Daily Wire Backstage Live at CPAC: The Fight, The Wins, The Future

The Michael Knowles Show

Published: Fri Feb 21 2025

We're back in DC! Join Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles, Andrew Klavan, and Jeremy Boreing live at CPAC for a special Daily Wire Backstage. As we mark ten years of The Daily Wire, we’ll break down the seismic cultural and political shifts that brought us to this moment—where long-standing battles are finally turning into victories. From the first weeks of Trump’s presidency to the downfall of radical leftist ideology, we’ll take on the biggest questions facing the country today, take yours, and chart the course for what’s next. - - - Today's Sponsors: Balance of Nature - Visit https://www.balanceofnature.com code BACKSTAGE for 35% off your first order + a free bottle of Fiber and Spice. Tax Network USA - For a complimentary consultation, call today at 1 (800) 958-1000 or visit https://www.TNUSA.com/DAILYWIRE Leaf Filter - Get a free estimate, free inspection, and 30% off at https://www.leaffilter.com/BACKSTAGE Thank you, 4547 Whiskey, for sponsoring this broadcast!

Summary

Summary of "Daily Wire Backstage Live at CPAC: The Fight, The Wins, The Future"

Podcast Information

Title: The Michael Knowles Show
Host/Author: The Daily Wire
Episode: Daily Wire Backstage Live at CPAC: The Fight, The Wins, The Future
Release Date: February 21, 2025

Introduction The episode of Daily Wire Backstage Live at CPAC brings together prominent Daily Wire personalities, including Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Andrew Klavan, and Jeremy Boring, to discuss the current political landscape, recent achievements, and future strategies of the conservative movement under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership.

30 Days into Trump’s Second Term

Ben Shapiro [00:40] kicks off the discussion by expressing his unprecedented optimism about the United States, attributing this sentiment to President Trump’s leadership. Shapiro highlights Trump’s pragmatic approach, emphasizing his focus on reality over ideological purity:

“President Trump lives in the world of reality. President Trump wins so often because he acknowledges reality, and reality always wins.” [00:40]

Key Achievements Highlighted:

Economic Policies:
- Deregulation: Trump’s commitment to freeing American businesses from excessive government regulation to foster innovation and economic dynamism.
- Meritocracy Over Identity Politics: Emphasis on merit-based success rather than policies focused on identity politics and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).
Foreign Policy:
- Ukraine Strategy: Shapiro praises Trump’s realistic assessment of the Ukraine conflict, advocating for strategic disengagement to avoid prolonged trench warfare without clear objectives.
- Middle East Peace Initiatives: Trump’s unconventional approach to Middle Eastern peace, particularly regarding the Gaza Strip, is lauded as a pragmatic solution that challenges traditional State Department strategies.
Media and Government Reform:
- Cracking Down on the Federal Pipeline: Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Democratic-controlled federal pipelines, redirecting funds away from partisan allies.
- Executive Branch Oversight: Shapiro commends Trump’s move to centralize executive power, asserting his authority over the bureaucratic institutions to implement his agenda efficiently.
Cultural Battles:
- Gender Ideology: Emphasis on traditional gender roles and opposition to the trans agenda, with initiatives like banning men from women’s sports and defining sex biologically as male and female.

Matt Walsh [12:36] and Jeremy Boring [13:56] further elaborate on their favorite aspects of Trump's first 30 days, highlighting the importance of presidential pardons for pro-life activists and the strategic dismantling of gender ideology, respectively.

“The end of the trans agenda of gender ideology in this country... a very important solution.” [13:56] – Jeremy Boring

Media Critique and Conservative Resilience

Andrew Klavan [16:19] praises Trump’s role in decimating the mainstream media’s influence, comparing it to a scene from Game of Thrones where the media is metaphorically stripped of its power and credibility.

“The moment no one wants to see.” [16:20] – Andrew Klavan

Ben Shapiro [18:24] underscores the significance of media moments that expose the shortcomings and falsehoods propagated by the legacy media, further asserting that Trump’s administration has effectively reduced media bias to near non-existence.

Individual Responsibility and Building the Future

Ben Shapiro [10:00] advocates for personal responsibility beyond political engagement, encouraging individuals to live reality-based lives, model virtues for their communities, and contribute to the social fabric through everyday actions.

“The country also runs because of the people who are doing the everyday things... building those building blocks.” [10:00]

Jeremy Boring [17:20] adds that the Republican Party is being strengthened by new media movements and the erosion of trust in legacy media, emphasizing the need for continued individual and collective effort.

Audience Q&A Highlights

During the Q&A session, audience members posed questions on integrating conservative values into business, navigating gender ideology, and succeeding in a media-dominated landscape.

Integrating Conservative Values in Business:
- Ben Shapiro [40:23] advises honesty, merit-based employment, and making hard decisions to ensure business efficiency.
  
  “Be honest in business and don't try to cheat people... put people in the right position to succeed.” [40:24]
- Jeremy Boring [42:24] recommends living according to personal values rather than labeling the business explicitly as conservative.
Standing Up Against Gender Ideology:
- Ben Shapiro [71:21] argues against affirming gender identity claims that contradict biological sex, likening it to denying medical truths in other contexts.
  
  “Men are men and women are women... telling someone who is suffering from a mental condition that in reality they're a member of the opposite sex is wrong.” [71:21]
- Andrew Klavan [65:16] emphasizes honesty without succumbing to language manipulation or fear.
Navigating a 'Woke' College Environment:
- Matt Walsh [60:32] expresses skepticism about the practicality of college education in the current cultural climate, advocating for vocational training or entering the workforce directly.
  
  “I think that [college] is really difficult because I loved when President Trump... But the things they need was someone in a position of power.” [60:32]
- Ben Shapiro [58:55] encourages students to live according to their beliefs without living in fear, focusing on personal growth and purposeful activism.

Conclusion

The panel concludes with a reaffirmation of President Trump’s pivotal role in revitalizing the conservative movement, dismantling entrenched liberal policies, and reshaping the media landscape. The discussion underscores the importance of individual responsibility, honest discourse, and unwavering commitment to conservative principles to build a prosperous and morally grounded America.

Notable Quotes

Ben Shapiro [00:40]: “President Trump lives in the world of reality... conservatism lines up really, really well with reality.”
Jeremy Boring [13:56]: “The end of the trans agenda of gender ideology in this country... the legal stuff is really important.”
Andrew Klavan [16:19]: “The moment no one wants to see.”
Ben Shapiro [40:23]: “Be honest in business and don't try to cheat people... put people in the right position to succeed.”
Matt Walsh [60:32]: “I think that [college] is really difficult because I loved when President Trump... But the things they need was someone in a position of power.”

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Daily Wire Backstage Live at CPAC episode, highlighting the panelists’ perspectives on President Trump’s impact, media reform, cultural battles, and strategies for individual and collective success within the conservative movement.