Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show Episode: Ep. 2108 - Musk, Trump Team Up To KILL Pork Bill
Release Date: December 19, 2024

Introduction to Congressional Chaos

In Episode 2108, Ben Shapiro delves into the tumultuous situation unfolding within the United States Congress. The focal point of the discussion revolves around the intense conflict among key political figures—Speaker Mike Johnson, former President Donald Trump, and Elon Musk—over the impending continuation of government funding through a Continuing Resolution (CR).

Ben Shapiro begins by highlighting the chaos within Congress, setting the stage for a deep dive into the political maneuvering at play:

"Politics is a battle between principle and pragmatism. The things that you want and the things that it is possible to get." [00:00]

Understanding the Continuing Resolution (CR)

Shapiro provides a comprehensive explanation of what a Continuing Resolution entails, emphasizing its role as a temporary funding measure to prevent a government shutdown when a formal budget cannot be agreed upon. He criticizes the current handle of the situation, noting the slim Republican majority in the House and Democratic control of the Senate under Chuck Schumer.

"A continuing resolution is basically a stop-gap funding. Why? Well, because Congress is unable to pass a real budget with Chuck Schumer as the head of the Senate and with a very, very slim House majority for the Republicans." [00:00]

Media Misinformation and Presidential Confusion

Shapiro ridicules the media's inaccurate portrayal of Elon Musk as the President, clarifying that Joe Biden remains the official President of the United States. He underscores the ongoing challenges posed by Biden's administration in blocking Republican initiatives.

"The entire media suggesting that actually Elon Musk is the president. So they are off by what, two orders of magnitude?" [00:00]

Content and Implications of the CR Bill

The episode critiques the contents of the proposed CR bill, pointing out excessive spending and "pork" items that detract from its primary purpose. Shapiro argues that the bill includes unnecessary allocations, such as $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion in farm subsidies, which he deems wasteful.

"A lot of it is pork. They could have passed a clean CR, a clean continuing resolution, which just continues the discretionary spending at prior levels... Instead, they decided to load in a bunch of stuff, including about $100 billion for disaster relief funds, which is overkill, and $10 billion in farm pork." [00:00]

Roles and Mandates of Key Political Figures

Shapiro explores the distinct mandates and strategies of Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, and J.D. Vance within the Republican framework. He explains that Trump's aim is to position himself favorably before assuming office, while Speaker Johnson must negotiate within a fractured Republican caucus to pass legislation.

"Donald Trump would like to enter office with all of the spending off the books for him so he doesn't get blamed for it and also an increase in the debt ceiling." [00:00]
"Mike Johnson's mandate is to try to get most of the things that Trump wants. And if that means giving up some concessions, he has to do that." [00:00]

Political Dynamics and Republican Caucus Breakdown

Using data from FiveThirtyEight, Shapiro breaks down the Republican caucus into various factions, including moderate Republicans and what FiveThirtyEight labels as "far-right obstructionists." He discusses the challenges Speaker Johnson faces in unifying these diverse groups to pass legislation.

"Moderate Republicans, there are about 39 of them... and on the other side you have people who are like, I'm not going to vote come hell or high water for anything that increases debt levels in the country." [00:00]

Critique of the CR Negotiations and DOGE's Role

Shapiro criticizes the negotiation process behind the CR, highlighting the involvement of DOGE (Department of Governmental Efficiency) and figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramasamy in identifying and opposing frivolous expenditures within the bill. He asserts that while some criticisms are valid, the overall necessity of the CR cannot be dismissed.

"Every single bill that Congress ever negotiates is gonna be filled with pork. It is just a question of how much." [00:00]
"This is all a complicated negotiation that happens when you have disparate interests involved." [00:00]

Defense of Speaker Mike Johnson

Amidst mounting criticism, particularly from figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramasamy, Shapiro defends Speaker Johnson's pragmatic approach to passing the CR. He emphasizes that Johnson is navigating a complex political landscape, balancing Republican priorities with the realities of a divided Congress.

Mike Johnson:
"We have a responsibility here and... we don't like spending money, but we have to do it responsibly." [20:56]

Ben Shapiro:
"Anybody who tells you that any of these leaders has the capacity to single-handedly ram through all of the things you want and without giving up any of the things you don't want, those people are lying to you." [00:00]

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramasamy's Backlash

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramasamy, representing DOGE, launch a public critique of the CR bill, labeling it as laden with excessive spending and "pork." Shapiro acknowledges their valid points but maintains that the CR was a necessary compromise to prevent a government shutdown.

"Elon Musk then saw the bill and he had been apprised of the fact that a compromise had to be made, but he didn't like the actual compromise that was made." [00:00]
Elon Musk called the bill "criminal, an insane crime against the American people in outrage, terrible and madness." [00:00]

Broader Political Implications and Future Risks

Shapiro discusses the potential long-term consequences of the current CR negotiations, including the impact on the debt ceiling debate and the upcoming transition to Trump's administration. He warns of political fallout and the challenges that await Republicans once Trump assumes office.

"If President Trump is counting on Democrats to vote for an increase in the debt ceiling and Joe Biden to sign that in order to help him in his first year, I don't think that's going to happen." [00:00]

Internal Republican Discord and Leadership Challenges

The episode highlights the internal strife within the Republican Party, particularly targeting Speaker Johnson. Shapiro argues that the criticism directed at Johnson is misplaced and stems from unrealistic expectations of leadership within a narrowly divided House.

"Shapiro defends Johnson against critics, stating that politics is about compromise and balancing principles with pragmatism." [00:00]
"It's not as though Trump was not involved. ... Johnson was working with President Trump and J.D. Vance the whole time." [00:00]

Discussion on Political Principles vs. Pragmatism

Shapiro reflects on the broader theme of the show: the tension between adhering strictly to political principles and the necessity of pragmatic compromises to achieve legislative goals. He criticizes the notion that political success comes from unwavering purity, advocating instead for strategic negotiation.

"Politics is the art of balancing principle and pragmatism. On one hand, you have President Trump, who wants the things that he wants... On the other hand, you have Johnson, who negotiates the deal." [00:00]

Interviews and Additional Insights

In an interview segment, Kristen Wagoner of Alliance Defending Freedom discusses the rise of censorship and the organization's efforts to combat it. They highlight cases targeting satire and parody, emphasizing the need for transparency and legal action against collusive censorship practices.

Kristen Wagoner:
"Our first battles are to defeat the censorship industrial complex... we have three cases right now that the Center's already started on which include laws that are trying to stop satire and parody like the Babylon Bee." [45:31]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ben Shapiro concludes the episode by reiterating the complexities of political negotiations and the unrealistic expectations placed on congressional leaders. He urges listeners to understand the intricate balance between principle and pragmatism in governance and to recognize the structural challenges within the political system.

"The structure is the way that it is. This is why you have checks and balances in the United States, because this is a big unwieldy country and it requires a government that actually has to go through the motions of compromise." [00:00]

Key Takeaways:

• The current Congressional impasse over the Continuing Resolution highlights deep divisions within the Republican Party and conflicting priorities.
• Speaker Mike Johnson faces criticism for the CR's compromises, but defenders argue his pragmatic approach is necessary given the political landscape.
• Influential figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramasamy are actively opposing the CR, labeling it as excessively filled with "pork."
• The broader implications of these negotiations could affect the debt ceiling debate and the incoming Trump administration's ability to implement its agenda.
• Internal Republican discord and unrealistic leadership expectations exacerbate the challenges in passing effective legislation.
• The struggle between political principles and pragmatism remains a central theme in navigating legislative success.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro: "Politics is a battle between principle and pragmatism." [00:00]
• Mike Johnson: "We have to bridge the gap to get there. And we cannot leave our small farms and ranchers and our inner people who are devastated by the hurricanes out in the meantime." [20:56]
• Kristen Wagoner: "Our first battles are to defeat the censorship industrial complex." [45:31]
• Ben Shapiro: "Anybody who tells you that any of these leaders has the capacity to single-handedly ram through all of the things you want and without giving up any of the things you don't want, those people are lying to you." [00:00]

This episode offers a critical examination of the current legislative struggles within Congress, the interplay of key political figures, and the enduring debate between maintaining political principles versus adopting pragmatic compromises to achieve legislative success.