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.

Crickets from Iran

Clay Travis and Buck Sexton outline the administration’s next steps as Vice President JD Vance prepares for a high‑stakes diplomatic mission to Pakistan for renewed negotiations with Iran. The hosts analyze President Trump’s morning comments on CNBC, where he stressed American control over the Strait of Hormuz, refused to extend the current ceasefire deadline, and warned that military action could resume if negotiations stall.

The conversation explores whether the U.S. naval blockade is truly succeeding, how Iran is attempting to leverage ceasefire optics, and why negotiations with the Iranian regime are notoriously difficult due to deception, internal power struggles, and the lack of a clear decision‑maker within Tehran’s leadership. Clay and Buck also discuss the absence of any visible popular uprising inside Iran despite heavy military pressure, questioning assumptions about regime collapse and examining whether economic pressure, prolonged embargoes, or stronger military escalation would be required to force real change.

Spilling the SCOTUS Tea

An in‑depth conversation with journalist and Federalist editor‑in‑chief Mollie Hemingway, discussing her new book Alito: The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution. Hemingway addresses speculation around potential Supreme Court retirements, explaining why Justice Samuel Alito is unlikely to step down soon while also noting that multiple Republican‑appointed justices are now in their 70s. She explores Alito’s judicial legacy, originalist philosophy, and long‑term focus on religious liberty, including his interest in revisiting key precedent such as Employment Division v. Smith. The discussion also touches on internal Court tensions, Chief Justice John Roberts’ struggles to maintain institutional norms, and the breakdown of collegiality among justices.

A major portion of the interview is devoted to exclusive reporting on the Dobbs leak, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Hemingway details how the leak endangered justices and their families, revealing that conservative justices faced sustained assassination threats while liberal justices allegedly delayed their dissent for weeks. She outlines failures in the Supreme Court’s internal investigation, explains why the leaker was likely a clerk or court staffer rather than a justice, and connects the episode to ongoing concerns about politically motivated leaks, slow‑walked opinions, and public attacks on the legitimacy of the Court. Hemingway also weighs in on pending Supreme Court cases, including racial gerrymandering and birthright citizenship, and offers insight into Justice Alito’s continued influence on major decisions. The segment closes with candid discussion of how Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is viewed internally, with critiques of her jurisprudence and legal reasoning.

Don't Wear a Bikini on the Job

An interview with Michele Tafoya, former NFL broadcaster and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota. Tafoya discusses her record‑setting fundraising numbers, grassroots momentum, and why Minnesota represents one of the most important potential Senate flips in the upcoming midterms. She explains that voter anger in Minnesota is driven by government fraud, lack of accountability for Democratic leadership, rising crime, failing schools, and embarrassment over national perception of the state.

Tafoya strongly criticizes Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Attorney General Keith Ellison, accusing them of avoiding accountability and pushing divisive policies. She highlights education failures, controversial ethnic studies curricula, and declining academic performance as key local issues. The conversation also focuses heavily on women’s sports, parental rights, and opposition to biological males competing in girls’ athletics—an issue Tafoya says continues to resonate deeply with parents across Minnesota. She frames the Senate race as both a Minnesota‑specific accountability fight and a nationally consequential election that could solidify Republican control of the U.S. Senate.

Kamala: Imma Get Mine

Clay and Buck report that Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick of Florida has resigned from Congress after being found guilty of numerous House ethics violations and facing federal charges related to the alleged misuse of FEMA funds. The hosts explain why this resignation matters nationally, given the narrow margins in the House and multiple recent resignations, and what it could mean for upcoming special elections. The hour also continues real‑time monitoring of U.S.–Iran diplomacy, with fresh reporting that Vice President JD Vance still has not departed for Pakistan, increasingly suggesting that any negotiations may shift to secure video calls instead of in‑person talks.

The conversation then pivots to the 2028 Democratic presidential field, with a heavy focus on Kamala Harris and the likelihood of her running for president again. Clay and Buck analyze Harris’s early messaging, particularly her emphasis on identity politics and appeals to Black women as the “backbone” of the Democratic Party. The hosts argue that Harris’s strategy will center on framing herself as the rightful nominee based on race and gender, portraying resistance as discriminatory, and blaming her previous loss on being handed an impossible situation with only 107 days to campaign. They debate whether Democratic Party leadership can realistically stop Harris from winning the nomination, discussing the lack of competing candidates who could effectively challenge her base of support and how the Democratic primary calendar could determine the outcome.

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1. Invocation of the Defense Production Act (DPA)
Donald Trump is invoking the Defense Production Act to rapidly boost U.S. oil production.
The DPA is an emergency, wartime-style authority historically used for national crises (World War II, COVID-19).
Energy production is presented as a national security and economic emergency, not just an energy policy choice.
2. Purpose: Energy Independence and Cost Reduction
The stated goal is to increase domestic oil supply quickly and at scale.
Expected outcomes include: Lower gas and energy prices
Reduced price volatility
Increased economic stability for American households

Rising fuel prices are illustrated through personal anecdotes to emphasize urgency.
3. Mechanisms Enabled by the DPA
The Act is described as allowing the federal government to:
Prioritize oil-related contracts
Redirect resources (steel, labor, infrastructure) to energy production
Bypass or accelerate regulatory and permitting delays
Provide financial incentives or guarantees to producers
This is putting U.S. energy production on a “wartime footing.”
4. Geopolitical and National Security Framing
Increased oil production is framed as a way to: Reduce dependence on foreign producers (OPEC, Russia, Iran)
Protect the U.S. from geopolitical energy shocks
Strengthen America’s leverage on the global stage

Energy dominance is portrayed as synonymous with global influence and negotiating power.
5. Broader Economic Impact
Lower fuel costs are linked to: Reduced shipping and transportation costs
Lower inflation
Cheaper consumer goods (groceries, online purchases)

The policy is benefiting not just drivers, but the entire economy.
6. Criticism and Environmental Concerns
Critics are acknowledged, particularly those arguing: Environmental harm
Market distortion from government intervention

These criticisms are dismissed as secondary to national security and economic relief.
7. Political Accusations Against Democrats
Democrats oppose lower gas prices for political reasons.
High energy costs are being used intentionally to: Create economic pain before elections
Push consumers toward electric vehicles

8. Media Critique and Allegations of Bias
Journalists
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Dan Rather and over 200 reporters

The media is: Coordinated
Activist-driven rather than objective
Losing public trust

Journalism is having evolved into political advocacy rather than neutral reporting.
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1. U.S. Military Pressure on Iran via the Strait of Hormuz
The U.S., under President Trump, is enforcing a naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz.
An Iranian‑flagged cargo ship allegedly attempted to run the blockade and was disabled by the U.S. Navy, boarded, and seized after warnings.
The action is deliberate, proportionate, and militarily precise, intended to deter further attempts.
2. Economic Warfare as Primary Strategy
The blockade is an economic weapon, not a prolonged war.
Iran is portrayed as losing hundreds of millions of dollars per day in exports and imports due to the blockade.
Oil exports—described as Iran’s economic lifeline—are emphasized as being almost entirely dependent on Gulf shipping routes.
3. Severe Impact on Iran’s Oil Sector
Iran has limited oil storage capacity; if exports stop, wells must be shut in.
Shutting in wells is described as causing permanent damage to oil fields (water coning), leading to lasting production losses.
This is presented as long‑term leverage that could cripple Iran’s future revenue even if sanctions end.
4. Currency Collapse and Domestic Economic Crisis
Iran’s currency (the rial) is described as undergoing hyperinflation.
Banks are reportedly limiting cash withdrawals to very small daily amounts.
Food prices and inflation are framed as spiraling, increasing public pressure on the regime.
5. Strategic Pressure on China
Because much of Iran’s oil allegedly goes to China, the blockade is also meant to force China to pressure Iran into negotiations.
The timing is framed as optimal due to oil supply rerouting and OPEC production adjustments minimizing global disruption.
6. Arrests and Enforcement Beyond the Battlefield
The arrest of an Iranian arms broker in the U.S. is cited as proof of aggressive global enforcement against Iranian weapons trafficking.
This supports the narrative that Iran is being squeezed financially, militarily, and legally at the same time.
7. Rejection of “Quagmire” Narrative
This is not another Iraq or Afghanistan: No U.S. boots on the ground
Limited, targeted military actions
Defined economic and security goals

Critics, especially Democrats, are politically motivated rather than security‑focused.
Qatar’s Influence Campaign in the U.S. 8. Qatar as a Major Funder of U.S. Universities
Qatar is described as the largest foreign donor to U.S. universities over several decades.
Funding is framed as a tool to shape academic, cultural, and political opinion in its favor.
9. Connection to Campus Unrest
There is a correlation between universities receiving Qatari funding and anti‑Israel or antisemitic campus protests.
Universities are vulnerable to foreign influence due to financial incentives.
10. Hiring of Washington Lobbyists
Qatar‑linked organizations allegedly hired major D.C. PR and lobbying firms.
Purpose: reputation management, crisis response, and influencing Congress and the administration.
These efforts are framed as an attempt to “whitewash” Qatar’s alleged support for Hamas and Islamist movements.
11. Control Over Academic Speech
One example cited is a U.S. university campus in Qatar with contractual restrictions on criticizing the Qatari regime.
This is used to argue that financial dependence undermines academic freedom.
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1. Eric Swalwell Campaign Collapse
Eric Swalwell reportedly ended/suspended his campaign for California governor after multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
Allegations include sexual assault, rape, unwanted contact, and inappropriate behavior, some allegedly involving intoxicated individuals.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is described as opening a criminal investigation, raising potential legal exposure.
Around 50 former staffers publicly condemned Swalwell, suggesting alleged behavior was widely known.
Swalwell denies all allegations, calling them false and politically motivated.
2. Democratic Party Hypocrisy and Political Calculations
The speaker claims Democrats: Are calling for Swalwell to suspend his campaign, but not resign from Congress, due to narrow House margins.
Act only when misconduct threatens electoral chances rather than out of concern for victims.

California’s “jungle primary” system is highlighted as a reason Democrats panicked, since two Republicans could theoretically advance to the general election.
The segment accuses Democrats of double standards, comparing Swalwell’s situation with other Democratic lawmakers allegedly facing ethics violations.
3. Republican Strategy: Reconciliation and Legislative Urgency
A Republican lawmaker argues this is the last realistic window to pass conservative priorities before likely midterm losses.
Advocates for a large-scale budget reconciliation bill with “tentpole” items such as: Long-term funding for ICE and CBP
Preventing government shutdowns
Indexing capital gains taxes to inflation
Airport and TSA funding guarantees
Election integrity provisions tied to federal funding

Criticism of past Republican leadership (including Mitch McConnell) for failing to use reconciliation aggressively.
4. New York City Luxury Property Tax Criticism
Focuses on NYC politician (Mamdani) promoting a “pied-à-terre” tax on luxury second homes over $5 million.
The tax aims to raise $500 million annually to fund social programs.
Commentary portrays the policy as: Anti-wealth, vindictive, and punitive
Likely to accelerate wealth and job flight from NYC

Examples cited include: Ken Griffin (Citadel)
Elon Musk leaving California for Texas

Claims that high taxes drive businesses and wealthy individuals to lower-tax states, harming long-term economic health.
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1. Republican Tax Cuts Framed as Major Economic Wins
Recent tax legislation by Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers, have significantly reduced tax burdens.
Highlighted provisions include: No tax on tips, overtime, car loans, and Social Security income
Creation of “Trump accounts” for children

There are immediate, tangible benefits to working‑class Americans, seniors, and service workers.
Democrats would have planned massive tax increases had they remained in power.
2. Delayed Impact of Tax Policy
Tax cuts often feel delayed because benefits are most visible when people file returns.
April tax refunds are used as proof that these policies are now producing results.
3. Democratic Party Characterized as Extremist
The Democratic Party is described as: Pro‑open borders
Hostile to law enforcement
Driven by socialist or Marxist ideology

The party no longer represents working Americans but instead prioritizes illegal immigrants and radical causes.
4. Tom Steyer and ICE Controversy
Tom Steyer (billionaire Democrat) is criticized for stating that, as California governor, he would arrest or prosecute ICE agents.
This would violate federal law
Governors lack authority to prosecute federal officers
Steyer could himself face federal criminal charges

Historical comparisons are drawn to segregation‑era resistance to federal enforcement.
5. Law Enforcement and Federal Supremacy
The podcast outlines specific U.S. criminal statutes to argue that: Interfering with federal officers is illegal
State officials would lose immunity
The federal government could intervene, even militarily, if necessary

A recent case involving a judge convicted for aiding an undocumented immigrant is cited as precedent.
6. New York Wealth Taxes and Mamdani
New York mayoral figure Mamdani is criticized for proposing a luxury property tax on second homes over $5 million.
The proposal is: Punitive toward success
Vindictive toward wealthy individuals (especially conservatives)
Likely to accelerate business and resident flight from New York

Ken Griffin and Citadel are used as examples of potential job losses if firms leave the city.
7. Wealth Redistribution as Ideological Motivation
Democratic leaders:
Promote redistribution over economic growth
Downplay or dismiss business flight

Mamdani’s comments about global inequality is a support for international wealth redistribution.
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