Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2192 "Stop Giving Your Money To Crappy People"

Release Date: May 5, 2025

1. Introduction: The Cycle of Whataboutism

Timeframe: 00:00 – 02:06

Ben Shapiro and Michael Knowles open the episode by addressing a prevalent issue in American discourse: the cycle of bad behavior justified by pointing out the opposition’s faults. They discuss the misapplication of the term "whataboutism," clarifying its definition and highlighting how it has evolved into a tactic that perpetuates double standards rather than addressing wrongdoing directly.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [00:30]: "We used to call this whataboutism. Now people have misapplied the term whataboutism over and over and over."

2. Case Study: Shiloh Hendricks vs. Carmelo Anthony

Timeframe: 02:06 – 54:53

a. Shiloh Hendricks Incident

The hosts delve into a viral social media incident involving Shiloh Hendricks, a white woman who was caught on camera using the N-word towards a five-year-old boy. They critique the extreme backlash she faced, including the leaking of her personal information and a fundraising campaign that raised over $525,000 for her relocation. Shapiro argues that the severity of the response is disproportionate and compares it to the reaction towards Carmelo Anthony’s GoFundMe for his legal defense after an alleged stabbing incident.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro [02:07]: "If you have trouble with that statement that calling a little black kid the N word is a bad thing to do, I'm not sure why that seems totally uncontroversial to me."
• Ben Shapiro [07:17]: "None of these facts justify step in order of priority of bad things in the world, because not all sins are created equal."

b. Double Standards and Public Reaction

Shapiro emphasizes that while calling out double standards is essential for maintaining moral consistency, using the other side’s faults to justify misconduct leads to a deteriorating societal trust and moral fabric. He likens this to childlike reasoning, where one might excuse wrongdoing by referencing another instance of similar behavior.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [09:06]: "Murder is way worse than using the N word."

3. BRICS Summit and De-Dollarization

Timeframe: 09:29 – 10:03

The discussion shifts to the geopolitical landscape, focusing on the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) convening in Rio de Janeiro for a global summit aimed at displacing the US Dollar as the dominant global currency—a move Shapiro refers to as the "Rio Reset." He underscores the significance of this shift, noting the decreasing global demand for the US Dollar and its potential impact on American savings.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [09:29]: "The bloc of emerging superpowers China, Russia, India, Iran are meeting with the goal of displacing the US Dollar as the global currency."

4. President Trump's 2028 Run and Media Narratives

Timeframe: 11:43 – 22:53

a. Media Misinterpretation of Trump's Statements

Shapiro critiques the media's handling of President Trump's comments about running in 2028. He argues that the media fails to distinguish between Trump's serious policy statements and his trolling behavior, often portraying his facetious remarks as genuine political threats.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro [11:43]: "President Trump is putting to bed this stupid lie that he's going to run in 2028."
• Senator Tom Cotton [37:39]: “President Trump, well, he withdrew from that terrible deal because it paved their way to a nuclear weapon.”

b. Trump's Trade Policies and Tariffs

The hosts analyze Trump's aggressive trade policies, particularly his executive order imposing a 100% tariff on foreign movies. Shapiro criticizes this move as poorly calibrated, arguing that it ignores the global shift of movie production away from Hollywood and adversely impacts American consumers without addressing the core issues of foreign trade imbalance.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [27:12]: "If you want to stop the messaging and propaganda, President Trump should probably stop postponing the implementation of the TikTok ban in the United States."

5. Economic Insights: Warren Buffett’s Retirement and Trade Views

Timeframe: 16:08 – 20:42

Shapiro discusses Warren Buffett’s surprising announcement of retirement after a six-decade tenure at Berkshire Hathaway. He highlights Buffett’s stance on trade, particularly his belief that trade should not be used as a weapon and that free trade benefits all parties involved. Shapiro contrasts this with the Trump administration’s mixed signals on tariffs, suggesting that Buffett’s conservative, research-driven approach is a model for sustainable economic policy.

Notable Quote:

• Warren Buffett [18:12]: "Trade should not be a weapon... the more prosperous the rest of the world becomes, it won't be at our expense."

6. TikTok, Propaganda, and National Security

Timeframe: 22:53 – 30:38

The conversation returns to President Trump's policies, focusing on TikTok's role in spreading propaganda. Shapiro criticizes Trump’s inconsistent stance on banning TikTok, pointing out that the platform is being used to undermine trade policies through coordinated efforts to evade tariffs. He argues that banning TikTok should be a priority over other less impactful policies purportedly aimed at reducing propaganda.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro [30:38]: "The leakers inside the administration are not the people who are more in line with the Trump peace through strength agenda."
• Ben Shapiro [59:05]: "Globalist does not mean that America should be involved in the world."

7. Foreign Policy Deep Dive: Interview with Senator Tom Cotton

Timeframe: 37:37 – 60:55

a. The JCPOA and Iran’s Nuclear Threat

Senator Tom Cotton joins the show to discuss the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), condemning it as a flawed agreement that did not sufficiently curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He emphasizes the need for total dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure to prevent future nuclear proliferation and highlights the regional threats posed by Iran’s support of terrorist organizations.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Tom Cotton [37:55]: "President Obama’s deal with Iran was so bad... it paved their path to a nuclear weapon."
• Senator Tom Cotton [42:33]: "Iran can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon or the vast nuclear infrastructure to develop nuclear weapons."

b. Implications of a Nuclear Iran

Cotton explains the broader geopolitical risks if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, including increased instability in the Middle East, threats to American allies, and the potential for nuclear proliferation in a volatile region. He criticizes isolationist approaches and underscores the importance of a strong, decisive stance against Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

Notable Quote:

• Senator Tom Cotton [43:28]: "Their developing intercontinental missiles under the flimsy cover of a so-called space launch program... it's a threat not just to our friends but to the American homeland imminently in just a few years."

c. Qatar’s Role and Globalism

The discussion shifts to Qatar’s dual role as a facilitator for both US interests and Iranian proxy groups. Cotton criticizes Qatar's support for terrorist organizations and its disproportionate alignment with Iranian interests, arguing that it undermines US foreign policy objectives.

Notable Quote:

• Senator Tom Cotton [47:12]: "Qatar has been much more sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is the intellectual font of terrorist groups like Al Qaeda."

d. Potential Strikes on Iran and Regional Stability

Cotton counters arguments that military action against Iran would lead to a regional war by citing historical precedents where strikes did not escalate into widespread conflicts. He asserts that decisive military action can cripple Iran's terror infrastructure without igniting broader regional wars.

Notable Quote:

• Senator Tom Cotton [50:40]: "President Trump authorized the killing of Qasem Soleimani... and not only did not lead to a regional war, it was part of crippling Iran's terror infrastructure."

8. Concluding Remarks: The Importance of Strategic Consistency

Timeframe: 60:55 – End

Ben Shapiro wraps up the episode by reiterating the inconsistencies within the Trump administration, particularly between President Trump’s consistent hardline stance on Iran and the more isolationist, globalist tendencies of certain advisors and leakers. He underscores the necessity of maintaining a clear, principled foreign policy that prioritizes national security and economic stability over appeasement and reactive politics.

Notable Quote:

• Ben Shapiro [60:46]: "The idea that you do foreign policy based solely on the question of whether Iran is going to fire a nuclear weapon directly at the United States, ignoring the regional ramifications, nuclear proliferation, control of the Red Sea... is not a productive way to shape American foreign policy."

Conclusion

Episode 2192 of The Ben Shapiro Show centers on the detrimental effects of whataboutism and double standards in political discourse, illustrated through high-profile cases and broader geopolitical analyses. Shapiro and Knowles critically examine media narratives, trade policies, and foreign relations, emphasizing the need for consistent, principled approaches to both domestic and international issues. The interview with Senator Tom Cotton provides in-depth insights into Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the imperative for decisive action to safeguard American interests and global stability.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments within the episode have been excluded from this summary to focus on the substantive content and discussions.