In this BONUS episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson take listeners through three fast‑moving, deeply charged stories: explosive allegations of FBI surveillance targeting Trump‑world figures, the dramatic contrast between two Olympic athletes competing for different countries, and new polling showing a steep decline in American pride—particularly among Democrats.

1. Allegations of FBI Spying: Susie Wiles, Kash Patel & a Political Dragnet

The show opens with what Senator Cruz calls yet another escalation in the Biden Administration’s “abuse of power,” pointing to new reporting that the FBI secretly obtained phone records belonging to:

• Susie Wiles – then a senior Trump adviser and former campaign manager
• Kash Patel – who is described as being spied on when he was still a private citizen

According to the episode, these subpoenas were issued as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations, and reportedly swept up far more than just a few political aides.

A Broad Dragnet Targeting Republicans

Senator Cruz notes that more than 20% of Republican Senators—including himself—had their records subpoenaed. He describes the scope as “a massive dragnet” aimed at Republicans aligned with Donald Trump. In his case, Cruz says investigators pulled his office’s main phone line, which fields calls from constituents about routine issues.

Questions About Attorney‑Client Privilege

One of the most jarring moments discussed is a report that Wiles had a phone call with her attorney recorded by the FBI—allegedly without her knowledge. Senator Cruz, speaking as a former DOJ official and practicing attorney, underscores how extraordinary and professionally catastrophic such a scenario would be for any lawyer who knowingly allowed it.

The Timeline and Its Implications

Ben Ferguson emphasizes timing: these alleged recordings took place during the period when Trump was deciding whether to run for president again. Because Wiles was a central architect of early campaign strategy, the hosts argue that listening to her phone calls would effectively reveal donor outreach, staffing decisions, and internal planning.

The discussion compares this to earlier controversies, including FBI actions in 2016 and the Steele dossier, and places the current reporting within what the hosts describe as a long‑standing pattern of political weaponization inside federal agencies.

2. A Tale of Two Olympians: Alyssa Liu vs. Eileen Gu

Shifting gears, the episode dives into the Winter Olympics and two athletes whose stories couldn’t be more different—at least in how the media and listeners responded.

Alyssa Liu: The Inspirational American Story

A large portion of the episode celebrates the emotional, patriotic, and deeply personal journey of Alyssa Liu, who won Olympic gold in women’s figure skating. Her father, Arthur Liu, fled China as a refugee after the Tiananmen Square massacre. Years later, according to the transcript, the FBI informed him that Chinese operatives were surveilling him and his daughter on U.S. soil before the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Despite intimidation, Alyssa:

• trained relentlessly
• briefly stepped away from skating to regroup
• returned to competition
• delivered a flawless gold‑winning performance

Senator Cruz highlights her joy on the ice and the powerful symbolism of a refugee family finding safety—and triumph—in America.

Eileen Gu: A Very Different Path

By contrast, skier Eileen Gu, also of Chinese heritage and raised in the United States, chose to compete for China after reportedly being offered significant financial incentives.

The hosts make clear they hold no animosity toward her—she is a young athlete who made a personal decision—but emphasize how the choice struck many fans differently than typical Olympic nationality decisions. Because Gu trained entirely in the U.S. and then competed for a geopolitical rival, the contrast with Liu’s story is sharp.

Still, Cruz reiterates that political preference or ideology doesn’t determine whether he cheers an American athlete. Even if Liu leans politically liberal, he says it makes no difference: “She competed for America, and I’m cheering for her.”

3.  New Polling Reveals Dec

Buck recaps a dominant State of the Union, the media’s reaction, and the political firestorm surrounding the Epstein files, questioning whether real accountability is possible. Joined by Joel Berry of The Babylon Bee, they also discuss rising tensions with Cuba, headlines involving Marco Rubio, and how satire cuts through political chaos.

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Buck recaps a dominant State of the Union, the media’s reaction, and the political firestorm surrounding the Epstein files, questioning whether real accountability is possible. Joined by Joel Berry of The Babylon Bee, they also discuss rising tensions with Cuba, headlines involving Marco Rubio, and how satire cuts through political chaos.

Never miss a moment from Buck by subscribing to the Buck Sexton Show Podcast on IHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts! 

 

Connect with Buck Sexton:
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Epstein Files Fallout

The continued fallout from the newly released Epstein documents and the unprecedented spectacle of both Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton being forced to testify. Clay and Buck break down why the leaked photo from Hillary’s deposition turned out to be meaningless, why the uproar over recording rules was a “tempest in a teapot,” and why none of the questioning is likely to lead to criminal charges. They argue that despite the media frenzy, no prosecutor—Republican or Democrat—has produced evidence that would support criminal cases against the political figures whose names appear in the files.

The hosts spend significant time explaining why Democrats are now weaponizing the Epstein scandal as their primary political attack against President Trump, using insinuation and narrative tactics similar to the Steele dossier, Russia‑collusion accusations, and the Kavanaugh smear campaigns. Clay emphasizes two major points largely missing from media coverage: it was Trump’s Department of Justice that charged Epstein in 2019, and it was Biden’s DOJ that held the Epstein files privately for four years without any Democrats demanding transparency. Buck argues that if Biden’s DOJ had any evidence implicating Trump, they would have used it immediately—especially given their aggressive efforts to undermine and prosecute him in other areas.

Texas Primary

President Trump’s remarks to the media as he departs for Texas ahead of the state’s crucial upcoming primary. Clay announces that unlike Stephen Colbert, the show has officially invited Jasmine Crockett to appear and make her case directly to Texas voters—a point they frame as exposing the media’s bias and double standards after Colbert’s alleged interference benefiting James Talarico. The hosts emphasize that they are offering Crockett a platform specifically because the race matters and because voters deserve transparency.

The hour then shifts sharply into listener reactions, starting with calls urging the audience to push Congress to pass the SAVE Act. Clay and Buck walk through the political math, explaining why the bill is effectively dead without the elimination of the Senate filibuster, something Republicans cannot achieve. Additional callers escalate the tension, accusing the hosts of “covering up for pedophiles” in their Epstein commentary—prompting Clay and Buck to push back forcefully. They reiterate that Epstein was unquestionably a criminal, that Trump’s Department of Justice charged him, and that if Democrats truly cared about justice, Biden’s DOJ wouldn’t have sat on the files quietly for four years. The hosts argue that many people in conservative media have monetized fear and conspiracy, convincing listeners that Epstein revelations will bring down powerful figures, but that the evidence simply doesn’t support those narratives.

Cuba Takeover?

The rapidly growing speculation about Cuba. Clay revisits his argument from the previous day that the United States should consider a “friendly takeover” of the island. Coincidentally, President Trump had just made remarks saying the Cuban government is in deep trouble and that a “friendly takeover” is possible—prompting Clay and Buck to discuss the geopolitical implications, including a pending Supreme Court case about U.S. business assets seized during the Cuban Revolution. They explore whether American corporations might seek to reclaim prime Cuban real estate and how a shift in Cuban leadership could weaken foreign adversaries like China and Russia. Several callers raise concerns about how Cuba’s political leanings might influence U.S. elections if it ever became a state, leading Buck to clarify that the debate is about territory—not statehood—and that Cuban American voters in the United States already lean strongly Republican.

Hour 2 ends with broader geopolitical concerns, including the looming uncertainty around Iran, the possibility of destabilization following military strikes, and the strange, still‑developing story of a boat of Americans allegedly shot at by Cuban forces. Clay and Buck close by previewing their upcoming conversation with an Iran expert and noting that Epstein fallout, Cuba, and potential conflict in the Middle East are all shaping what may be one of the most consequential weekends in recent memory.

Iran Predictions

An extended interview on Iran with political commentator Debra Lea, fresh off a trip to Israel. She outlines why embassy drawdowns, evacuation timelines, and Tehran’s rhetoric suggest imminent U.S. airstrikes on Iran could come as soon as Sunday night but warns that any operation is likely to be limited strikes that “kick th

Hour 1 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show opens with the day’s dominant headline: the continued fallout from the newly released Epstein documents and the unprecedented spectacle of both Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton being forced to testify. Clay and Buck break down why the leaked photo from Hillary’s deposition turned out to be meaningless, why the uproar over recording rules was a “tempest in a teapot,” and why none of the questioning is likely to lead to criminal charges. They argue that despite the media frenzy, no prosecutor—Republican or Democrat—has produced evidence that would support criminal cases against the political figures whose names appear in the files.

The hosts spend significant time explaining why Democrats are now weaponizing the Epstein scandal as their primary political attack against President Trump, using insinuation and narrative tactics similar to the Steele dossier, Russia‑collusion accusations, and the Kavanaugh smear campaigns. Clay emphasizes two major points largely missing from media coverage: it was Trump’s Department of Justice that charged Epstein in 2019, and it was Biden’s DOJ that held the Epstein files privately for four years without any Democrats demanding transparency. Buck argues that if Biden’s DOJ had any evidence implicating Trump, they would have used it immediately—especially given their aggressive efforts to undermine and prosecute him in other areas.

The conversation deepens into how the Epstein files have created a “moral panic” similar to the height of the Me Too era, with people unwilling to distinguish between morally unsavory behavior and actual criminal conduct. Clay points out that many individuals being smeared simply had social or professional contact with Epstein, and that the frenzy now mirrors the way the left tried to destroy Brett Kavanaugh with uncorroborated accusations. Buck highlights the danger of allowing conspiracy narratives, selective outrage, and unproven claims—such as Pizzagate‑style theories—to be used to turn Trump supporters against Trump himself.

Throughout Hour 1, listener calls illustrate the divide: some want the topic dropped entirely, while others insist the files contain explosive revelations. Clay and Buck argue firmly that if the evidence existed for criminal prosecutions, they would already have happened, and that Democrats’ sudden interest in Epstein has nothing to do with protecting victims and everything to do with harming Trump in the 2026 midterms. They also note that most alleged victims have already been paid massive settlements and have chosen not to name additional perpetrators, even though nondisclosure agreements would not prevent them from doing so.

The hour closes with context from callers, references to historical behavior like Bill Clinton’s false denials during the Lewinsky scandal, and a reminder that politically motivated testimony rarely produces confessions—especially from veteran politicians. Clay and Buck reiterate that the news cycle is being driven by today’s depositions, not by their preference for the topic, and that while the Epstein scandal is dominating national headlines, the public should remain focused on issues of far greater consequence, including foreign policy tensions that could escalate dramatically.

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Hour 2 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show continues the intense political energy of the day, opening with updates on President Trump’s remarks to the media as he departs for Texas ahead of the state’s crucial upcoming primary. Clay announces that unlike Stephen Colbert, the show has officially invited Jasmine Crockett to appear and make her case directly to Texas voters—a point they frame as exposing the media’s bias and double standards after Colbert’s alleged interference benefiting James Talarico. The hosts emphasize that they are offering Crockett a platform specifically because the race matters and because voters deserve transparency.

The hour then shifts sharply into listener reactions, starting with calls urging the audience to push Congress to pass the SAVE Act. Clay and Buck walk through the political math, explaining why the bill is effectively dead without the elimination of the Senate filibuster, something Republicans cannot achieve. Additional callers escalate the tension, accusing the hosts of “covering up for pedophiles” in their Epstein commentary—prompting Clay and Buck to push back forcefully. They reiterate that Epstein was unquestionably a criminal, that Trump’s Department of Justice charged him, and that if Democrats truly cared about justice, Biden’s DOJ wouldn’t have sat on the files quietly for four years. The hosts argue that many people in conservative media have monetized fear and conspiracy, convincing listeners that Epstein revelations will bring down powerful figures, but that the evidence simply doesn’t support those narratives.

Throughout Hour 2, the discussion centers on why Democrats are suddenly fixated on Epstein now that the 2026 midterms are approaching. Buck breaks down how Democrats are using the forced depositions of Bill and Hillary Clinton to set a precedent for demanding that President Trump and Melania testify under oath next. They play audio from Rep. Ro Khanna explicitly calling for Trump to be subpoenaed to discuss Epstein, highlighting how Democrats plan to use the scandal as a political weapon rather than a truth‑seeking effort. The hosts argue that Trump supporters need to see the bigger picture: this is primarily an election‑year tactic to fracture the Republican base by turning MAGA voters’ anger inward.

The hour takes a turn when President Trump’s fresh comments about Bill Clinton’s deposition air. Trump says he doesn’t like seeing Clinton deposed but notes that Democrats went after him far more aggressively—a signal, Clay argues, that Trump recognizes the political game being played. They warn listeners that Democrats aren’t targeting the Clintons because they care about justice; they’re doing it because they want the “Clinton rule” to justify forcing Trump under oath.

The conversation becomes broader as callers express frustration, exhaustion, and division over the Epstein topic. The hosts play messages from listeners who say they’re sick of the scandal dominating the conservative conversation. Clay and Buck agree, noting that the Epstein issue is now creating deep fractures inside the Republican coalition—exactly what Democrats want. They stress that Epstein was evil, that Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted, and that if any evidence existed against the public figures now being speculated about, it would have surfaced already.

In the final segment, Hour 2 shifts to foreign policy and the rapidly growing speculation about Cuba. Clay revisits his argument from the previous day that the United States should consider a “friendly takeover” of the island. Coincidentally, President Trump had just made remarks saying the Cuban government is in deep trouble and that a “friendly takeover” is possible—prompting Clay and Buck to discuss the geopolitical implications, including a pending Supreme Court case about U.S. business assets seized during the Cuban Revolution. They explore whether American corporations might seek to reclaim prime Cuban real estate and how a shift in Cuban leadership could weaken foreign adversaries like China and Russia. Several callers raise concerns about how Cuba’s political leanings might influence U.S. elections if it ever became a state, leading Buck to clarify that the debate is about territory—not statehood—and that Cuban American voters in the United States already lean strongly Republican.

Hour 2 ends with broader geopolitical concerns, including the looming uncertainty around Iran, the possibility of destabilization following military strikes, and the strange, still‑developing story of a boat of Americans allegedly shot at by Cuban forces. Clay and Buck close by previewing their upcoming conversation with an Iran expert and noting that Epstein fallout, Cuba, and potential conflict in the Middle East a

Hour 3 of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show zeroes in on high‑stakes foreign policy and the 2026 political battlefield, opening with an extended interview on Iran with political commentator Debra Lea, fresh off a trip to Israel. She outlines why embassy drawdowns, evacuation timelines, and Tehran’s rhetoric suggest imminent U.S. airstrikes on Iran could come as soon as Sunday night but warns that any operation is likely to be limited strikes that “kick the can down the road” rather than achieve regime change. The hosts and Lea debate whether destroying nuclear facilities is feasible now that sites are hardened underground, how the Ayatollah’s succession bench and the regime’s 800,000‑person security apparatus blunt decapitation strategies, and why a long conflict would be politically perilous heading into the midterms. They also game out regional dynamics—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Gulf states hedging as middlemen; U.S. assets repositioned closer to Israel; and the possibility that China and Russia have quietly improved Iran’s air defenses—while emphasizing that Iran’s direct capability to harm the United States is limited, with the most credible risks being proxy rockets toward Israel or sleeper‑cell scenarios.

The program pivots to Open Line Friday with callers weighing in on the Texas primary and “Operation Chaos” crossover voting. A Texas listener urges Republicans to stop gaming the Democratic ballot for Jasmine Crockett and instead vote their own side, citing crucial statewide decisions from the Attorney General vacancy to ongoing dissatisfaction with John Cornyn. Clay and Buck applaud the audience’s political sophistication and remind listeners that early‑vote turnout is already high for both parties, making strategic participation on the GOP side more important than ever.

The Epstein saga resurfaces through a steady stream of listener questions—why alleged victims who were adults at the time don’t publicly name abusers, whether fear explains the silence, and how depositions are being weaponized. Clay and Buck reiterate core points: Epstein was charged by Trump’s DOJ; Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted; and Democrats are now using the Clinton depositions to argue for putting President Trump and Melania under oath—a precedent they predict will dominate the midterm messaging war. They push back on conspiratorial claims (pizza “code words,” adrenochrome myths) and stress that serious crimes require evidence and named accusers, not file‑reading and innuendo. As news breaks that Bill Clinton’s deposition wrapped and he reportedly indicated Trump never said anything implicating himself with Epstein, the hosts argue this undercuts efforts to draw Trump into the scandal and underscores how the story is being used to divide MAGA voters rather than deliver justice.

Turning to law‑and‑order, Buck revisits the viral New York snowball‑assault on police, noting the arrest of a repeat offender and blasting Alvin Bragg’s downgrading of charges from assaulting officers to a minor count—an example, they say, of progressive prosecutors reflexively lowering felonies to misdemeanors while escalating minor paperwork counts against political opponents. The Police Benevolent Association sound bite underscores that officers were pelted with rock‑packed ice—not harmless “snow”—and the hosts mock city leaders minimizing the attack.

Hour 3 closes by flagging a potentially seismic shift in media power: reports that Paramount will acquire Warner Bros., which would mean new ownership of CNN and possibly a move away from the left‑leaning lane that has ceded ground to MSNBC. Clay posits that a CNN reset toward the center—or even occasionally right of center—could reorder the cable‑news ecosystem heading into 2026. The hour ends with weekend watch‑items: whether U.S. strikes on Iran materialize, how the Texas primary shakes out, and whether Democrats escalate calls to subpoena Trump in the Epstein fight—setting the narrative table for next week’s shows

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C

What really happened at this year’s State of the Union?

From insider trading accusations and border policy to Medal of Honor recipients and emotional tributes to fallen service members, this speech delivered spectacle, confrontation, and powerful moments of American pride.

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In this episode, Ryan sits down with CNN contributor and Salem Radio host Scott Jennings for a sharp, unfiltered breakdown of President Trump’s State of the Union—and the political fallout that followed.

Jennings highlights what he calls the defining moment of the speech: when President Trump challenged Congress to stand up for the American people—and Democrats refused. Was this a turning point heading into the 2026 midterms?

The conversation dives deep into the issues shaping the political battlefield right now:

• Why Trump’s disciplined messaging and policy specifics could reshape the GOP’s midterm strategy

• How immigration remains Trump’s strongest issue—and a major vulnerability for Democrats

• The growing divide between Republican and Democratic voter priorities

• Whether Democrats are doubling down on positions that alienate mainstream voters

• The role of media narratives, viral moments, and political theater in shaping public perception

Jennings also shares behind-the-scenes insights from his appearances on CNN, revealing the most shocking moments he’s witnessed on live television—and what they say about today’s political climate.

If you want to understand the messaging war heading into 2026, the immigration debate, and why this State of the Union could have lasting political consequences, this is a must-listen episode.

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