Ep. 1248 - The Establishment Media Are Driving Us Toward Civil War

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that establishment media and the political left are more dangerous sources of misinformation than right-wing media, using COVID, police-shooting, election, and Russia-related examples. It claims these narratives feed a broader CRT-driven view that America is systemically racist, are being normalized across media, schools, corporations, and government, and are pushing the country toward ideological conflict.

Main Topics: Media Misinformation and Double Standards (Priority: 5/5): The host argues CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post regularly spread or amplify false narratives while accusing conservatives of misinformation, citing errors on Kamala Harris books, Joe Biden’s meat proposal, and FBI/Rudy Giuliani reporting. COVID Fear and Democratic Misperceptions (Priority: 5/5): He uses polling to claim Democrats dramatically overstated COVID hospitalization risk because of alarmist media coverage, presenting this as evidence of left-leaning misinformation shaping public perception. Race, Systemic Racism, and Critical Race Theory (Priority: 5/5): A major segment explains CRT’s origins, asserts it treats American institutions as irredeemably racist, and argues the media and Democratic institutions are mainstreaming this worldview. Education and School Board Battles (Priority: 4/5): The transcript frames local school fights, especially Southlake, Texas, as evidence that parents and voters are rejecting CRT-style diversity curricula despite media portraying these contests as bitterly divided. Institutional Wokeism in Corporations and Government (Priority: 4/5): Examples from Basecamp and the CIA are used to argue that identity politics has penetrated workplaces and federal agencies, replacing merit and mission focus with intersectional symbolism. Political Polarization and Civil Conflict (Priority: 4/5): The host warns that the real source of division is not right-wing media but the left’s portrayal of America as racist and illegitimate, which he says could drive deeper national conflict.

Key Arguments: Establishment media are more influential and more dangerous than right-wing misinformation because they shape broad cultural narratives about America. Democrats and mainstream outlets exaggerated COVID danger, especially hospitalization risk, leading to distorted public beliefs. Polling on police shootings shows liberals vastly overestimated the number of unarmed Black Americans killed by police, allegedly due to media framing. The 2020 election was won by Joe Biden, but the media and Democrats have their own misinformation record, including the 2016 ‘rigged’ narrative. Critical race theory, according to the host, recasts America as irredeemably racist and teaches people to judge institutions by racial outcomes rather than laws or intent. School board elections like Southlake show parents are rejecting CRT-inspired curricula even when media frame the issue as a bitter national divide. Corporate and government institutions, including Basecamp and the CIA, are said to be prioritizing identity politics over competence and mission. The left’s messaging about systemic racism is portrayed as a form of ideological extremism that is more threatening to social cohesion than conservative rhetoric.

Data Points: COVID hospitalization risk: 1% to 5% - Described as the actual average chance that someone with COVID would be hospitalized. Republicans estimating COVID hospitalization risk below 10%: 45% - Combined share of Republicans answering 0-5%, 1-5%, or 6-10% in the cited poll. Democrats saying over half of COVID cases require hospitalization: 41% - Poll result used to argue Democrats were heavily misled by media coverage. Democrats saying hospitalization chance is above 20%: 69% - Used to show perceived COVID danger among Democrats. Actual unarmed Black Americans shot by police in 2019: About 10-20 - Host states this was the real range for unarmed Black men killed by police. Very conservative respondents answering police-shooting question correctly: 46% - Share choosing about 10 unarmed Black Americans shot by police per year. Very liberal respondents answering police-shooting question as about 1,000: Largest response category - Used to argue liberals grossly overestimated police killings. Very liberal respondents answering more than 10,000: 8% - Extreme overestimate cited from the police-shooting poll. Democrats who thought the 2016 election was rigged: 42% - Cited to show election denial is not unique to Republicans. Southlake, Texas school board vote: 70-30 - Election described as a blowout against a diversity/CRT plan. Basecamp workforce resignation after anti-woke announcement: About one-third / at least 20 of 57 employees - Used as an example of internal conflict over woke workplace culture. CRT guideline timeframe: Late 1970s to early 1980s - Host says CRT took shape as an academic framework in this period.

Pivotal Quotes: "The establishment media likes to point to polls that show that a huge percentage of Republicans say that Joe Biden didn't actually win the 2020 election. I agree, that's not good. Joe Biden won the 2020 election." — Ben Shapiro: Acknowledging the election outcome while contrasting it with media misinformation claims. "The biggest lie that is being told in American politics right now: that America's institutions are irrevocably, irredeemably racist and terrible." — Ben Shapiro: Core thesis of the segment on CRT and the media. "I think, especially through COVID and through Trump and Trump's response to COVID... I don't know how much more that I can personally do." — W. Cam Obel: Clip used to illustrate left-wing alienation and doubt about America’s worth.

Implications: The episode frames media trust, school governance, and institutional legitimacy as central battlegrounds. Listeners are urged to reject CRT-style narratives, scrutinize establishment media, and view local elections and cultural institutions as key sites of political struggle.