The Ben Shapiro Show

Ep. 2383 – America LAST: The Mamdani Playbook
Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro
Producer: The Daily Wire

Episode Overview

Ben Shapiro delivers a hard-charging analysis of recent terror incidents in New York and abroad, the response from New York’s mayor Zoran Mamdani, and connects local political narratives to broader themes shaping American and Democratic Party politics. Shapiro argues that what he dubs the "Grievance Party"—a coalition of far-left Democrats and "horseshoe right" populists—increasingly undermines American and Western values through conspiratorial, grievance-driven thinking. The episode also features commentary on the war with Iran, American foreign policy, and the importance of American victory. Notable guests like Bill Maher, Adam Schiff, Tucker Carlson, and President Trump are included via clips and references.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New York Incident: Islamist-Inspired Bomb Attack

• Terror Attack Details:
  • Two young men, Emir Balat (18) and Ibrahim Nick (19), attempted to bomb an anti-Islamist protest outside Gracie Mansion. Devices constructed with "Mother of Satan" explosive, packed with shrapnel.
  • Both suspects reportedly inspired by ISIS, radicalized online, and had traveled to Istanbul (Turkey) in recent years, a point Shapiro links to global Islamist radicalization.
  • Quote:
    • "These were not smoke bombs. According to the New York Post, those IEDs were homemade. They were packed with nuts, bolts and screws, and also a household concoction nicknamed by international terrorist groups the Mother of Satan." (03:03)
• Context of Past Islamist Attacks:
  • Shapiro lists a series of similar terror attacks in the U.S. over the past decade to argue these incidents are part of a pattern.

2. NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s Response

• Official Statements Criticized:
  • Mayor and press secretary condemned the protest as "Islamophobic" but, according to Shapiro, barely mentioned or condemned the attempted bombing or its perpetrators.
  • Quote:
    • “Jake Lang was condemned in the fullest possible terms over the protesters. But you may have noticed that you have no idea from those statements, who were the people who were throwing the ied? ... Not a single word." (05:52)
• Mamdani’s Personal and Family Ties:
  • Shapiro highlights alleged support for October 7th attacks by the Mayor’s wife via her social media activity, connecting these sympathies to a broader pattern among radical left circles.

3. Rise of the 'Grievance Party' in American Politics

• Fringe Views vs. Mainstream Democrats:
  • Shapiro references a Manhattan Institute poll showing that far-left, radical views are a minority within the Democratic Party base, yet Democratic politicians increasingly cater to these positions.
  • Minority of Democrats support extreme anti-Israel stances (13%), mass immigration, or full transgender medical interventions for minors.
  • Quote:
    • "Most Democrats take largely mainstream normie positions. So what's happening with Democratic politicians?" (10:13)
• Conspiratorial Thinking:
  • Shapiro laments the prevalence of conspiracy thinking among both left and right (young Democrats and Republicans), including 9/11 trutherism, Holocaust denial, moon landing skepticism.
  • Quote:
    • “Conspiratorial thinking, as we've talked about a lot on the show, is a hallmark of grievance culture.” (11:20)
• Politicians’ Fear:
  • Fear of contradicting radical or conspiratorial elements leads to silence or moral equivocation, especially regarding anti-Western or anti-Israel violence.

4. War with Iran: Case Study in Political Grievance and Realpolitik

• Left/Liberal Confusion Over Intervention:
  • Bill Maher and others express frustration at mainstream liberal opposition to overthrowing oppressive regimes like Iran’s, viewing such intervention as a force for liberation.
  • Quote (Bill Maher):
    • “For now, I just don't get what liberals don't get about liberation…How about this? This was a fascist theocracy and nothing in the Middle East was ever going to get better while they were still there.” (17:55)
• Equivalence on Far Right (Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon):
  • Shapiro blasts Tucker Carlson for alarmist claims about American military intentions, equating “unconditional surrender” to war crimes and nuclear strikes.
  • Quote (Tucker Carlson):
    • “Unconditional surrender means foreign troops get to rape your wife and daughter if they want. And everyone knows that…” (20:57)
  • Steve Bannon, representing “horseshoe right,” dismisses concerns over Iran and focuses on domestic immigration issues.
    • “I just don't care about Iran, I don't care about the Persia. I just don't. We got enough problems here…” (25:12)
• The Grievance Party Dynamic:
  • Shapiro resents that both far left and far right use American setbacks as evidence of a corrupt system, fueling their follower's sense of victimhood.

5. Military Developments and American Superiority

• Progress in Iran:
  • Reports of overwhelming military advantage and successes for the U.S. and Israeli alliance, including destruction of Iranian naval and air assets, oil facilities.
  • Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasizes asymmetric advantage:
    • “Our capabilities are overwhelming compared to what Iran…When you combine our air force with the air force of the Israeli Defense Forces, it's the two most powerful air forces in the world.” (30:39)
• Leadership Vacuum in Iran:
  • Iranian succession crisis after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with his son Mojtabah’s rumored impotence a subject of ridicule.
• On Potential U.S. Seizure of Kharg Island:
  • Kharg Island processes 90% of Iranian oil; seizing it is floated as a possible U.S. operation that would collapse Iran’s economy and lead to surrender.
  • Hegseth refuses to discuss operational plans but doesn’t rule out "boots on the ground" for a limited, surgical strike. (38:50–39:45)

6. Oil Markets and Propaganda

• Oil Price Panic Debunked:
  • Shapiro argues current price increases (20%) are minor compared to historic oil shocks (e.g., 1973 embargos—prices tripled).
  • Claims any price rise is temporary and will be reversed upon victory, potentially doubled production if Iranian oil is integrated globally.

7. Moral Clarity: America vs. Iran

• Cataloging Iranian Atrocities:
  • Shapiro lists decades of Iranian attacks on Americans and others, arguing for American inherent moral and military superiority.
  • Trump quoted:
    • "They are among the most evil people ever on Earth. They cut babies' heads off. They chop women in half. What they did, take a look at October 7th…" (42:04)
• Collateral Damage:
  • Acknowledges tragic civilian deaths (e.g., schoolgirls) but rejects moral equivalence arguments; attributes “collateral damage” to the cruelty and tactics of the enemy.

8. Ending Thoughts: Importance of American Victory

• Strategic and Social Value of Winning:
  • Shapiro closes with a philosophical reflection—American victory rebukes the grievance narratives on both extreme ends, strengthens national confidence, and benefits global security and prosperity.
  • Invokes philosopher Karl Popper on the dangers of conspiracy thinking and points out the historical dangers when grievance becomes central to politics.
  • Quote:
    • "Remember, the American people are a strong, virile and durable people. We're a free people. We are people who have the capacity to choose. So don't fall into the trap of these grievance mongers…" (end)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Shapiro on the absence of condemnation for terrorism:
  • “If ISIS devotees throw a bomb at the Stop the Islamic Takeover rally, the people who ought to be called out are, you know, the ISIS devotees.” (05:26)
• On the immorality of grievance politics:
  • "Instead of trying to course correct or recognizing that even today most of your decisions are in your own hands, politicians in the grievance party ... tell you that all of your problems ... must be laid at the foot of the system." (15:53)
• On American victory:
  • "Victory is the only answer to conspiratorial thinking. We are better than the mullahs, both morally and ... at breaking things." (40:15)
• President Trump on the state of the war with Iran:
  • “They're being decimated now. You know, at some point I don't think there'll be anybody left maybe to say we surrender.” (33:12)
• On oil price hysteria:
  • “Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for the USA and world safety and peace.” – President Trump, via Truth Social (34:57)
• On the Grievance Party’s tactics:
  • "The only explanation of their failure to produce their heaven is the evil intention of the devil who has a vested interest in hell." – Quoting Karl Popper (44:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NYC Islamist Terror Attack Coverage: 00:00–06:41
• Mayor Mamdani & Family Response: 06:20–06:41
• Conspiratorial Thinking Among Democrats and Republicans: 09:00–15:53
• Bill Maher & Adam Schiff on Iran War: 17:15–19:05
• Tucker Carlson on Unconditional Surrender: 20:57–21:43
• Steve Bannon and Critique of Right-Wing Isolationism: 24:51–25:36
• Military Developments & U.S. Strategy: 30:39–39:45
• Oil Market Analysis: 33:58–37:03
• Shapiro’s Closing: On American Victory & Grievance Politics: 41:50–end

Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Shapiro delivers a vigorous critique of both left-wing and right-wing movements he deems harmful to American ideals, focusing especially on responses to terrorism and the war with Iran. He urges for moral clarity, victory in foreign conflicts as a bulwark against conspiracy-driven politics, and challenges his audience to resist the “grievance party” narratives that he believes undermine the foundation of American society. The episode combines rapid-fire news analysis, polling insights, and unfiltered opinion—maintaining Shapiro’s trademark combative style throughout.