New Year's Resolutions plus Minnesota Shooting, Riots & Fraud
The Ben Ferguson Podcast
iHeartPodcasts
4.9 • 4.7K Ratings
🗓️ 9 January 2026
⏱️ 34 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
1. New Year’s Resolutions
The first part of the discussion is lighthearted and personal. Both hosts share their resolutions for 2026:
- Ted Cruz’s resolutions:
- Lose 30 pounds (from 236 lbs to 206 lbs) through diet and exercise.
- Complete a “Dry January” (no alcohol for the month).
- Read the Bible daily throughout the year.
- Ben Ferguson’s resolutions:
- Focus on building muscle after significant weight loss (from 298 lbs to 209 lbs).
- Commit to reading the Bible daily alongside Cruz.
They also reflect on family life, parenting, and the emotional challenges of children growing up and leaving home.
2. Minnesota Shooting, Riots & Fraud
The second part shifts to a serious political discussion:
- Incident in Minnesota: A woman allegedly tried to run over an ICE agent with her SUV and was fatally shot. The hosts argue that the Left is politicizing the event, portraying the woman as a victim, and using the situation to attack law enforcement.
- Rhetoric and Violence: They criticize Democratic leaders for inflammatory language, claiming it encourages violence against ICE and law enforcement. Examples include:
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey telling ICE to “get out” of the city.
- Governor Tim Walz suggesting Minnesota is “at war” with the federal government.
- Fraud Scandal: They discuss a massive Somali-related fraud in Minnesota, allegedly involving $9 billion in taxpayer funds across multiple sectors (childcare, transportation, etc.). The conversation frames this as deliberate Democratic corruption tied to immigration policies and vote-buying.
- Law Enforcement Advice: Practical tips for interacting safely with police during traffic stops are shared, emphasizing respect and de-escalation.
Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz
X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This is an I-Heart podcast. |
| 0:38.9 | Guaranteed Human. Welcome, it is verdict with Senator Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson with you. It's so nice to have you with us on the radio wherever you are around the country. And as a reminder, if you like the show, you'll love the podcast that we do three days a week. And you can grab it wherever you get your podcast. Senator, it's a new year. And this is our first show in the New year for many on the radio that are listening. And Senator, so let's have a little fun with New Year's resolutions. You've got three. And I've got a few as well. I don't know if I have three, but we're going to have those for you in a minute. But before we get to that, I want to tell you about our great friends over at Compassion International. Right now, somewhere in the world, A kid you've never met is writing you a letter. They're telling you about their day, their dreams, the goal they scored, |
| 0:45.5 | the test they passed, the new friend they made at school. Maybe they're drawing you even a picture. |
| 0:51.1 | Maybe they've asked you about your family, your favorite color, what makes you |
| 0:55.5 | laugh. They're wondering who you are, this person who cares enough to be part of their story. |
| 1:01.6 | And you, you're not just sending money, you're writing back. You're showing up month after month, |
| 1:07.8 | letter after letter. You're celebrating their victories, encouraging them through |
| 1:12.4 | challenges, and reminding them that they truly matter. Now, this isn't a transaction. It's an incredible |
| 1:19.3 | relationship that spans continents and changes everything for both of you. That is where |
| 1:25.1 | Compassion International connects you directly with one child. |
| 1:29.3 | Real letters, real relationships, and real change, because poverty isn't solved with donations |
| 1:35.9 | alone. It's solved by showing up, impact the world, one child at a time, and learn how |
| 1:43.0 | at Compassion.com. That's compassion.com. |
| 1:48.7 | All right, Senator, so you've got three New Year's resolutions. I'm going to go out on a limb |
| 1:54.5 | and say that of my New Year's resolutions, I'm going to be at 33% of your New Year's resolutions. |
| 2:00.3 | I do not know what they are, |
| 2:01.8 | but I'm just going to see if we are aligned on this. So give me your top one for the year. I'm |
| 2:06.2 | ready. All right. So number one in 2026, I'm going to lose some weight. I like it. Too damn fat. |
| 2:12.8 | You know, I weighed in this week at 236. That is too damn fat. You know, when I graduated from college, |
| 2:19.7 | I was a buck 35, 135 pounds. I was skinny as a rail. And my target for 2026 is to drop 30 pounds. |
| 2:28.7 | I want to clock in next January at 206. I'm at 236 right now. Ben and I are in a weight loss group. We've got several |
| 2:35.9 | guys that are trying to lose weight together. And so my objective over the next 12 months has |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 27 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from iHeartPodcasts, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of iHeartPodcasts and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.