Podcast Summary: "The Funeral of Ben Shapiro"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Part Of The Problem
• Host: Dave Smith
• Publisher: GaS Digital Network
• Episode: The Funeral of Ben Shapiro
• Release Date: June 19, 2025

1. Introduction and Announcements

Dave Smith opens the episode with personal announcements, including upcoming comedy shows at the Dojo of Comedy in New Jersey and recent appearances on notable platforms such as the Piers Morgan Show and Zero Hedge. He highlights the significance of the episode, signaling a direct confrontation with Ben Shapiro, marking a pivotal moment in his growing influence as a libertarian commentator.

2. Engaging in a Public Debate with Ben Shapiro

The core of the episode revolves around Dave Smith's critique of Ben Shapiro, a prominent conservative voice. Dave addresses Shapiro directly, expressing both acknowledgment and frustration over Shapiro finally mentioning his name after years of indirect criticisms.

• Timestamp [03:22]: Dave Smith jokingly acknowledges Shapiro for finally mentioning his name, stating, “Ben Shapiro finally learned the name. It really means a lot to me, Ben.”

3. Critique of Shapiro's Stance on War and Foreign Policy

Dave vehemently criticizes Shapiro's positions on foreign policy, particularly regarding the Middle East and the concept of "America First." He challenges Shapiro's support for military actions, arguing that such stances lead the U.S. into unnecessary conflicts.

• Timestamp [04:20]: Shapiro accuses Dave of inconsistency, citing his past support for impeaching Donald Trump and subsequent support for Trump’s administration. Dave rebuts by clarifying his consistent anti-war stance, stating, “I said Donald Trump should be impeached and removed for getting the United States of America into yet another war in the Middle East.”

4. The Meaning of "America First"

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the interpretation of "America First." Dave argues that true "America First" means avoiding entanglement in foreign wars, countering Shapiro's apparent support for military interventions.

• Timestamp [08:37]: Shapiro's comments on America's stance towards Iran are contested by Dave, who points out the lack of evidence supporting the notion that Iran possesses nuclear weapons, citing intelligence reports: “The Director of National Intelligence released the annual threat report two months ago. What did she find? Iran does not have a nuclear weapon and they are not pursuing a nuclear weapon.”

5. Analysis of Shapiro's Consistency and Hypocrisy

Dave challenges Shapiro's consistency, highlighting perceived hypocrisies in Shapiro's positions and statements over the years. He references Shapiro's past opposition to Trump and his shifting stance on various policies, questioning the integrity of Shapiro's beliefs.

• Timestamp [13:14]: Shapiro criticizes Trump, labeling him as “the most impotent leader imaginable.” Dave counters by recalling Shapiro's earlier opposition to Trump and accuses him of lacking genuine principles: “Ben Shapiro makes a point. He criticizes me for my lack of consistency. Imagine a world where Ben Shapiro can look at me and say, I was inconsistent.”

6. The Role of Media Figures in Shaping Public Opinion

Dave discusses the influence of other media figures like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, suggesting that their support for Trump and Shapiro's alignment with them undermines genuine "America First" principles.

• Timestamp [30:36]: Shapiro mentions Tucker Carlson's perspective, prompting Dave to critique the reliance on media personalities to shape political narratives: “Ben Shapiro is so transparently dishonest. And to admit...he's a talented guy and he's, but, but in terms of the actual substance of his arguments here, I don't think there's a dumber person in the world.”

7. Historical Context and Lessons from Past Conflicts

Dave draws parallels between current foreign policies and historical events like World War II and the Gulf War, arguing that repeating past mistakes leads to prolonged conflicts without clear objectives.

• Timestamp [38:08]: Dave references the Gulf War to illustrate the pitfalls of "America First" policies, emphasizing the long-term consequences of military interventions: “We spent the next 20 years doing this regime change insanity. Something in the neighborhood of a million people died, something I think like 15 million people were displaced and it cost America about $2 trillion.”

8. Confronting Media Narratives and Public Perception

The discussion delves into how Shapiro and his allies manipulate media narratives to sustain influence, often sidelining individuals like Dave who oppose prevailing policies. Dave criticizes the use of weak argumentative tactics and alignment with controversial figures to maintain a conservative agenda.

• Timestamp [43:29]: Shapiro cites figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders to undermine Dave’s position, to which Dave responds by dismissing the relevance and intelligence of such arguments: “Ben Shapiro's rule of thumb. It's the dumbest rule imaginable.”

9. Conclusion and Call to Action

In his closing remarks, Dave Smith emphasizes the importance of genuine discourse and accountability in political debates. He calls for an open debate with Ben Shapiro to settle their differences and continue advocating for principled, anti-war policies.

• Final Timestamp [54:14]: Dave invites Shapiro to engage in a formal debate, highlighting his commitment to standing by his beliefs: “Ben Shapiro, now that you're saying my name, come get you some dude. Anytime, any moderator, any format, any place, I'll fly to you. Let's do it.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [03:22] Dave Smith: “Ben Shapiro finally learned the name. It really means a lot to me, Ben.”

• [04:20] Ben Shapiro: “I will say he was consistent a while ago, then he was inconsistent, then he was consistent again.”

• [08:37] Ben Shapiro: “America first means Iran must have a nuclear weapon and America can do nothing.”

• [13:14] Ben Shapiro: “He is allowing one side of a war who clearly wants to drag us into lie about our involvement while not correcting the record.”

• [30:36] Ben Shapiro: “Maybe you should get a TV network and say it so the people listen to you.”

Key Takeaways

• Consistent Anti-War Stance: Dave Smith underscores his unwavering opposition to U.S. military interventions, contrasting it with Shapiro's support for actions he views as unnecessary and destabilizing.

• Critique of "America First": The episode critically examines the "America First" doctrine, arguing that true patriotism involves avoiding entanglement in foreign conflicts that do not directly threaten national security.

• Media Influence and Authenticity: Dave challenges the authenticity of Shapiro's and associated media figures' positions, accusing them of manipulating narratives to maintain influence without substantive policy backing.

• Call for Direct Dialogue: Emphasizing the importance of open debate, Dave invites Ben Shapiro to engage in discussions to resolve their disagreements and advance principled political discourse.

Conclusion

In "The Funeral of Ben Shapiro," Dave Smith delivers a passionate critique of Ben Shapiro's foreign policy positions and consistency as a conservative pundit. Through direct confrontations and detailed arguments, Dave advocates for a genuine "America First" approach rooted in peace and non-interventionism, challenging established media figures to engage in meaningful discourse.