The Ben Shapiro Show Episode 2135: Super Bowl Review: PATRIOTISM IS BACK! Release Date: February 10, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 2135 of The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro delivers a comprehensive analysis of Super Bowl 59, highlighting a palpable shift in America's cultural and national mood towards heightened patriotism and away from previously prevalent "woke" narratives. Shapiro delves into the game’s commercials, the national anthem, halftime performances, and the broader political implications surrounding the event.

Super Bowl Overview: A Shift Towards Patriotism

Shapiro begins by expressing his disappointment with the game itself but juxtaposes it with the noticeable change in the country's atmosphere. He emphasizes the decline of "woke" elements, noting an uptick in patriotic displays across various segments of the event.

• Commercials: Less "Woke," More Patriotic

  Shapiro observes that while a few "woke" commercials made an appearance, the majority leaned heavily into patriotic themes.

  "The commercials themselves had been changed and transmuted. There were a couple of woke commercials, but they're kind of few and far between." [05:12]

• National Anthem and Halftime Show

  The national anthem, performed by John Batiste, was lauded for its traditional and stirring rendition, contrasting sharply with previous performances laden with political undertones.

  "John Batiste, who's a terrific artist, jazz artist, and he does some really excellent stuff, he performed the national anthem. Did a terrific national anthem. What so proudly we hail at just like a classic national anthem." [15:45]

  Regarding the halftime show, Shapiro criticized Kendrick Lamar's performance, deeming it confusing and lacking coherence.

  "My basic Super Bowl halftime review is actually, it's a beautiful voice and a beautiful accent. The only problem is I can't understand a word you're saying." [32:10]

Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts: Celebrating Success and Faith

Shapiro congratulates the Philadelphia Eagles on their Super Bowl victory, commending QB Jalen Hurts for his exceptional performance and strong faith.

• Praise for Jalen Hurts

  Hurts' commitment to his faith resonated with Shapiro, who found it refreshing and emblematic of a return to traditional values.

  "Jalen Hurts is truly a tremendous quarterback. And the Super Bowl winning quarterback had said before the game that he just wants to root himself in Jesus again." [07:30]

• City of Philadelphia: A Love-Hate Relationship

  While praising Hurts, Shapiro also critiques the city's tendency to self-destruct in reaction to events, whether positive or negative.

  "Congratulations to the city of Philadelphia, which insists on burning itself down every time something happens to Philadelphia that is either good or bad." [04:50]

Patriotic Themes and President Trump's Influence

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the resurgence of patriotism, attributing it partly to former President Donald Trump's influence and high approval ratings.

• Patriotic Advertisements Aligning with Trump-Era Values

  Shapiro points out that many advertisements during the Super Bowl mirrored Trump-era patriotism, undermining previous liberal narratives.

  "This is Trump's America. It just is. A spirit of normalcy and freedom is descending on the country once more." [24:00]

• President Trump's High Approval Ratings

  Highlighting Trump's approval ratings, Shapiro underscores their historic significance, attributing them to Trump's fulfillment of campaign promises and contrasting leadership style with current Democratic administration.

  "President Trump is currently riding in the approval ratings according to CBS, at 53%. 53% for President Trump, according to the media. He's doing all these crazy, insane, radical, unthinkable things. He's at 53% approval rating. That is the highest approval rating Donald Trump has ever had ever, in his entire political career." [45:25]

• Age and Demographic Breakdown

  Shapiro breaks down Trump's approval across various age groups, emphasizing unexpected support among younger voters.

  "For those aged 18 to 29, he's at a 55% approval rating. Why? Because he's counterculture." [48:10]

Critique of Democratic Policies and USAID Funding

Shapiro extends his analysis to the Trump administration's policies, particularly focusing on foreign aid and USAID's role, criticizing Democratic oversight and spending.

• USAID's Misallocation of Funds

  He accuses USAID of funding questionable programs, including those supporting Hamas, thereby undermining national security.

  "If you are sending billions of dollars into the Gaza Strip, absolutely 100% they're funding Hamas. There's no question about this." [56:40]

• Senator Bill Hagerty's Call for USAID Reform

  Shapiro references Senator Hagerty's stance on restructuring USAID to align with national security interests.

  "I've demanded accountability from aid. They've refused it. As an appropriator, I've asked them to be very clear about, for example, their role funding Hamas in Gaza. They would not comply." [60:15]

Halftime Show Analysis: Kendrick Lamar's Controversial Performance

The halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar received mixed reviews from Shapiro, who appreciated the vocal talent but criticized the lyrical content and overall execution.

• Confusion Over Lyrics and Message

  Shapiro found Lamar's performance to be muddled and lacking clarity, questioning its relevance and appeal to the general audience.

  "I have no idea what he was saying unless you knew the song. [...] It felt really bored and it felt really tired." [32:30]

Political Fallout: Executive vs. Judiciary and Democratic Reactions

Shapiro delves into the broader political implications of the Super Bowl's patriotic resurgence, discussing the tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary, as well as the Democratic Party's responses.

• Tensions with the Judiciary

  He highlights Vice President J.D. Vance's criticisms of judicial overreach, framing it as an attempt to undermine presidential authority.

  "Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power." [1:25:40]

• Democratic Backlash and Constitutional Crisis

  Shapiro argues that Democrats are overreacting to Trump's policies, portraying their concerns as part of a broader leftist agenda to destabilize the government.

  "We're seeing an executive branch that has decided that they are no longer going to abide by the Constitution in honoring Congress's role in the creation of the agencies, in their role in deciding where money is allocated." [1:15:30]

• Senator Chris Murphy's Claims

  He references Senator Chris Murphy's accusations of a constitutional crisis, countering them by asserting that the Trump administration is simply reducing government overreach.

  "That's ridiculous. [...] The only thing Murphy should fear is if he loses his job." [1:18:50]

Elon Musk and Department of Government Efficiency: Budget Cuts and Reactions

Shapiro touches upon the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk (referred to sarcastically as "Doge"), focusing on budget cuts and their political repercussions.

• Budget Reduction Efforts

  Musk's department has targeted over $1 billion in spending, primarily cutting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

  "More than half of the cost savings Doge says it has found is related to diversity, equity, and inclusion." [1:25:00]

• Democratic Criticism and Media Reaction

  Democrats have vocally opposed these cuts, framing them as attacks on essential social programs and equity initiatives.

  "Senator Chris Murphy... says that we are watching the worst constitutional crisis since Watergate." [1:30:10]

Concluding Remarks: The Rise of Patriotic Normie Culture

In his closing thoughts, Shapiro emphasizes the emergence of a "normie revolution" characterized by a return to traditional American values and patriotism. He asserts that this cultural shift is mirrored in political approval ratings and public sentiment, signaling a potential realignment of America's cultural and political landscape.

• Patriotic Normie Revolution

  "There is a feeling of peace and comfort that has come across the country and the media are not knowing how to deal with it. They just don't. The normie revolution is here." [1:35:20]

• Trump's Historical Significance

  Shapiro positions Trump alongside Ronald Reagan as a seminal figure in recent American history, crediting him with significant shifts in policies and national sentiment.

  "The two most seminal presidents of the last 50 years in America are Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump." [1:40:05]

Key Takeaways

• Cultural Shift: The Super Bowl showcased a notable move away from "woke" content towards overt patriotism, reflecting broader societal changes.
• Political Realignment: Trump's high approval ratings across diverse demographics indicate a significant shift in political allegiance and public sentiment.
• Judiciary vs. Executive: Ongoing tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary highlight fundamental debates over constitutional boundaries and government power.
• Democratic Backlash: Democrats' strong opposition to the Trump administration's policies underscores deep political divisions and resistance to change.
• Emerging Normie Culture: A resurgence of traditional American values is gaining momentum, potentially reshaping future cultural and political dynamics.

Notable Quotes

• On Patriotic Commercials:

  "This is Trump's America. It just is. A spirit of normalcy and freedom is descending on the country once more." [24:00]

• On President Trump's Approval:

  "President Trump is currently riding in the approval ratings according to CBS, at 53%. 53% for President Trump, according to the media." [45:25]

• On USAID Funding:

  "If you are sending billions of dollars into the Gaza Strip, absolutely 100% they're funding Hamas. There's no question about this." [56:40]

• On J.D. Vance's Tweet:

  "Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power." [1:25:40]

• On the Normie Revolution:

  "The normie revolution is here. How do we know? Because the polling shows it." [1:35:20]

Conclusion

Episode 2135 of The Ben Shapiro Show presents a fervent critique of contemporary American culture, politics, and national identity. Through his analysis of the Super Bowl, Shapiro paints a picture of a nation rediscovering its patriotic roots, challenging established "woke" paradigms, and undergoing significant political realignments under the influence of President Trump. The episode underscores a broader cultural and political transformation, suggesting enduring implications for America's future trajectory.