Inside The Biden Plan To STEAL Democracy
In this episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, Shapiro examines predictions that suggest former President Trump may have an advantage over President Biden in the 2024 election. He discusses concerns raised over Biden's mental acuity based on videos that depict the president appearing disoriented or making nonsensical statements.
Shapiro also questions actions by the Biden administration that could undermine democratic norms, including attempts by agencies to resist a potential future Republican presidency, criticism of the Supreme Court's independence, and the use of unilateral executive actions to circumvent Congress.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jun 18, 2024 episode of the The Ben Shapiro Show
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1-Page Summary
2024 Presidential Election Outlook
Recent polls and predictive models suggest former President Trump has an advantage over President Biden in the upcoming 2024 election, according to the data. Trump leads Biden in several key swing states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida. The Economist's forecast gives Trump a 72% chance of winning.
Biden's support among younger Black voters has plummeted from an 80-point lead to just 37 points, Enten says. Only 26% of swing state voters say they would definitely vote for Biden, compared to 31% for Trump.
Concerns Over Biden's Mental Fitness
There are numerous public instances that have sparked concerns about Biden's mental acuity, Shapiro notes. Videos depict Biden appearing disoriented, requiring staff assistance, and making nonsensical statements.
While Biden's campaign has dismissed these videos as "cheap fakes" and misinformation, Shapiro asserts the footage highlights legitimate concerns over Biden's cognitive state.
Threats to Democratic Institutions
Shapiro raises alarms over Biden administration actions that could undermine democratic norms:
Agencies are implementing strategies to resist potential changes under a future Trump presidency, reflecting efforts to obstruct Republican governance.
Biden has publicly criticized the Supreme Court, contradicting stated respect for its independence when it rules against Democratic interests.
Through unilateral executive actions on issues like immigration and vaccine mandates, Biden is accused of circumventing Congress and overstepping constitutional constraints to govern through the administrative state.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- The Economist's forecast, while respected, is not infallible and can be influenced by a variety of unpredictable factors, including changes in public opinion, economic conditions, and global events that could shift the electoral landscape before the election.
- Polls can be volatile and may not accurately reflect the final vote due to factors such as undecided voters, the influence of late-breaking news, or differential turnout.
- The decline in Biden's support among younger Black voters could be countered by increased support in other demographics or through targeted campaigning and policy proposals that resonate with these voters.
- The percentage of swing state voters who would definitely vote for Biden or Trump does not capture the full picture, as many voters remain undecided or could change their preference by election day.
- Concerns about Biden's mental acuity based on public appearances could be countered by emphasizing his experience, the effectiveness of his administration's policies, and his ability to govern.
- The campaign's dismissal of videos as "cheap fakes" could be supported by evidence of misinformation campaigns that have been known to target political figures.
- The criticism of the Biden administration's actions as undermining democratic norms could be challenged by arguing that these actions are within the scope of executive power and are intended to protect the interests of the American people.
- The strategies implemented by agencies to resist potential changes under a future presidency could be defended as safeguarding the non-partisan nature of the civil service and protecting established policies.
- Public criticism of the Supreme Court by Biden could be seen as an exercise of free speech and a reflection of the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. government system.
- Executive actions on immigration and vaccine mandates could be justified as necessary responses to urgent issues when legislative solutions are not forthcoming.
Actionables
- You can enhance your critical thinking by researching the historical accuracy of election forecasts and comparing them to actual outcomes. Look at past elections where The Economist or similar outlets made predictions and see how often they were correct. This will give you a better understanding of how to interpret such forecasts and their reliability.
- Engage in community discussions to understand the diverse perspectives on executive actions and their constitutional implications. Find local forums or online platforms where these topics are being discussed and listen to the arguments presented by different sides. This will help you form a more informed opinion on the balance of power and the use of executive actions in governance.
- Educate yourself on the process of video verification to discern between authentic and manipulated content. Use free online resources and tutorials that teach how to spot deepfakes and other forms of video manipulation. This skill will allow you to critically evaluate videos you encounter on social media or other platforms and make more informed judgments about their authenticity.
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2024 presidential election outlook and predictions
The 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be intensely competitive, with current polling data and predictive models hinting at potential outcomes.
Polling data and forecasts suggest Trump is likely to win the 2024 election
Recent polls and forecasts suggest that former President Donald Trump has a lead over President Joe Biden in the upcoming election.
Trump leads Biden in swing state and national dominated scenarios
Looking at swing states, Trump appears to have the upper hand in several crucial battlegrounds. He is leading in polls across Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, North Carolina, and Florida. Specifically, Trump is ahead by two points in Pennsylvania, five points in Georgia, one point in Michigan, two points in Arizona, three points in North Carolina, and a notable six points in Florida. Ann Seltzer, renowned for her accuracy in polling and rated as an A-plus pollster, has Trump up by 18 points over Biden in Iowa, where the president's net approval rating hangs at a negative 39.
Predictive models like The Economist forecast a high likelihood of a Trump victory
Aside from the tangible lead in key state polls, predictive models are also pointing to a Trump victory. The Economist’s forecast currently estimates Trump's chances of winning the election at a significant 72 percent. Further supporting this figure, a Washington Post study reveals that Biden has depleted support in definitive voter decisions, both among those who have made up their minds ("deciders") and those who have not ("non-deciders").
Declining support for Biden among key demographic groups
President Biden’s support also seems to be wavering among crucial demographic groups that previously backed him.
Erosion of Biden's lead among Black voters, especially younger Black voters
CNN's Harry Enten highlighted particularly concerning data for the Biden campaign, regarding his support among Black voters, specifically those under the age of 50. The president's lead within this demographic has plummeted, decreasing ...
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2024 presidential election outlook and predictions
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Counterarguments
- Polls are not always accurate predictors of election outcomes, as seen in past elections where unexpected results occurred despite polling data.
- Polling data can change rapidly, especially in response to events close to the election, so current leads may not hold until Election Day.
- The Economist's model is one of many predictive models, and others may show different probabilities for the election outcome.
- Voter turnout can significantly affect election results, and polls may not fully capture the eventual turnout demographics.
- The erosion of support among key demographic groups for Biden could be offset by gains in other demographics or by changes in voter sentiment closer to the election.
- Approval ratings are not the sole determinant of election outcomes; campaign strategies, debate performances, and other factors can also play crucial roles.
- Swing state dynamics can be complex, and local issues or candidate campaign efforts can shift the electoral landscape in unpredictable ways.
- ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your political literacy by tracking local and national polls to understand trends and shifts in public opinion. Start by bookmarking reputable polling websites and set a weekly reminder to review the latest polls. This will give you a clearer picture of the political landscape and may inform your conversations and decisions regarding political engagement.
- Engage in community discussions to gauge the political climate and share insights. Find local forums, social media groups, or town hall meetings where political discussions take place. Actively listen to what others are saying about the candidates and the issues that matter to them. This can provide a more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing voter decisions beyond the numbers presented in polls.
- Volunteer for a political campaign to experience firsthand ...
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Concerns about Biden's mental fitness and competence
There are growing concerns about President Joe Biden's mental fitness and competence, as evidenced by several public incidents and the subsequent response of his campaign and supporters.
Numerous incidents of Biden appearing confused, disoriented, or in decline
Biden frequently requiring guidance or assistance from aides and staff
There have been numerous public instances that have fed into the narrative of concern about Joe Biden's mental state. Ben Shapiro comments on a montage showing Biden seemingly disoriented and dependent on guidance:
- At a fundraiser, former President Barack Obama had to lead Biden off the stage by the hand.
- In various situations, Biden needed clear directives from staff, such as being physically guided to specific locations or given hand signals by Secret Service agents which he didn't immediately understand.
- There was also an instance of the Prime Minister of Italy redirecting Biden back into a group picture after he seemed confused, and another occasion where Biden followed a child by mistake.
Biden making nonsensical statements and appearing to lose his train of thought
These concerns are exacerbated by incidents where Biden apparently babbles into the microphone or makes nonsensical statements, with Shay claiming there is footage of Biden behaving as if "frozen on stage" and requiring Obama to lead him "like a small five-year-old child."
Attempts by the Biden campaign to dismiss or downplay concerns about Biden's mental acuity
Accusations that critical videos of Biden are "cheap fakes" or misinformation
In response to circulating videos highlighting these issues, Biden's campaign and allies have been quick to counter the arguments about his mental acuity. The campaign co-chair suggested on national television that Biden's mental state shouldn't be under question, hinting at efforts to dismiss such concerns.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refers to videos showing Biden in an unflattering light as "cheap fakes," claiming they are intentionally misleading and made in bad faith. She argues that the pushback from fact-checkers against these "misinformation and disinformation" videos have caused issues for the president's critics' credibility.
Ben Shapiro, on the other hand, asserts that the videos he comments on are legitimate, not misinformation, and not Russian propaganda. He stands by the significance of the incidents dep ...
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Concerns about Biden's mental fitness and competence
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Public figures, especially those of advanced age, may occasionally require assistance or guidance due to the complex and demanding nature of their schedules and the environments in which they operate, rather than due to mental fitness issues.
- Instances of confusion or disorientation can occur in high-pressure public situations and may not necessarily indicate a decline in mental fitness.
- Verbal gaffes and losing one's train of thought can happen to anyone, particularly under the stress of constant public scrutiny and the need to speak extemporaneously.
- The Biden campaign's dismissal of certain videos as "cheap fakes" could be based on evidence that some footage has been misleadingly edited or taken out of context.
- Accusations of misinformation are often supported by fact-checkers and should be considered when assessing the credibility of the videos in question.
- The White House's labeling of unflattering videos as "cheap fakes" may be an attempt to correct the record when videos are indeed manipulated or presented in a misleading way.
- Media figures like Nicole ...
Actionables
- You can develop critical thinking by analyzing different sources when encountering political news. Start by selecting a current event and read about it from multiple news outlets with varying political biases. Compare the language, the facts presented, and the context given. This exercise will help you discern biases and recognize the use of selective information or misleading content.
- Enhance your media literacy by creating a personal checklist for identifying misinformation. Include questions like: Is the source credible? Are other reputable media outlets reporting the same story? Are there any signs of altered video or audio? Is the context of quotes or clips clear? Use this checklist every time you come across new information, especially on social media, to become more adept at spotting potential "cheap fakes" or misleading content.
- Engage in constructive conversations by practicing the Socratic method when discussing political topics with others. Instead of stat ...
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The Biden Administration's Threats to Democratic Institutions
Shapiro raises concerns over the activities of officials in the Biden administration, which he believes could threaten the integrity of democratic institutions.
Efforts by Biden Officials to "Resist" a Potential Future Trump Administration
In anticipation of a possible Trump presidential win and Republican congressional control, the Biden administration has taken steps to fortify current regulations. Shapiro notes that agencies are implementing defense strategies to counter potential changes under a future Trump administration. This includes drafting lawsuits in response to threatened mass deportations and hiring auditors to protect against attacks on organizations like the IRS. Additionally, Democratic state governments are preemptively stockpiling resources such as abortion medication. According to Shapiro, these actions reflect a systematic effort to obstruct a Republican leader's governance.
Undermining the Independence and Authority of the Supreme Court
Shapiro criticizes Biden's public reproach of the Supreme Court and notes contradictions in the administration's stated respect for the court. Shapiro accuses Biden of undermining the Supreme Court's credibility, particularly when the Court does not align with Democratic interests. He argues that there is an ongoing Democratic effort to maintain Chevron deference, which grants considerable latitude to administrative agencies, showing a reluctance to allow the Supreme Court or Congress to restrain administrative power.
Biden's Use of Executive Power and the Administrative State to Circumvent Congress
Shapiro points to several unilateral actions by President Biden, which he deems unconstitutional, such as attempting to mandate vaccinations for millions of Americans, interfering with Congressionally allocated aid, and ...
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The Biden Administration's Threats to Democratic Institutions
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Counterarguments
- Fortifying regulations could be seen as a legitimate use of executive power to protect established policies that the administration believes are in the public interest.
- Defense strategies by agencies may be a standard practice to ensure continuity of governance and policy, regardless of which party is in power.
- Stockpiling resources like abortion medication by Democratic state governments could be interpreted as a response to protect citizens' rights in light of potential federal restrictions.
- Public reproach of the Supreme Court by a sitting president can be part of the checks and balances system, where different branches of government hold each other accountable.
- Maintaining Chevron deference can be argued as a means to ensure that specialized agencies can operate effectively without being bogged down by legal challenges.
- Executive actions, while controversial, are often used by presidents to fulfill campaign promises and respond to issues when Congress is gridlocked.
- Mandating vaccinations could be defended as a necessary public health measure to protect the population during a pandemic.
- Interfering with Congressionally allocated aid might be justified in certain circumstances where immedia ...
Actionables
- You can educate yourself on the regulatory process to understand how changes can impact you. Start by visiting government websites like regulations.gov where you can learn about current regulations and the process of how they are made, amended, or repealed. This knowledge will help you anticipate how shifts in administration could affect areas of your life, such as healthcare, employment, or environmental standards.
- Engage in community discussions to share and learn about the implications of immigration initiatives. Find local forums or social media groups where you can discuss the potential impact of new immigration policies on your community. This can help you understand the experiences of immigrants in your area and the effects of policies like work permits and deportation protections on local economies and social dynamics.
- Develop a personal contingency plan for changes in healthcare policy. With the possibility of ...
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