Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show
Episode: Ep. 2110 - We’re BACK!
Release Date: January 6, 2025

1. Introduction and Political Landscape

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by addressing the new year and significant political developments. He highlights that President Donald Trump is set to be certified as the President of the United States, emphasizing the strategic importance of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's reelection. Shapiro underscores the complexities of the Speaker's role, which involves coalition-building across party lines rather than purely ideological leadership.

“The job of the speaker of the House is not, in fact, to be, quote, unquote, an ideological thought leader. [...] It is to get as much of the pie as humanly possible.”
— Ben Shapiro [00:00]

2. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s Reelection

Shapiro delves into the recent reelection of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House, despite opposition from figures like Thomas Massie. He defends Johnson’s pragmatism and alignment with Trump’s agenda, arguing that Johnson’s ability to navigate a slim majority is crucial for advancing legislative priorities.

Mike Johnson's Statement:
“This is a powerful new coalition of our country. [...] We will start by defending our nation's borders. That's the number one priority.”
— Mike Johnson [04:50]

Shapiro criticizes the obstructionist tactics of some Congress members who oppose Johnson without proposing viable alternatives, labeling them as prioritizing media attention over effective governance.

3. Republican Legislative Strategy for 2025

The discussion shifts to the strategic considerations of House Republicans regarding budgetary legislation. With Republicans lacking a supermajority in the Senate, they face limitations in using the reconciliation process, which restricts them to budgetary bills only.

Shapiro outlines two main legislative priorities:

• Border Security Bill: Aimed at enhancing border security, completing the wall, and easing deportation processes.

• Permanent Trump Tax Cuts: Seeking to make the 2017 tax cuts permanent to foster economic growth and prevent Democrats from reversing them.

He presents two strategic options:

1. Separate Bills: Introducing border and tax bills separately could lead to either trade-offs or potential failures due to the limited use of reconciliation.

2. Combined Omnibus Bill: Merging both into a single large bill could expedite passage but risk including more compromises that dilute core conservative objectives.

“The problem with wrapping them up into one giant bill is more compromises are going to get cut in that giant bill than might be cut if you separated them out into two separate bills.”
— Ben Shapiro [05:12]

Mike Johnson's Strategic Preference:
“I respect Lindsey Graham and all my friends who kind of preferred a two step strategy. [...] But I think at the end of the day, President Trump is going to prefer, as he likes to say, one big beautiful bill.”
— Mike Johnson [09:17]

Shapiro supports the preference for a single comprehensive bill, highlighting its potential to achieve more of Trump’s legislative goals despite the inclusion of some less desirable elements.

4. National Security and Terrorism Concerns

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to national security, focusing on a recent terrorist attack in New Orleans. Shapiro criticizes the current administration’s handling of radical Islamic terrorism, advocating for a more aggressive stance against organizations like the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Details of the New Orleans Terror Attack:

• Perpetrator: A 42-year-old Army veteran radicalized by ISIS.
• Method: Plowed a truck into a New Year's Day crowd, killing 14 and injuring many.
• Response: The FBI initially downplayed the terrorism angle but later acknowledged the radical motive.

Shapiro contends that the Trump administration must take the threat of radical Islam seriously and investigate organizations that may foster such extremism.

Representative Mike Turner’s Statement:
“There are individuals that are affiliated with ISIS and terrorist groups [...] working diligently to take them down, to prevent them from doing harm to Americans.”
— Mike Turner [21:01]

Shapiro emphasizes the need to move beyond political correctness, advocating for robust counterterrorism measures against radical Islamic groups.

5. Critique of the UK’s Approach to Islamic Terrorism and Immigration

Shapiro transitions to international politics, specifically criticizing the UK’s handling of Islamic terrorism and immigration. He references Elon Musk’s criticism of Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, accusing him of complicity in ignoring radical Islamist crimes to avoid empowering far-right extremism.

Key Points:

• Uncovered Crimes: Extensive grooming and sexual abuse by Muslim men against white girls over decades.
• Media and Political Complicity: Media outlets like the BBC and political figures failed to report adequately to prevent empowering far-right narratives.
• Elon Musk’s Intervention: Musk publicly denounces Starmer for his perceived inaction, labeling him as complicit in covering up heinous crimes.

Andrew Norfolk’s Admission:
“The key point of the press release was [...] The idea that this was in some way a collective activity, that girls were being passed around men, I'd not encountered anything like that before.”
— Andrew Norfolk [28:56]

Shapiro uses this example to illustrate how political correctness hampers the acknowledgment and resolution of serious issues related to radical Islamism.

6. Immigration Policies and H1B Visa Controversies in the US

Shapiro addresses the contentious debate surrounding H1B visas in the United States. While some conservatives criticize the program for allegedly allowing tech companies to exploit foreign labor, Shapiro defends the importance of H1B visas for economic growth and innovation.

Arguments Against H1B Visas:

• Exploitation: Claims that companies use H1B visas to hire lower-wage workers who may not assimilate.

• Economic Protectionism: Advocates believe American jobs should be reserved for citizens, arguing that foreign labor undermines the job market.

Shapiro’s Counterpoints:

• Economic Necessity: H1B visas are crucial for bringing in highly skilled talent that drives innovation and economic competitiveness.

• Market Realities: Restricting H1B visas leads to higher labor costs, inflation, and potential outsourcing or automation of jobs.

“American jobs should be for American citizens.”
— Shapiro

He further criticizes the notion of "American jobs," arguing that jobs are location-based rather than nationality-based and emphasizing the detrimental economic impacts of restrictive immigration policies.

7. Joe Biden’s Actions and Criticisms

Shapiro launches a scathing critique of President Joe Biden, highlighting several controversial decisions:

• Presidential Medal of Freedom: Biden awarded the medal to figures like Hillary Clinton and George Soros, whom Shapiro accuses of undermining law enforcement and American principles.

• Clemency for Death Row Prisoners: Biden commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates, selectively sparing those linked to high-profile terrorist attacks while denying clemency to others.

• Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling Ban: Biden announced a ban on new offshore drilling in vast areas, countering Trump’s energy policies and potentially hindering domestic energy production.

“Joe Biden is going down in history as probably our second worst president.”
— Ben Shapiro

Shapiro argues that Biden’s actions reflect a lack of principled leadership and an indulgence in political correctness, further exacerbating national and economic challenges.

8. Conclusion and Future Outlook

Shapiro concludes the episode by reiterating the unity of the Republican Party under Trump’s leadership on key issues like immigration and economic growth. He emphasizes the importance of strategic legislative actions to secure Trump’s legacy in his second term and criticizes the current administration’s failures.

“Donald Trump is utilitarian. He wants wins for the United States, and that means a thriving economy. [...] It'll be fascinating to see how it all plays out.”
— Ben Shapiro

He also touches on global political dynamics, mentioning Elon Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, drawing parallels to the UK’s immigration issues and the rise of right-wing extremism in response to mass migration policies.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• “The job of the speaker of the House is not, in fact, to be, quote, unquote, an ideological thought leader.”
  — Ben Shapiro [00:00]

• “This is a powerful new coalition of our country. [...] We will start by defending our nation's borders. That's the number one priority.”
  — Mike Johnson [04:50]

• “The problem with wrapping them up into one giant bill is more compromises are going to get cut in that giant bill than might be cut if you separated them out into two separate bills.”
  — Ben Shapiro [05:12]

• “I think at the end of the day, President Trump is going to prefer, as he likes to say, one big beautiful bill.”
  — Mike Johnson [09:17]

• “There are individuals that are affiliated with ISIS and terrorist groups [...] working diligently to take them down, to prevent them from doing harm to Americans.”
  — Mike Turner [21:01]

• “This is the most Orwellian crap I have ever heard. I mean, truly Orwellian.”
  — Ben Shapiro [34:05]

• “Joe Biden is going down in history as probably our second worst president.”
  — Ben Shapiro [34:05]

Final Thoughts

Episode 2110 of The Ben Shapiro Show offers a robust critique of current political leadership, emphasizing the necessity for pragmatic and strategic governance aligned with conservative principles. Shapiro advocates for strong national security measures, effective immigration policies, and the preservation of economic growth through legislative agility. He positions Mike Johnson and President Trump as pivotal figures in achieving these objectives, while condemning the current administration's actions as detrimental to American interests.

For listeners seeking an incisive analysis of conservative politics and policy strategies, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the Republican Party in 2025.