Ep. 689 - Being Radical Means Never Having To Say True Things

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Ben Shapiro centers the episode on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 60 Minutes interview, arguing her Green New Deal, 70% top tax rate, and claim that moral correctness can excuse factual inaccuracy reveal Democratic radicalism and rhetorical dishonesty. He then critiques border-wall politics and pivots to a larger conservative debate sparked by Tucker Carlson’s populist, anti-market monologue.

Main Topics: AOC as the new face of Democratic politics (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Ocasio-Cortez has become the media-anointed leader of the Democratic Party despite saying things he views as economically uninformed and factually false. Green New Deal and 70% tax proposal (Priority: 5/5): He attacks AOC’s climate and tax agenda as fantastically expensive, economically naive, and dependent on wealth redistribution that would trigger avoidance and capital flight. Truth, morality, and political lying (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro condemns AOC’s idea that being 'morally right' matters more than factual accuracy, framing it as a broader left-wing justification for dishonesty in politics. Border wall shutdown and executive power (Priority: 4/5): He supports border security and criticizes Democrats for refusing compromise, while warning Trump’s use of emergency powers to fund a wall would dangerously expand presidential authority. Tucker Carlson and Republican populism (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro critiques Carlson’s monologue arguing that markets are hollowing out family and national life, saying the deeper problem is moral and social, not economic. Culture-war/media hypocrisy (Priority: 3/5): He contrasts media treatment of Democrats like AOC with Republicans like Dan Crenshaw, and uses Hollywood/Golden Globes examples to argue elites enforce ideological conformity. Brief entertainment and social commentary (Priority: 2/5): The show includes praise for Aquaman, a Wall Street Journal column on rapid-onset gender dysphoria, and criticism of Hollywood’s self-censorship and political signaling.

Key Arguments: AOC is being treated as a serious national leader despite saying economically and factually simplistic things; Shapiro sees this as media bias and Democratic hypocrisy. A 70% marginal tax rate on income above $10 million would not finance progressive programs as claimed because wealthy people would likely use avoidance strategies or leave the country. AOC’s claim that moral correctness can override factual accuracy is, to Shapiro, a dangerous admission that many on the left see truth as subordinate to political ends. Democrats’ refusal to compromise on the border is driven by opposition to Trump as much as policy, while Trump’s emergency-power workaround would set a bad precedent for future presidents. Tucker Carlson is right that America has a social and spiritual crisis, but wrong to think tariffs, redistribution, or more government intervention can repair it. Family breakdown, addiction, and suicide are presented as symptoms of cultural decline and weakened institutions, not simply market failure or manufacturing decline. Hollywood and the media reward left-wing figures while punishing conservatives, reinforcing a broader elite double standard on speech and morality.

Data Points: AOC campaign vote total: 12,000 votes - Shapiro cites her Democratic primary win in a heavily blue district as the basis for her prominence. Green New Deal timeline: 12 years - AOC’s proposal would require the U.S. economy to be fully on renewable energy within this period. Current renewable share of U.S. economy: 17% - Shapiro uses this figure to argue the Green New Deal implies enormous cost. Top marginal tax rate proposed by AOC: 70% - Her proposed rate on income above $10 million. Estimated revenue from AOC tax plan: $720 billion per decade / $72 billion per year - Shapiro cites a Washington Post estimate, while arguing the actual take would likely be lower. Historical U.S. top tax rate: 91% top bracket starting around $3.4 million jointly - Shapiro discusses the Eisenhower-era tax system and effective rates. Post-World War II tax rate: 94% on income over $200,000 - Used to argue that high nominal rates coexisted with loopholes and different economic conditions. French millionaire outflow: 12,000 in 2016; 10,000 in 2015 - Shapiro uses France as an example of rich people leaving high-tax jurisdictions. Border wall funding request: $5 billion - Trump’s requested wall funding is described as small relative to other federal spending. Estimated border wall cost: $11–$13 billion - Shapiro says this is the approximate actual cost of building the wall. Illegal migration decline in 2015: 31% - Washington Post figure cited to discuss border-crossing trends. Current unemployment / economy reference: Not specified - Shapiro references a strong economy generally but does not provide a number. Daily Wire subscription price: $9.99/month or $99/year - Promotional detail for expanded show access.

Pivotal Quotes: "I think that there's a lot of people more concerned about being precisely, factually, and semantically correct than about being morally right." — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Shapiro highlights this as evidence she discounts factual accuracy in favor of perceived moral goals. "The goal for America is both simpler and more elusive than mere prosperity. It's happiness." — Tucker Carlson: Quoted during Shapiro’s critique of Carlson’s populist monologue on economics and national purpose. "It's not who we are as a nation." — Nancy Pelosi: Shapiro cites this as a slogan used to oppose the border wall without explaining the objection.

Implications: Shapiro frames the episode as a warning about two populisms: left-wing moralized policy and right-wing anti-market economics. He argues listeners should prioritize truth, freedom, and institutions over symbolic politics and executive overreach.