Ep. 538 - If I Forget You, O Jerusalem

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Trump’s move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, which Shapiro frames as a long-overdue recognition of historical reality and a political necessity. He attacks media portrayals of Gaza protests as biased, pivots into a critique of left-wing contradictions on Mother’s Day and gender, then discusses a White House McCain-related leak, comedy’s anti-Trump fatigue, and ends with a Federalist Paper discussion on resistance to government usurpation.

Main Topics: U.S. Embassy moved to Jerusalem (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues the embassy move was overdue, historically justified, and symbolically important for Jews, Christians, and supporters of Israel. He praises Trump for doing what prior presidents avoided and frames Jerusalem as the recognized Jewish capital. Media coverage of Gaza border violence (Priority: 5/5): He criticizes the New York Times, Washington Post, and broader press for portraying Hamas-orchestrated border violence as peaceful protest and for blaming Israel rather than Hamas’s tactics and leadership. Mother’s Day and left-wing gender ideology (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro says the left simultaneously celebrates mothers while denigrating stay-at-home motherhood and denying innate sex differences, using a story about his daughter to argue women and girls naturally value motherhood. McCain apology and White House leak culture (Priority: 4/5): He condemns a reported joke about John McCain’s impending death, but also argues the leak of the remark reveals a dysfunctional and untrustworthy White House environment. Comedians tiring of anti-Trump material (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro notes that late-night and political comedians appear to be recognizing audience fatigue with constant Trump jokes, while arguing their broader left-wing bias has political consequences. Federalist No. 28 and the right of resistance (Priority: 3/5): He briefly explains Hamilton’s argument that citizens retain a natural right of self-defense against government usurpation, using it to support the legitimacy of armed resistance in extreme cases.

Key Arguments: Moving the embassy to Jerusalem acknowledges an obvious historical and political fact: Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Prior presidents delayed the embassy move despite Congress approving it in 1995, so Trump simply enforced longstanding U.S. policy law. Media coverage of Gaza makes Israel look like the aggressor while ignoring that Hamas uses civilians, incendiary kites, rockets, and border incursions as tactics. The left is inconsistent: it celebrates mothers on Mother’s Day while devaluing motherhood, stay-at-home parenting, and natural sex differences. Girls’ and boys’ preferences often differ naturally; Shapiro uses his daughter’s answer to argue that motherhood is not merely a social construct. A cruel joke about John McCain was wrong, but the larger problem is a White House culture where leaks and bad-faith media exposure are routine. Comedians who endlessly attack Trump may be losing effectiveness because audiences are tired of one-note political ridicule. Hamilton’s Federalist No. 28 supports the idea that citizens have a right of self-defense if rulers betray constitutional trust.

Data Points: Year of congressional embassy approval: 1995 - Shapiro notes Congress approved moving the embassy to Jerusalem in 1995. Time delay before move: 23 years - He says presidents delayed the move for 23 years before Trump acted. Temple destruction year: 70 CE - He references the destruction of the Second Temple. First temple destruction year: 587 BCE - He mentions the First Temple was destroyed in 587 BCE. Bar Kokhba revolt year: 132 CE - He cites Bar Kokhba’s revolt against Rome and Jewish use of coins. Gaza protest participants: 35,000 to 40,000 - He cites reports of tens of thousands at the Gaza border protests. Palestinians killed in clashes: about 40 to 41 - He contrasts media headlines with the limited number killed in border violence. Ambassador-related joke target age context: McCain likely to die within months - Referenced in the leaked White House comment about John McCain. Daily Wire subscription price: $9.99 per month - Promotional mention for subscription and ticket access. VIP tickets per event: 200 - He says there are only 200 VIP tickets per live event.

Pivotal Quotes: "Today we officially opened the United States Embassy in Jerusalem. Congratulations. It’s been a long time coming." — President Trump: Message played by Shapiro about the embassy opening. "President Trump, by recognizing history, you have made history." — Benjamin Netanyahu: Netanyahu’s praise for Trump’s decision on Jerusalem. "If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no resource left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense" — Alexander Hamilton: Shapiro reads Federalist No. 28 to support the concept of resistance to usurpation.

Implications: Shapiro’s framing reinforces a pro-Israel, anti-media-bias worldview, urges skepticism toward progressive gender narratives, and suggests cultural elites are losing influence as audiences reject repetitive partisan messaging.