The Ben Shapiro Show
Episode 2297 – Will ANYONE Fight The Radicalization?
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)
Overview
This episode centers on the culture of political violence and radical rhetoric permeating both the left and right in America. Shapiro explores the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and President Trump’s posthumous award to Kirk, analyzes the Politico exposé about racist rhetoric among young Republicans, and critiques both sides’ unwillingness to denounce extremism within their own ranks. Shapiro emphasizes the dangers this poses to the health of the Republic, arguing that moral standards and public condemnation must apply to all, regardless of political affiliation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. President Trump Awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom
[00:00–03:16]
- Trump’s first action back in the U.S.: Honoring the late Charlie Kirk with America's highest civilian honor posthumously.
- "He was assassinated in the prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth, for living his faith, and relentlessly fighting for a better and stronger America." (Donald Trump, 01:06)
- Ceremony coincided with what would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday.
- Argentina’s President Javier Milei attended the ceremony, highlighting Kirk’s international impact.
- Trump refers to Kirk as a "martyr for truth" and ties him into a tradition of historical figures who "risked their lives for causes they were put on earth to defend.” (Donald Trump, 01:58)
2. State Department Crackdown on Foreigners Supporting Kirk’s Assassination
[03:16–04:58]
- State Department revokes visas of several foreigners who praised or celebrated Kirk’s death.
- “The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.” (State Department Statement paraphrased, 03:55)
- Shapiro notes MSNBC was the only major network not to cover the Medal of Freedom ceremony.
3. The Mainstreaming of Political Violence and Incendiary Rhetoric
[04:58–10:34]
- Recent example: VA Attorney General candidate Jay Jones caught wishing death of a Republican and making vile comments about the speaker’s children.
- Shapiro insists that merely condemning violence is insufficient; the ideological “permission structures” enabling such violence must be called out.
- He connects this rhetoric to leftist “victim group” ideologies, noting their silence especially concerning "trans violence."
4. Violent Rhetoric at the Grassroots
[10:34–12:58]
- Farmer’s market incident: An 8-year-old handed a bracelet at a Democratic booth reading “Is he dead yet?” (interpreted as a reference to Trump).
- Shapiro underscores the need for all sides to "condemn ugly things, especially on their own side."
5. Politico’s "I Love Hitler" Exposé: Racist Young Republican Group Chats
[12:58–18:47]
- Politico story details racist, violent, and Nazi-adjacent rhetoric in young GOP group chats.
- Examples include use of the N-word, references to gas chambers, and explicit endorsements of rape and violence.
- Shapiro contextualizes this as part of the longstanding “edgelord” culture among some young right-wingers.
- He reiterates the line between free speech and social consequences—advocates condemnation, not bans:
- “If you put that stuff online, if you put that stuff in chats, if you actually authentically think that stuff, first of all, you’re wrong. But second of all, there are social consequences to saying and believing truly terrible things.” (Ben Shapiro, 16:00 approx.)
6. Double Standards in Media and Partisan Outrage
[18:47–24:34]
- Shapiro points out left-wing group chats and university forums are likely just as bad, but are not scrutinized.
- He objects to the media demanding all Republicans be held responsible for the actions of a few young party members while not applying the same standard to Democrats.
- “Are you obligated to defend the bad thing because the person who is questioning you is somehow, quote, unquote, on the other side? Because that's precisely how you get to a left that defends Jay Jones.” (Ben Shapiro, 22:41 approx.)
- Stresses need for actual repentance before forgiveness—“preemptive forgiveness” only empowers future misbehavior.
7. The Dangers of Intra-Party Tolerance for Extremists
[24:34–29:00]
- Criticizes the right for failing to call out their own “ambulatory psychotics,” warning this leads to radicalization of the party.
- “If you lose your systemic immunity to crazy. Crazy tends to be really, really, really infectious.” (Ben Shapiro, 26:12)
- Disputes the idea that the left wins from its unity—argues they actually lost moderates because of failure to police their radicals, which contributed to Trump’s 2024 win.
8. Current GOP Infighting and the Challenge of Party Unity
[29:00–33:31]
- Examines Marjorie Taylor Greene’s public attacks on fellow Republicans and how media amplifies intra-party criticism.
- Criticizes attempts to force “unity” with conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones, pointing out their divisive actions.
- “I just have to wonder, is that who's dividing? Who's the big divider?” (Ben Shapiro, 25:54)
9. The Need for Clear Conservative Standards
[33:31–35:00]
- Shapiro warns that if Republicans refuse to set any boundaries or standards on leadership and rhetoric, they risk takeover by extremists.
- “I don't think it's equivalent on both sides. I do not believe that the permission structures for violence on the right are the same as on the left... But the notion that your moral obligation to call out bad behavior and violent language and ugly stuff ends at the political river, that is a great way for republic to fall apart.” (Ben Shapiro, 35:00 approx.)
- Links these themes to broader national trust and health of the republic, warning of breakdowns in order and social contracts.
10. State of American and International Politics (Brief Updates)
[35:00–43:00]
- NYC Mayoral Race: Zor Momdani criticized for failure to condemn Hamas and anti-Israel statements.
- Trump threatens to cut federal funding for NYC if Momdani elected. (“I wouldn’t be generous to a communist, a guy who’s going to take the money and throw it out the window...” – Donald Trump, 32:31)
- Foreign Policy: Trump promises forceful action to disarm Hamas if necessary (“They will disarm or we will disarm them. Got it.” – Donald Trump, 34:04)
- Ukraine: Trump-Ukraine support conditional; hints at providing long-range missiles.
- Argentina: Continued U.S. financial support tied to Javier Milei remaining in power—highlighting the record of Argentine defaults.
11. Economic Outlook and Policy
[43:00–45:02]
- U.S. economy robust: Wall Street investment banks, markets, and corporate profits strong under Trump.
- Discusses possible future volatility (tariffs, Fed rate decisions) but remains optimistic.
- Notes government shutdown ongoing, suspects Democrats are trying to manufacture a crisis.
12. Democratic Opposition
[44:31–45:02]
- Nancy Pelosi attacks Trump administration’s record on children, social welfare, and debt, but Shapiro dismisses this as unconvincing and outdated political theater.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the importance of standards:
“If you lose your systemic immunity to crazy. Crazy tends to be really, really, really infectious.”
(Ben Shapiro, 26:12) -
On condemning bad behavior within your own ranks:
“When you're asked about somebody saying a bad thing, whether you're right or you're left, of course you ought to condemn the bad thing that is being said. I don't even understand the logic of not doing that.”
(Ben Shapiro, 22:00 approx.) -
On party unity and radicals:
“Marjorie Taylor Greene is dividing the Republican Party. Not the people criticizing Marjorie Taylor Greene.”
(Ben Shapiro, 29:25 approx.) -
On double standards:
“It is very cynical for Politico to target young GOP group chats while leaving left wing chats untouched. Because I promise you, these same left wing chats exist. They're just as bad, if not worse.”
(Ben Shapiro, 20:00 approx.) -
On Kirk’s assassination:
“He loved this country. And that's why this afternoon, it's my privilege to posthumously award Charles James Kirk, our nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Thank you.”
(Donald Trump, 01:06) -
On consequences of radical tolerance:
"Because then there is no trust, then there is no trust. What is the common rule that applies to everyone then? It's the law for my enemies, for my friends, everything for my enemies. The law. Right? And at that point you can't have a functional republic."
(Ben Shapiro, 35:00 approx.)
Useful Timestamps
| Time | Segment/Highlight | |----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Opening and Trump's award to Charlie Kirk | | 01:06 | Trump’s speech honoring Kirk | | 03:16 | State Department barring foreigners over Kirk’s assassination | | 04:58 | Shapiro on American left’s silence and political violence | | 09:57 | Josh Shapiro (PA) on political violence | | 10:34 | "Is he dead yet" bracelet incident at farmers market | | 12:58 | Politico exposé on young GOP racist group chats | | 16:00 | Shapiro on consequences of publishing/expressing racist or violent rhetoric | | 22:00 | Condemning bad things within your own side | | 24:34 | The risk of intra-movement radicalization ("systemic immunity to crazy") | | 29:00 | Marjorie Taylor Greene's intra-GOP disputes; Alex Jones | | 33:31 | On standards, boundaries, and defining movement leadership | | 32:31 | Trump on cutting federal funding if Momdani elected NYC Mayor | | 34:04 | Trump on Hamas: “They will disarm or we will disarm them.” | | 43:47 | Hakeem Jeffries on government shutdown | | 44:31 | Pelosi’s critique of Trump |
Summary Tone & Style
Shapiro maintains his fast-paced, critical, and confrontational style—delivering blunt assessments aimed at exposing hypocrisy on the left while holding conservatives to principled standards. The episode is a call-to-action for the right to resist the pull of extremism, echoing Shapiro’s signature blend of cultural commentary, news analysis, and conservative advocacy.
This summary captures the spirit, structure, and substance of Ben Shapiro’s episode for listeners seeking an in-depth, digestible account of the main arguments, controversies, and noteworthy exchanges.