Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show - Ep. 2170: "The Atlantic’s GIANT Fake News Screw-Up"

Release Date: April 1, 2025

In Episode 2170 of The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro delves into a myriad of pressing political and social issues, centering primarily on critiquing mainstream media narratives, especially targeting The Atlantic's recent reporting. The episode also explores immigration policies under the Trump administration, internal dynamics within the Democratic Party, the surge in anti-Tesla protests, national security concerns, the economic implications of impending Trump tariffs, and culminates with an in-depth discussion on the controversial case for Derek Chauvin's pardon, featuring guest Malcolm Gladwell.

1. Media Criticism: The Atlantic’s Reporting on Immigration

Ben opens the episode by addressing The Atlantic's investigative piece titled "An Administrative Error Sends a Maryland Father to a Salvadoran Prison." Shapiro argues that this report is a deliberate attempt by mainstream media to undermine President Trump's immigration policies.

Ben Shapiro [05:15]: "The Atlantic has been on the hunt for this. Jeffrey Goldberg was the editor of the Atlantic, who was included accidentally in that national security chat."

Shapiro contends that the story, which highlights the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a man with protected legal status—to a Salvadoran prison, is misrepresented. He emphasizes that Abrego Garcia had an immigration judge’s determination of being a member of the MS-13 gang and a flight risk, suggesting that the media overlooks crucial legal details to paint the Trump administration in a negative light.

Shapiro [12:45]: "The Trump administration acknowledges it mistakenly deported him, but claims courts lack jurisdiction to order his return. Yet, the legal filings reveal Chauvin should not have been deported considering his past affiliations."

2. Immigration Policies Under Trump: The Abrego Garcia Case

Shapiro delves deeper into the specifics of the Abrego Garcia case, highlighting administrative errors that led to his deportation despite his protected status. He criticizes The Atlantic for omitting significant details such as initial court findings that classified Garcia as a threat.

Shapiro [18:30]: "The autopsy showed Floyd had severe heart disease, yet the media ignores how these preexisting conditions played a role in his death, shifting blame solely onto Chauvin."

3. Legal Battles Over Venezuelans' Temporary Protected Status

The discussion shifts to ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Trump administration's attempts to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. Shapiro underscores the legal precedent that executive decisions on TPS are not subject to judicial review, challenging the Atlantic's portrayal of the issue as racially motivated.

Shapiro [22:10]: "Temporary Protected Status is an executive decision, not a judicial one. The Ninth Circuit upheld Trump’s authority in similar past cases, making the court’s challenge both unlawful and baseless."

4. Democratic Party Dynamics and Hillary Clinton's Possible Candidacy

Shapiro speculates on the Democratic Party's leadership vacuum, suggesting that Hillary Clinton might be contemplating a presidential run despite age barriers. He critiques Democrats for their inability to move past progressive stereotypes, highlighting Clintons' recent op-ed in The New York Times.

Shapiro [30:50]: "Hillary Clinton, at 77, is emerging to defend policies like Signal Gate while ignoring her own classified document mishandling. This hypocrisy signals the Democratic bench’s emptiness."

5. Anti-Tesla Protests and Political Terrorism Concerns

The podcast addresses the rise in anti-Tesla protests, painting them as orchestrated acts of political terrorism aimed at demonizing a successful electric vehicle company aligned with President Trump.

Shapiro [35:20]: "A man face charges for firebombing a Tesla dealership is labeled terrorism. This represents the left's relentless pursuit to undermine American innovation through violence."

6. National Security and Signal Gate Issue

Shapiro criticizes the Biden administration's Signal Gate fiasco, where classified information was inadvertently shared via Signal, leading to national security concerns. He labels this as symptomatic of the administration's broader incompetence.

Shapiro [40:05]: "The mishandling of Signal Gate exposes how the Biden administration jeopardizes national security through sheer negligence and poor protocol adherence."

7. Trump's Tariffs Plan and Economic Implications

A significant portion of the episode is devoted to President Trump's impending tariffs plan. Shapiro outlines the uncertainty surrounding the announcement and its potential impact on global markets. He warns of negative economic consequences should Trump implement aggressive tariffs without clear communication.

Shapiro [50:40]: "If Trump unveils massive, unpredictable tariffs, it could destabilize markets. However, the belief is Trump will opt for a more measured approach, aligning with market expectations for stability."

8. The Case for Derek Chauvin's Pardon: Summary and Analysis

In the episode's final segment, Shapiro presents his case for President Trump to issue a federal pardon for Derek Chauvin, arguing that the legal system failed Chauvin due to media bias and procedural flaws. He outlines several pillars supporting the pardon:

• Medical Evidence: Shapiro emphasizes George Floyd's preexisting health conditions, suggesting alternative causes for his death beyond Chauvin's actions.

Shapiro [46:30]: "With Floyd's severe heart disease and drug toxicity, it's plausible his death wasn't solely caused by Chauvin's chokehold."

• Fair Trial Concerns: He highlights alleged jury intimidation, media influence, and prosecutorial bias as factors that compromised Chauvin's right to a fair trial.

Shapiro [50:10]: "The high-profile nature of the case, coupled with political statements, ensured no impartial jury could be assembled."

• Chauvin's Suffering: Shapiro points to Chauvin's personal hardships, including his near-fatal stabbing in prison, as reasons for mercy.

Shapiro [54:00]: "Chauvin has been demonized and nearly killed in prison, representing unjust punishment beyond his actions."

• Impact on Law Enforcement: He argues that the case has demoralized the police force, contributing to recruitment woes and increased crime rates.

Shapiro [60:45]: "Police departments face a critical shortage of officers, exacerbating crime, especially in vulnerable communities."

• Cultural Revolution: Shapiro attributes the surge in progressive policies and anti-law enforcement sentiment to the Chauvin case, advocating that a pardon would help restore due process and dismantle the "Woke" movement's foundations.

Shapiro [75:55]: "Repudiating the George Floyd narrative is essential to restoring an America that values truth and due process over mob rule and media-fueled hysteria."

Shapiro urges listeners to support the pardon through a petition hosted at pardonderek.com.

9. Discussion with Malcolm Gladwell

The episode culminates with a candid conversation between Ben Shapiro and guest Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell, renowned author and podcaster, presents a counterpoint to Shapiro's stance on the Chauvin case.

• Gladwell's Position: He acknowledges the complexity of Floyd's health issues but maintains that Chauvin's actions were unjustified and directly resulted in Floyd's death. He emphasizes that the centralized police pressure and public outcry highlight systemic issues within law enforcement.

Malcolm Gladwell [49:35]: "In difficult cases, complex interactions between officers and suspects can lead to tragic outcomes. However, Chauvin's excessive force was the tipping point."

• Shapiro's Rebuttal: Shapiro counters by questioning the legal standards applied and the fairness of Chauvin's trial, emphasizing procedural errors and media influence as undermining factors.

Shapiro [53:00]: "The prosecution's case cannot be solid beyond a reasonable doubt due to conflicting evidence and external pressures."

• Common Ground and Disagreements: While both acknowledge the complexities of policing, their interpretations diverge on the culpability and fairness of Chauvin's conviction. Shapiro stresses legal technicalities and media bias, whereas Gladwell focuses on ethical considerations and systemic reform.

Gladwell [61:00]: "Reforming policing practices is crucial to prevent future tragedies, highlighting the need for accountability and structural changes."

Shapiro [67:30]: "Policing is inherently complex, and overregulation hampers effective law enforcement, contributing to increased crime rates."

Their dialogue underscores the deep ideological divides surrounding high-profile legal cases and the broader implications for American society and governance.

Conclusion

Episode 2170 of The Ben Shapiro Show provides a comprehensive critique of mainstream media narratives, particularly targeting The Atlantic's immigration reporting. Shapiro defends President Trump's policies, challenges Democratic strategies, and raises alarms about societal shifts influenced by high-profile legal cases like Derek Chauvin's. The episode concludes with a thought-provoking exchange with Malcolm Gladwell, highlighting the persistent tensions in American political discourse.

Note: This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, including key discussions, insights, and notable quotes with attributed timestamps to guide listeners through the major topics covered.