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Rigging The 2024 Election

By Ben Shapiro

Join Ben Shapiro on "The Ben Shapiro Show" as he tackles pressing global issues and critiques the Biden administration's approach to international conflicts and domestic politics. With an illustrious guest list including Donald Trump, Maggie Haberman, and Sir Richard Dearlove, this episode delves into the complexities surrounding the United States' position on increasing hostilities in the Middle East and the hot-button topic of election integrity leading up to 2024.

In a detailed analysis, Shapiro condemns what he sees as the administration's lukewarm military response to Iranian threats, while also bringing to light the alarming situation of missing U.S. Navy Seals in the Gulf of Aden, underscoring the risks faced by American military personnel abroad. The conversation takes an incisive turn towards the home front as Shapiro broaches the subject of perceived plans to rig the next presidential election against Trump, pointing fingers at the intelligence community and large tech conglomerates for potentially tampering with the democratic process. With panelists and advertisers contributing to a robust narrative, this episode of "The Ben Shapiro Show" is a deep dive into the intersection of national security and electoral politics.

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Rigging The 2024 Election

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Rigging The 2024 Election

1-Page Summary

Biden's Weak Response to Iranian Threats

Ben Shapiro criticizes the Biden administration for its tepid military actions in the Middle East in response to escalating tensions due to Iranian-backed groups. He describes the U.S. airstrikes against Yemeni Houthis as inadequate, pointing out that they have not stopped attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. U.S. officials like Jake Sullivan and John Kirby defend the airstrikes as protective, but Shapiro and other critics remain unconvinced by the absence of a strong policy to deter future aggression. The Biden administration's reconsideration of the Houthi's terrorist designation is seen as a sign of recognizing the group's threat, yet Shapiro regards the move as insufficient. Furthermore, he highlights that Iran is now targeting Pakistan, interpreting these attacks as an effort by Iran to destabilize the region, condemning what he considers a weak response from the U.S. government.

Missing US Navy Seals in Gulf of Aden

In the Gulf of Aden, two U.S. Navy Seals are missing following a high-risk operation to intercept an Iranian arms shipment. The incident occurred when one Seal fell into the water during the operation, prompting another to jump after him in a rescue attempt. Intense search and rescue missions are underway with significant deployment of U.S. Navy aircraft and ships, as the search for the missing Seals continues with urgency.

Democrats Rigging 2024 Election Against Trump

Shapiro expresses concerns about the integrity of the intelligence community, particularly referencing Sir Richard Dearlove's statement that a Trump win would be a security concern for the UK. He suspects that the intelligence community and big tech may interfere in the 2024 election, citing the influence of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the narrative of misinformation and their discussions in Davos. Drawing from the Hunter Biden laptop incident from the 2020 election, he questions the motives and potential actions of these entities. Additionally, Shapiro speaks about the Senate's efforts to restrict ballot access, deeming it undemocratic, and notes that such actions could unfairly target political opponents, implying this might be the case with former President Trump.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The tensions in the Middle East involving Iranian-backed groups have a long history, with conflicts and proxy wars shaping the region's dynamics. Iran's support for groups like the Houthis in Yemen and its involvement in regional power struggles have been ongoing sources of instability. The U.S. has a complex relationship with Iran, marked by periods of confrontation and attempts at diplomacy, influencing its responses to Iranian threats in the region. Understanding this context is crucial to grasp the nuances of the criticisms and actions discussed in the text.
  • The missing U.S. Navy Seals in the Gulf of Aden are connected to the broader narrative as they were involved in a high-risk operation to intercept an Iranian arms shipment. One Seal fell into the water during the operation, leading to another Seal attempting a rescue, resulting in both being missing. The intense search and rescue missions reflect the urgency and seriousness of the situation, with significant deployment of U.S. Navy resources to locate the missing Seals.

Counterarguments

  • The Biden administration's approach to military action in the Middle East may be part of a broader strategy to avoid escalation and prioritize diplomatic solutions.
  • Airstrikes are a complex issue, and their effectiveness can be limited by various factors, including the desire to minimize civilian casualties and the difficulty of targeting non-state actors.
  • The reconsideration of the Houthi's terrorist designation could be part of a nuanced foreign policy that seeks to balance pressure with incentives for political negotiation.
  • Iran's regional activities are a concern for many countries, but attributing destabilization efforts solely to Iran may overlook the multifaceted nature of regional politics and other contributing factors.
  • The search and rescue operations for the missing U.S. Navy Seals demonstrate the risks and challenges faced by military personnel, and the commitment of the U.S. to its service members.
  • Concerns about the integrity of the intelligence community and potential election interference need to be balanced with evidence, and the role of such agencies in safeguarding national security should be acknowledged.
  • Discussions about misinformation and its impact on democracy are legitimate, but the influence of organizations like the World Economic Forum should be assessed based on factual analysis rather than speculation.
  • Efforts to restrict ballot access can be seen as attempts to ensure election integrity and prevent fraud, and these measures may have bipartisan support depending on their design and implementation.
  • Criticisms of undemocratic practices should be evaluated in the context of existing laws and the judicial system, which provides checks and balances on legislative actions.

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Rigging The 2024 Election

Biden's Weak Response to Iranian Threats

Shapiro expresses sharp criticism over the Biden administration's approach to increasing Iranian threats in the Middle East, describing its military responses as weak and ineffective.

Iranian attacks around Middle East

The Biden administration is facing scrutiny for its approach to the Middle East, where Iranian-backed groups are escalating tensions.

Biden administration's weak airstrikes in response

Shapiro criticizes the administration's military response to the Yemeni Houthis, saying that the U.S. launched an attack against the Houthis in Yemen targeting sites preparing to launch missiles against commercial shipping. He describes these actions as low-level attacks that lack a definitive plan to prevent future incidents.

Allowing attacks on shipping to continue

Despite the airstrikes, reports suggest the attacks on shipping continue, with no clear policy articulated by the U.S. on how they will prevent further aggression. U.S. National Security officials like Jake Sullivan acknowledge that although the U.S. has degraded the Houthis' ability to launch complex attacks, the group is still threatening the critical maritime artery of the Red Sea.

John Kirby confirms that U.S. airstrikes are defensive measures meant to protect shipping in the Red Sea, and not directly tied to the conflict in Yemen. However, critics argue that the administration is tolerating continued aggression by not clarifying the consequences of further Houthi aggression.

Houthi attacks on shipping in Red Sea

The Biden administration, after previously delisting the Houthis ...

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Biden's Weak Response to Iranian Threats

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The Iranian threats in the Middle East primarily involve Iranian-backed groups escalating tensions and carrying out attacks in regions like Yemen and the Red Sea. These threats include attacks on shipping and strategic targets, with the Houthis in Yemen being a significant focus of concern due to their actions impacting maritime security in the Red Sea. Additionally, recent reports indicate Iranian involvement in attacks on targets in Pakistan, showcasing a broader regional destabilization effort by Iran. The Biden administration's response to these threats has faced criticism for being perceived as weak and ineffective in addressing the escalating Iranian-backed aggression in the region.
  • The U.S. airstrikes targeted Yemeni Houthi sites preparing to launch missiles against commercial shipping in the Red Sea. These airstrikes were defensive measures to protect shipping in the region, not directly linked to the conflict in Yemen. Critics argue that the U.S. response lacked a clear plan to prevent future Houthi aggression despite degrading their ability to launch complex attacks. The airstrikes were part of efforts to address the escalating tensions caused by Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East.
  • The ambiguity ...

Counterarguments

  • The Biden administration may be pursuing a strategy of restraint to avoid escalation and prevent a larger conflict in the Middle East.
  • Diplomatic efforts and engagement with Iran and its proxies might be ongoing behind the scenes, which are not always visible to the public or critics.
  • The administration's approach could be part of a broader strategy that balances military action with diplomatic and economic measures.
  • The complexity of the situation in Yemen and the broader Middle East may require nuanced responses rather than overt military action.
  • The decision to not immediately redesignate the Houthis as a terrorist organization could be aimed at preserving humanitarian aid channels and avoiding exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
  • The administration might be working with international partners and allies to form a collective response to the threats in the region, which can take time to coordinate.
  • The characterization of U.S. airstrikes as "weak" ...

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Rigging The 2024 Election

Missing US Navy Seals in Gulf of Aden

A risky operation conducted by US Navy Seals in the Gulf of Aden has led to an urgent search and rescue mission.

Risky mission to board Iranian arms shipment

A team of highly skilled US Navy Seals undertook a mission to intercept an Iranian arms shipment. The operation is known for its high stakes and the dangerous nature of the intervention.

Two Seals missing after one fell overboard

Tragedy struck when one of the Navy Seals fell into the water during the mission. In adherence to their strict protocol, a second Navy Seal immediately jumped in to attempt a rescue of his teammate. As a result, both Seals are now missing.

Intensive search and ...

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Missing US Navy Seals in Gulf of Aden

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The ongoing search and rescue operations mentioned in the text are efforts being made by the US Navy to locate and recover the two missing Navy Seals who fell overboard during the mission in the Gulf of Aden. These operations involve the deployment of Navy aircraft and ships to search the area where the incident occurred. The primary goal is to find and bring back the missing service members, emphasizing the critical nature of the situation. The search and rescue mission is a high-priority operation for the Navy, reflecting the commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its personnel.
  • The search and rescue operations for the missing US Navy Seals in the Gulf of Aden involve substantial support from US Navy aircraft and ships. These resources are crucia ...

Counterarguments

...

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Rigging The 2024 Election

Democrats Rigging 2024 Election Against Trump

Ben Shapiro discusses concerns over potential actions that could influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, drawing parallels to tactics used in the 2020 election.

Intelligence community mobilizing against Trump

Shapiro expresses concern about the integrity of the intelligence community with regards to the upcoming election.

Former MI6 head says Trump win threatens UK

Shapiro cites foreign intelligence concerns. Sir Richard Dearlove, the former MI6 head, has stated that Donald Trump's potential reelection poses a national security problem for the UK, potentially damaging the Atlantic Alliance and NATO partnership.

Shapiro also suggests that if the intelligence community is mobilized against Trump, it could result in corrupt and terrible actions, mirroring his criticism related to the Hunter Biden laptop story from the 2020 election.

Big tech and WEF colluding on "misinformation"

Shapiro alleges collusion between big tech and the World Economic Forum (WEF) regarding misinformation, discussing their meetings in Davos and raising concerns over their power to "rig the rules of the road."

He also questions who determines what constitutes misinformation, expressing distrust in the WEF’s ability to make these determinations. He refers to panel discussions at the WEF about the need to police misinformation, which he interprets as suppressing information they dislike.

Shapiro also comments on big tech's role in the 202 ...

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Democrats Rigging 2024 Election Against Trump

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The text discusses concerns raised by Ben Shapiro about potential actions that could influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, suggesting that Democrats may be engaging in tactics that could disadvantage Trump. These concerns include potential collaboration between the intelligence community, big tech companies, and organizations like the World Economic Forum to influence the election process. Shapiro highlights worries about restrictions on ballot access and the possibility of undemocratic practices aimed at preventing Trump from running for office.
  • The concerns about the intelligence community mobilizing against Trump stem from fears that certain agencies or individuals within these organizations may use their influence and resources to undermine Trump's political efforts or reputation. This could involve leaking damaging information, conducting investigations, or taking other covert actions to sway public opinion against him. The worry is that such actions could be seen as an abuse of power and a threat to the democratic process, especially if they are perceived as politically motivated rather than based on genuine national security concerns.
  • Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, expressed concerns that a potential reelection of Donald Trump could pose a national security threat to the UK. He suggested that Trump's policies might harm the Atlantic Alliance and NATO partnership, impacting the UK's strategic interests. Dearlove's statement highlights the geopolitical implications of U.S. presidential elections on international relationships and security dynamics.
  • The claim of collusion between big tech companies and the World Economic Forum (WEF) on misinformation suggests a coordinated effort to control the spread of false information online. This implies a potential partnership where decisions on what is considered misin ...

Counterarguments

  • The intelligence community is designed to operate without political bias, and its actions are often based on national security concerns rather than political motivations.
  • Foreign intelligence officials, like Sir Richard Dearlove, may have legitimate concerns based on their assessments of international relations and security, which are not necessarily indicative of election rigging.
  • Allegations of big tech and the World Economic Forum colluding on misinformation should be substantiated with clear evidence, and discussions on misinformation are often part of broader efforts to combat the spread of false information that can harm public discourse.
  • The FBI's interactions with big tech companies regarding the Hunter Biden laptop story may have been based on standard procedures for handling potentially hacked or illegally obtained information, rather than an attempt to influence the election.
  • Changes to the balloting process, including the promotion of early voting by mail, can be seen as efforts to increase voter access and participation, especially during times when in-person voting may be challengi ...

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