The Ben Shapiro Show – Episode 2231 Summary

Release Date: July 3, 2025
Title: Diddy Acquitted On Major Charges…PLUS Will The Big Beautiful Bill Pass?!
Host: The Daily Wire's Ben Shapiro

1. Sean "Diddy" Combs Acquitted on Major Charges

Verdict Breakdown: Ben Shapiro delves into the high-profile trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who faced multiple serious charges. The jury acquitted Combs on several key counts while finding him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution.

• Charges and Outcomes:
  • Racketeering Conspiracy (RICO): Not Guilty
  • Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion: Not Guilty
  • Transportation to Engage in Prostitution: Guilty (Two counts)

Analysis: Shapiro argues that the prosecution's case lacked sufficient evidence to link Combs to a criminal enterprise under the RICO statute. He highlights the difficulties in proving coercion in long-term relationships, especially when text evidence suggested consensual involvement in Combs' parties.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro: “[The] jury found there wasn't enough evidence there as far as sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.”
  (09:28)

• ABC News Analyst Bernarda Villalona: “This is a slap in the face for the victims... it’s going to deter victims from coming forward and telling their story.”
  (09:53)

• Shapiro’s Conclusion: “These sorts of activities through the criminal law... society in which the only value is consent is going to end up in some pretty dark places.”
  (10:27)

Reactions: Prominent figures, including the U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and Cassie Ventura’s attorney Doug Wigdor, expressed mixed feelings—pleased with the guilty verdicts but disappointed by the acquittals on more severe charges. Media commentator Bernarda Villalona criticized the prosecution’s approach, suggesting racial and gender dynamics influenced the jury's decision.

2. Will the Big Beautiful Bill Pass?

Current Status: Shapiro provides an in-depth update on the legislative battle over the "big beautiful Bill," a comprehensive spending and tax package in the Senate differing significantly from the House proposal. Majority Leader John Thune faces pressure to align the Senate version with the House's spirit.

Key Points:

• Senate vs. House: The Senate bill includes deeper spending cuts, longer tax reductions, and a steeper debt ceiling. Thune's version has already lost three members, requiring Vice President J.D. Vance to break a 51-50 tie.

• Negotiations and Political Dynamics:

  • Representative Ralph Norman: Criticizes the Senate bill for deviating from the House's original intent.
  • President Trump’s Involvement: Actively lobbying House Republicans to support the Senate version, emphasizing its benefits like permanent tax cuts and secured social programs.

Economic Implications: Shapiro discusses concerns over job losses, referencing a report from ADP showing a decline in private payrolls contrary to expectations. He ties this to the larger economic narrative, stressing the need for tax cuts to spur growth and criticizing the current administration's handling of economic policies.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump: “Almost all of our great Republicans in the United States Senate have passed our one big beautiful bill... The biggest winner... will be the American people.”
  (Throughout discussion)

• Shapiro: “The bill is bad economically, it's bad morally. Uh, this bill, it's just wrong.”
  (26:01)

International Context: Drawing parallels with the UK's economic struggles, Shapiro warns of similar fiscal challenges facing the U.S., emphasizing the necessity of addressing the national debt through growth, taxes, or austerity.

Conclusion: With a slim majority in the House GOP, Shapiro remains cautiously optimistic about the bill's passage but highlights the fragility of its support. He underscores the broader economic dangers of inaction and criticizes both major parties for their inability to address fiscal responsibility effectively.

3. Trade Negotiations: Vietnam and Japan

Vietnam Agreement: President Trump announces a tariff deal with Vietnam: American goods entering Vietnam will be duty-free, while U.S. will impose a 20% tariff on Vietnamese imports, down from 46%. Additionally, goods transiting through Vietnam (primarily Chinese) will face a 40% tariff. Shapiro critiques the non-reciprocal nature of these tariffs, arguing they ultimately harm American consumers by inflating prices.

Japan’s Standoff: Negotiations with Japan have hit an impasse. After failing to reach an agreement, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer increased pressure, but Japan remains steadfast, particularly regarding the 25% automotive tariff. Shapiro points out that without Japanese cooperation, the trade war remains unresolved, adversely affecting the U.S. economy.

Notable Quotes:

• Shapiro: “With tariffs on Vietnamese goods and others, that is going to make its way into the markets.”
  (Throughout trade discussion)

4. Settlements with Paramount and CBS’s 60 Minutes

Paramount Settlement: Paramount agrees to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Trump against 60 Minutes for allegedly editing a Kamala Harris interview to favor her appearance. The settlement includes payments to Trump’s presidential library and legal fees but lacks an apology from CBS.

Implications: Shapiro views this settlement as a victory for Trump, emphasizing the importance of media transparency and accountability. He criticizes CBS News, suggesting that the network's actions were corrupt and indicative of broader media bias.

Notable Quotes:

• Shapiro: “CBS News settling is just as a descriptive matter, a victory for President Trump.”
  (38:33)

5. University of Pennsylvania Strips Lia Thomas of Titles

Overview: University of Pennsylvania has decided to strip swimmer Lia Thomas of his titles following findings that his participation in women’s events violated Title IX. This decision aligns with the Trump administration’s stance on transgender athletes competing in female sports.

Shapiro’s Commentary: Shapiro supports this move, arguing that it upholds fairness in women's sports and criticizes the broader acceptance of transgender athletes in competitive categories.

Notable Quotes:

• Shapiro: “Good for Paula Scanlan, good for Riley Gaines.”
  (40:05)

6. Columbia University Controversy

Issue: Columbia University's acting president, Claire Shipman, sent texts advocating for adding an Arab member to the board while suggesting the removal of a Jewish trustee who opposed campus anti-Semitism. These actions raise concerns about discriminatory practices and priorities within the institution.

Implications: Shapiro condemns the actions as indicative of leftist agendas prioritizing diversity over competence and fairness, especially in the aftermath of significant anti-Semitic events.

Notable Quotes:

• Shapiro: “The Democratic Party is now the party of the scavengers.”
  (Throughout the Columbia discussion)

7. Democratic Party’s Shift on Israel-Palestine

Trend Analysis: Research indicates a significant shift in the Democratic Party's stance from being pro-Israel to increasingly sympathetic towards Palestinians. Shapiro attributes this change to the party's alignment with marginalized groups, undermining traditional alliances with Israel.

Supporting Data: A study highlighted a 56-point shift over eight years, with current Democratic sentiment favoring Palestinians by 43 points compared to a previous pro-Israel stance.

Shapiro’s Critique: He argues that this shift weakens U.S.-Israel relations and aligns the Democratic Party with anti-Western sentiments, ultimately harming American interests and values.

Notable Quotes:

• Shapiro: “This is why they like Zoram Hamzani... They are looking to tear down the American system.”
  (Throughout this section)

8. Judicial Rulings: Wisconsin Supreme Court and TPS for Haitian Migrants

Wisconsin Supreme Court: The liberal-majority court struck down a 176-year-old abortion ban, aligning with the broader trend of left-wing judicial influence undermining conservative legal stances.

TPS for Haiti: A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to shorten Temporary Protected Status for Haitian migrants, mandating the continuation of the program until its scheduled end in February 2026.

Shapiro’s Perspective: He criticizes these rulings as consequences of the Democratic Party gaining control over judicial processes, arguing they undermine legislative intent and personal freedoms.

Notable Quotes:

• Shapiro: “These are the things that they stand against. And that is the American system.”
  (During TPS discussion)

9. Israel-Hamas Conflict and Ceasefire Negotiations

Current Status: President Trump is mediating a potential 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, aimed at ending hostilities and securing the release of hostages. Despite initial acceptance from Hamas, they reversed their stance, complicating negotiations.

International Involvement: Saudi Arabia conditions normalization with Israel on the removal of Hamas from Gaza, insisting that Hamas relinquishes control to the Palestinian Authority.

Shapiro’s Commentary: He emphasizes the necessity of removing Hamas to achieve lasting peace and criticizes ongoing U.S. policies that fail to support effective measures against terrorist organizations.

Notable Quotes:

• Shapiro: “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60-day ceasefire.”
  (53:14)

10. Iran’s Fordo Facility and Russian Propaganda on X

Fordo Nuclear Facility: Iran admits significant damage to its Fordo nuclear facility, contradicting previous assurances of its stability. This follows U.S. military actions aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Russian Propaganda: Israel reports that at least 100 automated X (formerly Twitter) accounts promoted Tehran’s messaging during the war, spreading disinformation and undermining U.S. opposition voices.

Shapiro’s Insights: He warns of the pervasive influence of foreign propaganda in shaping public opinion and the challenges it poses to authentic political discourse.

Notable Quotes:

• Shapiro: “A good way of doing that is to program directly into the center of sort of the bot storm created by America's enemies.”
  (53:14)

Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Shapiro tackles a range of pressing issues from high-profile legal cases to significant legislative battles and international conflicts. He provides insightful analysis, emphasizing conservative principles and critiquing liberal policies and judicial decisions. Shapiro underscores the importance of fiscal responsibility, national security, and the preservation of traditional values amidst evolving political and social landscapes.

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