Ep. 178 - Hillary Stars In 'The Walking Dead'

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s reaction to Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” remark and her sudden public collapse at the 9/11 memorial, arguing that her campaign and the media are deeply dishonest about her health and about Trump voters. He contrasts that with Trump’s more disciplined weekend response, then broadens into a critique of “lesser-evil” politics, media double standards, and cultural divisions over the national anthem protests.

Main Topics: Hillary Clinton’s “deplorables” comment (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Clinton’s remark was not a slip but an expression of a broader Democratic tendency to frame Trump supporters as morally inferior, using the label to dismiss political opposition rather than engage it. Clinton’s health crisis and media cover-up (Priority: 5/5): He focuses heavily on Clinton’s coughing fit, collapse at the 9/11 memorial, and shifting explanations (allergies, pneumonia, overheating), claiming the campaign and media were evasive and untrustworthy. Trump’s response and campaign discipline (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro praises Trump for avoiding inflammatory reactions, expressing basic sympathy, and promising to release his own medical information, calling this a rare example of restraint. Media bias and double standards (Priority: 5/5): The transcript repeatedly criticizes CNN, NBC, and other media figures for minimizing Clinton’s health concerns while scrutinizing Republicans more aggressively, especially comparing Clinton’s treatment to Romney’s 47% remark. Lesser-evil politics and moral decline (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro argues that voting primarily to stop the other candidate corrupts standards, encourages excusing bad behavior, and produces ever-worse candidates over time. National anthem protests and racial division (Priority: 3/5): In the closing segment, he condemns anthem protests as unnecessary and divisive, arguing they falsely frame the flag and country as inherently racist and create divisions that Americans do not actually share.

Key Arguments: Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” comment reflects a Democratic worldview that treats many non-Democratic voters as racist or morally defective rather than as legitimate political opponents. The Clinton campaign’s changing story about her condition undermines trust; once someone lies about health, every future explanation becomes suspect. The media demonstrated bias by dismissing health concerns as sexist or conspiratorial while later acknowledging that Clinton likely needed medical evaluation. Trump’s best political move in the episode was restraint: he expressed sympathy, called for her recovery, and said he would release his own physical results. Lesser-evil voting can normalize misconduct because each side excuses its own failings by pointing to the other side’s worse behavior. Conservatives should not redefine conservatism around Trump or justify harmful positions simply because Clinton is worse. Anthem protests are framed as creating false racial conflict and misrepresenting the American flag’s meaning as inherently racist.

Data Points: Trump support labeled by Clinton: “half of Trump’s supporters” - Clinton’s fundraiser remark about the “basket of deplorables” Alt-right share of Trump base: “No more than 5%” - Shapiro’s estimate that alt-right voters are only a small fringe of Trump’s coalition Heat/humidity on 9/11 memorial day: 75 degrees and breezy; around 40% humidity - Shapiro argues the weather did not justify Clinton’s collapse Clinton’s campaign timeline cited: six-step explanation - He mocks the shifting story: allergies, overheated, fine, pneumonia, contagious virus, etc. Romney’s 47% remark: 47% - Used as a comparison point for how media treated Romney versus Clinton Pneumonia/virus claim: half of her staff struck down - Campaign explanation offered after Clinton’s collapse Gold/IRA promotion: 800-496-6663 - Birch Gold ad read with phone number for a free kit Ring ad discount: $150 off - Ring.com offer for the Ring of Security Kit Podcast subscription price: $8 a month - DailyWire live subscriber access promotion

Pivotal Quotes: "You can put half of Trump's supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables, right? Racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic, you name it." — Hillary Clinton: Core quote that sparked the episode’s first major discussion "Real strength is leveling with the American people" — Hillary Clinton: Used by Shapiro ironically as Clinton’s earlier framing of strength versus Trump "I hope she gets well and gets back on the trail, and we'll be seeing her at the debate." — Donald Trump: Shapiro highlights this as the correct, restrained response to Clinton’s collapse

Implications: The segment warns that partisan tribalism, media spin, and moralized politics degrade democratic debate. For listeners, it suggests greater skepticism toward elite narratives and caution against excusing bad behavior simply because the other side seems worse.