Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2136: No More TRANSING The Military!

Release Date: February 11, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Platform: The Daily Wire

Introduction

In Episode 2136 titled "No More TRANSING The Military!", Ben Shapiro delves deep into the ongoing transformation of the United States military, focusing on recent policy changes aimed at reinforcing the military’s traditional values and operational effectiveness. Shapiro critiques the influence of Current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and explores the implications of these shifts on military recruitment, public perception, and national security.

The Cycle of Culture and Politics

Timestamp: [00:00]

Shapiro begins by discussing the intricate relationship between culture and politics, emphasizing that "politics is downstream of culture, which is downstream of politics." He criticizes the prolonged influence of DEI and ESG initiatives within government departments, arguing that such programs create unofficial sanctions against dissenting opinions.

Ben Shapiro: "Politics is downstream of culture, which is downstream of politics, which is downstream of culture." [00:00]

He underscores the left's long-standing understanding of how governmental images can shape societal norms, contrasting it with the right's traditional oversight of delegated governmental powers.

Transformation of the Defense Department

Timestamp: [05:30]

Shapiro highlights the appointment of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as a pivotal moment in restoring the military's traditional image. He contrasts the historical portrayal of the military as a "battle machine" with the current focus on social engineering.

Ben Shapiro: "The Defense Department when we were growing up... was always the image of the military as a strong force dedicated to winning wars." [05:45]

He attributes recent increases in military recruitment to the renewed emphasis on these traditional values, suggesting that young men are now more inclined to join a military perceived as a "fighting machine" rather than a platform for social agendas.

Policy Changes: Pausing Gender Affirming Procedures

Timestamp: [15:20]

Shapiro discusses Secretary Hegseth’s memorandum halting gender-affirming medical procedures for active-duty service members and pausing new military promotions for those with a history of gender dysphoria.

Ben Shapiro: "All new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused." [15:35]

He frames these actions as necessary for maintaining military effectiveness, arguing that gender dysphoria and similar conditions can impede service members' capabilities.

Hegseth’s Memo: "Individuals with gender dysphoria have volunteered to serve our country and will be treated with dignity and respect." [24:50]

Renaming Fort Bragg to Fort Roland El Bragg

Timestamp: [20:10]

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the renaming of Fort Bragg back to Fort Roland El Bragg, distancing the military installation from its Confederate namesake.

Ben Shapiro: "They are restoring the legacy of Fort Bragg without paying homage to a Confederate soldier." [22:00]

He lauds the move as strategic, ensuring that the fort's name honors a World War II hero rather than a figure from the Confederacy, thereby reinforcing a unifying national legacy.

Critique of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Timestamp: [30:00]

Shapiro criticizes the CFPB, labeling it as an anti-democratic institution originally established by Elizabeth Warren and the Obama administration. He highlights recent actions by the Trump administration, led by Russ Vaught, to cut CFPB funding, and the subsequent backlash from Democratic figures.

Ben Shapiro: "The CFPB was put in place by Democrats in order to regulate the living hell out of businesses unless those businesses did the bidding of the federal government." [32:15]

He challenges the Democrats' portrayal of these budget cuts as threats to democracy, arguing instead that removing waste, fraud, and abuse from government operations is a necessary reform.

Judicial Overreach and the Concept of a Constitutional Crisis

Timestamp: [41:50]

Shapiro engages in a nuanced discussion about the allegations of a constitutional crisis, primarily propagated by Democratic commentators and institutions like the American Bar Association (ABA). He argues that actions taken by the executive branch to streamline and eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies are being misconstrued as constitutional threats.

Ben Shapiro: "A constitutional crisis isn’t triggered by the executive branch cutting itself; that’s just a rebalancing." [42:00]

He contends that the judiciary's role in imposing nationwide injunctions impedes the executive branch's ability to enact necessary reforms, thereby exacerbating governmental inefficiencies.

Political Rebranding and Cultural Influence

Timestamp: [45:00]

Shapiro emphasizes Donald Trump's expertise in branding and image management, asserting that Trump's actions are effectively reshaping America's international and domestic image. He credits Trump with leveraging cultural symbols and actions to reinforce nationalistic and traditional values within the military and broader society.

Ben Shapiro: "Donald Trump is the best marketer in the history of the American republic, bar none." [47:25]

He contrasts this with Democratic critics who, in his view, lack a cohesive understanding of the power of imagery and cultural influence.

Case Study: Super Bowl and Public Perception of Leadership

Timestamp: [48:00]

In a lighter yet poignant segment, Shapiro analyzes the public's reaction to celebrities at major events like the Super Bowl, using Taylor Swift's experience as an example of shifting cultural sentiments. He interprets the mixed reactions—support for President Trump versus booing of a celebrity—as indicative of America's ongoing cultural realignment towards traditional values.

Ben Shapiro: "President Trump's rebranding of America against evil actors like Hamas is manifesting strongly in public sentiment." [50:14]

He juxtaposes this with derogatory views of figures like Taylor Swift, attributing the negative reception to her perceived departure from traditional values and her involvement in celebrity culture.

Conclusion

Throughout Episode 2136, Ben Shapiro underscores a central theme: the necessity of reclaiming and reinforcing traditional military values to ensure national security and societal stability. He critiques the left's prolonged influence on military and governmental institutions, advocating for policies that prioritize operational effectiveness over social engineering. The episode serves as a clarion call for conservatives to support reforms that align the military and government with foundational principles of strength, unity, and national pride.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ben Shapiro: "Politics is downstream of culture, which is downstream of politics, which is downstream of culture." [00:00]

• Ben Shapiro: "The Defense Department... was always the image of the military as a strong force dedicated to winning wars." [05:45]

• Ben Shapiro: "All new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused." [15:35]

• Ben Shapiro: "They are restoring the legacy of Fort Bragg without paying homage to a Confederate soldier." [22:00]

• Ben Shapiro: "The CFPB was put in place by Democrats in order to regulate the living hell out of businesses..." [32:15]

• Ben Shapiro: "A constitutional crisis isn’t triggered by the executive branch cutting itself; that’s just a rebalancing." [42:00]

• Ben Shapiro: "Donald Trump is the best marketer in the history of the American republic, bar none." [47:25]

• Ben Shapiro: "President Trump's rebranding of America against evil actors like Hamas is manifesting strongly in public sentiment." [50:14]

Final Thoughts

Episode 2136 of "The Ben Shapiro Show" offers a comprehensive critique of current military and governmental policies from a conservative standpoint. By highlighting recent reforms aimed at strengthening the military's traditional role and criticizing left-leaning initiatives, Shapiro advocates for a national realignment towards policies he believes will enhance America's global standing and internal cohesion.