Ep. 164 - We're All Just Climbing Trump Tower, Man

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The transcript is a highly partisan Ben Shapiro episode centered on attacking Hillary Clinton’s ethics and defending/criticizing Donald Trump in a mixed way. It argues Clinton is corrupt through alleged Foundation-linked deals, then shifts to Trump’s campaign, mocking his media fights, his refusal to walk back the “founder of ISIS” line, and the broader dilemma facing conservatives deciding whether to vote for him or against Hillary.

Main Topics: Hillary Clinton corruption allegations (Priority: 5/5): The opening segment presents a long list of cases portraying Clinton as corrupt, arguing that access to her State Department role and the Clinton Foundation were traded for favors, donations, and foreign influence. Trump vs. Clinton and the media (Priority: 4/5): The host says the media obsess over sensational Trump incidents while ignoring Clinton scandals, using examples like the Trump Tower climber and CNN’s handling of anti-Clinton coverage. The ISIS ‘founder/co-founder’ controversy (Priority: 5/5): Trump’s claim that Obama was the founder of ISIS and Clinton the co-founder is discussed as politically effective in substance but poorly handled in wording and follow-up. Trump’s campaign discipline and self-sabotage (Priority: 4/5): A major theme is that Trump keeps undermining himself by refusing to adopt a cleaner explanation, even when advisers or interviewers try to steer him toward a stronger political line. The conservative vote dilemma (Priority: 5/5): The episode explores whether conservatives should vote for Trump as the lesser evil or refuse on moral and strategic grounds, emphasizing the long-term costs of either choice. Cable news and political entertainment (Priority: 3/5): The transcript attacks CNN, MSNBC, Trevor Noah, and others for performative bias, arguing that political commentary has become indistinguishable from comedy and partisan activism. Mailbag Q&A and cultural issues (Priority: 3/5): The final section answers listener questions about Julian Assange, campaign advice for Trump, college football and BYU, economic vs. social conservatism, and transgender identity care.

Key Arguments: Clinton’s State Department role and the Clinton Foundation are portrayed as creating a pay-to-play system in which donors and foreign actors gained access or favors. The transcript argues that many conspiracy theories about Clinton have gained credibility because of repeated ethical scandals and overlapping donor relationships. Trump is right in substance to say Obama’s Syria/Iraq policy helped create the conditions for ISIS, but he harms his own case by insisting on literal phrasing that invites easy attacks. The mainstream media are accused of selectively amplifying Trump scandals while suppressing or minimizing damaging Clinton coverage. Conservatives face a genuinely difficult moral choice between supporting a deeply flawed Republican nominee and refusing to endorse him on principle. Refusal to support Trump is framed by some allies as immoral, but the host argues this oversimplifies a complex decision and ignores the strategic risk of Trump’s brand damage to conservatism. Political comedy and cable commentary are presented as biased activism rather than neutral analysis, helping normalize Trump-style politics and outrage cycles.

Data Points: Deleted Clinton emails: 33,000 - Trump references Hillary Clinton’s deleted emails while mocking her explanation. Clinton Foundation donation tied to access: $2.35 million - The transcript says the Clinton Foundation received this from the chairman of a Canadian uranium company. Bill Clinton Moscow speech fee: $500,000 - Mentioned in connection with the uranium/Russia controversy. Saudi fighter-jet technology deal: $29 billion - The State Department is said to have approved this delivery to Saudi Arabia. Saudi contribution before the deal: at least $10 million - Reported as a Clinton Foundation contribution before the Saudi weapons agreement. Boeing contribution before deal: almost $1 million - The contractor is said to have donated shortly before the Saudi agreement. Money laundering fine: $66 million - Cited for Gilbert Chagoury as part of the corruption narrative. Haiti housing loan: $10 million - Claudio Osorio allegedly helped secure this loan for a housing project after the earthquake. Funds allegedly moved abroad: $30 million - An investigator is quoted as saying the housing company directed this amount to foreign bank accounts. Trump support among under-30 voters: 9% - Used to argue Trump is weak with younger voters. Trump support among Black voters: 1% - Used to illustrate Trump’s lack of broad coalition support. Trump approval among women: negative numbers - A qualitative claim describing Trump’s poor standing among women.

Pivotal Quotes: "He is the founder of ISIS. He's the founder. He founded ISIS. And I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton." — Donald Trump: Trump’s remark that sparked criticism and a long explanation about foreign policy responsibility. "If you call yourself a conservative and a Republican, it's actually immoral not to vote for Donald Trump, if only for the reason of the Supreme Court." — Laura Ingraham: Used to illustrate pressure on conservatives to support Trump. "All I do is tell the truth. I'm a truth teller." — Donald Trump: Presented as evidence of Trump’s self-confidence and possible resignation about losing.

Implications: The episode frames 2016 as a choice between scandal and instability: Clinton is cast as irredeemably corrupt, while Trump is seen as potentially effective but dangerously undisciplined. For conservatives, the bigger warning is long-term damage to credibility and movement coherence.