The Ben Shapiro Show — Ep. 2369: Rubio SHINES in Europe, AOC Collapses!

Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro
Guests: Sen. Tim Scott, with commentary on speeches by Marco Rubio, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Hillary Clinton, Gavin Newsom, Barack Obama, and Gretchen Whitmer

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the contrasting performances and ideologies at the Munich Security Conference, particularly highlighting Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s well-received statesmanlike address versus the stumbles and leftist policy positions of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and other leading Democrats. Ben Shapiro uses their appearances to critique broader Democratic approaches to Western civilization, values, immigration, and foreign policy, while championing Rubio’s “muscular” and values-driven vision for U.S.–Europe relations. Special guest Sen. Tim Scott joins to further contrast the parties’ worldviews and their implications for the future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marco Rubio’s Respected Leadership and Vision in Munich

• Rubio’s Speech as a High Point

  • Historical Connection: Rubio narrates his family’s European roots and ties them to his role as chief U.S. diplomat, emphasizing a “shared history and fate” between America and Europe.

    “They could have never imagined that 250 years later, one of their direct descendants would be back here today… as the chief diplomat of that infant nation. And yet here I am, reminded by my own story that both our histories and our fates will always be linked.”
    — Marco Rubio (03:34)

  • Foundation of Alliances: Stresses that alliances persist when rooted in genuine shared values and mutual strength, not dependency.

    “We want allies who can defend themselves so that no adversary will ever be tempted to test our collective strength… who understand that we are heirs to the same great and noble civilization and who together with us are willing to and able to defend it.”
    — Marco Rubio (06:25)

  • Core Western Values: Outlines key Western ideals—rule of law, Christian faith, property rights, and democracy—as the foundation for transatlantic partnership.

  • Mass Migration & Guilt Politics: Rubio warns against Europe’s “blood guilt” over past colonialism leading to unchecked migration, urging unapologetic pride in Western heritage.

    “Mass migration… continues to be a crisis which is transforming and destabilizing societies all across the West.”
    — Marco Rubio (07:19)

• Audience Reception: Rubio's remarks receive a standing ovation from the European assembly—viewed by Shapiro as evidence of possible constructive realignment in transatlantic relations.

• Shapiro’s Analysis:

  • Praises Rubio for combining mutual respect with frank demands for European responsibility, contrasting sharply with the “blunt, antagonistic” delivery of VP J.D. Vance at Davos.
  • Emphasizes that shared values—rather than mere rhetoric—must underpin alliances to prevent isolationism or aimless interventionism.

2. Critique and Dissection of European and Western Identity

Ben Shapiro delves into the evolution of European identity, noting it has always been forged both internally and in opposition to outside forces—from the Roman Empire and Christendom to Enlightenment values and Cold War alliances. He outlines the necessity for Europe and the U.S. to reassert vital shared principles—including free speech, property, meritocracy—and to actively resist the dilution of these principles through “multicultural guilt” or regulatory overreach.

“If you don't know what it is you are defending, it is very difficult to fight for it.”
— Ben Shapiro (after 12:40)

3. The Left’s Contrasting Vision: Democratic Leaders in Munich

• AOC’s “Collapse”

  • Presents a worldview portraying Western civilization as an engine of oppression, needing class-conscious revolution and repudiation of its own heritage.

  • Fails to offer clear or knowledgeable positions on foreign policy ("brain freeze" on Taiwan, mix-up on Venezuelan geography).

    “You know, I think that this is such a... this is of course a very long standing policy of the United States…”
    — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (28:00)

  • Invokes “imaginary” concepts of whiteness and critiques Western “hypocrisy” in international relations.

    “Whiteness is an imaginary thing.”
    — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (30:46)
    “In a rules based order, hypocrisy is vulnerability…”
    — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (32:08)

  • Shapiro characterizes AOC as unprepared and lacking intellectual depth, critiquing her as a representative of style-over-substance progressive politics.

• Other Democratic Figures:

  • Gretchen Whitmer struggles with basic foreign affairs questions (44:28).
  • Gavin Newsom makes hyperbolic comparisons between U.S. law enforcement actions and Nazi Germany, and forecasts California’s “permanent” progressive leadership (45:37, 46:59).
  • Hillary Clinton accuses Trump of betraying Western and humanitarian values but faces awkward exchanges when challenged on gender ideology and the nature of Western traditions (48:00, 49:02).

  “He has betrayed the West. He’s betrayed human values. He’s betrayed the NATO Charter…”
  — Hillary Clinton (48:00)

  • Barack Obama returns, offering broad platitudes about activism and criticizing both Republican “us-them” politics and Democratic “virtue-signaling,” urging a more inclusive tone (52:49, 54:14, 55:36).

4. Republican Response: Senator Tim Scott’s Perspective

(33:34–43:55)

• Scott calls Rubio “statesmanlike,” highlighting his affirmation of shared Western “Judeo-Christian ethos,” emphasizing immigration control and foundational values as essential to U.S. and European prosperity.
• Contrasts the clear purpose and optimism of Rubio with the confused, negative message of AOC and Democrats—portraying their worldview as anti-Western, defeatist, and socialist.
• Underscores the American story of upward mobility, rule of law, and shared values as the path forward—contrasted with the “socialist paradigm” spreading in some quarters.

“You can’t have multiple missions in a simple, singular alliance. It has to be one mission. That mission comes from our shared values.”
— Tim Scott (35:20)

• Asserts that the “road to socialism runs through a divided Republican Party” and champions focusing on conservative values for American and allied success.

5. Shapiro’s Broader Cultural Critique

• Notes the Democrat tendency to prioritize ideological purity, class consciousness, and identity grievances over practical policy or coherent national purpose.
• Suggests that their internal divisions and negative outlook on Western history alienate the average voter and undermine international partnerships.
• Argues that the Democrats’ lack of “real answers” means their best hope in elections is to run as an anti-Trump coalition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Marco Rubio in Munich

• “Together we rebuilt the shattered continent in the wake of two devastating world wars… We have bled and died side by side on battlefields from Campyeong to Kandahar.”
  — Marco Rubio (04:52)

• “Armies do not fight for abstractions. Armies fight for a people. Armies fight for a nation. Armies fight for a way of life. And that is what we are defending.”
  — Marco Rubio (07:43)

• “I’m here today to leave it clear that America is charting the path for a new century of prosperity and that once again, we want to do it together with you, our cherished allies and oldest friends.”
  — Marco Rubio (approx. 26:25)

AOC’s Missteps

• “You know, I think that this is such a, you know I think that this is a, this is of course a very long standing policy of the United States. And I think what we are hoping for is that we want to make sure that we never get to that point…”
  — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (27:58)

• “Whiteness is an imaginary thing.”
  — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (30:46)

Democratic Leaders in Munich

• “27% of the state is foreign born, which is an important point. We practice pluralism. That's a word, might be even banned one day in the United States, but not currently.”
  — Gavin Newsom (45:37)

• “He has betrayed the West. He's betrayed human values.”
  — Hillary Clinton (48:00)

• “I think there was a certain way of talking about issues for Democrats where we sounded like scolds... there was a virtue signaling that made it seem as if ordinary folks, if they did not say things in exactly the right way or meet this litmus test that they were being chastised, pushed away…”
  — Barack Obama (54:14)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:34–07:43]: Marco Rubio’s Munich speech highlights
• [26:30–33:09]: AOC’s Q&A stumbles; direct quotes and Ben’s reactions
• [33:34–43:55]: Interview with Sen. Tim Scott analyzing Rubio vs. AOC and values-based alliances
• [44:28–47:29]: Democratic governors’ gaffes (Whitmer, Newsom)
• [48:00–52:14]: Hillary Clinton’s attacks on Trump, party division over gender, and views on migration
• [52:49–56:24]: Barack Obama’s “platitude politics,” critique of both parties’ messaging
• [57:04]: James Carville on Democratic election prospects

Conclusion

Ben Shapiro frames this episode as a dramatic showcase of the ideological divide in American politics—between a robust, historically grounded, purpose-driven conservatism (personified by Marco Rubio) and a disjointed, self-doubting progressive Left unable to present a clear vision for the West. The split is underscored by direct speech excerpts, sharp contrast analysis, and commentary from Tim Scott, setting the stage for future political contests over the meaning and survival of Western values.

(Ads, show intros/outros, and non-content segments have been omitted.)