Ep. 318 - The Get-Trump Brigade

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that athletes have every right to skip White House visits, but Ben Shapiro says the practice itself should end because it politicizes sports and treats athletes like subjects. He then pivots to Trump-Russia investigations, warning Trump to avoid ego-driven mistakes, defend himself carefully, and not jeopardize credibility by threatening Mueller or obsessing over tapes. The show closes with praise for Megyn Kelly’s Alex Jones interview and criticism of celebrity/activist culture and virtue signaling.

Main Topics: Warriors and the White House tradition (Priority: 5/5): The segment begins with rumors that the Golden State Warriors may refuse a White House visit, then broadens into a critique of the entire tradition of championship teams visiting presidents. Shapiro argues athletes can refuse, but the custom should be abolished because it is a ceremonial holdover that invites politics into sports. Jeff Sessions testimony and Trump-Russia scrutiny (Priority: 5/5): A major focus is the upcoming Senate Intelligence Committee testimony by Jeff Sessions. Shapiro says Democrats will likely press Sessions on Kislyak meetings, Comey’s vague comments, recusal, and why Sessions advised firing Comey, while arguing the allegations are being exaggerated for political purposes. Trump’s personality and political self-sabotage (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro repeatedly warns that Trump’s volatile, ego-driven behavior creates unnecessary problems. He argues Trump has defensible positions on Comey and Russia, but undermines himself by making impulsive statements, overplaying loyalty theater, and talking about tapes. Efforts to delegitimize Mueller (Priority: 4/5): The episode covers rumors that Trump might fire special counsel Robert Mueller and commentary attacking Mueller’s staffing choices. Shapiro says trying to discredit Mueller is a mistake because it makes Trump look guilty and hands Democrats a political advantage. Megyn Kelly’s interview with Alex Jones (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro defends Kelly’s decision to interview Alex Jones, saying Jones is a highly relevant public figure with ties to Trump and a large audience. He praises Kelly for confronting Jones on his Sandy Hook comments instead of platforming him uncritically. Culture-war segments: Katy Perry, Tony Awards, and virtue signaling (Priority: 3/5): The final section attacks celebrity and entertainment culture, including Katy Perry’s apology over cultural appropriation and the Tony Awards’ anti-Trump tone. Shapiro frames both as examples of insular left-wing moralizing disconnected from ordinary audiences.

Key Arguments: Athletes have a right to skip White House visits, but the tradition itself should be eliminated because it is unnecessary, politicized, and treats presidents like monarchs. Democrats are using Jeff Sessions’ testimony and the Trump-Russia narrative as another attempt to damage Trump politically after the Russia-collusion story lost momentum. Sessions has plausible explanations for the controversial issues raised against him, especially because his Kislyak interactions were limited and not obviously improper. Trump’s real problem is not always the underlying facts of each controversy but his habit of making avoidable, ego-driven statements that worsen the optics. Firing or attacking Mueller would be politically disastrous because it would make Trump appear to be obstructing an investigation rather than cooperating with it. Megyn Kelly was justified in interviewing Alex Jones because journalism should confront influential and dangerous figures, not avoid them. Much of modern celebrity activism and awards-show politics is performative virtue signaling that alienates the public and reduces entertainment quality.

Data Points: Warriors White House rumor: unanimous refusal reported by several major sites - Rumors discussed at the start regarding the NBA champion Golden State Warriors Patriots White House boycott: Earlier this year - Referenced as a prior example of athletes skipping a presidential visit to protest Trump Tim Thomas White House refusal: 2011 - Boston Bruins goalie declined a White House visit to meet President Obama First sports team White House visit: 1865 - ESPN report cited for the Brooklyn Atlantics and Washington Nationals First World Series champions visit: 1924 - Washington Senators were the first World Series champions to visit the White House First NBA champions White House visit: 1963 - Boston Celtics visited with JFK First NCAA champions White House visit: 1976 - ESPN cited for collegiate champions visiting the White House Trump cabinet praise session: Multiple cabinet members thanked Trump publicly in front of cameras - Shown during the White House meeting criticized as flattery and humiliation Special counsel hiring donations: 3 of 5 lawyers - CNN-reported figure about Mueller’s legal team with FEC-record political donations Maximum individual donation: $2,700 - Two of Mueller’s lawyers allegedly gave this maximum amount to Hillary Clinton

Pivotal Quotes: "All of these people have the absolute right not to stand next to a president they don't like." — Ben Shapiro: On athletes refusing White House celebrations "The presidency is not a ceremonial position, it is an executive one." — Ben Shapiro: Argument for ending championship teams’ White House visits "If you want Trump to succeed, he needs to be good at this job." — Ben Shapiro: Advice that Trump should avoid ego-driven mistakes and preserve credibility

Implications: The episode suggests Trump should prioritize discipline and restraint to survive investigations, while the broader culture war will keep merging politics, entertainment, and media spectacle. It also argues traditional sports-politics rituals are outdated and should end.