Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2233 "RADICAL LEFT VIOLENCE: Man OPENS FIRE On Border Patrol"

Host: Ben Shapiro
Network: The Daily Wire
Release Date: July 8, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode's Main Topics

In Episode 2233 of The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben delves into pressing issues surrounding radical left-wing violence, focusing primarily on a recent shooting at a Border Patrol station in Texas. He further explores the implications of increasing attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, critiques the left-wing media's portrayal of the Texas floods, and dissects conspiracy theories surrounding the Epstein case. Additionally, Ben offers a critical analysis of Tucker Carlson's interviewing techniques with international leaders.

2. Texas Border Patrol Shooting Incident

a. Incident Details

Ben begins by recounting a tragic event where a 27-year-old man armed with a rifle opened fire at a Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas. The shooter was neutralized by law enforcement, resulting in the death of the assailant and injuries to two officers, one of whom was shot in the knee.

Ben Shapiro [04:15]: "The suspect was loaded for bear, with multiple rifles and assault weapons, firing dozens of rounds before being killed by federal agents."

b. Shooter's Motive and Background

Shapiro discusses the possible motives behind the attack, noting the shooter's vehicle bore the phrase "Cus Die," linking it to a left-wing reference from the video game Call of Duty. The suspect hailed from Michigan, and his parents claimed he had a mental deficiency.

Ben Shapiro [07:30]: "The phrase 'Cus Die' appears to reference an anarchic globalist group on the left-wing spectrum, which could explain his targeting of a Border Patrol station."

3. Increase in Attacks on ICE and Border Patrol

a. Statistics and Statements from Border Patrol Chief

Ben highlights a staggering 700% increase in attacks on ICE agents over the past six months since President Trump resumed strict border enforcement.

Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks [10:22]: "Attacks on ICE are up something like 700%. There's aggressive rhetoric leading to this uptick."

b. Left-Wing Rhetoric and Its Impact

Shapiro argues that incendiary language used by left-wing figures fuels violence against law enforcement, branding such rhetoric as a form of stochastic terrorism.

Ben Shapiro [12:45]: "When you keep saying Republicans are going to kill your kids if Medicare is taken away, you're creating a permission structure for violence."

c. Examples of Left-Wing Statements Against ICE

He cites various prominent Democrats making hyperbolic statements equating ICE agents to Nazis and Gestapo.

Ben Shapiro [15:10]: "Statements like 'modern day Gestapo' or 'Nazis' against ICE agents escalate the justification for violent reprisals."

d. Call for Toning Down Rhetoric

Ben urges Democrats to moderate their language to prevent further violence against law enforcement officers.

Ben Shapiro [18:05]: "Democrats need to tone down their rhetoric against ICE and Border Patrol agents who are simply enforcing the law."

4. ICE Raid in Los Angeles and Mayor Karen Bass's Reaction

a. Description of the Raid

Ben recounts a federal ICE raid in Los Angeles near MacArthur Park, a predominantly Hispanic area known for its high crime rates. The raid involved Border Patrol agents and the National Guard but resulted in no arrests.

b. Mayor's Confrontation with ICE

Mayor Karen Bass confronted the ICE agents, demanding they leave and criticizing the raid as unacceptable.

Mayor Karen Bass [22:30]: "This is unacceptable. You need to leave right now."

c. Border Patrol Chief's Response

Chief Greg Bovino rebuked Mayor Bass, asserting that Border Patrol operations would become routine in Los Angeles.

Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino [24:15]: "We don't work for Karen Bass. Border Patrol will go anywhere, anytime, in Los Angeles."

d. Shapiro's Commentary on the Event

Ben criticizes the mayor's concerns, suggesting the presence of ICE and the National Guard was misconstrued as a threat to children.

Ben Shapiro [25:50]: "The idea that children saw armed agents is absurd. Law enforcement is a daily presence in many communities."

e. Discussion of Governor Gavin Newsom's Statement

Governor Gavin Newsom defended the administration's actions, asserting support for diverse communities against what he termed as cruelty from President Trump.

Governor Gavin Newsom [27:40]: "We have your back. We will protect our communities and push back against this cruelty being perpetuated by President Trump."

f. Hakeem Jeffries's Comments on Defunding ICE

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries did not rule out the possibility of defunding ICE, signaling potential Democratic moves ahead of the midterms.

Hakeem Jeffries [29:10]: "We need aggressive oversight of ICE's overly aggressive behavior, which isn't what the American people voted for."

5. Texas Flood Coverage and Left-Wing Media Narratives

a. Allegations Against the National Weather Service

Ben criticizes left-wing media outlets for falsely attributing the severity of Texas floods to alleged funding cuts in the National Weather Service (NWS).

Ben Shapiro [31:25]: "Claims that NWS cuts led to the Texas floods are baseless and perpetuate false narratives without evidence."

b. Denial from White House Officials

Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary, denied that NWS staffing issues contributed to the disaster, emphasizing full staffing during the event.

Caroline Levitt [33:05]: "Our offices were fully staffed. The San Angelo and San Antonio offices had no vacancies, and the situation was handled appropriately."

c. Shapiro's Rebuttal and Evidence

Ben presents data showing that NWS offices were adequately staffed, refuting claims of administrative negligence.

Ben Shapiro [34:50]: "The NWS had 12 forecasters in San Angelo and 11 in San Antonio. The union confirmed adequate staffing levels."

d. Race Angle and Camp Mystic Discussion

He further critiques the media's tendency to inject racial narratives, pointing out that Camp Mystic is an all-white, conservative Christian camp, challenging claims that coverage was racially biased.

Ben Shapiro [36:15]: "Camp Mystic is a white-only girls' Christian camp. The lack of diversity isn't incidental to the coverage they received."

6. Epstein Files and Conspiracy Theories

a. Overview of Epstein Files Discussion

Ben shifts focus to the ongoing Epstein saga, expressing skepticism about new revelations and debunking conspiratorial claims.

b. Michael Tracy's Points on Lack of Evidence

He references journalist Michael Tracy, who argues that there is no substantial evidence to support the existence of a vast Epstein client list implicating high-profile individuals.

Michael Tracy [38:45]: "Virginia Giuffre was not a credible witness in the Maxwell trial, and many of her claims lacked substantial evidence."

c. Shapiro's Analysis on Conspiracy Theories

Ben critiques the persistence of conspiracy theories despite lack of evidence, highlighting the social media-fueled spread of misinformation.

Ben Shapiro [40:30]: "Once a conspiracy theory gains traction without evidence, it becomes unfalsifiable, eroding rational discourse."

d. Discussion on Social Media's Role

He emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to filter and critically assess the information consumed online.

Ben Shapiro [42:10]: "Social media has created echo chambers where speculative and unfounded claims thrive, distorting public perception."

e. Attorney General Pam Bondi's Statements

Ben discusses Attorney General Pam Bondi's erroneous claims about possessing the Epstein client list, which were later debunked.

Pam Bondi [44:00]: "The Epstein client list is on my desk for review."
Ben Shapiro [44:30]: "This was refuted, revealing the fragility of such unsubstantiated claims."

f. Shapiro's Take on Protections and Integrity

Conclusively, Ben urges skepticism towards unverified information and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based conclusions.

Ben Shapiro [46:20]: "Without concrete evidence, insisting on unfounded conspiracies undermines trust and rational analysis."

7. Criticism of Tucker Carlson's Interviews with Iranian President

a. Overview of Interview Approach

Ben provides a critical analysis of Tucker Carlson's recent interview with Iran's President Masoud Peshkian, highlighting a lack of follow-up questions on critical issues.

Ben Shapiro [48:00]: "Tucker Carlson failed to challenge the Iranian president on pivotal questions regarding nuclear ambitions and actual threats."

b. Comparison with Other Interviews (e.g., Ted Cruz)

He contrasts this with Tucker's aggressive interviewing style used against figures like Senator Ted Cruz, suggesting inconsistency in approach.

Ben Shapiro [49:30]: "With Senator Cruz, Tucker was relentless. Why extend the same rigor to adversaries’ opponents like Iran's president?"

c. Analysis of Questions Asked

Ben points out that Carlson avoided pressing questions about Iran's nuclear program and issued statements that contradicted known facts.

Ben Shapiro [51:15]: "Questions about Iran's need for nuclear energy or high-level uranium enrichment were conspicuously absent."

d. Iranians' Statements vs. Reality

He underscores the discrepancies between the Iranian president's statements and established intelligence reports.

Ben Shapiro [53:00]: "Despite admissions of IAEA access issues, the IAEA has consistently identified undeclared activities in Iran, contradicting the president's claims."

e. Shapiro's Quotes and Criticisms

Ben criticizes the lack of accountability and the facilitation of misinformation through such interviews.

Ben Shapiro [54:40]: "Allowing leaders like Iran's president to propagate lies without challenge undermines journalistic integrity and national security."

8. President Trump's Tariff Letters and Trade Policies

a. Announcement of Tariff Letters

Ben discusses President Trump's re-escalation of the trade war, detailing new tariff letters sent to countries like South Korea and Japan, imposing 25% tariffs effective August 1st.

b. Shapiro's Analysis on Tariff Rates vs. Actual Trade Barriers

He analyzes the discrepancy between the proposed tariffs and the actual average effective tariff rates previously charged by these countries.

Ben Shapiro [56:50]: "Japan's effective average tariff rate on U.S. goods was approximately 1%, and South Korea's ranged from 0.19% to 2.87%, far below the proposed 25%."

c. Implications for US-China Relations

Ben warns that imposing such high tariffs could alienate key allies like Japan and South Korea, inadvertently bolstering China's influence.

Ben Shapiro [58:30]: "Heavy tariffs on allies undermine strategic alliances, pushing these nations closer to China, which is detrimental to U.S. interests."

9. Conclusion

Ben Shapiro wraps up the episode by emphasizing the importance of critical information consumption and the dangers of unchecked rhetoric and misinformation. He calls on listeners to maintain analytical rigor and responsibility in interpreting media narratives.

Ben Shapiro [1:00:00]: "In an age of information overload, it's imperative to filter out the noise, question unverified claims, and uphold integrity in discourse."

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, promotional content, and non-informative segments to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented by Ben Shapiro during the episode.