The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2286

"MORE Left-Wing Violence: Deadly Shooting at ICE Facility!"

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)

Overview

This episode centers on the recent deadly shooting at an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) facility in Dallas, framed by Ben Shapiro as part of an escalating trend of left-wing violence against law enforcement. Shapiro discusses the political rhetoric he believes contributes to these violent acts, citing examples from politicians and media figures. Additional topics include the return of Jimmy Kimmel to late-night TV, President Trump’s controversial claims about Tylenol and autism, new details about the attempted assassination of Justice Kavanaugh, and Trump’s recent UN speech.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Facility Shooting in Dallas

[01:19–06:18]

• Incident Recap:
  A shooter, identified as Joshua John, opened fire from a rooftop near a Dallas ICE detention center at 7am, killing two migrants and injuring several others before taking his own life. Engraved bullets with anti-ICE messages were left at the scene.

• Ideological Motive:
  "Bullets found by the shooter's body were engraved with anti ICE messages...We have now seen this at multiple shootings, multiple terror attacks." (Shapiro, 02:30)

• Pattern of Attacks:
  Shapiro details a recent history of attacks against ICE facilities, linking the Dallas event to previous incidents in Yakima, WA, and Alvarado, TX—emphasizing increased violence against law enforcement.

• Notable Quote:
  “The assaults on ICE agents have been up about 1000%. I’ve never seen anything like this in my law enforcement career.”
  (ICE Director Todd Lyon, quoted by Shapiro, 04:58)

• Political Response:
  Texas Governor Greg Abbott calls the event an "attempted assassination on our ICE officers," believing the ICE officers were the intended targets, not the migrants.
  (Abbott, 05:55)

2. Media & Political Rhetoric Inciting Violence

[06:18–10:28]

• Rhetorical Climate:
  Shapiro claims inflammatory rhetoric from Democratic politicians and left-leaning media demonizes ICE and law enforcement, potentially encouraging violence.
• Examples Cited:
  • NPR host Maria Hinojosa compares ICE to Nazis.
  • Rep. Jasmine Crockett likens ICE operations to slave patrols.
    "When I look at what they are doing with ICE, it looks like slave patrols." (Crockett, 09:18)
• Causal Link:
  Shapiro draws a connection between extreme anti-law-enforcement speech and fringe violence, while clarifying he does not claim direct responsibility.

3. Interview with Jenny Terre, Daily Wire Immigration Reporter

[10:28–14:41]

• Shooter Profile:
  Joshua John, 29, unemployed at time of shooting, with a history of manual jobs. Strong evidence of leftist ideology from bullet casings and some family social media activity.
• Target Analysis:
  "His targets were actually ICE agents, but he just didn’t have good aim." (Terre, 11:29)
• Pattern & Broader Context:
  Recent attacks on ICE and conservative figures—referencing the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the July 4th Alvarado shooting—signal a worrying trend.

4. The Role of Escalating Partisanship

[15:41–27:35]

• Shapiro’s Analysis:
  • The escalation of hostile rhetoric by politicians, especially Gavin Newsom on late-night TV, is criticized for fueling division.
  • Polling shows Americans increasingly see their neighbors as enemies, believing the system is failing, and expecting increased political violence.
  • "The biggest problem in the country...is that by the polling data, Americans believe that their neighbors are their enemies." (Shapiro, 18:44)
• Cycle of Violence:
  • Both left and right ramp up rhetoric and actions in response to perceived attacks, creating a tit-for-tat spiral.
  • Example: Campus incident at Tennessee State University over a DEI debate turning almost violent, demonstrating the volatile environment.

5. Jimmy Kimmel’s Return & Free Speech Debate

[32:31–37:15]

• Controversy:
  Kimmel was temporarily suspended after blaming MAGA for the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Unclear if suspension was due to ratings or FCC intervention.
• Kimmel’s Statement:
  “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.” (Kimmel, 32:57)
• Shapiro’s View:
  Defends Kimmel’s right to free speech, criticizes FCC/government interference but approves affiliate discretion.
• Political Overreach Warning:
  Shapiro and J.D. Vance (VP) caution that escalating mutual government crackdowns on speech threaten trust in the system.

6. Prosecution of James Comey

[37:47–43:42]

• Developments:
  Ex-FBI Director James Comey is rumored to face indictment for allegedly lying to Congress. Shapiro supports investigation if justified, warns Trump’s public calls for prosecution risk public trust in rule of law.
• Wider Theme:
  Continual escalation of mutual political prosecutions deepens systemic mistrust.

7. Trump, Tylenol, and Autism Claims

[43:42–49:35]

• President Trump’s Claim:
  Trump suggests Tylenol use during pregnancy can cause autism: "Taking Tylenol is not good. All right, I'll say it. It's not good." (Trump, 44:13)
• Medical Consensus:
  Shapiro cites medical experts and studies indicating no convincing evidence linking acetaminophen in pregnancy to autism. Advises listeners to follow doctor’s advice.
  • “There’s currently no definitive evidence that taking Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism in children... Pregnant individuals should not avoid acetaminophen when needed but should use as recommended by healthcare providers.” (Comet/Perplexity summary, 47:30)

8. Trump’s United Nations Speech

[50:43–57:48]

• Logistics Snafus:
  Trump’s escalator and teleprompter fail, plays it off with humor.
• Major Points:
  • Criticizes the UN as ineffective and calls for defunding it.
  • "We should blow up the building, salt the earth, and then build a Trump Tower on it." (Shapiro, 51:35)
  • Accuses the UN of “funding an assault on Western countries and their borders,” specifically via migration and agencies like UNRWA.
  • Lambasts European immigration policies, green energy, says, "Both the immigration and their suicidal energy ideas will be the death of Western Europe if something is not done immediately." (Trump, 55:16)
  • Lauds Ukraine’s defense and asserts that NATO should shoot down Russian aircraft violating NATO airspace.
• Shapiro’s Take:
  “President Trump is the best foreign policy president in my lifetime, bar none.” (Shapiro, 56:38)

9. Transgender Violence & Attempted Kavanaugh Assassination

[58:44–63:23]

• Breaking News:
  The man who attempted to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is revealed to identify as transgender. DOJ is seeking a 30-year sentence.
• Reporter’s Perspective:
  “Now, three years later, to find this out in the midst of this absolute epidemic of leftist violence, and specifically transgender violence is just incredibly scary and concerning.” (Mary Margaret Olahan, 59:29)
• Kirk Memorial:
  White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olahan describes the emotional memorial for Charlie Kirk and the powerful speech of forgiveness from Kirk’s widow, Erica.

10. US Military Achievement: Operation Midnight Hammer

[63:23–65:14]

• Reporter’s Experience:
  Mary Margaret Olahan visits Whiteman Air Force Base, details the operation wherein US B2 bombers destroyed Iranian nuclear facilities. Expresses awe and pride in US military capability and personnel.

Selected Notable Quotes

• On ICE Violence:
  “The number one clue of course that this was a left wing shooter is that the shooting happened at an ICE facility.”
  (Shapiro, 03:25)

• On Rhetoric:
  “If your political rhetoric encourages violence against our law enforcement, you can go straight to hell. And you have no place in the political conversation of the United States of America.”
  (J.D. Vance, 06:50)

• On Media Blame:
  “The reason people thought that [Kimmel] was blaming Maga is because he fairly clearly blamed Maga. In the actual segment, he said Maga was trying to blame anyone but themselves, anyone but Maga for the shooting of Charlie Kirk.”
  (Shapiro, 33:30)

• On Escalating Partisanship:
  “Once you have that level of mutual distrust in our politics, it is impossible for that spiral to stop.”
  (Shapiro, 37:47)

• On UN:
  “We should defund it. We should get rid of it. We should blow up the building, salt the earth, and then build a Trump Tower on it.”
  (Shapiro, 51:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Shooting at Dallas ICE Facility | 01:19–06:18 | | Media/Political Rhetoric & Violence | 06:18–10:28 | | Jenny Terre Interview | 10:28–14:41 | | Cycle of Polarization & Campus Incident | 15:41–27:35 | | Jimmy Kimmel Controversy & Free Speech | 32:31–37:15 | | Prosecution of James Comey | 37:47–43:42 | | Trump, Tylenol, and Autism Controversy | 43:42–49:35 | | Trump’s Speech at the United Nations | 50:43–57:48 | | Kavanaugh Assassin: Transgender Revelation | 58:44–63:23 | | Tribute to Charlie Kirk; Military Segment | 61:13–65:14 |

Memorable Moments

• Rhetoric and Responsibility: Shapiro repeatedly stresses that while direct blame can’t be assigned for individual acts of violence, escalating anti-law-enforcement rhetoric “does have an impact.” (09:39)
• Jimmy Kimmel’s On-Air Apology:
  “I understand that to some that felt either ill timed or unclear or maybe both. And for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you're upset.” (Kimmel, 32:57)
• UN Critique:
  “I always say about the UN, fantastic potential, but it's all about the people...The UN has never lived up to its potential.” (Trump, 52:53)
• Political Violence Worries:
  “A majority of voters, 54%, think political violence in the United States will worsen over the next few years.” (Shapiro, 24:20)

Tone and Style

True to form, the episode features Shapiro’s rapid-fire, analytical, and often caustic delivery. He remains unapologetically conservative and direct, mixing sarcasm, poll data, interviews, and critiques of the left and mainstream media, while frequently warning of the dangers in the current partisan climate.

This summary should provide a comprehensive guide to all critical content, themes, and quotable moments from the episode for listeners and non-listeners alike.