Ep. 490 - As The Globalists Turn

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Gary Cohn’s resignation amid Trump’s push for steel and aluminum tariffs, which Shapiro argues will harm markets and reflect bad economic reasoning and chaotic White House management. He broadens the critique to Congress’s failure to check executive overreach, discusses a push for a second special counsel over alleged FISA abuses, and briefly covers immigration, Russia sanctions, Stormy Daniels, media bias, and cultural commentary.

Main Topics: Gary Cohn’s exit and the Trump tariff pivot (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro frames Cohn’s resignation as the result of Trump sidelining free-trade advisers in favor of Peter Navarro and a protectionist tariff agenda, arguing the move was chaotic and economically misguided. Market and economic critique of tariffs (Priority: 5/5): He argues tariffs are taxes that will hurt consumers, downstream industries, and the broader economy, while the trade-deficit rationale is economically meaningless. White House turnover and leadership chaos (Priority: 4/5): The transcript emphasizes repeated departures, public intra-White House attacks, and the difficulty of recruiting talent into an unstable administration. Congressional weakness and executive overreach (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Congress has the constitutional power to stop unilateral tariff action but lacks the courage to use it, reflecting a broader collapse of legislative accountability. Second special counsel for FISA/DOJ abuses (Priority: 4/5): He supports calls from Republican lawmakers for a special counsel to investigate alleged FISA abuses and misconduct in the Obama-era DOJ/FBI. Selective praise and criticism of Trump’s other actions (Priority: 3/5): He credits Trump on Russia sanctions and recognizing Sweden’s immigration issues, while mocking the Stormy Daniels lawsuit and Trump’s personal misconduct. Media, tech, and cultural bias (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro criticizes Google/Facebook/YouTube algorithms as favoring legacy and left-leaning outlets, and attacks Neil deGrasse Tyson’s view of art as ideological propaganda.

Key Arguments: Tariffs are economically harmful because they function as taxes on consumers and businesses, not as free gains for the nation. Trade deficits do not measure economic success or failure; rich countries can run deficits and weak countries can run surpluses. Trump’s tariff push is motivated more by nostalgia and political symbolism than by sound economics. The White House’s high turnover and internal factional warfare make effective governance and talent retention nearly impossible. Congress could revoke or limit the president’s tariff authority but avoids responsibility and prefers to complain rather than act. A special counsel on FISA abuse is warranted because the DOJ/FBI credibility problem requires independent review. Trump is occasionally right on immigration and Russia sanctions, but his personal conduct and policy process are still flawed. Tech platforms and mainstream media are biased against conservatives and are consolidating power in favor of legacy institutions.

Data Points: Dow Jones Industrial Average: down 338 points - Shapiro cites market reaction to tariff uncertainty and White House turmoil. Steel industry share of U.S. economy: approximately the same since 1983 - He argues steel’s role in the economy has been stable for decades. Steel production employment reduction: 25% as many employees as before - He says technology, not trade, explains fewer steel jobs. White House turnover list: Rob Porter, Hope Hicks, Josh Raffel, Gary Cohn, McMaster expected out - He highlights rapid staff churn in the Trump administration. Executive branch civilian employment: 1.8 million (2015) - Used to illustrate growth of federal bureaucracy. Executive branch employment in 1940: 700,000 - Shows long-term expansion of the executive branch. Federal executive branch growth since 1940: tripled - Shapiro argues bureaucracy has massively expanded over time. Pittsburgh unemployment rate: 4.6% (September 2017) - Used as an example of a post-industrial city doing well after shifting to services/healthcare. Pennsylvania unemployment rate: higher than Pittsburgh - He contrasts Pittsburgh favorably with the state average. Philadelphia unemployment rate: 6.0% - Used to underscore Pittsburgh’s relative strength. Federal workers at selected agencies: 325,000 VA; 233,000 Army; 196,000 Navy; 54,000 DOT; 74,000 Agriculture; almost 4,000 Education; 15,000 Energy - Illustrates the size and scope of the federal executive branch. Trade barrier authority: Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act (1962) - Explains the legal basis Trump is using for unilateral tariffs. Steel tariffs under Bush: 2001-2003 - Shapiro notes a prior tariff episode that ended badly. Jobs lost during prior steel tariffs: about 200,000 - Cited as evidence tariffs can harm the broader economy. Republicans believing trade war is easy to win: 65% - Referenced as a poll showing GOP support for Trump’s approach. Tommy John promo: 20% off first order - Sponsor mention during the podcast. Zeal promo: $20 off first sleep massage - Sponsor mention during the podcast. Ring promo: up to $150 off a security kit - Sponsor mention during the podcast.

Pivotal Quotes: "Gary Cohn is out. Tariffs are in." — Ben Shapiro: Opening framing of the day’s central political story. "If you kiss Trump's ass, there's a very good shot that his policy is going to become your policy." — Ben Shapiro: Explains how internal White House dynamics shape policy outcomes. "Trade surplus does not mean anything." — Ben Shapiro: Core argument against using trade balances as a measure of national economic health.

Implications: Shapiro argues the tariff fight signals deeper dysfunction: unstable staffing, weak congressional oversight, and policy driven by symbolism over economics. Listeners should expect more market volatility and intensified fights over executive power.