Ep. 213 - Leftists Keep Pushing Americans To Trump

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s account of campus speech controversies at DePaul and UW-Madison, arguing that university administrators enable protesters by prioritizing disruption over free expression. He then shifts to political commentary on Trump, the Electoral College, left-wing activism, and cultural/political idolization, followed by mailbag responses on governance, state secession, anger, stem cells, and constitutional reform.

Main Topics: Campus free speech battles at DePaul and UW-Madison (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro describes being blocked from DePaul, nearly arrested, and then disrupted at UW-Madison, framing both incidents as examples of administrative cowardice that empowers anti-speech protesters. The 'rioter's veto' and administrative complicity (Priority: 5/5): He argues that university leaders allowed small groups of protesters to shut down events, giving them de facto veto power over speech by threatening to cancel events if police removed disruptors. Merchandising/ad read segment (Priority: 1/5): A long promotional segment for Texture.com explains the app as a way to access magazines and articles on mobile devices, presented as a convenient subscription alternative. Reaction to the election and personality cults (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro criticizes both left and right for idolizing politicians, especially mocking intense pro-Hillary rhetoric and the emotional language used by Lena Dunham and others after Trump’s victory. Mailbag: Electoral College and democratic reform (Priority: 4/5): He says he is conflicted about the Electoral College, suggesting proportional allocation by states as a possible reform while noting its current winner-take-all incentives distort campaigning. Mailbag: governing philosophy and constitutional changes (Priority: 4/5): He advocates for a single-subject bill rule and limiting executive regulatory power, arguing that Congress should write precise laws instead of outsourcing lawmaking to agencies. Mailbag: Trump, unrest, and cultural polarization (Priority: 3/5): He comments on Trump’s 100-day plan, election demographics, campus protest anger, and the danger of treating emotion as proof of moral or political correctness.

Key Arguments: University administrators, not just protesters, are responsible for suppressing speech because they can choose to remove disruptors but instead protect them or shut down events. Small numbers of disruptive protesters should not be allowed to deny hundreds of attendees access to a lecture; this is the essence of the 'rioter's veto'. Political admiration becomes dangerous when it turns into worship of leaders rather than support for ideas or policy. The Electoral College may need reform, and proportional allocation by state could better reflect votes while preserving the institution. Congress should be forced to legislate clearly and briefly; omnibus bills and broad regulatory delegation undermine democratic accountability. Anger is not inherently justification for violence or disruption; claims of emotional pain do not prove moral rightness. Trump’s presidency should be judged on actual actions, not speculation, and early praise or condemnation is premature. Embryonic stem cell research raises moral problems when new lines are created, though existing lines need not be discarded.

Data Points: Universities involved: 2 - DePaul University and University of Wisconsin-Madison are the two campuses discussed in the opening segment. Security presence at DePaul: About 30 guards - Shapiro says roughly 30 university security guards confronted him on campus. Local police presence at DePaul: 5 or 6 cops plus the Cook County sheriff - He describes additional police presence positioned for a possible arrest. Protesters at DePaul: 0 - He emphasizes that there were no protesters present despite the preemptive security response. Audience size at UW-Madison: 450 attendees - He contrasts the crowd with the small number of protesters who could have disrupted the event. Police assigned at UW-Madison: 3 cops - He says only three officers were assigned to manage the event and potential protests. Facebook group name: F. White Supremacy, interrupting Ben Shapiro - He cites a secret group allegedly organizing the disruption at UW-Madison. Focus group response: 15 of 23 people - He references a poll/focus group result about what would make people stop supporting a candidate. Electoral college reform threshold: Two thirds of states - He explains that a constitutional convention of the states would require two-thirds of the states. Estimated Trump 100-day plan approval: About two-thirds good, one-third crap - He summarizes his prior assessment of Trump’s early policy agenda. White non-college-educated vote for Trump: 70% - He cites this percentage to discuss demographic realignment in the election.

Pivotal Quotes: "This is the rioter's veto, and it only exists thanks to the cowardice of administrators." — Ben Shapiro: His conclusion about university leaders enabling protesters to control campus speech. "I love her. I am in awe of her. I am set free by her. She will be the finest world leader our galaxy has ever seen." — Virginia Heffernan (quoted by Ben Shapiro): Shapiro reads and mocks an example of intense pro-Hillary political devotion. "If your adherence is to ideology and philosophy instead of to a person, you're going to be much better off putting out your faith in Prince's game." — Ben Shapiro: He argues against personality cults and for loyalty to principles over politicians.

Implications: The episode frames campus speech as increasingly vulnerable to activist pressure and administrative appeasement, while also reflecting post-election polarization. For listeners, it signals likely ongoing fights over protest tactics, institutional neutrality, and the limits of political loyalty.