The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2340 MASTERSTROKE: Trump’s Venezuela Coup Ends The Iraq Syndrome

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro

Episode Overview

In this fast-paced and opinionated episode, Ben Shapiro provides a hard-hitting, conservative breakdown of the latest geopolitical upheaval: President Trump’s successful military operation to oust and extradite Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro to the United States. Shapiro analyzes the operation’s immediate aftermath, its global reverberations, and what it signals for U.S. foreign policy—claiming this marks the symbolic “end of the Iraq Syndrome.” The episode also delves into the instability left in Venezuela, ripple effects for U.S. allies and adversaries, political developments in Minnesota and New York, and takes aim at both left-wing and far-right ideological excesses.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Maduro’s Capture: Details, Aftermath, and Global Impact

[07:05–26:00]

• Operation Overview:

  • The United States, under President Trump, conducted a surprise “snatch and grab” operation, extraditing Maduro and his wife from Caracas to face narcotics charges in U.S. court.
    • “Yesterday, Nicolás Maduro, the erstwhile dictator of Venezuela…was extradited by the United States in a snatch and grab operation shocking in its magnitude…” (07:35)

• Maduro’s Arraignment:

  • Maduro pled not guilty, claimed innocence, and styled himself a “prisoner of war,” but Shapiro forcefully refutes his legitimacy and morality.
    • “He is in fact guilty. He is in fact not a decent man.” (08:54)

• Venezuela's New Leadership and State Response:

  • Delsey Rodríguez, known for her “Machiavellian” tendencies, becomes acting president.
  • Regime loyalists remain in power, crackdowns ensue, journalists are detained, and the streets witness heavy paramilitary presence.

• Key Quote:

  • “The question is whether the United States will be able to exert enough pressure on Del Rodriguez to get what we want, namely a reopening of the oil industry…and a transition…to some sort of actual democratic order.” (10:45)

• U.S. Leverage and Military Pressure:

  • The U.S. wields leverage via oil embargoes and direct military superiority, aiming to force a transition.
    • “We set the terms and conditions. We have a complete embargo on all their oil…So the United States is in charge.” (13:19)

2. U.S. Demands and Challenges for Transition

[26:00–33:45]

• Trump Administration’s Conditions:

  • The U.S. demands the new regime:

    1. Crack down on drug trafficking.
    2. Expel Iranian, Cuban, and anti-U.S. operatives.
    3. Stop oil sales to U.S. adversaries.
    4. Ultimately, facilitate free and fair elections with international observers.

  • The U.S. recognizes that it cannot simply install Maria Corina Machado (the opposition leader/Nobel laureate) without support on the ground, cautioning against naïve assumptions of “waving a magic wand” for democracy.

• Regime Players and CIA Role:

  • Critical figures (Cabello and Padrino) still influence the military and may play ball—or resist—depending on U.S. pressure.
  • CIA operations—tracking Maduro’s location and facilitating his capture—were key.

• Key Quote:

  • “The people who have the guns typically make the rules.” (30:20)

• Senator Lindsey Graham’s Remarks:

  • Cuba and Colombia come into focus; Venezuela’s fall could have cascading effects, especially on Cuba, which relies on Venezuelan oil.
    • “Their [Cuba’s] days are numbered. We’re going to wake up one day…I hope in 26…doing business with America, not narco terrorist dictators…” (34:15)

3. Energy, China, and Global Geopolitics

[36:00–40:20]

• Chevron’s Position:
  • Chevron, having maintained operations in Venezuela, now stands to benefit as the U.S. moves toward privatizing Venezuelan oil.
    • “Chevron may benefit from all of this. Listen, cheaper energy, a Venezuela that is not directed at support of China…is a win for the United States.” (39:42)
• China and Russia’s Involvement:
  • China’s weapons in Venezuela proved ineffective; the U.S. aims to undercut China’s oil supply, furthering American interests.

4. Domestic Political Fallout and Reactions

[40:20–53:40]

• Democratic, Progressive, and International Backlash:
  • UN representatives from Colombia, Russia, and China universally condemn the U.S. operation as imperial overreach and a violation of sovereignty.
    • “China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the unilateral, illegal, and bullying acts of the U.S.” (Chinese rep at UN, 44:38)
  • U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz’s response: “Who gives a flying bleep what Russia and China and Colombia think of all of this?” (45:43)
• Liberal Media and Politician Critiques:
  • Criticism focuses on legality, precedent, and potential double standards for U.S. conduct versus that of China/Russia.
    • Sunny Hostin: “It’s not legal because it violates international law…” (47:15)
    • Rep. Ted Lieu: “Now that we have done this to Maduro, what’s to stop China or Russia from making aggressive actions in the world?” (48:34)
    • Sen. John Fetterman: “I think we should really appreciate exactly what happened here…salute our military…” (51:09)
    • Anna Navarro: “You can criticize…and have concerns…about the way it was done…but still celebrate that this murderous, corrupt, sadistic son of a— is out…” (52:17)

5. Shapiro’s Main Thesis: “The End of the Iraq Syndrome”

[53:40–1:01:00]

• Historical Context:
  • Recounts “Vietnam Syndrome” (post-Vietnam reluctance for foreign intervention), its partial end under Reagan and Bush, and how Iraq/Afghanistan revived these hesitations as “Iraq Syndrome.”
• Trump Doctrine Outlined:
  • American interests first; investments match interests; all means—military and diplomatic—are on table and threats should be public.
• Maduro Operation as a Turning Point:
  • Shapiro asserts Trump’s action demonstrates U.S. military power can be used decisively, without nation-building quagmire.
    • “President Trump has substantively killed the Iraq Syndrome.” (58:48)
    • “America is…once again feared on the global stage, which is an incredible accomplishment given where we were just one year ago. This is what many of us voted for.” (1:00:19)

6. Briefs on Domestic Stories

A. J.D. Vance Home Break-In

[1:01:00–1:04:00]

• Reports that a trans-identifying individual broke into Sen. Vance’s home in Cincinnati; Shapiro uses this to critique progressive narratives on mental health and identity politics.

B. Governor Tim Walz Drops 2026 Bid Amid Fraud Scandal

[1:04:00–1:10:00]

• Former Democratic VP nominee and MN Governor Tim Walz withdraws after large-scale welfare fraud is exposed.
  • “The reality is, you’re a terrible governor. You never should have been a vice presidential nominee.” (1:06:47)
• Shapiro analyzes evasive press responses and deeper systemic poverty/fraud issues in Minnesota—especially in Somali-run daycare centers.

C. NYC's Zoran Mamdani and the “Warmth of Collectivism”

[1:10:00–1:18:00]

• Critiques NYC’s “socialist” turn under new Mayor Mamdani:
  • “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” (Mamdani, quoted at 1:12:43)
• Satirical and scathing analysis of promises like free World Cup tickets and rent reform, comparing NYC’s policies to Soviet-era inefficiencies.

D. Red vs. Horseshoe Right Ideologies

[1:18:00–1:23:00]

• Warns that the rise of authoritarian, anti-constitutional thought on the hard right (Curtis Yarvin) mirrors left-wing collectivism—Shapiro advocates rejecting both.
  • “In the same way that the left ought to divide off from its communist-leaning splinter faction, the right needs to splinter off from this ridiculous neo-fascist trash.” (1:22:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Segment | |-----------|---------|---------------| | 07:35 | Ben Shapiro | “Yesterday, Nicolas Maduro, the erstwhile dictator...was extradited by the United States in a snatch and grab operation shocking in its magnitude...” | | 08:54 | Ben Shapiro | “He is in fact guilty. He is in fact not a decent man. He's responsible for the deaths of probably hundreds of thousands…” | | 10:45 | Ben Shapiro | “The question is whether the United States will be able to exert enough pressure on Delsey Rodríguez to get what we want...” | | 13:19 | Stephen Miller (via Shapiro paraphrase) | “We set the terms and conditions. We have a complete embargo on all their oil... So the United States is in charge.” | | 34:15 | Lindsey Graham | “Their [Cuba’s] days are numbered. We’re going to wake up one day, I hope in 26...doing business with America, not narco terrorist dictators killing Americans.” | | 39:42 | Ben Shapiro | “Chevron may benefit from all of this. Listen, cheaper energy, a Venezuela that is not directed at support of China…is a win for the United States.” | | 44:38 | Chinese UN Rep | “China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the unilateral, illegal, and bullying acts of the U.S.” | | 45:43 | Mike Waltz | “Who gives a flying bleep what Russia and China and Colombia think of all of this?” | | 47:15 | Sunny Hostin | “It's not legal because it violates international law. Right. And this sort of represents this new....” | | 51:09 | John Fetterman | “I think we should really appreciate exactly what happened here...salute our military...” | | 52:17 | Anna Navarro | “You can criticize...about the way it was done...but still celebrate that this murderous, corrupt, sadistic son of a— is out...” | | 58:48 | Ben Shapiro | “President Trump has substantively killed the Iraq Syndrome.” | | 1:00:19 | Ben Shapiro | “America is...once again feared on the global stage, which is an incredible accomplishment given where we were just one year ago. This is what many of us voted for.” | | 1:12:43 | Zoran Mamdani | "We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism." | | 1:22:01 | Ben Shapiro | “...the right needs to splinter off from this ridiculous neo-fascist trash. It is silly and humoring it is incredibly silly. Not only silly, dangerous…” |

Important Timestamps

• 07:05 – Maduro’s arrest and extradition detailed
• 13:19 – U.S. leverage explained
• 26:00 – Trump administration’s demands to new Venezuelan regime
• 34:15 – Potential consequences for Cuba and Colombia
• 39:42 – Energy politics and China’s stake
• 44:38 – UN condemnation; Waltz’s rebuttal
• 51:09 – Bipartisan reactions: Fetterman, Anna Navarro
• 53:40–1:01:00 – “Iraq Syndrome” analysis and Trump Doctrine
• 1:01:00–1:04:00 – J.D. Vance home break-in news
• 1:04:00–1:10:00 – Minnesota welfare fraud and Tim Walz’s exit
• 1:10:00–1:18:00 – NYC’s socialism under Mamdani
• 1:18:00–1:23:00 – Shapiro’s warning on ideological extremes

Tone and Style

• Shapiro’s delivery is assertive, sarcastic, and unflinching. He lampoons left-wing and right-wing authoritarianism with equal enthusiasm, favoring muscular U.S. global leadership and criticizing both naïve isolationism and utopian collectivism. The episode’s tone is fast-moving, combative, and densely packed with commentary and analysis.

Summary

This episode positions Trump’s “Venezuela coup” as a historic victory not just for American interests, but for reclaiming assertiveness in U.S. foreign policy. Shapiro argues it ends decades of “Iraq Syndrome,” reasserts American power, and sets a new standard for intervention without entanglement. He dissects both the immediate aftermath in Venezuela and the global reactions—mocking critics at home and abroad, while warning of the dangers posed by both left-wing collectivists and hard-right authoritarians on the home front. The episode closes with quick hits on other political dramas—Minnesota’s fraud scandal, NYC’s socialist pivot, and a call to robust constitutionalism in response to rising extremism.