Episode Summary: Ep. 2227 - Hegseth WRECKS Trump-Hating Media

Release Date: June 27, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
Title: Hegseth WRECKS Trump-Hating Media

1. Iran Nuclear Strike and Media Skepticism

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by discussing the recent military actions against Iranian nuclear facilities. He highlights the effectiveness of Israel's aerial assault, which targeted various Iranian missile and nuclear sites. Despite the apparent success, the media remains skeptical about the extent of the damage.

• Ben Shapiro [04:30]: "This is one of the most historic W's of my lifetime."

Shapiro emphasizes that President Trump authorized a B2 strike on the Fordo facility, a deeply underground site, using 30,000-pound bombs. He contends that the media unfairly questions the success of this mission, undermining President Trump's achievements.

• Shapiro [06:45]: "One strike, end of Iranian nuclear facilities, complete reshuffling of the deck in the Middle East."

He cites statements from Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei attempting to portray the strike as ineffective, arguing that such claims are baseless and fueled by media bias.

2. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Confronts the Media

The discussion shifts to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent press conference, where he vehemently criticized the media for their portrayal of the Iran strike.

• Hegseth [15:00]: "This was an historically successful attack, and we should celebrate it as Americans."

Hegseth challenged Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin on the certainty of the strike's effectiveness, asserting that intelligence supports the conclusion that the Fordo facility was severely damaged.

• Hegseth [16:20]: "Jennifer, you've been one of the worst, the one who misrepresents the most intentionally what the President says."

Shapiro praises Hegseth's defense of the administration's actions, reflecting frustration over what he perceives as persistent media dishonesty.

3. Democratic Party's Internal Struggles and Zoran Mamdani

Ben Shapiro criticizes the Democratic Party's shift towards radical leftist candidates, focusing on Zoran Mamdani's successful bid in the New York mayoral primary.

• Shapiro [25:00]: "Mamdani is a communist. He actually believes everything it is possible for radical leftists to believe."

Mamdani's platform includes nationalizing resources, eliminating ICE from New York City, and implementing aggressive tax policies. Shapiro argues that such policies alienate moderate and business-oriented voters, undermining the Democratic Party's broader appeal.

• Mamdani [29:10]: "There must be a better distribution of wealth for all, all of God's children in this country."

Shapiro forecasts that Mamdani's policies will lead to significant economic repercussions, including businesses relocating out of New York City due to increased taxation and regulation.

4. Senate's "Big Beautiful Bill" Faces Hurdles

The conversation moves to legislative challenges, specifically the Senate parliamentarian's decision to reject certain provisions of the "Big Beautiful Bill," a comprehensive legislative package that includes Trump tax cuts and various funding allocations.

• Shapiro [35:00]: "Republicans don't have to listen to her. They could theoretically use the nuclear option here."

He explains the role of the Senate parliamentarian and the potential for Republicans to bypass the parliamentarian's recommendations through procedural maneuvers, although he expresses skepticism about the success of such strategies.

• Shapiro [37:15]: "Senate Republicans understand this thing has to get passed. They're going to have to work around this."

5. Executive Branch Achievements Under Trump

Ben Shapiro highlights successes within the executive branch, including actions taken by Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

• Shapiro [40:00]: "Energy Secretary Chris Wright is making it easier to drill and solidify the power grid."

McMahon's efforts to enforce Title IX against California's sports policies and Wright's initiatives to reduce electricity prices and support energy infrastructure are presented as pivotal moves to bolster American competitiveness and security.

6. Democratic Voters Defecting to Trump

Shapiro references a New York Times study indicating significant voter defections from the Democratic Party to President Trump, particularly among young, non-white, and irregular voters. He attributes this shift to Trump's "conservative populism" resonating with previously disengaged voters.

• Shapiro [50:00]: "Trump's brand of conservative populism once again turned politics as usual upside down."

He underscores the implications of this trend for future elections, suggesting that the Democratic Party's radicalization is fuelling its own decline by alienating key demographics.

7. Supreme Court and Future Legal Battles

Though only briefly mentioned towards the end of the transcript, Shapiro alludes to upcoming Supreme Court victories that would further solidify the conservative movement's legal standing.

• Shapiro [75:00]: "Coming up, we'll talk about a big win for the right at the Supreme Court."

This segment hints at significant legal decisions that align with Trump's policies, although detailed discussion is reserved for future episodes.

8. Conclusion and Forward Look

Ben Shapiro concludes by reiterating the importance of passing the "Big Beautiful Bill" to maintain economic stability and counteract the Democratic Party's radical agenda. He emphasizes the need for Republicans to stay focused on legislative priorities to prevent further Democratic disintegration.

• Shapiro [80:00]: "The economy must hold up. It must."

He warns against the dangers of a fragmented political landscape, where the absence of a centrist Democratic Party could lead to more extremist outcomes, thereby making a strong case for the Republican Party to capitalize on the current momentum.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro [04:30]: "This is one of the most historic W's of my lifetime."
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth [15:00]: "This was an historically successful attack, and we should celebrate it as Americans."
• Zoran Mamdani [29:10]: "There must be a better distribution of wealth for all, all of God's children in this country."
• Ben Shapiro [35:00]: "Republicans don't have to listen to her. They could theoretically use the nuclear option here."
• Ben Shapiro [50:00]: "Trump's brand of conservative populism once again turned politics as usual upside down."
• Ben Shapiro [80:00]: "The economy must hold up. It must."

This episode of The Ben Shapiro Show centers on defending President Trump's foreign and domestic policies against what Shapiro portrays as relentless and biased media scrutiny. It criticizes the Democratic Party's ideological shift towards radical leftism, exemplified by figures like Zoran Mamdani, and underscores the importance of legislative victories in sustaining the current conservative momentum. The discussion is interspersed with critiques of media figures and Democratic strategies, advocating for a strong Republican stance to navigate and counteract the evolving political landscape.