The Ben Shapiro Show Ep. 2363 - "Nancy Guthrie STILL Missing?!"

Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)
Key Guest: Lyndon Blake, Daily Wire Investigative Reporter

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro tackles the gripping, ongoing story of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance—an event that has seized national attention for its high-profile victim (Savannah Guthrie’s mother), mysterious circumstances, and chilling ransom demands. Shapiro unpacks new investigative details, family statements, and rampant public speculation, before shifting to a broader discussion about political violence, religious trends on the right, and recent major news stories. In true Shapiro style, the conversation is fast-paced, detailed, and loaded with pointed opinions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance: Real-Time True Crime Unfolds

• A Nation on Edge: Shapiro opens by addressing the widespread anxiety over the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie.
• Ransom Developments:
  • Purported kidnappers sent a detailed ransom note to TMZ demanding millions in bitcoin, with threats to Nancy’s safety if not paid ([01:00-03:20]).
  • The note referenced specific private information (her Apple Watch, a damaged floodlight), which adds legitimacy to the threat.
• Savannah Guthrie’s Public Plea:
  "Our mom is our heart and our home. She is 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile... She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive." – Savannah Guthrie ([03:20])
• Family’s Response:
  Savannah and her brother Cameron issued emotional public statements, pleading for contact and proof of life while reiterating their willingness to negotiate:
  "We want to hear from you. We haven't heard anything directly. We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward." – Cameron Guthrie ([03:51])
• Police and FBI Investigation:
  • Over 100 tips received, with resources stretched thin by imposter ransom notes and scammers ([06:56]).
  • The only ransom note taken seriously referenced insider information; authorities believe Nancy was targeted, not a victim of random crime.

2. Interview with Lyndon Blake: Fresh Investigative Updates

• Ransom Deadlines: Two ransom deadlines passed (first at 5pm previous day, next was Monday). Latest demand threatened to kill Nancy if ransom wasn't paid ([09:28-11:12]).
• Communications with Kidnappers:
  Family is demanding “proof of life” before any ransom is seriously considered; they seek direct lines of communication ([13:42]).
• Suspects and Law Enforcement Actions:
  • Early rumors implicating Nancy’s son-in-law (Tommaso Cioni) were called “reckless” by the sheriff, though no one is ruled out ([11:12-13:23]).
  • Digital forensics (Cellebrite box) used to extract information from Annie (Savannah’s sister) Guthrie’s house ([11:26]).
  • Forced entry theories walked back; increasing speculation the perpetrator had inside knowledge ([13:23]).
• Blake’s Key Insight:
  "There is something in this ransom note… more… that is personal, that the family is saying. This seems legit. We're engaging." ([11:12])

3. Analysis of Political Violence Trend

• Rising Normalization: Shapiro points to several instances of targeted violence against public figures—including a failed murder attempt on a Trump administration official and threats against ICE officers.
• Antifa Arrest in Minneapolis:
  Highlights the arrest of self-identified antifa terrorist Kyle Wagner, who called for violence against federal officers and posted manifestos online ([15:00-19:51]).
• Left’s Response and Political Discourse:
  • Bernie Sanders dodging direct condemnation of violent church protests ([20:53]).
  • AOC commending bravery of protestors, echoing a culture of “resistance” as virtue, even when it defies law ([22:00-22:25]).
    "Everyone wants a moment like that." – AOC, as paraphrased by Shapiro ([22:21])

4. Republican Coalition & Religion: Shifting Demographics

• Religion's Waning Influence:
  • Data reveals a decline in religiosity among Republicans; calls for party to maintain a broad coalition, not just religious conservatives ([24:45+]).
  • Shapiro warns against “fringe” trad-right posturing and hypocrisy within online traditionalist movements.
• Trump’s Approach:
  • Trump succeeds by appealing to moderate, secular, and religious voters—with a broad, ecumenical message rather than strict Christian conservatism.
  • Trump’s joke at the National Prayer Breakfast:
    "I'm never going to make it to heaven. I just don't think I qualify… but I did a hell of a lot of good for perfect people, that's for sure." – Donald Trump ([33:01])
  • Importance of keeping “the coalition together” rather than narrowing its focus.

5. Voter ID and 2026 Election Dynamics

• Voter ID:
  • Trump and media figures argue it's widely popular and that Democratic opposition is out of touch ([35:54-36:50]).
  • Bill Maher and Stephen A. Smith call out the excess of rhetorical comparisons to “Jim Crow” in discussions of voter ID laws ([36:30+]).
• Political Fatigue:
  Shapiro notes a general public exhaustion with political drama that may hinder the GOP’s prospects even in the face of Democratic missteps ([37:22]).

6. Trump Truth Social Controversy

• Trump posts a video featuring a racist depiction of the Obamas as apes; Shapiro speculates (but does not excuse) that Trump likely didn’t watch entire content before posting ([37:22+]).
  • "Do I think President Trump even watched the whole video? I have serious doubts... does that justify any— it doesn’t justify anything." – Ben Shapiro ([38:00])

7. Super Bowl Ads – Rapid-Fire Reviews

• Bud Light: “Terrible utilization of your talent pool” ([41:32]).
• Dunkin’ Donuts: “Monster cringe. Golden cringe.” – Guest ([42:39])
• Xfinity/Jurassic Park:
  "That's clever. That could have been bad... That is the best of these commercials that I have seen." – Ben Shapiro ([44:07])
• Elf Cosmetics: Shapiro and Lyndon Blake have fun with Melissa McCarthy’s ad (“savvy’s jam”, “[45:04]”). Approves of smart, low-cost marketing.
• Fanatics Sportsbook: Praises the irony and self-effacing humor featuring Kendall Jenner’s “dating curse” ([47:13]).
• Pringles & Novartis (Prostate Cancer): Pringles is the worst ad ("I don't even understand what that was supposed to be" – [49:14]), while Novartis is amusing until awkward “shots of the relaxing butts game” ([50:48]).

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Savannah Guthrie:
  "Our mom is our heart and our home... She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive." ([03:20])
• Lyndon Blake:
  "There is something in this ransom note… more… that is personal, that the family is saying. This seems legit. We're engaging." ([11:12])
• Ben Shapiro:
  "Now there are some people taking advantage of this… a flurry of fake Nancy Guthrie ransom notes… bogging down their resources." ([04:12])
• President Trump (at Prayer Breakfast):
  "I'm never going to make it to heaven. I just don't think I qualify... but I did a hell of a lot of good for perfect people, that's for sure." ([33:01])
• Bill Maher (on voter ID hyperbole):
  "Don't engage in that kind of hyperbole because we're living in the year 2026... that's playing right into Trump's hands." ([36:38])
• AOC (as paraphrased):
  "Everyone wants a moment like that. So congratulations... Being part of the resistance means that if you can draw law enforcement upon you, then you have now become a victim, even if you're the one who's allegedly committing the crime." ([22:21])

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Cold Open & Nancy Guthrie Update | 00:35 - 07:47 | | Lyndon Blake Interview | 09:23 - 14:58 | | Political Violence & Antifa Discussion | 15:00 - 22:25 | | GOP/Religion Trends & National Prayer Speech | 24:45 - 35:21 | | Voter ID and 2026 Election Commentary | 35:54 - 37:22 | | Trump Truth Social Controversy | 37:22 - 41:27 | | Super Bowl Ad Reviews | 41:27 - 50:50 |

Tone and Language

• Ben Shapiro’s Signature: Fast, incisive, sometimes sardonic—unapologetically conservative and not shy about bluntness, especially in cultural critiques.
• Interview Segments: More measured, focused on factual updates and critical thinking (Lyndon Blake steady, detailed).
• Pop Culture Reviews: Playful, sarcastic, occasionally cringeworthy by design.

Memorable Moments

• Emotional family pleas from Savannah and Cameron Guthrie ([03:20][03:51]).
• Shapiro’s breakdown of the dangers and chaos caused by fake ransom notes and public misinformation ([04:12]).
• National conversation about the “radicalization” of the left and normalization of violence against public figures ([15:00+]).
• Recognition of Trump’s coalition-building, and the underlying data about religion in America ([24:45+], [33:01]).
• Shapiro’s rapid-fire, comedic evisceration of the Super Bowl ad lineup ([41:27-50:50]).

Conclusion

For listeners wanting to keep up with fast-moving news, especially sensitive true crime cases imbued with high-stakes celebrity drama, this episode is a pulse-check of national anxieties and political realities in 2026. The interplay between developing news, hard analysis, and pop culture lightens the mood between heavy, sometimes disturbing segments.

For Real-Time True Crime, Shapiro Recommends:
"Finding Nancy Guthrie" podcast hosted by Lyndon Blake—exclusive updates for Daily Wire Plus members.

Skipping all ad spots and housekeeping as per instruction.