Ep. 444 - It's a Brand New Year!

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Iran’s mass protests and Ben Shapiro’s argument that Trump’s pro-protester stance is morally and strategically superior to Obama-era caution. It also critiques media coverage of Iran, discusses New York Times reporting on the Russia investigation and campaign-finance revelations involving Hillary-linked donors, and closes with commentary on Logan Paul’s suicide-forest video, social-media pile-ons, CNN’s New Year’s antics, and a brief Federalist No. 9 civics segment.

Main Topics: Iran protests and U.S. response (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro frames the demonstrations as a major uprising against a brutal regime and argues the U.S. should openly support protesters and accelerate covert help to undermine the Islamic Republic. Trump vs. Obama on moral leadership (Priority: 5/5): He contrasts Trump’s outspoken support for Iranian dissidents with Obama’s deference to Iranian sovereignty and defense of the nuclear deal, calling Obama’s Iran policy a major failure. Media and left-wing reaction (Priority: 5/5): The episode criticizes CNN, the New York Times, Susan Rice, Samantha Power, Ben Rhodes, and others for what Shapiro sees as apologetics for Iran and hostility toward Trump. Russia dossier and FBI origins debate (Priority: 3/5): He summarizes a New York Times report disputing the idea that the Steele dossier started the Russia investigation, while noting that it still does not resolve concerns about bias and process. Hillary-linked funding for anti-Trump allegations (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro highlights reporting that donors tied to Hillary Clinton and David Brock helped fund Lisa Bloom’s work related to sexual-misconduct claims against Trump, arguing it raises questions about political manipulation. Logan Paul, suicide, and social-media outrage (Priority: 4/5): He condemns Paul’s suicide-forest video as grotesque but argues the online backlash and calls to destroy his career reflect a broader punishment culture. Federalist No. 9 and constitutional checks and balances (Priority: 3/5): The closing civics segment explains Hamilton’s defense of republican government, federalism, and checks and balances as a safeguard against both tyranny and anarchy.

Key Arguments: Trump is right to publicly side with Iranian protesters because a repressive regime should not be shielded by diplomatic niceties. Obama’s approach to Iran prioritized the nuclear deal and regional appeasement over human rights, making his record on Iran a major presidential stain. The left and much of the media resist criticizing Iran honestly because they are embarrassed by Obama’s legacy and often view America itself as morally suspect. Iran’s rulers and their U.S. sympathizers exploit left-wing critiques of America to deflect attention from real oppression. The New York Times and CNN are portrayed as minimizing Iranian repression by emphasizing moderation claims, sovereignty, or Trump criticism instead of regime violence. The Russia-investigation story remains unresolved because even if the dossier was not the initial trigger, the FBI’s use of politically tainted material and internal anti-Trump bias still matter. Campaign-finance support for sexual-misconduct allegations against Trump suggests partisan coordination that complicates the narrative around the 2016 election. Logan Paul’s conduct was wrong, but internet mobs that seek to annihilate careers after a public apology create a harsh and performative moral culture. Hamilton’s Federalist No. 9 argues that a well-designed republic with layered checks and balances can avoid both despotism and instability.

Data Points: Deaths in Iran protests: 15 people - Shapiro cites reported deaths during the Iranian demonstrations. Arrests in Iran protests: hundreds - He says Iranian authorities arrested hundreds of dissidents. Conversion-related prison sentence: 10 years - He references Christians in Iran sentenced for converting to Christianity. Number of Christians sentenced: about 11 - Shapiro says roughly eleven newly converted Christians received long prison terms. CNN reporter quote about Trump golfing: 1 white truck blocking the shot - He describes CNN anger over a truck obscuring footage of Trump golfing. YouTube followers of Logan Paul: about 9.4 million - He notes Paul’s massive audience while discussing the suicide-forest video. Years with zero U.S. commercial aviation deaths: since 2008 - He rebuts Trump’s claim of a record-safe 2017 by noting no U.S. commercial aviation deaths for years. Donation to Lisa Bloom firm: $200,000 - He cites reporting that a Hillary-linked donor helped fund work against Trump. Additional donor contribution: $500,000 - He cites a second donor tied to the same effort. Annual Daily Wire subscription price: $99/year - Promotional mention for listeners. Monthly Daily Wire subscription price: $9.99/month - Promotional mention for listeners. ZipRecruiter promotion: free posting - He advertises posting jobs for free through the sponsor link.

Pivotal Quotes: "Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever." — Donald Trump: Trump’s reaction to the Iranian protests, replayed by Shapiro as evidence of moral leadership. "Brave Iranians are pouring into the streets. They seek freedom. They seek justice. They seek the basic liberties that have been denied to them for decades." — Benjamin Netanyahu: Shapiro uses Netanyahu’s statement to reinforce support for the protests. "We stand with the Iranian people so much that we won't let them come here." — Samantha Power: Shapiro quotes Power mocking Trump’s Iran stance and travel ban.

Implications: Listeners are left with a strongly interventionist, anti-appeasement view of Iran, skepticism toward media narratives, and concern about online punishment culture. The episode also reinforces a constitutionalist reading of federalism and checks and balances.