Verdict with Ted Cruz

1. Life in Cuba Before and After the Revolution
At first, many Cubans—including Sonia’s family—believed Fidel Castro would bring hope and equality.
Very quickly, Castro imposed strict control, destroyed economic freedom, and made the entire population equally poor.
2. The Reality of Communist Cuba
Universal poverty: Everyone was paid the same and had almost nothing—food shortages, basic needs unmet.
State surveillance: Every neighborhood had assigned informants who monitored households and reported any anti‑government sentiment.
Restrictions on daily life: Cubans were barred from renting boats, traveling, or accessing certain services, even if they had citizenship elsewhere.
3. Persecution and Indoctrination
Sonia witnessed the regime executing and imprisoning dissenters.
Castro used propaganda to turn children against their families, encouraging them to report relatives critical of the government.
Schools were forced to teach pro‑communist, pro‑Castro ideology.
4. Family Resistance
Sonia’s mother (a teacher) was ordered to teach communist doctrine.
Rather than comply, she pretended to have a mental breakdown so she could be removed from teaching, since quitting was illegal.
Sonia herself resisted the regime and was repeatedly detained, imprisoned for days, and disappeared without her family knowing her whereabouts.
5. Life After Leaving Cuba
Sonia left in 1962 but returned over the years with suitcases of medicine, food, clothing, and household essentials—items extremely scarce in Cuba.
She often left behind even her own clothes because relatives in Cuba lacked basics like underwear and bedsheets.
6. The Illusion Presented to Foreign Visitors
Tourists and foreign politicians were only shown “model” schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods.
This created a false image of prosperity, hiding the suffering of everyday Cubans who lived in extreme poverty.
7. Misconceptions About Socialism and Communism
The conversation highlights how younger Americans often romanticize socialism without understanding its authoritarian outcomes.
It emphasizes that socialist regimes destroy incentive, suppress faith, and strip away basic freedoms.
The leaders of these systems live in luxury while the people remain impoverished.
8. The Human Cost
Sonia stresses that the worst suffering was the inability of families to secure food and basic necessities for their children.
Many Cubans survive by drinking sugar water to feel full.
Average income was described as around $30 per month, making survival nearly impossible.
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1. Phone call between President Trump and Governor Walz
President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that Governor Tim Walz called him to discuss cooperation related to Minnesota.
Trump said the call was “very good” and that they were “on a similar wavelength.”
Trump said he would send Tom Homan (former ICE acting director) to work with Minnesota officials.
2. Immigration‑related demands from Trump
Trump outlined several expectations for Minnesota leaders:
Turn over all criminal undocumented immigrants currently held in state/local custody to federal immigration authorities.
Cooperate with ICE by transferring all undocumented individuals arrested locally.
Assist federal officers in locating and detaining undocumented immigrants with criminal histories or outstanding warrants.
3. Broader claims made by Trump
Trump referenced: A $20+ billion welfare fraud investigation in Minnesota.
Ongoing federal scrutiny of Rep. Ilhan Omar concerning her reported wealth.

He linked these issues to unrest and protests occurring in Minnesota.
4. White House press secretary comments
The press secretary emphasized the administration’s stance on: Ending “anarchy and chaos.”
Prioritizing law and order.
Urging Minnesota’s leaders to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

The administration also reiterated support for ending sanctuary policies nationwide.
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2. Minneapolis Situation & ICE Confrontations A. Escalating Conflict
Recent fatal confrontations between civilians and ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Two individuals (not known to be violent criminals) have been killed during encounters.
Host urges toning down rhetoric from both political sides to prevent further escalation.
B. Comparison Between Texas and Minnesota
Texas sees far more ICE arrests but fewer violent confrontations.
Reasons suggested: Texas law enforcement cooperates with ICE.
Minnesota politicians (governor/mayor) allegedly encourage public confrontation with ICE.

C. Violent Protest Structure
Minneapolis protests are organized, funded, and oper­ated similarly to military groups.
Reports mentioned: Surveillance operations against law enforcement
Protesters allegedly sabotaging vehicles and physically attacking officers
Autonomous‑zone style barricades forming in some areas

3. Responsibility & Advice Regarding Police Encounters
Do not escalate encounters with law enforcement.
Entering a protest with a firearm greatly increases danger for everyone involved.
Legal principles discussed: Lethal force is justified if officers reasonably believe there is a threat.
Officers cannot shoot fleeing suspects unless they pose serious immediate danger.

4. Media Narratives & Political Messaging A. Suburban Women as Target Audience
Democrats viewed as shaping narratives (e.g., “ICE shoots mother of three,” “ICE detains 5‑year‑old”) to emotionally influence suburban voters.
Hosts argue some widely publicized stories were misleading or false.
B. Claims of Political Motives
Democrats are using these incidents to distract from: A major Minnesota fraud scandal involving billions of dollars.

Each new confrontation diverts media attention from that scandal.
5. Anticipated Government Shutdown A. Democrat Position
Multiple Democratic leaders publicly oppose funding DHS/ICE at current levels.
Statements from Senators (Schumer, Warren, Murphy) emphasize refusal to pass DHS funding bill without ICE restrictions.
B. Hosts’ Conclusion
They expect a government shutdown, driven by attempts to: Defund or weaken ICE
Appeal to progressive voters
Control political narrative ahead of elections

Shutdown would affect agencies not yet funded (e.g., Defense, Labor, Education, HHS, HUD, DHS).

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1. Oil Prices & National Security
Lower global oil prices weaken hostile regimes like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela by reducing their revenue.
The Trump administration aims for a “sweet spot” oil price ($60–$70/barrel): Low enough to hurt adversaries.
High enough to avoid bankrupting U.S. independent oil producers.

If prices drop into the $40s, it could collapse small oil producers in Texas and the Permian Basin.
2. Venezuela’s Oil Infrastructure
Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but decades of mismanagement have destroyed its infrastructure.
Estimates from oil executives: Increasing production from 1 million to 3 million barrels/day could take 10 years and require $100B+ in investment.
Even going from 1 million to 2 million/day would take 5–7 years.

Gulf Coast refineries can process Venezuela’s heavy sour crude, but expanded imports would mostly affect Canada and Mexico, not U.S. light-sweet crude producers.
3. Cuba’s Economic Crisis
Cuba historically survived on financial support from: The Soviet Union (until its collapse).
Venezuela under Chávez/Maduro (oil and money).

With Venezuela no longer able to support Cuba, the island is in economic freefall.
Mexico is currently providing oil that helps sustain the Cuban regime.
The Trump administration may pressure Mexico to cut this supply, potentially pushing Cuba toward political collapse.
4. Jack Smith & January 6th Investigation
Smith is accused of leading a politically motivated prosecution against Donald Trump.
He allegedly relied on questionable or disproven testimony, notably from Cassidy Hutchinson.
Hutchinson’s dramatic claims (e.g., Trump lunging for a steering wheel) were not confirmed by eyewitnesses.
Jim Jordan challenged Smith in hearings, accusing him of: Using unreliable witnesses.
Conducting a partisan, anti-Trump investigation.
Targeting large numbers of Republicans with subpoenas.

5. Crime Statistics & Trump Administration Policies
Nationwide murder rates reportedly declined ~20% from 2024 to 2025. Approx. 1,400 fewer murders.

Major cities showing decreases: Chicago: 30%
NYC: 20%
Baltimore: 31%
Oakland: 33%
Washington, D.C.: 31% (after National Guard deployment)

Other violent crimes also declined: Motor vehicle theft: ↓25%
Robbery: ↓18%
Aggravated assault: ↓8%

Law enforcement stats cited:
Violent crime arrests: ↑100%
Gangs disrupted: ↑210%
Fentanyl seized: ↑31%
Missing/abducted children located: ↑22%
Human traffickers arrested: ↑15%
Significant increase in arrests of espionage suspects and fugitives.
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1. Crime Statistics Under the Trump Administration (as claimed in the text)
Murder rates dropped ~20% nationwide from 2024 to 2025.
Cities cited with major decreases: Chicago: –30%
New York City: –20%
Birmingham: –49%
Albuquerque: –32%
Baltimore: –31%
Atlanta: –26%
Oakland: –33%
Washington, D.C.: –31% (after National Guard deployment)

Other crimes that have decreased in 2025: Motor vehicle theft: –25%
Robbery: –18%
Aggravated assaults: –8%

FBI Director’s reported statistics included: Violent crime arrests up 100%
Gang disruptions up 210%
Major increases in fentanyl seizures, child victim rescues, predator arrests, and espionage arrests.

2. Drug Overdose Deaths
A 21% drop in overdose deaths from 2024 to 2025: 2024: ~91,694 deaths
2025: ~72,836 deaths

Approx. 19,000 fewer overdose deaths attributed to: 99% reduction in illegal border crossings
Increased drug‑trafficker interdiction
Border and cartel enforcement operations

3. Media Coverage Criticism
Mainstream media downplays or avoids covering these crime and overdose statistics because they’re positive for Trump.
They argue media outlets attempt to disconnect improvements from administration policies.
4. Accusations Against Democrats
Democrats misreported or reclassified crime statistics to make numbers appear better before elections.
Democratic-led cities or governments artificially adjusted categories of crime.
5. Jack Smith & Abuse-of-Power Allegations
Conducting politically motivated prosecutions of Donald Trump.
Subpoenaing toll/phone records of: Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy
Nine U.S. Senators
Additional House members

Allegedly violating the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause.
Allegedly obtaining non-disclosure orders to hide his subpoenas from targets and the public.
Testifying poorly under questioning by Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Brandon Gill.
Accused of: Using unreliable witnesses (e.g., Cassidy Hutchinson)
Making false statements to obtain judicial approvals
Targeting political opponents in ways compared to abuses greater than Watergate.

6. January 6 Committee & Cassidy Hutchinson
Hutchinson is an unreliable witness whose testimony was: Second- or third-hand
Contradicted by Secret Service witnesses
Still heavily relied on (185 times in the Jan. 6 report)

She fabricated stories, including one involving Senator Ted Cruz
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