Ep. 746 - In-Jussie-Tice

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on Ben Shapiro’s condemnation of the Jussie Smollett case as a corrupt political whitewash, his mockery of Democrats’ retreat from the Green New Deal after Mitch McConnell forced a vote, and a broader critique of anti-Semitism on the political left. He also briefly covers Cardi B’s past admissions, a teen boys’ looks-ranking list, and a film recommendation.

Main Topics: Jussie Smollett case and prosecutorial favoritism (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues Smollett fabricated a hate-crime attack, was shielded by politically connected figures, and escaped accountability when Cook County dropped charges. He frames the outcome as evidence of corruption in Chicago Democratic politics. Green New Deal vote and Democratic embarrassment (Priority: 5/5): He portrays Mitch McConnell’s Senate vote as a trap that exposed Democratic unwillingness to go on record supporting the Green New Deal, which he ridicules as economically catastrophic and unserious. Anti-Semitism on the political left (Priority: 5/5): He argues that the left, not the right, is the main modern home of anti-Semitism, citing Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and a New Zealand mosque leader who blamed Jews for the Christchurch attack. Media bias and selective skepticism (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro criticizes CNN and other media figures for treating the Smollett case as unknowable or confusing despite substantial evidence, while also mocking their handling of the Green New Deal and left-wing figures. Cardi B’s admitted criminal behavior (Priority: 3/5): He reacts to a resurfaced video in which Cardi B said she drugged and robbed men, using it to criticize celebrity excusing and hypocrisy around crime and accountability. Teen boys rating girls by looks (Priority: 3/5): He dismisses the Washington Post framing of a high-school looks ranking list as overblown, arguing it reflects immature but normal male behavior rather than a major social crisis. Entertainment and culture commentary (Priority: 2/5): He gives a brief review of the movie 'Widows,' praising the visual style and some performances while noting structural flaws.

Key Arguments: Smollett’s story was implausible from the start and was contradicted by phone records, witness evidence, and the men’s identities. The decision to drop charges without meaningful accountability appears, in Shapiro’s view, to be a corrupt favor tied to Democratic political networks. Democrats embraced the Green New Deal rhetorically, then voted present or no when forced to take a real position. McConnell’s tactical vote exposed that even sponsors and prominent Democrats did not want their names attached to the proposal. Modern anti-Semitism is more pronounced on the left, especially among progressive politicians who normalize or excuse anti-Israel rhetoric. The mainstream media repeatedly soft-pedals left-wing scandal and inflates or moralizes behavior when the subjects are conservatives or culturally disfavored. Teen boys rating girls’ appearances is immature and rude, but not equivalent to harassment or a school-wide crisis unless there is independent abusive conduct. Celebrity apologies and public reactions are often shaped more by politics and image management than by genuine accountability.

Data Points: U.S. national debt (2008): $10 trillion - Used in the opening financial risk pitch for precious metals U.S. national debt (end of 2018): Over $21 trillion - Cited to argue the economy is unstable and vulnerable Book sales rank: #1 sold book on Amazon for the prior week - Shapiro announces success of The Right Side of History Smollett indictment count: 16 felony counts - Police initially prepared charges for false reporting/hoax allegations Bond seized: $10,000 - Cook County dropped charges but kept his bond money Green New Deal cost estimate: $93 trillion over 10 years - Shapiro cites the proposal as economically absurd Per-family cost estimate: $65,000 per American family per year - Presented as the burden of the Green New Deal Republican Senate votes against GND: 53 - All Republicans voted no on the resolution Democrats/others voting no: 4 - Three Democrats plus Independent Angus King voted no Female students listed: 18 girls - Bethesda Chevy Chase High School looks-ranking list Rating scale: 5.5 to 9.4 - The high-school list ranked girls by appearance Track record of alternative dispositions: 5,700 felony cases - Cook County prosecutor says similar dispositions were used in other cases Cardi B statement timing: 3 years ago - The controversial live stream resurfaced from three years earlier

Pivotal Quotes: "At 2 o'clock in the morning in the middle of a polar vortex in Chicago... he was confronted by two red-headed MAGA fans" — Ben Shapiro: Mocking the implausibility of Smollett’s original account "This is not on the level from beginning to end, and there needs to be a level of accountability throughout the system." — Rahm Emanuel: Rahm Emanuel condemning the Smollett dismissal and Cook County handling "Instead of a game of political pinata with our planet's future, let's have a real debate about the Green New Deal." — Kirsten Gillibrand: Democratic criticism after McConnell forced a Senate vote on the resolution

Implications: Listeners are urged to view high-profile media and political narratives skeptically, especially when they involve partisan allies, celebrity scandals, and progressive policy branding. The episode argues that accountability is weakest where politics, media, and identity-based advocacy overlap.