Ep. 168 - No, I'm Not Going To Lie For Trump

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s critique of political dishonesty, especially around Iran, Trump polling, and campaign spin. He argues that facts and scientific methods are being dismissed by both Trump surrogates and media partisans, warns about the damage of lying to supporters, and analyzes Steve Bannon’s entry into the Trump campaign as a potentially toxic move that could worsen nationalist-populist and alt-right tendencies. He closes with listener Q&A on atheism, morality, history, and marriage.

Main Topics: Iran, Obama, and Clinton as symbols of political dishonesty (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro opens by accusing Obama and Hillary Clinton of misleading the public about the $400 million payment to Iran and other Iran-related issues, arguing the administration effectively acted as a PR arm for Tehran. Truth vs. campaign spin in the Trump race (Priority: 5/5): A major theme is Shapiro’s frustration that Trump supporters and surrogates dismiss polling and inconvenient facts, which he sees as creating a culture where truth no longer matters in politics. Polls, methodology, and why data should not be ignored (Priority: 5/5): He explains why polling is a science rather than an establishment conspiracy, rebuking claims that rallies matter more than polls and arguing that evidence must be respected even when it is uncomfortable. Steve Bannon’s role and the alt-right threat (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues that Bannon’s elevation is a sign of campaign decline and warns that Bannon’s influence could further empower nationalist-populist and alt-right forces with racial and anti-Semitic undertones. Trump’s path to recovery: debates and message discipline (Priority: 4/5): He says Trump’s best chance is to perform well in debates and sharpen his anti-Hillary case, but notes Trump often backs off when pressing the strongest attacks. Media, policy, and the politics of false promises (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro broadens the argument to claim both left and right have normalized lies, citing free trade, Obamacare repeal, and executive amnesty as examples of promises that were sold to voters but not delivered. Mailbag: morality, atheism, history, and marriage (Priority: 3/5): The final section answers listener questions on why atheists lean left, Batman’s no-kill rule, creation and science, leftist philosophy, riots, Hillary’s health, political unrest, and the purpose of marriage.

Key Arguments: The Obama administration misrepresented the Iran payment and related hostage-release timing, reinforcing Shapiro’s view that it lied about Iran policy. Polling should be trusted because it is based on methodology and representative sampling, not wishful thinking or crowd size. Trump surrogates damage their own side by telling supporters that polls are fake or irrelevant, which trains voters to reject evidence. Steve Bannon’s promotion is interpreted as evidence of a nationalist-populist turn that could further alienate moderates, minorities, and young voters. The alt-right is described as a racially tinged, anti-constitutional tribal movement that is distinct from traditional conservatism. Trump can still improve if he uses the debates aggressively and consistently against Hillary Clinton, but he often hesitates to press his strongest points. Both parties have normalized lying to voters, but Republicans in particular should not imitate the left’s disregard for truth. Shapiro argues that many atheists embrace leftism because they seek earthly cosmic justice through government rather than religion. He claims marriage is essential because it creates a stable team and foundation for human flourishing. He says the current political environment rewards comfort and tribal loyalty over facts, which he sees as dangerous for democracy.

Data Points: Iran payment: $400 million - Discussed as the U.S. payment tied to Iran and American hostages. Poll average: Trump down 41 to 37 in a Pew poll - Used to show Trump still trails but remains within reach. Last poll with Trump leading: Ending July 24 - Shapiro says Trump had not led in a poll for about a month. Cable-news clip ranking: #1 and #2 most viewed clips - He says the Michael Cohen segment was the most viewed, and his own segment was second. Crowd sizes at rallies: 12,000 to 15,000 at Trump rallies; 1,500 to 2,000 at Hillary events - Used by Eric Bolling to argue crowds matter more than polls. Early-August polls: Clinton +8, +6, +13, +6, +5, +3, +4, +6, +4, +2 - Shapiro cites a gradual narrowing in polling. Earlier polling gap: Clinton +6, +8, +14, +9 - Used to contrast with the narrowing trend. Republicans opposing free trade: 61% - Shapiro cites a Pew poll showing Republicans increasingly reject free trade. Trump Tower traffic claim: 200 million page views a month - Shapiro says Breitbart’s traffic was built largely by riding the Trump wave. Trump debate count: 11 debates - Trump claims he has already been in 11 debates and likes being off the cuff.

Pivotal Quotes: "Truth matters. I'm not going to lie to you that polls only matter when Donald Trump is winning in the polls." — Ben Shapiro: He argues against dismissing unfavorable polling as fake or meaningless. "These polls, Dana, I'm honestly, we have to stop with these polls. They're insane with the polls." — Eric Bolling: Quoted as an example of Trump-friendly media figures dismissing polling. "The alt-right is a group of people who believe in nationalism and populism." — Ben Shapiro: He defines and criticizes the movement he says Bannon’s influence could empower.

Implications: Shapiro warns that normalizing lies and dismissing evidence will erode trust, intensify tribal politics, and distort elections. He suggests Trump’s only real path forward is discipline and debate performance, not denial of bad news.