Part of the Problem — "Newsom Crushes Shapiro"

Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Dave Smith
Co-host: Rob Bernstein
Podcast: GaS Digital Network

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Smith and Rob Bernstein dissect the recent debate between Ben Shapiro and California Governor Gavin Newsom, focusing extensively on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and accusations of genocide. They analyze the shifting U.S. and Israeli political climate, discuss the decline in support for Israel among American voters, call out propaganda, and critique the arguments and debate tactics of both Ben Shapiro and Gavin Newsom. The conversation also touches on foreign policy, media bias, and the unique political challenges facing both Democrats and conservatives regarding Israel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recent Show Cancellations and Dinesh D’Souza Debate

Timestamps: 00:24 – 04:54

• Dave explains cancellations of upcoming shows in Portland and St. Louis over unsatisfactory business arrangements but promises to reschedule.
• He reflects on his recent debate with Dinesh D’Souza, which he felt was a dominant performance and well-received by the audience.

"It was probably up there with my most kind of dominant ways. They put a poll up and I took 95% of it." — Dave Smith (03:53)

2. Escalating Tensions: U.S., Israel, and Iran

Timestamps: 04:58 – 09:18

• Dave anticipates imminent U.S. military action against Iran, possibly as regime change.
• Notes pro-war pundits use "Venezuela" as an example of easy foreign intervention, but it doesn't apply to Iran.
• Critiques “Israel first” foreign policy dominating U.S. government strategy.

"This is an Adelson run administration. Her number one priority is what's best for Israel... what’s best for them is regime change in Iran." — Dave Smith (08:28)

3. Propaganda and Media Manipulation

Timestamps: 10:01 – 15:34

• The hosts discuss AI-generated images, misattributed videos, and deliberate disinformation campaigns about the Gaza conflict.
• They mention widespread mischaracterization of on-the-ground realities in Iran and Gaza by think tanks and pundits.
• Dave criticizes omission of pro-regime demonstrations and the presence of intelligence operatives in street protests.

"They just leave out all those other parts. And you're not supposed to think about or play with that also." — Dave Smith (13:53)

4. The Shapiro–Newsom Israel Exchange

Timestamps: 16:34 – 20:45

• Dave sets up the context: Shapiro (an establishment “conservative”) and Newsom (face of progressive Democrats) discussing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
• Highlights Shapiro’s refusal to debate competent critics of Israel and his contempt for non-interventionists.

"Ben Shapiro has never debated a competent critic of Israel ever... but he doesn't think [Gavin Newsom] is a horrible person. He'll sit down and have a conversation with him." — Dave Smith (16:55)

5. Electoral Dynamics: Voters vs. Donors

Timestamps: 17:30 – 19:11

• Newsom is caught between a base that sees Israel as genocidal and a donor class that’s overwhelmingly pro-Israel.
• This tension makes it nearly impossible for Dem hopefuls to firmly take a side.

"Who do you choose, Rob? Your voters or your donors? ...You can’t really say no to either one of them." — Dave Smith (18:34)

6. Shapiro–Newsom Debate Breakdown & Genocide Discussion

Timestamps: 20:45 – 48:44

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• Shapiro Attempts to Reframe Genocide as Antisemitic

  "In my own framework of anti Semitism, I think that saying overtly false things about the Jewish state is a form of anti Semitism." — Ben Shapiro (21:31)

• Dave Dissects the Intellectual Dishonesty

  "If I were to lie or get something wrong... about a government... how does it follow logically? How are you not just a hysterical leftist to jump toward that means you’re a bigot?" — Dave Smith (22:38)

• Rob on the Futility of the 'Genocide' Semantic Debate

  "The genocide conversation, it’s just too academic for me... What they’re doing is wrong." — Rob Bernstein (28:57)

• Shapiro’s Proportionality Analogy Falls Flat

  "If you kill my child and I then kill seven criminals, that I’ve been disproportionate." — Ben Shapiro (39:46) "No, I do not look at a three year old girl as a fucking terrorist." — Dave Smith (42:11)

• Dave on Political Cowardice

  "He’ll sit down with Gavin Newsom, who you know won’t go far enough, you know what I mean? In calling you out on your bullshit." — Dave Smith (33:23)

• Shapiro’s ‘Pariah State’ Logic

  "If you accuse Israel of committing a genocide, that now puts Israel in the position of it should be a pariah state..." — Ben Shapiro (48:03)

7. The Human Cost: Civilian Deaths, Collateral Damage, Double Standards

Timestamps: 48:44 – 58:50

• Dave and Rob call out the hypocrisy in excusing mass civilian deaths as "collateral damage" while dehumanizing Palestinian victims.
• The hosts highlight double standards in how the West interprets targeted killings.

"But like, even my godsend, the military in and occupy the place... but you just destroyed it. Are you out of your mind?" — Dave Smith (62:54)

8. Newsom’s Fence-Sitting and Political Calculations

Timestamps: 58:58 – 66:22

• Newsom tries to acknowledge the devastation in Gaza without labeling it genocide; offers vague criticism of Netanyahu’s conduct.
• Dave commends Newsom for at least making Shapiro flounder, exposing Shapiro’s weaknesses in real policy debate.

"Ben Shapiro is getting smoked by Gavin Newsom right now... Ben Shapiro’s grasping for straws and Gavin Newsom’s making at least a few undeniably good points." — Dave Smith (60:22)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-------------|------------------|-------| | 08:28 | Dave Smith | "This is an Adelson run administration. Her number one priority is what's best for Israel." | | 13:53 | Dave Smith | "They just leave out all those other parts. And you're not supposed to think about or play with that also." | | 16:55 | Dave Smith | "Ben Shapiro has never debated a competent critic of Israel ever..." | | 21:31 | Ben Shapiro | "Saying overtly false things about the Jewish state is a form of anti Semitism." | | 22:38 | Dave Smith | "How does it follow logically? How are you not just a hysterical leftist to jump toward that means you’re a bigot?" | | 28:57 | Rob Bernstein | "What they’re doing is wrong. Once you start trying to... apply words to it, it’s a little bit like, if you go, oh, Rob, you’re a feminist..." | | 39:46 | Ben Shapiro | "If you kill my child and I then kill seven criminals, that I’ve been disproportionate." | | 42:11 | Dave Smith | "No, I do not look at a three-year-old girl as a fucking terrorist." | | 48:03 | Ben Shapiro | "If you accuse Israel of committing a genocide, that now puts Israel in the position of it should be a pariah state..." | | 60:22 | Dave Smith | "Ben Shapiro’s grasping for straws and Gavin Newsom’s making at least a few undeniably good points." |

Memorable Moments & Analysis

• Shapiro's Debate Style Unravels:
  The hosts repeatedly note that Shapiro, once considered a preeminent conservative debater, fumbles against Newsom on Israel, defaulting to worn-out talking points and failing to refute any real criticism.

• Genocide Semantics Are a Distraction:
  Dave and Rob reject the utility of academic legal debates over genocide, arguing that the focus should be on the sheer moral wrongness and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza regardless of labels.

• Newsom’s Political Weakness Exposed:
  While Newsom technically "wins" the exchange, both hosts point out he is still stuck holding the “anchor” of Israel—caught between rejecting genocide and not alienating pro-Israel donors.

• The Unwinnable Tightrope:
  Both right-wing and centrist leaders struggle to reconcile base voter opinion (rising anti-Israel sentiment) with institutional and donor support for Israel, leading to awkward public posturing and rhetorical hedging by politicians like Newsom.

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:24 – 04:54: Dave’s show cancellations and Dinesh D’Souza debate
• 04:58 – 09:18: Iran war speculation and the Israel “firsters”
• 10:01 – 15:34: Propaganda, media dishonesty, and fake war reporting
• 16:34 – 20:45: Setting up the Newsom–Shapiro debate context
• 20:45 – 48:44: Clip-by-clip breakdown of the Shapiro–Newsom Israel debate, genocide claims, and semantics
• 48:44 – 58:50: Civilian deaths, collateral damage, and Western hypocrisy
• 58:58 – 66:22: Newsom’s “anchor,” political calculations, and debate summation

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Dave and Rob’s signature libertarian, irreverent, and acerbic style—cutting through mainstream narratives, mocking hypocrisy, and puncturing self-righteousness whether on the left, right, or within the pro-Israel establishment.

• Dave is blunt, logical, and isn’t shy about calling out “bullshit” from politicians or media.
• Rob offers wry, sardonic commentary and helps break down conceptual rabbit holes with clarity and humor.

For New Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for those interested in the unraveling of the American political consensus on Israel, the shifting sands of U.S. public opinion, the decline of establishment pundit credibility, and the weaponization of language in public discourse about war and human rights.

Skip straight to 20:45 for the core breakdown of the Shapiro–Newsom debate, or start earlier for broad foreign policy context.

End of Summary