Ep. 1118 - Why To Vote For Trump

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on alleged Hunter Biden email evidence, media suppression, and the political double standard around Biden accountability, then broadens into violence against Trump supporters, left-wing racial and institutional radicalism, and why conservatives should vote for Trump despite his flaws. It argues Biden is being shielded by the press while Democrats pursue dangerous policy and institutional changes.

Main Topics: Hunter Biden email revelations and media suppression (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues the Hunter Biden laptop/email story became more serious after Fox reported corroboration of an explosive email thread, while Twitter/Facebook and major media treated it as disinformation instead of investigating it. Joe Biden’s evasiveness and alleged corruption risk (Priority: 5/5): The show emphasizes that Joe Biden avoids direct questions about the emails and that, if the 'big guy' refers to him, the issue shifts from Hunter’s influence-peddling to possible personal corruption by Joe Biden. Violence against Trump supporters (Priority: 5/5): The episode highlights incidents in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. where Trump supporters were allegedly assaulted, framing them as examples of a culture that normalizes political violence against conservatives. Why conservatives will vote for Trump (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro gives his case for supporting Trump in 2020: he was wrong about Trump’s governance in 2016, Trump’s character damage is already baked in, and Democrats have moved too far left to be trusted with power. Democratic institutional radicalism (Priority: 4/5): The discussion warns that Democrats are openly threatening to pack the Supreme Court, abolish the filibuster, add states, and concentrate power in the executive, which Shapiro says is more dangerous to institutions than Trump. Anti-racist ideology and racialized policy (Priority: 4/5): The episode criticizes anti-racist rhetoric and policies in schools, libraries, and government agencies as discriminatory, racially segregated, and corrosive to merit and civic unity. Biden economic agenda and growth concerns (Priority: 4/5): The show cites a Hoover Institution study and Wall Street Journal analysis to argue Biden’s tax, energy, and regulation plans would reduce employment, investment, GDP, and household income.

Key Arguments: The Hunter Biden emails should have been investigated by the press, not dismissed, because Fox reported a corroborating recipient and neither Biden has fully denied their authenticity. If 'the big guy' refers to Joe Biden, the matter is not just Hunter’s corruption-by-association but possible direct benefit to the former vice president. Media outrage over the New York Post’s sourcing contrasts with years of unverified or anonymous anti-Trump reporting that the same outlets amplified. Violence against Trump supporters is normalized by left-wing rhetoric that labels all conservatives as Nazis or fascists. Trump’s flaws are real, but conservatives are voting for him because the alternative—Democratic radicalism on courts, speech, economics, and race—is worse. Trump has governed more conservatively than expected: deregulation, tax cuts, judges, pro-life moves, China pressure, and no new wars. The Democratic Party is no longer moderate; it is effectively controlled by the Bernie/AOC wing and seeks to remake institutions rather than govern within them. Anti-racist policies like altered grading standards and racially segregated meetings are presented as evidence of institutionalized left-wing discrimination. Bidenomics is argued to be economically damaging, especially through higher taxes, energy restrictions, and labor disincentives.

Data Points: May 13, 2017 email: Referenced in Fox News report - An email allegedly discusses remuneration packages and a split for 'the big guy' in a Chinese energy deal. Equity split: 20 for H and 10 held for 'the big guy' - Fox News reported this language in the alleged Hunter Biden email thread. Joe Biden/Jill Biden income (2008 report): About $250,000 per year - New York Times profile describing Biden’s finances and lifestyle. Biden home financing: $500,000 loan - NYT report said wealthy businessmen and bankers helped finance Biden’s waterfront home. San Diego grading data: 30% of DRF grades to English learners; 25% to students with disabilities; 23% to Native Americans; 23% to Hispanics; 20% to Black students; 7% to white students - NBC San Diego report on grading disparities used to justify grading reform. Biden agenda employment impact: 4.9 million fewer working Americans - Hoover Institution study cited by the Wall Street Journal. Biden agenda GDP impact: $2.6 trillion less GDP - Hoover Institution estimate for 2030 under full implementation. Biden agenda household income impact: $6,500 less median household income - Hoover Institution estimate by 2030. Real GDP per capita: Down more than 8% - Estimated effect of Biden agenda if fully implemented. Capital stock per person: Down about 15% - Hoover Institution projection in the economic analysis. Labor force effect: 3% reduction in full-time equivalent employment per person - Hoover Institution estimate cited in WSJ editorial. Electricity demand: 25% increase - Hoover analysis of Biden EV electrification plans. Fossil fuel power offline: >70% of baseline electric power - Context for the electrification and energy transition discussion. Labor tax rate effect: +2.4 percentage points - Estimated increase in the average marginal tax rate on labor from ACA-related changes. Social Security payroll tax proposal: 12.4% on income above $400,000 - Described as a Biden plan that would expand payroll taxes. Polling margin: Trump down 6 nationally - Cited from an IBD/TIPP poll mentioned in the episode.

Pivotal Quotes: "the Democrats have lost their fing minds" — Ben Shapiro: Part of his explanation for why he is voting for Trump in 2020. "When this nightmare is over, we need a truth and reconciliation commission" — Robert Reich: Used to illustrate how some on the left view post-Trump accountability and political purges. "The alternative sucks. The alternative is terrible." — Ben Shapiro: Summary of his case for voting Trump despite reservations about Trump’s character.

Implications:* The episode frames 2020 as a contest between Trump’s flawed but familiar governance and a more radical Democratic coalition, warning listeners that media bias, anti-conservative hostility, and institutional changes could reshape U.S. politics and policy for years.