Verdict with Ted Cruz
Verdict with Ted Cruz

A CCP Connection the Media won't Cover, AI at the Oval & Can Schools be Taught to Read Again Week In Review

July 25, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Three Threads from a Week in Washington

The week's conversation opened with a federal investigation into a Chinese-connected billionaire funding left-wing causes, moved to a White House meeting where the president was talked out of endorsing an AI safety bill, and closed with a bipartisan literacy bill that would tie federal reading funds to methods that actually work. Each story turned on a different kind of leverage—money, math, and evidence—and each revealed something about how Washington actually operates right now.

The Money Behind the Anti-AI Movement

Neville Roy Singham, the wealthy husband of Code Pink founder Jody Evans, is under criminal investigation by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York. The probe began as a Foreign Agents Registration Act inquiry and has expanded into a criminal tax investigation over whether Singham unlawfully funneled money through nonprofits he controlled and lied on their tax forms.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (02:52) **Week In Review Introduction** - Host Ben Ferguson previews three major stories: a Chinese tycoon under investigation, a White House AI meeting, and bipartisan reading legislation.
  • 2 (03:00) **Story #1: Chinese Tycoon Neville Roy Singham Under Investigation** - Senator Cruz explains the DOJ is investigating a wealthy communist-linked figure funding anti-American protests and AI opposition.
  • 3 (13:15) **Story #2: Oval Office AI Meeting - Cruz Details Private Session with Trump** - Senator Cruz recounts a Monday Oval Office meeting about AI legislation with President Trump, Marsha Blackburn, and economic advisors.
  • 4 (16:48) **Deep Dive: Why Blackburn’s AI Bill Faces an Uphill Fight** - Cruz breaks down the three components of the package and the political obstacles each faces.
  • 5 (25:46) **Story #3: Bipartisan Reading Bill - The "Mississippi Miracle" Goes Federal** - Cruz introduces legislation with Democratic Senator Brian Schatz to require evidence-based reading methods for federal literacy funds.
  • 6 (33:40) **Path to Passage: How the Reading Bill Moves Through Congress** - Cruz outlines the legislative strategy for the bipartisan bill.
  • 7 (36:05) **Closing** - Ben Ferguson thanks listeners and promotes his own podcast.

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Guests on this episode

Ted Cruz

Show Notes

1. Investigation of Chinese-Linked Activist Financier Neville Roy Singham

  • Ted Cruz discusses a federal investigation into Neville Roy Singham, a wealthy businessman with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
  • The investigation reportedly involves potential violations of:
    • The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
    • Federal tax laws
  • Singham is accused of funding left-wing organizations, including:
    • The People's Forum
    • Code Pink
  • Cruz argues that money from foreign-linked sources may be supporting:
    • Anti-Israel campus protests
    • Anti-capitalist activism
    • Other progressive political movements
  • The discussion highlights concerns about foreign influence campaigns designed to shape U.S. public opinion and technology policy.
  • Singham denies working for or taking orders from the Chinese government.

2. White House Discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Cruz describes attending a meeting in the Oval Office with:
    • President Trump
    • Senator Marsha Blackburn
    • Administration officials and advisors
  • The meeting focused on AI regulation and policy.
  • Blackburn promoted several AI-related bills, including:
    • Child online safety measures (KOSA)
    • App-store age verification requirements
    • The “No Fakes” Act addressing AI-generated fake voices and images
  • Cruz expressed support for parts of the proposals but questioned whether they had enough political support to become law.
  • He argued that:
    • AI legislation should protect consumers and children.
    • Regulations should not unintentionally restrict free speech.
    • The U.S. must remain competitive with China in AI development.
  • The conversation also addressed concerns over deepfakes and AI-generated political misinformation.

3. Reading and Education Reform Legislation

  • Cruz discusses a bipartisan education bill focused on improving reading outcomes among American students.
  • He cites statistics showing declining reading proficiency among students nationwide.
  • The bill would require states receiving certain federal literacy funds to use reading methods proven effective through research.
  • The discussion contrasts:
    • Phonics-based instruction ("science of reading")
    • Three-cueing methods, which Cruz argues are less effective
  • Examples highlighted include:
    • Mississippi's dramatic improvement in reading scores after adopting phonics-focused instruction ("Mississippi Miracle")
    • Similar gains in Alabama and Louisiana
  • The legislation was introduced jointly with Democratic Senator
Verdict with Ted Cruz

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