The Ben Shapiro Show – Episode 2164 Summary

Title: The Democrats’ 2028 Frontrunner Is…AOC?!
Host: Ben Shapiro
Featuring: Charlemagne tha God
Release Date: March 24, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 2164 of The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro delves deep into the current state of the Democratic Party, scrutinizing its internal struggles, strategic missteps, and potential future leadership. The conversation also touches on cultural phenomena, including the underperformance of Disney's latest live-action remake of Snow White.

Democratic Party's Internal Struggles

Shapiro's Analysis:

Ben Shapiro begins by highlighting significant challenges facing the Democratic Party. He emphasizes President Trump's robust approval ratings, which he notes are unusually high for Trump's political career, citing a figure near 50%. Shapiro attributes Trump's popularity to his stringent policies on illegal immigration and his stance against cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within government.

Key Points:

• High Approval Ratings: President Trump's approval hovers around 50%, bolstered by popular policies.
• Democratic Mismanagement: Shapiro references a Wall Street Journal article detailing Los Angeles' $1 billion budget shortfall, blaming Democratic governance for fiscal irresponsibility.
• Regulatory Burden: He criticizes the excessive regulations imposed by Democrats, citing a state with nearly 400,000 regulations leading to business exodus.

Notable Quote:

"The Democratic mismanagement of America's big city is becoming a liability for the party." – The Wall Street Journal [02:17]

Charlemagne tha God's Perspective

Charlemagne's Insights:

Charlemagne tha God reinforces Shapiro's critique, labeling the Democratic Party as "toxic" and advising Democrats to distance themselves from the current party dynamics in Washington, D.C.

Key Points:

• Party Disarray: Charlemagne asserts the Democratic Party lacks a coherent ideology and is in disarray.
• Recommendation for Democrats: He advises Democrats to focus on governing at the state level rather than national politics.

Notable Quote:

"If you're a Democrat, I'm gonna tell you the worst thing that you could do right now. Speak for that party, okay?" – Charlemagne tha God [02:17]

Potential Angles for Democratic Strategy

Shapiro's Breakdown:

Shapiro explores possible strategies the Democratic Party might adopt to regain footing:

1. Administrative Competence: Democrats could attempt to showcase their ability to administrate effectively, though Shapiro doubts the success of this angle given their track record.
2. Moral Issue Focus: Shifting the party’s focus to moral and ethical issues rather than administrative efficiency.
3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Emphasizing DEI initiatives, potentially at the expense of other qualifications for candidates.

Key Points:

• Failure of Administrative Liberalism: Reference to the unsuccessful attempts by Democrats to demonstrate administrative prowess.
• Popularity of DEI: Highlighting the Democratic focus on diversity and representation, with candidates like Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg gaining prominence.

Notable Quote:

"The feet are moving south. The feet are moving from blue to red. It'd be my family, be my company." – Ben Shapiro [02:17]

Rise of Bernie Sanders and AOC

Shapiro's Analysis:

Shapiro identifies Bernie Sanders as a pivotal figure representing insurgent energy within the Democratic Party. He speculates that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) could emerge as a leading candidate for the 2028 presidential race, potentially succeeding Sanders due to his advancing age.

Key Points:

• Sanders' Influence: Sanders is portrayed as the embodiment of class warfare within the party, distancing from traditional Democratic administration.
• AOC's Potential: AOC is positioned as a charismatic, albeit controversial, figure who could leverage Sanders' base to secure the Democratic nomination.
• Internal Party Conflict: The alliance between Sanders and AOC signals a shift towards more radical elements within the party.

Notable Quotes:

"Bernie Sanders is taking a really interesting approach. He's abandoning certain issues that are sort of tent pole Democrat issues right now." – Ben Shapiro [12:00]
"She's a dangerous candidate inside the party for sure." – Ben Shapiro [15:14]

Economic Challenges Facing the Trump Administration

Shapiro's Concerns:

Shapiro underscores the critical importance of the Trump administration maintaining economic stability. He warns that an economic downturn could provide Democrats with undue leverage to blame the administration, thereby strengthening their narrative for class warfare.

Key Points:

• Economic Stability: Emphasis on avoiding an economic downturn to prevent Democrats from capitalizing on economic dissatisfaction.
• Market Volatility: Current market uncertainties, including tariff tensions and recession fears, pose significant risks.
• Business Support for Republicans: Shapiro notes that business-friendly policies under Republican leadership typically garner strong business support, which is crucial for economic success.

Notable Quote:

"The real question is how long will recovery take? What's going to cost along the way. It is not going to be an easy economic road going forward in my own personal opinion." – Ben Shapiro [Various timestamps]

Legal Battles and Judicial Challenges

Shapiro's Insight:

The episode delves into ongoing legal disputes involving the Trump administration, particularly regarding the use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for deportations. Shapiro critiques the administration's confrontational approach towards the judiciary, predicting that efforts to remove supportive judges are unlikely to succeed.

Key Points:

• Deportation Policies: Legal challenges are mounting against Trump's deportation policies, with district court judges issuing Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs).
• Judicial Appointments: The composition of appellate courts, including Trump and Bush appointees, plays a crucial role in these legal battles.
• Impeachment Skepticism: Shapiro expresses doubt over the feasibility of impeaching federal judges, citing the high threshold of a two-thirds Senate majority.

Notable Quotes:

"Josh Gerstein of Politico says will they embrace Trump's expansive view of executive power or will they show concern about what Boseberg has called the very frightening possibility..." – Ben Shapiro [17:58]
"I have been very not rich, and I've been very rich, and I'm basically the same person all the way through." – Ben Shapiro [Various timestamps]

Cultural Commentary: Disney's Snow White

Shapiro's Critique:

Shapiro shifts focus to the entertainment industry, specifically criticizing Disney's live-action remake of Snow White for its poor box office performance and perceived political overtones. He contrasts its failure with the relative success of previous Disney remakes, attributing its shortcomings to excessive "wokeness" and poor casting choices.

Key Points:

• Box Office Performance: Snow White underperformed, grossing only $43 million against a $270 million budget.
• Critical Reception: The film holds a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received a B+ cinema score, which is low for a children's film.
• Political Overtones: Shapiro argues that Disney's infusion of political themes disrupts audience reception and contributes to its failure.
• Historical Comparison: Unlike successful remakes like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, recent Disney remakes since the pandemic have faltered.

Notable Quote:

"If you were to create a curve of obesity versus health, it actually reverses the historical curve... The problem with the health of people who make less money... is actually too much caloric intake." – Ben Shapiro [Various timestamps]

Policy Discussion: SNAP Cutbacks

Shapiro's Support:

Addressing policy matters, Shapiro discusses proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), advocating for restrictions on purchasing unhealthy foods with SNAP benefits. He aligns with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance, emphasizing the need to shift away from subsidizing junk food to combat obesity and improve public health.

Key Points:

• Nutritional Reform: Advocating for the removal of sugary and unhealthy food subsidies from SNAP to address obesity.
• Public Health: Highlighting the correlation between SNAP usage for junk food and rising health issues.
• Policy Controversy: Shapiro criticizes right-wing influencers who oppose SNAP restrictions, finding their stance illogical within conservative frameworks.

Notable Quote:

"If SNAP is designed to provide nutritional supplement to kids... why exactly should the American taxpayers subsidize people eating unhealthy junk." – Ben Shapiro [Various timestamps]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ben Shapiro wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of economic stability for the Trump administration and cautioning against the rising influence of Sanders and AOC within the Democratic Party. He underscores the necessity for Republicans to maintain their economic policies to prevent Democrats from leveraging economic downturns for political gain.

Key Takeaways:

• Economic Vigilance: The Trump administration must prioritize maintaining economic health to thwart Democratic narratives.
• Internal Party Dynamics: The alliance between Sanders and AOC represents a transformative shift towards more radical elements within the Democratic Party.
• Cultural Impact: The failure of Disney's Snow White serves as a cultural indicator of the backlash against perceived political correctness in mainstream media.

Notable Quote:

"We can laugh at her. I've been laughing at her for years. I think she's a ridiculous figure." – Ben Shapiro [Various timestamps]

Overall Summary:

In this episode, Ben Shapiro provides a critical examination of the Democratic Party's current state, highlighting internal mismanagement, strategic failures, and the potential rise of radical figures like AOC as presidential candidates. He warns of the economic challenges facing the Trump administration and emphasizes the importance of maintaining economic stability to prevent Democratic resurgence. Additionally, Shapiro offers cultural critiques, particularly targeting Disney's unsuccessful Snow White remake as a symbol of the pitfalls of excessive political correctness in entertainment.