The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2390: "Is MAGA BROKEN?! Trump Staffer RESIGNS in Protest!"

Date: March 18, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)
Theme: Examining the reported internal divisions within the Trump administration and MAGA movement following the high-profile resignation of Joe Kent, while providing updates on the wars in Iran and the decline of the Cuban regime.

1. Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro addresses the widely publicized resignation of Joe Kent—a Trump-appointed national counterterrorism official—and the media’s suggestion that the MAGA movement is fracturing. The episode debunks this narrative, contextualizes Kent’s history and views, and argues that Trump’s base remains largely loyal. Shapiro also outlines the progress of the US and Israeli campaign in Iran, discusses the potential imminent collapse of both the Iranian and Cuban regimes, and delivers a hard-hitting critique of media coverage and opposition figures. He’s joined by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Venezuela-born policy fellow Daniel DiMartino for deep dives into domestic legislation and foreign policy.

2. Key Discussion Points and Insights

A. The Joe Kent Resignation and MAGA "Fracturing"

[01:11–14:46]

• Mainstream Narrative:
  • The resignation of Joe Kent (former Green Beret, failed WA Congressional candidate, and Director of the National Center for Counterterrorism) is cited as evidence by mainstream media that MAGA is breaking up.
  • Shapiro argues this is an exaggeration, pointing to polling data showing continued high levels of support for Trump among MAGA voters, particularly regarding Iran policy.
• Joe Kent’s Background:
  • Kent’s political journey: supported Bernie Sanders in 2020, then ran as a MAGA Republican in 2022, facing criticism for associations with white nationalist figures.
  • Accused "Israel and its powerful American lobby" of starting the Iran war and called Trump a "dupe" manipulated into conflict—remarks Shapiro and others denounce as anti-Semitic and conspiratorial.
  • Trump and White House staff reveal Kent had little policy influence and was sidelined due to suspected leaks and conspiratorial tendencies.
• Media Portrayal & Response:
  • Media outlets and left-leaning commentators suddenly lionize Kent for his anti-war resignation, despite having previously criticized him.
  • Shapiro critiques this "strange new respect" phenomenon:
    • “CNN is suddenly incredibly happy with Joe Kent again. So much strange new respect happening for a guy that CNN hated until legitimately five seconds ago.” (Ben Shapiro, 11:23)
  • Trump’s dismissals:
    • "I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security... when I read his statement, I realized that it's a good thing that he's out." (Donald Trump, 12:20)
• Broader Implications:
  • Shapiro highlights that splinters are inevitable in large movements, but asserts Trump retains overwhelming support:
    • "The myth making about the war in Iran is indeed a motivated op. It is designed to undermine support for the war. It is also meant to damage President Trump." (Ben Shapiro, 16:40)
  • He mocks the idea that “MAGA is broken,” suggesting it’s mostly a media-driven narrative.

B. The Iran Conflict and Possible Futures

[24:35–40:42]

• Military Successes:
  • US and Israel have decimated Iranian military capacity; top leadership continually targeted and killed.
  • Israeli intelligence is so deep they've directly contacted Iranian commanders, urging them to surrender.
  • Notable quote from The Wall Street Journal segment:
    • "A Mossad agent can be heard speaking Farsi... 'We know everything about you... If you do not [stand with your people], your destiny will be as your leader.'" (Ben Shapiro paraphrasing, 24:35)
• Three Paths Forward in Iran:
  • 1. Unified Uprising in Tehran:
    • US/Israel strikes are paving the way for a possible popular revolt.
    • Netanyahu’s Nowruz message: “Go out and celebrate. We’re watching from above.” (Ben paraphrasing, 29:34)
  • 2. Sectarian Uprisings in Iran’s Periphery:
    • Could strain IRGC, but risk lasting civil unrest.
  • 3. Gradual Regime Collapse:
    • US/Israel cripple regime’s means, freeing up Hormuz and letting internal decay lead to collapse—likely over a few years.
• Current Strategy:
  • Shutting down Iran’s gas infrastructure and Kharg Island (major oil export point), aiming to starve regime of money and power.
• Audience Q&A:
  • Why not “destroy” Iran in three days? Shapiro says no one wants massive US troop deployments as in Iraq, and current strategy is working.
  • Potential consequences of damaging Iran’s oil infrastructure assessed as not risking Iranian public support for the regime.

C. The State of Cuba & US Policy

[51:29–60:45]

• Imminent Regime Collapse:
  • Cuba’s regime is nearly out of options due to loss of Venezuelan subsidized oil and US pressure.
  • Trump touts opportunity to “take” or “free” Cuba:
    • “All my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba... I do believe I'll be the honor of taking Cuba. That'd be good. That's a big honor.” (Donald Trump, 51:54)
• Expert Analysis (Daniel DiMartino):
  • Argues that economic and popular pressure will force Cuba’s regime to surrender or liberalize, though real democracy is more complicated.
  • Notes that a US administration change could reverse reforms, emphasizing Trump’s “unique” resolve:
    • “Trump has really been a unique president, both in unpredictability and deterrence effect because of the things he's proven… he needs to finish this in his term. That's what's going to make Trump one of the best presidents in American history.” (DiMartino, 59:27–60:36)
• Socialist Solidarity and Media Critique:
  • DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) openly raises funds to support Cuba, drawing Shapiro’s derision.

D. Domestic Politics: Voting Law and Filibuster

[42:27–51:29]

• The SAVE Act:
  • Bill in the Senate requires voter ID and proof of citizenship for voting; Democrats resist via filibuster.
  • John Thune explains the mechanics and political challenges:
    • "If you honestly are defending a position that non-citizens ought to be able to vote in American elections, I think that's hard to sell the American people…" (Thune, 44:15)
  • Defensive of the filibuster’s importance, even with Republican majorities.
• Homeland Security Funding:
  • Democrats blamed for ongoing Department of Homeland Security partial shutdown, described as “defending the indefensible” by Thune.

3. Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12:20 | Donald Trump | "I always thought he was a nice guy... when I read his statement, I realized that it's a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat." | | 16:40 | Ben Shapiro | "The myth making about the war in Iran is indeed a motivated op. It is designed to undermine support for the war... It's not gonna work because Trump has the loyalty of his followers and his voters and they trust him to do the right thing here by a margin of 9 to 1." | | 29:34 | Donald Trump | "And as soon as that war is over, which will be soon, your prices are going to drop like a rock. You watch. I've been very good at predicting." | | 51:54 | Donald Trump | "You know, all my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I do believe... I'll be the honor of taking Cuba. That'd be good." | | 59:27 | Daniel DiMartino| “Trump has really been a unique president... he needs to finish this in his term. That's what's going to make Trump one of the best presidents in American history.” |

4. Segment Timestamps/Structure

• [01:11] – Episode theme and media’s “MAGA fracturing” narrative
• [01:18–14:46] – Polls, Joe Kent’s background, resignation letter, media reaction, administration response
• [15:57–16:40] – Influencer/media hot takes (Theo Von, Candace Owens, Marjorie Taylor Greene)
• [24:35–29:34] – Iran war update, Israeli operations, Mossad calls, military strategy
• [29:34–40:42] – Three outcome scenarios for Iran; targeting infrastructure; audience foreign policy Q&A
• [42:27–51:29] – Voting rights bill (SAVE Act) discussion, filibuster debate, DHS funding, John Thune interview
• [51:29–60:45] – Collapse of Cuba’s regime: Trump/Rubio comments, DSA coverage, Daniel DiMartino interview

5. Concluding Insights

• MAGA Movement:
  Despite media efforts to cast Trump’s coalition as fatally divided after Joe Kent’s resignation, poll data and discussions in the episode suggest otherwise: Trump’s control over the movement persists.
• Foreign Policy:
  Detailed coverage of US and Israeli operations in Iran and predictions regarding three possible endgames for the regime, with similar outlooks for Cuba.
• Domestic Policy:
  The battle over voting laws and the filibuster continues, with Republicans holding the line on legislative tactics.
• Broader Tone:
  The episode is fast-paced, sarcastic, heavy on media critique, and unapologetically supportive of Trump-era policies, presenting events through a staunchly conservative, combative lens.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode provides a comprehensive review of the “MAGA fracture” controversy, evaluates US foreign policy successes in Iran and Cuba, and details ongoing domestic political fights—all couched in Ben Shapiro’s trademark rapid-fire style and no-holds-barred commentary.