Ep. 623 - The Kavanaugh #MeToo Moment

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s critique of the late-breaking Christine Blasey Ford allegation against Brett Kavanaugh, arguing Democrats mishandled it by withholding details until the eve of confirmation. It also covers criticism of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s socialism and branding, an Israeli murder of activist Ari Fuld, Hurricane Florence’s impact and FEMA responses, plus lighter commentary on books, Joe Biden, Anne Hathaway, and Federalist No. 45.

Main Topics: Brett Kavanaugh accusation and Senate process (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues the allegation against Kavanaugh is serious but was handled irresponsibly by Democrats and Senator Feinstein, who he says sat on it and released it too late for proper vetting. Evidence, memory, and due process (Priority: 5/5): He emphasizes that the accusation is decades old, vague on key details, and unsupported by contemporaneous reporting, making it hard to verify or rebut fairly. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and socialist optics (Priority: 4/5): He mocks Ocasio-Cortez for high-priced fashion in a socialist context and criticizes her inability to answer questions about funding Medicare for All. Israel and the murder of Ari Fuld (Priority: 4/5): The show highlights the stabbing death of Israeli-American activist Ari Fuld, framing it as an act of terrorism and a reminder of the dangers faced in Israel. Hurricane Florence and disaster politics (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro covers Florence’s landfall and criticizes the Trump administration for getting drawn into unnecessary disputes over Puerto Rico death toll estimates. Cultural and political commentary (Priority: 3/5): The episode includes criticism of Joe Biden’s rhetoric, Anne Hathaway’s remarks on privilege, a recommendation of The Prime Ministers, and commentary on Federalist No. 45.

Key Arguments: The Kavanaugh allegation may be serious, but Feinstein’s decision to hold it until the last minute made it look like a political smear rather than a good-faith process. A claim from 36 years earlier, lacking a specific date, location, and corroborating witnesses, cannot justifiably be treated as proven. Witness testimony and memory are unreliable over long periods, so allegations this old require much stronger corroboration before altering a nomination. If Democrats wanted to treat the allegation seriously, they should have brought Ford before the committee and allowed Kavanaugh to respond under oath. Ocasio-Cortez’s socialist messaging is undercut by expensive fashion shoots and by her inability to explain where the money for large programs would come from. Ari Fuld’s killing is presented as politically motivated terrorism against a civilian Israeli activist. Trump administration policy may be right, but the president’s rhetoric can unnecessarily create bad political optics, as seen in the Puerto Rico death-toll dispute. Anne Hathaway’s rhetoric on privilege is dismissed as incoherent identity politics. Federalist No. 45 is used to argue that the constitutional balance between federal and state power has shifted too far toward the federal government over time.

Data Points: Age of allegation: 36 years - The alleged assault against Kavanaugh is described as having occurred in the early 1980s. Kavanaugh age at time of alleged incident: 17 - The transcript says Kavanaugh would have been 17 if the incident occurred in summer 1982. Ford age at time of alleged incident: 15 - Shapiro says the Washington Post account places Ford at 15 when the alleged event occurred. Letter date: July 30, 2018 - The accusation letter was reportedly first sent to Senator Feinstein on this date. Therapy disclosure year: 2012 - Ford is said to have first discussed the incident in detail during couples therapy. Outfit cost: about $3,500 - Shapiro claims Ocasio-Cortez wore approximately $700 shoes and a $2,700 outfit for a magazine shoot. Medicare for All cost figure: $38 trillion - Jake Tapper asks Ocasio-Cortez about the funding source for an estimated $38 trillion program expansion. Life insurance promotion: 20-year low rates - Policy Genius ad claims rates are at a 20-year low. ExpressVPN offer: 3 months free - Ad offer for a one-year package through expressvpn.com/ben. Federalist Paper: No. 45 - The episode’s constitutional commentary focuses on Federalist No. 45. Ari Fuld family: 4 children - Shapiro notes Fuld left behind four children. FEMA-related death study sources: Harvard and George Washington studies - Brock Long discusses differing methodologies in studies of Puerto Rico hurricane deaths.

Pivotal Quotes: "Brett Kavanaugh physically and sexually assaulted me during high school in the early 1980s." — Christine Blasey Ford (letter quoted in transcript): This is the core allegation introduced in the newly surfaced letter to Senator Feinstein. "I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any other time." — Brett Kavanaugh: Kavanaugh’s public response to the accusation as described by Shapiro. "The alt-right doesn't seem to understand the concept of magazine shoots." — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Her social media response to criticism over expensive fashion items in a profile shoot.

Implications: The episode frames the Kavanaugh episode as a test of due process and partisan weaponization, while signaling broader conservative skepticism toward progressive politics, media narratives, and federal overreach.