1. Cultural Debate on Santa Claus

• UK museum’s guidance to “decolonize” Father Christmas.
• Santa is criticized for being “too white” and “too male.”
• Suggests changes like:
  • Santa working alongside elves to show equality.
  • Mrs. (Mother) Christmas taking a more prominent role.
  • Removing the “naughty or nice” list, which is framed as colonial and judgmental.
• Links these ideas to broader critiques of patriarchy, colonialism, and Christianity, portraying them as part of a “woke” agenda.

2. Child Rescue Operations

• U.S. law enforcement Operation Northern Lights, which has recovered 43 missing children in Florida and surrounding states.
• Highlights risks these children faced (human trafficking, exploitation, domestic violence).
• Frames the current administration as proactive compared to the previous one, which is accused of neglecting child safety for political reasons tied to immigration.

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1. Christmas and Its Religious Significance

• The discussion begins with warm holiday greetings and reflections on the meaning of Christmas.
• Emphasis is placed on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, highlighting its spiritual importance over commercial aspects like gifts and Santa Claus.
• Ben and the Senator share personal traditions, such as reading Luke Chapter 2 during Christmas dinner, and discuss cultural practices (e.g., Cuban Christmas Eve celebrations with roasted pig vs. vegetarian meals).
• There’s commentary on a resurgence of faith among younger generations, citing record-breaking Bible sales in 2025.

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2. Economic Outlook and Media Bias

• The conversation shifts to positive economic news: U.S. GDP growth of 4.3% in Q3, the strongest in two years.
• They argue this growth contradicts negative media predictions and accuse mainstream outlets of political bias.
• Key points include:
  • Strong consumer spending during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
  • Positive impacts of trade policy, tax cuts, and deregulation under President Trump.
  • Criticism of media framing economic success negatively compared to previous administrations.

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3. Welfare Fraud and Systemic Issues

• Historic fraud in Minnesota’s Medicaid and welfare programs, estimated at $9 billion, and allegations that funds were diverted to terrorist organizations like Al Shabab.
• Predicting similar fraud in other Democratic-led states (California, New York, Illinois).
• Wall Street Journal op-ed by Phil Gramm and John Early is mentioned about structural flaws in the U.S. welfare system:
  • Welfare spending has surged 765% over 50 years, now costing $1.4 trillion annually.
  • Many benefits are not counted as income, creating misleading poverty statistics and perpetuating dependency.
  • The argument advocates for welfare reform to encourage work and reduce generational poverty.

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• Golden Fleet Announcement

  • Trump unveils plans for the construction of two massive battleships, described as:
    • The largest ever built.
    • “100 times more powerful” than previous Iowa-class ships.
    • Part of a new Golden Fleet to revitalize U.S. naval power.
  • Long-term vision: expand to 20–25 ships, boosting American shipbuilding and jobs.
  • Emphasis on national security, military supremacy, and economic benefits.

• Press Conference Highlights

  • Trump positions himself as “the most transparent president in modern history”, answering questions on:
    • China, Venezuela, Iran, and oil tanker seizures.
    • Drug trafficking from Colombia.
    • U.S. investment and tariffs.
    • Healthcare insurer meetings.
    • Epstein files and photos involving Bill Clinton.

• Epstein Files Discussion

  • Trump expresses discomfort with photos of Bill Clinton being released but frames the issue as a Democratic distraction from Republican successes.
  • Criticizes political opponents for using Epstein controversy to deflect from his administration’s achievements.

• Economic & Trade Themes

  • Claims trillions in foreign investment flowing into the U.S. due to tariffs and pro-business policies.
  • Projects $18 trillion in investments within 10 months, aiming for $20 trillion.

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To our listeners a GREAT THANK YOU! Without you this would not be possible. We thank EACH and every one of you for making Verdict what it is today and supporting this show. Much more to blow you away in 2026 so keep listening, and keep sharing!

                                        Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to all of you!

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1. Immigration and Housing

• Mass immigration under President Biden increased rental demand and housing prices.
• Trump’s deportations and border enforcement are lowering rents and home prices.
• Median age of first-time homebuyers is rising above 40 (highest since WWI).
• Wharton study: “Every 1% population increase → rents up 1%.”
• Recent rent declines (−1.1% YoY, −5.2% vs. 2022 peak).

   Tax Policy Changes (2026)

• Highlights upcoming measures:
  • No tax on tips
  • No tax on overtime
  • No tax on Social Security for seniors
• Suggests millions will receive IRS refunds starting January.

   HUD Report

• HUD finds that immigration significantly drove up housing demand and prices, especially for low-income Americans without assistance.

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2. DOJ/FBI and Mar-a-Lago Raid

• Newly released emails show FBI doubted probable cause for the 2022 raid but proceeded under pressure from Biden DOJ.
• There were political motives behind the raid, calling it “abuse of power.”
• Lack of whistleblowers and calls for congressional hearings.

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3. Last 3 BIG WINS of this past year

   Space

• Announces $10 billion investment in NASA and commercial space through the Working Families tax cut.
• Goal: U.S. lunar landing by 2028 (ahead of China’s 2030 target).
• Emphasizes jobs (50,000+ in Texas), national security, and inspiration for youth.

   Automotive Policy

• CAFE standards were “zeroed out” to reduce car costs and improve safety.
• Biden-era fuel economy rules are an attempt to ban internal combustion engines.

   Online Safety – “Take It Down Act”

• Makes posting non-consensual intimate imagery (including AI deepfakes) a felony.
• Grants victims a statutory right to demand immediate removal from platforms.
• Bipartisan passage and signing in the Rose Garden with First Lady Melania Trump.

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• Border Security

  • Illegal immigration reportedly dropped by 99%.
  • $100 billion invested in border security infrastructure (wall, technology, personnel).
  • Claimed economic benefits: reduced housing costs and rents due to deportations.

• Working Families Tax Cut (formerly “One Big Beautiful Bill”)

  • Permanent extension and expansion of Trump-era tax cuts.
  • Specific provisions:
    • No taxes on tips, overtime, or Social Security benefits (effective 2026).
  • Framed as the most conservative legislative victory in U.S. history.

• Military & National Security

  • $150 billion invested in rebuilding the military.
  • $24.5 billion allocated to the Coast Guard (over 200% of its annual budget).
  • Emphasis on Arctic ice cutters to counter China and Russia.

• Technology & Infrastructure

  • Auctioning 800 MHz of federal spectrum to private sector (expected $100 billion revenue).
  • Air traffic control modernization ($12.5 billion investment).
  • Rotor Act: mandates ADS-B technology for all aircraft to prevent collisions.

• Education & Social Policy

  • School Choice Expansion: Tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations.
  • Trump Accounts: Investment accounts for every child in America, seeded with $1,000 and allowing $5,000 annual contributions, invested in S&P 500.

• Space Exploration

  • $10 billion investment in NASA and commercial space programs.
  • Goal: U.S. to return to the Moon by 2028, ahead of China.

• Regulatory Rollbacks

  • Elimination of CAFE standards (fuel economy rules), framed as lowering car costs and improving safety.

• Online Safety

  • Take It Down Act: Criminalizes non-consensual intimate imagery and deepfake pornography; mandates immediate removal by platforms.

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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.

 

Trump IS Fixing the Economy

 

Inflation has dropped to 2.7%—the lowest level since spring 2021. Core inflation sits at 2.6%, nearing the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Clay explains why this matters for everyday Americans, connecting the dots between Biden-era spending, skyrocketing prices, and the aggressive interest rate hikes that froze the housing market. He recalls how inflation surged to 9.1% in June 2022 after trillions in stimulus spending, driving mortgage rates above 7% and locking millions of homeowners into historically low rates from 2020–2021. This “housing freeze,” Clay argues, remains one of the biggest drags on economic mobility.  Clay then pivots to President Trump’s primetime address, highlighting key announcements that could reshape the economic landscape.

 

Culture Wars

 

Brianna Lyman of The Federalist delivers a powerful defense of historical literacy amid efforts to erase America’s past. The discussion centers on Virginia’s removal of a Robert E. Lee statue, the legacy of reconciliation after the Civil War, and the dangers of applying modern moral standards to historical figures. Lyman warns that the left’s obsession with tearing down monuments—from Lee to Jefferson and even Washington—aims to delegitimize America’s founding principles and pave the way for radical ideological shifts. Clay and Lyman explore how this “floor vs. ceiling” approach to history—focusing on flaws instead of achievements—threatens national unity, especially as the country prepares for its 250th anniversary in 2026.

 

MIT Assassination

 

Authorities believe they have identified the suspect in the Brown University shooting, which left two students dead and 12 injured after 40 rounds were fired on campus. While no arrest has been made, investigators are also probing a possible link between this attack and the assassination of MIT professor Nuno Loureiro, a nuclear weapons expert killed in his Boston home just days later. Clay underscores the chilling implications of these events and promises continued coverage as details emerge.

 

The hour also touches on tragic news from North Carolina, where NASCAR legend Greg Biffle reportedly died in a private plane crash en route to Florida, according to Daily Mail reports citing close friends. Clay then pivots to a heated media moment: Candace Owens’ explosive claims on Piers Morgan’s show, suggesting two Turning Point USA employees may have had foreknowledge of Charlie Kirk’s assassination—a theory Clay calls “loony bin crazy” and emblematic of a media ecosystem that rewards outrageous, unverified opinions. He contrasts this with a Washington Post profile of alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, detailing his radicalization, anti-Trump rage, and ties to trans activism, reinforcing what Clay sees as the clear ideological motive behind the killing.

 

Dealing with Holiday TDS

 

Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert joins to offer strategies for surviving holiday gatherings with politically divided families. Alpert warns that “Trump Derangement Syndrome” has hardened into personality-level anger for some, fueling anxiety and family estrangement. His advice: prioritize relationships over politics, set boundaries, and redirect conversations to holiday traditions. Callers weigh in with personal stories and coping tactics, from walking away during heated debates to reaffirming shared values. Alpert also explores whether this intense polarization will persist beyond Trump’s presidency, concluding that while partisan hostility will remain, Trump’s outsider status amplified the vitriol to unprecedented levels. 

 

Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.

• Economic Agenda

  • Promises of major tax relief starting in 2026:
    • No tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security for most Americans.
    • Projected savings: $11,000–$20,000 per family annually.
    • Anticipated largest tax refund season ever next spring.
  • Emphasis on record investment inflows, job creation, and tariff leverage.
  • Goal: “Greatest economy in history.”

• Military Support

  • Announcement of a $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” for 1.45 million service members as a symbolic tribute to 1776.

• Healthcare Reform

  • Affordable Care Act (“Unaffordable Care Act”).
  • Promise to redirect funds from insurance companies to individuals for better, cheaper coverage.
  • Future reductions in drug prices via the Trump RX Program.

• Immigration and Border Security

  • Trump condemned prior administration’s immigration policies.
  • there WAS a border invasion with criminal elements.
  • A vow to maintain strict enforcement and prevent recurrence.

• Housing and Cost of Living

  • Plans for aggressive housing reforms to improve affordability.
  • Links high housing costs to illegal immigration and promises relief.

• Foreign Policy

  • Highlighted diplomatic progress and reduced global tensions.
  • Positioned the U.S. as regaining international leadership.

• Future Outlook

  • Preview of 2026 initiatives:
    • Expanded energy production.
    • Lower interest rates via new Federal Reserve leadership.
    • Continued focus on affordability and economic growth.

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1. Foiled Terror Attack in Los Angeles

• Incident: FBI arrested five suspects allegedly planning coordinated New Year’s Eve bombings in Los Angeles.
• Group: Identified as the Turtle Island Liberation Front, described as a radical pro-Palestinian, anti-American extremist group.
• Details:
  • Planned attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at five locations.
  • Four suspects arrested in Lucerne Valley while testing bomb components; a fifth arrested in New Orleans.
  • Materials included potassium nitrate, PVC pipes, sulfur powder, and charcoal.
• Ideology: Anti-U.S., pro-Palestinian, anti-law enforcement; Instagram posts included “Death to America” and “Free Palestine.”

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2. DOJ and FBI Emails on Mar-a-Lago Raid

• Revelation: Internal FBI emails show agents doubted probable cause for the August 2022 raid on Trump’s residence.
• Concerns:
  • Evidence was “single source, uncorroborated, and possibly outdated.”
  • FBI suggested less intrusive alternatives, like negotiating with Trump’s attorneys.
  • DOJ officials allegedly dismissed optics concerns, saying they “didn’t give a damn.”
• Implications: The raid was politically motivated, intended to damage Trump’s chances of reelection.

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3. Housing, Immigration, and Economic Policy

• Housing Crisis: Attributes skyrocketing rents and home prices to Biden-era immigration policies, citing a HUD report linking immigration to housing demand.
• Trump’s Deportation Policy: Claims mass deportations have lowered rents by 1.1% year-over-year and 5.2% since 2022.
• Economic Measures: Highlights upcoming tax reforms for 2026:
  • No tax on tips.
  • No tax on overtime.
  • No tax on Social Security for seniors.

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