1) Iran protests & potential U.S. response
White House reportedly weighing airstrikes to deter/stop crackdowns; diplomacy “first option” remains open.
President Trump’s statements suggest a “red line” on Iranian forces killing unarmed protesters; he warns of hitting Iran “very hard” if that line is crossed.
Iran’s foreign ministry is said to confirm ongoing communication with the U.S. special envoy despite no formal relations.

2) Anti‑ICE protests & Minneapolis incident
Anti‑ICE groups are “professional agitators” and claims the administration will identify funding sources.
Reports of hundreds to 1,000 additional federal officers sent to Minneapolis; DHS leadership frames the incident as self‑defense and domestic‑terrorism‑like; Minneapolis’ mayor disputes this portrayal and argues the city is relatively safe.
Descriptions include video of crowd‑control tactics (tear gas/pepper balls) near a federal facility and tactics by activists (e.g., blocking vehicles, whistles).

3) Venezuela operation & alleged “sonic weapon”
An alleged guard at a Caracas base claims U.S. forces used advanced tech: drone swarms, ~20 operators from ~8 helicopters, and a debilitating sound wave causing bleeding and incapacitation.
The narrative says the White House press secretary amplified the eyewitness interview on social media, but also notes no immediate Pentagon confirmation when asked.

4) Mexico & cartel strategy
Trump is quoted asserting cartels control parts of Mexico, warning that maritime interdictions will push traffickers to land routes, which the U.S. is prepared to counter.
Mentions offers to deploy U.S. troops to assist Mexican leadership against trafficking; frames future actions as national security priorities linked to the fentanyl crisis.

5) Cuba’s posture post‑Venezuela
Cuban regime supporters issued threats should the U.S. attempt similar operations in Cuba; Trump is quoted declaring zero oil/money will flow from Venezuela to Cuba going forward.

6) Minnesota fraud allegations
Long section features Rep. Kristin Robbins (MN) detailing alleged systemic fraud (childcare assistance, Medicaid‑funded programs, adult day services, assisted living) and claiming the Walz administration downplayed/obstructed criminal probes since 2019.
Notes whistleblower accounts, a 2018 internal email flagging large‑scale schemes, and a cited estimate up to $9B in fraud by a U.S. attorney; accuses leaders of retaliation and politicized defenses.
Asserts bipartisan reform attempts (e.g., independent Inspector General) faced resistance; emphasizes culture and controls as core failings.

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1) Iran protests &amp; potential U.S. response
<ul>
<li>White House reportedly weighing airstrikes to deter/stop crackdowns; diplomacy &ldquo;first option&rdquo; remains open.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
<li>President Trump&rsquo;s statements suggest a &ldquo;red line&rdquo; on Iranian forces killing unarmed protesters; he warns of hitting Iran &ldquo;very hard&rdquo; if that line is crossed.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
<li>Iran&rsquo;s foreign ministry is said to confirm ongoing communication with the U.S. special envoy despite no formal relations.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
2) Anti‑ICE protests &amp; Minneapolis incident
<ul>
<li>Anti‑ICE groups are &ldquo;professional agitators&rdquo; and claims the administration will identify funding sources.</li>
<li>Reports of hundreds to 1,000 additional federal officers sent to Minneapolis; DHS leadership frames the incident as self‑defense and domestic‑terrorism‑like; Minneapolis&rsquo; mayor disputes this portrayal and argues the city is relatively safe.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
<li>Descriptions include video of crowd‑control tactics (tear gas/pepper balls) near a federal facility and tactics by activists (e.g., blocking vehicles, whistles).<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
3) Venezuela operation &amp; alleged &ldquo;sonic weapon&rdquo;
<ul>
<li>An alleged guard at a Caracas base claims U.S. forces used advanced tech: drone swarms, ~20 operators from ~8 helicopters, and a debilitating sound wave causing bleeding and incapacitation.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
<li>The narrative says the White House press secretary amplified the eyewitness interview on social media, but also notes no immediate Pentagon confirmation when asked.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
4) Mexico &amp; cartel strategy
<ul>
<li>Trump is quoted asserting cartels control parts of Mexico, warning that maritime interdictions will push traffickers to land routes, which the U.S. is prepared to counter.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
<li>Mentions offers to deploy U.S. troops to assist Mexican leadership against trafficking; frames future actions as national security priorities linked to the fentanyl crisis.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
5) Cuba&rsquo;s posture post‑Venezuela
<ul>
<li>Cuban regime supporters issued threats should the U.S. attempt similar operations in Cuba; Trump is quoted declaring zero oil/money will flow from Venezuela to Cuba going forward.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
6) Minnesota fraud allegations
<ul>
<li>Long section features Rep. Kristin Robbins (MN) detailing alleged systemic fraud (childcare assistance, Medicaid‑funded programs, adult day services, assisted living) and claiming the Walz administration downplayed/obstructed criminal probes since 2019.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
<li>Notes whistleblower accounts, a 2018 internal email flagging large‑scale schemes, and a cited estimate up to $9B in fraud by a U.S. attorney; accuses leaders of retaliation and politicized defenses.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
<li>Asserts bipartisan reform attempts (e.g., independent Inspector General) faced resistance; emphasizes culture and controls as core failings.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/1-17-26.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-47-morning-update-wit-258481252/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5">47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson</a> and <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-verdict-with-ted-cruz-56253661/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">Verdict with Ted Cruz</a> 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
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If you hate the liberal media but love the 47th President, than this is the podcast for you. Ben Ferguson brings you the commentary on the news that the biased media will not cover.

If you hate the liberal media but love the&nbsp;47th&nbsp;President, than this is the podcast for you. Ben Ferguson brings you the commentary on the news that the biased media will not cover.

THIS PODCAST GIVE YOU WHAT THE BIASED MEDIA WON'T!

The Ben Ferguson Podcast

Trump Draws Red Line on Iran plus “Who’s Paying Them?” WH Targets Dark Money Behind Anti‑ICE Mob

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7526acc8-2e56-4ce5-8d20-b3c600710fee/transcript