Episode Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show - Ep. 2116 - "Hegseth KICKS ASS: Confirm Him Now"

Release Date: January 14, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Guest: Ilya Shapiro, Senior Fellow and Director of Constitutional Studies at Manhattan Institute

1. Pete Hegseth's Confirmation Hearings for Secretary of Defense

The episode kicks off with Ben Shapiro advocating strongly for Pete Hegseth's confirmation as Secretary of Defense. Shapiro praises Hegseth's military background, Princeton education, and principled stance, dismissing claims that Hegseth is "just a Fox host." He underscores Hegseth's commitment to cleaning up the Department of Defense (DoD) and combating what he describes as leftist efforts to "woke" the military.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [00:00]: "Pete Hegseth is awesome... Hegseth is going to be confirmed."

2. Opposition from Democrats and Protesters

Shapiro details the Democratic opposition to Hegseth's nomination, highlighting protests by Code Pink activists during the hearings. He criticizes the protesters' tactics and resilience, asserting that their efforts to derail Hegseth's confirmation are futile.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [01:30]: "They all showed up. They were all wearing idiotic uniforms and carrying signs that said things like no Hegseth no crusade and no Hegseth no Christian jihad."

3. Pete Hegseth's Opening Statement and Principles

Hegseth's opening remarks are commended by Shapiro for their articulation and adherence to conservative principles. Hegseth emphasizes his faith, accountability in military leadership, and the need to restore trust within the military.

Notable Quotes:

• Pete Hegseth [03:20]: "All glory, regardless of the outcome, belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
• Pete Hegseth [04:31]: "There's been no accountability for the disaster of the withdrawal in Afghanistan..."

4. Critique of Biden's Policies: Immigration and Afghanistan

Shapiro extensively critiques President Joe Biden's handling of immigration and the Afghanistan withdrawal. He disputes Biden's claims of reduced illegal crossings, asserting that millions entered illegally during his tenure. Regarding Afghanistan, Shapiro labels the withdrawal as a "botched" operation, leading to unnecessary American casualties and Taliban control.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Biden [08:55]: "Illegal crossings went way down under my presidency."
• Ben Shapiro [12:51]: "Your failures of policy in Ukraine have led to an interminably long war that has not moved the borders for three years."

5. Wildfires in California and Federal Subsidies

The conversation shifts to the ongoing wildfires in California, with Shapiro criticizing Biden's federal subsidies to affected residents. He argues that California should bear the financial responsibility due to its tax policies and mismanagement of fire prevention efforts. Shapiro highlights bureaucratic inefficiencies and misallocated funds that have exacerbated the wildfire crisis.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [33:09]: "If the federal taxpayer is going to be subsidizing California, perhaps California should actually pursue the measures that might mitigate wildfires like this one."

6. Media Landscape Changes: Rachel Maddow and Jennifer Rubin

Shapiro discusses recent shifts in the media, including Rachel Maddow's return to a full-time schedule on MSNBC and Jennifer Rubin's departure from the Washington Post to launch a new platform called "The Contrarian." He mocks these developments, portraying them as futile attempts to combat conservative perspectives.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro [26:02]: "You can expect that from Jack Smith, who went after Donald Trump with a blowtorch and ended up coming away with what, a contract in MSNBC or CNN?"
• Ben Shapiro [26:10]: "She'll be joined in this prospect by a person named Norm Eisen... It was terrible for everyone."

7. Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal and Trump's Influence

A significant portion of the episode delves into the negotiations between Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages. Shapiro analyzes the complexities of the proposed deal, emphasizing the precarious balance between securing hostages and maintaining Israel's security interests. He speculates on President Trump's potential impact on the negotiations, suggesting that Trump's hardline stance may pressure Hamas into concessions.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro [41:25]: "Hamas is perhaps the most evil terrorist group on the planet. They're literally holding a one-year-old hostage."
• J.D. Vance [44:32]: "President Trump threatening Hamas... is part of the reason why we've made progress on getting some hostages out."

8. Discussion with Ilya Shapiro on Legal Academia

In the latter part of the episode, Ben Shapiro engages in a discussion with Ilya Shapiro about the current state of legal academia. They explore issues such as the suppression of dissenting viewpoints, the influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and the broader crisis in higher education. Ilya Shapiro shares personal experiences of facing institutional pushback for expressing conservative viewpoints, advocating for reforms to protect academic freedom and uphold constitutional principles.

Notable Quotes:

• Ilya Shapiro [47:13]: "The rules didn't apply. But I got this big long report... so I quit."
• Ben Shapiro [48:17]: "The book is 'The Miseducation of America's Elites.' The author is Ilya Shapiro."

9. Conclusion and Upcoming Events

The episode concludes with promotions for forthcoming coverage of Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President and mentions of upcoming shows and content on The Daily Wire platform.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [50:09]: "Inauguration Day, January 20th. Watch it on Daily Wire with Ben."

Key Takeaways:

• Support for Pete Hegseth: Ben Shapiro is a staunch supporter of Pete Hegseth's nomination for Secretary of Defense, highlighting his qualifications and condemning Democratic opposition.

• Criticism of Biden Administration: Shapiro criticizes Biden's handling of immigration and the Afghanistan withdrawal, labeling them as failures that have had detrimental effects on national security.

• Wildfire Management Concerns: The episode underscores the mismanagement of wildfire prevention in California and criticizes federal subsidies as misplaced financial aid.

• Media Skepticism: Shapiro expresses skepticism towards changes in the media landscape, particularly initiatives by Rachel Maddow and Jennifer Rubin.

• Israel-Hamas Negotiations: A detailed analysis of the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas is provided, with speculation on Trump's potential role in influencing the outcome.

• Academic Freedom Advocacy: Through his conversation with Ilya Shapiro, Ben Shapiro highlights the perceived erosion of free speech and conservative perspectives in legal academia.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the major discussions and viewpoints presented in Episode 2116 of The Ben Shapiro Show, providing readers with a clear understanding of the topics covered without needing to listen to the full episode.