Ep. 364 - The Left Defends Evil Of Its Own

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Ben Shapiro argues that Charlottesville exposed a dangerous alliance between the left, the media, and the alt-right around violence and Confederate monuments. He condemns Antifa as violent, critiques calls for rioting as political strategy, and separately analyzes the honest and dishonest arguments for removing Confederate statues. He concludes both sides are using the controversy to intensify polarization and gain leverage.

Main Topics: Defense of Antifa by the left (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues that some left-wing commentators and outlets are legitimizing Antifa’s street violence, framing it as necessary anti-fascist resistance rather than vigilantism. Violence as political strategy (Priority: 5/5): The episode criticizes the idea that riots, rock-throwing, or street fights are effective tools against extremism, arguing they empower opponents and degrade civil order. Confederate statues and monuments (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro separates the emotional/political debate over Confederate memorials from the more serious historical and civic arguments about what monuments signify. Charlottesville and political demagoguery (Priority: 4/5): He claims both the left and the alt-right exploited Charlottesville to broaden their coalitions, while Trump also used the moment to advance his own framing. Republican response to Trump (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro discusses why many Republicans publicly defend Trump despite criticism, suggesting partisan dynamics and distrust of media motives shape their reactions. Historical analogies to Germany and riots (Priority: 4/5): He uses Weimar-era street violence and U.S. race riots as examples to argue that militant confrontation often strengthens extremist movements rather than stopping them.

Key Arguments: Antifa is portrayed as a violent, communist/anarchist movement that targets not just white supremacists but law-abiding people too. Calling for riots or street violence against fascists is counterproductive because it makes extremists look tougher, more victimized, and more visible. Several left-wing arguments in major media outlets are seen as openly endorsing or rationalizing violence, which Shapiro says is historically and morally wrong. The debate over Confederate statues is less about history itself than about political signaling and coalition-building by both sides. There are legitimate arguments for preserving some monuments as historical reminders and for removing others, especially where the monument’s intent is celebratory rather than educational. Trump’s strongest argument is the slippery-slope concern that removing Lee statues could lead to attacks on Washington, Jefferson, and broader American history. Republicans’ reluctance to condemn Trump, according to Shapiro, reflects media hostility and a belief that condemnation will be used as a weapon against them. Street confrontation with extremists historically helped the Nazis and other radical groups gain attention and recruits rather than suppressing them.

Data Points: Reported injuries: 1 journalist - A reporter at a Richmond, Virginia rally was struck by Antifa, resulting in a concussion and four staples in the head. Head wounds: 4 staples - Describing the journalist’s injury after being hit by an Antifa member. Antifa-related media coverage: minimal / not covered in any real way - Shapiro claims the mainstream media largely ignored the Richmond assault. Black family earnings in Detroit: 95% of white families’ earnings - He cites pre-riot Detroit as an example of relative economic progress before urban unrest. Time period in Detroit riots discussion: 1967-1968 - Used to discuss the aftermath of the Detroit riots and white flight. Nazis killed by communists (claimed): 29 - Richard Evans statistic cited for 1924-1929 in Weimar Germany. Workers killed by fascists (communist report): 92 - Communist-reported deaths from clashes with fascists between 1924 and 1930. Steel Helmets deaths: 26 - Veterans group casualties in the fight against communism. Nazi deaths in 1930: 17 - Escalation of political violence in Germany. Nazi deaths in 1931: 42 - Escalation of political violence in Germany. Nazi deaths in 1932: 84 - Year the Nazis effectively paved their way to power. Nazi rank-and-file wounded in 1932: nearly 10,000 - Shows scale of street clashes in the late Weimar period. Communist deaths in 1930: 44 - Deaths in fights with Nazis. Communist deaths in 1931: 52 - Deaths in fights with Nazis. Communist deaths in first half of 1932: 75 - Deaths in fights with Nazis. Dead in clashes to March 1931: 300 - Total dead in various political battles in Germany. Podcast subscription price: $9.99/month - DailyWire membership pitch for live shows and perks. Annual subscription price: $99/year - Includes live shows and the leftist tears mug.

Pivotal Quotes: "Antifa is a violent, vile group." — Ben Shapiro: Direct condemnation of Antifa while arguing the media understates its violence. "Paper alone won't drive them out. Start throwing rocks." — N.D.B. Connolly: Quoted by Shapiro as evidence of a left-wing academic explicitly endorsing violence against white supremacy. "The first anti-fascist fought Benito Mussolini's black shirts in the Italian countryside, exchanged fire with Adolf Hitler's brown shirts in the taverns and alleyways of Munich, and defended Madrid from Francisco Franco's insurgent nationalist army." — Mark Bray: Shapiro cites this MSNBC defense of Antifa to argue that historical analogies are being used to justify present-day street violence.

Implications: The episode frames rising political violence and monument disputes as mutually reinforcing. Listeners are urged to see how extremists on both sides exploit outrage, while mainstream institutions risk normalizing escalation instead of debate.