FULL SEND PODCAST – Episode 141: Ben Shapiro

Host/Author: Shots Podcast Network
Description: Full Send Podcast brought to you by Happy Dad Hard Seltzer.
Release Date: November 4, 2024

Introduction and Current Activities

[02:50] Kyle Forgeard introduces Ben Shapiro, highlighting his return to the Full Send Podcast for the second time. Ben shares that his recent weeks have been exceptionally busy, engaging in campaigning activities across various states alongside Republican candidates such as Eric Hovdi in Wisconsin, Sam Brown in Nevada, Bernie Moreno in Ohio, Dave McCormick in Pennsylvania, and notably, Donald Trump in New York.

Trump and the 2024 Election Cycle

[03:19] Ben discusses his experience campaigning with Trump in New York, noting the President's unique ability to generate a vast array of memes:

“President Trump is the master of memes. More memes have emerged from this election cycle than will ever emerge for the rest of time.”
[03:44] He emphasizes Trump's enduring appeal despite contentious events, describing him as a "stand-up comedian" whose personality continues to captivate.

[07:16] The conversation shifts to the impact of Trump supporters being labeled "garbage." Ben argues that such rhetoric may dissuade passionate, low-propensity voters from supporting Trump:

“I think that that drives out votes for Trump.”

Comedy and Political Events

[04:17] Steinie brings up Tony Hinchcliffe's controversial appearance at the Republican National Convention (RNC). Ben critiques the decision to allow edgy, potentially offensive jokes:

“He told the roast joke. So, you know, don't hit the roast comedian for telling a roast joke. Hit the guy who booked him.”
[06:43] Ben asserts that such moments do not significantly alter voter behavior, as they primarily affect Republican turnout rather than changing votes outright.

Transgender Issues and Public Discourse

[09:36] The discussion delves into a viral incident involving a transgender individual ranting on live TV. Ben shares his approach to handling such situations, emphasizing empathy over confrontation:

“There have been situations like this in the past that never make the camera.”
[16:36] Ben elaborates on his stance against gender dysphoria, arguing that the surge in transgender identification is a "social contagion." He references Abigail Shrier's book Irreversible Damage to support his viewpoint: “There is a condition known as gender dysphoria, and that condition has been present throughout time, which it has. Now that number was really, really, really low. And now you have, you know, 5, 10, 15, 20% of given populations who are saying that they're gender dysphoric. That's called the social contagion.”

Biden and Harris Relationship

[08:05] Ben discusses the strained relationship between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, citing sources that indicate mutual disdain:

“He picked her because she was foisted upon him during BLM in 2020. And then Jill despises her. Like, Jill hates her.”
He critiques Biden's leadership, suggesting that Harris undermines his presidency.

Foreign Policy: Iraq, Obama vs. Trump

[37:07] Ben offers a critical analysis of U.S. foreign policy under both Obama and Trump. He argues that past administrations, including Obama, have engaged in misguided interventions, such as the Iraq War and actions in Libya:

“The problem was that afterward the plan for rebuilding Americans, we always have this idea that the process of transforming a country is much easier than it is.”
He challenges the notion of the "military industrial complex," asserting that wars are not orchestrated by shadowy elites but are influenced by broader geopolitical strategies.

Israel, Iran, and Middle East Policy

[54:49] The conversation shifts to Israel’s security concerns and Iran’s threats. Ben praises Israel’s military effectiveness while criticizing the Biden administration's handling of foreign aid:

“The Israelis are quite used to it by this point. I called up a very close friend of mine during the missile attack... They are really capable of handling it if you give them the weaponry with which to do it.”
He advocates for supporting Israel’s military capabilities to counter Iranian threats effectively.

Election Predictions and Analysis

[37:12] Ben shares his predictions for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, expressing confidence in Trump’s chances despite uncertainties:

“My gut is that Trump wins.”
He outlines potential swing states and discusses the complexities of early voting and its impact on election outcomes.

[41:30] Regarding election night coverage, Ben explains that the Full Send team will be broadcasting live, analyzing results in real-time, and preparing for possible prolonged voting scenarios:

“We're going to be covering that until all hours of the morning, maybe grab a couple hours of sleep, do the podcast again Wednesday morning, get back in the chair, sit there for hours on end.”

Daily Wire Growth and Business

[84:03] The discussion transitions to the business side of the Daily Wire. Ben highlights the platform’s growth, mentioning over a million paid subscribers and various revenue streams including advertising and merchandise:

“Last year, we did $220 million in business.”
He discusses new ventures like Jeremy’s Razors and the challenges of expanding into different markets such as children’s products: “Marketing to a different market requires independent marketing efforts.”

[86:45] Ben outlines future plans for the Daily Wire, aiming to double or quadruple their reach by expanding beyond politics into broader entertainment and consumer products:

“We think that could actually expand outside of the political realm.”

Notable Quotes

• Ben Shapiro on America's Strength:

  “[...] this country still is just amazing. It’s an amazing country.” ([04:22])

• On Gender Dysphoria as Social Contagion:

  “That doesn't wash. That doesn't wash. You've never seen anything like that.” ([16:20])

• Critique of Kamala Harris:

  “She was so unpopular over the first two years. They just hit her.” ([35:48])

• On Military Industrial Complex Misconceptions:

  “I think that one of the great disservices Dwight Eisenhower ever did was use of the phrase military industrial complex, which was actually hijacked from some left-wing thinkers at the time.” ([54:49])

• Election Integrity and Forecasting:

  “If you can show me the thing was done, I’m perfectly willing to say the election was stolen.” ([76:43])

• Israel’s Military Necessity:

  “If Israel put down all of its guns tomorrow, then everyone in the region in Israel will be slaughtered.” ([65:18])

Conclusion

Throughout Episode 141, Ben Shapiro offers a robust analysis of current political climates, focusing heavily on the impending 2024 U.S. presidential election, foreign policy challenges, particularly in the Middle East, and societal issues such as transgender identification. He intertwines these discussions with insights into the growth and strategic direction of the Daily Wire, providing listeners with a comprehensive view of both political opinion and media business strategies.

References

• Prizepix App Promotions: Initial advertisements about Happy Dad Seltzer and Prize Picks app ([00:00]-[02:50]) were skipped as per instructions.

This summary aims to encapsulate the key discussions and insights from Episode 141 of the Full Send Podcast featuring Ben Shapiro, structured into coherent sections with notable quotes and appropriate timestamp references.