Ep. 2393 - AMERICA LAST: Conspiratorial Collaborationists Root For Our Enemies - The Ben Shapiro Show

Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show (Ep. 2393)

Title: AMERICA LAST: Conspiratorial Collaborationists Root For Our Enemies

Date: March 23, 2026

Host: Ben Shapiro

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro launches a direct attack on what he calls "America Lasters"—political figures and commentators who, in his view, undermine U.S. global leadership and advocate for a diminished American presence on the world stage. The episode focuses on recent escalations with Iran, the specter of multipolarity (a globe led collectively by powers like China, Russia, and a weakened America), and the proliferation of conspiratorial thinking in both American politics and media. Shapiro critiques both left- and right-wing figures he sees as sympathetic to American adversaries, and highlights their conspiratorial narratives as dangerous and delusional.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Defining and Criticizing "America Lasters"

Shapiro's Central Thesis:
America Lasters are those actively advocating for the U.S. to relinquish global dominance, aligning with adversarial narratives from Iran, Russia, and China. Shapiro frames their rhetoric as “a bizarre amalgam of conspiracism and untruth.”
- Notable Quote:
  
  "To understand the America Lasters, we first have to understand a basic reality. They're liars. They are lying about the nature of reality. And they have to lie because their lies are the only path toward American defeat, particularly in the current conflict with Iran." — Ben Shapiro [01:45]
Iran Example:
Shapiro recounts how Iran’s missile launch toward Diego Garcia exposed the false narrative—supported by some in the West—that Iran isn't a threat beyond its immediate region.

2. Iran’s Growing Threat and Misrepresented Capabilities

Discussion of Recent Iranian Missile Launch:
- Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK airbase far beyond Iran's previously claimed range.
- This, claims Shapiro, exposes European vulnerability and the “lies” about Iran’s true military capabilities.
- Notable Quote:
  
  “The Iranians appear to have been lying, which is not a shock because they lie all the time, just like they've lied about their nuclear program and terrorist support all over the region and... everything else.” — Ben Shapiro [04:55]
Potential for a Nuclear Iran:
- Both U.S. and Israeli intelligence warn of Iran’s aspirations and growing missile capabilities.

3. Responses from International and Regional Players

Europe:
- Shapiro mocks European “rhetorical support” but claims they're not acting forcefully or proactively against Iranian aggression.
- Notable Quote:
  
  “The European support, if it's going to kick in, it ought to kick into high gear now.” — Ben Shapiro [07:30]
Middle East & UAE:
- The UAE and other Arab states appear more resolute, calling for durable security solutions and a permanent curb on Iranian aggression.
US Intelligence and Administration:
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant compares current Iranian turmoil to “Hitler’s bunker,” suggesting regime chaos and desperation.
  
  "Just to be clear, the command and control system of the Iranian regime is in chaos. This is Hitler's bunker. Hitler is dead, Himmler is dead, Goering is dead. Most of what you're seeing are lone wolf activities." — Scott Bessant [08:16]

4. The Military and Diplomatic Balancing Act

US Military Pressure:
- President Trump threatens destruction of Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened unconditionally.
- Notable Quotes:
  
  “If Iran doesn't fully open without threat the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first.” — Donald Trump (read by Shapiro) [15:32] “All options should be on the table. And the President’s made that very clear.” — UN Ambassador Mike Walz [17:36]
Negotiation vs. Escalation:
- Shapiro is skeptical of proposed negotiation terms between the U.S. and Iran, calling them both “fanciful” and under-inclusive regarding Iran’s nuclear capability.
- The episode notes a pattern: U.S. threats seem partly designed to control oil prices and minimize domestic fallout.

5. The Economics of Oil and Sanctions

Maintaining Support at Home:
- Shapiro argues that the administration's management of oil prices is vital for domestic support of military actions abroad.
- Notable Quotes:
  
  “The Trump administration understands the American people will keep supporting what has to be done in Iran so long as it doesn't hit them too hard in the pocketbook." — Ben Shapiro [23:18]
Debate Over Russia, Sanctions, and Oil Profits:
- Segment features a heated back-and-forth between Treasury Secretary Bessant and UN Ambassador Walz over whether relaxing sanctions essentially aids Russia. [24:00–24:41]

6. Iran’s Regime Collapse & the Role of the Iranian People

Military Weakening and Prospects of Uprising:
- Shapiro lists Iranian military setbacks and suggests that a popular uprising is likely if regime control continues to weaken.
- US CENTCOM’s Brad Cooper speaks directly to Iranians, advising caution but hinting at future support.
- Notable Quote:
  
  “When the people of Iran take to the streets ... after the United States and Israel have killed all of Iran's top brass ... what happens next?” — Ben Shapiro [25:30]
Possibilities for Regime Replacement:
- Discusses the potential for the regular Iranian army (as opposed to IRGC/Basij) to play a constructive role post-regime.

7. Critique of Multipolarity and Support for US Hegemony

Shapiro’s Rejection of Multipolarity:
- Multipolarity (China/Russia/US as “partners”) framed as a euphemism for global tyranny and a cover for Chinese and Russian imperial ambitions.
- Criticizes both left- and right-wing American commentators (Tucker Carlson, Jeffrey Sachs) for parroting foreign propaganda or calling for diminished US dominance.
- Notable Quotes:
  
  “A world in which the United States acts as an unchallengeable global hegemon is better than a world of multipolarity.” — Ben Shapiro [33:54]
  “The chief advocates for multipolarity, unsurprisingly at this point in time, are the Chinese and the Russians.” — Ben Shapiro [34:38]

8. Conspiratorial Thinking in Media and Politics

Exposure of Conspiracies and Their Spread:
- Extensively critiques figures like Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, and Chinese guests like Zhang Shakin for advancing conspiratorial, often antisemitic, narratives about secret societies ruling the world.
  - Example: Zhang’s talk of “Illuminati,” “Jesuits,” “the Sabbatean Frankists,” and “Freemasons” allegedly controlling global events. [42:06–44:36]
  - Shapiro points out these tropes are straight from the antisemitic playbook and mostly serve foreign interests.
- Critiques both the progressive left (Hasan Piker, Code Pink) and populist right for being susceptible to anti-American, pro-authoritarian propaganda.
- Notable Quotes:
  
  “The America Last movement relies on unchecked conspiracy. Theorizing conspiracies run amok.” — Ben Shapiro [44:36]

9. Broader Moral Argument for American Power

Why American Hegemony Matters:
- Shapiro argues that American dominance ensures global prosperity and freedom and that ceding ground empowers repressive regimes.
- Points to Israel as a reliable US ally and a model for defending Western interests.

10. US Politics: DHS Shutdown, TSA Disruptions, and Domestic In-Fighting

Shutdown of TSA and DHS Funding:
- Discusses long lines at airports and blames Democrats for linking ICE funding to TSA operations.
- Guests like Tom Homan emphasize that the debate is about execution of policy, not the policies themselves.
- Notable Quote:
  
  “Just fund DHS, man.” — Ben Shapiro [53:27]

11. Pop Culture & Domestic News

Michael Knowles’ Cuba Visit:
- Ridicules leftist pundit Hasan Piker for "poverty tourism" in Cuba while staying at five-star hotels and wearing luxury brands, connecting it to third world veneration and anti-American sentiment.
Statue of Christopher Columbus:
- Applauds the Trump administration for rebuilding the Columbus statue with fragments from a toppled monument, framing it as a victory for Western civilization.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

Iran’s desperation:

“…they are hurling spaghetti at the wall at this point.” — Ben Shapiro [09:23]
On multipolarity:

“Multipolarity is bad. It is not morally neutral. It is bad because what it means practically is that China controls a lot more territory and Russia controls a lot more territory, and China threatens our allies and Russia threatens our allies.” — Ben Shapiro [33:54]
On conspiracy theories:

“If you believe enough nonsensical theories about the evil societies that secretly run America, you end up wanting America…to reduce its global influence.” — Ben Shapiro [46:55]
On the anti-American international left:

“Cosplaying communism while staying at a five-star hotel wearing $1,500 glasses. What a ridiculous figure he is…” — Ben Shapiro [48:35]
On the new Columbus statue:

“Christopher Columbus is, in fact, a hero of Western civilization, and it is a good thing that Western civilization came to the Americas.” — Ben Shapiro [55:49]

Selected Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:45]: Shapiro introduces “America Lasters” and the heart of his critique
[04:55]: Iran’s missile launch and exposure of misinformation
[08:16]: Treasury Secretary Bessant on Iranian regime collapse
[15:32]: President Trump’s ultimatum on the Strait of Hormuz
[17:36]: U.S. strategy discussion with UN Ambassador Walz
[25:30]: Prospects of Iranian revolt and regime change
[33:54]: Shapiro’s full argument against multipolarity
[42:06–44:36]: Zhang Shakin’s conspiracy theories highlighted and deconstructed
[46:55]: Shapiro on the perils of conspiracy thinking in the West
[53:27]: Domestic fallout from DHS, TSA shutdown
[55:49]: Christopher Columbus statue as a “win” for Western civilization

Conclusion

This episode frames current global and domestic turmoil through a strongly American nationalist and anti-conspiratorial lens. Shapiro argues that defending American global leadership is not merely prudent, but a moral imperative, and that those who advocate for its decline—“America Lasters”—do so out of ignorance, malice, or susceptibility to dangerous conspiracies. He aims to galvanize listeners toward robust defense of American values, institutions, and alliances, warning of the perils of both homegrown and foreign anti-American sentiment.