Summary of The Ben Shapiro Show – Episode 2240: "HILARIOUS: Shane Gillis Destroys The ESPYS…And Wokeness"

Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Podcast: The Daily Wire

1. Shane Gillis' Performance at the ESPYs

Introduction to Shane Gillis
Ben Shapiro opens the episode by spotlighting comedian Shane Gillis, highlighting his journey from being canceled on Saturday Night Live to becoming a prominent figure in comedy. Shapiro emphasizes Gillis' political incorrectness and conservative leanings, which set him apart in the current comedic landscape.

Gillis' Edgy Jokes and Audience Reaction
Gillis attends the ESPYs, an award show organized by ESPN, typically seen as a left-leaning network. Instead of conforming to the network's usual social tropes, Gillis delivers a series of provocative jokes targeting the WNBA and prominent figures.

• Joke About Caitlyn Clark
  [03:23]
  Shane Gillis: "When Caitlyn Clark retires from the WNBA, she's going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most, fist fighting black women."
  Shapiro notes the crowd's positive reception, underscoring Gillis' ability to "destroy" without offending due to the joke's edgy nature.

• Joke About Brittany Hicks
  [04:09]
  Shane Gillis: "Four-time WNBA all-star Brittany Hicks is here. I'm joking around. That's my friend's wife. I knew none of you knew WNBA players."
  Shapiro criticizes ESPN's investment in the WNBA, praising Gillis for his unapologetic approach.

• Immigration and Epstein Jokes
  [04:47]
  Shane Gillis: "Joe Rogan actually wanted me to be here to host this award show so that I could capture Adam Silver because Joe thinks he's an alien. And Donald Trump wanted to be. Wanted me to be here to capture Juan Soto for the same reason. It's an alien joke."
  Shapiro highlights the perplexed reactions to non-left-wing humor, lauding Gillis' versatility.

• Tribute to Norm MacDonald
  [06:45]
  Shane Gillis: "Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy this year. He's the first defensive player since Charles Woodson to win the Heisman. Congratulations, Travis Hunter. Winning the Heisman, that's something they can never take away from you. Unless you kill your wife..."
  Shapiro commends Gillis for honoring Norm MacDonald in a manner reminiscent of past controversial jokes.

Shapiro's Analysis
Shapiro praises Gillis' performance as a bold statement against ESPN's typically pandering content, asserting that Gillis' fearless comedic style offers a refreshing take in the entertainment industry.

2. The Joe Biden Mental Fitness Scandal

Overview of the Scandal
Shapiro shifts focus to a significant political scandal involving President Joe Biden's mental fitness. He asserts that Biden has been "not mentally functional for several years," a claim he finds grossly underreported compared to the Epstein scandal.

Anthony Bernal's Congressional Testimony
A pivotal moment in the episode centers on Anthony Bernal, Biden's top aide, who took the Fifth Amendment seven consecutive times during a Congressional hearing about Biden's health.

• Testimony Excerpts
  [11:26 - 12:36]
  Congressman: "Mr. Bernal, did you ever advise President Joe Biden to pardon his son Hunter Biden?"
  Anthony Bernal: "On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer the question."
  This repeated refusal to answer highlighted potential underlying issues regarding Biden's capability to serve effectively.

Shapiro's Critique
Shapiro delves into Bernal's background, portraying him as Jill Biden's close confidant who played a crucial role in maintaining Biden's presidential image. He criticizes the lack of accountability among Biden's aides and the broader implications for the administration's transparency and integrity.

Quotes from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's Book
Shapiro references a book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, detailing Bernal's influence and the suppression of dissent within the Biden administration.

Conclusion on the Scandal
Shapiro argues that the Biden administration's failure to address Biden's mental fitness undermines constitutional responsibilities and betrays the American public, asserting that this scandal will have lasting repercussions for Democrats.

3. Public Broadcasting Funding Cuts

Senate's Move to Reduce Public Broadcasting
Shapiro critiques the Senate's recent decision to advance debate on significant funding cuts to NPR, PBS, and foreign aid programs through a process called rescission.

• Senate Vote Details
  [15:00 - 20:02]
  The Senate narrowly voted to cut $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $7.9 billion from USAID. Vice President Kamala Harris broke a 50-50 tie to pass the cuts.

Democratic Concerns vs. Republican Rationale
Chuck Schumer vehemently opposed the cuts, labeling them as "a matter of life and death," especially during disasters where public broadcasting provides crucial information.

• Chuck Schumer's Quote
  [20:02]
  Chuck Schumer: "These cuts to local stations couldn't happen at a worse time. With floods and natural disasters front of mind... public broadcasting is the only way for people to hear what's going on."

Shapiro's Counterargument
Shapiro dismisses Schumer's claims as absurd, questioning the necessity of public broadcasting in the digital age and criticizing NPR for perceived liberal bias.

• Critique of NPR
  Shapiro accuses NPR of being a "left-wing agitprop outlet," citing selective coverage of significant events like Russiagate and the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Shapiro's Defense of The Daily Wire
He promotes The Daily Wire as an alternative, privately funded news source free from taxpayer dollars and governmental influence, positioning it as a more reliable and unbiased option.

4. Interview with Senator John Thune

Introduction to the Interview
Ben Shapiro sits down with Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the Senate Majority Leader of the 119th Congress, to discuss the recently passed One Big Beautiful (OBB) bill and the political landscape leading up to the 2026 elections.

Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill
Senator Thune outlines the OBB bill's key components, emphasizing tax reforms and entitlement program adjustments aimed at reducing government waste.

• Key Provisions Discussed
  [24:35 - 27:58]

  • Tax Breaks for Middle-Income Families: Families earning under $50,000 receive significant tax relief.
  • Child Tax Credit and Standard Deduction: Both are made permanent with locked-in lower rates.
  • Medicaid Reforms: Introduction of work requirements to curtail abuse and waste, with a focus on serving low-income seniors, pregnant mothers, and disabled individuals.

• Senator Thune's Highlights
  Senator Thune: "These are common sense reforms that the American people will support upon understanding their benefits."

Shapiro's Analysis of the Bill
Shapiro commends the bill for addressing Medicaid's cost curve and eliminating wasteful spending, asserting that these reforms were essential and met public approval.

Future Legislative Plans
Senator Thune expresses interest in simplifying the tax code further and continuing to reduce government size and expenditure through additional reconciliation bills.

Discussion on Foreign Policy and Defense
The conversation shifts to the Biden administration's foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia.

• Instrumental Policies
  Senator Thune: "Peace through strength is back," referring to President Trump's strategic military actions and support for NATO allies without overextending American resources.

Prospects for the 2026 Elections
Senator Thune provides insights into upcoming Senate races, identifying key battleground states and emphasizing the importance of maintaining Republican majorities to influence judicial appointments and legislative agendas.

• Strategies for Election Success
  Senator Thune: "Putting out a record of accomplishment and connecting with voters on their concerns are crucial for winning these seats."

Conclusion of the Interview
The interview concludes with a brief discussion on the ongoing Epstein investigation, with Senator Thune expressing confidence in the administration's handling of the case.

5. The State of the Democratic Party and Horseshoe Theory

Critique of the Democratic Party's Direction
Shapiro argues that the Democratic Party has veered towards radicalism, drawing parallels between the progressive left and the far-right, a concept known as the Horseshoe Theory.

Analysis of Progressive Figures and Movements
He criticizes prominent Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Zoran Mamdani for promoting policies he views as extreme and disconnected from mainstream American values.

• Representative Omar Fateh's Statement
  [42:22 - 43:16]
  Omar Fateh: "The greatest domestic threat facing the United States comes from, quote, racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists. Specifically those who advocate for the superiority of the white race."
  Shapiro uses this to illustrate the extreme rhetoric he perceives within the party.

Horseshoe Theory Applied to Modern Politics
Shapiro extends the Horseshoe Theory, suggesting that both the far-left and far-right share similarities in their extremism and willingness to undermine established institutions.

• Rebecca Heinrichs' 1939 Project vs. 1619 Project
  Shapiro references Rebecca Heinrichs' comparison of the Left's 1619 Project with the Right's emerging 1939 Project. Both aim to radically revise America's historical narrative to suit their ideological goals.

Impact of Social Media and Influencers
He discusses the role of influencers like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens in shaping radical narratives that challenge America's role on the global stage, often promoting conspiracy theories and anti-Israel sentiments.

• Quote from Rebecca Heinrichs:
  [43:16]
  She characterizes the 1939 Project as an attempt to "discredit America's role in World War II," thereby weakening support for U.S. statecraft and alliances.

Shapiro's Conclusion on Political Extremism
Shapiro warns that the convergence of extreme views on both ends of the political spectrum threatens to destabilize American democratic institutions and societal cohesion. He advocates for a return to pragmatic and balanced political discourse.

6. Final Remarks and Call to Action

Ben Shapiro wraps up the episode by reiterating the challenges posed by political extremism and the importance of informed, principled conservatism. He encourages listeners to engage critically with current events and support media outlets like The Daily Wire that align with their values.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Shane Gillis on Caitlyn Clark:
  [03:23]
  "When Caitlyn Clark retires from the WNBA, she's going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most, fist fighting black women."

• Shane Gillis on Brittany Hicks:
  [04:09]
  "Four-time WNBA all-star Brittany Hicks is here. I'm joking around. That's my friend's wife. I knew none of you knew WNBA players."

• Congressman to Anthony Bernal:
  [11:26]
  "Mr. Bernal, did you ever advise President Joe Biden to pardon his son Hunter Biden?"
  Anthony Bernal: "On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer the question."

• Chuck Schumer on Public Broadcasting Cuts:
  [20:02]
  "These cuts to local stations couldn't happen at a worse time. With floods and natural disasters front of mind... public broadcasting is the only way for people to hear what's going on."

• Senator John Thune on One Big Beautiful Bill:
  [25:01]
  "Working Americans, middle-income families are the biggest winners. Those that make under $50,000 get the biggest proportionate tax break in all of this."

• Omar Fateh's Statement:
  [42:22]
  "The greatest domestic threat facing the United States comes from, quote, racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists. Specifically those who advocate for the superiority of the white race."

This episode of The Ben Shapiro Show delivers a blend of sharp political critique, cultural commentary, and in-depth discussions on pressing national issues. From dissecting controversial comedic performances to unraveling significant political scandals and legislative developments, Shapiro provides his audience with a comprehensive analysis grounded in conservative principles.