Ep. 722 - It’s A Smollett, Smollett World

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Jussie Smollett’s arrest for allegedly staging a hate crime, criticizing media and Democrats for prematurely believing the story. It also covers a Coast Guard lieutenant accused of plotting terror attacks, speculation about the Mueller report, a critique of socialist politics through AOC and Bernie Sanders, and a broad argument that socialism’s appeal is spiritual rather than economic.

Main Topics: Jussie Smollett arrest and media reaction (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Smollett staged a hate crime to boost his salary and condemns media figures and Democrats for treating the allegation as true before evidence emerged. Media bias and confirmation bias (Priority: 5/5): The transcript repeatedly attacks CNN, Don Lemon, and other outlets for defending Smollett and for not applying skepticism to politically convenient narratives. Coast Guard lieutenant domestic terror plot (Priority: 4/5): A separate major news item concerns a Coast Guard lieutenant accused of planning attacks and compiling a hit list of Democrats and media figures, presented as evidence of selective media concern. Mueller report and Trump-Russia expectations (Priority: 4/5): The show discusses reports that the Mueller investigation may soon conclude, noting the possibility that the final report could underwhelm Democrats after years of collusion speculation. AOC, privilege, and socialist optics (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro uses Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s luxury apartment and Bernie Sanders’ Venezuela comments to argue that democratic socialists are hypocritical and detached from their own rhetoric. Why socialism appeals emotionally (Priority: 5/5): A long segment argues that socialism’s true draw is spiritual or narcissistic: it promises freedom from market accountability and from having to meet others’ definitions of value. Green New Deal criticism (Priority: 3/5): The Green New Deal is mocked as ambitious but unrealistic, with Shapiro arguing that its climate claims are exaggerated and that its logic would require far more radical action than proposed.

Key Arguments: Smollett allegedly fabricated the attack for career gain; the story was believable to media and politicians because victimhood is rewarded socially and financially. The media’s failure was not merely mistaken reporting but confirmation bias: they wanted the hate-crime narrative to be true. Selective skepticism is inconsistent: the left demanded patience on Smollett only after he was arrested, while instantly believing the original claim. The Coast Guard lieutenant case shows that genuine threats exist, but media attention is filtered through political implications rather than consistent standards. The Mueller report may end up disappointing Democrats who expected major Trump-Russia revelations, though related legal battles could continue elsewhere. AOC’s living situation and Bernie Sanders’ stance on Venezuela are presented as evidence that socialist politicians do not live by the system they advocate. Socialism’s appeal is framed as a desire to detach personal preference from market discipline and to shift obligations onto society, which ultimately requires coercion. The Green New Deal is criticized as an ideological wish list that misunderstands economics, climate policy, and the scale of international emissions. Shapiro argues that free markets, not socialism, have historically driven prosperity and that redistribution only works as a layer atop capitalism. If climate change is truly an emergency on the scale claimed, the proposed U.S.-only measures are insufficient because China and India are large emitters too.

Data Points: Smollett payment: $3,500 - Amount allegedly paid to stage the fake attack Smollett legal charge: Class four felony - Charge described by Chicago police as disorderly conduct Potential sentence: Up to 1.5 years in prison or probation - Possible penalty mentioned for the charge Smollett petition support: 3.8 million people - Supporters of Convention of States petition cited in ad read AOC apartment studio rent: $1,800/month - Starting price for a 440-square-foot studio in the luxury building AOC apartment three-bedroom rent: $5,200/month - Top-end rent cited for the building AOC building amenities: 100,000 square feet - Amount of amenities space in her apartment complex Keeps promotion: First month free - Hair-loss treatment ad offer Keeps pricing: $10 to $35 per month - Monthly price range for hair-loss treatment Boll & Branch promotion: $50 off - Discount on first set of sheets Convention of States claim: 3.8 million people with us - Petition support mentioned during sponsor segment Carbon impact estimate: 0.15 to 0.185 degrees Celsius - Shapiro cites projected climate effect of U.S. emissions reductions over the next century Mueller investigation duration: Almost two years - Described as near completion after a long probe Bernie Sanders interview response: No direct endorsement of Juan Guaidó; called for a free and fair election - His reaction to questions about Venezuela

Pivotal Quotes: "This was all about Jussie Smollett trying to boost his own pay rate." — Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson: Explanation of motive for the alleged hoax "In the court of public opinion, Jussie has lost." — Don Lemon: CNN commentary on the Smollett case "The socialist appeal is the idea that we can make transformative decisions that free us from the necessity of doing things other people want." — Ben Shapiro: Summary of his argument about socialism's emotional attraction

Implications: The episode reinforces a media-critique framework: demand evidence before embracing politically convenient narratives. It also warns that socialism’s rise rests more on emotional and spiritual promises than on economic reality, with consequences for policy debate and political credibility.