Podcast Summary: Ben Shapiro Reacts To Woke TikToks: Venezuela Meltdowns

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
Episode Date: January 10, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro / The Daily Wire
Main Theme:
Ben Shapiro responds to viral TikTok reactions from left-wing and socialist commentators regarding the US-led military ouster of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. Ben analyzes and mocks what he calls “woke” responses, provides background on Venezuela’s political plight, critiques US intervention critics, and reflects on ideological divides over socialism and American influence.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro dives into leftist TikTok reactions to the US deposing Nicolas Maduro. He challenges the validity of pro-Maduro arguments, offers context on Venezuela's decline under socialism, and sharply criticizes American and Venezuelan anti-US commentators. The episode features a mix of sarcastic commentary, pointed rebuttals, and characteristic Shapiro wit, with cameos from Donald Trump soundalikes and panelists.

Key Discussion Points

1. Debunking Pro-Maduro Narratives

• TikTok Claims: Pro-Maduro TikTokers assert that most Venezuelans support Maduro and that opposition leaders are unpopular.
  • Quote [00:39]: “They don't tell you that the majority of Venezuelans actually love Maduro… 91% of Venezuelans hold an unfavorable view of the opposition leader…” – Left-wing Venezuelan Supporter
• Ben's Counter:
  • He attributes the polling to lack of free speech under dictatorship.
  • Quote [00:58]: “Or maybe the reason that that poll said what it said is because there's no freedom of speech in Venezuela and it's a controlled communist dictatorship.” – Ben Shapiro

2. American “Imperialism” in Focus

• Critics Claim: US actions are imperial and only benefit corporations.
  • Quote [01:26]: “Imperialism. For what? So a multinational corporation can't get profit.” – Socialist Commentator
• Ben's Satire: Mocks the “Globo Homo” conspiracy term and accuses critics of fear-mongering.
  • Quote [01:34]: “My goodness. That's just a horror movie... charter member of Globo Homo.” – Ben Shapiro
  • Quote [02:13]: “And I was informed that Global Homo was behind the Mizuru ouster. So I have been misinformed by someone.” – Ben Shapiro

3. Critiquing American and Venezuelan Left-Wing Arguments

• Anti-US Sentiments: Venezuelan TikTokers warn against US control of their country.
  • Quote [02:19]: “You do not want to be controlled by the United States. They will drain you of all your resources and then leave you in a worse state... ” – Venezuelan Anti-US Speaker
• Ben's Response: Calls out hypocrisy and defends American presence.
  • Quotes [02:36, 02:51]:
    • “United States citizens don't even want to be in this country. ...Then get the out. We don't want you here.”
    • “You're not going to revolution anything.” – Ben Shapiro
  • Rips into Maduro’s and Chavez’s record, citing economic collapse:
    • “Venezuela nationalized its oil industry... They took one of the most oil rich places on planet Earth and turned it into a hole... whiny horse's ass.” – Ben Shapiro [03:03]

4. Reactions from US Progressive and Socialist Figures

• Zahra Mandani’s Statement: Criticism of regime change and violation of international law.
  • Quote [04:08]: “Being opposed to pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal and international law, and a desire to see that be consistent...” – Zahra Mandani
• Ben’s Sarcasm:
  • Implies Trump wouldn’t care about such opposition, dismisses “terrorism supporter” label.
    • “Imagine Trump on the other line... I'm so upset.” – Ben Shapiro [03:51]
    • “I need to hear about consistency on international law from this terrorism supporter...” – Ben Shapiro [04:19]

5. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Tweet

• Her Critique: Claims Trump’s actions aren’t about drugs but about oil and regime change; accuses Trump of distraction tactics.
  • Quote [05:19]: “If it was [about drugs], Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month... It’s about oil and regime change.”
• Ben’s Response:
  • Acknowledges oil motive, dismisses distraction hypothesis as absurd.
  • Quote [06:23]: “That’s the beautiful thing about Donald J. Trump. Ain’t no brain-mouth filter. Whatever he's thinking goes right out the front of that face.” – Ben Shapiro

6. Broader Reflections on Venezuela and Socialism

• Venezuela’s Fall from Grace: Ben offers economic data to illustrate mismanagement and corruption under socialist rule.
  • Quote [03:03]: “1999, $4,000 GDP per capita before Chavez takes over. Today... $3,000 GDP per capita... they literally sliced their oil output by three quarters...”
• Sarcastic Comparison: Shapiro riffs on Americans who claim they’d trade Trump for Maduro, suggests those dissatisfied should simply leave for Venezuela.
  • “I would trade them in one heartbeat for people who don't want Nicolas Maduro to run America, go away. We should deport you...” – Ben Shapiro [08:39]

7. Comic Relief: Trump Impersonator’s Message to Venezuela

• Fake Trump Speech: Satirical exaggerated “Spanglish” address celebrating regime change, promising a party “with mucho mariachi, sexy mamacitas and delicious margaritas.”
  • Quote [09:21]: “We’re going to make Venezuela grande again. Mucho grande. El bigger, better than ever before. ... Let’s make el Venezuela grande again...” – “Donald Trump” Impersonation
• Ben’s Joke: Suggests Trump could win running on such a platform in Venezuela.
  • “If Donald Trump actually went to Venezuela and ran on that platform, he would win.” – Ben Shapiro [09:55]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Ben Shapiro, on Venezuelan polling:
  “Or maybe the reason that that poll said what it said is because there's no freedom of speech in Venezuela and it's a controlled communist dictatorship.” [00:58]

• On critics of US involvement:
  “My goodness. That's just a horror movie. You open the closet and that's just can’t catch me. I’m the gingerbread.” – Ben Shapiro [01:34]

• On resources and socialism:
  “They took one of the most oil rich places on planet Earth and turned it into a hole. And this lady is here lecturing about how America is going to drain Venezuela of its resources. This whiny horse's ass.” – Ben Shapiro [03:03]

• On Americans wanting Maduro over Trump:
  “I would trade them in one heartbeat for people who don't want Nicolas Maduro to run America, go away. We should deport you. Go away. Revoke your citizenship. Go away. We don't want you here.” – Ben Shapiro [08:39]

• Trump impersonator's “Make Venezuela Grande Again” message:
  “We’re going to have a big beautiful fiesta... Let's make el Venezuela grande again. Arriba El Venezuela amigos.” [09:21]

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [00:39–01:11] — Debunking pro-Maduro TikTok arguments
• [01:20–01:49] — Critique and satire of “imperialism” and “Globo Homo”
• [02:19–03:03] — Rebuttals to anti-US Venezuelans; economic context
• [03:44–04:19] — US progressive critiques, Shapiro’s dismissal
• [05:19–06:23] — Ocasio-Cortez’s response and Ben’s mockery of “distraction” claims
• [07:36–08:19] — Americans praising Maduro, Ben’s counter-populist argument
• [09:21–09:55] — Trump impersonator’s parody address, Ben’s concluding jokes

Summary Takeaway

Ben Shapiro’s episode is a spirited, satirical takedown of “woke” US and Venezuelan social media reaction to Maduro’s ousting by US intervention. He criticizes left-wing hypocrisy, highlights Venezuela’s economic collapse under socialism, and lampoons progressive resistance to American intervention. Through sharp wit and data-backed arguments, Shapiro upholds a staunchly conservative, intervention-justifying stance—while providing comic relief and memorable sound bites.