Verdict with Ted Cruz
Verdict with Ted Cruz

Behind the Scenes at the World Cup Final, and in the Oval Office on AI

July 22, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

“Daddy, I’ll root for the Astros.” That line, from Ted Cruz’s seven-year-old daughter Catherine, launched an eight-year daddy-daughter playoff tradition. The senator tells the story while recounting a weekend that swung from the World Cup final in New Jersey to a high-stakes Oval Office meeting on AI regulation. The throughline of the episode is the contrast between two very different worlds Cruz inhabits: the personal, memory-making moments of sports fandom and the grinding legislative reality of trying to pass bills in a divided Congress.

The World Cup Final and a Family Tradition

Cruz attended the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain with his 15-year-old daughter Catherine, continuing a tradition that began with Game 5 of the 2017 World Series. That game, which ended at 1:30 a.m., was the day after Catherine’s seventh birthday. Since then, the two have gone to nearly every Astros home playoff game — often requiring Cruz to fly from Washington D.C. to Houston after Senate sessions, attend the game, sleep a few hours, and fly back before dawn.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 Verdict with Ted Cruz — Timestamped Outline
  • 2 (00:02) **Opening Banter: Golf Caddy Duty** - Cruz describes caddying for his 9-year-old son Bradley at the Under Armour World Championships
  • 3 (04:46) **World Cup Final: Daddy-Daughter Tradition** - Cruz recounts taking his daughter Catherine to the World Cup final in New Jersey
  • 4 (12:17) **World Cup Atmosphere and Patriotism** - Cruz describes the cultural experience of the tournament
  • 5 (14:01) **Rooting for Spain: Family History** - Cruz explains his conflicted loyalties during the final
  • 6 (15:20) **Game Analysis: Spain Dominates** - Cruz breaks down the actual match
  • 7 (17:12) **Greatest Games Cruz Has Witnessed** - Cruz compares the World Cup to iconic sports moments he's attended

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

1. World Cup Final Experience

  • Ted Cruz recounts attending the World Cup Final with his daughter, Katherine.
  • He describes the event as a memorable father-daughter experience and reflects on a longstanding tradition of attending major sporting events with her.
  • The discussion includes:
    • The atmosphere at the World Cup.
    • International fans visiting the United States.
    • Cruz's thoughts on soccer and his own experience playing the sport in high school.
    • Comparisons to memorable sporting events such as the 2017 World Series, Super Bowl LI, and the 2006 Rose Bowl.

2. Celebrity Encounters

  • Cruz shares stories about meeting Drew Barrymore at the World Cup.
  • He describes her as friendly, genuine, and approachable.
  • The hosts discuss some of her films, including:
    • E.T.
    • Charlie’s Angels
    • 50 First Dates

3. White House Meeting on Artificial Intelligence

  • A significant portion of the podcast focuses on Cruz's meeting in the Oval Office regarding AI policy.
  • Participants included:
    • President Trump
    • Senator Marsha Blackburn
    • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
    • White House economic advisers and staff

4. Debate Over AI Legislation

Cruz explains several AI-related legislative proposals:

  • Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA):

    • Intended to improve online protections for children.
    • Previously passed the Senate but stalled in the House.

  • App Store Accountability / Age Verification Measures:

    • Would require age verification for app usage.
    • Faces opposition from some technology companies and lawmakers.

  • NO FAKES Act:

    • Designed to combat AI-generated impersonations, deepfakes, and unauthorized use of a person's image or voice.
    • Raises concerns regarding free speech and parody protections.

5. Cruz's Legislative Perspective

  • Cruz emphasizes balancing:
    • Protection from AI-related harms.
    • Preservation of free speech.
    • Practical political realities needed to pass legislation.
  • He argues that several proposed AI bills face significant obstacles due to opposition from various stakeholders and lack of sufficient bipartisan support.

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