The Ben Shapiro Show — Ep. 2367: “Mamdani Leaves Homeless to FREEZE To Death”

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)
Length: ~1 hour

Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro tackles a range of current events through a staunchly conservative lens. The main topics are New York City’s “hands-off” homeless policy under Mayor Zoran Mamdani and the resulting deaths during a cold snap, the pitfalls of “homicidal empathy” in social policy, a high-profile mass shooting in Canada reportedly involving a transgender perpetrator, the disconnect between positive economic data and public pessimism, and the political fallout from contentious congressional hearings (notably, the handling of the Epstein files by Attorney General Pam Bondi). Interviews with Harvard economist Jason Furman and Senator John Cornyn give further depth to economic and political analysis, and a poignant segment memorializes the late actor James Van Der Beek.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. “Homicidal Empathy” and Homelessness Policy (00:00–14:25)

• Concept Introduction: Shapiro references professor Gad Saad’s terms “suicidal empathy” and coins “homicidal empathy”—the idea that misplaced compassion for vulnerable groups can ultimately harm or kill them.

  • Quote: “It seems like we are now moving beyond even suicidal empathy into homicidal empathy... your empathy for someone actually gets them killed.” — Ben Shapiro (03:00)

• NYC Cold Snap & Mayoral Policy:

  • Highlights the deaths of homeless people during an extreme cold snap in New York.
  • Criticizes Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s refusal to forcibly remove homeless individuals from the streets, arguing that “hands-off” policy is dangerous.
  • Recalls similar approaches in California, tying progressive policies to negative outcomes.

• Specific Case:

  • Recounts a homeless woman left on the street despite EMS offers for help because she could answer basic competency questions.
  • Quotes an EMS worker on being forced to leave individuals in dangerous conditions due to policy constraints.
    • “She knew the year... she knew where she was...” — Anonymous firefighter (paraphrased by Shapiro) (08:50)

• Contrast with Other Cities:

  • Notes Baltimore’s approach under Mayor Brandon Scott, where law enforcement forcibly removed people from the streets for safety.
    • “We can’t allow folks to be out in this kind of weather.” — Brandon Scott (10:45 paraphrased)

• Critique of Empathy as Policy:

  • Argues that refusing involuntary intervention for the mentally ill is not compassion but neglect.
  • Sees left-wing “empathy” as enabling harm, particularly to the vulnerable.

2. Canadian Mass Shooting & Transgender Issues (14:25–21:11)

• Incident Report:

  • Canadian school shooter was a transgender-identifying biological male.
  • Shapiro criticizes media and police for stating the perpetrator was female, alleging a cover-up.
    • “The media and the cops knew this right away... but the cops covered that up yesterday.” — Ben Shapiro (15:20)

• Connection to “Empathy”:

  • Argues “play-along” empathy for gender dysphoria is destructive and can be linked to violence and mental health spirals.
  • Quotes the shooter’s mother, who tried to defend her child’s gender transition but was a victim of the attack herself.
    • “She was one of the people murdered by her own son. So it turns out that the empathy materialized in treatment of her son as a quote unquote daughter... she ended up the victim of her own empathy.” — Ben Shapiro (19:20)

• Societal Implications:

  • Strongly critiques the idea of societal affirmation for what he deems “delusions,” equating it to bad parenting and bad governance.

3. The Economy: Data vs. Feelings (21:11–43:08)

• Current State Analysis:

  • U.S. economic indicators are historically strong: low unemployment (4.3%), record-high stock market, rising real wages, moderated inflation.
  • Notable sector specifics (healthcare and construction up; manufacturing and some white-collar jobs down).

• Disconnect Observed:

  • Despite healthy macro data, Americans still report economic anxiety and dissatisfaction.
    • “If the economic numbers are so solid, then why are people feeling so bad about them?” — Ben Shapiro (25:40)

• Interviews & Political Response:

  • Excerpts President Trump discussing federal interest rates and the deficit (21:11).
  • Senator John Cornyn comments on job privatization and ongoing economic policy debates.

• Polling:

  • Trump’s approval on the economy is low, especially among young voters; public memory remains of financial insecurity.

• Commentary on Tariffs & Trade:

  • Trump’s tariffs feature as a divisive topic; Shapiro asserts their popularity lags despite little economic damage so far.
    • “His tariff policy hasn’t cratered the economy, clearly. But that is also the thing that he talks the most about.” — Ben Shapiro (27:50)
  • Trump’s anecdote about negotiating tariffs with Switzerland illustrates unpredictable policy-making (28:27–29:24).

4. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Epstein Files, and Congressional Theatrics (29:24–43:08)

• Bondi’s Congressional Appearance:

  • Shapiro critiques Bondi’s “performative” style and poor PR management over the Epstein files and DOJ transparency.
    • “Even the content that she's delivering...is being delivered in a non-useful fashion, in non-utilitarian fashion.” — Ben Shapiro (33:50)

• Key Interactions:

  • Bondi clashes with Representative Jerry Nadler over Trump’s impeachments, insisting apologies are owed to the President (34:43).
  • Handles questions about political violence and Epstein transparency with alternating aggression and conciliation.
  • Noted awkwardness and potential overreach: Bondi seen with materials listing Congressional searches of Epstein files (40:47), raising privacy concerns.
    • “I'm not sure exactly why the DOJ should be monitoring Congresspeople as they go through the Epstein files...” — Ben Shapiro (41:10)

• Larger Point:

  • Shapiro argues such congressional hearings devolve into political theater with little public benefit.

5. Expert Economic Interview: Jason Furman (43:08–51:08)

• Disconnect Between Data and Sentiment:

  • Furman notes wages outpacing inflation, stable unemployment, and robust growth—yet persistent public unease.

• AI and Employment:

  • Early stages; so far, AI’s biggest impact is construction of physical data centers, not job displacement.
    • “The main way [AI] is showing up in the jobs numbers is the people being hired to build data centers to run these models.” — Jason Furman (44:34)
  • Predicts more impact in future, unclear if AI will complement or displace most workers.

• Tariffs and the Dollar:

  • Tariffs have raised prices and cost jobs, Furman asserts, contradicting Trump’s claims.
    • “If [tariffs] are being paid by foreign countries, why would we be dropping them on certain sensitive consumer goods?” — Jason Furman (46:20)
  • Weaker dollar could bring risks; usually unpopular internationally.

• Fed Chair Pick (Kevin Warsh):

  • Furman respects Warsh’s credentials but cautious about his plan to shrink the Fed’s balance sheet and potential negative effects on mortgage rates.

6. Cultural & Human Interest Segment: Remembering James Van Der Beek (51:08–54:42)

• Van Der Beek’s Passing:
  • Shapiro marks the death of actor James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek).
  • Plays Van Der Beek’s moving 2025 video about mortality and self-worth.
    • “I am worthy of God’s love simply because I exist. And if I'm worthy of God’s love, shouldn't I also be worthy of my own? And the same is true for you.” — James Van Der Beek (52:20)
  • Shapiro praises the message’s depth about faith and acceptance.

7. Political Interview: Senator John Cornyn (54:42–61:35)

• Texas Senate Race:

  • Cornyn warns Republicans could lose Texas if Ken Paxton wins primary due to controversy and baggage.
    • “If the Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, is the nominee, it provides the opening they've been hoping and praying for, for years.” — John Cornyn (55:51)

• Voter ID and Immigration Policy:

  • Describes the “Save America Act” as bipartisan voter ID legislation, expects tough battles in the Senate (58:32).
  • ICE Protection Act proposed to increase penalties for interfering with law enforcement, emphasizes Republican commitment to border enforcement (60:07).

• Cornyn’s Alignment:

  • Notes a 99.2% voting record aligned with Trump (61:23), countering accusations of disloyalty.

8. Brief International and Closing News (61:37–End)

• International Affairs:

  • U.S. dispatches second aircraft carrier to the Middle East; more to come in exclusive, member-only content.

• Promo for Upcoming Content:

  • Light-hearted segue into a Valentine’s Day special and satirical cultural content.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On “homicidal empathy” in NYC homelessness:
  “Somehow it is more empathetic to leave them out on the streets to get scabies or to die in the cold.” — Ben Shapiro (07:20)

• On media treatment of Canadian mass shooting:
  “The media and the cops knew this right away... but the cops covered that up yesterday. They said that they were not going to provide details... referred to the person as a gun person.” — Ben Shapiro (15:20)

• On the disconnect in economic sentiment:
  “If the economic numbers are so solid, then why are people feeling so bad about them?” — Ben Shapiro (25:40)

• Jason Furman on tariffs:
  “Prices are probably about a half a point, maybe even a percent, higher than they otherwise would be because of the tariffs... they’re not even achieving one of the goals they had, which is to add manufacturing jobs.” — Jason Furman (46:20)

• James Van Der Beek’s message:
  “I am worthy of God's love simply because I exist. And if I'm worthy of God's love, shouldn't I also be worthy of my own? And the same is true for you.” — James Van Der Beek (52:20)

• Senator Cornyn on Texas politics:
  “Texas has always been the one state we could depend on to remain red... but if the Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, is the nominee, it provides the opening [Democrats] have been hoping and praying for, for years.” — John Cornyn (55:51)

Memorable/Impactful Moments

• Shapiro’s forceful criticism of progressive and “empathetic” policy in NYC after homeless deaths:
  “This comes down to Mamdani's bizarro world empathy that legitimately gets people killed.” (12:00)

• Direct connection drawn between left-leaning ideology and tragic outcomes (in both homelessness and the Canadian shooting):
  “Empathy amounts to humoring people in their delusions, even at danger to them.” (13:30)

• Trump’s anecdote about raising Switzerland’s tariffs after a phone call with their leader offers insight into unpredictable U.S. policymaking (28:27–29:24).

• Pam Bondi’s performative congressional appearances draw heavy Shapiro criticism for style over substance.

• James Van Der Beek’s heartfelt message on the meaning of existence and self-worth stands out for its depth (51:49–54:42).

Structure and Tone

• Language: Direct, combative, polemical—hallmarks of Ben Shapiro’s style.
• Tone: Critical of left-liberal policies and figures; occasionally pessimistic or mocking; serious for coverage of tragedy and remembrance.

Suggested Listening Order for Specific Segments

• Homicidal empathy/homelessness: 00:00–14:25
• Canadian transgender shooting: 14:25–21:11
• Economy and interviews: 21:11–51:08
• James Van Der Beek tribute: 51:08–54:42
• Senator Cornyn on politics and policy: 54:42–61:35

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is a classic example of Ben Shapiro’s combative conservatism—mixing policy criticism, cultural commentary, pointed interviews, and coverage of headline news. It offers sharp critiques of current progressive policies and political figures, deep dives into economic realities and perception, and a rare contemplative pause for human interest. If you want rapid-fire analysis from a distinctly right-of-center viewpoint, this episode delivers.