Ep. 622 - The Dirtiest Trick In The Book

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on breaking political news: Paul Manafort’s apparent plea/cooperation deal with Mueller and Democrats’ late-stage efforts to derail Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation with an unvetted decades-old allegation. Shapiro also argues that the Democratic Party is shifting sharply left, using New York primaries to illustrate how socialism and populism are reshaping mainstream Democrats.

Main Topics: Manafort’s plea deal and Trump-Russia fallout (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro says Manafort’s reported cooperation with Mueller is the day’s biggest news because it could reveal damaging information about Trump or the campaign, though the exact scope remains unknown. Kavanaugh allegation and Democratic tactics (Priority: 5/5): He condemns Sen. Dianne Feinstein and other Democrats for surfacing an anonymous high-school-era sexual assault allegation against Brett Kavanaugh only on the eve of his confirmation vote, framing it as a deliberate smear campaign. Media criticism and narrative manipulation (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro accuses The New York Times and CNN of biased framing—such as the Nikki Haley curtains story and climate-related death projections—arguing they selectively weaponize headlines against conservatives. New York primaries and the rise of the left (Priority: 5/5): He reviews wins by far-left figures like Julia Salazar and discusses Cynthia Nixon’s loss to Andrew Cuomo, using these results to argue that democratic socialism is increasingly influential within the Democratic Party. Future of the Democratic Party and 2020 outlook (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro argues the party’s center of gravity has moved leftward, with figures like Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, and Michael Avenatti each positioned as different versions of the same populist impulse. Mailbag: governance, homelessness, education, and personal decisions (Priority: 3/5): The Q&A covers disaster response, history education, marriage, college majors, border security, homelessness policy, millennial politics, and cosmetic surgery, reflecting Shapiro’s broader ideological views.

Key Arguments: Manafort’s cooperation is potentially serious for Trump because a campaign manager had access to information about campaign activity, even if direct Trump wrongdoing has not been established. The Kavanaugh allegation is presented as a strategic ambush: if Democrats had credible evidence, they should have acted when they first learned of it in July rather than waiting until the confirmation deadline. The New York Times’ Nikki Haley curtains story is portrayed as misleading because the purchase was planned under the Obama administration, not Haley. New York’s local leftward shift shows that socialist ideas are no longer fringe; they are becoming normalized in mainstream Democratic politics. Andrew Cuomo’s win over Cynthia Nixon does not disprove the leftward trend; instead, mainstream Democrats are adopting radical policy positions in a more polished form. Republicans should not assume a radical Democratic nominee is guaranteed to lose; a more competent, palatable progressive could be electorally dangerous. Homelessness is attributed primarily to addiction and mental illness, and Shapiro argues enforcement and institutionalization are necessary responses. Climate and disaster rhetoric from opponents is criticized as alarmist when it translates policy disputes into claims of mass death without sufficient causal certainty.

Data Points: Manafort charges: 7 charges in the separate set discussed - Referenced in reporting on the plea deal tied to conspiracy, obstruction, money laundering, false statements, and lobbying-law violations. Kavanaugh background-check time: 65 meetings with senators - White House response arguing Kavanaugh had already undergone extensive scrutiny. Kavanaugh testimony/questions: over 30 hours of testimony; over 2,000 questions - Used to argue the confirmation process had been exhaustive before Feinstein’s disclosure. Nikki Haley curtains cost: $52,701 - New York Times story on the State Department spending for mechanized curtains at Haley’s UN residence. Haley residence rent: $58,000 per month - Penthouse leased by the government before Haley moved in. Julia Salazar age: 27 - Described as a young Democratic socialist candidate who won a New York State Senate primary. Salazar claim: child of Colombian Jewish immigrants / immigrant / poor / Columbia graduate - Shapiro says these background claims were false and central to her campaign controversy. Avenatti interview segment: Tucker Carlson vs. Michael Avenatti on Fox News - Used to illustrate the media/political spectacle benefiting oppositional figures. Potential climate-policy deaths: 80,000 unnecessary deaths every decade - CNN segment citing Harvard scientists about Trump environmental policies. Homelessness in Los Angeles: 60,000 homeless people - Example used to argue municipal inaction has allowed homelessness to worsen. My Patriot Supply food kit: $75 for 92 servings - Sponsored emergency preparedness offer discussed during the show. USCCA giveaway: 10 free chances to win $1,500 toward a gun - Sponsored promotion for the audience.

Pivotal Quotes: "I have received information from an individual concerning the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court." — Dianne Feinstein: Statement announcing she had referred the allegation to federal authorities without public details. "I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation." — Brett Kavanaugh: Kavanaugh’s response to the anonymous high-school sexual misconduct allegation. "The fight for the soul of the Democratic Party is just beginning." — Cynthia Nixon: Concession speech after losing the New York Democratic gubernatorial primary to Andrew Cuomo.

Implications: Shapiro argues conservatives should expect harder fights from a more disciplined, more progressive Democratic Party and not assume left-wing excess will self-destruct. He sees media framing and last-minute scandal tactics as central to modern partisan warfare.