Ep. 382 - Hillary’s Big Blame Game

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s critique of Hillary Clinton’s post-election book tour, arguing she blames the media, Comey, Russia, sexism, Bernie Sanders, and voters rather than her own candidacy. He also analyzes Democratic strategy, predicts tension in 2018/2020 messaging, discusses Trump’s dealmaking with Pelosi and Schumer, previews Berkeley security around his speech, criticizes ESPN over Jemele Hill, and closes with a Bible reflection on human potential and responsibility.

Main Topics: Hillary Clinton’s post-election blame tour (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Clinton’s book and media appearances portray her loss as the result of external villains—press bias, James Comey, Russia, sexism, Sanders, and nonvoting citizens—while avoiding self-criticism. Democratic Party identity and electoral strategy (Priority: 5/5): He contends Democrats are stuck in a pattern of scorn toward voters and are moving too far left on economics, which he says tests poorly outside the activist base. Trump’s political position and deal-making (Priority: 4/5): The show examines whether Trump is becoming ‘Teflon’ and how working with Pelosi and Schumer complicates Democrats’ efforts to depict him as uniquely dangerous. Berkeley speech and campus security (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro gives logistical updates on his Berkeley event, ticket availability, and security measures, framing the event as a symbol of free-speech conflict and left-wing protests. ESPN, politics, and Jemele Hill (Priority: 3/5): He criticizes ESPN’s handling of Hill’s anti-Trump tweets and argues the network has become overly political, alienating viewers who want sports coverage. Technology and cultural decline (Priority: 2/5): He reacts negatively to Apple’s iPhone X facial-recognition emoji feature, using it as an example of advanced technology being used for trivial or degrading purposes. Bible talk: potential and responsibility (Priority: 2/5): Shapiro closes by reflecting on Isaiah and the idea that humans and the world possess latent potential that must be actively realized through free will and responsibility.

Key Arguments: Hillary Clinton lost largely because she was a deeply unpopular candidate, not because of a single external factor. The media are biased leftward, but they were especially sycophantic toward Clinton during the primaries, helping create her eventual collapse. Clinton’s framing of 1984 and authoritarianism is backwards; the novel is about distrusting propaganda and authority, not Trump’s criticism of institutions. James Comey and Russia mattered, but Clinton’s campaign benefited for months from Comey’s earlier handling of the email probe, so blaming him alone is selective. Democrats’ habit of sneering at voters and labeling them sexist, racist, or ignorant is politically toxic and helps drive support toward Trump. Policies like free college, $15 minimum wage, and Medicare for All poll poorly with non-base voters and risk worsening Democratic general-election prospects. Trump’s willingness to work with Democrats makes it harder for them to sustain a purely anti-Trump messaging strategy. ESPN should be focused on sports, and its political commentary culture has created incentives for social-media activism like Hill’s. Shapiro argues technological innovation should be used to improve life meaningfully, not to create trivial features like animated poop emojis. People must take responsibility for their own potential rather than blame external forces for failure.

Data Points: Berkeley event ticket sellout time: 45 minutes - Shapiro says the Berkeley speech sold out quickly after release. Upper tier seats closed: 1,000 seats - He says Berkeley closed additional seating over security fears. Berkeley City Council vote: 6 to 3 - He references a vote allowing pepper spray against violent offenders. Pepper spray ban duration: 20 years - He says Berkeley had a long-standing ban on using pepper spray against violent protesters. Philadelphia suburbs polling shift: 26 points ahead to 13 points ahead - Clinton claims the Comey letter reduced her lead among suburban voters. Needed margin in Pennsylvania suburbs: 18 points - Clinton says she needed a specific suburban margin to offset the rest of the state. Clinton campaign media coverage quote: 32 minutes in a whole year - Clinton complains about limited policy coverage in the media. Trump and Democrats on who fights for people like me: 50% each in February; Democrats +17 points later - Shapiro cites a poll shift discussed in the segment about Democratic advantage among voters. Generic congressional ballot: Democrats up 6 to 8 points - He notes current midterm polling favors Democrats. Oklahoma special state election margin: +31 Democrat - He cites a state legislative race as evidence of Democratic strength. My Patriot Supply food deal: $99 for 102 servings - Sponsor mention for emergency food supplies. Food cost per serving: Less than $1 per serving - Sponsor promotion for emergency preparedness supplies. Daily Wire subscription price: $9.99/month or $99/year - Membership offer with show access and merchandise.

Pivotal Quotes: "The goal is to make you question logic and reason and to sow mistrust. Or Trump, as with so much he does, it's about simple dominance." — Hillary Clinton (quoted by Shapiro): Shapiro reads Clinton’s book claim about 1984 and critiques its interpretation. "You didn't vote? How could you not vote? You abdicated your responsibility as a citizen at the worst possible time." — Hillary Clinton: Shapiro highlights Clinton’s description of confronting nonvoters. "It's kind of sad. It's a little bit sad." — Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Shapiro plays Sanders’ response to Clinton’s post-election blame and book promotion.

Implications: Shapiro argues Democrats remain trapped in resentment politics, which may weaken their national appeal even if Trump stays unpopular. He suggests 2018/2020 outcomes will depend on whether Democrats abandon elitism and whether Trump can keep exploiting their message failures.