Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show

Episode: Ben Shapiro DESTROYS Celebrity ICE Reactions
Date: February 7, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)

Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro offers a critical, rapid-fire response to high-profile celebrity reactions against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). He dissects their criticisms, mocks their political rhetoric, and rebuts claims of government cruelty and tyranny, all while contrasting celebrity activism with what he presents as facts on policy and law enforcement. The tone is sarcastic, combative, and unapologetically conservative.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ben’s Setup: The Incoherence of Celebrity Commentary

Ben opens the show by recalling a stern statement on unchecked immigration, then zeroes in on what he sees as celebrity ignorance on ICE and border policy.

• [00:00] “Our celebrity class have many wise things that they think about politics… Hamburger. And they think very, very wise things about Immigration and Customs Enforcement because of course, they are truly fluent in border policy…”
  Ben sarcastically undercuts celebrity expertise, mocking their presumed authority.

• Contrasts selective gratitude for immigrants:

  • “We should be thankful for some immigrants. I'm not sure that we should be thankful for mass migration and certainly not for the criminally illegal immigrants that ICE is attempting to track down.”

2. Media Events and Protests

Ben references high-profile protests and disruptions connected to sports events and the actions of ICE.

• [02:00] “I really doubt that the members of ICE whose hotels were broken into or who were being yelled at throughout the night… feel the same.”
  Counters sympathy for protesters with the disruption faced by law enforcement.

• Notes NBA game cancellations, blaming hyper-politicization:

  • “The NBA is very politicized, which kind of makes me sad because I enjoy the NBA.”

3. Celebrity Outrage at ICE

Ben addresses quotes from celebrities who denounce ICE as inherently cruel and corrupt.

• [03:30] “[ICE is] the cold blooded Murder of American citizens… the cruelty, inhumanity and arrogance, the voracious corruption…”
  Ben reacts incredulously to claims that ICE is triggering civil violence:

  • “She's now saying there are people with cellars full of guns who are going to go out and shoot ICE agents… But that's ICE’s fault?”

• [04:35] “She's a terrific actress. I'm not sure why she can't act better than that… She's okay anyway. She's better in Fatal Attraction.”
  Ben jabs at the perceived disconnect between celebrity persona and political statements.

4. America vs. Elsewhere: Immigration Policy Comparisons

Ben points at perceived hypocrisy or naivete among celebrities with one foot in the US and one in Europe:

• [05:00] “You can always go back to France, where immigration has been going really, really well… I thought Paris would be a bit more picturesque.”
  Mocks the open-borders approach of some European countries and celebrity romanticism.

5. ICE as a ‘Criminal Organization’ and Celebrity Blind Spots

The host strongly refutes celebrity claims that ICE is criminal or illegitimate.

• [08:12] “ICE is a criminal organization. You know, the people who are trying to enforce the law.”
  • Ben highlights focus on isolated controversial cases, notably questioning silence regarding foreign atrocities:
    • “All of these celebrities who… talked about ICE—I've yet to see a single word about the tens of thousands of Iranians who were slaughtered… Not a single word. It's pretty amazing stuff.”

6. Free Speech, Fear, and Artistic Privilege

Ben belittles the notion that artists or celebrities are oppressed in America.

• [10:00] “I never felt scared about what I was going to say until the last couple of years... there's a kind of fear in the air that I've never felt before.”
  • Ben retorts:
    • “You literally just made a movie for what you were nominated for, Best Actor about a gay lyricist in the 1950s... The Internet is still on. You’re still going to your parties, and you’re still saying whatever nonsense you want to say politically, and you’re fine.”

7. Border Patrol and Disproportionate Comparisons

Pushback on extreme historical analogies to ICE agents.

• [11:38] “They're trying to portray border patrol agents and ICE agents as Gestapo, Nazi, and many other words. Yes, do not compare ICE or border Patrol agents to the Nazis.”
  • Ben’s punchline:
    • “The Nazis were willing to show their faces. That is absurd… Last I checked, ICE was not hurting millions of people into… gas chambers… That is an absurdity.”

8. Complexity of Individuals and Celebrity Martyrdom

Addresses tendency to idolize activists targeted in ICE incidents.

• [13:22] “One of those videos involves [an activist] following around an ICE car and shouting at them… and then kicking out the taillight… You can be an ICU nurse doing good things, and also… doing quite terrible things and obstructing federal law enforcement and resisting arrest…”

9. Overheated Revolutionary Rhetoric

Lampooning celebrities calling for “revolution.”

• [14:10] “It’s time for a revolution. It’s time for it. And they don’t even know that’s what they’re starting…”
  • Ben's counter:
    • “You're at an awards ceremony or a premiere wearing clothing that costs thousands of dollars... and you're gonna lead the revolution?”
    • “Any revolution that truly overturns the existing order… The very, very wealthy artists. Those are the first people, always, who get eaten. Always.”

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Celebrity Expertise:

  • “I look to them for my guidance.” [00:00] (sarcastically referencing actors’ takes on immigration policy)

• On Free Speech:

  • “No one’s coming to Ethan Hawke’s house, nor should they. This whole, like, ‘I’m living in fear.’ No, you’re absolutely not. You’re really, really not.” [10:45]

• On Celebrity Political Comparisons:

  • “Do not compare ICE or border Patrol agents to the Nazis. That is an unfair comparison. The Nazis were willing to show their faces.” [11:38]
  • “Last I checked, ICE was not herding millions of people into… gas chambers...” [12:15]

• On Activism and Martyrdom:

  • “People are complex. You can be an ICU nurse doing good things, and also… obstructing federal law enforcement and resisting arrest.” [13:50]

• On Revolutionary Zeal:

  • “You're at an awards ceremony… and you're gonna lead the revolution? Any revolution… the first people it eats? The very, very wealthy artists.” [14:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 01:00: Satirical take on celebrity policy wisdom
• 02:00 – 03:15: Responding to protests and sports event reactions
• 03:30 – 05:00: Addressing celebrity outrage and claims about ICE
• 05:00 – 06:00: Comparisons between US and European immigration
• 08:12 – 09:15: “ICE is a criminal organization” & celebrity silence on foreign atrocities
• 10:00 – 11:15: Critique of celebrity claims about artistic oppression
• 11:38 – 12:32: ICE vs. Nazis analogy lampooned
• 13:22 – 14:00: Complexity of activists’ roles and pushback on sainthood
• 14:10 – 15:20: Parody of “revolutionary” posturing

Tone and Style

Ben’s delivery is rapid, relentless, and dripping with sarcasm, often blending fact-based rebuttals with pointed, humorous asides. He consistently positions himself as skeptical of Hollywood activism and dismissive of alarmist rhetoric, urging “celebrities to do more of their films and less political commentary.”

This summary captures the episode’s flow, arguments, notable moments, and attitude, making it useful for anyone seeking to understand the content and Ben Shapiro's perspective.