Ep. 163 - Trump Speaks Conservatism As A Second Language

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Ben Shapiro opens with a critique of Obama’s feminism rhetoric, then pivots to a longer, highly partisan analysis of the Trump-Hillary race, focusing on Clinton Foundation/State Department allegations, Trump’s “Second Amendment people” remark, and the media’s reaction. He argues Trump repeatedly harms conservatism by speaking it poorly, while also defending core conservative positions, discussing media spin, university racism, and ending with a Bible reflection and cultural commentary.

Main Topics: Obama’s feminism op-ed and Shapiro’s critique (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro mocks Obama’s Glamour magazine essay as self-congratulatory moralizing that praises feminism without offering solutions, and argues it treats sexuality and sexism in a patronizing, politically correct way. Clinton Foundation and State Department favoritism allegations (Priority: 5/5): He highlights leaked emails and reporting suggesting Hillary Clinton’s aides helped wealthy donors gain access or favors, presenting it as a major corruption scandal that should dominate news coverage. Trump’s 'Second Amendment people' comment and media backlash (Priority: 5/5): A major segment dissects Trump’s remark about gun rights and Hillary’s judges, arguing Trump made a dumb, clearly ill-phrased joke that was not an assassination threat, while also conceding it was irresponsible. Trump as 'conservatism as a second language' (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Trump often mimics conservative positions without truly understanding them, citing comments on pro-life issues, Christianity, immigration, and the GOP, which he says alienate serious conservatives. Conservative media/party response and Trump defense movement (Priority: 4/5): He criticizes Trump surrogates and defenders for lying or over-spinning Trump’s comments, saying the movement is forced into dishonesty and damages the credibility of conservatism. Bible/Deuteronomy reflection on divine justice and free will (Priority: 3/5): In the weekly religious segment, Shapiro interprets Deuteronomy as teaching national moral cause-and-effect while preserving free will and acknowledging that individual life does not guarantee immediate reward for righteousness. Campus racism and identity politics at Claremont (Priority: 4/5): He closes by condemning a student housing post limiting roommates to non-white students, calling it straightforward racism and warning that identity-based tribalism is being legitimized by university culture.

Key Arguments: Obama’s feminism essay is empty moral posturing because it offers no concrete remedies and ignores the administration’s own contradictory record on women. The Clinton Foundation and State Department disclosures suggest a pay-to-play culture in which donors gained access and influence through charity connections. Trump’s ‘Second Amendment people’ comment was not a literal assassination threat, but it was a reckless joke and a bad way to speak about constitutional politics. Trump speaks to conservatism like a second language, often misunderstanding or misrepresenting core conservative, pro-life, religious, and immigration positions. Defenders of Trump do conservatives a disservice when they try to erase obvious mistakes instead of admitting he misspoke. The media amplify Trump’s errors because he provides new, scandalous content, while Hillary’s corruption is already expected and therefore less newsworthy. Racial exclusion by minorities is still racism; victim status does not make discriminatory behavior morally acceptable. Societies and universities weaken when tribal identity is treated as more important than basic moral principles or equal treatment.

Data Points: Obama White House pay gap: 89 cents per dollar - Shapiro cites this as contradicting Obama’s feminist branding. Clinton donor contribution: between $1 million and $5 million - Amount the Lebanese billionaire donor reportedly gave to the Clinton Foundation. Clinton Global Initiative pledge: $1 billion - Reported pledge by the same donor in 2009. Money laundering plea deal: $66 million - Reported payment tied to the donor’s plea deal. Taneo consulting fee: $15,000 per month - Amount Huma Abedin reportedly earned as a consultant in a special arrangement. Mattress trial period: 100 nights - Advertisement for Helix Sleep’s mattress trial and return policy. Mattress discount: $50 off - Promo offered via helixsleep.com/ben. Daily Wire subscription: $8 a month - Promotion for becoming a subscriber. Guest/party vote share: 90% - Paul Ryan’s primary win percentage mentioned in Wisconsin.

Pivotal Quotes: "We need to keep changing the attitude that punishes women for their sexuality and rewards men for theirs." — Barack Obama (quoted by Shapiro): Shapiro uses this line to argue Obama is moralizing without offering real policy solutions. "Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish, the Second Amendment." — Donald Trump (quoted by Shapiro): The line at the center of the debate over whether Trump implied violence by gun owners. "The only way to make it even better is to target actual sexist activity and to stop slandering men as sexists without evidence." — Ben Shapiro: His closing summary of his own view on feminism and gender equality in America.

Implications: Shapiro’s message is that conservative credibility depends on truthfulness, not reflexive loyalty to Trump. He warns that weak defenses, identity politics, and campus tribalism all erode public trust and moral clarity.