Ep. 445 - Can Somebody Please Steal Trump’s Phone?

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Trump’s erratic Twitter behavior, Steve Bannon’s public attacks on Trump and his family, and the media’s response to both. Shapiro argues Bannon is no longer powerful, Trump’s tweets are unserious but politically risky because they can taint policies he supports, and the Russia/FBI/Fusion GPS controversies suggest real institutional bias and questionable investigative practices.

Main Topics: Steve Bannon’s loss of influence and attacks on Trump (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Bannon is desperate for relevance after leaving the White House and is now attacking Trump, Don Jr., Jared Kushner, and even Breitbart in ways that undermine himself more than anyone else. Trump’s North Korea and fake-news tweets (Priority: 5/5): Trump’s ‘bigger and more powerful button’ tweet and the planned ‘dishonest and corrupt media awards’ are treated as classic Trump theatrics—funny to supporters but destabilizing in tone. The Russia probe, Fusion GPS, and FBI/DOJ bias (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro discusses claims that the dossier and politically motivated actors inside government drove the Trump-Russia investigation, while comparing it to the softer treatment of Clinton-related issues. Policy achievements versus Trump’s toxic persona (Priority: 4/5): He warns that even if Trump is advancing policies Shapiro likes—tax cuts, Jerusalem embassy move, Iran support, regulations, judges—his personal toxicity could taint those achievements politically. Immigration, DACA, and chain migration (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro argues that chain migration is a bigger problem than the border wall and urges Trump to focus on ending chain migration rather than making a weak DACA deal. Crime, policing, and media narratives (Priority: 3/5): He criticizes a New York Times piece on Erica Garner and pushes back on claims that stop-and-frisk was unnecessary, arguing proactive policing helped reduce crime in New York. Culture-war commentary on Justin Timberlake (Priority: 2/5): Shapiro mocks media criticism of Timberlake’s country-themed album trailer, arguing that calls it a ‘white colonialist fantasy’ are absurd race-baiting.

Key Arguments: Steve Bannon is no longer a major political force; the media inflate him because he serves anti-Trump narratives. Bannon’s comments about Trump Jr. and Kushner are self-defeating and contradictory, especially given his own prior defense of Trump on 60 Minutes. Trump’s nuclear-button tweet is unserious bluster, not a credible sign of imminent nuclear war, though it reflects his instability. The greater foreign-policy risk is not Trump’s threats but his indifference or friendliness toward adversaries, which could embolden them. Trump’s policy record in the period discussed is substantively strong, but his online behavior may make those policies politically toxic. The Trump-Russia investigation has serious legitimacy questions because Fusion GPS, the Steele dossier, and politically motivated actors in the FBI/DOJ may have shaped it. Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin were treated too leniently compared with other security-related cases, suggesting double standards. Chain migration should be the priority immigration reform target because it expands immigration through extended-family sponsorship and is a larger long-term problem than the wall. Proactive policing and stop-and-frisk contributed to New York City’s crime decline; claims that they were irrelevant ignore broader citywide and demographic effects. Race-based cultural criticism of Justin Timberlake’s album trailer is overread and silly; not every aesthetic choice is a racialized political statement.

Data Points: Bannon’s quoted prediction: Robert Mueller’s investigation would ‘crack Don Jr. like an egg on national TV’ - Shapiro cites Bannon’s comments about the Russia probe and Don Jr. Trump quote on media awards: ‘the most dishonest and corrupt media awards of the year on Monday at 5 o’clock’ - Trump’s tweet announcing his planned criticism of the press. North Korea tweet wording: ‘I too have a nuclear button, but it is a much bigger and more powerful one than his. And my button works’ - Trump’s response to Kim Jong-un’s nuclear-button claim. Trump’s tweet count reference: ‘the 97th time that I personally know about’ - Opening joke about Steve Bannon losing his mind repeatedly. Helix Sleep offer: $50 off - Promotional code for the mattress sponsor. Skillshare offer: 3 months for 99 cents - Limited-time New Year offer mentioned mid-show. Stamps.com trial: 4-week trial plus postage and a digital scale - Sponsor offer for mailing/postage services. U.S. aid to Palestinians: $251 million in 2018 - Shapiro cites the budgeted amount for West Bank/Gaza aid. Black single motherhood rate: 20% in 1960; 70% today - Used to argue that current family breakdown cannot be explained solely by slavery-era oppression. Orrin Hatch tenure: 41 years - Shapiro notes Hatch’s long Senate career as he steps aside. Orrin Hatch age: 83 - Mentioned while discussing Hatch leaving the Senate. Fusion GPS testimony: 21 hours - Shapiro references congressional testimony by Fusion GPS founders.

Pivotal Quotes: "‘Steve Bannon is not a powerful figure. Steve Bannon doesn't know anything.’" — Ben Shapiro: His central dismissal of Bannon’s relevance after the former strategist attacked Trump and his family. "‘I too have a nuclear button, but it is a much bigger and more powerful one than his. And my button works.’" — Donald Trump: Trump’s tweet responding to Kim Jong-un’s nuclear-button boast. "‘Perhaps never have we seen a man whose profound sexual and masculine insecurities are literally threatening to annihilate the planet.’" — Anand Giridharadas (MSNBC analyst): Shapiro quotes the MSNBC reaction to Trump’s North Korea tweet as overblown analysis.

Implications: Shapiro warns that Trump’s policy wins could be undermined by his public persona, while the Russia and DOJ controversies may deepen distrust in institutions. He argues conservatives should focus on results, not tweet drama, and push immigration and policy reform.