Verdict with Ted Cruz

1. Criticism of Democratic Leaders on Law Enforcement
Barack Obama, Gavin Newsom, and other Democratic figures are hostile toward law enforcement agencies, particularly ICE and National Guard deployments.
Obama is quoted as describing some federal agents’ actions as “rogue,” which the speakers interpret as an attack on ICE.
Gavin Newsom is criticized for comments comparing masked federal agents to authoritarian “secret police,” specifically referencing imagery associated with Germany’s past.
Newsom’s claim that National Guard federalization was unprecedented.
President Eisenhower’s 1957 use of federal authority to enforce desegregation in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Newsom is “historically illiterate,” which later triggers a public Twitter exchange.
2. Newsom’s Response and the Dyslexia Angle
Newsom accuses Ted Cruz of mocking his dyslexia.
Cruz responds that “historically illiterate” referred to misunderstanding history, not reading ability.
A social‑media back‑and‑forth unfolds, including jokes, memes, and comparisons of engagement statistics.
Obama is: Highly partisan,
Influential on younger progressive Democrats,
Associated with cultural or “Marxist” ideological trends (as described by the speakers),
Possibly influential behind the scenes during the Biden administration.

Obama’s presidency contributed to increased political division.
3. Discussion of Tucker Carlson’s Recent Behavior
Carlson has changed significantly since leaving Fox News.
Anti‑Israel sentiment
Hosting extremist guests
Favoring authoritarians such as Putin or Iranian leadership
Attacking Christian Zionists

He may have ulterior financial or ideological motivations (while acknowledging no direct evidence).
Carlson claimed Israeli airport officials detained him and questioned his team.
Video footage showed him freely interacting with people at the airport,
Israeli officials denied detaining him,
A U.S. embassy statement also contradicted Carlson’s story.

Carlson traveled to Israel to interview the ambassador but insisted on conducting the interview at the airport.
Carlson claiming safety concerns while contrasting it with his willingness to travel in Russia or Qatar.
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1. Claims about left‑wing funding and jury nullification
Certain left‑wing or activist groups are promoting jury nullification—encouraging jurors to acquit defendants even if they believe the defendants are guilty.
They cite examples from Minneapolis, focusing on activist networks promoting “jury nullification training.”
The hosts frame this as part of a broader political effort they associate with progressive donors and organizations.
Historical examples of jury nullification—both positive and negative—are mentioned (e.g., Fugitive Slave Act resistance, Emmett Till case).
They argue that encouraging political jurors to “lie during voir dire” would undermine the justice system.
2. Discussion about prosecutors and criminal justice
The speakers criticize certain district attorneys they associate with George Soros' funding efforts.
They claim these DAs reduce prosecutions or lessen criminal enforcement, framing it as a method of "abolishing the police."
Examples of high‑profile progressive prosecutors are mentioned across various US cities.
3. Tucker Carlson segment
The hosts discuss Tucker Carlson’s recent travel to Israel, claiming he falsely stated he was detained by Israeli airport security.
They reference video footage and statements attributed to Israeli authorities and the U.S. embassy that contradict Carlson's claim.
The hosts criticize Carlson’s political positions, alleging: He has become hostile toward Israel.
He features guests they describe as extremists.
His views have shifted since leaving Fox News.

4. Aliens / UFO portion
The hosts mention comments by Barack Obama and Donald Trump about unidentified aerial phenomena.
Trump is quoted as saying he will direct agencies to release information about UFOs/UAPs.
Senator Cruz comments on classified briefings he has seen, calling them “underwhelming,” without disclosing details.
The segment ends with light‑hearted speculation and jokes about aliens.
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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.

Are We Going to Strike Iran?

In‑depth foreign policy analysis featuring Steve Yates, senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and former White House national security official, who breaks down the intensifying risk of U.S. military strikes against Iran. Yates outlines how the administration is negotiating over Iran’s nuclear program even as it positions F‑35s, F‑22s, and other assets for what he describes as a “high likelihood” of targeted military action within the next two weeks. He explains that any strike would be aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities—not launching a full‑scale war—while regional powers aligned under the Abraham Accords weigh their own interests in the potential collapse of the Iranian regime.

The conversation then turns to the complex geopolitical landscape involving Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba, where Yates argues that the U.S. is using “smart power”—economic, political, and strategic pressure—to create conditions for gradual regime transformation without repeating the mistakes of Iraq. Clay and Buck press Yates on possible successors inside Iran, the role of the Iranian diaspora, and whether Gulf nations secretly prefer the current Ayatollah in power as a known, contained adversary. This leads into a moment of levity as they mock Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez’s widely panned appearance at the Munich Security Conference, where she struggled to answer a basic question about China–Taiwan tensions. Yates jokes that even a quick AI search would have prepared her better.

Dirty Dem Playbook

The James Talarico–Stephen Colbert controversy, which Clay and Buck argue has massively backfired on Democrats. They trace how CBS refused to air the Talarico interview over potential FCC equal‑time violations involving Texas Senate candidate Jasmine Crockett, but the decision instead triggered a “Streisand Effect”, catapulting Talarico to viral fame. CNN’s election data analyst Harry Enten confirms that Google searches for Talarico skyrocketed nationally and especially in Texas—over 1,100%—dramatically shifting prediction markets toward him in the upcoming Democratic primary. Clay argues that the real political victim is Jasmine Crockett, likening the situation to the Democratic Party “rigging” the 2016 primary against Bernie Sanders.

The Trans Trend

Karol Markowicz, co‑host in the Clay & Buck Podcast Network, who joins to analyze two high‑profile transgender‑related family mass murders—one in British Columbia and one in Rhode Island. The hosts argue that political activism and online rhetoric have normalized delusional thinking while discouraging honest discussions about mental health. Markowicz highlights the sudden spike in youth identifying as transgender as a “social contagion,” noting huge differences in rates between states like New York and Florida. The segment also covers a groundbreaking legal development: NYU Langone halting gender-transition procedures for minors amid growing malpractice lawsuits, including a recent multimillion‑dollar jury award to a detransitioner.

The show then pivots to cultural commentary, including Markowicz's evaluation of Taylor Swift’s cultural power, where she agrees that Swift is comparable in scale to global icons like the Beatles and Madonna. Clay and Buck debate Swift’s influence across generations and joke about Clay’s much‑discussed mustache. The hosts also highlight uplifting Olympic news as Team USA men’s hockey star Quinn Hughes goes viral for calling America “the greatest country in the world” after scoring a sudden‑death goal over Sweden—one of the few unapologetically patriotic moments they say mainstream media rarely promotes anymore.

Pro-Trump Granny

Clay and Buck spotlight a powerful moment from President Trump’s Black History Month event at the White House, where an impassioned grandmother, Floresia Cook, went viral for defending Trump’s record on crime and public safety. They note Trump’s warm statements about Jesse Jackson following his passing. The hosts wrap with an economic update: 30‑year mortgage rates have hit a four‑year low, edging just above 6%, which they say may begin to thaw the frozen housing market locked up by years of Biden‑era inflation. They end on a light note about a typo discovered in Buck’s bestselling book Manufacturing Delusion.

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1. White House Event & Grandmother’s Testimony
A Washington, D.C. grandmother who lost her grandson in 2017 praised Donald Trump during a Black History Month event.
She credited his administration for focusing on crime reduction and supporting her advocacy after her grandson’s murder.
She expressed frustration with previous local responses and argued for harsher sentencing.
The mainstream media is intentionally avoided showing this White House moment because it is portraying Trump positively.
2. Kash Patel's Earlier Statements (From White House Remarks)
Kash Patel emphasized the FBI was “following the money” to combat violent groups, including Antifa.
He described Antifa as part of organized criminal activity and domestic terrorism.
Patel credited Trump and DOJ leadership for enabling aggressive investigations.
He claimed the FBI was mapping financial networks tied to criminal conduct.
Patel states investigators have now uncovered major Antifa funding streams.
He discussed ongoing financial investigations into demonstrations linked to Antifa.
He suggested details about donors and organizations might be released later.
3. Arrests and Prosecutions Mentioned
Patel cites: Over two dozen federal arrests related to “Portland”-type events.
Nineteen convictions for violent acts linked to Antifa.
A Texas federal trial involving nine defendants accused of attacking ICE personnel.
A 2023 Georgia case tied to the “Cop City” protests.

4. Funding Investigations
The FBI is examining whether Antifa-related funding: Flows through U.S.-based nonprofit groups.
Potentially involves foreign sources.
May include tax‑exempt organizations.

Patel stresses the focus is strictly on violence-related support, not peaceful protest.
5. Organizational Discussions
Although Antifa is widely described as decentralized, Patel says the FBI sees signs of structure such as: Conferences
Local chapters
National networking

He contrasts this with past officials who described Antifa as merely an “idea.”
6. Internal FBI Actions
Patel says the FBI created a dedicated program to track financial backing of violent activity tied to Antifa.
He describes using counterterrorism-style financial tracing techniques.
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1. Tribute to Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall passed away at 95 years old.
Hosts discuss his most iconic roles, including: To Kill a Mockingbird (as Boo Radley)
The Godfather (as Tom Hagen)
Lonesome Dove
Apocalypse Now
Gone in 60 Seconds
Secondhand Lions

Emphasis on Duvall’s legacy as one of the greatest American actors.
Noted that Duvall chose not to have a funeral, instead asking people to enjoy a good movie.
2. Gavin Newsom Controversy
A previous podcast episode involving Gavin Newsom.
Newsom responded on social media, accusing Ted Cruz of attacking his dyslexia.
Ted Cruz replied stating he called Newsom “historically illiterate,” not unable to read.
Cruz references President Eisenhower federalizing the National Guard in 1957 as historical evidence contradicting Newsom's claim.
We poke fun at Newsom’s reaction and discuss how social media posts performed online.
Referenced AOC, Gretchen Whitmer, and Gavin Newsom attending a meeting in Munich
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