Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2167 - MORE TRUMP WINNING: NPR CEO IMPLODES, MS-13 Head ARRESTED

Release Date: March 27, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Platform: The Daily Wire

1. NPR CEO Catherine Maher Faces Intense Scrutiny on Capitol Hill

Timestamp: [00:00] – [05:15]

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by discussing a recent congressional hearing where NPR CEO Catherine Maher testified before a subcommittee led by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. The hearing focused on allegations of NPR's left-wing bias and the utilization of taxpayer funds.

• Funding Details: According to Perplexity (the show's sponsor), U.S. taxpayers contribute approximately $535 million annually to NPR and PBS via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, totaling around $5.35 billion over the past decade.

• Listenership: In 2022, NPR boasted about 23.5 million average weekly listeners, while PBS NewsHour attracted approximately 882,000 viewers weekly.

• Allegations of Bias: Representative Greene questioned Maher about NPR’s editorial board, revealing that out of 87 members, none were Republicans. Greene stated, "[03:16] Catherine Maher: Single Republican in your editorial board."

• Maher's Defense and Breakdown: Maher struggled to defend NPR's impartiality, ultimately facing harsh criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Representative James Comer of Kentucky remarked, "people who listen to NPR are totally misinformed" ([03:18]).

• Additional Grilling: Congressman Jim Jordan and Representative Tim Burchett further interrogated Maher, exposing her inconsistent statements regarding her tweets about white supremacy and questioning NPR's coverage decisions, such as the omission of the Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020.

Notable Quote:

“It’s just Noam Chomsky propaganda.” – Ben Shapiro ([03:16])

2. Trump Administration Captures Top MS-13 Leader

Timestamp: [27:03] – [28:19]

Shapiro reports a significant victory for the Trump administration with the arrest of a leading MS-13 member in Virginia.

• Details of the Arrest: The FBI apprehended a 24-year-old suspect, identified as one of the top three MS-13 leaders on the East Coast in Woolbridge, Virginia.

• Statements from Officials: Attorney General Pambandi and FBI Director Cash Patel praised the operation, stating, "We got one of the worst of Ms. 13 off the streets this morning. ([27:03])"

• Legal Proceedings: Shapiro anticipates court challenges to the arrest, predicting patterns where courts block deportations until legal disputes are resolved.

Notable Quote:

“Thanks to the FBI, we got one of the worst of the worst of Ms. 13 off the streets this morning.” – AG Pambandi ([27:03])

3. Daily Wire Investigates Corruption in Diversity Nonprofit

Timestamp: [05:10] – [20:00]

Shapiro delves into a Daily Wire investigative report uncovering significant fraud within the National Diversity Council (NDC).

• Bankruptcy and Lawsuit: NDC filed for bankruptcy on March 17 after accusations surfaced that founder R. Dennis Kennedy and top executives misappropriated millions of dollars from donor funds.

• Details of Fraud: Kennedy allegedly paid himself exorbitant salaries and redirected funds to his for-profit firm, Diversity and Leadership Inc. Records showed payments of $450,000 for minimal work and over $1 million in donor funds.

• Impersonation Tactics: Kennedy transferred NDC’s trademarks and web domains to his name, creating a fraudulent organization to solicit direct payments.

• High-Profile Associations: The scandal involved endorsements from figures like Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey, undermining the organization’s credibility.

Notable Quote:

“According to the lawsuit, National Diversity Council.org now leads to a website of an organization that purports to be the National Diversity Council, listing Kennedy as its founder and no board.” – Ben Shapiro ([05:10])

4. Trump Administration’s Energy Policies and Tariff Announcements

Timestamp: [20:00] – [34:28]

Shapiro discusses the Trump administration's proactive measures to bolster the U.S. economy through energy investments and protective tariffs.

• Energy Investments: Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized the importance of investing in American energy, highlighting geopolitical advantages and economic growth ([20:00]).

• Tariffs on Non-American Cars: President Trump announced a 25% tariff on all non-U.S.-made cars starting April 3, aiming to protect domestic industry. However, this move is criticized for potentially increasing car prices and affecting both foreign and American manufacturers who produce vehicles domestically.

• Economic Impact: Shapiro argues that these tariffs may deter investors and harm the economy, despite the administration’s intentions to reduce governmental waste and promote American manufacturing.

Notable Quote:

“Stock investors are spooked.” – Ben Shapiro ([30:00])

5. Arrest of MS-13 Leader and Immigration Policies

Timestamp: [34:28] – [28:19]

Shapiro highlights the successful arrest of an MS-13 leader and discusses ongoing immigration policies.

• Law Enforcement Success: The FBI's capture of the MS-13 leader is portrayed as a significant achievement in combating gang violence ([27:03]).

• Immigration Court Rulings: An appeals court upheld a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan gang members, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited El Salvador prisons to oversee detainee conditions.

Notable Quote:

“President Trump is solving illegal immigration faster than any other problem.” – Ben Shapiro ([28:19])

6. Controversy Over National Security Team's Signal Chat

Timestamp: [20:00] – [35:53]

Shapiro addresses a scandal involving the Trump administration's national security team inadvertently including journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal chat discussing operational details of potential attacks.

• Details of the Incident: The inclusion of Goldberg is criticized as a breach of protocol, though Shapiro downplays its severity, labeling it a bureaucratic snafu rather than a systemic issue.

• Government Response: Press Secretaries and officials described the incident as a mistake, with minimal classified information shared ([27:36]).

• Shapiro’s Take: He argues that such procedural errors are not grounds for major scandals and compares it to minor administrative blunders.

Notable Quote:

“It's the most obvious response mistake. Oopsie. Move on.” – Ben Shapiro ([28:23])

7. White House Reporter Visits Marine Base with J.D. Vance

Timestamp: [35:41] – [66:16]

White House reporter Mary Margaret Olihan joins the show to discuss her visit to Quantico, Virginia, with Vice President J.D. Vance.

• Event Highlights: Vance spoke to approximately 750 Marines about building warriors instead of promoting "woke ideology" and emphasized his commitment to supporting the military.

• Interactions: Olihan recounts Vance's engagement with Marines, including a shooting range demonstration, which was well-received by the attendees and shared positively on social media.

• Recruitment Surge: Shapiro notes a surge in military recruitment attributed to the administration’s support, stating, "Marine Corps is at an all-time high right now." ([32:57])

Notable Quote:

“I felt like a lot of people want to join the military now that we have people that are willing to back.” – Ben Shapiro ([32:57])

8. The Case for Derek Chauvin: Episode 4 – The Jury

Timestamp: [36:03] – [66:16]

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Episode 4 of "The Case for Derek Chauvin," which critiques the fairness of Chauvin’s trial in the murder of George Floyd.

• Trial Concerns: Shapiro and guest Coleman Hughes argue that the trial was compromised by intense media coverage, political interference, and procedural missteps, such as denying a change of venue despite extensive pretrial publicity.

• Jury Impartiality: The discussion highlights how external pressures, fear of unrest, and a biased jury pool undermined due process. Key points include:

  • $27 Million Settlement: During jury selection, Minneapolis City Council’s $27 million settlement with Floyd’s family potentially biased jurors ([40:57]).

  • Politician Interference: Statements from Congressman Maxine Waters and President Joe Biden were seen as exerting undue pressure on the jury.

  • Judge Peter Cahill's Rulings: Cahill’s refusal to sequester the jury and his later lecture advocating for racial justice in all cases are scrutinized as influences on the trial’s outcome.

• Judicial Bias: Exhibits how Judge Cahill’s remarks and actions potentially skewed the trial, making a case for why Chauvin did not receive a fair trial under Constitutional standards.

• Call for Pardon: Shapiro advocates for a presidential pardon for Chauvin, arguing it would affirm justice system integrity, and presents a petition urging Trump to pardon Chauvin.

Notable Quotes:

“This is the case for Derek Chauvin. Episode 4 the Jury... represents one of the most egregious violations of due process in modern American legal history.” – Ben Shapiro ([36:15])

“I would agree with you that that number is a concern.” – Ben Shapiro on NPR’s editorial board bias ([04:00])

Conclusion and Final Remarks

Shapiro wraps up the episode by emphasizing the importance of fair trials and the detrimental effects of political and social pressures on the justice system. He reiterates his call for Derek Chauvin’s pardon, framing it as a necessary step to restore faith in due process.

Call to Action: Visitors are encouraged to join Daily Wire Plus for exclusive content and community engagement, with promotional codes provided during the episode.

This episode of The Ben Shapiro Show provides a critical analysis of current political and social issues, emphasizing conservative perspectives on media bias, law enforcement success, governmental corruption, economic policies, and the integrity of the American justice system.