Episode Summary
Executive Summary: A Daily Wire backstage episode centered on Trump’s strike on Soleimani and the media’s hostile reaction, arguing the move reestablished deterrence and strengthened U.S. credibility abroad. The panel also discusses CNN/Covington, Ricky Gervais’ Hollywood roast, recent films, the Democratic field, and how media narratives distort politics and culture.
Main Topics: Trump's strike on Soleimani and U.S.-Iran deterrence (Priority: 5/5): The hosts frame the killing of Qasem Soleimani as a major foreign policy success that proved deterrence works and forced Iran to back down after a limited missile response. Media backlash and narrative distortion (Priority: 5/5): They argue the press tried to turn a clear win into a loss by amplifying Iranian propaganda, portraying Iran as rational and Trump as reckless, and manufacturing war panic. Hollywood hypocrisy and Ricky Gervais (Priority: 4/5): Gervais’ Golden Globes monologue is praised for exposing celebrity hypocrisy, political preaching, and the self-importance of entertainment elites. Culture-war arguments about movies and feminism (Priority: 4/5): The panel debates recent films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Ford v Ferrari, 1917, Joker, The Irishman, and A Marriage Story, using them to discuss conservatism, gender roles, and Hollywood decline. Democratic primary and 2020 election outlook (Priority: 4/5): They assess Biden, Sanders, Bloomberg, and others, suggesting Biden benefits from fear and stability, while Sanders could potentially run third-party if cheated again. Covington, media accountability, and legal victories (Priority: 3/5): Nick Sandman’s settlement with CNN is cited as proof that media smears can be challenged, reinforcing the theme that elite institutions lie with impunity. Subscriber promotions and sponsor reads (Priority: 2/5): The episode repeatedly pivots into ads for Daily Wire memberships, Ring, Legacy Box, and Policygenius, using the live format to promote exclusive access and discounts.
Key Arguments: Deterrence is the correct foreign-policy framework: Trump showed that crossing red lines brings consequences without needing full-scale war. Iran’s limited retaliation and advance warning demonstrated they understood American resolve, which supports the claim that the strike worked. The media’s framing was biased and often untrue, with outlets amplifying casualty rumors and treating Soleimani as admirable rather than murderous. Gervais succeeded because comedians still can puncture elite hypocrisy in ways politicians and journalists avoid. Hollywood’s best recent films unintentionally reflect conservative values like competence, duty, masculinity, and responsibility. The Democratic Party and much of the media are trapped in narratives that do not match ordinary Americans’ perceptions. Trump’s biggest political advantage is that current conditions—economy, foreign policy wins, judicial appointments—make him look effective despite elite disdain.
Data Points: U.S. casualties in Iranian retaliation: 0 - The panel notes that no Americans were killed in Iran’s missile strike response after Soleimani’s death. Iranian missiles launched: 13 ballistic missiles - Described as Iran’s direct retaliation against U.S. forces in Iraq. Time for U.S. to destroy Iran's military: about 3 weeks - A panel estimate used to argue Iran is no existential military match for the United States. U.S. troops in region: about 5,000 - Mentioned while discussing the risk of limited, not world-ending, conflict in the Middle East. Trump membership discount: 15% off - Repeated Daily Wire offer using promo code BACKSTAGE. Legacy Box discount: 40% off - Sponsor offer for digitizing analog media using LegacyBox.com/Ben. Family savings with Policygenius: $1,500 or more per year - Claim made during the insurance sponsor segment. Iran strike response timing: advance warning given before missiles hit - Panel says Iraqi officials were warned so U.S. troops could move out before the attack. Trump foreign-policy wins in three months: 2 top terrorists killed - Refers to ISIS leader and Soleimani as major accomplishments. Trump approval in Republican Party: 95% - Used to argue a challenge from James Mattis or a similar figure would not matter.
Pivotal Quotes: "There’s this thing called deterrence." — Ben Shapiro: Core explanation for why the Soleimani strike was successful and not a march to war. "The media are the real story here" — Ben Shapiro: Introduced when arguing that press reaction mattered more than the strike itself. "Trump did not want to go to war. The Iranians didn’t want to go to war even more than Trump because they knew." — Michael Knowles: Used to argue both sides understood the U.S. had restored credible deterrence.
Implications: The episode frames Trump as politically and strategically stronger after Iran, while warning that media narratives can still distort public perception and future elections. It also suggests comedians, not journalists, are now the most effective critics of elite hypocrisy.
About The Ben Shapiro Show
Tired of the lies? Tired of the spin? Are you ready to hear the hard-hitting truth in comprehensive, conservative, principled fashion? The Ben Shapiro Show brings you all the news you need to know in the most fast moving daily program in America. Ben brutally breaks down the culture and never gives an inch! Monday thru Friday.