Detailed Summary of The Ben Shapiro Show - Ep. 2238: "Democrats ABANDON Barack Obama?!"

Release Date: July 15, 2025

I. Tribute to Reverend John MacArthur

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by paying homage to Reverend John MacArthur, a prominent Southern California preacher who passed away at the age of 86 on the previous day. MacArthur was renowned for his expository preaching style, focusing strictly on biblical texts without personal anecdotes or emotional appeals.

• Quote by Ben Shapiro (00:00):

  "I really want to start today by offering condolences to the family and all of the followers of John MacArthur... An amazing human being."

• MacArthur's Perspective (03:42):

  "Read the Bible. Just read the Bible. It has the ring of truth... The law of God is written in every human heart."

Shapiro emphasizes MacArthur's unwavering defense of biblical values and his influence within the Christian community, noting his extensive works like the MacArthur Study Bible and his consistent stance against moral relativism.

II. President Obama's Critique of Democrats

Shapiro transitions to discussing former President Barack Obama's recent criticisms of the Democratic Party, highlighting Obama's dissatisfaction with the current direction of the party.

• Obama's Remarks at a Fundraiser (Ben Shapiro summarizes):

  "It's time for Democrats to stand up for the things that you think are right... It’s going to require a little bit less navel gazing and a little less whining."

Shapiro criticizes Obama for being detached from the current Democratic movement, labeling his advice to the party as out of touch and ineffective. He underscores Obama's role in shaping the party's past strategies, including influencing Joe Biden's vice-presidential selection.

III. New York City Mayoral Race

The episode delves into the contentious New York City mayoral race, focusing on Zoran Mamdani's lead and former Governor Andrew Cuomo's unexpected independent run.

• Cuomo's Announcement (18:27):

  "I am in it to win it... The fight to save our city isn't over."

Shapiro critiques Cuomo's decision to run as an independent after a significant loss in the Democratic primary, suggesting that Cuomo remains one of the best alternatives despite his controversial past, including his handling of COVID-19 policies.

• Poll Insights:
  • Mamdani leads with 40%
  • Cuomo at 24%
  • Mayor Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa trail behind.

Shapiro argues that the fragmentation among Democratic candidates is detrimental, potentially leading to a victory for Mamdani, whom he characterizes as holding radical positions aligned with the modern Democratic Party's shift towards the left.

IV. The Future of the Democratic Party: Zoran Mamdani Democrats vs. Gavin Newsom Democrats

Shapiro explores the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party, presenting a dichotomy between the more radical wing represented by figures like Zoran Mamdani and the more moderate, technocratic wing embodied by Gavin Newsom.

• Mamdani's Stance: Shapiro labels Mamdani as a "Democrat, socialist of America," emphasizing his radical policies and diverse ethnic background as strategic moves to appeal to a broader, yet specific, voter base.

• Gavin Newsom's Presidential Bid: Shapiro is critical of Newsom's attempts to position himself as a presidential candidate, citing his handling of California's policies on COVID-19 and transgender issues as indicative of his inability to resonate with the broader American electorate.

• Newsom's Responses to Criticism (30:46 & 35:00):

  "Now that I have a nine year old, just became nine..." "Complete."

Shapiro argues that Newsom's vague and evasive responses to controversial issues undermine his credibility, portraying him as out of touch and ineffective.

V. President Trump's Shift on Russia and Ukraine

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing President Donald Trump's evolving stance on Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

• Trump's Announcements (42:13 & 43:13):

  "We're going to impose very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days." "We're sending weapons and NATO is paying for it."

Shapiro commends Trump for taking a pragmatic approach, leveraging tariffs and increasing military support for Ukraine without solely relying on the United States. He highlights Trump's commitment to ensuring NATO allies contribute their fair share to defense efforts.

• Impact on Inflation (Shapiro elaborates): Shapiro links Trump's tariff policies to the recent uptick in inflation rates, citing a 2.7% increase in June, which aligns with economic predictions. He notes that while tariffs contribute to inflation by raising consumer prices, other factors like housing stabilization are mitigating the overall impact.

• European Union's Response (Politico Report): The EU is reportedly planning retaliatory tariffs targeting $72 billion in U.S. goods, including aircraft and agricultural products, potentially affecting industries like Boeing.

Shapiro underscores the complexity of ongoing trade negotiations and the delicate balance Trump must maintain to avoid exacerbating economic tensions.

VI. Republican Perspectives on Democratic Policies

Shapiro delves into Republican critiques of current Democratic policies, particularly focusing on immigration and education.

• Immigration Policies: The Trump administration has implemented stricter measures, including eliminating bond hearings for illegal immigrants, a move aimed at deterring asylum seekers and reducing illegal immigration.

• Education Department Overhaul: The Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration to allow restructuring of the Education Department, enabling mass layoffs and policy shifts aligned with conservative educational reforms.

• Quote by Kevin Kiley, Republican Congressman from California (59:59):

  "Bass is giving out these free cash cards... We're going to find there are a lot more people who are suddenly too afraid to go into work."

Shapiro highlights the Republican viewpoint that Democratic policies are overly lenient and contribute to societal issues like illegal immigration and economic instability.

VII. Additional Political Updates

• NEA and ADL Conflict: The National Education Association's (NEA) attempt to boycott the Anti-Defamation League's Holocaust education curriculum is discussed, with Shapiro interpreting it as evidence of the NEA's extreme leftist tendencies.

• Tax and Economic Policies: Shapiro briefly references his sponsors discussing topics like tax burdens in California, emphasizing misinformation around states being "donor states" and clarifying actual welfare spending statistics.

VIII. Concluding Remarks

Ben Shapiro concludes the episode by reiterating the Democratic Party's shift towards radicalism, which he argues is alienating the general American populace. He contrasts this with Trump's more moderate and pragmatic approach to governance and policy-making, suggesting that Trump's strategies are more in line with the majority of American voters' preferences.

• Final Quote by Ben Shapiro (44:33):

  "The Democrats are abandoning every 80/20 issue in favor of the 20% and then they don't understand why they're unpopular."

Shapiro emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to return to a more centrist and broadly appealing platform to regain favor with the electorate, while he praises Trump's handling of economic and foreign policies as more aligned with common-sense governance.

This episode of The Ben Shapiro Show covers a wide array of political topics, providing Shapiro's conservative analysis of current events, Democratic Party dynamics, and Republican policy positions. Through his commentary and selective quoting, Shapiro delivers a critique of what he perceives as the Democratic Party's drift away from pragmatic governance towards radicalism, juxtaposed against what he views as President Trump's more balanced and effective strategies.