The Ben Shapiro Show - Episode 2256: "Is Trump WINNING The Tariff Wars?"
Release Date: August 8, 2025
Summary:
In Episode 2256 of The Ben Shapiro Show, hosted by The Daily Wire, Ben Shapiro delves into a range of pressing topics, including Gina Carano's recent legal victory, President Trump's aggressive tariff policies, the burgeoning impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the economy, contentious redistricting efforts in Texas, the phenomenon of luxury beliefs, and the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The episode is structured into clear segments, each highlighting key discussions, insights, and notable quotes with corresponding timestamps.
1. Gina Carano's Settlement with Disney (02:04 - 11:00)
Key Points:
- Legal Victory: Actress Gina Carano reached an undisclosed settlement with Lucasfilm and Walt Disney, resolving her longstanding lawsuit.
- Background: In 2021, Carano was fired from The Mandalorian due to controversial social media posts, which Lucasfilm deemed inappropriate despite similar posts by co-star Pedro Pascal not resulting in termination.
- Daily Wire's Role: Ben Shapiro highlights Daily Wire’s support in "uncanceling" Carano by swiftly producing the movie Terror on the Prairie, available on Daily Wire Plus.
- Funding and Future Prospects: The lawsuit was funded by Elon Musk, who promised to support individuals unjustly treated over their online activities. Carano expressed gratitude towards Musk and her legal team, signaling a positive outlook for her future projects.
Notable Quotes:
- Ben Shapiro (06:45): “Gina was totally taken off the show. She was totally 'canceled' by Lucasfilm and Disney unjustifiably.”
- Gina Carano (09:56): “I've come to an agreement with Disney Lucasfilm which I believe is the best outcome for all parties involved.”
2. President Trump's Tariff Policies and Economic Implications (11:00 - 22:00)
Key Points:
- New Tariffs Introduced: Trump announced substantial tariffs ranging from 20-25% on India to 35% on Canada and maintaining 30% on China, surpassing rates from the Smoot-Hawley era.
- Economic Analysis: Shapiro debates the efficacy of tariffs, acknowledging potential short-term revenue gains (up to $300 billion) but expressing skepticism about their long-term benefits for American industries.
- Consumer Impact: The burden of tariffs falls on consumers through higher prices, potentially leading to reduced demand and self-correcting price spikes.
- Market Reaction: Despite high tariffs, the Dow Jones Industrial Average remains steady at around 44,000, suggesting muted economic disruption thus far.
- Policy Uncertainty: Shapiro emphasizes the prevailing uncertainty among investors and manufacturers regarding the long-term effects of Trump's tariff wars.
Notable Quotes:
- Ben Shapiro (15:30): “It's possible that the United States, by using our leverage, is going to be able to bring manufacturing back home.”
- Stephen Moore (19:00): “The average median household income, adjusted for inflation, is already up $1,174.”
3. The Rise of Artificial Intelligence and Economic Prospects (22:00 - 33:29)
Key Points:
- AI Investment Surge: Significant capital is flowing into AI technologies, with major tech firms like OpenAI, Google, and Meta leading advancements.
- Potential Bubble: Shapiro draws parallels to the dot-com bubble, suggesting that current AI investments might be overvalued with uncertain immediate returns.
- Government Initiatives: The Trump administration is heavily investing in AI to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader, focusing on deregulation and energy sector expansion to support AI’s energy demands.
- China Competition: The U.S.-China rivalry in AI is highlighted, with conflicting strategies on how to manage technological advancements and trade relations.
Notable Quotes:
- Ben Shapiro (27:15): “Tens of billions of dollars are pouring into AI investment right now. Someone is going to win, somebody is going to lose.”
- Treasury Secretary Scott Besson (33:29): “We want to make the US the AI superpower.”
4. Redistricting Efforts in Texas and Political Ramifications (34:13 - 46:28)
Key Points:
- Texas Redistricting: Governor Greg Abbott is overseeing the creation of new congressional districts in Texas, including two historically significant Black majority districts and an Hispanic majority district.
- Political Controversy: The redistricting has sparked backlash from Democrats, with accusations of gerrymandering being dismissed by Shapiro as unfounded.
- Comparison to Other States: Shapiro contrasts Texas’s approach with Massachusetts, where redistricting is deemed impossible due to existing all-Democratic districts.
- Constitutional Debate: The discussion touches on constitutional provisions regarding redistricting and the inclusion of non-taxed individuals, referencing historical contexts from the 14th Amendment.
Notable Quotes:
- Ben Shapiro (42:39): “Governor Abbott says, 'We are drawing districts to provide every voter in the state the opportunity to cast a vote for the party in Canada of their choice.'”
- Governor Greg Abbott (as referenced at 42:37): “Four out of the five new districts will be Hispanic districts.”
5. Luxury Beliefs and Political Gender Divides (46:28 - 69:32)
Key Points:
- Luxury Beliefs Defined: Ideas that confer status on the affluent while imposing costs on the less fortunate, such as the defund-the-police movement and the denigration of traditional family structures.
- Gender Political Split: Discussions with guest Rob Henderson explore how young women are increasingly leaning left while young men are shifting right, influenced by educational and economic factors.
- Cultural Capital: The role of cultural messaging and elite media in shaping societal values and behaviors, leading to higher political polarization.
- Impact of Prosperity: As societies become more prosperous and gender equality improves, inherent differences between men and women become more pronounced, contributing to political divides.
Notable Quotes:
- Rob Henderson (57:34): “Luxury beliefs are ideas and opinions that confer status on the affluent and educated while inflicting costs on the less fortunate members of society.”
- Gina Carano (62:45): “Women are veering dramatically to the left, while men are tilting to the right, driven by both educational and economic convergence.”
6. Israel-Gaza Conflict and Media Portrayal (69:32 - End)
Key Points:
- Netanyahu’s Strategy: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces plans to eliminate Hamas from Gaza without annexing the territory, framing it as a security measure rather than a land grab.
- Media Critique: Shapiro criticizes media coverage as biased and manipulated by Hamas, asserting that truthful journalism is essential for accurately portraying the conflict.
- Historical Context: Emphasis on Gaza's governance history, the rise of Hamas, and the complexity of regional dynamics involving neighboring countries like Egypt and Lebanon.
- Call for Alternative Solutions: Shapiro challenges critics to propose viable alternatives to Israel’s military actions, emphasizing the futility of such suggestions given the historical and current challenges.
Notable Quotes:
- Ben Shapiro (71:33): “Netanyahu is right about that, obviously. And it is Hamas that is interdicting the aid. It is Hamas that is stealing the aid.”
- Netanyahu (as referenced at 71:31): “We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza and to pass it to civilian governance.”
Conclusion:
Episode 2256 of The Ben Shapiro Show offers a comprehensive examination of current political and economic issues from a conservative perspective. Ben Shapiro provides in-depth analysis of Gina Carano's settlement, the ramifications of President Trump's tariff strategies, the complexities surrounding AI investments, and the contentious redistricting efforts in Texas. Additionally, the episode explores the sociopolitical phenomenon of luxury beliefs and the evolving political landscape between genders. Concluding with a critique of media portrayals in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Shapiro underscores the importance of factual discourse and strategic policy-making in addressing global and domestic challenges.
Notable Quote to End:
- Ben Shapiro (End of Israel-Gaza Segment): “If it were not for the media, Hamas would have lost this war already.”