Episode Summary: Ep 245 | Should the US Own Gaza? Ben Shapiro Explains Trump’s REAL Agenda | The Glenn Beck Podcast

Release Date: February 15, 2025
Hosts: Glenn Beck and Ben Shapiro
Podcast: The Glenn Beck Program

In this compelling episode of "The Glenn Beck Program," co-host Glenn Beck engages in an in-depth conversation with Ben Shapiro, co-founder of The Daily Wire, about the transformative actions of former President Donald Trump's administration. The discussion navigates through Trump's aggressive policy implementations, foreign relations, economic strategies, media dynamics, and emerging technological races, particularly focusing on the geopolitical implications surrounding Gaza and the broader Middle East.

1. Trump’s Transformative Administration

Rapid Policy Implementation:
Ben Shapiro highlights the unprecedented speed and efficiency with which Trump's administration is moving compared to previous presidents. He remarks:

"I mean, it is extraordinary. I've never seen an administration move this fast." [04:27]

Glenn Beck echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the cohesive coordination among various federal agencies under Trump's leadership:

"I've never seen the agencies work together like this and be so coordinated." [05:07]

Historical Significance:
Shapiro predicts that Trump's administration could be one of the most transformative in modern history:

"If he continues at anything remotely like this pace, he's gonna go down in history as probably one of the three most transformative presidents of the last century." [06:56]

2. Foreign Policy: Gaza and Israel

Gaza Proposal:
The discussion delves into Trump's controversial proposal regarding Gaza. Both Beck and Shapiro express support for Trump's strategy to negotiate the relocation and economic redevelopment of Gaza without direct U.S. military involvement.

"Nobody wants to own Gaza. That's a bad idea." [25:45]

Shapiro elaborates on the economic incentives behind the proposal:

"He's talking about basically an American economic interest in a place that could be lucrative." [26:06]

Israel’s Position:
They analyze the unlikely support from Israel for full U.S. ownership of Gaza, suggesting that Trump's real intent is to create economic opportunities while ensuring security through Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

3. Department of Defense Reforms

Modernization Efforts:
Shapiro and Beck discuss the administration's efforts to overhaul the Department of Defense (DoD), focusing on eliminating inefficiencies and promoting innovation.

"You're gonna see a shift in the kinds of weapon systems that the United States is focusing on." [29:59]

Technological Advancement:
Ben Shapiro emphasizes the need for the DoD to adopt cutting-edge technologies to maintain global supremacy:

"We need to break the system and you need to make it more innovative, faster." [30:16]

4. Tariffs and Trade Strategies

Negotiation Tactics:
The hosts explore Trump's utilization of tariffs as tools for negotiation, aimed at pressuring trade partners like Canada and Mexico to align with U.S. economic interests.

"I think Trump excels, is that he, you know, he plays chicken a lot." [36:15]

Economic Risks:
They caution about the potential backlash and economic downturns that could arise from aggressive tariff implementations:

"Tariffs can serve a number of purposes... but that also means you have to cut the government by 98%, which I'm also for, actually." [34:21]

5. Media's Role and Rise of Alternative Media

Decline of Legacy Media:
Glenn Beck and Ben Shapiro express a growing dissatisfaction with traditional media outlets, attributing their decline to biased narratives and loss of credibility.

"The legacy media has been definitively castrated here." [76:50]

Rise of Alternative Media:
They commend the resilience and influence of alternative media platforms like Blaze and Daily Wire in shaping public opinion and countering mainstream narratives.

"We have spoken about this before between us... the legacy media infrastructure, all of them, all at once, right?" [74:31]

6. AI and Technological Competition with China

AI Race:
The conversation shifts to the critical race in artificial intelligence between the U.S. and China. Shapiro underscores the necessity for the U.S. to invest in AI and related infrastructure to prevent technological domination by China.

"If we don't win that battle, we're gonna lose the war." [64:22]

Energy and Innovation:
They discuss the importance of upgrading the U.S. energy grid and fostering innovation to stay ahead in the AI and superconductor industries.

"China is going to pour tremendous resources into one type of specific AGI." [61:04]

7. Domestic Issues: Fauci, Bidens, and Scandals

Accountability for Public Figures:
Beck and Shapiro debate the potential legal ramifications for figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Biden family, advocating for transparency and accountability.

"Your thoughts?" [65:21]

Shapiro argues for the necessity of legal investigations to uphold justice and deter misconduct:

"I think there'll be House investigations of Joe Biden. I think that there should be investigations into nearly every aspect of the Biden administration." [68:48]

8. Potential Risks and Considerations

Economic Downturns:
The primary concern discussed is the vulnerability of Trump's administration to economic downturns, which could drastically alter public perception and political support.

"The economy is the big Achilles heel." [53:45]

Geopolitical Threats:
They also consider external threats, such as potential Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, which could have severe economic and security implications for the U.S.

"If China decides to go for it with Taiwan simply to screw Trump, feeling that their window is closing." [71:10]

9. Conclusion

In closing, Glenn Beck and Ben Shapiro express unwavering optimism about Trump's leadership and the future of American politics. They emphasize the importance of maintaining momentum in policy reforms, countering Democratic strategies, and fostering innovation to secure national interests.

"It is a nice respite, and nice to have the faith that there are people who are actually looking out for the future of our country and freedom." [80:42]

The episode concludes with a mutual appreciation for their collaboration and a reaffirmation of their commitment to promoting conservative values and challenging the status quo.

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Beck: "I have to tell you, when he had Benjamin Netanyahu and they did that joint press conference... That's brilliant, I think." [10:53]

• Ben Shapiro: "If we don't win that battle, we're gonna lose the war." [64:22]

• Ben Shapiro: "Tariffs can serve a number of purposes. You can raise revenue." [34:21]

• Glenn Beck: "You don't get back your credibility after that. You blew it, and you blew it irreparably." [77:40]

• Ben Shapiro: "The legacy media's ratings are awful. Awful. It doesn't mean their numbers are awful, meaning they're a fan club." [74:40]

This episode offers a robust analysis of Trump's current administration, highlighting strategic moves in both domestic and foreign policy arenas, the shifting landscape of media influence, and the critical race in technological advancements. Beck and Shapiro provide a perspective that underscores the potential for significant political and economic transformations under Trump's leadership, while also acknowledging the inherent risks that could impact the administration's trajectory.