Join Ben Shapiro on "The Ben Shapiro Show" as he navigates the tightrope of truth, bias, and censorship shaping our modern media landscape. With guests Philip Bump, Karine Jean-Pierre, Sunny Hostin, Brianna Keilar, Jared Bernstein, and Bill Maher, this insightful episode peels back the layers of "disinformation" and "misinformation," examining their evolving definitions since the 2016 presidential election. Shapiro critically analyzes the media's self-appointed role as truth gatekeepers and predicts a resurgence in censorship efforts leading up to the contentious 2024 presidential election.
From scrutinizing the media's handling of the Biden family's controversies to debating former President Trump's eligibility for re-election, Shapiro cuts through the political narratives with a sharp eye for accountability. He further delves into societal issues such as COVID-19, law enforcement, and analyses the effectiveness of "Bidenomics" amidst public disdain over inflation and government spending. Engage with Ben Shapiro’s cultural commentary and unfettered discussion on liberal identity politics as he aligns with Bill Maher’s critical views and offers a sneak preview of "Convicting a Murderer," promising to challenge entrenched narratives. Don't miss the opportunity for deeper insights – Shapiro rounds off the episode by inviting listeners to join the Daily Wire Plus community.
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Ben Shapiro delves into how the concepts of "disinformation" and "misinformation" have been increasingly used by media since the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Initially, these terms were linked to Russian influence efforts but have since been generalized to describe a variety of content that media outlets disapprove of, even when such content has a factual basis. Shapiro points to the use of these terms as a tactic to control the narrative by discrediting certain sources.
Shapiro criticizes the media's portrayal of themselves as arbiters of truth. He argues that there is a concerted effort to shape the narrative by branding inconvenient sources as misinformation. Acknowledging that there is consensus on certain obvious falsehoods, like flat earth theories, he stresses the need for the public to independently discern truth from falsehood, without media or partisan interference.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Shapiro predicts a rise in media censorship, particularly aimed at influencing public perception of Joe Biden. Citing a Washington Post article, he underscores concerns that misinformation may be a pivotal factor in the election, while questioning if concerns over misinformation are genuine or merely a political tactic.
Shapiro scrutinizes Philip Bump of The Washington Post for sidestepping questions regarding Joe and Hunter Biden's alleged corrupt dealings. He refers to evidence from Hunter Biden's laptop that implies financial benefits to Joe Biden and lambasts the media for their selective coverage and lack of objective reporting.
The discussion turns to Donald Trump's potential legal challenges in running for president again. Shapiro argues against the notion that Trump should be disqualified based on accusations related to the events of January 6th, emphasizing that legally, Trump faces no insurrection charges that would bar him from office.
Shapiro criticizes Biden's immigration approach, pointing to dissatisfaction within the Democratic Party. He spotlights the public disagreements among Democrats, such as those between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, and compares criticism of Texas' immigration policies to what he sees as hypocrisy in handling Massachusetts' current issues.
Shapiro throws skepticism towards the renewal of COVID-19 precautions like masking, questioning CDC statistics and the expert advice of health authorities. He ironically contrasts this skepticism with an ad for Rough Greens, a pet health product, juxtaposing it against his doubts about public health recommendations.
Shapiro concludes his segment with an example of Austin's overwhelmed police force, advising robbery victims to call a non-emergency number, and attributes the city's rising crime rates to leftist policy failures.
Shapiro criticizes the Biden administration's portrayal of the economy and contrasts official rhetoric with public opinion, pointing out the misalignment between the two.
Highlighting the public's dissatisfaction with government spending, Shapiro connects current economic issues, such as low wages and high inflation, to the administration's fiscal policies.
Shapiro addresses China's real estate crisis and criticizes the use of GDP growth as a flawed economic health indicator. He warns against similar U.S. economic practices that prioritize artificial growth over sustainable development.
Shapiro previews "Convicting a Murderer," a series by Candace Owens set to re-examine the Steven Avery case. He emphasizes that it will offer a new perspective differing from the popular "Making a Murderer" narrative.
Shapiro resonates with Bill Maher’s critiques of identity politics and defunding the police. Noting Maher’s appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, he shares the sentiment that the left's ideological shift has made traditional liberal views seem conservative by comparison.
Finally, Shapiro promotes his new show and encourages listeners to subscribe to Daily Wire Plus for exclusive early access, complemented by a discount for new members.
1-Page Summary
Ben Shapiro delves into how the concepts of "disinformation" and "misinformation" have proliferated since the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Initially, "disinformation" was specifically tied to allegations of Russian influence in the election, but this angle was eventually abated due to a dearth of corroborative data.
The media then broadened their approach by using "misinformation" as a label for a variety of disapproved content, even when that content may be factually sound. Shapiro sees this as a strategic move to manage the narrative by branding such content negatively, thereby influencing public discourse.
He illustrates this by comparing media figures who dismiss non-conforming evidence to characters in "Westworld," unable to see anything that conflicts with their pre-set narrative.
Shapiro criticizes the media's portrayal of themselves as arbiters of truth. He argues that there is a concerted effort to shape the narrative by branding inconvenient sources as misinformation.
Acknowledging that there is consensus on certain obvious falsehoods, like flat earth theories, he stresses the need for the public to independently discern truth from falsehood, without media or partisan interference.
With the 2024 pr ...
Dissecting Truth and Bias in Modern Media
Shapiro scrutinizes Philip Bump of The Washington Post for sidestepping questions regarding Joe and Hunter Biden's alleged corrupt dealings. He refers to evidence from Hunter Biden's laptop that suggests Joe Biden might have been involved in Hunter's business ventures, including a proposed 10% equity share for 'the big guy,' presumably Joe Biden, and Joe's alleged attendance at related meetings. A text to Hunter's daughter about paying half of Joe's expenses suggests financial ties.
Bump's responses are characterized by evasion and claimed confusion, highlighting a perceived reluctance in the media to objectively report on the matter.
In contrast, Shapiro shares his positive personal experiences with Preborn, an organization providing ultrasounds to women with unexpected pregnancies, demonstrating his support for entities he believes contribute positively to society.
The discussion turns to Donald Trump's potential legal challenges in running for president again. Trump has aired grievances on Truth Social concerning legal challenges he might face, specifically citing a strategy involving the 14th Amendment purported to keep him from being elected in 2024.
Shapiro agrees with Trump and foresees that the argument that Trump should be disqualified from the ballot will persist. Additionally, Shapiro predicts that Joe Biden will avoid debating Trump during the campaign.
Shapiro points out a Politico report which indicates that Trump's personal and political allies are showing sig ...
Scrutinizing Political Narratives and Accountability
Shapiro expresses skepticism towards the reinstatement of COVID-19 precautions such as mask mandates, questioning the statistical validity and advice from health authorities. He discusses the potentially misleading nature of percentage increases in COVID-19 statistics and advocates for focusing on raw numbers for a clearer picture.
Shapiro relays Mandy Cohen of the CDC's remarks on the improvement of the current situation compared to the past, while still urging unvaccinated individuals to be cautious.
Criticizing the approach taken towards the new Eris variant, he voices his view that it is more contagious but not more harmful than previous strains, suggesting that continued advocacy for masking and vaccination may be an excessive response. He also directly challenges the public positions of health figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci on mask mandates and Dr. Van Gupt's vaccine recommendations for young children, exemplifying his distrust in their guidance.
Delving into Health, Public Safety, and Societal Issues
Shapiro criticizes the Biden administration's portrayal of the economy and contrasts official rhetoric with public opinion, particularly emphasizing a disconnect identified by CNN's Brianna Keilar, who noted a widespread voter sentiment of economic deterioration over recent years.
Furthermore, Shapiro references Jared Bernstein, a member of the Council of Economic Advisors, promoting the successes of the Biden administration's economic strategies despite widespread economic dissatisfaction among the American public. This tension between official claims and personal financial experiences contributes to Shapiro's critique of federal economic policy.
Highlighting the public's dissatisfaction with government spending, Shapiro connects current economic issues, such as low wages and high inflation, to the administration's fiscal policies.
He uses the significant increase in car-related expenses to illustrate everyday effects of inflation, citing a Washington Post article that discusses rising insurance premiums, car repair costs, labor charges, and used vehicle prices. Shapiro emphasizes the perspective of industry insiders like Frank Palmer from Root Insurance and mechanic David Woodall, who detail factors contributing to these increased expend ...
Economic Policy: Ideology versus Reality
Shapiro previews "Convicting a Murderer," a new show that will be available on Daily Wire Plus, challenging the established narrative of Steven Avery's case as presented in "Making a Murderer." The series aims to provide a fresh perspective by incorporating various testimonies and evidence.
By promoting the show on his platform and offering an initial discount for Daily Wire Plus subscribers, Shapiro encourages his audience to gain early exclusive access.
Shapiro resonates with Bill Maher's critique of identity politics and defunding the police, particularly Maher's likening of the 'woke' mentality to white supremacist ideologies, which emphasize racial identity above all else.
While Maher clarifies he does not equate the actions or values of ...
Exploring Cultural Commentary and Free Speech
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