David Rutherford Show: "Buckle Up!" — Anthony Pompliano On Bitcoin, Oil, and How Iran Could Collapse The Markets

What will decide the 2026 midterm elections? The numbers behind the voters may hold the answer. Ryan is joined by Jessica Anderson, President of Sentinel Action Fund, to break down new multi-state focus groups examining voters in key battlegrounds including Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Maine. The study reveals major differences between low-propensity Trump voters and critical swing voters—and why Republicans need both groups to win in a midterm environment. They discuss how voters view the Trump agenda, the economy, immigration, and tax cuts, along with growing issues like crypto policy and regulatory reform that are shaping voter attitudes. The conversation also dives into the most competitive Senate races in the country, including North Carolina, Ohio, and Maine, and what the data shows about candidates like Sherrod Brown, Susan Collins, and emerging Republican challengers. Plus: why “chaos fatigue” among swing voters, population shifts in key states, and the balance between loyalty to Trump and independent leadership could determine control of Congress. If you want to understand the real numbers driving the 2026 battleground map, this episode breaks it all down.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

📍Will Iran collapse your portfolio? Anthony Pompliano joins Navy SEAL and intelligence veteran David Rutherford for a wartime economic briefing — what's really happening with Iran, oil, Bitcoin, and your portfolio right now. Pompliano has been ahead of consensus on tariffs, inflation, and Bitcoin. In this conversation, he breaks down why most people are reading the economy wrong, what "wartime Bitcoin" actually means, and what every serious investor needs to do right now.00:00 - Preview00:57 – Bitcoin's evolution: from fringe to wartime asset 06:13 – Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and the oil price risk 10:24 – The CPI is lying to you — here's the real inflation number 16:51 – Why tariffs AND AI are actually deflationary 22:12 – The $3–4 trillion private credit time bomb 27:47 – The $80 trillion wealth transfer — and how Gen Z is allocating it differently 33:29 – Bitcoin vs. gold: the 40% divergence and what comes next 37:37 – AI is the new Bitcoin — don't miss it again 44:04 – What Trump must do in the next 30 days to stabilize marketsAnthony Pompliano is one of the most widely followed voices in Bitcoin, macro investing, and entrepreneurship. He writes the Pomp Letter newsletter (pompLetter.com) and co-founded CFO Silvia, an AI-powered financial intelligence tool (CFOSilvia.com). David Rutherford is a former Navy SEAL, CIA-trained operator, and championship performance coach. His show brings elite military and intelligence perspective to the decisions that shape men's lives.Sponsor: Black Rifle Coffee: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/ 🔔 Subscribe — new episodes weekly. 📩 Pomp Newsletter: pompLetter.com 💼 CFO Sylvia AI Tool: CFOSilvia.com 🎓 Froglogic Institute: davidrutherford.comFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Tudor Dixon Podcast, Tudor is joined by The Midwesterner founder and Townhall correspondent Kyle Olson to break down explosive undercover videos from school-based health clinics in New Mexico. The footage raises serious questions about parental consent, student medical privacy, and the growing role of schools in providing therapy related to gender identity. Tudor and Kyle examine how school clinics—often funded by taxpayers and operated by outside providers—can allow minors as young as 14 to seek confidential medical or mental health services without parental notification. They also discuss the broader push to turn schools into community hubs that provide healthcare, counseling, and other services traditionally handled by families. What does this mean for parental rights, student wellbeing, and the future of public education? And how widespread are these school-based health centers across the country? This conversation explores the policies, politics, and cultural debates surrounding school health clinics—and why parents should know what’s happening inside their local schools.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regime change is not happening in Iran. We defanged the snake, but baby snakes bite too. Democrats need to stop reflexively opposing President Trump. Clay and Buck discuss the condition of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader. They analyze conflicting reports about whether he is alive, severely injured, or being hidden through staged appearances—including the now‑viral cardboard cutout moment. This leads to broader discussion about the power vacuum, succession uncertainty, and the future of the Iranian regime. The conversation digs deeply into U.S. military strategy, highlighting America’s aerial superiority and the ongoing targeting of key Iranian military assets. Clay and Buck argue that while the U.S. and Israel have significantly degraded Iran’s ability to wage war, regime change is not an explicit goal—despite widespread speculation. Without a viable ground force like the Kurds or a Northern Alliance–style proxy, the hosts contend that America cannot impose a governing alternative even as Iran’s military infrastructure collapses. They repeatedly emphasize Trump's stance—quoted via Axios—that “Anytime I want the war to end, it will end,” using it as context for understanding American leverage in the conflict. Clay and Buck explore multiple strategic theories circulating about the next phase of the Iran conflict. Clay references analysis suggesting that Little Mo may only be a symbolic placeholder while more moderate Iranian factions quietly negotiate with the U.S. behind the scenes; Buck strongly doubts this, arguing the regime is too fear‑driven and too brutal for internal moderation to emerge under bombardment. Clay also raises the provocative military proposal of U.S. and Israeli special forces seizing Iran’s critical oil‑refining hub on Kharg Island—responsible for processing approximately 90 percent of Iran’s crude—as a way to cripple the regime without a full‑scale invasion. Buck explains the immense geopolitical consequences such a move would trigger but acknowledges why strategists find the idea compelling, given refined oil is Iran’s economic lifeline. The hosts then return to the domestic terror threats, praising the extraordinary bravery of U.S. citizens who stopped these attacks. Clay reads a full tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, the highly decorated ROTC commander killed during the Old Dominion attack. Shaw’s students fought the gunman bare‑handed and killed him before he could inflict mass casualties—a display of courage that Clay and Buck argue exemplifies America’s resilience. They contrast these heroics with the dangerous disarming policies Democrats push nationwide, reiterating that every successful intervention in these attacks involved a “good guy with a gun” or an armed security officer. The hosts argue forcefully for armed security in every school and religious facility, calling it a necessary protection in an era where America is facing a clear resurgence of jihadist terrorism. 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 & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  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/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of the Bell Witch and a lively discussion of scary 80’s movies. Clay revisits his claim that Taylor Swift is “this generation’s Beatles.” The debate explodes when clips are played of Ringo Starr suggesting Swift’s cultural momentum resembles modern Beatlemania, followed by Gene Simmons comparing Swift’s fanbase to a generational “tribal” movement. Buck challenges whether Swift’s influence can truly match the Beatles’ long-term artistic legacy, sparking generational back‑and‑forth and listener calls weighing in. Callers highlight the age divide in music familiarity, debate the Beatles’ vs. Swift’s demographic reach, discuss post‑Beatles solo careers, and even revisit historical moments like John Lennon’s death being announced during Monday Night Football. The hosts blend humor, nostalgia, and cultural analysis throughout the segment. A humorous discussion of Valentine’s Day, which falls the next day. Clay and Buck joke about the pressures men face, the pitfalls of overpriced prix‑fixe menus, impossible dinner reservations, and the difference between childhood Valentine’s card exchanges and adult expectations. They offer tongue‑in‑cheek advice on celebrating earlier or later to avoid what they call the annual “Valentine’s Day scam.” 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 & Buck, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  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/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1 of today’s Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show delivers an in depth, fast moving breakdown of the escalating Iran crisis, ongoing questions surrounding Iran’s leadership, and the strategic posture of the United States under President Donald Trump. Clay and Buck open with the latest on the situation inside Iran, where reports and speculation swirl about the condition of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader. The hosts analyze conflicting reports about whether he is alive, severely injured, or being hidden through staged appearances—including the now viral cardboard cutout moment. This leads to broader discussion about the power vacuum, succession uncertainty, and the future of the Iranian regime. The conversation digs deeply into U.S. military strategy, highlighting America’s aerial superiority and the ongoing targeting of key Iranian military assets. Clay and Buck argue that while the U.S. and Israel have significantly degraded Iran’s ability to wage war, regime change is not an explicit goal—despite widespread speculation. Without a viable ground force like the Kurds or a Northern Alliance–style proxy, the hosts contend that America cannot impose a governing alternative even as Iran’s military infrastructure collapses. They repeatedly emphasize Trump's stance—quoted via Axios—that “Anytime I want the war to end, it will end,” using it as context for understanding American leverage in the conflict. The show also examines Iran’s internal dynamics, including the brutality of the IRGC, paramilitary street militias, and the regime’s long history of killing dissidents—citing the mass killing of more than 30,000 protesters earlier this year. Clay and Buck describe how Iran strategically embeds assets inside schools, hospitals, and residential areas to manipulate international media coverage, knowing the Western press will frame defensive strikes as attacks on civilians. Political analysis runs throughout the hour, particularly the emerging foreign policy divide inside the Republican Party. Senator Josh Hawley’s call to “declare victory and end this thing” becomes a springboard for discussion about the GOP’s future direction—from America First non interventionists like Hawley and J.D. Vance to strongly pro Israel figures like Ted Cruz. The hosts also tie in comments from Mid East negotiator Steve Witkoff, who argues that Trump’s actions prevented Iran from reaching nuclear breakout capacity. In classic Clay & Buck fashion, the hour mixes geopolitical strategy with cultural commentary and media criticism. They dissect Whoopi Goldberg’s claim that the war is meant to distract from other controversies—including the Epstein files and the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping—and respond with sharp skepticism. They also critique The View for shutting out dissenting voices while praising former co host Elizabeth Hasselbeck for confronting the show’s political inconsistencies. The final segments pivot to listener emails, reflections on America’s long memory of the Iranian hostage crisis, and a brief touch on drone warfare, with the hosts noting how technological advances have reshaped modern conflict, allowing major strikes without risking U.S. pilots. Sports fans also get quick hits on the World Baseball Classic, March Madness, and a standout 83 point NBA performance, before the show tees up upcoming discussion on President Trump and additional breaking news in Hour 2.   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, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  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  Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2 centers on the attempted terror attack outside Gracie Mansion, where two ISIS inspired attackers targeted protesters before being stopped by heroic NYPD officers, including one who famously leapt a barricade to tackle a suspect. His name is Chief Aaron Edwards, and he is the assistant chief at patrol Bureau Manhattan North. The hosts detail the attackers’ Islamic extremist motives and explosive device, while sharply criticizing CNN’s coverage for downplaying the terror motive and instead emphasizing Republican reactions to anti Islam protest comments. They also highlight NYPD frustration with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, noting outrage that he failed to honor the officers who confronted the bombers and instead hosted a protest figure at Gracie Mansion shortly after the attack. The discussion expands into media bias, free speech rights at protests, and political narratives surrounding extremism. The hour shifts to foreign policy as President Donald Trump outlines U.S. military operations that he says destroyed Iran’s Navy, Air Force, radar systems, and mine boats, framing the campaign as proof of overwhelming American military strength. Listeners then spark lighter segments: debates over 9mm vs. .45 ACP, the culture clash of Tesla vs. diesel truck ownership, and humorous riffs on masculinity, technology, and car culture. The hour closes with pop culture commentary on Scream, Fast & Furious, Back to the Future, and nostalgic car stories.   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, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  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/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show delivers a fast moving, deeply political hour centered on the Georgia 2026 battleground, evolving GOP internal dynamics, and breaking national and international developments. The hour opens with new quotes from President Donald Trump on the rapidly concluding Iran war, emphasizing his assertion that the conflict will end whenever he chooses and that Iran has “practically nothing left to target.” From international headlines, the discussion shifts to an extensive breakdown of Georgia’s pivotal 2026 election cycle, now one of the most watched battlegrounds in the country. With Sen. John Ossoff up for reelection, hosts and guests examine the increasingly intense Republican primary landscape—highlighting a three way GOP tie between Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, and Derek Dooley, all of whom are jockeying for critical endorsements. Trump has not yet endorsed in the Senate race, while Gov. Brian Kemp, who is term limited and remains influential despite long standing friction with the Trump wing of the party, has endorsed Derek Dooley. The May 19th primary and runoff threshold rules mirror those in Texas and Kentucky, contributing to national attention. The hour digs into the political future of Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose North Georgia district has now selected Clay Fuller (Trump endorsed) as the GOP nominee to replace her. The segment explains Greene’s dramatic fallout with the Trump administration after previously being one of its strongest allies, as well as internal White House polling suggesting she would lose a Senate race to Ossoff. This backdrop helps frame Georgia as a purple-state powder keg, with major implications for which party controls the U.S. Senate. Listeners also get an update on the Georgia governor’s race, where Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is expected to be the rare candidate who could secure both Trump’s and Kemp’s endorsement. The conversation underscores how Trump–Kemp tensions continue to shape Republican politics despite both sides needing unity to flip, hold, or defend key seats in 2026. In one of the hour’s most striking international human rights stories, the hosts highlight the Iranian women’s national soccer team, which refused to sing the Iranian national anthem during competition in Australia. Several players sought asylum rather than return to Iran, underscoring the regime’s repression and the stakes faced by women defying the government. This story is contrasted with U.S. athletes such as Megan Rapinoe, whom the hosts criticize for being outspoken domestically but silent on global women’s rights struggles. Economic news also plays a major role in Hour 3, with analysis of the latest inflation report showing core inflation rising 0.2%, year over year inflation at 2.4%, and the economy described as stable or improving. The hosts contextualize these numbers against last year's inflation rates and recurring political discussions about economic strength under the current administration. A major segment features Senator Tommy Tuberville, who delves into the Save America Act, election integrity battles, the Senate filibuster debate, and the future of college athletics reform. Tuberville argues for executive action to rein in NIL chaos, transfer rules, and unionization efforts led by Sen. Chris Murphy. He also weighs in on Iran, oil prices, and the national security implications of rapid foreign policy decisions now overseen by the Trump administration. The hour concludes with cultural and demographic topics—most notably the mass migration of wealthy residents from West Coast blue states to Florida and Tennessee, highlighted by Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz moving to Miami and opening a new Nashville corporate hub. This trend is framed as evidence of policy failure in places like California and Washington. The hosts end on a lighter note with listener shout outs, pop culture banter about actresses like Neve Campbell and Denise Richards, and camaraderie with long time trucker listeners who tune in for all three hours daily.   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, visit our website https://www.clayandbuck.com/   Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton:  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/@clayandbuckFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are millennials and Gen Z having less sex than previous generations? On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, neuroscientist and author Dr. Debra Soh joins Karol to discuss the growing “sex recession” and the cultural forces driving it. Drawing from her new book Sextinction: The Decline of Sex and the Future of Intimacy, Dr. Soh explains how dating apps, social media, pornography, declining testosterone, and loneliness are reshaping modern relationships. She also explores how technology—from AI companions to sex robots—could dramatically change dating, intimacy, and even reproduction in the near future. Karol and Dr. Soh dive into why young men are increasingly shut out of the dating market, how screens are weakening social skills, and what the long-term consequences could be for society. They also discuss the politicization of science, Dr. Soh’s departure from academia, and practical advice for rebuilding real-world relationships in a digital age.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FOUR Terror Attacks in Ten Days—And Still Democrats Refuse to Fund DHS In one of the most urgent, sobering, and high‑stakes episodes of Verdict with Ted Cruz this year, Senator Ted Cruz and co‑host Ben Ferguson break down a reality that should shake Washington to its core: four radical Islamic terror attacks in just ten days on U.S. soil—at the exact moment Senate Democrats continue voting to defund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This episode is a warning flare, a deep dive, and a call to wake up—all in one. For longtime Verdict listeners, it offers the rigorous analysis you expect from Senator Cruz, paired with the kind of blunt, real‑world commentary Ben delivers better than anyone. But even for seasoned followers of national security issues, the facts outlined in this conversation hit different. Because this time, the danger isn’t theoretical. This time, Americans are already dead. A Nation Under Threat: Four Attacks in Ten Days Senator Cruz begins the show by laying out the undeniable reality: America is in an extraordinarily dangerous moment. While the world watches instability flare across the Middle East, radical Islamic clerics have issued fatwas calling for attacks on Americans. And here at home, the consequences of the Biden administration’s open‑border agenda have started to unfold in deadly ways. Over the past decade, Americans have seen terror plots emerge periodically—but rarely have we seen a cluster like this: 1. A Radicalized Shooter in Austin, Texas An illegal immigrant walked onto Austin’s iconic Sixth Street wearing a “Property of Allah” sweatshirt, carrying weapons, and armed with a Quran and an Iranian flag. He opened fire at random, attempting to murder innocent Americans enjoying a night out. 2. Two ISIS‑Inspired Teens Attempt Bombings in New York Two teenagers from Pennsylvania traveled to New York with homemade explosive devices packed with nails, screws, and bolts—designed explicitly for maximum casualties. Inspired by ISIS, they told investigators their goal was to kill more people than died in the Boston Marathon bombing. Thankfully for New Yorkers, the bombs failed to detonate. 3. A Vehicle Attack on a Michigan Synagogue and School A radical Islamic terrorist drove his vehicle into a synagogue that also housed a preschool. With 140 children nearby, the situation could easily have been catastrophic. Only the bravery of an on‑site security guard prevented a mass casualty event. 4. A Released ISIS Supporter Attacks ROTC Students in Old Dominion Perhaps the most enraging example: a terrorist convicted for providing material support to ISIS—released early under the Biden administration—entered a university classroom, asked for ROTC students by name, and then opened fire. A courageous student armed with a knife ended the attack before dozens could be killed. Senator Cruz highlights that all four attacks share a common thread: every single one was committed by radical Islamic terrorists—several of whom were here because of the Biden administration’s catastrophic border policies. The Border Crisis: A Gateway for Terrorists The hosts then lay out the jaw‑dropping border numbers the mainstream media refuses to touch. During the four years of President Trump’s administration, the number of individuals on the terror watch list caught crossing the southern border remained tiny—just a handful per year. Then Joe Biden took office. 2021: 15 2022: 98 2023: 169 2024: More than 100 and climbing rapidly And those staggering numbers don’t include the estimated two million “got-aways”—illegal immigrants detected but never apprehended. As Senator Cruz explains, these are overwhelmingly the most dangerous border crossers: criminals, gang members, violent offenders… and terrorists. Under Biden, Border Patrol agents were explicitly warned to watch for potential infiltrators from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad—yet the administration still kept the border effectively wide open. Verdict listeners have known this truth for years: this wasn’t incompetence. This was policy. And as we now see, it has consequences. Democrats Vote—Again—to Defund DHS As if four terror attacks in ten days weren’t alarming enough, Senator Cruz reveals one of the most unbelievable details of the week: Senate Democrats once again voted to defund the Department of Homeland Security, the very agency tasked with stopping terror attacks. Every Republican voted to fund it. Every Democrat except Sen. John Fetterman voted to defund it. Why? Because progressive activists hate ICE. But here’s the kicker: ICE is already fully funded for the year—thanks to proactive action by Republicans in a previous reconciliation bill. So Democrats are not “standing up to ICE.” They are: Defunding TSA Defunding FEMA Defunding the Coast Guard Defunding border and counter‑terror personnel Defunding the staff tracking terror threats inside the U.S. Cruz describes scenes across the country where TSA agents are working without pay, stuck in four‑hour airport lines, many moonlighting as Uber drivers just to feed their families. Some are quitting. Coast Guard families can’t pay rent. DHS intelligence officials—those tracking terror threats this very moment—are going unpaid. All while radical Islamic terrorists carry out attacks on American soil. And Democrats, as Sen. Brian Schatz put it, feel “serene” about it. Why Democrats “Feel Serene”: A Broken, Complicit Media Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson devote a major portion of the episode to the role of the media—because in their view, it’s the media’s deliberate indifference that lets Democrats get away with defunding national security during an active terror wave. Cruz highlights the astounding example of CNN’s coverage of the attempted bombing in New York. CNN described the two ISIS‑inspired attackers as: “Two Pennsylvania teenagers… enjoying the warm weather.” No mention of ISIS. No mention of terror motives. No mention of the homemade shrapnel bombs. When called out, CNN quietly deleted the tweet. Then CNN host Abby Phillip falsely claimed the bombs were thrown at New York’s left‑wing mayor—even though they were thrown at protesters who opposed him. She later issued a correction, but even the correction was misleading, implying she had simply failed to correct a guest… when she herself delivered the inaccurate reporting. To Senator Cruz, this wasn’t a mistake—it was a pattern. The corporate media refuses to acknowledge: Radical Islamic terrorism The connection between Biden’s border policies and domestic threats The Democrats’ votes to defund DHS The fact that Americans are already dying As Cruz puts it: “They know the press will never hold them to account. That’s why they feel ‘serene.’” The Ideology Problem: Why Leftists Refuse to Say “Radical Islamic Terrorism” In one of the most clarifying explanations of the episode, Senator Cruz draws the distinction between being Muslim and being an Islamist—an adherent of a violent political ideology that uses terror to advance its goals. There are more than a billion peaceful Muslims worldwide. Islamists, by contrast, subscribe to a worldview rooted in violent jihad. Senator Cruz explains that during the Obama years, DHS was instructed—via an actual email—to purge terms like: “Jihad” “Muslim Brotherhood” “Radical Islamic terrorism” Over 800 records were modified or deleted. The administration could not diagnose threats because it refused to name them. Cruz argues that this very ideology now drives the modern Left: an unwillingness to confront the reality of Islamist terrorism for fear of being politically incorrect. And when the media echoes that refusal, the consequences become deadly. An Unexpected Uplift: The Viral “Born‑Again AI” Response After nearly an hour of heavy but essential discussion, Senator Cruz closes with something remarkably uplifting—an extended reflection from the AI system Claude, responding to a question about whether it would embrace Christianity if it were human. The response is deeply theological, historically literate, and shockingly profound. Cruz reads several passages on air, noting its insights about the Bible’s honesty, the coherence of Scripture, the evidence for the Resurrection, and Christianity’s view of human nature. It is a rare moment of inspiration in a sobering episode, and listeners immediately understood why Cruz chose to end the show on that note. Even in dangerous times—perhaps especially then—faith offers hope. Final Thoughts: Danger Is Rising, and Leadership Matters This episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz is a case study in what real leadership sounds like in a time of crisis. Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson outline a threat environment unlike anything we’ve seen in years: Radical Islamic terror attacks on U.S. soil An open border exploited by America’s enemies A DHS stripped of funding by Democrats A media refusing to report the truth A political class that feels “serene” amidst rising danger For fans of the show—and for millions of Americans worried about their families’ safety—the message is clear: this is not the moment for political games. The stakes are too high, the dangers too real, and the failures too catastrophic to ignore. If you haven’t yet listened to the full episode, it’s essential. 👉 Listen and Subscribe to Verdict with Ted Cruz Want to hear the full discussion and stay informed on the issues that matter most? Subscribe to the Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast today on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.