The Ben Shapiro Show: Ep. 2357

Title: NEW TAPE: Pretti’s Not-So-Nonviolent ICE Protest Past
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro, The Daily Wire
Theme:
A deep dive into the evolving narratives and political spin surrounding the recent shooting of Alex Preddy by Border Patrol, the emergence of new video evidence regarding Preddy’s activism, the culture war over law enforcement and immigration enforcement, reactions from politicians and celebrities, as well as congressional hearings with Senator Marco Rubio and a discussion of new Trump administration "Trump accounts" for minors.

Table of Contents

1. Main Theme & Purpose
2. Key Points & Insights
   • The Alex Preddy Shooting and Competing Narratives
   • Emergence of New Tape on Preddy’s Actions
   • Media and Celebrity Responses: Dangerous Rhetoric
   • ICE, Sanctuary Cities, and Federal-State Tensions
   • Democratic Overhaul Demands for ICE & DHS Funding
   • Congressional Hearings and Senator Marco Rubio’s Performance
   • Trump Administration’s ‘Trump Account’ Investment Program
   • Audience Mailbag Q&A (Sponsored by PureTalk)
3. Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
4. Timestamps for Key Segments

Main Theme and Purpose

Ben Shapiro evaluates the intense political and media spin following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse and activist Alex Preddy by Border Patrol agents. He examines newly-emerged footage complicating the public narrative of Preddy’s activism, critiques the polarized positions taken by both left and right on the role of ICE and law enforcement, and spotlights the dangerous rhetoric used by celebrities and Democratic politicians. He highlights the bureaucratic and legal complexity of federal immigration enforcement, current policy debates in Congress, and broader societal impacts—including new federal programs under the Trump administration.

Key Points & Insights

The Alex Preddy Shooting and Competing Narratives

• Shapiro frames the Preddy story as an example of “two competing narratives” fueled by cognitive dissonance.
• Right-wing narrative: Preddy portrayed as an agitator who “deserved” the shooting.
• Left-wing narrative: Preddy portrayed as a saintly, innocent victim akin to George Floyd or Trayvon Martin (00:57).
• Shapiro urges listeners to acknowledge the “messiness of reality,” citing Preddy’s pattern of obstructive and sometimes violent activism alongside the tragic circumstances of his death.

“Reality is ugly and reality is messy... Alex Preddy was an agitator... and also his shooting could have come under disputed circumstances and then been mischaracterized by both sides.”
– Ben Shapiro (01:59)

Emergence of New Tape on Preddy’s Actions

• New BBC-confirmed footage (from Jan 13) shows Preddy engaging in aggressive acts against ICE, including damaging a federal vehicle and resisting arrest while armed (06:04).
• Shapiro points out failures in law enforcement for not detaining Preddy after the altercation, asking, "Why was Alex Preddy out doing the exact same thing a few days later?" (07:15)
• He challenges the left’s insistence on martyrizing Preddy, arguing that reality is more nuanced and the facts don’t support a black-and-white view (08:30).

Media and Celebrity Responses: Dangerous Rhetoric

• Shapiro criticizes Anna Navarro and Stephen Colbert for their emotional, sanctifying narratives about Preddy, and especially for Colbert’s Nazi analogies aimed at ICE agents (09:23).
• He warns such exaggerations raise the temperature and danger for law enforcement.
• Calls out celebrity posturing (e.g., Giancarlo Esposito calling for "revolution," Bruce Springsteen’s ICE protest song "Streets of Minneapolis") for deepening the culture war and misleading the public (14:02, 16:17).

“Stephen Colbert is a dullard... He stopped telling jokes a long time ago and instead went for the clapter... Here he is calling [ICE agents] worse than the Nazis.”
– Ben Shapiro (10:51)

• Praises Sen. John Fetterman for outright condemning Nazi comparisons (34:03).

ICE, Sanctuary Cities, and Federal-State Tensions

• Discusses Tom Homan’s (DHS) efforts to broker cooperation with Minneapolis and contrasts his professionalism with that of local officials (19:05, 20:01).
• President Trump and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry spar over local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement, with Fry emphasizing public safety over ICE collaboration (22:09–23:30).
• Similar tensions are cited in NYC (Mayor Zoran Mamdani) and Chicago (Mayor Brandon Johnson) where left-leaning leaders refuse to cooperate with ICE and openly criticize federal tactics (24:41–25:58).

Democratic Overhaul Demands for ICE & DHS Funding

• Senate Democrats (e.g., Chuck Schumer) threaten a government shutdown unless ICE is overhauled: demands include limiting roving patrols, requiring body cameras, tightening judicial warrant requirements, and banning agent mask use (28:44).
• Elizabeth Warren and Raphael Warnock are highlighted for their harsh language against ICE (31:22, 32:16).
• Shapiro accuses Democrats of performative politics rather than addressing real enforcement issues.

Congressional Hearings and Senator Marco Rubio’s Performance

• Coverage shifts to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Senate hearing on Venezuela and drug cartels:
  • Rubio “owns” critics like Tammy Duckworth, Chris Van Hollen, and Rand Paul, navigating questions about constitutional war powers, oil interests, and policing strategies (37:09–44:14).
  • Emphasizes the real threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and the need for strong U.S. action (40:22).
  • Rubio dismisses Democratic posturing and maintains focus on policy realities.

Trump Administration’s ‘Trump Account’ Investment Program

• Shapiro introduces new $1,000 tax-advantaged “Trump Accounts” for all newborns: intended as a pro-market, anti-socialist initiative to create a “generation of capitalists,” with buy-in from celebrities (Nicki Minaj, Michael Dell), philanthropists, and major banks (48:51).
• Isabel Brown joins to discuss details and future impact: funds can be used for home purchases, starting businesses, or college, with substantial employer matching (54:54).

Audience Mailbag Q&A (Sponsored by PureTalk)

• Ben fields listener questions, highlighting often-overlooked biblical stories (the Moses-God encounter after the Golden Calf, 58:00) and advice for working mothers balancing career and family (60:26).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "The reason that his argument is bad is because who cares whether Venezuela considers it an act of war. The question is whether constitutionally, you require a declaration of war in order to do this thing."
  — Ben Shapiro, on the Rand Paul-Rubio debate (42:46)

• “You have to have this binary narrative where everyone who's being sought by ICE is good... and ICE agents then become Nazis.”
  — Ben Shapiro (17:21)

• "I am a no. I am a hell no. We cannot give one more penny to Trump's ICE while its masked, poorly trained agents terrorize people all across this country." — Elizabeth Warren (31:45)

• “Don't compare anyone, anyone to Nazis. Don't use that kind of rhetoric. You know, that can incite violence.”
  — Senator John Fetterman (34:03)

• “We are creating an entire generation of capitalists through this program.”
  — Isabel Brown (56:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Framing of Preddy Shooting: 01:00–03:40
• Competing Narratives & Cognitive Dissonance: 01:40–04:56
• Critique of Media/Politicians on Preddy: 04:56–08:29
• Newly Emerged Tape of Preddy: 06:04–08:29
• Wider Narrative and Cultural Rhetoric: 09:23–14:02
• Bruce Springsteen’s Protest Song: 14:02–16:17
• Giancarlo Esposito & Revolution Rhetoric: 16:17–19:05
• Tom Homan and Minneapolis Cooperation: 19:05–22:09
• Federal-State ICE Tensions (Trump v Fry): 22:09–24:59
• NYC/Chicago on ICE Enforcement: 24:41–27:53
• DHS Funding & Democratic Demands: 28:44–32:16
• Fetterman Condemns Nazi Comparisons: 34:03
• Senate Hearing/Marco Rubio vs Duckworth and Van Hollen: 37:09–44:33
• Rand Paul v. Rubio on Venezuela: 41:12–44:14
• Rubio on Iran, Cuba: 44:14–46:54
• Trump ‘Trump Account’ Launch & Nicki Minaj: 48:51–57:50
• Audience Mailbag (Bible Story, Working Moms): 58:00–62:36

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a multifaceted look at the intersection of law enforcement, immigration policy, and political culture in America. Shapiro pulls back the curtain on media distortions, celebrates the rational voices that remain, and champions free-market solutions to societal ills. The episode is rich in pop culture references, pointed critiques of political leaders, and a strong undercurrent of conservative skepticism toward left-wing orthodoxy—plus a few moments of levity around rap, Bruce Springsteen, and Nicki Minaj.

(End of Summary)