Ep. 1720 - Is This The New George Floyd?

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that the Jordan Neely subway death was driven more by public-safety failure and media racial framing than by race itself, while also criticizing New York’s crime and climate policies, Biden-era immigration and banking failures, and education decline. The show then pivots to conservative cultural commentary, film recommendations, and an interview on Christian support for Israel and Holocaust survivors.

Main Topics: Jordan Neely subway death and media framing (Priority: 5/5): The host says Neely’s death followed a public-subway confrontation involving a mentally ill, repeatedly arrested man and a white Marine who used a submission hold to stop him. He argues the press and activists are converting it into a racial martyr narrative, ignoring broader failures in policing, mental health commitment, and public safety. New York governance, crime, and gas-stove ban (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro contrasts New York’s inability to handle crime and mentally ill street homelessness with its push to ban gas hookups in new buildings. He frames this as a sign of distorted priorities: weak law enforcement paired with aggressive climate regulation. Biden administration crises: immigration, child labor, and banking (Priority: 5/5): The show claims the Biden administration is failing on multiple fronts: mass illegal immigration, migrant children being exploited in labor, and ongoing regional bank instability after rate hikes. It argues these are evidence of broader systemic mismanagement. Clarence Thomas and selective media scrutiny (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro contends that ProPublica and other outlets are manufacturing scandal around Justice Clarence Thomas’s family support from Harlan Crow while ignoring more serious conflicts elsewhere, such as Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s book-related payments from Penguin Random House. Education decline and pandemic school closures (Priority: 4/5): The host cites falling civics and U.S. history scores and blames school closures, teachers’ unions, and progressive education priorities. He rejects claims that the Biden administration prioritized reopening schools and argues the system now values ideological content over literacy and civic knowledge. Cultural commentary and sponsor segments (Priority: 2/5): The episode includes praise for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two trailer and criticism of corporate punishment over a racial slur read in rap lyrics, plus a joke controversy involving P.K. Subban and commentary on trans identity discourse. Interview on Israel and Christian-Jewish charity (Priority: 3/5): Yael Eckstein of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews discusses aid for Holocaust survivors, refugees from Ukraine, and bomb-shelter/security support in Israel. The segment emphasizes humanitarian cooperation and Israel’s diversity and resilience.

Key Arguments: The Jordan Neely incident is presented as a public-safety failure first and a racial issue second; the host argues that a mentally ill, repeatedly arrested person was left unmanaged by the city and that civilians stepped in because police did not. Neely’s death is said to have been caused by a submission hold, not a malicious chokehold, and the host insists the Marine stopped once Neely became unresponsive. Media and activists are allegedly using the case to recreate a George Floyd-style narrative, turning a complex public-order incident into a racial grievance story. Shapiro argues that New York’s leaders have prioritized climate symbolism like gas-stove restrictions over basic policing and mental health interventions. The Biden administration is blamed for enabling chaos at the border, including labor exploitation of migrant children and a looming surge after Title 42 ends. The banking crisis is portrayed as unresolved, with regional banks vulnerable to rate hikes and deposit flight. The host claims the press is selectively targeting conservatives like Clarence Thomas while ignoring Democratic justices’ comparable or worse ethical issues. Declining student scores are attributed to school shutdowns, progressive pedagogy, and the wider ideological capture of education. The interview segment argues that Christian donors are providing lifesaving humanitarian aid to Jews, Holocaust survivors, and Israelis in practical, nonpolitical ways. Israel’s security challenges are framed as a context in which civilians and NGOs often play a direct role in saving lives amid terror attacks.

Data Points: Jordan Neely prior arrests: 44 prior arrests - Used to argue he had a long violent and criminal history before the subway incident. Neely age: 30 years old - Described as a homeless man with mental illness and an extensive arrest record. Marine age: 24 years old - Identified as the passenger who subdued Neely on the subway. Subway conductor response: 911 was called - Reported during the incident at Broadway-Lafayette/Bleecker Street station. Outstanding warrant: Assault of a 67-year-old woman - Cited to reinforce the claim that Neely remained a public danger. New York gas-stove law: 2026 / 2029 - All-electric heating and cooking required in new buildings shorter than seven stories by 2026 and taller buildings by 2029. State budget: $229 billion - The budget that included the natural-gas ban in new buildings. Migrant children: More than 250,000 - The New York Times investigation cited this number of unaccompanied minors entering the U.S. over two years. Child labor investigation result: Thousands - Reported as migrant children ending up in dangerous work such as slaughterhouses and factories. Border manpower: 1,500 troops - The Biden administration sent troops to the border ahead of Title 42’s end. Potential daily border crossings: 10,000 per day - The host cited this as a projected wave after Title 42 expires. Fed rate hike: 25 basis points - The Federal Reserve raised rates again, while hinting at a possible pause. Total rate hikes since cycle began: 5 percentage points in 14 months - Powell’s description of the Fed’s tightening campaign. Unemployment rate: 3.5% - Powell noted unemployment remained low despite tightening. PacWest stock move: Up 28% on Tuesday - Mentioned in the context of investor flight and regional bank stress. Clarence Thomas tuition: More than $6,000 a month - Cost of the boarding school tuition allegedly paid by Harlan Crow. Sotomayor book income: $3.6 million - Cited as payments from Penguin Random House or subsidiaries while she participated in related cases. Eighth-grade U.S. history proficiency: 13% - NAEP data cited to show record-low student performance. Eighth-grade civics proficiency: About 20% - Used to argue civic knowledge is sharply declining. Average 2022 U.S. history score: 258/500 - Nation’s Report Card score cited as evidence of broad academic decline. Christian donors: Over 700,000 donors - International Fellowship of Christians and Jews donor base described by Yael Eckstein. People helped last year: Over 2 million - The fellowship’s claimed reach in Israel and the former Soviet Union. Bomb shelters built: 5,500+ - Security infrastructure supported by the fellowship in Israel. Zionist population stat: 20%+ non-Jews in Israel - Used in the interview to emphasize Israel’s diversity and equal rights.

Pivotal Quotes: "There is no third choice where psychotically violent people just run around being psychotically violent with no repercussions whatsoever." — Ben Shapiro: Argument that the city’s failure to police disorder forces civilians to intervene. "Jordan Neely was murdered." — AOC (as quoted by Ben Shapiro): Shapiro cites this tweet as an example of activists reframing the subway death as racial violence. "We have to get away from the blame game." — Anthony Fauci: Discussing criticism over school closures and pandemic-era decisions.

Implications: The episode argues that public safety, border control, education standards, and institutional trust are deteriorating because leaders prioritize ideology over effective governance. It suggests future political conflict will hinge on whether voters accept these narratives.