Episode Summary: Ep. 2099 - The EVIL Revolutionary Left Cheers Murder

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
Host: Ben Shapiro
Episode Title: The EVIL Revolutionary Left Cheers Murder
Release Date: December 6, 2024

1. Assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

The episode opens with Ben Shapiro addressing the shocking assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, who was killed on the streets of New York City on a Wednesday. Shapiro details the ongoing search for the suspect, highlighting the disturbing circumstances and potential motives behind the murder.

Ben Shapiro [00:00]: "On Wednesday, the United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson was shot to death on the streets of New York. Authorities are still searching for the suspect at this point."

Law enforcement officials are investigating clues left at the scene, including cartridges marked with words like "deny," "defend," and "depose," terms typically associated with insurance claim denials. The NYPD has released images of the suspect, who appears hooded and smiling, offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest.

2. Left-Wing Reactions and Social Media Backlash

Shapiro shifts focus to the reactions from prominent left-wing figures and commentators, painting them as supportive or indifferent to Thompson's murder. He criticizes Taylor Lorenz, a former reporter, for endorsing the act through various tweets.

Ben Shapiro [Approx. 05:30]: "Taylor Lorenz... she was insane on Covid... now she is full-scale rallying in favor of the murderer."

Lorenz is accused of trivializing the murder by connecting it to frustrations with insurance companies, while other leftist voices like Nathan Robinson and Ken Klippenstein echo similar sentiments. Shapiro highlights a lack of sympathy for Thompson, despite him being a husband and father, citing comments that express no condolences or justify the killing based on business grievances.

Ben Shapiro [Approx. 10:15]: "These sorts of messages were incredibly common across the Internet... a man who is a husband and father of two children."

3. Historical Comparison to Baader-Meinhof Gang

Drawing parallels to historical leftist violence, Shapiro likens the current radical left to Germany's Baader-Meinhof Gang of the 1970s—a Marxist terrorist organization known for assassinating industrialists and engaging in violent acts to dismantle capitalism.

Ben Shapiro [Approx. 15:45]: "This is simply Marxist leftist radical evil... akin to the Baader-Meinhof gang."

He emphasizes that such violent ideologies see no moral justification within a democratic framework, arguing that legitimate policy disagreements should be handled through democratic processes, not assassination.

4. Implications for American Society and Democracy

Shapiro warns of a slippery slope where the revolutionary left could incite widespread domestic terrorism, mirroring past extremist movements. He underscores the danger of normalizing violence as a means of political expression, asserting that this trend undermines the very foundations of democracy.

Ben Shapiro [Approx. 20:10]: "Once that can of violence is opened, it is very difficult to close again without concerted action."

5. Trump Administration's Response and Security Concerns

Transitioning to current politics, Shapiro discusses the Trump administration's efforts to address internal government inefficiencies and restore order. He highlights the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, portraying him as a strong leader capable of overhauling the Department of Defense.

Ben Shapiro [Approx. 30:20]: "Hegseth is going to completely redo how weapons systems are approved... making America's Department of Defense the most lethal fighting machine on planet Earth."

Shapiro also touches on recent security lapses, including the failed assassination attempt on Trump and criticisms of the Secret Service's performance. He stresses the need for robust security measures to protect political figures amidst rising threats.

6. Census Accuracy and Electoral Ramifications

A significant portion of the episode delves into the inaccuracies of the 2020 Census, arguing that it skewed representation by undercounting red states and overcounting blue ones. Shapiro asserts that a more accurate count would have shifted electoral outcomes favorably for Donald Trump.

Ben Shapiro [Approx. 35:50]: "If the population count in 2020 had been done properly, Donald Trump could have won the 2024 election without winning any of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, or Michigan."

He criticizes Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren for attributing apportionment changes to racism rather than census errors, reinforcing his stance on the politicization of demographic data.

7. Remote Work in Government and Efficiency Measures

Addressing government inefficiency, Shapiro cites a Senate investigation revealing that only 6% of federal employees work from offices full-time, with a third entirely remote. He lauds Senator Joni Ernst’s efforts to modernize government operations, labeling it a bipartisan push towards common sense and accountability.

Ben Shapiro [Approx. 40:30]: "Efficiency from the government that you pay for should be a bipartisan thing."

8. Guest Segment: Jonathan Pageau on The Gospels Series

In the latter part of the episode, Ben Shapiro introduces Jonathan Pageau, a liturgical artist and speaker, discussing their new series "The Gospels" with Jordan B. Peterson. The conversation explores the symbolic and philosophical interpretations of the New Testament, emphasizing meaning over historical analysis.

Jonathan Pageau [Approx. 55:00]: "We really did come into a groove and it was crazy... the conversation was quite amazing."

Pageau praises the series for uncovering new insights even for long-time readers of the Gospels, highlighting the collaborative and respectful dialogue fostered by Peterson’s moderation.

9. Conclusion: The Escalating Climate of Violence

Ben Shapiro concludes by reiterating the dangers posed by the radical left's endorsement of violence and the critical need for societal rejection of such extremism. He calls for widespread condemnation across political lines to prevent the normalization of domestic terrorism.

Ben Shapiro [Approx. 1:05:00]: "It's something deeply disturbing and scary that there are so many people who are blasé about the murder of a private healthcare CEO because they don't like the way the healthcare system works."

Shapiro underscores the urgency of addressing these violent tendencies to safeguard democracy and ensure a stable societal structure.

Notable Quotes from the Episode:

• Ben Shapiro [00:00]: "The murder of Brian Thompson is a bleeding edge indicator of where the country could be going."

• Ben Shapiro [15:45]: "This is simply Marxist leftist radical evil... akin to the Baader-Meinhof gang."

• Ben Shapiro [30:20]: "Hegseth is going to completely redo how weapons systems are approved... making America's Department of Defense the most lethal fighting machine on planet Earth."

• Ben Shapiro [35:50]: "If the population count in 2020 had been done properly, Donald Trump could have won the 2024 election without winning any of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, or Michigan."

• Jonathan Pageau [55:00]: "We really did come into a groove and it was crazy... the conversation was quite amazing."

• Ben Shapiro [1:05:00]: "It's something deeply disturbing and scary that there are so many people who are blasé about the murder of a private healthcare CEO because they don't like the way the healthcare system works."

Final Thoughts

In this episode, Ben Shapiro provides a confrontational analysis of the left's radicalization, drawing alarm over violent ideologies resurfacing in modern America. Through the lens of Brian Thompson's assassination, he explores broader societal implications, historical parallels, and the current political climate under the Trump administration. The guest segment with Jonathan Pageau offers a reflective contrast, delving into meaningful discussions on religious texts. Overall, the episode serves as a stern warning against the normalization of extremist behaviors and a call to uphold democratic principles.