Senator Ted Cruz

And should we be at a point of conflict, military or other, with China, it's not difficult to imagine those Chinese state-owned enterprises using that location to try to shut down

anyone traversing the sounds like they avoided the contract that's that's a pretty powerful argument the second argument and i had breakfast this morning with president trump he had breakfast with all the republican senators two and a half hours he gets sworn in tomorrow and he spent two and a half hours stamina stream of consciousness talking we talked about panama he's pointing out uh the president said this morning said u.s navy ships paid double

anyone traversing the sounds like they avoided the contract that's that's a pretty powerful argument the second argument and i had breakfast this morning with president trump he had breakfast with all the republican senators two and a half hours he gets sworn in tomorrow and he spent two and a half hours stamina stream of consciousness talking we talked about panama he's pointing out uh the president said this morning said u.s navy ships paid double

what any other country's Navy ships pay. He said that American commercial ships pay 58% more than other nations pay. Look, we need to drill down into those facts, but on the face of it, I think there's a powerful argument that that's inconsistent with the terms of the agreement. And is the final outcome of this that we get total control of the Panama Canal back? Probably not.

what any other country's Navy ships pay. He said that American commercial ships pay 58% more than other nations pay. Look, we need to drill down into those facts, but on the face of it, I think there's a powerful argument that that's inconsistent with the terms of the agreement. And is the final outcome of this that we get total control of the Panama Canal back? Probably not.

I think that's a high lift. But in many ways, I think Trump is negotiating on price. And I could easily see an outcome where both Navy ships and commercial ships that are American pay much, much lower rates, number one. And number two, critically, that we get China the hell out of the canal. And that, if we accomplish those two, that would be a massive improvement from U.S. interest.

I think that's a high lift. But in many ways, I think Trump is negotiating on price. And I could easily see an outcome where both Navy ships and commercial ships that are American pay much, much lower rates, number one. And number two, critically, that we get China the hell out of the canal. And that, if we accomplish those two, that would be a massive improvement from U.S. interest.

Look, I've been really happy so far. I think the array of cabinet nominees has been very, very strong.

Look, I've been really happy so far. I think the array of cabinet nominees has been very, very strong.

Well, look, clearly the most bumpy was Matt Gaetz and they withdrew Matt Gaetz. He was not going to get confirmed. There were multiple Republican senators who were going to vote no. Right. But I will say, I mean, they withdrew that nomination pretty quickly.

Well, look, clearly the most bumpy was Matt Gaetz and they withdrew Matt Gaetz. He was not going to get confirmed. There were multiple Republican senators who were going to vote no. Right. But I will say, I mean, they withdrew that nomination pretty quickly.

Pam Bondi is going to be terrific. She's going to get confirmed easily. I think right now every Trump cabinet nominee gets confirmed.

Pam Bondi is going to be terrific. She's going to get confirmed easily. I think right now every Trump cabinet nominee gets confirmed.

Pete Hegseth is clearly who they're shooting at the most. I don't think they've scored real blood. I did a whole podcast on the Hegseth confirmation hearing where it spoke volumes that the Democrat virtually all of the Democrat attacks were personal attacks based on anonymous charges, typically with no evidence and with no one coming forward and putting their name on it.

Pete Hegseth is clearly who they're shooting at the most. I don't think they've scored real blood. I did a whole podcast on the Hegseth confirmation hearing where it spoke volumes that the Democrat virtually all of the Democrat attacks were personal attacks based on anonymous charges, typically with no evidence and with no one coming forward and putting their name on it.

And they had virtually nothing to say about the job to which he'd been nominated and what he intends to do as the Secretary of Defense. I think that fundamentally is a flawed strategy. So I think everyone gets through right now.

And they had virtually nothing to say about the job to which he'd been nominated and what he intends to do as the Secretary of Defense. I think that fundamentally is a flawed strategy. So I think everyone gets through right now.

Yes. Rubio? So Rubio will get 90 votes. He could get north of 95 votes. It'll be a huge bipartisan vote for Rubio. John Ratcliffe for CIA, he'll get significant bipartisan votes. Sean Duffy at Transportation, he'll get a bunch of bipartisan votes. Howard Lutnick at Commerce, my guess is he'll get bipartisan votes, although he hasn't had his hearing yet, so we'll see.

Yes. Rubio? So Rubio will get 90 votes. He could get north of 95 votes. It'll be a huge bipartisan vote for Rubio. John Ratcliffe for CIA, he'll get significant bipartisan votes. Sean Duffy at Transportation, he'll get a bunch of bipartisan votes. Howard Lutnick at Commerce, my guess is he'll get bipartisan votes, although he hasn't had his hearing yet, so we'll see.

So there will certainly be some. Pam Bondi, I think Pam is terrific. Brooke Rowlands? Brooke will get bipartisan votes. Part of it is, all right, let's take Sean Duffy. So I chaired the confirmation hearing for Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation. it was a love fest. Why was it a love fest? Because everyone wants a bridge or a road in their state.