Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2122 "Now ELON’S A Nazi?!"

Release Date: January 22, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
Episode Title: Now ELON’S A Nazi?!

Overview

In Episode 2122 of The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro delves into the tumultuous landscape of American politics under the newly inaugurated Trump administration. The episode scrutinizes the Democratic Party's lingering attachment to "wokeness," recent controversial events involving Marianne Budde at the National Prayer Service, and the media-fueled allegations labeling Elon Musk as a Nazi. Throughout the episode, Shapiro underscores his belief in America's enduring prosperity and the resilience of its free-market principles against leftist Marxist ideologies.

1. The Democratic Party and "Wokeness"

Timestamp: [00:00]

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by criticizing the Democratic Party's inability to pivot away from "woke" issues, which he categorizes as unfavorable to their electoral prospects. Highlighting that topics like racial discrimination and gender identity form an "80/20" issue spectrum—where 80% of Americans reject these ideologies—Shapiro argues that the Democrats' steadfast embrace of these topics hampers their appeal to the broader electorate.

Ben Shapiro ([00:00]): "Woke issues are an 8020 issue in the country. Americans do not believe in discrimination on the basis of race. That is an 8020 issue."

Shapiro further contends that the Democratic Party's adherence to "wokeness" is a rebranding of Marxist economic theories, repackaged as racial and gender-based issues to sustain their ideological foundation despite failing to resonate with a significant portion of the American populace.

Ben Shapiro ([05:15]): "Wokeness is the core philosophy of the Democratic Party. In a country of immense prosperity and historic wealth, the Marxist case for entrenched class barriers simply doesn't hold up."

2. National Prayer Service Controversy

Timestamp: [09:19]

Shapiro addresses a contentious moment from the National Prayer Service held at the Washington National Cathedral. Marianne Budde, an Episcopal bishop, delivered a sermon critiquing President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, intertwining religious rhetoric with "woke" ideology. Shapiro vehemently opposes Budde's approach, labeling her statements as detracting from genuine religious discourse and instead promoting political agendas.

Marianne Budde ([09:19]): "I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now... Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger..."

Ben Shapiro ([10:52]): "The suggestion that the Bible mandates that President Trump allow the mutilation... is perverse... This resistance pastor is spewing absolutely nonsense wokeness about both trans children and illegal immigrants."

Shapiro criticizes Budde for conflating religious teachings with politicized social issues, arguing that such narratives undermine traditional values and foster division within religious communities.

3. Elon Musk's Alleged Nazi Salute

Timestamp: [19:19]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to debunking allegations that Elon Musk, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, made Nazi salutes. Shapiro scrutinizes media coverage, particularly focusing on Rachel Maddow's reporting, and defends Musk against these claims. By dissecting Elon Musk's gestures and public statements, Shapiro argues that the accusations are baseless attempts by the left to discredit influential conservatives.

Rachel Maddow ([20:21]): "This today was Elon Musk... throwing something that looks like what is politely called the Roman salute..."

Ben Shapiro ([20:41]): "Blood curdling, just blood curdling... My Nazi radar does not go off around Elon Musk because he's not a damned Nazi."

Shapiro emphasizes that Elon Musk's previous actions and statements, including his joint visit with Shapiro to Auschwitz, demonstrate his commitment to combating anti-Semitism and distancing himself from Nazi ideology.

Ben Shapiro ([21:03]): "No one honestly believes that Elon Musk was giving a Nazi salute. But they have to characterize their opponents as Nazis. It's the only way."

He further criticizes figures like Jon Stewart for perpetuating these unfounded claims, asserting that such narratives are part of a broader strategy by the left to label their adversaries as inherently evil.

4. Foreign Policy and Secretary of State Rubio

Timestamp: [38:22]

Shapiro transitions to discussing the Trump administration's foreign policy, highlighting Secretary of State Marco Rubio's stance on the Ukraine conflict. He lauds Rubio's commitment to ending the war through "peace through strength," aligning with Trump's broader foreign policy objectives aimed at restoring American prominence and stability on the global stage.

Rachel Maddow ([38:32]): "The conflict needs to end... It's a policy of the United States that we want it to end."

Ben Shapiro ([39:28]): "Elise Stefanik, one of her other points that she was making is that the United States under Donald Trump is going to cut off American funding for terrorism, which is a pretty good start."

Shapiro contrasts this approach with Democratic criticisms, arguing that the Trump administration's strategies are more effective and aligned with American interests. He underscores the unanimous Senate approval of Rubio, portraying it as a testament to the administration's non-radical and pragmatic foreign policy.

5. Technology and AI Investments

Timestamp: [42:36]

Shapiro shifts focus to domestic advancements, particularly the Trump administration's significant investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. He highlights the collaboration between major tech companies like OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle in launching "Stargate," a venture aimed at bolstering America's leadership in AI through substantial financial commitments and job creation.

Ben Shapiro ([42:36]): "President Trump announced an up to $500 billion investment from the private sector in AI infrastructure... creating over 100,000 American jobs almost immediately."

Shapiro presents this initiative as a critical step in maintaining America's technological edge and economic dominance, contrasting it with the perceived stagnation under previous administrations.

6. Media and Political Attacks

Timestamp: [35:47]

Throughout the episode, Shapiro critiques the media's relentless pursuit of painting conservatives and their allies as fascists. He references Senator Robert Garcia's unfounded claims of Elon Musk performing Nazi salutes, branding such accusations as part of the left's "empty playbook" when facing resistance to their ideological agenda.

Ben Shapiro ([35:47]): "Why can't they separate off from those arguments? They keep going back to this well, which is absolutely bone dry... they're fascists, they're fat."

Shapiro condemns media figures and Democratic politicians for what he perceives as dishonest and defamatory tactics aimed at discrediting the Trump administration and its affiliates.

7. Conclusion

Timestamp: [37:36]

In wrapping up, Shapiro reiterates his confidence in the Trump administration's policies and the resilience of American institutions against leftist critiques. He emphasizes the importance of aligning with conservative values to sustain America's "golden age," asserting that the nation is poised for unprecedented prosperity and stability under Trump's leadership.

Ben Shapiro ([42:36]): "The golden age of America has now arrived... The rest of the world is beginning to adjust well."

Shapiro invites listeners to engage with The Daily Wire for uncensored and unfiltered coverage of current events, reinforcing his message of unwavering conservative principles steering the nation towards greatness.

Notable Quotes

• Ben Shapiro ([00:00]): "America's golden age is just getting started... the left cannot embrace this."

• Marianne Budde ([09:19]): "Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger..."

• Ben Shapiro ([20:41]): "Blood curdling, just blood curdling... My Nazi radar does not go off around Elon Musk."

• Rachel Maddow ([38:32]): "The conflict needs to end... It's a policy of the United States that we want it to end."

• Ben Shapiro ([42:36]): "The golden age of America has now arrived... The rest of the world is beginning to adjust well."

Conclusion

Episode 2122 of The Ben Shapiro Show presents a fervent defense of the Trump administration's policies while condemning the Democratic Party's adherence to "wokeness" and the media's portrayal of conservatives. Shapiro's arguments are underscored by a belief in American exceptionalism, economic mobility, and the enduring strength of free-market capitalism. Through incisive critique and unwavering support for conservative values, Shapiro aims to inform and engage listeners who seek an unfiltered perspective on contemporary political dynamics.