Ep. 315 - Comey Saves Trump's Bacon, Democrats Weep

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s breakdown of James Comey’s testimony and leaked memo, arguing it undercuts the claim that Trump colluded with Russia or fired Comey to hide collusion, while still showing Trump acted improperly by pressuring Comey over Flynn and loyalty. The show also includes sponsor reads, media criticism, cultural commentary, and a segment defending skepticism of judicial review.

Main Topics: Comey testimony and Trump-Russia narrative (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Comey’s seven-page statement confirms Trump was not personally under investigation and weakens the Democratic claim that Trump fired Comey to cover up collusion with Russia. Trump’s pressure on Comey and obstruction concerns (Priority: 5/5): He concedes Trump behaved badly and inappropriately by pressing Comey on Flynn and asking for loyalty, but argues this does not clearly amount to obstruction of justice or prove a collusion cover-up. Media and partisan narrative shift (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro says the left’s initial Russia-collusion story failed, so media figures pivoted to an obstruction/pressure narrative, which he sees as weaker and hypocritical given prior Democratic outrage over Loretta Lynch and Hillary Clinton. Feminist and cultural commentary on Wonder Woman (Priority: 3/5): The opening segment praises Wonder Woman as a strong feminist heroine while mocking hardline feminist criticism and emphasizing that the film supports femininity, babies, and heterosexual romance. Political commentary on Bernie Sanders and Iran (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro criticizes Bernie Sanders for defending Iran in response to an ISIS attack, framing it as evidence of left-wing anti-Western and pro-Iran sympathies. Big Concepts: judicial review (Priority: 4/5): The episode’s educational segment critiques Marbury v. Madison and argues judicial review gives unelected judges too much final authority over constitutional meaning.

Key Arguments: Comey’s written testimony confirms Trump told him several times that he was not personally under investigation, which Shapiro says destroys the core collusion-cover-up narrative. Trump’s remarks about Flynn and loyalty were inappropriate, but Comey’s account does not show a clear attempt to end the Russia investigation itself. The Democratic case was oversold: instead of a narrow claim about pressure or norms, they alleged Trump was effectively a Russian asset, and the evidence did not support that. Comey’s own behavior shows he continued the investigation at full speed and did not stop it after Trump’s comments, undercutting claims of successful obstruction. If Obama had pressured the FBI or DOJ similarly, conservatives would have denounced it; Shapiro uses Loretta Lynch/Hillary as a parallel to show hypocrisy. The media’s new focus on obstruction is a fallback after the collusion theory failed, not a continuation of a proven case. Judicial review is portrayed as historically questionable because the Constitution does not explicitly grant courts the power to strike down laws on substantive grounds. The Wonder Woman discussion argues feminism should include strength, femininity, babies, and attraction to men, not man-hating or anti-beauty politics.

Data Points: Length of Comey testimony memo: 7 pages - Comey released a seven-page written statement before the hearing. Number of Comey-Trump conversations: 9 separate conversations in 4 months - Comey says he spoke with Trump nine times, three in person and six by phone. In-person vs phone meetings: 3 in person, 6 on the phone - Breakdown of the nine Trump-Comey interactions described by Comey. Date of first Trump meeting: January 6 - Trump Tower briefing where Comey discussed Russian interference and told Trump he was not personally under investigation. Date of dinner meeting: January 27 - Comey describes a one-on-one dinner in which Trump allegedly said he needed loyalty. Date of counterterrorism briefing: February 14 - Trump reportedly asked Comey to let Flynn go during an Oval Office meeting after others were asked to leave. Date of phone call about the 'cloud': March 30 - Trump said the Russia investigation was impairing his ability to act on behalf of the country. Date of final cited call: April 11 - Trump allegedly said the cloud was hurting his job performance and mentioned being 'very loyal' to Comey. Lyft driver tips paid: over $150 million - Advertiser claim about Lyft tips since the feature launched. Annual subscriber benefit: signed copy of Say It So - Daily Wire membership promotion. Amazon gift card promotion: at least $200 - Upside.com offer using promo code Ben.

Pivotal Quotes: "you will always get honesty from me" — James Comey: Comey recounts Trump saying he needed loyalty and Comey responding during the January 27 dinner. "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go." — James Comey: Comey’s account of the February 14 Oval Office meeting about Michael Flynn. "The administration then chose to defame me and, more importantly, the FBI by saying that the organization was in disarray" — James Comey: Comey’s opening public statement criticizing Trump’s decision to fire him.

Implications: The episode frames the Comey hearing as politically damaging to the collusion narrative but morally messy for Trump. It suggests future debate will center on obstruction, norms, and media framing rather than proven Russia collusion.