Ep. 578 - Trump Swings At NATO

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s defense of Brett Kavanaugh against liberal criticism, arguing that Democrats politicized the Supreme Court long before Trump. It also covers Trump’s NATO confrontation, the political media’s response, several cultural controversies, a critique of Tommy Lahren and other commentators, and a closing Psalm reflection on morality and civilization.

Main Topics: Kavanaugh confirmation and judicial philosophy (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Kavanaugh is a textualist/originalist and that the left is reacting with misinformation because it fears a court less willing to advance liberal policy through judicial power. History of court politicization (Priority: 5/5): He traces politicization of the judiciary to Democrats, especially the Bork fight and FDR-era court-packing pressure, arguing Republicans merely adapted after the left changed the rules. Media and left-wing attacks on Kavanaugh (Priority: 4/5): He criticizes attacks from Schumer, AOC, NARAL, Yale affiliates, Colbert, and Joy Behar as unserious or false, often mocking Kavanaugh personally rather than engaging his record. Trump and NATO spending dispute (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro says Trump is right that European allies underfund defense and rely too heavily on the U.S., but warns that his rhetoric risks signaling instability to allies and adversaries. Cultural commentary and pranks/commerce (Priority: 3/5): He condemns Sasha Baron Cohen’s alleged use of a disabled-veteran disguise to prank Sarah Palin and defends a young boy selling candy against overzealous licensing enforcement. Critique of conservative media messaging on Roe v. Wade (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro rebukes Tommy Lahren for framing opposition to Roe as merely religious activism, insisting the main constitutional critique is that Roe lacks grounding in the text. Psalm 2 and moral order (Priority: 3/5): He closes with a religious reflection linking biblical morality, civilizational strength, and the idea that nations prosper when they align with Judeo-Christian values.

Key Arguments: Kavanaugh is best understood as a textualist/originalist rather than a partisan conservative, which matters because judicial method should constrain personal ideology. Democrats politicized the Supreme Court first through the Bork destruction and earlier through FDR’s pressure on the Court, then normalized ideological litmus tests. Current attacks on Kavanaugh are often based on false claims, especially the suggestion that he thinks a president cannot be indicted. Trump’s NATO complaints are partly justified because European allies free-ride on U.S. defense spending, though his language can weaken alliance confidence. The left fears Kavanaugh because a more restrained judiciary threatens its ability to achieve policy goals through court decisions instead of legislation. Roe v. Wade should be criticized primarily as bad constitutional law, not only as a moral issue or religious objection. Sasha Baron Cohen’s alleged veteran disguise prank is especially offensive because it exploits respect for disabled service members. Small-scale commerce by kids or street vendors should generally be tolerated rather than crushed by bureaucratic licensing zeal. Trump is not the issue in itself; institutions and constitutional checks matter more than personality in limiting power. Biblical morality and Judeo-Christian civilization are presented as the foundation for durable social and political strength.

Data Points: Kavanaugh tenure on D.C. Circuit: 12 years - Described as Brett Kavanaugh’s service on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Kavanaugh decision count: 300 decisions - Used to argue his record is extensive and not especially controversial NATO defense spending target: 2% of GDP - Referenced as the benchmark European allies pledged to meet Germany’s defense spending: just over 1% of GDP - Cited as an example of under-spending relative to NATO expectations U.S. defense spending in Trump’s comparison: 4.2% of GDP - Used to contrast U.S. burden-sharing with Germany NATO member states meeting 2% threshold in 2017: 4 members - U.S., Greece, UK, and Estonia were named as meeting the target, with Poland near it Luxembourg defense spending: less than 0.5% of GDP - Used to illustrate extreme low-end defense contributions within NATO Blue Apron meal timing: under 45 minutes - Promotional detail about the meal-kit service

Pivotal Quotes: "the fact that SCOTUSPIC Kavanaugh believes a president cannot be indicted is an automatic disqualification from a Supreme Court consideration." — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Presented by Shapiro as a false claim about Kavanaugh’s article on presidential indictment "We’ll be damned, all caps, if we’re gonna let five men, including some frat boy named Brett, strip us of our hard-won bodily autonomy and reproductive rights." — NARAL Pro-Choice America: Quoted as an example of hostile and mocking liberal rhetoric toward Kavanaugh "Germany is totally controlled by Russia because they will be getting from 60 to 70 percent of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline." — Donald Trump: Trump’s critique of German energy dependence during his NATO comments

Implications: Listeners are left with a strongly conservative case that court battles and NATO disputes reflect deeper institutional stakes: who controls policy, the judiciary, and Western alliances. The episode urges skepticism toward media narratives and highlights how constitutional interpretation shapes future political conflict.