Detailed Summary of "The Ben Shapiro Show - Ep. 2114 - Trump’s Victory Tour Continues!"

Release Date: January 10, 2025

I. Introduction

In Episode 2114, titled "Trump’s Victory Tour Continues!", Ben Shapiro delves into a range of pressing issues, primarily focusing on the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the ineffectiveness of California's governance, the Jimmy Carter Memorial, and a scathing review of the controversial film "Identity Crisis." Throughout the episode, Shapiro maintains a critical stance towards Democratic leadership in California and anticipates significant policy shifts under President Donald Trump's administration.

II. Los Angeles Wildfires: A Symbol of California's Governance Failures

Timestamp: 00:00 - 22:30

Shapiro opens the episode by discussing the catastrophic wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. The death toll has risen to 10 over three days, with at least five simultaneous infernos destroying over 10,000 structures across tens of thousands of acres. Notably, one of these fires is suspected to be arson, highlighting the challenges of wildfire management in California.

• Economic Impact: The Wall Street Journal reports economic losses in the tens of billions of dollars, displacing tens of thousands and leaving 200,000 without power. Regional Administrator Robert Fenton, Jr. of FEMA notes that areas like Pacific Palisades have been "burned to the ground," with 5,300 homes and businesses destroyed or damaged.

• Shapiro’s Critique: Shapiro attributes the disaster to California's prolonged mismanagement. He states, “The mismanagement in California is dramatic. And it doesn't matter whether you're a Democrat or a Republican in California today. There's only one party that has been running this state for decades at this point” (02:15).

• Quotes:

  • Jonathan Hunt (Fox News) describes flattened neighborhoods resembling "bombed out World War II cities" ([04:50]).
  • Anna Kasparian (@YoungTurks) tweets: “California, and especially L.A is controlled by Democrats. They are responsible. No more passing the buck. Our mayor...”

Shapiro emphasizes the bureaucratic hurdles and lack of adequate fire prevention measures, criticizing figures like Mayor Karen Bass for cutting the fire department’s budget by $17 million despite the escalating crisis.

III. Public Opinion and Political Fallout in California

Timestamp: 22:31 - 45:00

Shapiro highlights the growing frustration among Californians, including prominent figures who have relocated due to poor state management. He mentions celebrities like Mel Gibson and Joe Rogan, who have critiqued Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the wildfires and overall governance.

• Adam Carolla’s Commentary: Shapiro references Adam Carolla’s condemnation of Los Angeles city governance, emphasizing the citizens' backlash against Democratic leadership's inefficiency: “You guys all voted for Karen Bass, you all voted for Gavin Newsom, and now you get what you get” ([30:10]).

• Critique of Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom:

  • Shapiro attacks Newsom’s policies, pointing out the ineffective allocation of funds towards homelessness while neglecting critical services like firefighting. He states, “Where they spend $24 billion on homelessness but zero on preventing wildfires” ([35:45]).
  • He criticizes policies such as Title IX expansions, portraying them as overreaches that undermine the original intent to protect women’s rights, thereby weakening laws against gender identity-based discrimination ([40:20]).

• Quotes:

  • Joe Biden’s favorable remarks on Jimmy Carter’s legacy are ridiculed by Shapiro, who labels Carter as an “awful, horrifyingly bad president” ([38:00]).

IV. Jimmy Carter Memorial: Rewriting Historical Legacy

Timestamp: 45:01 - 1:10:00

Shapiro attends the Jimmy Carter Memorial at the Washington National Cathedral, asserting that the event represents an attempt to sanitize Carter’s presidency. He rejects the portrayal of Carter as a symbol of a "gentler era," citing Carter's foreign policy failures and his lack of leadership in critical moments.

• Event Observations:

  • The memorial features traditional symbols like the Jerusalem Cross, which Shapiro points out was used in promotional materials for the event.
  • He notes the strained interactions among attendees, particularly the lack of warmth between Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Shapiro observes, “Donald Trump and Barack Obama chuckling together… if you have to choose between Donald Trump making wild statements and things kind of going on as normal and… things getting handled” ([55:30]).

• Shapiro’s Critique:

  • He derides Joe Biden’s participation, sarcastically applauding Biden’s “integrity” in light of Carter’s failures, including the Iran hostage crisis and economic instability.
  • Shapiro emphasizes the discord among current political leaders, such as strained relationships between Trump and the Bush family, and the apparent animosity between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

V. Anticipated Policy Shifts: Trump’s Upcoming Executive Orders

Timestamp: 1:10:01 - 1:30:00

Looking ahead, Shapiro anticipates a flurry of executive orders from President Trump, estimating up to 100 orders aimed at reversing Biden-era policies. He expects these orders to focus on border closures, deregulation, and facilitating energy drilling.

• Pragmatic Approach:

  • Shapiro discusses the balance between ideological principles and pragmatic politics, acknowledging that not all executive orders will fully realize conservative aspirations due to legislative constraints.
  • He cites Elon Musk’s revised budget-cutting pledge as an example of practical adjustments in policy expectations ([1:20:45]).

• Bipartisan Engagement:

  • Highlighting Senator John Fetterman’s willingness to engage with Trump, Shapiro commends Fetterman for seeking bipartisan solutions, contrasting this with typical Democratic reluctance to collaborate across the aisle ([1:25:30]).

VI. Movie Review: "Identity Crisis"

Timestamp: 1:30:01 - End

Shapiro concludes the episode with a vehement critique of "Identity Crisis," a film produced by The Daily Wire and Turning Point USA. He deems the movie one of the worst ever made, both in terms of narrative and execution, particularly targeting its portrayal of transgender issues.

• Plot Summary:

  • The film follows Carla Sophia Gascon, a trans woman and former Mexican drug lord, portrayed as a manipulative individual who undergoes gender transition to escape his past crimes. Shapiro mocks the character’s motivations and actions, highlighting the implausibility and perceived immorality of the narrative.

• Performance and Musical Critique:

  • Shapiro lambasts the performances, especially Zoe Saldana’s role as Rita Maura Castro, the lawyer facilitating the transition. He criticizes the musical numbers as poorly written and executed, describing the music as “absolute, sheer, unmitigated horse” ([1:35:20]).

• Moral Implications:

  • He argues that the film erroneously suggests that undergoing gender transition absolves all previous and future wrongdoings, stating, “If you are transgender and you undergo surgeries, this means all sins… are wiped away” ([1:40:10]).

• Quotes:

  • From a musical number in the film: “Gentlemen, this is your captain… Just soak it in. Control. Eye wrinkleplasty…”
  • Shapiro’s comment: “There is nothing like a war zone other than a war zone having been to a few of those. But when you look at the pictures…” ([1:45:00]).

• Conclusion of Review:

  • Shapiro condemns the film as “morally vacuous” and criticizes its underlying premise, advocating against what he perceives as the left’s agenda to erase personal responsibility through identity politics.

VII. Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Shapiro fervently critiques the handling of the Los Angeles wildfires as emblematic of California's broader governance failures, lambastes Democratic leadership figures like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass, and condemns the Jimmy Carter Memorial as an attempt to whitewash a tumultuous presidency. Additionally, he delivers a vehement review of "Identity Crisis," denouncing it as a poorly constructed and ideologically driven film that misrepresents transgender issues. Shapiro anticipates a significant policy overhaul under President Trump’s forthcoming executive orders, positioning it as a corrective measure against decades of perceived mismanagement.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro on California Mismanagement:
  “The mismanagement in California is dramatic. And it doesn't matter whether you're a Democrat or a Republican in California today. There's only one party that has been running this state for decades at this point.”
  [02:15]

• Jonathan Hunt (Fox News) on Wildfire Damage:
  “The footage from above is absolutely shocking… resembles bombed out World War II cities.”
  [04:50]

• Anna Kasparian (@YoungTurks) Tweet:
  “California, and especially L.A is controlled by Democrats. They are responsible. No more passing the buck…”
  [Time not specified]

• Ben Shapiro on Joe Biden’s Remarks:
  “Joe Biden just explains Jimmy Carter as someone who pardoned his own son and talks about abuse of power… it's absolutely insulting.”
  [38:00]

• Shapiro on "Identity Crisis":
  “This musical was written by a person who'd been hit in the head with a brick… It is one of the most ridiculous things ever filmed.”
  [1:35:20]

Final Thoughts

Episode 2114 of "The Ben Shapiro Show" presents a comprehensive critique of California's response to the wildfires, the state's long-term governance challenges, and the ongoing political dynamics surrounding President Trump. Shapiro's fervent opposition to Democratic policies and his anticipation of transformative actions under Trump reflect his steadfast commitment to conservative principles. The episode serves as a platform for Shapiro to rally his audience against what he perceives as systemic failures and to advocate for immediate policy reforms.