Ep. 518 - The Full Comey

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Ben Shapiro covers three major weekend stories: James Comey’s highly publicized ABC interview and book rollout, U.S.-led strikes on Syria in response to chemical weapons use, and the “March for Science,” which he argues was more a left-wing political rally than a scientific event. He also critiques media bias, Trump’s counterattacks, and broader polarization on issues from Kaepernick to campus dress-code protests.

Main Topics: James Comey’s ABC interview and memoir promotion (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Comey used the interview to self-justify, attack Trump, and promote book sales, while exposing his own political motives in the Hillary Clinton and Russia episodes. Comey, Hillary Clinton, and the email investigation (Priority: 5/5): Discussion centers on Comey’s handling of Clinton’s emails, his July exoneration statement, the October letter about emails on Anthony Weiner’s computer, and his own admission that election polls influenced his thinking. Trump, Russia, and accusations of compromise (Priority: 4/5): Comey suggests it is possible Trump was compromised by Russia; Shapiro criticizes the lack of evidence and the media’s willingness to amplify insinuation. U.S./UK/France strikes on Syria (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro analyzes the airstrikes against Assad’s chemical weapons infrastructure, questioning whether they achieved a strategic objective and whether the U.S. has defined its role in Syria. The March for Science as political activism (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro argues the event was not about science itself but about progressive politics such as diversity, racial representation, and anti-Trump sentiment, while dismissing the event’s scientific credibility. Partisan polarization and the Democratic Party’s leftward shift (Priority: 4/5): He responds to Jonathan Chait’s argument that anti-Trump Republicans should join Democrats, arguing the left has become too extreme on abortion, religion, and cultural issues for conservatives to support. Cultural flashpoints: Kaepernick and dress-code protest (Priority: 2/5): Shapiro criticizes praise for Colin Kaepernick and a student protest over bra requirements, presenting both as examples of inflated grievance politics and media-driven outrage.

Key Arguments: Comey’s interview was less a revelation than a self-serving attempt to sell a book and settle scores with Trump. Comey’s own admission that he did not tell Trump the Steele dossier was financed by Trump’s political opponents undermines his claim to neutrality. Comey’s October letter on Clinton emails appears to have been shaped by assumptions that Clinton would win, raising questions about political calculation. The media, especially ABC/George Stephanopoulos, treated Comey sympathetically and used him as a vehicle to attack Trump. The Syria strikes may have damaged Assad’s capabilities, but Shapiro says the U.S. has not defined a clear strategic end state or deterrent framework. A “March for Science” that emphasizes diversity politics rather than empirical inquiry is, in Shapiro’s view, a misappropriation of the term science. Republicans who reject Trump are not obliged to join Democrats because the Democratic Party has moved further left on life, religion, and other core issues. Outrage culture turns ordinary disciplinary or symbolic disputes into civil-rights-style crusades, as seen in the Kaepernick and dress-code stories.

Data Points: Comey interview length: 2 hours - ABC News interview with George Stephanopoulos Strike coalition: United States, France, and United Kingdom - Combined military strikes on Syrian targets Syrian targets hit: 3 military targets - Facilities tied to Assad’s chemical weapons program Skillshare offer: 2 months for 99 cents - Sponsor promotion for online learning platform Thrive Market discount: $20 off first three orders - Sponsor promotion for organic groceries Thrive Market free shipping threshold: $49 or more - Offer details for first three orders Keeps offer: first month free - Sponsor promotion for hair-loss treatment Keeps monthly cost: $10 to $35 per month - Promotional pricing described in ad read Daily Wire annual subscription: $99 a year - Subscription pitch including tumbler incentive March for Science attendance: smaller than April 2017 - CNN description noted reduced crowd size Biden claim: 24 states - Shapiro cites Biden saying GOP backed legislation to restrict voting Biden claim: 60 pieces of legislation - Shapiro quotes Biden on efforts to curtail the franchise Biden claim: 70 pieces of legislation - Alternate figure mentioned in same voting-rights critique Comey claim context: 2016 election polls influenced his thinking - Referenced regarding October letter on Clinton emails Colin Kaepernick lawsuit: 7 cities - Shapiro references depositions in the collusion lawsuit

Pivotal Quotes: "I think it's possible. I don't know." — James Comey: Comey on whether the Russians have something on Donald Trump "I think he's morally unfit to be president." — James Comey: Comey’s assessment of Donald Trump during the ABC interview "March for science is stupid." — Ben Shapiro: His central critique of the March for Science event

Implications: The episode frames elite institutions as deeply politicized and media coverage as selectively sympathetic. Shapiro warns that vague, emotionally charged activism and unspecific military action both obscure real policy goals and deepen public distrust.