1. Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Personal Journey:

• Born in Somalia in 1969, raised in a Muslim household.
• Fled to the Netherlands in 1992 to escape a forced marriage.
• Became a Dutch citizen, studied political science, and served in the Dutch Parliament.
• Transitioned from Islam to atheism, and later converted to Christianity.
• Currently a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and founder of the AHA Foundation.

2. Defining Political Islam vs. Islam as a Religion:

• Hirsi Ali distinguishes between Islam as a religion and Islamism (political Islam).
• She describes Islamism as a totalitarian ideology aiming to establish Islamic dominance globally.
• Emphasizes the threat posed by groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, which she compares to a “termite infestation” due to their subversive tactics.

3. The Muslim Brotherhood:

• Founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt.
• Described as a decentralized, global movement using both peaceful and violent means to infiltrate societies.
• Hirsi Ali and Cruz advocate for its designation as a terrorist organization in the U.S.

4. The Red-Green Alliance:

• A term used to describe the alliance between radical Islamists (green) and Marxist/communist groups (red).
• Hirsi Ali warns that this alliance is strategically dangerous and aims to undermine Western democratic institutions.

5. Sharia Law and Its Implications:

• Hirsi Ali outlines the oppressive nature of Sharia law, especially toward women and LGBTQ individuals.
• She warns of the potential consequences if Islamist ideologies gain influence in Western societies.

6. Islamist Influence in Europe and the U.S.:

• Hirsi Ali and Cruz discuss the rise of Islamist influence in European cities and the potential for similar developments in the U.S.
• They express concern over political figures like Zohran Mamdani and Ilhan Omar, suggesting they represent the Red-Green alliance.

7. Persecution of Christians in Nigeria:

• Cruz and Hirsi Ali highlight the mass murder of Christians by Boko Haram and other Islamist groups.
• They criticize the Nigerian government for its inaction and call for U.S. sanctions and accountability.

8. Recognition of Somaliland:

• Hirsi Ali supports recognizing Somaliland as an independent nation.
• She praises its democratic governance, stability, and alignment with Western values.

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Get Ready to VOTE

 

Election Day 2025. The hour kicks off with a discussion on the upcoming elections in New York City, Virginia, and New Jersey, emphasizing the stakes and voter turnout trends. Clay shares a personal anecdote about voting locally and previews an interview with Riley Gaines, who recently faced backlash from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over her stance on protecting women’s sports.

 

The conversation quickly pivots to the New York City mayoral race, spotlighting controversial candidate Zohran Mamdani. Clay and Buck dissect Mamdani’s shifting narratives, including his disputed claims about Islamophobia post-9/11 and radical past statements such as “Defund the NYPD” and linking police to the IDF. They analyze why voters seem unfazed by these revelations and criticize Andrew Cuomo’s lackluster campaign strategy. The hosts warn that Mamdani’s progressive platform—featuring ideas like government-run grocery stores and fare-free buses—reflects a dangerous trend toward socialist policies that could devastate city infrastructure and small businesses.

 

The "White Men Are Evil" Argument

 

Clay and Buck discuss Zohran Mamdani, the leading candidate for New York City mayor, and dissect his radical platform and controversial family background. They highlight statements made by Mamdani’s father, a Columbia University professor, who accused the United States of inspiring Nazi genocide through its treatment of Native Americans. Clay and Buck push back hard, offering a detailed historical rebuttal that includes references to colonial history, tribal warfare, and global conquest, arguing that the left’s narrative is rooted in anti-American sentiment and historical ignorance.

 

The conversation expands to critique the broader Democratic leadership, including figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Gavin Newsom, warning that the “New York City liberal” and “California liberal” brands are becoming toxic in middle America. They praise more moderate Democratic mayors like Daniel Lurie in San Francisco and Muriel Bowser in Washington, D.C., for showing signs of pragmatism, especially in working with President Trump on crime reduction and urban policy.

 

Trump '28 Unity Ticket?

 

record-breaking highs in the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and NASDAQ, crediting President Trump’s economic policies for the surge. He contrasts this with media narratives from earlier in the year that predicted economic collapse, emphasizing the disconnect between Wall Street performance and lingering ground-level effects from the Biden-era economy.

 

The hosts then pivot to Trump’s Asia tour, highlighting his meetings with leaders in Japan, South Korea, and potentially North Korea’s Kim Jong-un. Trump’s comments aboard Air Force One spark speculation about a JD Vance–Marco Rubio unity ticket for 2028, with Clay and Buck debating the plausibility of Trump stepping aside while endorsing his successors.

 

A major segment features Trump’s challenge to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, mocking their intelligence and inviting them to take cognitive tests. Crockett fires back, accusing Trump of elitism and racial obsession, prompting Clay and Buck to critique the intellectual caliber of current congressional representatives across party lines.

 

Riley Gaines vs. AOC 

 

Riley Gaines discusses her recent clash with AOC over women’s sports. Gaines shares her experience as a new mom, pushing back against cultural narratives that discourage young women from motherhood. She also responds to AOC’s dismissive comments about her athletic achievements, defending her fifth-place NCAA ranking and criticizing the left’s hypocrisy on women’s sports and fairness. 

 

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1. Ninth Circuit Court Ruling on National Guard Deployment in Portland

• The podcast discusses a legal victory for former President Donald Trump, where the Ninth Circuit Court allowed him to deploy the National Guard to Portland.
• It criticizes left-leaning media, particularly MSNBC, for their reaction to the ruling.
• The court's decision is framed as a validation of Trump's authority under 10 U.S.C. § 12406, which allows the President to federalize the National Guard when necessary to enforce U.S. laws.
• The commentary emphasizes that this ruling supports Trump's efforts to restore law and order in cities like Portland, Washington D.C., Memphis, and Chicago.

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2. Senator Chuck Grassley and the “Arctic Frost” Investigation

• The second half of the podcast focuses on revelations by Senator Chuck Grassley regarding an FBI and DOJ investigation codenamed “Arctic Frost.”
• This investigation, launched in April 2022, allegedly targeted Republican lawmakers and conservative organizations under the pretext of probing efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
• Grassley claims that high-ranking officials—including then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy AG Lisa Monaco, and FBI Director Christopher Wray—personally approved the investigation.
• The document portrays the investigation as a politically motivated effort to surveil and suppress Trump allies and conservative groups, comparing it to a scandal “worse than Watergate.”
• It also mentions the disbanding of the FBI’s CR-15 squad, which was allegedly used to target conservatives under the guise of investigating public corruption.

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1. Radicalization of the Democratic Party

• The hosts argue that the Democratic Party has moved from moderate liberalism (e.g., Bill Clinton) to embracing far-left ideologies.
• They claim that figures like Mamdani, AOC, and Bernie Sanders represent a dangerous shift toward communism and anti-American sentiment.

2. Criticism of Zohran Mamdani

• Cruz and Ferguson scrutinize Mamdani’s background, including his father’s academic statements and Mamdani’s own comments post-9/11.
• They interpret Mamdani’s remarks as lacking patriotism and empathy for 9/11 victims.
• They highlight Mamdani’s association with controversial figures, including Imam Siraj Wahaj, whom they label as a jihadist.

3. Media and Political Hypocrisy

• The podcast mocks media outrage over President Trump building a ballroom at the White House while allegedly ignoring more serious issues like Mamdani’s political rise.
• They accuse Democrats of failing to police their own party and enabling extremism.

4. Gavin Newsom and Elite Hypocrisy

• Newsom is portrayed as a privileged elitist pretending to be a man of the people.
• His political persona is compared to Mamdani’s, with both accused of promoting Marxist policies under a polished public image.

5. Bill Maher’s Critique

• Bill Maher is cited as a liberal voice warning Democrats about the dangers of embracing far-left candidates like Mamdani.
• His comments are used to support the podcast’s argument that even mainstream liberals are alarmed by the party’s direction.

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1. Christian Persecution in Nigeria

Senator Cruz highlights what he describes as a massive and underreported crisis involving the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Key points include:

• Over 50,000 Christians killed since 2009.
• 18,000 churches and 2,000 schools burned, allegedly by extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS in West Africa.
• Accusations that some Nigerian government officials are complicit or negligent in addressing the violence.
• Cruz has introduced legislation to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and impose sanctions on individual officials involved in or ignoring the persecution.
• He criticizes the mainstream media for failing to cover the issue adequately.
• Public figures like Bill Maher and Van Jones are cited as supporting the claim that this is a planned genocide and that media silence is a moral failure.

2. Christian Persecution in China

This section shifts to a similar story:

• The Chinese Communist Party’s crackdown on Christianity, particularly targeting Pastor Jin Mingri and the Zion Church.
• Cruz introduced a bipartisan resolution with Senator Chris Coons condemning China’s actions and urging the release of imprisoned pastors.
• He emphasizes the need for economic and diplomatic pressure, especially with President Trump’s upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping.
• The resolution calls for respect for religious freedom and highlights China’s long-standing designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

3. DOJ Surveillance of Republican Senators

Cruz discusses revelations that:

• The Biden DOJ and Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed phone records of nine Republican senators and one House member in connection with the January 6 investigation.
• Cruz’s phone records were requested from AT&T, but the company refused to comply, citing constitutional protections under the Speech and Debate Clause.
• He frames this as political persecution and a dangerous abuse of power, likening it to Watergate.
• He calls for Congressional hearings and transparency to prevent future surveillance of elected officials.

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1. Government Shutdown and Federal Worker Pay

• The episode opens with a discussion of a government shutdown, referred to as the “Schumer shutdown.”
• Senator Cruz criticizes Democrats for voting against legislation that would have paid essential federal workers during the shutdown.
• He highlights specific Democratic senators who voted in favor (Warnock, Ossoff, Fetterman) and criticizes the rest for voting against it.
• Cruz emphasizes the impact on TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and military personnel, warning of potential travel disruptions and national security risks.
• He also notes that members of Congress continue to receive pay during the shutdown, though he claims to have requested his own pay be withheld.

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2. Rise of Antisemitism on the Right

• Cruz expresses concern about increasing antisemitism within conservative circles, particularly among younger people.
• He recounts his speech at a Christians United for Israel event, where he warned about the dangers of ignoring antisemitism on the right.
• He criticizes both the left and right for harboring antisemitic sentiments, but emphasizes a recent rise on the right.
• Cruz calls on church leaders and conservatives to actively oppose antisemitism and support Israel, citing national security interests and moral obligations.

---

3. Opposition to Ambassador Nominee Amer Ghalib

• Cruz discusses his opposition to Amer Ghalib, a nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait.
• He criticizes Ghalib’s past statements, including praise for the Muslim Brotherhood and controversial social media activity.
• Cruz argues that Ghalib’s views are incompatible with U.S. foreign policy and President Trump’s positions, particularly regarding Israel and the Abraham Accords.
• He predicts that the nomination will likely be withdrawn due to bipartisan concerns.

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4. Religious Persecution in China

• The podcast concludes with a segment on the persecution of Christians in China, particularly the arrest of Pastor Jin Mingri and members of the Zion Church.
• Cruz condemns the Chinese Communist Party’s actions and calls for the U.S. to use diplomatic and economic pressure to advocate for religious freedom.
• He emphasizes the importance of the U.S. standing up for persecuted religious minorities globally.
• Cruz expresses hope that President Trump will raise the issue during an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton!  If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too.

 

Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

 

NBA Betting Scandal

 

One of the most explosive sports scandals in recent memory: a massive NBA betting and poker rigging investigation led by the FBI. Clay and Buck break down the details of a multi-year probe that resulted in over 30 arrests across 11 states, involving current and former NBA players and coaches, including Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups, former player and coach Damon Jones, and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. The scandal spans illegal gambling operations, insider betting schemes, and mafia-run poker games using high-tech cheating devices like x-ray tables, contact lenses, and altered shuffling machines.

 

Clay explains how the FBI uncovered two interconnected cases: one involving the mob rigging high-stakes poker games with tens of millions of dollars at stake, and another exposing NBA players manipulating game performance for prop bets, such as Rozier allegedly leaving a game early after signaling insiders. The hosts discuss the staggering stupidity of risking a $26 million NBA salary for $200,000 in illicit winnings, and why legalized sports betting may actually help catch these schemes by flagging irregular wagering patterns.

 

Oppression Olympics

 

An in-depth look at the Virginia Governor’s race, dissecting conflicting polls on Abigail Spanberger and why Democrats are sounding alarms despite media narratives of a comfortable lead. The hosts mock MSNBC’s claim that Spanberger’s struggles stem from sexism, pointing out that she’s running against another woman and citing examples of women winning major races nationwide. They argue Democrats are leaning on identity politics rather than addressing policy failures.

 

The conversation pivots to Spanberger’s refusal to call for the resignation of Jay Jones, the Democratic Attorney General candidate embroiled in a text scandal advocating political violence. Clay warns Virginians that Spanberger is a far-left candidate masquerading as moderate, predicting radical policies on gender identity and sports if she wins. This leads to a fiery discussion on transgender athletes, spotlighting a shocking Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that unanimously allowed a male powerlifter to compete in women’s competitions, citing “human rights.” Clay and Buck slam this as emblematic of the left’s strategy to impose gender ideology through state power, comparing it to COVID-era mandates and warning of broader cultural consequences.

 

Rep. Jim Jordan 

 

The ongoing government shutdown, now in its 23rd day, with Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan joining the show to explain why Democrats are holding the line—fear of primaries from the far-left and leveraging issues like Obamacare subsidies. Jordan predicts the shutdown could last until November and blasts Democrats’ Trump Derangement Syndrome as a driving force.

 

Jordan also drops bombshell news: a criminal referral against former CIA Director John Brennan for allegedly lying under oath about the Steele dossier during the Russia investigation. He details evidence showing Brennan pushed for the dossier’s inclusion despite knowing it was unreliable, framing it as part of a broader pattern of anti-Trump bias. The discussion then shifts to Trump’s record in his second term, with Jordan calling it “the most impactful year of any presidency,” citing achievements on tax cuts, border security, Iran policy, and ending men in women’s sports.

 

The hour closes with a quick revisit of the NBA betting scandal, contrasting today’s corruption with Pete Rose’s infamous wagers, and a nuanced debate on whether athletes betting on themselves should be treated differently. Clay explains why leagues ban all player gambling to prevent debt-driven corruption, noting referees as historically vulnerable due to lower salaries.

 

Gov't Shutdown Realities

 

The latest on the government shutdown, now stretching into weeks, as Clay and Buck dissect explosive remarks from Democratic House Whip Katherine Clark, who admitted the shutdown is being used as “leverage.” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson fires back, accusing Democrats of holding American families hostage to push for $200 billion in Obamacare subsidies and benefits for illegal

1. Purpose of the Sanctions

• The sanctions aim to cripple Russia’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine by targeting its oil revenue, which is a major source of economic and military support.
• The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control stated the move is intended to degrade Russia’s war machine and economy.

2. Political Context

• The sanctions follow a canceled meeting between Trump and Putin, signaling rising tensions and frustration.
• Trump’s administration is positioning this as a shift toward “peace through strength”, emphasizing economic pressure over diplomacy.

3. Economic Implications

• Russia may be forced to lower oil prices or reduce production, both of which would hurt its economy.
• The sanctions could lead to global oil price spikes and affect energy markets.
• The effectiveness depends on international coordination, especially with major buyers like India and China.

4. Domestic Political Support

• There is bipartisan support in Congress for the sanctions.
• Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Mullin both expressed strong backing, framing the move as overdue and necessary.
• Trump described the sanctions as “very big and tremendous,” indicating a serious escalation.

5. Strategic Considerations

• The podcast suggests this is just the first step in a broader strategy, potentially including:
  • Secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil.
  • Tariffs on Russian oil imports.
  • Military aid to Ukraine via European purchases.

6. Diplomatic Messaging

• The sanctions are also framed as a lever for diplomacy, with calls for a ceasefire.
• Trump’s rhetoric and canceled meeting with Putin reflect a hardening stance after failed diplomatic efforts.

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1. DOJ Subpoenas and Alleged Political Surveillance

• Senator Cruz reveals that Jack Smith, Special Counsel under the Biden DOJ, subpoenaed his phone records as part of an investigation into events surrounding January 6th.
• Cruz was not initially listed among the nine Republican senators whose records were obtained because his phone provider, AT&T, refused to comply with the subpoena, citing constitutional protections under the Speech and Debate Clause.
• The DOJ reportedly obtained records from Verizon for other senators, including Marsha Blackburn, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, and Lindsey Graham.
• Cruz and Ferguson characterize the subpoenas as a politically motivated fishing expedition, lacking criminal justification.

2. Concerns Over Abuse of Power

• Cruz argues this represents a dangerous precedent of the executive branch spying on legislative members.
• He calls for hearings and investigations to uncover who authorized the subpoenas and to prevent future abuses.
• The operation is referred to as “Arctic Frost”, which Cruz likens to a modern-day Watergate.

3. Meeting with Donald Trump at the White House

• Cruz recounts a lunch with Trump and other Republican senators, where Trump showcased renovations to the Rose Garden and plans for a new ballroom.
• The upgrades are privately funded, not taxpayer-funded, yet have drawn criticism from Democrats.
• Trump also distributed personalized gifts (e.g., challenge coins, golf towels, M&Ms) and joked about naming a room the “Monica Lewinsky Room.”

4. Government Shutdown

• Cruz discusses the ongoing government shutdown, blaming Democrats for refusing to vote to reopen.
• He notes that only three Democrats have supported reopening efforts, despite impacts on TSA agents and air traffic controllers.
• He predicts that retiring Democrats may eventually break ranks to end the shutdown.

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