Episode Summary: Ep. 2117 - WAR FIGHTER: Hegseth Stuns Democrats At Confirmation Hearing

Release Date: January 15, 2025
Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
Host: Ben Shapiro, with Matt Walsh and Michael Knowles
Platform: The Daily Wire

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, and Michael Knowles setting the stage for a day filled with significant political events, including key Senate confirmation hearings and the imminent inauguration of Donald Trump for his historic second term.

2. Pete Hegseth's Confirmation Hearing

The primary focus of this episode centers on Pete Hegseth's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing for the position of Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, a former National Guard officer with combat experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, faced intense scrutiny from Democratic senators aiming to undermine his nomination.

a. Democrats' Attacks on Hegseth

Democratic senators launched personal and professional attacks against Hegseth, questioning his qualifications and character. Senator Gary Peters accused him of being "unqualified," while Senator Mazie Hirono labeled him a "sloppy drunk" based on unfounded allegations.

Matt Walsh [12:24]: "Someone who has never managed an organization."
Ben Shapiro [16:04]: "I'm not scared of anything, Senator."

b. Hegseth's Responses

Hegseth adeptly countered the attacks by reaffirming his commitment to military excellence and adherence to the rule of law. He emphasized the importance of meritocracy and eliminating political interference in defense matters.

Pete Hegseth [02:35]: "We are a country that fights by the rule of law, and our men and women always do."

c. Key Topics Discussed

• Military Standards and Readiness: Hegseth stressed the necessity of maintaining high standards in the military, opposing the lowering of criteria for diversity quotas.

  Ben Shapiro [03:29]: "In those ground combat roles... they have to meet the same high standards."

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): He criticized the current focus on DEI, arguing it detracts from military lethality and effectiveness.

  Michael Knowles [04:08]: "Hegseth talked about diversity, equity and inclusion... these are basic notions."

• Foreign Policy and Israel: Hegseth expressed strong support for Israel's defense, unequivocally backing aggressive measures against Hamas.

  Ben Shapiro [08:35]: "I support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas."

d. Republican Support

Republican senators, including Senator Joni Ernst, endorsed Hegseth, highlighting his military background and principled stance on defense matters.

Michael Knowles [06:25]: "Senator Joni Ernst... endorsed Hegseth for Secretary of Defense."

e. Controversies Addressed

Democrats attempted to tarnish Hegseth's reputation by alleging past alcohol-related incidents and extramarital affairs. Hegseth vehemently denied these claims, pointing out the hypocrisy of Democrats who have their own members with questionable histories.

Ben Shapiro [15:01]: "I'm not scared of anything, Senator."
Matt Walsh [19:06]: "You recently promised some of my Republican colleagues that you stopped drinking and won't drink if confirmed."

3. Other Defense Nominees

Beyond Hegseth, the episode touches upon other key nominees facing Senate hearings.

a. Marco Rubio - Secretary of State Nominee

Marco Rubio emphasized a foreign policy centered on U.S. national interests, rejecting the notion of isolationism. He critiqued the existing liberal world order, advocating for policies that prioritize American sovereignty.

Marco Rubio [46:00]: "Placing our core national interests above all else is not isolationism."

b. Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr.

• Tulsi Gabbard: Despite Democratic focus on Hegseth, Gabbard's nomination gains traction as Democrats expend their resources elsewhere. She pledges to maintain crucial intelligence operations like Section 702.

• RFK Jr.: The Trump team works to mitigate his vaccine skepticism by sidelining anti-vaccine advisers, aiming to smooth his nomination process.

4. House Legislation on Women's Sports

The House of Representatives passed a bill banning men who identify as women from participating in women's sports, reflecting a significant stance against "woke" policies.

Ben Shapiro [35:04]: "Protecting women in sports is commonsensical."
Michael Knowles [35:22]: "This idea comports with common sense."

The bill passed with overwhelming Republican support, signaling a shift in legislative priorities and highlighting cultural battles over gender identity in sports.

5. California Wildfires and Governor Gavin Newsom's Response

The hosts discuss the ongoing wildfires in California, criticizing Governor Gavin Newsom's handling of the crisis. Newsom's executive order aimed at preventing land developers from making unsolicited offers to affected homeowners was portrayed as anti-free-market and obstructive.

Ben Shapiro [38:31]: "Predatory behavior is disgusting."
Michael Knowles [38:41]: "Somebody comes to you and they offer you money and Gavin Newsom's response is, I'm going to prosecute that money."

The episode underscores the administration's left-leaning policies as hindrances to effective disaster recovery and economic freedom.

6. Other News Highlights

While the core discussion revolves around defense and political nominations, the episode briefly touches upon other contemporary issues:

• Technology and Innovation: An interview with the Chief Technology Officer of Palantir discusses modernizing defense through innovation and addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies.

• Identity Protection and AI: Advertisements for LifeLock, Helix Sleep, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure are interspersed, promoting services related to identity security, sleep enhancement, and cloud computing, respectively.

• Media and Public Figures: Criticism of figures like Jimmy Kimmel for shifting from entertainment to political commentary reinforces the show's stance on cultural issues.

• Biden Administration's Final Moves: The hosts critique President Biden's decision to remove Cuba from the terrorism sponsor list, labeling it as a "parting gift" that benefits corrupt regimes.

7. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The episode presents Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing as a pivotal moment where conservative principles triumphed over Democratic attacks. Hegseth's firm stance on military readiness, meritocracy, and foreign policy aligns with the show's conservative ethos. Additionally, the House's move on women's sports and critiques of liberal policies in disaster management underscore the broader cultural and political battles shaping the current American landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Pete Hegseth [02:35]: "We are a country that fights by the rule of law, and our men and women always do."
• Ben Shapiro [08:35]: "I support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas."
• Matt Walsh [55:24]: "We have grossly under-resourced the lines of production and exercising those lines of production."

This episode serves as a comprehensive analysis of current political dynamics, focusing on defense, legislative actions, and cultural conflicts, all framed through a conservative lens aimed at promoting principled truth over partisan spin.