Ep. 466 - Memo Fight 2018!

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on the 2018 "memo fight" over alleged FBI/DOJ bias in the Clinton and Trump-Russia investigations, arguing that both parties are using incomplete information for partisan ends. It also covers related Trump-world scandals, media bias exemplified by Michael Wolff and TV punditry, and broader cultural critiques of activism in schools and politics.

Main Topics: MemoGate 2018 and the Nunes memo (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro frames the four-page House Intelligence Committee memo as a high-stakes but overhyped fight over FBI conduct in the Clinton and Trump-Russia investigations, stressing that no one has seen the underlying materials and that both sides are arguing from authority. FBI conduct in the Hillary Clinton email investigation (Priority: 5/5): He argues there is substantial evidence the FBI and Obama-era officials handled Clinton’s classified-email case in a politically compromised way, citing delayed disclosure of emails and prior reporting on coordination between DOJ/FBI and the White House. Trump-Russia probe and the Steele dossier controversy (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro questions whether the memo proves corruption in the Trump-Russia investigation, noting the allegation that the Steele dossier was used improperly for a FISA warrant, but saying the public lacks enough evidence to make that leap. Competing narratives from Republicans and Democrats (Priority: 4/5): He criticizes Republicans for implying the Clinton and Trump matters prove a unified anti-Trump conspiracy, and Democrats for insisting the FBI is entirely clean, calling both sides partisan and possibly deceptive. Additional Trump-related scandals and leaks (Priority: 4/5): The show discusses reports involving Hope Hicks, Mark Corallo, Rod Rosenstein, and Peter Strzok, using them to illustrate how the Russia investigation continues to generate new allegations and counter-allegations. Media bias and credibility problems (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro attacks media figures and outlets for building up Michael Wolff, staging partisan segments, and selectively amplifying narratives that favor the left, arguing this fuels public distrust. Cultural and educational critiques (Priority: 3/5): He closes with commentary on Bach and the value of objective standards in art, then criticizes Tommy Lahren’s rhetoric and an Edina, Minnesota school district for replacing academic rigor with identity-politics-centered curricula.

Key Arguments: The public cannot responsibly judge the memo because neither the memo nor the underlying classified material has been released. The FBI likely acted corruptly or at least improperly in the Clinton email investigation, but that does not automatically prove wrongdoing in the Trump-Russia probe. Republicans damage their credibility when they suggest the memo will end Mueller without proving it. Democrats damage their credibility when they claim the FBI is uniformly clean and any criticism is merely a Trump cover-up. Trump could declassify the underlying materials directly, so the memo theatrics are politically suspicious. The media’s habit of elevating partisan guests and sensational books creates a distorted public narrative. Educational programs focused on racial equity and activism can crowd out actual instruction and correlate with poor academic results.

Data Points: FBI notification timeline: Andrew McCabe reportedly learned about Clinton-related emails on September 28, 2016; Comey informed Congress on October 28, 2016 - Used to argue the FBI sat on information for about a month before alerting Congress Memo length: 4 pages - The House Intelligence Committee memo at the center of the controversy Trump administration action window: 5 days - Shapiro says if Trump returns the memo to the committee without vetoing it, it could still be released after five days Dollar Shave Club promo: $5 - First month starter offer discussed in the ad read Boll & Branch discount: $50 off - Promo for first set of sheets Man Crates discount: 5% off - Discount offered through the show’s referral link Black student reading proficiency (Edina): 45.5% to 46.4% - Reading proficiency increased slightly from 2014 to 2017 Black student on-track reading (Edina): 48% to 44% - Reading progress indicator declined from 2014 to 2017 Black student math proficiency (Edina): 50% to 47% - Math proficiency declined from 2014 to 2017 Black student on-track math (Edina): 51% to 44% - Math progress indicator declined from 2014 to 2017 11th grade black math proficiency (Edina Senior High): 31% to 14% - Largest decline cited over the period discussed 10th grade black reading proficiency (Edina): 52% to 40% - Reading performance decline cited for high school students

Pivotal Quotes: "Either somebody's lying or everybody's lying." — Ben Shapiro: Summarizing the memo controversy and the mutually contradictory claims from Republicans, Democrats, and the FBI "We have grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo's accuracy." — FBI statement: The FBI’s public objection to releasing the Nunes memo "This is earth-shaking, and it does go deeper than Watergate." — Steve King: Republican escalation of the memo’s significance

Implications: Shapiro warns the memo fight could deepen distrust in the FBI, DOJ, media, and both parties if claims outpace evidence. He urges patience until the underlying documents are released, while suggesting partisan overreach will trigger major blowback.