The Ben Shapiro Show - Ep. 2121: "TRUMP IS BACK!!!" Detailed Summary

In episode 2121 of The Ben Shapiro Show, titled "TRUMP IS BACK!!!" and released on January 21, 2025, Ben Shapiro provides an in-depth analysis of former President Donald J. Trump's remarkable return to the White House. This episode captures the fervor surrounding Trump's second inauguration, his immediate policy actions, and the broader implications for American politics and society.

1. Historic Inauguration Ceremony [00:00 - 07:27]

Ben Shapiro kicks off the episode by describing the jubilant atmosphere in Washington, D.C., marking Trump's swearing-in as the 47th President of the United States. Despite losing his voice due to festivities, Shapiro emphasizes the significance of the moment:

Ben Shapiro (00:00): "America's golden age is just getting started. Be here with us for every moment."

The ceremony, originally planned outdoors, moved indoors to the US Capitol Rotunda due to the extreme cold. Shapiro notes the contrast between Trump's celebratory entrance and Jill Biden's visibly disgruntled demeanor during the event.

2. Trump's Mandate and Election Implications [06:53 - 13:08]

Shapiro argues that Trump's re-election is not merely a rejection of Joe Biden but a direct endorsement of Trump himself, highlighting a unique electoral dynamic:

Ben Shapiro (06:53): "Donald Trump was the thesis. Joe Biden was the anti-Trump antithesis. And the American people said, we are going back to the thesis."

He underscores that this mandate signifies an absolute endorsement of Trump's policies, setting the stage for significant policy reversals and reaffirmations.

3. JD Vance’s Vice Presidency [04:56 - 06:01]

The episode highlights the swearing-in of JD Vance as Vice President, portraying it as a return to "normalcy" and a stark contrast to what Shapiro terms Joe Biden's "abnormal" presidency:

Ben Shapiro (04:56): "JD Vance is a normie. Here was J.D. Vance, your vice President of the United States, being sworn in yesterday by John Roberts."

4. Trump's Inaugural Address: Themes and Analysis [07:27 - 16:41]

Shapiro dissects Trump's concise inaugural speech, which lasted approximately 29 minutes—significantly shorter than his usual lengthy addresses. Key themes include:

• American Resilience and Manifest Destiny:

  Donald Trump (08:37): "The American people have spoken. I stand before you now as proof that you should never believe that Something is important, impossible to do in America."

• Global Ambitions:

  Donald Trump (13:33): "We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars. Launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars."

• Peace Through Strength:

  Donald Trump (14:31): "My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier."

Shapiro praises the speech's optimistic and pragmatic tone, contrasting it with the previous administration's approach.

5. Cultural Highlights: Carrie Underwood's Performance [17:05 - 18:26]

A memorable cultural moment during the inauguration was Carrie Underwood's impassioned acapella rendition of "America the Beautiful." Shapiro highlights this as a unifying and inspiring moment:

Ben Shapiro (18:29): "O beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain for purple mountain majesties above the fruiting plain..."

6. Executive Orders and Policy Reversals [18:26 - 36:36]

Immediately following his inauguration, President Trump embarked on a series of executive actions aimed at reversing Biden-era policies:

• Revocation of Biden's Executive Orders:

  Shapiro details Trump's revocation of 78 executive orders issued by Biden, framing it as a fulfillment of his mandate to dismantle previous administration initiatives.

• Pardoning January 6 Protesters:

  Trump issued pardons to nearly all participants involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, a move Shapiro acknowledges as controversial but aligned with Trump's promises.

  Ben Shapiro (28:35): "President Trump has a mandate to get rid of all the trash that Joe Biden did."

• Immigration and Border Policies:

  Key actions include declaring a national emergency at the southern border, reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, and committing to the construction of the border wall.

  Donald Trump (17:05): "I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted..."

• Free Speech and Gender Policies:

  Trump signed an executive order affirming the recognition of only two genders and pledging to end governmental efforts to "socially engineer" race and gender.

  Donald Trump (16:12): "I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life."

• Birthright Citizenship:

  An executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship was introduced, interpreting the 14th Amendment to exclude children born to non-citizens under specific conditions.

  Ben Shapiro (36:36): "That's what it means. Because 'subject to the jurisdiction' doesn't just mean that if you hit somebody with a car, you go to jail in America. It means that you in fact are here on a permanent status."

Shapiro anticipates significant legal challenges to these orders but remains optimistic about their implementation.

7. Comparison with Biden Administration [24:43 - 27:48]

Shapiro contrasts Trump's approach to presidential pardons and policy reversals with Biden's actions, portraying Biden's pardons and commutations as politically motivated and detrimental to the integrity of the office:

Ben Shapiro (25:24): "Joe Biden just wanted to do the bad thing. He always wanted to do the bad thing."

He criticizes Biden for issuing preemptive pardons to family members and associates, framing Trump's actions as a return to lawful and principled governance.

8. Future Outlook and Closing Remarks [27:40 - End]

Concluding the episode, Shapiro emphasizes the transformative potential of Trump's presidency, highlighting the swift and decisive actions taken in the initial months. He warns of ongoing cultural and political battles ahead but remains steadfast in his support for Trump's agenda.

Ben Shapiro (27:52): "President Trump has a mandate to get rid of all the trash that Joe Biden did. That means that President Trump has a mandate to get rid of all the trash that Joe Biden did."

Shapiro encourages listeners to join The Daily Wire for continued coverage and analysis, reinforcing the show's commitment to providing unfiltered and conservative perspectives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Trump's Optimism:

  Donald Trump (08:37): "The American people have spoken... The impossible is what we do best."

• Manifest Destiny:

  Donald Trump (13:33): "We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars..."

• Pardoning January 6 Protesters:

  Ben Shapiro (28:35): "President Trump has a mandate to get rid of all the trash that Joe Biden did."

• Free Speech Revival:

  Donald Trump (16:12): "I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender..."

• Birthright Citizenship Clarification:

  Ben Shapiro (36:36): "That's what it means..."

Conclusion

Episode 2121 of The Ben Shapiro Show offers a thorough examination of Donald Trump's swift return to presidential power, detailing the immediate policy shifts and their intended impact on American society. Shapiro presents Trump's actions as a revitalization of American greatness, positioning them against the backdrop of perceived missteps by the previous administration. The episode serves as both a celebration of Trump's mandate and a roadmap for the conservative agenda moving forward.