The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

1. Large-Scale Individual Fraud Example
A Los Angeles contractor, Alexander Suker, is accused of stealing $23 million intended to feed and house homeless individuals.
Funds were allegedly used for luxury homes, cars, vacations, designer goods, and private schools, instead of homeless services.
2. Failure to Deliver Promised Services
Suker was contracted to provide three meals per day to up to 600 homeless people.
Inspections reportedly found only canned beans and ramen noodles, contradicting billing claims.
Prosecutors allege the use of fake vendors, falsified facilities, and false service records.
3. Broader Pattern of Fraud in California
Federal authorities indicate at least 12 additional similar cases under investigation.
A U.S. Attorney stated that large sums were pushed out quickly with minimal vetting or checks and balances.
4. Comparison to Other State Scandals
Investigators and commentators compare California’s situation to Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future fraud, claiming California’s fraud may be larger in scale.
Independent investigator Nick Shirley claims billions of dollars may be involved statewide.
5. Alleged Billions in Unaccounted Public Funds
$70 billion in taxpayer funds missing or unaccounted for
$24 billion spent on allegedly nonexistent homelessness programs
$18 billion on nonfunctional high-speed rail
$32 billion in stolen COVID relief funds
$2.5 billion lost to SNAP fraud
6. Political and Structural Implications
California leadership is accused of enabling fraud by prioritizing rapid spending over accountability.
Calls are made for whistleblower lawsuits as a tool to recover funds.
Critics argue that higher taxes are being proposed despite massive losses.
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1. Iran & Middle East Policy
Trump warns Iran to “not be foolish” and to accept a new nuclear/missile deal.
He signals possible deployment of a second U.S. aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East if negotiations fail.
References Operation Midnight Hammer, the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites six months earlier, framing it as a precedent for future action.
Iran insists negotiations be limited only to enrichment levels and rejects including missiles or regional proxy forces.
Netanyahu is meeting Trump at the White House, emphasizing U.S.–Israel alignment on Iran.
2. U.S. Border & Immigration
Trump says the U.S. currently has the strongest border in U.S. history, stating “essentially no illegal crossings in 8 months.”
Says maritime drug interdictions reduced drug flow by 33% and saved 25,000 American lives.
Argues his administration doesn’t receive enough credit due to “public relations problems.”
3. Sanctuary Cities
Trump calls sanctuary cities “sanctuaries for criminals,” claiming they protect killers, drug lords, and gang members.
Says Senator Lindsey Graham is pushing hard to eliminate sanctuary cities, and Trump backs him “100%.”
Points to New York City spending billions on migrants as evidence of the cost of sanctuary policies.
4. Minnesota Fraud Investigation
Trump alleges $19 billion in fraud in Minnesota related to medical programs and other aid.
Says Somali immigrants are responsible for significant fraud, including referencing a “fake congresswoman.”
States that recovering even 50% of nationwide fraud would “balance the budget without cuts.”
5. Federal Reserve & Interest Rates
Trump says appointing Jerome Powell was a mistake and was influenced by his Treasury Secretary.
Argues interest rates should be the lowest in the world, lower than Switzerland’s.
Says lowering rates by two points would eliminate the U.S. deficit “on paper.”
6. Trade Policy
Trump says past presidents, including Ronald Reagan, were “bad on trade” and allowed Japan and Germany to gain U.S. market share.
Says the U.S. had deficits with almost every country before he arrived.
Emphasizes he is “real good on trade,” contrasting himself with previous administrations.
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1. The Case at the Supreme Court
The case is Trump v. Vos Selections, argued on Nov. 5, 2025.
Small businesses are challenging Trump-era tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
2. Central Legal Questions
Does IEEPA’s power to “regulate imports” include authority to impose tariffs?
Did Congress delegate too much taxing authority to the President?
→ This triggers two major constitutional doctrines: Non‑Delegation Doctrine – Congress cannot hand over core lawmaking powers (like taxation) without clear limits.
Major Questions Doctrine – Major economic or political actions require explicit congressional authorization.

3. Constitutional Tension
Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to: Lay and collect taxes/tariffs
Regulate commerce with foreign nations

Tariffs sit at the intersection of foreign policy (executive power) and taxation (legislative power).
4. Oral Argument Themes
Justices skeptical of Trump’s argument:
Roberts – Concerned tariffs are fundamentally taxes on Americans, which is Congress’s domain.
Gorsuch & Barrett – Pressed the need for clear statutory limits; worried about unchecked executive authority.
Justices leaning toward upholding the tariffs:
Kavanaugh – Emphasized long history of broad presidential discretion in foreign affairs.
Thomas – Focused on historical practice of using tariffs as trade tools.
Alito – Concerned about practical impacts and the large reliance interests ($133B already collected).
5. Predicted Outcome (from the document’s speaker)
Expected ruling: 5–4 in favor of Trump, upholding tariff authority.
Predicted majority: Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh + either Barrett or Gorsuch.
Reasoning: Court is reluctant to disrupt years of foreign policy and economic decisions already relying on the tariffs.
Institutional stability concerns—similar to Roberts’ reasoning in the Affordable Care Act case.

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1. Trump’s 2006 Call to Police About Epstein
According to a 2019 FBI interview with the Palm Beach police chief, Donald Trump called the chief in 2006, saying: Epstein’s behavior with underage girls was widely known.
Ghislaine Maxwell was “evil” and should be investigated.

Trump said he left an event when he saw teenagers present and later banned Epstein from Mar‑a‑Lago.
2. Contrast With Media Narratives
These details contradict media implications that Trump hid involvement with Epstein.
It frames Trump as wanting Epstein stopped early in the investigation.
3. Trump Responds to Questions About Epstein Files
During a recent Oval Office exchange, CNN’s Caitlin Collins asked about redactions in released Epstein documents.
Trump stated: Too much was released, not too little.
The country should “move on.”
Nothing incriminating about him emerged.

4. Ghislaine Maxwell’s Congressional Deposition
Maxwell appeared virtually before the House Oversight Committee.
She invoked the Fifth Amendment for every question, including: Whether she was close to Epstein
Whether she helped traffic girls
Whether she instructed girls to provide sexual favors
Whether she surrounded herself and Epstein with influential people
Whether she would name other co‑conspirators

Her lawyer stated she is protecting her appeal.
Lawmakers received no substantive answers.
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1. Politicization of the Super Bowl Halftime Show
The halftime show is no longer neutral entertainment but a platform for left-wing political messaging.
Bad Bunny’s selection is framed as intentional ideological signaling rather than artistic choice.
Many viewers allegedly opted out and watched an alternative, America-focused broadcast instead.
2. Criticism of Bad Bunny’s Political Activism
Bad Bunny is openly hostile to U.S. immigration enforcement (ICE), Donald Trump, and conservative politics.
His past statements and performances are cited as evidence of anti-American sentiment, including: Anti-ICE speeches at award shows
Support for Black Lives Matter protests, including justification of unrest
Use of explicit anti-Trump language

His refusal to tour in the U.S. and insistence on performing only in Spanish are framed as ideological acts.
3. Cultural Division and Language Controversy
Performing exclusively in Spanish is characterized as a deliberate rejection of American norms.
Critics argue this alienated large portions of the Super Bowl audience.
Supporters within the discussion downplay the issue, suggesting cultural exposure is harmless.
4. NFL’s Role and Motivation
The NFL is accused of “selling out” American audiences to expand global and non-U.S. markets.
League leadership defends the decision as inclusive and unifying, which the commentary strongly disputes.
The NFL is portrayed as indifferent to political backlash as long as viewership grows.
5. Reaction from Donald Trump and Conservatives
Donald Trump’s reaction is heavily featured, condemning the halftime show as: One of the worst ever
Inappropriate for families
Disrespectful to American values

Conservative commentators echo these criticisms but differ on how much outrage is warranted.
6. Broader Commentary on Celebrity Politics
Several speakers express fatigue with celebrities using entertainment platforms to push political views.
While disliking Bad Bunny’s politics, some argue that outrage over halftime shows is overblown.
7. Shift to California Tax Policy
Example: An NFL player (Sam Darnold) allegedly owed more in California taxes than he earned in game bonuses.
California is portrayed as economically hostile to high earners, encouraging talent to leave the state.
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