Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show - Ep. 2105 "What The HELL Are All These Drones?!"

Release Date: December 16, 2024
Host: Ben Shapiro
Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
Episode: Ep. 2105

1. Unidentified Drone Sightings on the East Coast

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by addressing the surge of mysterious drone sightings across the East Coast of the United States, particularly around military bases. He expresses deep skepticism towards the government's reassurances about the drones' nature and purpose.

"[00:00]... perhaps 15 years ago, I would have believed the government. Honestly, perhaps 15 years ago, I would have been more apt to think, hey, they know what they're doing..." — Ben Shapiro

Shapiro recalls past incidents, such as the Chinese spy balloon incident under the Biden administration, to highlight his growing distrust in governmental transparency regarding aerial surveillance threats.

2. Government Response and Public Concerns

Referencing a CNN report, Shapiro details the public's confusion and worry over the drone sightings near critical infrastructure and residential areas. He criticizes government officials for their inadequate response and lack of clear information.

"According to CNN.com, mysterious flying objects overhead, concern and confusion, and calls for military intervention." — Ben Shapiro

He cites actions taken by state governors and federal leaders, including temporary flight restrictions and calls for enhanced detection technologies, yet remains unconvinced about the effectiveness of these measures.

3. Speculation on Drone Origins and Capabilities

Shapiro delves into potential origins of the drones, speculating on possibilities ranging from hobbyist activities to foreign espionage. He particularly highlights the likelihood of Chinese involvement, given past surveillance efforts targeting American military sites.

"I think the possibility they're Chinese drones is much more likely given the fact that we know that China has been attempting to surveil American military sites." — Ben Shapiro

He also shares a personal anecdote about observing drones at the southern border, reinforcing his belief in foreign interference.

4. Defamation Lawsuit Against ABC News

Transitioning to media critique, Shapiro discusses ABC News' recent $15 million settlement with former President Trump over defamatory statements made by George Stephanopoulos.

"For back on March 10, 2024, ABC News and George Stephanopoulos made statements... ABC News defamed him when Stephanopoulos said 10 times during an interview with Mace that a jury found that Trump had raped Eugene Carroll, which of course, is not true." — Ben Shapiro

He argues that the settlement reflects ABC's attempt to avoid larger legal repercussions, framing it as a significant victory for Trump amidst a litigious media landscape.

5. President Trump's Political Momentum

Shapiro highlights President Trump's growing political support, underscored by high approval ratings and successful events like the Army-Navy game attendance alongside figures like Vice President Vance and Daniel Penny.

"Americans are celebrating that Trump's approval rating is incredibly high. People are in support of his transition. The momentum is just tremendous." — Ben Shapiro

He contrasts this momentum with the Democratic Party's struggles, predicting a challenging period ahead for Democrats and applauding Trump’s strategic initiatives, such as potential privatization of the U.S. Postal Service.

6. Critique of the Democratic Party and Lawfare

Addressing internal Democratic conflicts, Shapiro criticizes the party's reliance on legal strategies ("lawfare") to counter President Trump's agenda. He references Senator Keith Ellison's plans to file lawsuits against Trump, suggesting a continuation of adversarial tactics.

"One of those paths of resistance may be lawfare. Keith Ellison, the Attorney General of the state of Minnesota, he says that he wants to file more lawsuits against President Trump..." — Ben Shapiro

Shapiro expresses frustration with Democrats' approach, emphasizing their disconnect from the broader American populace.

7. Healthcare System Criticism

Shapiro transitions to a heated discussion on the U.S. healthcare system, linking recent terrorist attacks by Luigi Mangione to systemic issues within health insurance industries. He vehemently opposes the portrayal of insurance executives as malicious, advocating for informed and rational conversations about healthcare reform.

"Ordinary people in this country are not indifferent to the loss of life, but these companies are. This sort of language is so disgusting." — Ben Shapiro

He criticizes public figures like Whoopi Goldberg for oversimplifying insurance mechanics and underscores the complexity of healthcare systems, arguing against the demonization of insurers.

8. Russia-NATO Tensions and Global Security

In the latter part of the episode, Shapiro addresses escalating tensions between Russia and NATO in the Baltic region. He details recent aggressive maneuvers by Russian forces, including the use of advanced naval assets and cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.

"According to the Wall Street Journal, the Mercury Missile Corvette... was escorting an oil tanker in the Baltic Sea when a German warship approached." — Ben Shapiro

Shapiro emphasizes President Trump's commitment to strengthening military alliances and bolstering defense capabilities to counter Russian aggression, advocating for increased defense spending and strategic partnerships.

9. Cultural Elite Disconnect and Media Influence

Shapiro concludes by highlighting the perceived disconnect between American cultural elites and the general populace. He criticizes the overemphasis on social media narratives and the subsequent misunderstanding of public sentiment on issues like race and healthcare.

"The conversation has gotten significantly worse, not better. And that is led by members of our cultural and political elite." — Ben Shapiro

He warns against attributing malevolent motives to business practices without understanding market dynamics, calling for a more nuanced and fact-based discourse.

Notable Quotes:

• "[00:00]... perhaps 15 years ago, I would have believed the government. Honestly, perhaps 15 years ago, I would have been more apt to think, hey, they know what they're doing..." — Ben Shapiro

• "I think the possibility they're Chinese drones is much more likely given the fact that we know that China has been attempting to surveil American military sites." — Ben Shapiro

• "Ordinary people in this country are not indifferent to the loss of life, but these companies are. This sort of language is so disgusting." — Ben Shapiro

• "The conversation has gotten significantly worse, not better. And that is led by members of our cultural and political elite." — Ben Shapiro

Conclusion:

In this episode, Ben Shapiro meticulously dissects the alarming increase in unidentified drone activities across the United States, scrutinizing governmental responses and raising alarms about national security. He intertwines this discussion with critiques of media practices, the Democratic Party's strategies, and systemic issues within the healthcare industry. Shapiro also underscores global security concerns, particularly the intensified Russia-NATO tensions, advocating for robust defense measures. Throughout the episode, he maintains a critical stance towards political elites and media narratives, urging for greater transparency and informed public discourse.