The Ben Shapiro Show | Ep. 2321

Episode Title: Radical Islam’s Front Group EXPOSED By Texas!
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro dives into the recent actions by Texas against the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), exposing what he alleges to be CAIR’s radical Islamist ties and funding of disruptive campus protests. The show connects the dots between CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, Democratic politicians, and alleged efforts to undermine U.S. institutions. Shapiro additionally covers updates on the Epstein files, the current state of the Republican Party, geopolitical realities in the Middle East, and the growing influence of radical elements in U.S. politics. The episode is delivered in Shapiro’s characteristic fast-paced, unfiltered conservative style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texas Targets CAIR as a Radical Islamist Front Group

• CAIR’s Funding of Campus Protests

  • Shapiro details how Texas has moved to designate CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations.
  • CAIR, via the Champions of Justice Fund, allegedly paid $1,000 each to students who led or were penalized for pro-Palestinian campus protests post–October 7, 2023.

    "CAIR, which is linked to a group called Champions of Justice Fund, was funneling money to people who actively participated in those protests and crimes during that Hamas Summer of Love..." (00:41)

  • Recipients may have included those expelled or suspended from top universities for storming and occupying buildings.

• CAIR’s Alleged Radical Ties

  • Shapiro references the Holy Land Foundation trial, where CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Hamas fundraising.
  • Quotes from government and research organizations, including a Texas gubernatorial proclamation, assert that CAIR was founded as a Hamas front.
  • Highlights statements from Nihad Awad (CAIR’s executive director) allegedly expressing support for October 7th and wider anti-Israel sentiment.

    "Here is the CAIR executive director—there’s a flashback to 2023—saying that he was happy about October 7th." (12:40)

Key Timestamps

• 00:41 – CAIR’s campus protest payouts
• 04:39 – Texas governor’s proclamation against CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood
• 10:18 – Coverage of Awad’s public statements
• 14:19 – CAIR’s connection to the Holy Land Foundation trial

2. Radical Islam & Demographics in U.S. Politics

• Integration with Progressive Groups

  • Shapiro argues that “Islamist Marxist” coalitions are forming within the Democratic Party, notably with figures like Zoran Mamdani (NYC assembly candidate) and the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America).
  • Criticizes certain activists for framing 9/11 as an outgrowth of American capitalism, racism, and imperialism rather than an unprovoked act of terror.

    “As you can hear right there, she is just saying that 9/11 was a result of America’s capitalism, racism and white supremacy and Islamophobia. Basically, America had it coming.” (24:20)

• Virtue Signaling Over Policy

  • Shapiro sees left-wing politicians using anti-American rhetoric and symbolic actions (e.g., promises to “arrest Netanyahu”) as core campaign messaging.
  • He argues that the progressive left’s appeal is more about signaling anti-Americanism and anti-Western values than offering practical solutions.

Key Timestamps

• 19:00 – Zoran Mamdani's alliances and rhetoric
• 25:10 – Virtue signaling vs. policy

3. The Biden Administration & Middle East Realpolitik

• Relations with Saudi Arabia & Media Bias

  • Shapiro dissects media focus on Biden’s diplomatic engagement with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, especially regarding the Khashoggi killing.
  • Emphasizes U.S. pragmatic alliances with “unsavory” leaders for national interest, contrasting with media’s selective outrage.

    “The vast majority of places on planet Earth are not nice places. And terrible things happen there. And the leaders there do terrible things. That is a reality.” (38:56)

• Jamal Khashoggi’s Background

  • Challenges the narrative of Khashoggi as a liberal reformer; points to his connections with CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood.
  • Criticizes media and political overtures that, in his view, weaponize such incidents for geopolitical purposes and virtue signaling.

Key Timestamps

• 36:00 – Khashoggi controversy and Biden’s approach
• 41:08 – Khashoggi’s ties to CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood

4. The Epstein Files, Political Theater, and MAGA Discord

• Epstein Files Bill & Political Maneuvering

  • Reviews the Senate’s approval of the Epstein files bill, noting it won’t change much as the DOJ is already required to redact legally sensitive information.
  • Points to both left-wing and right-wing actors attempting to exploit the Epstein case for political gain—against Trump or within the GOP.

    “Speaker Johnson pointed out that all of this is about trying to weaponize Epstein against Trump. That’s true, by the way, again, for people both left and right who are attempting to undermine Trump’s presidency.” (54:58)

• Intra-Republican Party Struggles

  • Marjorie Taylor Greene (“MTG”) accused of fracturing MAGA by challenging Trump’s dominance in the movement.
  • Shapiro argues that MAGA is defined by its alignment with Trump, not by fringe factions or personalities.

    “No, what’s ripped MAGA apart is a group of very motivated people who are determined to rip MAGA apart and in order to degrade President Trump’s policy and try to take control of a movement that they did not build, that he built.” (58:40)

Key Timestamps

• 53:54 – Weaponization of the Epstein case
• 57:45 – Intra-GOP fractures, MAGA, and the rise of fringe actors

5. The Future of the Right: America First, Political Suicide & the Left’s Delight

• Embrace of Extremist Figures

  • Shapiro lambasts those in the GOP cozying up to or defending figures like Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes, labeling such moves dumb, immoral, and politically disastrous.

    “It is wrong to do it morally and it is dumb crap. How do you think that that plays seriously?” (01:01:06)

• America First Debate

  • Discusses the differences between “creedal Americanism” (Declaration of Independence, Constitution) and blood-and-soil nationalism pushed by some “America First” activists.
  • Warns that the latter is widely unpopular, damaging to electoral chances, and gleefully encouraged by Democratic strategists.

    “When the Democrats are cheering you, like full scale cheering you for your heel turn, perhaps there’s something going on.” (01:05:20)

Key Timestamps

• 01:00:20 – Defending fringe figures (Tate, Fuentes)
• 01:03:05 – Decline of creedal Americanism and leftist reaction

6. Economic Outlook: AI Bubble or New Frontier?

• Tech Bubble Uncertainty
  • Shapiro touches on market volatility and the possibility of an AI bubble, referencing Neil Ferguson’s analysis comparing the current AI investment craze to historical bubbles.

    “So two things can be true at the same time. One, the data centers to power AI could be as economically worthwhile as an investment as railroads, and b we could experience at least one stock market crash along the way to general adoption. That seems about right to me.” (01:10:20)

  • Highlights current market jitters—Home Depot as a bellwether for economic slowdown; uneven gains concentrated at the top of the stock market.

Key Timestamps

• 01:10:03 – Ferguson’s AI bubble analysis
• 01:11:40 – Home Depot and market signals

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On CAIR’s Influence:
  “It is not a surprise. It is not a surprise... the main group solicited 64 grand in donations. The money was then offered as interest free loans in grants of $1,000 to students who lost, quote, scholarships, housing or other support because of their advocacy.” (02:39)

• On The Left’s Pitch:
  “The pitch of the left... does not have solutions. The left has anti-American radicalism, which is why the ties with places like CAIR... It’s about tearing away at the system. That’s the entire thing.” (31:45)

• On MAGA Divisions:
  “MAGA is Trump. Trump is MAGA. That’s all... the idea that the MAGA movement in its heart is about Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ideology as opposed to President Trump is nuts. But it’s ridiculous. And not only that, it is politically stupid.” (59:40)

• On Political Suicide:
  “If the idea is that you have to wink and nod at this nonsense in order to win a primary, maybe you’ll win a primary. I highly doubt that this is going to pay off in terms of 2028 victory. And again, the Democrats are loving it.” (01:05:49)

Conclusion

Ben Shapiro’s November 19, 2025, episode offers a sweeping indictment of radical Islamist influence in American political life as embodied by CAIR, critiques the progressive left’s embrace of anti-American rhetoric, and issues stern warnings against the mainstreaming of fringe elements within the Republican coalition. Tying national politics to issues of identity, policy, and principle, he calls for vigilance against both external and internal threats to American values as he sees them—delivered in his signature rapid, sharp-tongued style.

End of Summary.
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