Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2090 - Trump Is Vengeance
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Host: Ben Shapiro
Platform: The Daily Wire
1. Introduction and Democratic Denial (00:00 - 01:54)
Ben Shapiro opens the episode by criticizing the Democratic Party's denial regarding the outcomes of the 2024 election. He highlights President Joe Biden's lack of engagement with the media, sarcastically mentioning Biden's "wanderings in the woods" and refusing to address the press. Shapiro mocks the Democrats for not understanding their electoral loss and points out Biden’s continued presidency despite previous debates suggesting otherwise.
Notable Quote:
- "Joe Biden is off somewhere wandering in the woods, refusing to answer questions from the media." (00:00)
2. Online Debates and Democratic Failures (01:54 - 02:38)
Shapiro discusses a heated online exchange between Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks and Alan Lichtman. He portrays this clash as indicative of the internal strife within the Democratic ranks following their electoral defeat.
Notable Quote:
- "Cenk Uygur: I was right. He was wrong. I said he'd lose his keys." (02:00)
3. Trump's Transition Approval and Vengeance Theme (02:38 - 04:53)
Shapiro presents data from Echelon Insights showing Donald Trump's transition approval rating at 54%, suggesting that the left's panic is unfounded. He elaborates on Trump's persona as "vengeance," interpreting it as a response to elitist control over American society rather than aggression towards political opponents.
Notable Quote:
- "Trump is like the Batman. Vengeance, right? That is the theme of Trump, too." (02:38)
4. Nancy Mace and the Gender Bathroom Debate (04:53 - 18:33)
The discussion shifts to Nancy Mace, a Republican representative advocating for traditional gender-specific bathrooms. Shapiro uses her stance to criticize Democratic views on gender identity, arguing that such policies undermine societal norms.
Notable Quotes:
- "I'm not going to stand for a man... someone with a penis is in the women's locker room." – Nancy Mace (04:20)
- "You are afraid to say basic things in common spaces like boys are boys and girls are girls." (04:53)
5. Great Barrington Declaration and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya's Rise (18:33 - 28:25)
Shapiro delves into the impact of the Great Barrington Declaration, praising Dr. Jay Bhattacharya for his early pandemic strategies advocating for herd immunity. He criticizes the Biden administration and public health leaders for suppressing alternative COVID-19 approaches and celebrates Bhattacharya's potential appointment to a top health role under a Trump administration.
Notable Quotes:
- "He is the revenge of the normie. He's the revenge of the common man." (02:38)
- "The backlash to coronavirus policies has helped reshape conservative politics and elevate new voices." (18:33)
6. Critique of Scientific Institutions and RFK Jr.'s Emergence (28:25 - 43:12)
Shapiro criticizes the politicization of scientific institutions, citing the resignations and controversial actions within Scientific American and Nature magazine. He connects this corruption to the rise of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., portraying him as a figure of vengeance against the flawed scientific establishment.
Notable Quotes:
- "The scientific community has been destroyed by the left's censorship and political agenda." (28:25)
- "RFK Jr. is a strong candidate to lead the nearly $50 billion agency in the coming Trump administration." (28:25)
7. Education Reforms and Linda McMahon's Appointment (43:12 - 43:12)
Shapiro welcomes Linda McMahon as Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, highlighting her advocacy for universal school choice. He emphasizes the importance of dismantling the Department of Education to promote parental rights and improve educational outcomes.
Notable Quote:
- "There's very little that would be better for the children of America than universal school choice." (Details within the segment)
8. Foreign Policy and the China Strategy (43:12 - 43:12)
The conversation transitions to Trump's foreign policy, particularly regarding China. Shapiro criticizes the Biden administration's handling of China and supports Trump's approach of using tariffs and strategic leverage to strengthen the American economy and national security.
Notable Quotes:
- "Donald Trump is a reaction to the open borders left the LA City Council. They're so disconnected from reality." (Details within the segment)
- "Decoupling is something that absolutely should be pursued with alacrity." (Details within the segment)
9. Ukraine Conflict and World War III Risks (43:12 - 44:02)
Shapiro addresses the ongoing Ukraine conflict, highlighting Trump's efforts to broker peace between Vladimir Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. He underscores the danger of escalating conflicts leading to World War III and praises Trump's initiative to seek immediate peace.
Notable Quotes:
- "We have never been closer to World War 3 than we are today under Joe Biden." – Donald Trump (43:12)
- "Trump is positioned for this. Zelensky knows it. So does Putin." (44:02)
10. Senate Dynamics and Judicial Confirmations (44:02 - End)
The episode concludes with Shapiro discussing tensions within the Republican Senate regarding judicial confirmations. He criticizes Republican senators for not adequately opposing Democratic nominees and emphasizes the importance of Republicans fulfilling their constitutional duties to check and balance the Senate.
Notable Quotes:
- "The Senate should do its job. That's why the Senate is there." (Final segment)
- "Republican senators need to show up and hold the line." – Donald Trump (Towards the end)
Conclusion
In this episode, Ben Shapiro provides a comprehensive critique of the Democratic Party's strategies and failures, lauds Donald Trump's policies and leadership as a form of societal "vengeance" against elitism, and addresses key issues ranging from pandemic responses and education reforms to foreign policy and judicial confirmations. Through a series of pointed criticisms and endorsements, Shapiro underscores a narrative of reclaiming American values and policies under a Trump administration.
Note: The summary above condenses the podcast's primary discussions and viewpoints, capturing the essence of Ben Shapiro's arguments and the flow of the episode. Notable quotes have been selected to highlight key moments and are attributed with their corresponding timestamps for reference.
