The Ben Shapiro Show
Episode: Ep. 2199 - Trump’s Saudi TRIUMPH
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Publisher: The Daily Wire

1. Introduction

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by highlighting President Donald Trump's recent visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, followed by his trip to Qatar. The discussion encompasses Trump's foreign policy maneuvers in the Middle East, negotiations related to Ukraine, and the current state of the U.S. economy.

2. President Trump's Visit to Saudi Arabia

a. Strengthening Ties with Mohammed bin Salman

Ben details Trump's warm reception by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) upon his arrival in Riyadh. Shapiro emphasizes the strategic importance of MBS in shifting Saudi Arabia towards modernization and a pro-Western stance.

Ben Shapiro [00:00]: "President Trump's major accomplishment during his first term, the Abraham Accords, everybody is sort of waiting on tenterhooks for Saudi Arabia to integrate with Israel..."

b. Critique of Obama/Biden Foreign Policy

Shapiro contrasts Trump's approach with that of former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, criticizing their focus on democracy and human rights over American interests. He argues that this led to destabilizing outcomes like the Arab Spring's aftermath.

Ben Shapiro [05:30]: "Barack Obama and Joe Biden preached democracy and human rights. Less democracy and fewer human rights were the result of the Obama Biden matrix."

c. Commerce Over Ideology

Trump's philosophy of prioritizing commerce over ideological goals is highlighted as a key factor in his successful foreign negotiations.

Donald Trump [12:35]: "This great transformation has not come from Western interventionists... Instead, the birth of a modern Middle East has been brought by the people of the region themselves."

d. Abraham Accords Expansion

Trump expresses hope for expanding the Abraham Accords, aiming to bring more Middle Eastern countries into this peace framework.

Donald Trump [21:30]: "It's been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords... I think we'll have four, five, maybe six countries enter the Abraham Peace Accords in the next couple of months."

3. Interaction with Qatar

a. Criticism of Qatari Influence

Shapiro criticizes Qatar's extensive lobbying and financial influence within the United States, labeling it as a "terror-supporting country" with significant investments aimed at shaping U.S. policies.

Ben Shapiro [40:00]: "Qatar is a cancer from within the Western coalition. That is what they are."

b. Controversial Air Force One Deal

The episode delves into the contentious proposal of Qatar gifting a luxury airplane to President Trump, drawing parallels and raising concerns about potential espionage and undue influence.

Donald Trump [41:33]: "Some people say, oh, you shouldn't accept gifts for the country. My attitude is, why wouldn't I accept the gift we're giving to everybody else."

4. Israel and Recent Events

a. Holocaust Survivors in Israel

Shapiro highlights the plight of elderly Holocaust survivors living in poverty in Israel, advocating for support through organizations like the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

Ben Shapiro [25:50]: "There are thousands of elderly Jewish survivors in Israel living below the poverty line... it's why I support the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews."

b. Israeli Strike on Hamas Leadership

The podcast covers Israel's recent assassination of Muhammad Sinwar, the new leader of Hamas, discussing its implications for Middle Eastern stability.

Ben Shapiro [31:00]: "If you've defenestrated the entire leadership of Hamas, then basically there's no chance that Hamas is going to lead the Gaza Strip."

5. Negotiations in Ukraine

Shapiro discusses ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey, expressing skepticism about their effectiveness due to Putin's apparent strategies to undermine Ukrainian defenses.

Ben Shapiro [34:00]: "Vladimir Putin seems to be slow playing these negotiations, hoping the Trump administration will withdraw support from Ukraine and allow him to advance his agenda."

6. State of the Economy

a. Analysis of the Tariff War

Shapiro provides a metaphor comparing Trump's tariff strategy to a Yiddish joke about resolving household conflicts, arguing that while Trump has alleviated some economic tensions, residual issues like inflation persist.

Ben Shapiro [43:00]: "Trump decided to stack on what was a good economy that he himself was building, a giant tariff war, and then he removed most of it. The difference is the chicken's still in the house."

b. Current Economic Indicators

He examines recent economic data, including the Consumer Price Index, highlighting concerns about ongoing inflation despite some positive signs.

Ben Shapiro [48:00]: "The Consumer Price Index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in April... but the average tariff rate remains significantly higher than it was before."

7. Guest Segment: Dr. Tevi Troy on Big Pharma

a. Trump's Executive Order on Pharmaceutical Prices

Ben and Dr. Tevi Troy discuss Trump's executive order aimed at lowering pharmaceutical prices through "Most Favored Nation" (MFN) status for Medicaid, critiquing its potential impact on drug innovation and availability.

Donald Trump [59:00]: "This is a unilateral attempt to lower pharmaceutical prices by doing what he calls most favored nation status."

b. Critique of Price Controls

Dr. Troy argues that government-imposed price controls may stifle innovation and reduce the availability of new drugs, emphasizing the importance of free-market mechanisms.

Dr. Tevi Troy [60:21]: "Imposing price controls here doesn't solve the problem. What we should do is encourage European countries to pay their fair share."

8. Media Criticism and "Original Sin" Book

Shapiro critiques the media's handling of President Joe Biden's health, referencing Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book "Original Sin," which alleges Biden's cognitive decline and the administration's attempts to conceal it.

Ben Shapiro [66:00]: "According to the book, Biden's aides were so concerned by his perceived decline, they started scrambling for ideas... They attempted to shield him from their own staff."

9. Closing Remarks

Ben Shapiro wraps up the episode by teasing upcoming topics, including Major League Baseball's decision regarding Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe, as well as ongoing political dynamics involving figures like David Hogg and Anthony Scaramucci.

Ben Shapiro [66:40]: "Coming up on the Ben Shapiro show, we'll get to MLB now declaring that Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe are off the ballot for the hall of fame. We'll also discuss David Hogg and more."

Notable Quotes

• Ben Shapiro [05:30]: "Barack Obama and Joe Biden preached democracy and human rights. Less democracy and fewer human rights were the result of the Obama Biden matrix."

• Donald Trump [12:35]: "This great transformation has not come from Western interventionists... Instead, the birth of a modern Middle East has been brought by the people of the region themselves."

• Dr. Tevi Troy [60:21]: "Imposing price controls here doesn't solve the problem. What we should do is encourage European countries to pay their fair share."

Conclusions and Insights

Ben Shapiro presents a robust defense of President Trump's foreign policy, particularly his approach to Saudi Arabia and his skepticism of interventionist strategies favored by previous administrations. He underscores the importance of commerce over ideology in fostering stability and economic growth in the Middle East. Additionally, Shapiro critiques media narratives surrounding political figures and emphasizes the need for strategic leverage in international relations. The discussion on the economy reflects concerns about lingering inflation despite policy adjustments. The guest segment with Dr. Tevi Troy offers a critical perspective on pharmaceutical price controls, advocating for market-based solutions to foster innovation. Overall, the episode advocates for pragmatic, interest-driven policies both domestically and internationally.

Note: This summary excludes segments related to advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to provide a focused overview of the episode's primary discussions.