Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show

Episode: Ep. 2368 – It's BERNIE’s Party, You Can Cry If You Want To

Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro
Produced by: The Daily Wire

Brief Overview

In this fast-paced episode, Ben Shapiro examines the political tumult surrounding President Trump’s ending of the ICE surge in Minnesota, critiques both Republican and Democratic missteps on immigration, and zeroes in on Bernie Sanders' growing influence in the Democratic Party. Shapiro dissects the fallout from administrative mismanagement, explores polling on immigration, and warns about the dangers he sees in radical leftward shifts by Democrats. The episode concludes with commentary on recent Trump administration regulatory moves, Democratic social and economic policy extremism, and developments in the ongoing Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump Ends ICE Surge in Minnesota

• [00:00 – 02:05]
  President Trump has ended a high-profile immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, a move Ben argues has both operational and PR ramifications.
  • Ben summarizes: The operation succeeded on “arrests and coordination,” but the public relations backlash has been severe, with only “about 4 in 10” approving Trump’s handling and Republicans losing ground on immigration trust.
  • Notable quote:

    "In a PR way, was it a success? The answer, of course, is not really...This has always been a strength for the Trump administration." – Ben Shapiro [02:05]

2. Critique of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

• [02:05 – 14:00]
  Shapiro delivers a blistering critique of Kristi Noem’s tenure at DHS, focusing on alleged personal scandals, misuse of resources, and management failures.
  • Ben discusses the claim of a “paramore relationship” between Noem and Corey Lewandowski and details chaotic, personnel-draining incidents within DHS.
  • Ben references spending controversies (e.g., luxury jets) and internal power struggles that, in his view, have undermined effective immigration enforcement.
  • Notable quote:

    “This is where I will say it again. The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, has been very bad at her job.” – Ben Shapiro [02:05]
    “You need responsible people in the room working for the President of the United States. That's how success is achieved.” – Ben Shapiro [13:00]

3. Republican Weakness and Democratic Overreach

• [14:00 – 18:00]
  Ben argues that Republican missteps usually embolden Democrats to overplay their hand, leading to proposals for defunding DHS and escalating the rhetoric.
  • Highlights Democrats moving for a potential partial government shutdown over DHS funding disputes.
  • Plays clips of Chuck Schumer:

    "No funding for ICE until it is rained in. Until the violence ends." – Chuck Schumer [15:04]

  • Shapiro cautions that while the Trump administration pivots to “professional” immigration enforcement, Democrats risk overreach that will not be popular with voters.

4. Sanctuary City Debate

• [15:40 – 18:00]
  Discussion moves to Democratic defense of sanctuary policies, with Ben challenging their framing.
  • Features Alex Padilla defending sanctuary status:

    “Sanctuary policies do not mean that there are no laws or that the federal government can no longer enforce federal law...” – Alex Padilla [15:40]

  • Ben argues this still means local officials do not cooperate with ICE, leading to more chaos.

5. Congressional Testimony and Public Perception of Enforcement

• [18:00 – 22:00]
  Congressional confrontations highlight divides over immigration enforcement. Ben plays and analyzes heated exchanges:
  • Keith Ellison argues deportation "depends" on circumstances, prompting pushback.

    “Again, it should not depend on the facts of the situation.” – Ben Shapiro [19:19]

  • Sen. Ron Johnson blames Democrats for tragedy in Minnesota:

    “You encouraged them to put themselves into harm's way. And now you're exploiting those two martyrs.” – Ron Johnson [19:58]

  • State Rep. Marvin Lim and Cardi B's anti-ICE activism covered for their radical tone:

    “If ICE come in here, we're gonna jump. I got some bear mace in the back.” – Cardi B [22:15]

6. “It’s Bernie’s Party” — Democratic Shift Leftward

• [22:30 – 30:00]
  Shapiro pivots to discuss how, in his view, Bernie Sanders’ vision now dominates the Democratic Party.
  • Cites Harry Enton’s analysis: 58% of all voters say Democrats are “too liberal,” up from 42% in 1996. [24:00]
  • Shapiro’s characterization of Bernie:

    “A career useless person, a leech on the ass of American society...He has the political mentality of a seven year old.” – Ben Shapiro [25:00]

  • Bernie Sanders’ endorsements of left-progressive candidates seen as evidence of an accelerating leftward shift.
  • Critiques Sanders’ plan for a moratorium on data centers as anti-economic growth.

7. Trump Deregulation on Environment

• [30:00 – 36:30]
  Focus on EPA's reversal of Obama-era climate findings; Trump rolls back regulatory authority.
  • Trump claims:

    “This action will eliminate over $1.3 trillion of regulatory cost and help bring car prices tumbling down dramatically.” – Donald Trump [31:07]

  • Shapiro criticizes wind power as expensive and un-American, sides with Trump’s deregulatory approach.
  • Rebukes New York Times coverage for being editorialized rather than factual.

8. The Radicalization of Social Policy

• [36:30 – 40:00]
  Ben lambasts Democrats for refusing to push back on what he deems extreme elements of social policy, focusing on transgender issues.
  • Cites a Wall Street Journal op-ed on regrets of medical transition as a cautionary tale.
  • Notable quote:

    “If Democrats continue to pursue this insanity, they will reap the electoral whirlwind.” – Ben Shapiro [39:30]

9. Foreign Policy Snapshots

• [40:00 – 42:00]
  Brief forays into U.S. politics abroad—coverage of upcoming Munich Security Conference, with Ocasio-Cortez’s expected criticism of U.S. foreign policy and Israel.

10. European Immigration Politics

• [42:00 – 43:00]
  Switzerland as an example of European backlash to mass migration, referenced as a mirror for American debates.

11. The Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Update

• [43:00 – 51:25]
  Shapiro and Daily Wire’s Lyndon Blake break down the ongoing kidnapping saga.
  • Law enforcement divided between the FBI and local sheriffs, hampering the investigation.
  • 13,000 public tips, $100,000 reward announced.
  • Notable tension between the Pima County Sheriff and the FBI dates back to past investigations.
  • Notable quote:

    “The friction right now...just not willingness to work together...goes back to Nanos and his feelings toward the FBI from a situation that happened a decade ago.” – Lyndon Blake [46:27]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the right/left swing in American politics:

  “It is amazing how reactionary American politics is...Most Americans just want responsible governance. It’s not that difficult. It really isn’t.” – Ben Shapiro [24:00]

• On progressive radicalization:

  “The Democratic Party is swiveling out to the Bernie Sanders left. And let us never forget, Bernie Sanders’s ideas have been tried and they fail everywhere they’ve ever been tried.” – Ben Shapiro [28:00]

• Sarcastic aside on windmills:

  “I hope we don't have one (windmill) built during my administration.” – Donald Trump [32:35]

• On incompetent governance and agency infighting:

  “You don't want to be thinking about who's in charge when you're looking for a person — potentially looking for a body.” – Lyndon Blake [50:11]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• ICE Surge in Minnesota / Immigration Polls: [00:00 – 02:05]
• Kristi Noem & DHS dysfunction: [02:05 – 14:00]
• Democratic Moves to Defund DHS: [14:00 – 15:08]
• Sanctuary Cities Debate: [15:40 – 16:39]
• Congressional Testimony/Ellison-Johnson exchange: [18:17 – 21:17]
• Radicalization of Democrats/Bernie Sanders’ Influence: [22:30 – 30:00]
• Trump EPA Rollback: [30:00 – 36:30]
• Transgender Medical Treatment Critique: [36:30 – 40:00]
• Foreign Policy & Europe’s Shift: [40:00 – 43:00]
• Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Update: [43:00 – 51:25]

Tone & Style

Ben Shapiro’s trademark rapid-fire delivery, biting sarcasm, and culture-war commentary are prevalent throughout the episode. His analysis is critical—often acerbic—toward both Republican missteps and what he sees as the excesses of the progressive left. The conversation is peppered with stats, pop culture references, and moments of dry, sometimes dark humor.

For Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In

This episode is a deep dive into the intersections of immigration policy, intra-party politics, and public perception. It blends news analysis with partisan critique, making significant space for both policy discussion and media criticism. The Nancy Guthrie kidnapping story offers a real-world investigative element with inside-baseball detail on law enforcement friction.

End of Summary