Ep. 381 - Will Trump’s Turn To The Center Last?

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Ben Shapiro argues Trump’s apparent move toward Democrats on DACA is not a durable ideological shift but a product of his oppositional instincts and desire for favorable press. He says Democrats will not compromise, Hillary Clinton remains unable to accept her loss and defaults to conspiracy and blame, and progressive policy ideas like Medicare for All are politically and fiscally reckless. The episode also pivots into culture commentary, praising older Disney films, mocking J.J. Abrams, fashion trends, and other viral moments.

Main Topics: Trump’s DACA pivot and border wall politics (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro says the White House signaled it will not insist on tying border wall funding to DACA legislation, interpreting this as Trump moving toward a deal with Democrats rather than executing a clever bargaining strategy. Trump as an oppositional political figure (Priority: 5/5): He argues Trump is driven less by ideology than by instinct and reaction: he bounces toward whoever pressures him, and any seeming alignment with Democrats is temporary because he thrives on conflict. Democrats’ inability to negotiate with Trump (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro contends Democrats are animated by hatred of Trump, making real compromise impossible; he predicts their public triumphalism will push Trump back toward Republicans. Hillary Clinton’s post-election blame narrative (Priority: 5/5): He criticizes Clinton’s book tour and interviews for blaming Russia, Comey, and aides instead of her own candidacy, portraying her as unwilling to admit the election was a referendum on her. Medicare for All and Democratic messaging (Priority: 4/5): He attacks the party’s embrace of single-payer healthcare as fiscally unsustainable and politically dangerous, arguing Democrats are repeating the same errors that cost them in 2016. Culture commentary: Disney, Jim Carrey, sports, and fashion (Priority: 3/5): The episode ends with lighter segments praising Pinocchio and Bambi as morally sophisticated, applauding Jim Carrey’s absurd Fashion Week interview, highlighting a great sports sideline gaffe, and criticizing avant-garde fashion as ugly and incoherent. Critique of J.J. Abrams and Star Wars (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro says Abrams is overrated, derivative, and responsible for damaging the Star Wars legacy, especially through The Force Awakens and the plan to return for Episode 9.

Key Arguments: Trump’s DACA posture shows he is willing to drop wall-funding leverage if it helps him get a deal and better press, suggesting his priorities are fluid rather than fixed. Trump is not building a stable governing coalition; he reacts to whoever last pressures or flatters him, so his political positioning will keep swinging. Democrats’ hatred of Trump prevents constructive bargaining; if they publicly claim victory, Trump is likely to reverse course out of instinctive opposition. Hillary Clinton lost because voters rejected her personally and politically; her continuing claims about Russia and Comey are evasions rather than serious explanations. Medicare for All would massively expand federal liabilities and worsen healthcare by crowding out doctors and inflating government commitments. Older Disney films embodied moral development and responsibility, while modern culture favors self-fulfillment and relativism. J.J. Abrams is seen as a derivative filmmaker whose storytelling choices have weakened the Star Wars franchise. Much of fashion and modern art is criticized as shock-driven, inaccessible, and detached from objective standards of beauty. Data Points: DACA age range in Obama-era policy: 16 to 30 - Shapiro describes the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals criteria as covering people who came to the U.S. as children and had no criminal record. Obama-era DACA start year: 2007 - He says beneficiaries had to have been in the country since 2007. Trump wall progress: Zero miles built in eight months - Cited from Ann Coulter to argue Trump’s wall promises have not been realized. White House public approval of wall linkage: Not tied to DACA equation - Mark Short’s statement that border security could be pursued in another legislative vehicle. Median employer response through ZipRecruiter: 80% within one day - Sponsor claim about the speed of receiving a quality candidate after posting a job. Movement Watches price point: Start at $95 - Used to contrast retail pricing with online direct-to-consumer sales. LendingTree average savings: $20,000 over the life of a loan - Sponsor claim about mortgage comparison shopping. Annual Daily Wire subscription price: $99 per year - Promotion for the annual membership offer. Monthly Daily Wire subscription price: $9.99 per month - Promotion for the standard subscription option. Medicare unfunded liabilities and debt: $58 trillion - Used to argue Medicare expansion is financially unsustainable. Projected new debt from Medicare for All: $14 trillion over 10 years - Shapiro estimates the cost of universal Medicare coverage. Potential long-run debt impact: Double or triple over 20 years - He predicts the 10-year cost would compound substantially over time. Convention of States threshold: 34 states needed - He references constitutional convention efforts as separate from Trump. Convention of States support level mentioned: 28 or 29 states - He says supporters were short of the required number.

Pivotal Quotes: "The president is not backing off a border wall." — Mark Short: White House Legislative Affairs Director on Trump’s DACA position and border security framing. "My first instinct was that my campaign should hit back hard and explain to the public that Comey had badly overstepped his bounds." — Hillary Clinton: Clinton reflecting on James Comey’s late-campaign email announcement and how her team handled it. "No right, no wrong, no rules, I'm free." — Frozen / quoted by Ben Shapiro: Used as shorthand for his critique that modern children’s entertainment celebrates self-creation over moral discipline.

Implications: Shapiro predicts Trump will keep oscillating between parties rather than forming a lasting centrist coalition, while Democrats’ anti-Trump identity may keep them from productive bargaining. He warns that progressive policy and cultural trends are moving toward symbolism over substance.