Summary of "The Ben Shapiro Show" Episode 2159 - Trump SOARS in Polling, UNLEASHES On Houthis!

Release Date: March 17, 2025

1. Introduction and Immediate News Highlights

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by addressing recent tumultuous events, emphasizing President Trump's strong polling numbers and the administration's decisive military actions against the Yemeni Houthis.

2. President Trump's Military Action Against the Houthis

Shapiro delves into President Trump's announcement of launching military strikes against the Houthis, a group characterized as anti-American and influenced by Iranian support.

• Impact on Global Shipping and Economy:

  Shapiro explains how Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping have significantly disrupted international trade, citing:

  "The average cost for shipping a 40-foot container has risen to around $3,000, up from less than $1,500 before the attacks." (06:30)

  This disruption has contributed to a 0.6 to 0.7% increase in global consumer goods inflation in 2024.

• President Trump's Response:

  Quoting Trump directly from Truth Social:

  "The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We'll use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective." (10:15)

  Shapiro praises Trump's assertive stance, comparing it to historical U.S. actions against piracy:

  "This is what President Trump should be doing. This is an excellent use of the United States military." (10:55)

• Administration Officials on the Strikes:

  Secretary of State Marco Rubio supports the actions, stating:

  "These were not kind of pinprick back and forth... This was an overwhelming response that actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out." (11:34)

3. Economic Implications of Houthi Attacks

The episode highlights the economic strain caused by the disrupted shipping lanes:

• Increased Shipping Costs:

  Due to rerouting around the Horn of Africa, additional fuel costs amount to roughly $1 million more per voyage.

• Decline in Red Sea Shipping:

  Container shipping through the Red Sea has declined by approximately 90%, with merchant ships passing through annually dropping from 25,000 to 10,000. (07:45)

4. The Alien Enemies Act and Deportations

Shapiro discusses the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport members of violent gangs, focusing on the legal and political ramifications.

• Deportation of Venezuelan Gang Members:

  The administration has targeted TRENA Aragua gang members, leading to legal challenges:

  "The written order and the administration's actions do not conflict." (18:05)

• Judicial Pushback:

  A U.S. district judge temporarily blocked some deportations, prompting the administration to proceed with already airborne flights:

  "The administration did not refuse to comply with a court order..." (19:02)

• Public and Political Reactions:

  Shapiro criticizes Democrats for opposing the administration's actions, labeling them as unfounded claims of tyranny.

5. Polling Data: Trump's Approval and Democratic Decline

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing polling data that showcases President Trump's rising approval and the Democratic Party's plummeting favorability.

• Trump's Approval Ratings:

  • Overall Approval: 54% disapprove of his handling of the economy, mainly due to the tariff war.

  • Strengths:

    • Border Security: 56% approve of his actions.
    • Government Cuts: 47% favorable.
    • Ukraine and NATO: 41% favorable opinions on his handling.

  • Partisan Split:

    • Republicans: 90% approve.
    • Democrats: 4% approve.
    • Independents: Approval closer to Republican levels. (25:00)

• Democratic Party's Struggles:

  CNN polls indicate Democrats' favorability at a record low of 29%, a 20-point drop over four years.

  Shapiro underscores internal conflicts and leadership crises within the Democratic Party:

  "Republicans already know the Democrats suck. Independents think the Democrats are completely off the rails." (33:38)

6. Internal Conflicts Within the Democratic Party

Shapiro critiques the Democratic Party's inability to unify and effectively lead, attributing it to leadership figures being out of touch or too extreme.

• Leadership Void:

  Only 10% recognize Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the party leader, with other prominent figures like Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders trailing. (35:26)

• Strategic Missteps:

  The focus on identity politics and internal quarreling has alienated a broader electorate:

  "They are addicted to the crazy. And they can't let go of the crazy." (35:39)

7. Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Policy

The episode covers the ongoing Ukraine conflict, highlighting Putin's advances and Trump's diplomatic efforts.

• Russian Advances:

  Putin's military strategies, including deploying North Korean soldiers and advanced drone warfare, have isolated Ukrainian forces. (37:00)

• Trump's Diplomatic Moves:

  Scheduled talks between Trump and Putin aim to negotiate a ceasefire, though skepticism remains about Putin's willingness to agree:

  "I'm doubtful that Vladimir Putin is gonna come to the table with anything that looks like a real peace deal." (40:30)

• Appointment of General Keith Kellogg:

  Trump appoints General Kellogg as Special Envoy to Ukraine, signaling a shift towards more aggressive pressure on Russia.

8. Interview with Emily Austin

Shapiro welcomes Emily Austin, a news personality, to discuss culture war issues, particularly focusing on gender ideology and its impact on sports and media.

• Cultural Critique:

  Austin shares her experiences with political indoctrination in journalism education, expressing frustration with gender ideologies and identity politics:

  "This was abhorrent. I have no words." (45:18)

• Sports and Identity Politics:

  Discussing West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez's rule against players dancing on TikTok, Austin supports the move as a means to maintain focus and discipline:

  "I fully support that." (48:33)

• Critique of Transgender Representation:

  Austin criticizes transgender individuals like Dylan Mulvaney for what she perceives as mockery of women and the undermining of women's sports:

  "It's an abomination it ever was allowed to happen." (51:31)

9. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content

Shapiro wraps up the episode by promoting exclusive Daily Wire content and upcoming shows, briefly mentioning topics like Bill Maher's interviews and other media engagements.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Impact on Shipping Costs:

   "The average cost for shipping a 40-foot container has risen to around $3,000, up from less than $1,500 before the attacks." (06:30)

2. Trump's Assurance:

   "The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We'll use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective." (10:15)

3. Historical Comparison:

   "This is an excellent use of the United States military." (10:55)

4. Secretary Rubio on Houthi Strikes:

   "These were not kind of pinprick back and forth... This was an overwhelming response that actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out." (11:34)

5. Decline in Red Sea Shipping:

   "Container shipping through the Red Sea has declined by approximately 90%." (07:45)

6. Deportation Legalities:

   "The administration did not refuse to comply with a court order..." (19:02)

7. Trump's Approval Among Independents:

   "His approval rating among Republicans, unsurprisingly, 90%. His approval rating among Democrats, 4%." (25:00)

8. Democrats' Internal Struggles:

   "Republicans already know the Democrats suck. Independents think the Democrats are completely off the rails." (33:38)

9. Leadership Crisis in Democrats:

   "They are addicted to the crazy. And they can't let go of the crazy." (35:39)

10. Doubts on Ukraine Peace Talks:

    "I'm doubtful that Vladimir Putin is gonna come to the table with anything that looks like a real peace deal." (40:30)

11. Emily Austin on Gender Ideology:

    "It's an abomination it ever was allowed to happen." (51:31)

Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Shapiro provides a comprehensive analysis of President Trump's strong political standing amidst significant foreign policy actions, particularly against the Houthis and implications for global trade. Simultaneously, he critiques the Democratic Party's declining influence and internal discord. The discussion extends to cultural battles, especially surrounding gender ideology, highlighting the broader culture wars influencing American politics.

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