Summary of The Ben Shapiro Show - Ep. 2109: "The Greatest SCANDAL In Modern Presidential History"
Release Date: December 20, 2024
In Episode 2109 of The Ben Shapiro Show, titled "The Greatest SCANDAL In Modern Presidential History," host Ben Shapiro delves into a controversial and explosive claim: that President Joe Biden was deceased or incapacitated during his presidency, leading to the election of Donald Trump as President-elect once again. Shapiro presents this assertion as the most significant presidential scandal in modern history, arguing that a widespread cover-up involving the media, the White House, and numerous officials ensured the public remained unaware of Biden's supposed condition.
1. The Alleged Scandal: Biden's Incapacitation
Shapiro opens the episode by asserting that Joe Biden was effectively "dead" or incapacitated throughout his presidency. He contrasts this situation with historical precedents, such as Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), who faced their own health challenges but did not experience the same level of media coverage or administrative concealment in the modern media age.
- Notable Quote:
"The reason that Donald Trump is President elect again is not just because Donald Trump is a unique figure, but because Joe Biden was dead the entire presidency, and everyone knew it. And the media lied about it and the White House lied about it."
(00:00)
2. Media and White House Cover-Up
Shapiro contends that a complex conspiracy involving the media and the White House collaborated to hide Biden's diminished capacity. He references a Wall Street Journal article revealing how the White House adapted to protect Biden from scrutiny, including limited interactions with senior officials and legislative leaders.
- Notable Quote:
"Press aides who compiled packages of news clips for Biden were told by senior staff to exclude negative stories about the President. The President wasn't even talking to his own pollsters as surveys showed him trailing in the 2024 race."
(09:45)
3. Impact on the 2024 Election and Democratic Credibility
Shapiro argues that the concealment of Biden's condition severely damaged the Democratic Party's credibility. Despite Democrats portraying Republicans, particularly Trump, as threats to the republic, the revelation of Biden's incapacity undermined their narrative.
- Notable Quote:
"It was one of the great emperor's New clothes moments in American history."
(05:30)
4. Internal White House Dynamics and Congressional Relations
The show discusses how Biden's administration operated with limited direct involvement from the President, relying heavily on advisors and creating an "arm's length" relationship between Biden and key officials like Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Shapiro highlights interviews with former aides who described Biden as difficult to reach and lacking the stamina to fulfill his presidential duties consistently.
- Notable Quote:
"They treated him like a toddler. They gave him an anodyne world in which everything was hunky dory and no one could see that he was diminished."
(12:15)
5. The Role of Senior Advisers and Hidden Policy-Making
Shapiro points out that senior advisers often acted as proxies for policy decisions, further distancing Biden from actual governance. This arrangement, he suggests, allowed policies to be shaped without the President's direct input, contributing to ineffective leadership on critical issues like the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the handling of inflation.
- Notable Quote:
"The White House operated this way even as the President and his aides pressed forward with his reelection bid."
(07:50)
6. Government Shutdown and Congressional Fractures
Transitioning to the aftermath of Biden's exit, Shapiro examines the challenges Donald Trump faces entering office amidst a narrow Republican majority and internal caucus disputes. He discusses the failed attempts to pass the "Chromnibus" package, the backlash against Speaker Mike Johnson, and the potential for a government shutdown.
- Notable Quote:
"Politics is a coalitional game. The Republican caucus is very fractious and they have an incredibly narrow majority. And that means you're not going to get everything you want."
(48:20)
7. Media's Changing Narrative and Future Outlook
Shapiro criticizes the legacy media for their alleged complicity in the cover-up and for their role in undermining Republican efforts. He remains optimistic about Trump's incoming administration, believing it will restore normalcy and address key issues like the economy and foreign policy more effectively than the Biden administration.
- Notable Quote:
"Donald Trump is going to make the economy robust again. It's gonna make the economy dynamic again because Trump is a win-first guy. He only wants the winning."
(32:10)
8. Special Segment with Bishop Robert Barron on Christmas
In a departure from the political discourse, Shapiro hosts Bishop Robert Barron to discuss the cultural and religious significance of Christmas. They explore themes of Advent, the commercialization of Christmas, and the importance of maintaining the holiday's religious roots.
- Notable Quote:
"Advent is the time when we look back around and forward to the coming, the Adventists of Jesus."
(57:41)
9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Shapiro wraps up the episode by reiterating his belief in the monumental nature of the Biden administration's alleged scandal and its implications for American politics. He emphasizes the need for effective coalition-building within the Republican Party to navigate the challenges ahead and to ensure that Trump's administration can implement its agenda successfully.
- Notable Quote:
"The only way that happens is if the process works. This is presumably why Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana said, 'President Trump should sit down with Mike Johnson and John Thune and come up with a new skinny cross.'"
(50:38)
Key Takeaways:
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Major Scandal Allegation: Biden's alleged incapacitation and the purported cover-up by the media and White House.
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Impact on Politics: The scandal is posited as a primary reason for Trump's reelection and a significant factor in diminishing Democratic credibility.
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Internal GOP Challenges: Narrow Republican majorities and internal factionalism pose substantial hurdles for Trump's incoming administration.
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Media Critique: The legacy media is criticized for supporting the Democratic narrative and failing to challenge the alleged cover-up.
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Future Outlook: Shapiro remains optimistic about Trump's ability to restore economic vitality and implement effective foreign policy despite congressional challenges.
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Cultural Discussion: A brief yet insightful segment on the true meaning of Christmas, advocating for a return to its religious foundations.
Notable Omissions:
- Advertisements and Promotions: The episode includes multiple advertisements and promotional segments for products and services, which have been excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the core content.
Conclusion
Episode 2109 of The Ben Shapiro Show presents a bold and controversial narrative surrounding Joe Biden's presidency, alleging significant misconduct and a widespread conspiracy to conceal his condition. Shapiro intertwines this claim with critiques of media complicity, internal Republican struggles, and optimistic prospects for Donald Trump's administration. Additionally, the episode offers a cultural reflection on Christmas, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its religious essence amidst modern secular influences.