Summary of "Ep. 2137 - The Trump-Musk REVOLUTION Continues!" from The Ben Shapiro Show

Release Date: February 12, 2025

In Episode 2137 of The Ben Shapiro Show, host Ben Shapiro delves deep into the ongoing political dynamics surrounding the Trump-Musk alliance. The episode, titled "The Trump-Musk REVOLUTION Continues!", presents a robust critique of Democratic strategies, highlights President Trump's initiatives to combat governmental waste, and underscores the transformative potential of AI and meritocracy in reshaping American governance.

1. Democrats' Narrative of a Constitutional Crisis

Ben Shapiro opens the discussion by challenging the Democratic narrative that the United States is embroiled in a constitutional crisis. He asserts that Democrats have persistently labeled both Donald Trump and the Republican efforts as threats to democracy, particularly during the last election cycle.

Ben Shapiro [00:00]: “Democrats keep claiming that we're in a constitutional crisis. They haven't learned their lesson yet.”

Shapiro argues that the true constitutional threat lies in the Democratic-controlled bureaucratic system, which he describes as a "deep state" designed to perpetuate Democratic influence regardless of the party in power. He emphasizes that President Trump's actions to audit and streamline federal agencies should be viewed as responsible governance rather than a constitutional threat.

2. President Trump's Approval Ratings and Republican Support

Highlighting President Trump's resilience, Shapiro cites a recent poll from the UK Daily Mail showing Trump's approval rating at an impressive 53%, breaking down support across various demographics:

• Men: 57%
• Women: 49%
• Ages 18-29: 51%
• Ages 30-49: 59%
• Ages 65+: 45%

He notes that Trump's ability to maintain mid-50s approval ratings is unprecedented in his career, attributing this to his efforts to dismantle the entrenched Democratic bureaucracy.

Ben Shapiro [05:30]: “Donald Trump's approval ratings remain in the mid-50s at this point, the highest they've been in his entire career.”

3. The Trump-Musk Partnership and the DOGE Initiative

A significant portion of the episode discusses the collaboration between President Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk. Shapiro details the signing of an executive order aimed at reducing federal workforce redundancy and limiting future hiring, with Musk playing a pivotal role in this initiative, referred to as DOGE.

Ben Shapiro [15:45]: “President Trump has actually changed in many ways... He's willing to take advice. But in the end, he is the decision maker.”

Elon Musk's involvement is portrayed as a strategic move to inject competence and efficiency into government operations. Shapiro praises Musk's transparency and hands-on approach, contrasting it with the perceived opacity of previous administrations.

Ben Shapiro [20:10]: “Musk is being transparent here. He says, listen, I'm gonna make mistakes... but we'll act quickly to correct any mistakes.”

4. Critique of Bureaucratic Inefficiency and Waste

Shapiro vehemently criticizes the inefficiency within federal agencies, exemplifying his point with the USAID inspector general's recent firing after releasing a report on food assistance mismanagement. He underscores the absurdity of outdated processes, such as the manual handling of retirement paperwork in a limestone mine, highlighting the urgent need for modernization.

Ben Shapiro [25:50]: “In the modern world, you know how you could retire today? By hitting a button. Like one button less than a second.”

5. The Decline of DEI Initiatives and Rise of Meritocracy

Addressing corporate shifts away from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, Shapiro points to major companies like Goldman Sachs and Disney abandoning DEI in favor of merit-based frameworks. He argues that meritocracy fosters positive externalities and drives productivity more effectively than identity-based initiatives.

Ben Shapiro [35:20]: “Meritocracy has positive externalities for everyone else. No other system of rewarding talent creates positive externalities.”

This segment includes notable mentions of Disney's rebranding efforts and PBS shuttering its DEI office in response to executive orders, which Shapiro frames as a victory for meritocratic principles.

6. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Economic Growth

Shapiro shifts focus to the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the economy. He lauds the United States' proactive stance on AI development, contrasting it with Europe's cautionary approach. Highlighting Vice President JD Vance's remarks, he emphasizes that embracing AI innovation is crucial for maintaining economic competitiveness and fostering productivity.

Ben Shapiro [45:15]: “AI is the single most transformative technology of my lifetime, other than the Internet itself.”

Shapiro also critiques China's alleged misinformation regarding its AI advancements, reinforcing the narrative that the U.S. remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

7. Foreign Policy and Middle East Stability

The episode extensively covers President Trump's foreign policy maneuvers, particularly in the Middle East. Shapiro discusses Trump's proposal to stabilize the Gaza Strip, his commendable handling of negotiations leading to the release of American hostages like Mark Fogel, and his firm stance against Hamas.

Ben Shapiro [55:40]: “President Trump is right on these matters, as always.”

Shapiro contrasts Trump's decisive actions with Biden's more tentative approaches, portraying Trump as a strong leader capable of bringing stability and peace to volatile regions.

8. Republican Strategies and Government Budgeting

Concluding the episode, Shapiro touches upon the internal dynamics within the Republican Party concerning budget allocations. He highlights debates over necessary budget cuts to eliminate waste and fraud, suggesting that Democrats' obstructionist tactics will ultimately fail due to robust Republican support.

Ben Shapiro [1:05:30]: “If Democrats try to filibuster that, that is a losing proposition for them.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Shapiro [00:00]: “Democrats keep claiming that we're in a constitutional crisis. They haven't learned their lesson yet.”

• Ben Shapiro [05:30]: “Donald Trump's approval ratings remain in the mid-50s at this point, the highest they've been in his entire career.”

• Ben Shapiro [15:45]: “President Trump has actually changed in many ways... He's willing to take advice. But in the end, he is the decision maker.”

• Ben Shapiro [20:10]: “Musk is being transparent here. He says, listen, I'm gonna make mistakes... but we'll act quickly to correct any mistakes.”

• Ben Shapiro [25:50]: “In the modern world, you know how you could retire today? By hitting a button. Like one button less than a second.”

• Ben Shapiro [35:20]: “Meritocracy has positive externalities for everyone else. No other system of rewarding talent creates positive externalities.”

• Ben Shapiro [45:15]: “AI is the single most transformative technology of my lifetime, other than the Internet itself.”

• Ben Shapiro [55:40]: “President Trump is right on these matters, as always.”

• Ben Shapiro [1:05:30]: “If Democrats try to filibuster that, that is a losing proposition for them.”

Conclusion

Episode 2137 of The Ben Shapiro Show presents a comprehensive analysis of the Trump-Musk alliance's efforts to overhaul federal governance, combat bureaucratic inefficiency, and drive economic growth through meritocracy and technological innovation. Shapiro's articulate arguments challenge prevailing Democratic narratives, advocating for a streamlined, accountable government structure aligned with conservative principles.