voters.
Hosts argue some widely publicized stories were misleading or false.
B. Claims of Political Motives
Democrats are using these incidents to distract from: A major Minnesota fraud scandal involving billions of dollars.

Each new confrontation diverts media attention from that scandal.
5. Anticipated Government Shutdown A. Democrat Position
Multiple Democratic leaders publicly oppose funding DHS/ICE at current levels.
Statements from Senators (Schumer, Warren, Murphy) emphasize refusal to pass DHS funding bill without ICE restrictions.
B. Hosts’ Conclusion
They expect a government shutdown, driven by attempts to: Defund or weaken ICE
Appeal to progressive voters
Control political narrative ahead of elections

Shutdown would affect agencies not yet funded (e.g., Defense, Labor, Education, HHS, HUD, DHS).

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1. Oil Prices & National Security
Lower global oil prices weaken hostile regimes like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela by reducing their revenue.
The Trump administration aims for a “sweet spot” oil price ($60–$70/barrel): Low enough to hurt adversaries.
High enough to avoid bankrupting U.S. independent oil producers.

If prices drop into the $40s, it could collapse small oil producers in Texas and the Permian Basin.
2. Venezuela’s Oil Infrastructure
Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but decades of mismanagement have destroyed its infrastructure.
Estimates from oil executives: Increasing production from 1 million to 3 million barrels/day could take 10 years and require $100B+ in investment.
Even going from 1 million to 2 million/day would take 5–7 years.

Gulf Coast refineries can process Venezuela’s heavy sour crude, but expanded imports would mostly affect Canada and Mexico, not U.S. light-sweet crude producers.
3. Cuba’s Economic Crisis
Cuba historically survived on financial support from: The Soviet Union (until its collapse).
Venezuela under Chávez/Maduro (oil and money).

With Venezuela no longer able to support Cuba, the island is in economic freefall.
Mexico is currently providing oil that helps sustain the Cuban regime.
The Trump administration may pressure Mexico to cut this supply, potentially pushing Cuba toward political collapse.
4. Jack Smith & January 6th Investigation
Smith is accused of leading a politically motivated prosecution against Donald Trump.
He allegedly relied on questionable or disproven testimony, notably from Cassidy Hutchinson.
Hutchinson’s dramatic claims (e.g., Trump lunging for a steering wheel) were not confirmed by eyewitnesses.
Jim Jordan challenged Smith in hearings, accusing him of: Using unreliable witnesses.
Conducting a partisan, anti-Trump investigation.
Targeting large numbers of Republicans with subpoenas.

5. Crime Statistics & Trump Administration Policies
Nationwide murder rates reportedly declined ~20% from 2024 to 2025. Approx. 1,400 fewer murders.

Major cities showing decreases: Chicago: 30%
NYC: 20%
Baltimore: 31%
Oakland: 33%
Washington, D.C.: 31% (after National Guard deployment)

Other violent crimes also declined: Motor vehicle theft: ↓25%
Robbery: ↓18%
Aggravated assault: ↓8%

Law enforcement stats cited:
Violent crime arrests: ↑100%
Gangs disrupted: ↑210%
Fentanyl seized: ↑31%
Missing/abducted children located: ↑22%
Human traffickers arrested: ↑15%
Significant increase in arrests of espionage suspects and fugitives.
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