Ep. 1135 - The Hysterical Media Are The Problem

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Ben Shapiro argues that media claims of a post-election “coup” are exaggerated because legal challenges to vote counts are still unresolved and no state has certified results. He criticizes mainstream outlets for treating routine transition politics as a constitutional crisis, while also accusing them of selectively labeling factual stories as misinformation to suppress conservatives and protect a pro-Biden narrative.

Main Topics: Election legal process and transition timing (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro emphasizes that lawsuits, investigations, certifications, and Electoral College voting were still pending, so it was premature to frame Trump’s post-election actions as a coup or constitutional crisis. Media overreaction and narrative-building (Priority: 5/5): He argues that CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, and other outlets inflated the situation into an existential threat to democracy to preserve their long-running anti-Trump storyline. Censorship and misinformation politics (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro says legacy media and social platforms increasingly label true but inconvenient stories as misinformation, using that label to suppress conservative outlets and viewpoints. Republican reactions and orderly transfer of power (Priority: 4/5): He cites Pompeo, McConnell, and Biden himself as acknowledging that the legal process would conclude and an orderly transition would occur if Biden prevailed. Actual election-fraud allegations and court disputes (Priority: 4/5): The show reviews specific allegations in Pennsylvania, Nevada, and other states, while noting the high legal burden to prove fraud sufficient to change results. Internal Democratic Party conflict and woke politics (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro broadens the argument to say progressives like Rashida Tlaib and allied groups are pressuring moderates, reinforcing a politics of dominance rather than unity.

Key Arguments: A coup requires unlawful seizure of power, but no state had certified results and no electors had voted, so ongoing legal challenges do not amount to a coup. The media are manufacturing urgency by claiming democracy is in danger even though a normal constitutional transition is still underway. Trump’s rhetoric may be objectionable, but Shapiro argues he was less structurally threatening than prior Democratic administrations that used executive power aggressively. Mainstream outlets protect a false anti-Trump narrative because admitting Trump may leave office peacefully would expose their prior alarmism as dishonest. Journalists and tech platforms are allegedly redefining misinformation to mean “facts I dislike,” enabling censorship of conservative outlets and stories. Specific vote-fraud claims should be investigated, but proving enough fraud to alter a close outcome remains difficult. The broader conflict is not just about Trump, but about whether conservatives will be allowed to speak, publish, and disagree without being silenced.

Data Points: States certified: 0 - Shapiro says no state had certified its election results at the time of the broadcast. Electors voted: 0 - He notes that no presidential electors had cast votes yet. Americans who think the election is over: 8 in 10 - He cites polling suggesting most Americans believed the election was already decided. Americans who think Trump will be president on Jan. 20: 3% - He says only a small minority expected Trump to remain in office after Inauguration Day. Popular vote margin cited for Biden: approaching 5 million - Shapiro references a New York Times framing of Biden’s lead as evidence against fraud claims. Overpayment estimate for major wireless plans: $400+ per year - Promotion for Pure Talk during the sponsor read. Pure Talk plan mentioned: $20/month for unlimited talk, text, and 2 gigs of data - Sponsor offer described in the opening ad segment. Text message open rate: 97% open; 90% within 3 minutes - Sponsor read for Podium emphasizing business messaging effectiveness. Jones Day ad blitz budget: at least $500,000 - The Lincoln Project reportedly planned spending to target law firms involved in election litigation. Date-stamped ballots in Allegheny County: 2,349 ballots - County elections board voted to count ballots lacking dates on outer envelopes. Nevada claim on moved voters: over 3,000 - Former Nevada AG discussion of alleged voters who moved out of Las Vegas but still voted.

Pivotal Quotes: "It’s not a coup, as we’ll explain in a second." — Ben Shapiro: Opening argument against media framing of the post-election legal fight. "There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration." — Mike Pompeo: Pompeo joke highlighted by Shapiro as clearly humorous, followed by reassurance about an orderly transfer. "Yes, it is possible for a story to be factually accurate and for it to be part of a misinformation campaign aimed at undermining confidence in an election." — Kevin Roose: Shapiro uses this quote to argue that media activists admit they suppress true stories for narrative reasons.

Implications: Shapiro frames the post-election fight as a larger struggle over speech, media trust, and who controls political narratives. He warns conservatives must expect continued pressure from media, tech, and activist institutions to silence dissent and define truth politically.