The Ben Shapiro Show

Episode: Ben vs. The Left: Best Book Tour Moments

Date: October 25, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)

Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro recaps memorable moments and heated debates from his "Lions and Scavengers" book tour, highlighting exchanges with ideological opponents on controversial social, economic, and political issues. The episode features clips and reflections from appearances on shows like The Breakfast Club, CNN, Ezra Klein’s podcast, and Real Time with Bill Maher, showcasing both points of contention and common ground between Ben and progressive thinkers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Breakfast Club: Abortion Debate

[01:15 - 03:22]

Main Theme: Morality and Legislation of Abortion

• Exchange: Ben and a female guest (Lauren) debate the moral justifications around abortion, especially in cases of rape and incest.
• Ben’s Position:
  • Life begins at conception, thus deserving protection regardless of the circumstances of conception.
  • “If you believe life begins at conception, then regardless of the source of the life, it now has an independent interest in life.” (Ben Shapiro, 02:08)
  • Proposes harsh penalties for rapists, while distinguishing that issue from abortion.
• Lauren’s Perspective:
  • Emphasizes personal autonomy: “I think that a woman should be able to choose to do what she wants to do wherever she decides to do it.” (Lauren, 02:47)
  • Advocates for early abortion if necessary, but stresses it’s ultimately the woman’s individual decision.
• Ben’s Analysis:
  • Points out that even pro-choice advocates seem to accept moral limitations on abortion timing, which indicates an implicit moral boundary.
  • “People are tacitly admitting the argument that I'm making, which is there is in fact a moral cutoff point…” (Ben Shapiro, 03:22)
• Memorable Moment: The debate highlights how definitions and morality shape abortion laws and the commonly unspoken middle ground both sides may occupy.

2. CNN Panel: Social Security, Retirement, and Economic Realities

[05:37 - 07:10]

Main Theme: The Sustainability of Social Security and Misconceptions Around Public Benefits

• Exchange: Ben clarifies his position on retirement age and the U.S. Social Security system, responding to criticisms of prior statements.
• Ben’s Argument:
  • The Social Security system is under strain because people collect much more than they pay in.
  • “The amount that people are taking out is not the amount that is going in, which is why we are going bankrupt.” (Ben Shapiro, 06:37)
  • Mandatory government spending (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) is the main driver of national debt, not military spending.
• Pushback: Co-panelists insist Social Security is not a government handout but benefits people have paid into.
• Ben’s Rebuttal:
  • Disputes the notion of a “lockbox,” stating, “It is not your exact money that you get out when it went in.” (Ben Shapiro, 06:54)
  • Cites his grandmother as a relatable example of someone who benefited disproportionately to contributions.
• Insightful Observation: The discussion underscores public misunderstanding about fiscal sustainability and the distinction between defined benefit and defined contribution systems.

3. Ezra Klein Podcast: The Racial Climate Shift Post-Obama

[09:37 - 11:15]

Main Theme: Race Relations and Political Radicalization in the Obama Era

• Exchange: Ben and Ezra Klein examine how Barack Obama’s presidency shifted the national dialogue on race.
• Ezra’s Question: Challenges whether disappointments around Obama’s response to incidents like Trayvon Martin were justified as reasons for conservative radicalization.
  • “It's hard for me...to hear that's what radicalized you all.” (Ezra Klein, 09:39)
• Ben’s Explanation:
  • Obama’s presidency symbolized racial reconciliation, but post-2012, the rhetoric focused on systemic victimization, which alienated many on the right.
  • “People on the right saw that as like, well, but that's not true. You are an upper class black man who is living in the White House…then, no, that actually wouldn't happen to your son.” (Ben Shapiro, 10:12)
  • Argues that “polls absolutely 100% show that race relations were on a solid footing in 2012. And by 2013, they had plummeted. And there's only one person who's really responsible for that, and that person's name is Barack Obama.” (Ben Shapiro, 11:15)
• Memorable Moment: The conversation dives into how perception of race relations and presidential rhetoric fueled subsequent political movements, including the rise of Trump.

4. Real Time with Bill Maher: The Foundation of Western Morality

[12:11 - 13:13]

Main Theme: Religion, Secularism, and the Roots of Morality

• Exchange: Ben moves beyond politics to discuss with Bill Maher the philosophical origins of their shared moral principles.
• Bill Maher’s Skepticism:
  • Questions the validity of biblical morality, citing inconsistencies and ethical issues.
  • “If God wrote the book, how could there be things we don't agree with?...it's full of nonsense and wickedness and things that are everything but virtuous.” (Bill Maher, 12:21)
• Ben’s Rejoinder:
  • Points out atheists in the West inherit moral frameworks from Judeo-Christian traditions, even if unconsciously.
  • “The reason Bill and I agree on morality is because we grew up in a Judeo Christian, biblically based culture.” (Ben Shapiro, 13:13)
  • “You can think that you hit that triple and you formed your own morality, but the reality is you were born morally on third base.” (Ben Shapiro, 13:07)
• Memorable Moment: The clash is friendly but pointed, and Ben tries to reveal the historical and cultural continuity underlying shared “secular” values.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Abortion & Life Definition:

  • “If you believe life begins at conception, then regardless of the source of the life, it now has an independent interest in life.” — Ben Shapiro, [02:08]
  • “I think it's crazy when you have these structures and these people who are not in that situation making the decision for the woman…” — Lauren, [02:59]

• Social Security Reality Check:

  • “The amount that people are taking out is not the amount that is going in, which is why we are going bankrupt.” — Ben Shapiro, [06:37]
  • “It's not the government just handing out a blank check.” — Lauren, [06:41]

• Race Relations Turning Point:

  • “Race relations were on a solid footing in 2012. And by 2013, they had plummeted. And there's only one person who's really responsible for that, and that person's name is Barack Obama.” — Ben Shapiro, [11:15]

• Moral Foundations:

  • “You can think that you hit that triple and you formed your own morality, but the reality is you were born morally on third base.” — Ben Shapiro, [13:07]
  • “That's always such a silly argument. Because if God wrote the book, how could there be things we don't agree with?” — Bill Maher, [12:21]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:15] — Introduction to the book tour and debate highlights
• [01:59] — Abortion debate on The Breakfast Club
• [05:37] — Social Security and retirement age discussion on CNN
• [09:37] — Ezra Klein interview on race relations in the Obama era
• [12:11] — Bill Maher exchange on morality and religion

Tone & Style

The episode features Ben’s signature rapid-fire, logical argumentation with a direct, unapologetic tone, yet it maintains a surprising degree of civility and engagement in exchanges with ideological opponents. Moments of humor and mutual respect, particularly with Bill Maher and Charlemagne, add a relatable touch to weighty political discussions.

Conclusion

This episode offers listeners a tour through some of Ben Shapiro’s most provocative public debates during his recent book tour, tackling hot-button topics through both confrontation and thoughtful dialogue. It puts on display the clash—and occasional convergence—of conservative and progressive perspectives on issues at the heart of American political life.