This is a special preview of The Cloakroom, a series made exclusively for Verdict+. Join Senator Ted Cruz and Liz Wheeler each week as they pull back the curtain on the philosophy that informs our political debates, the stories that are reshaping our culture, and the legal principles at play on America’s stage and beyond. Become a Verdict+ subscriber to get exclusive access: https://verdictwithtedcruz.com/plus.




Republicans lost a seat in the House last week as Sarah Palin was defeated by a Democrat. But this wasn’t for a lack of voters choosing to elect Palin, rather it was a result of Alaska’s anti-democratic jungle primaries and ranked-choice voting. Senator Cruz joins Liz on The Cloakroom to share his top-down analysis of this election system and examine how it came to be in the first place. Plus, what are the chances the new assault rifle ban passes the Senate?



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This is a special preview of The Cloakroom, a series made exclusively for Verdict+. Join Senator Ted Cruz and Liz Wheeler each week as they pull back the curtain on the philosophy that informs our political debates, the stories that are reshaping our culture, and the legal principles at play on America’s stage and beyond. Become a Verdict+ subscriber to get exclusive access: https://verdictwithtedcruz.com/plus. Republicans lost a seat in the House last week as Sarah Palin was defeated by a Democrat. But this wasn’t for a lack of voters choosing to elect Palin, rather it was a result of Alaska’s anti-democratic jungle primaries and ranked-choice voting. Senator Cruz joins Liz on The Cloakroom to share his top-down analysis of this election system and examine how it came to be in the first place. Plus, what are the chances the new assault rifle ban passes the Senate? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Join Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson as they break down the most important news stories of the day and reveal what they mean for you. On "Verdict with Ted Cruz,” you will go behind the scenes of the political debates that define our country. "Verdict with Ted Cruz" is being brought to you by Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC, a political action committee dedicated to supporting conservative causes, organizations, and candidates across the country. In 2022, Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC plans to donate to conservative candidates running for Congress and help the Republican Party across the nation.

Join Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson as they break down the most important news stories of the day and reveal what they mean for you. On "Verdict with Ted Cruz,&rdquo; you will go behind the scenes of the political debates that define our country. "Verdict with Ted Cruz" is being brought to you by Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC, a political action committee dedicated to supporting conservative causes, organizations, and candidates across the country. In 2022, Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC plans to donate to conservative candidates running for Congress and help the Republican Party across the nation.

Verdict with Ted Cruz

Hosted by popular national radio host, podcaster and political commentator Ben Ferguson, The 47 Morning Update spotlights the latest news and political headlines, with a special focus on the President's administration, policies, and agenda.

Join Ben for unfiltered insights, exclusive interviews, and honest commentary you won’t get from the mainstream media. Ben takes you behind the scenes, covering the issues shaping America today - straight from the President’s Oval Office.

Don’t miss a single episode. New updates drop daily, Monday through Saturday. Subscribe now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to podcasts—be informed, stay ahead, and join Ben on The 47 Morning Update!

Hosted by popular national radio host, podcaster and political commentator Ben Ferguson,&nbsp;The 47 Morning Update spotlights the latest news and political headlines, with a special focus on the President's administration, policies, and agenda.
Join Ben for unfiltered insights, exclusive interviews, and honest commentary you won&rsquo;t get from the mainstream media. Ben takes you behind the scenes, covering the issues shaping America today - straight from the President&rsquo;s Oval Office.
Don&rsquo;t miss a single episode. New updates drop daily, Monday through Saturday. Subscribe now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to podcasts&mdash;be informed, stay ahead, and join Ben on The 47 Morning Update!

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

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

Join Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson as they break down the most important news stories of the day and reveal what they mean for you. On "Verdict with Ted Cruz,&rdquo; you will go behind the scenes of the political debates that define our country. "Verdict with Ted Cruz" is being brought to you by Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC, a political action committee dedicated to supporting conservative causes, organizations, and candidates across the country. In 2022, Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC plans to donate to conservative candidates running for Congress and help the Republican Party across the nation.

The Cloakroom Preview: An Intentionally Anti-Democratic Voting System

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6f1c517e-0169-4d8a-9f38-af2a0116bf5f/transcript

1. Allegations of Qatar’s Influence Campaign in the U.S.
Qatar spends billions of dollars funding U.S. universities to influence American public opinion and academic culture.
Qatar hires Washington, D.C.–based PR and lobbying firms to “whitewash” its image, particularly regarding claims of support for extremist groups.
Qatar’s status is the largest foreign funder of U.S. universities, surpassing countries like China, and suggests this funding correlates with campus political activism.
Specific universities (e.g., Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon) are highlighted as major recipients of foreign funds.
Financial relationships will limit criticism of foreign governments, citing an example of a U.S. university campus in Qatar allegedly restricting speech about the Qatari regime.

2. Clarence Thomas’s Judicial Philosophy
Thomas is emphasizing:

Judicial restraint and discipline
Originalism and adherence to the Constitution’s original meaning
The belief that rights come from God, not government, grounded in the Declaration of Independence
His personal background (raised by his grandfather, strict discipline, plainspoken style) is presented as shaping his judicial approach.
Thomas’s views with progressivism, which characterizes asserting that rights derive from government authority rather than natural or divine sources.
A Senate hearing anecdote is used to illustrate this ideological divide, portraying progressive views as mainstream within the modern Democratic Party.

3. Free Speech Conflicts on College Campuses
At UCLA Law School, protesters disrupted a talk by a Department of Homeland Security lawyer.
The disruption is a “heckler’s veto,” preventing speech rather than expressing dissent.
Similar past incidents at Stanford Law School are cited to argue that some law students’ conduct is incompatible with professional legal standards.
University administrations are failing to protect speech and enforce order during such events.

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1. Allegations of Qatar&rsquo;s Influence Campaign in the U.S.
<ul>
<li>Qatar spends billions of dollars funding U.S. universities to influence American public opinion and academic culture.</li>
<li>Qatar hires Washington, D.C.&ndash;based PR and lobbying firms to &ldquo;whitewash&rdquo; its image, particularly regarding claims of support for extremist groups.</li>
<li>Qatar&rsquo;s status is the largest foreign funder of U.S. universities, surpassing countries like China, and suggests this funding correlates with campus political activism.</li>
<li>Specific universities (e.g., Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon) are highlighted as major recipients of foreign funds.</li>
<li>Financial relationships will limit criticism of foreign governments, citing an example of a U.S. university campus in Qatar allegedly restricting speech about the Qatari regime.</li>
</ul>
2. Clarence Thomas&rsquo;s Judicial Philosophy
<ul>
<li>Thomas is emphasizing:
<ul>
<li>Judicial restraint and discipline</li>
<li>Originalism and adherence to the Constitution&rsquo;s original meaning</li>
<li>The belief that rights come from God, not government, grounded in the Declaration of Independence</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>His personal background (raised by his grandfather, strict discipline, plainspoken style) is presented as shaping his judicial approach.</li>
<li>Thomas&rsquo;s views with progressivism, which characterizes asserting that rights derive from government authority rather than natural or divine sources.</li>
<li>A Senate hearing anecdote is used to illustrate this ideological divide, portraying progressive views as mainstream within the modern Democratic Party.</li>
</ul>
3. Free Speech Conflicts on College Campuses
<ul>
<li>At&nbsp;UCLA Law School, protesters disrupted a talk by a Department of Homeland Security lawyer.</li>
<li>The disruption is a &ldquo;heckler&rsquo;s veto,&rdquo; preventing speech rather than expressing dissent.</li>
<li>Similar past incidents at Stanford Law School are cited to argue that some law students&rsquo; conduct is incompatible with professional legal standards.</li>
<li>University administrations are failing to protect speech and enforce order during such events.</li>
</ul>
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Qatar’s Billion‑Dollar Influence Machine, Clarence Thomas Challenges Progressivism & the Liberal Heckler’s Veto Playbook Week In Review

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3b4d2f05-b8aa-41d9-9a12-b423005da426/transcript

1. Allegations Against the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center:

Was criminally indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Funded or financially supported extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi organizations, and organizers of the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally.
Engaged in wire fraud, money laundering, and donor deception.
The SPLC is operating a fraudulent fundraising model, allegedly exaggerating or manufacturing extremism to increase donations.
The SPLC funding of extremists is:

Intentional
Long‑term
Central to its fundraising success
Corporate donors (Apple, JPMorgan, MGM, etc.) are cited as unwitting enablers, accused of donating for “virtue signaling.”

2. Media and Institutional Complicity

Mainstream media ignored or covered up SPLC wrongdoing.
Corporate America gave millions without oversight.
Political and cultural elites protected SPLC due to ideological alignment.
Past warnings from commentators (e.g., John Stossel) are cited as evidence that concerns were longstanding.

3. Political Impact
The Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville is described as:

Financially linked to SPLC funding, according to the show’s claims.
Used politically to attack conservatives and Donald Trump.
The SPLC allegedly used extremist events to drive massive fundraising growth, citing revenue increases after major controversies.

4. Free Speech and Campus Controversies

A UCLA Law School event where progressive students allegedly disrupted and silenced a conservative speaker from the Department of Homeland Security.
The behavior is a “heckler’s veto”, framed as:

Antithetical to free speech
A sign of ideological intolerance on the left
Comparisons are made to similar incidents at Stanford Law School.
Law students are criticized as being unfit for the legal profession if they engage in such conduct.

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X: https://x.com/tedcruz

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

1. Allegations Against the Southern Poverty Law Center
<ul>
<li>The Southern Poverty Law Center:
<ul>
<li>Was criminally indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice.</li>
<li>Funded or financially supported extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi organizations, and organizers of the 2017 &ldquo;Unite the Right&rdquo; rally.</li>
<li>Engaged in wire fraud, money laundering, and donor deception.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The SPLC is operating a fraudulent fundraising model, allegedly exaggerating or manufacturing extremism to increase donations.</li>
<li>The SPLC funding of extremists is:
<ul>
<li>Intentional</li>
<li>Long‑term</li>
<li>Central to its fundraising success</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Corporate donors (Apple, JPMorgan, MGM, etc.) are cited as unwitting enablers, accused of donating for &ldquo;virtue signaling.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
2. Media and Institutional Complicity
<ul>
<li>
<ul>
<li>Mainstream media ignored or covered up SPLC wrongdoing.</li>
<li>Corporate America gave millions without oversight.</li>
<li>Political and cultural elites protected SPLC due to ideological alignment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Past warnings from commentators (e.g., John Stossel) are cited as evidence that concerns were longstanding.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
3. Political Impact
<ul>
<li>The Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville is described as:
<ul>
<li>Financially linked to SPLC funding, according to the show&rsquo;s claims.</li>
<li>Used politically to attack conservatives and Donald Trump.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The SPLC allegedly used extremist events to drive massive fundraising growth, citing revenue increases after major controversies.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
4. Free Speech and Campus Controversies
<ul>
<li>
<ul>
<li>A UCLA Law School event where progressive students allegedly disrupted and silenced a conservative speaker from the Department of Homeland Security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The behavior is a &ldquo;heckler&rsquo;s veto&rdquo;, framed as:
<ul>
<li>Antithetical to free speech</li>
<li>A sign of ideological intolerance on the left</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Comparisons are made to similar incidents at Stanford Law School.</li>
<li>Law students are criticized as being unfit for the legal profession if they engage in such conduct.</li>
</ul>
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Southern Poverty Law Center FUNDS the Klan, plus UCLA Law Students Silence Conservatives

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/895fd323-fa13-4216-ae75-b423005d6712/transcript

1. Purpose of the Book
The book aims to:

Tell Clarence Thomas’s personal life story, especially his rise from extreme poverty.
Explain his judicial philosophy and jurisprudence in plain, accessible language.
It is based on approximately 9.5 hours of exclusive, one‑on‑one interviews between Ted Cruz and Justice Thomas.
Cruz emphasizes that the book is written for non‑lawyers, including students and general readers.

2. Clarence Thomas’s Background and Life Journey
Grew up in severe poverty in Pin Point, Georgia, raised primarily by his grandfather.
Initially spoke a Gullah/Geechee dialect, not English.
Experienced racism, hardship, family conflict, and personal struggles, including anger and a period of heavy drinking.
Attended seminary with the intention of becoming a Catholic priest, later leaving due to disillusionment.
Educated at Holy Cross College and Yale Law School.
Underwent a major ideological transformation, moving from left‑wing Black Power activism to conservative principles over many years.

3. Professional Rise and Historic Achievements
Faced career obstacles due to perceptions surrounding affirmative action.
Worked under Republican Senator John Danforth, which became a turning point.
Served in:

The Reagan administration
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals
Appointed in 1991 as the second Black Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
On track to become the longest‑serving Supreme Court justice in U.S. history (by 2028).

4. Judicial Philosophy (“Going Further”)
Thomas’s jurisprudence emphasizes:

Originalism and the original meaning of the Constitution
The belief that rights come from God/nature, not government
A color‑blind Constitution
Judicial restraint: judges should interpret and apply law, not create policy
His opinions are intentionally plain‑spoken and accessible, reflecting his background and respect for ordinary citizens.
The title Going Further reflects his tendency to push legal reasoning to its foundational principles rather than incremental change.

5. Confirmation Hearings and Public Attacks
The book examines the 1991 confirmation hearings, including:

Allegations by Anita Hill
Intense political and media attacks
Cruz draws parallels between Thomas’s hearings and later Supreme Court confirmations (e.g., Brett Kavanaugh).
Thomas is portrayed as enduring racialized hostility and vilification because of his conservative views.

6. Legacy and Moral Example
Clarence Thomas is presented as:

A model of personal resilience, discipline, and principle
Someone who maintained convictions despite decades of criticism
Cruz argues Thomas would be widely celebrated if he were liberal, but instead has been marginalized.
The book frames Thomas as a role model for principled living, not just for lawyers but for all Americans.

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1. Purpose of the Book
<ul>
<li>The book aims to:
<ul>
<li>Tell Clarence Thomas&rsquo;s personal life story, especially his rise from extreme poverty.</li>
<li>Explain his judicial philosophy and jurisprudence in plain, accessible language.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is based on approximately 9.5 hours of exclusive, one‑on‑one interviews between Ted Cruz and Justice Thomas.</li>
<li>Cruz emphasizes that the book is written for non‑lawyers, including students and general readers.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
2. Clarence Thomas&rsquo;s Background and Life Journey
<ul>
<li>Grew up in severe poverty in Pin Point, Georgia, raised primarily by his grandfather.</li>
<li>Initially spoke a Gullah/Geechee dialect, not English.</li>
<li>Experienced racism, hardship, family conflict, and personal struggles, including anger and a period of heavy drinking.</li>
<li>Attended seminary with the intention of becoming a Catholic priest, later leaving due to disillusionment.</li>
<li>Educated at Holy Cross College and Yale Law School.</li>
<li>Underwent a major ideological transformation, moving from left‑wing Black Power activism to conservative principles over many years.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
3. Professional Rise and Historic Achievements
<ul>
<li>Faced career obstacles due to perceptions surrounding affirmative action.</li>
<li>Worked under Republican Senator John Danforth, which became a turning point.</li>
<li>Served in:
<ul>
<li>The Reagan administration</li>
<li>The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)</li>
<li>The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Appointed in 1991 as the second Black Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.</li>
<li>On track to become the longest‑serving Supreme Court justice in U.S. history (by 2028).</li>
</ul>
<hr>
4. Judicial Philosophy (&ldquo;Going Further&rdquo;)
<ul>
<li>Thomas&rsquo;s jurisprudence emphasizes:
<ul>
<li>Originalism and the original meaning of the Constitution</li>
<li>The belief that rights come from God/nature, not government</li>
<li>A color‑blind Constitution</li>
<li>Judicial restraint: judges should interpret and apply law, not create policy</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>His opinions are intentionally plain‑spoken and accessible, reflecting his background and respect for ordinary citizens.</li>
<li>The title Going Further reflects his tendency to push legal reasoning to its foundational principles rather than incremental change.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
5. Confirmation Hearings and Public Attacks
<ul>
<li>The book examines the 1991 confirmation hearings, including:
<ul>
<li>Allegations by Anita Hill</li>
<li>Intense political and media attacks</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Cruz draws parallels between Thomas&rsquo;s hearings and later Supreme Court confirmations (e.g., Brett Kavanaugh).</li>
<li>Thomas is portrayed as enduring racialized hostility and vilification because of his conservative views.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
6. Legacy and Moral Example
<ul>
<li>Clarence Thomas is presented as:
<ul>
<li>A model of personal resilience, discipline, and principle</li>
<li>Someone who maintained convictions despite decades of criticism</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Cruz argues Thomas would be widely celebrated if he were liberal, but instead has been marginalized.</li>
<li>The book frames Thomas as a role model for principled living, not just for lawyers but for all Americans.</li>
</ul>
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Ted's Brand-New Book—A Biography of Clarence Thomas, Telling his Incredible Life Story and his Historic Impact on our Nation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/923c6e09-5301-4c00-935e-b423005d44b4/transcript

The Cloakroom Preview: An Intentionally Anti-Democratic Voting System

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