The Ben Shapiro Show

Episode 2351 – Trump Prepares To Drop Davos BOMBS

Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro
Podcast: The Daily Wire

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro dissects the first year of Donald Trump’s second presidential term, analyzing both his domestic and foreign policy “wins” as broadcasted by the White House and critiquing the administration’s increasingly aggressive posture abroad. The episode’s main focus is on Trump’s bold, controversial moves ahead of his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, including potential territorial claims on Greenland and escalating trade tensions with U.S. allies. Additionally, Shapiro explores the collapse of globalization, the resurgence of multipolar geopolitics, and the trenchant divides within U.S. politics over immigration and law enforcement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s "365 Wins in 365 Days"

• Accomplishments Highlighted by Trump Administration (09:00–11:00)
  • Economic upswing: stock market at all-time highs, strong GDP growth, decreased inflation compared to the Biden era.
  • Foreign policy moves: bombing of Iran’s nuclear facility, ending conflicts in Gaza, and between Armenia/Azerbaijan.
  • Domestic policy: eradication of DEI initiatives, enforcement of border security, activation of ICE, leading to the first net loss in migrant population in years.
  • Trump physically presents a book of accomplishments, theatrically tossing it on the floor.

    "These are all things we have. I'm going to read a few of the samples, but look at this. These are all each line is something that we did. Nobody did that Before." – Donald Trump [06:02]

  • Trump: “I think God is very proud of the job I've done, and that includes for religion… Christians, Jewish people, and lots of people are being protected by me…” [06:46]

2. Economic Realities vs. Public Sentiment

• Public Opinion and Approval Ratings (08:48–09:14)
  • Despite Trump’s touting of successes, his approval rating has dropped to approx. 42.5%, with disapproval at 56%. Shapiro notes a feeling of economic and geopolitical “unsettledness.”

    “You wonder what's going wrong. And the biggest thing that it feels like is going wrong is mostly just a feeling of unsettledness.” – Ben Shapiro [08:48]

3. Trump at Davos: America First vs. Globalization

• Davos Attendance and Administration’s Stance (11:50–14:05)
  • Major U.S. delegation, while many world leaders abstain, partly due to Trump’s confrontational approach (especially over Greenland).
  • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick: “Globalization has failed the west and the United States of America... America first is a different model, one that we encourage other countries to consider, which is that our workers come first.” – Howard Lutnick [11:50]
  • Contrasted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessens encouraging restraint and continued alliances with Europe.
  • Internal division within the administration highlighted by Shapiro: “Some ideological differences in the administration as to what exactly the Trump administration means here.” [14:16]

4. Historical Context: The “New World Order” and Its Rejection

• Roots of Current Geopolitical Tensions (15:12–21:30)
  • Ben recaps the vision of global cooperation under George H.W. Bush’s “New World Order,” later pursued (variously) by Clinton, Bush II, and Obama, and how those ideals failed to materialize.
  • Trump’s approach is described as a rejection of these utopian globalist visions in favor of muscular American self-interest.

    “It turns out that nations do have their own interests.” – Ben Shapiro [19:10]

5. Greenland: Territorial Ambitions and Alliances at Risk

• Trump’s Greenland Gambit (23:57–24:39)
  • Trump hints at a possible deal with NATO regarding Greenland, with Shapiro expressing skepticism about the necessity and logic of such a move.

    “Nobody's done more for NATO than I have... We need it for security purposes.” – Donald Trump [23:57]

  • Potential fallout: Alienation of Denmark, swing of public opinion toward Danish Social Democrats, instability in Canada, and broader Western alliances undermined.
  • Economic impact: Tariff threats against European allies drive financial market jitters and bolster multipolar reorientation, particularly with the EU seeking new major deals with India.

6. International Reactions & Multipolar Shifts

• Allied Pushback and New Alliances (29:14–34:34)
  • European leaders, like France's Emmanuel Macron, position themselves as defenders of the “rule of law” and wish to move away from U.S.-led hegemony.

    “We do prefer respect to bullies. We do prefer rule of law to brutality.” – Emmanuel Macron [29:14]

  • EU President Ursula von der Leyen teases a “mother of all deals” with India as U.S. trade relations sour.
  • Canadian and other middle-power leaders openly challenge U.S. priorities and seek independent pacts, further evidence of global realignment.

7. Democratic Responses & Internal Critiques

• Progressive Pushback and Policy Overreach (35:26–48:41)
  • Gavin Newsom uses Davos platform to lambaste Trump and urge European resistance to “complicity.” He positions his critique as a defense of California-style economic openness.

    “I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders... Europeans think this is diplomacy and this will alter diplomacy with Donald Trump. He's a T. Rex. You mate with him or he devours you.” – Gavin Newsom [35:26]

  • Meanwhile, state and local Democratic officials face federal pressure over immigration enforcement and “obstruction” of ICE operations.
  • Protesters, church occupations, and activist calls to abolish ICE feature (including Zoran Mamdani on The View).

8. Immigration Enforcement & Optics

• Trump’s Crackdown and Media Strategy (39:37–42:47)
  • Trump uses Minnesota as a showcase for the success of ICE operations, literally holding up mugshots of arrested individuals in a press conference.

    “These people are, let's see. Yeah, these are all... people that came from outside of the country. They were allowed in by Sleepy Joe Biden ... these are people that you have to see. Strong arm rape, aggravated assault with a weapon, and many other crimes.” – Donald Trump [39:37]

  • Shapiro underscores the political wisdom of focusing on criminal illegal immigrants to shore up public support.

9. The 1916 Project: Exposé on Planned Parenthood

• Interview with Seth Gruber (49:26–56:22)
  • Gruber discusses his documentary and book on the eugenicist roots of Planned Parenthood, highlighting shocking historical connections:

    “Lothrop Stoddard... was none other than the, quote, exalted cyclops of the Massachusetts KKK chapter... The Nazi party paid for the German translation of Lothrop's daughter's book...” – Seth Gruber [52:40]

  • Promotes the Life or Death Conference in D.C. as “the day before the March for Life.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump’s Divine Endorsement:

  “I think God is very proud of the job I've done, and that includes for religion...” – Donald Trump [06:46]

• On Globalization:

  “Globalization has failed the west and the United States of America... It has left America behind. It has left the American workers behind.” – Howard Lutnick [11:50]

• On Domestic Crackdown:

  “These people are, let's see... all, so far, people that came from outside of the country... Strong arm rape, aggravated assault with a weapon, and many other crimes.” – Donald Trump [39:37]

• Gavin Newsom’s Colorful Metaphor:

  "I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders... He's a T. Rex. You mate with him or he devours you." – Gavin Newsom [35:26]

• Seth Gruber on Planned Parenthood’s Origins:

  “The founding board member of Planned Parenthood... was none other than the, quote, exalted cyclops of the Massachusetts KKK chapter... The Nazi party paid for the German translation of Lothrop's daughter's book...” – Seth Gruber [52:40]

Key Timestamps

• Trump’s first year report & press conference – 06:02–08:11
• Approval ratings and national mood – 08:48–09:14
• Davos preview and Lutnick’s anti-globalization remarks – 11:50–12:49
• Treasury Secretary’s pragmatism – 14:05–14:38
• Historical roots: “New World Order” – 17:55–21:30
• Trump’s Greenland comments & NATO strategy – 23:57–24:39
• European & allied reactions (Macron, von der Leyen) – 29:14–34:34
• Newsom’s Davos attack on Trump – 35:26–36:26
• Minnesota, ICE, and immigration crackdown – 39:37–42:47
• Abolish ICE segment: Zoran Mamdani & local law enforcement – 45:48–48:41
• Seth Gruber interview on The 1916 Project – 49:26–56:22

Tone & Style

• Language & Tone: Direct, robustly partisan (conservative), often sarcastic or combative; Ben’s commentary intermingled with quotes and audio clips from Trump and other major figures.
• Delivery: Fast-moving, punctuated by frequent fact-checks, and extended context-building; focuses on the dramatic stakes and ideological divides of the current moment.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a comprehensive, critical view of Trump’s actions at home and abroad during the second year of his (second) presidency—contrasting triumphalist messaging with shifting public/economic realities, and drawing out the historical and ideological stakes behind current headlines. Expect deep dives, inter-administration rivalries, and high-level politicking dissected with characteristic Shapiro bite.