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.

Clay Travis and Buck Sexton talk about how the Democratic Party is experiencing a demographic and ideological divide. They argued that the party’s most vocal socialist activists are disproportionately white, college-educated, and affluent, while many Black and Hispanic voters hold more practical and transactional political priorities centered on issues such as healthcare, affordability, public safety, and economic opportunity. The discussion explored whether the far left is merely influencing the party or has become an increasingly mainstream force within Democratic politics. The hosts tied this debate to broader national issues including immigration policy, open borders, Israel, transgender politics, and the rise of democratic socialism. They also briefly noted Arizona’s primary election and discussed its significance in the national political landscape, particularly regarding the future of Governor Katie Hobbs.

Clay and Buck devoted considerable attention to the potential safety benefits of autonomous driving technology. They discussed the approximately 40,000 annual traffic fatalities in the United States and suggested that self-driving systems could dramatically reduce accidents caused by human error, particularly among young drivers. The hosts compared the coming transportation revolution to the transition from horses to automobiles in the early twentieth century, arguing that autonomous vehicles could become one of the most transformative technological developments of modern times. They also discussed how self-driving technology could eventually reduce teenage driving fatalities, improve traffic flow, lower insurance costs, and improve overall road safety.

The conversation then expanded into a broader discussion about why Democrats lost recent elections and who may lead the party in the future. Clay argued that today’s Democratic Party has moved substantially leftward compared to the Democratic Party of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, or even Barack Obama. The hosts suggested that Democratic leaders continue to misdiagnose voter dissatisfaction by blaming messaging failures instead of addressing policy positions that many voters reject. They debated possible future Democratic presidential contenders, including Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, while emphasizing that they see the Democratic leadership vacuum as one of the most intriguing political stories heading toward the next presidential election cycle.

An extensive interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who discussed a number of major economic and policy initiatives. Bessent highlighted the administration’s “Trump Accounts” program, which provides investment opportunities for young Americans and newborn children. He explained how government-seeded investment accounts, combined with family contributions and private-sector philanthropy, could potentially grow into significant financial assets over time. The discussion focused on wealth building, financial literacy, investment growth, family savings strategies, and long-term economic opportunity for American children.

Bessent also provided an update on the U.S. economy, discussing inflation, energy prices, tax relief measures, and working-family economic policies. He argued that inflation pressures caused during the Biden administration continue to affect household budgets but maintained that underlying economic conditions remain strong. He highlighted tax policies including no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime pay, Social Security tax relief, and deductions tied to American-made vehicles. The secretary emphasized that many of these benefits are targeted toward middle-class and working-class Americans.

Foreign policy and national security were another major theme of the interview. Bessent discussed efforts to track, freeze, and recover assets connected to Iran’s ruling regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He described ongoing investigations into Iranian financial networks, frozen cryptocurrency wallets, luxury properties, and what he characterized as widespread corruption among Iranian leadership. The secretary argued that economic sanctions and financial pressure complement military actions against Iran and are designed to weaken the regime while preserving assets for the Iranian people.

The conversation also touched on government efficiency, fraud prevention, and taxpayer protection. Bessent explained how enhanced coordination between federal payment systems and anti-fraud databases has helped the Treasury Department identify and block payments being sent to individuals who were deceased. He described efforts to modernize federal systems and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending programs, claiming that hundreds of millions of dollars in improper payments could ultimately be prevented.

South Carolina politics briefly entered the discussion when Clay asked Bessent about the late Senator Lindsey Graham and speculation surrounding Graham’s sister as a potential candidate. Bessent praised Graham’s service, commented on the competitive Republican primary developing in South Carolina, and reiterated that he intends to remain focused on his current role as Treasury Secretary rather than pursuing elected office. The interview concluded with a lighthearted exchange about President Donald Trump’s late-night phone calls and work habits.

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1. Trump Administration's 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods
Main points:
The administration argues that Canada has unfairly discriminated against U.S. products, particularly: American automobiles
Alcohol products
Dairy exports

The tariff is presented as a way to protect: American workers
Manufacturers
Farmers
Domestic industries

The policy reportedly uses Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a rarely used authority allowing tariffs on countries deemed to discriminate against U.S. commerce.
Not all Canadian goods would be affected: Energy products
Fish
Critical minerals
Other strategic goods are reportedly exempt.

The commentary argues that Canada depends more on access to the U.S. market than vice versa and predicts Canada may eventually negotiate.
2. Minnesota Welfare Fraud and IRS Investigation
Main points:
Fraud could total in the billions of dollars

The "Feeding Our Future" fraud scandal and broader allegations involving public benefits programs.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is said to have announced:
IRS audits of financial institutions
Investigations by FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network)
A federal task force to examine money laundering tied to the fraud

Follow the path of funds after they were allegedly stolen and determine whether:
Banks
Money service businesses
Financial intermediaries
knowingly facilitated money laundering or ignored suspicious activity.

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1. Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is an organization increasing in influence within the Democratic Party. The recent primary election victories by DSA-backed candidates characterize the organization's platform as radical, socialist, or communist in nature.The DSA policy platform includes proposals such as:
Expanding the House of Representatives
Abolishing the Senate and Electoral College
Restructuring the Supreme Court
Increasing public ownership of industries
Implementing wealth taxes
Eliminating ICE and supporting Palestinian causes
These ideas represent a threat to traditional American political institutions.
2. Todd Blanche Confirmation Hearing
Todd Blanche is President Trump's nominee for Attorney General. Senator Cruz recounts preparations for Blanche's Senate confirmation hearing and highlights exchanges concerning:
Alleged politicization of the Department of Justice during the Biden administration
Investigations related to Trump and his supporters
Immigration enforcement
Crime statistics
Law enforcement priorities under the Trump administration
3. Biden Administration Corruption
The Biden administration approved approximately $93 billion in Department of Energy loans and commitments during the final weeks of the administration:
The approvals may have lacked proper oversight
Political favoritism may have been involved
Investigations should determine whether any laws were broken
4. Chinese Influence and Neville Roy Singham
There are allegations involving businessman Neville Roy Singham, his support for progressive organizations such as Code Pink and The People's Forum, and alleged connections to China:
A reported federal investigation involving foreign-agent and tax-law questions
Concerns about foreign influence operations
Debates regarding artificial intelligence, technology policy, and U.S.-China competition
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Lindsey Olin Graham (July 9, 1955 – July 11, 2026) was an American politician, attorney, and Air Force officer who represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate from 2003 until his death in 2026. He was one of the most influential Republican senators of his era, particularly on national security, judicial nominations, and foreign policy.
Early Life
Graham was born in Central, South Carolina, where his parents owned a restaurant, pool hall, and liquor store. He became the first member of his family to attend college, earning both a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of South Carolina. While in school, he suffered the loss of both parents within about 15 months and took responsibility for helping raise his younger sister.
Military Service
After law school, Graham joined the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, serving as a military lawyer. He served on active duty from 1982 to 1989, including assignments in Germany, and later continued in the South Carolina Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. During his military career he reached the rank of Colonel and retired in 2015 after 33 years of service.
Entry into Politics
Graham began his political career in the South Carolina House of Representatives, serving from 1993 to 1995. In 1994, he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District, becoming the first Republican elected from that district since Reconstruction.
During his time in the House, he gained national attention as one of the House managers who prosecuted the impeachment case against President Bill Clinton in 1999.
U.S. Senate Career
Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and took office in January 2003. He won reelection in 2008, 2014, and 2020. Throughout his Senate career he served on several powerful committees, including Judiciary, Appropriations, Budget, and Environment and Public Works. He also chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and later the Senate Budget Committee.
Key Political Positions
Graham became known for:
Strong support for a robust U.S. military and interventionist foreign policy.
Advocacy for American support of allies such as Ukraine and Israel.
Leadership on judicial confirmations, including helping advance the confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Relationship with Donald Trump
One of the most notable aspects of Graham's career was his evolving relationship with Donald Trump. During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Graham strongly criticized Trump, but after Trump's election, however, Graham became one of his closest allies in Congress and frequently advised him on foreign-policy and judicial matters.
Legacy
His supporters remember him as a skilled legislator, military veteran, and influential voice on national security. Critics often challenged his changing political alliances and hawkish foreign-policy positions. Nevertheless, he remained one of the most recognizable and consequential Republican senators of the early 21st century
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1. Strait of Hormuz and Iran Conflict
Key points discussed include:
Claims that military confrontations between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing.
Concerns about threats to commercial shipping and global energy supplies.
Discussion of a proposed U.S. transit fee for ships using the Strait of Hormuz, which the speaker says was later replaced with trade and investment agreements involving Gulf states.
Assertions that the U.S. is maintaining a blockade on Iranian shipping while protecting international maritime traffic.
Discussion of rising oil prices, shipping disruptions, and broader economic implications.
U.S. actions are necessary to maintain freedom of navigation and prevent Iran from disrupting world trade and energy markets.
2. Inflation and the U.S. Economy
Inflation has fallen significantly.
Economic analysts and media outlets underestimated the improvement in inflation figures.
Lower energy prices contributed heavily to the reported decline in inflation.
The economic results support President Trump's policies and leadership.
This is evidence that media organizations and economists have been overly pessimistic about the economy.
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