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September 30, 2024 • 2hr 8min
#845 - Ben Shapiro - Has America Completely Lost Its Mind?
Modern Wisdom
Ben Shapiro is a prominent conservative political commentator, author, and media figure. As co-founder of The Daily Wire and host of The Ben Shapiro Show, he is one of the most influential voices on the American right. In this wide-ranging conversation, Shapiro discusses the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, his evolving views on Donald Trump, masculinity and relationships, dealing with public criticism, and the state of American politics and culture.
#845 - Ben Shapiro - Has America Completely Lost Its Mind?
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Key Takeaways
- Ben Shapiro believes the 2024 election will be particularly intense and chaotic, with unprecedented events like candidate replacements and assassination attempts
- Shapiro has evolved from opposing Trump in 2016 to actively campaigning for him in 2024, based on Trump's policy record and the current political landscape
- He argues that modern politics has become overly reactionary on both sides, with people voting against what they hate rather than for what they support
- Shapiro cautions against catastrophic rhetoric claiming each election is "the last" or will end democracy, saying this damages the country
- He believes we've passed "peak woke" in corporate America but that ideological divides will persist in new forms
- Shapiro advocates for a traditional view of masculinity focused on family, responsibility and building rather than superficial traits
- He discusses how his experiences with bullying as a youth shaped him but says it's important not to let past hurts define you
- Shapiro argues for the importance of marriage and family as stabilizing forces in society and individuals' lives
Introduction
Ben Shapiro is a prominent conservative political commentator, author, and media figure. As co-founder of The Daily Wire and host of The Ben Shapiro Show, he is one of the most influential voices on the American right. In this wide-ranging conversation, Shapiro discusses the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, his evolving views on Donald Trump, masculinity and relationships, dealing with public criticism, and the state of American politics and culture.
Topics Discussed
The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election (1:34)
Shapiro describes the 2024 election as particularly intense and chaotic, noting unprecedented events like:
- The sudden replacement of a nominee (likely referring to Nikki Haley replacing Ron DeSantis)
- Two separate assassination attempts on Donald Trump in 8 weeks
He attributes the wildness partly to the unique circumstances of the candidates, with Joe Biden being exceptionally old and Donald Trump being an eccentric figure running for non-consecutive terms.
Shapiro expresses frustration that the spectacle often overshadows serious policy discussions: "There's kind of the bread and circus aspect of all these elections and then there's the very real policy consequences of who gets elected. And that's a completely different thing that seems to get ignored in all of the hubbub."
Shapiro's Evolving Views on Trump (3:31)
Shapiro explains how his stance on Trump has changed since 2016:
- 2016: Opposed Trump, viewing him as unfit and unpredictable on policy
- 2020: Supported Trump based on his policy record in office
- 2024: Actively campaigning for Trump, seeing him as preferable to Biden/Harris
He says his personal views on Trump's character haven't changed much, but he's come to appreciate Trump's policy achievements and sees the left as having moved much further left since 2016.
Modern Political Dynamics (8:57)
Shapiro argues that modern politics has become overly reactionary, with people often voting against what they hate rather than for what they support. He traces this to the 2012 election, which he sees as a turning point:
- Obama's campaign strategy of targeting specific demographic groups rather than appealing broadly
- Democrats mistakenly believing this strategy was universally replicable
- Republicans concluding Trump had unique appeal that defied normal political rules
Shapiro contends this has led to mythical thinking on both sides and a failure to recognize the 50-50 split in the American electorate.
Dealing with Public Criticism (41:29)
Shapiro discusses how he handles public scrutiny and criticism:
- Relies on a trusted inner circle for honest feedback
- Reduced exposure to social media (removed Twitter from his phone)
- Tries to maintain perspective that online discourse isn't representative
- Acknowledges it's never easy but has developed thicker skin over time
He emphasizes the importance of having people who will "speak truth to you" rather than just yes-men.
Masculinity and Relationships (1:24:06)
Shapiro presents his view on healthy masculinity:
- Focused on family, responsibility, and building rather than superficial traits
- Sees modern "masculinity" often as a reaction to feminist critiques
- Argues true masculinity is about channeling male drives constructively
On relationships, he advocates for shared values and a commitment to the institution of marriage itself, not just to one's partner.
"The thing you can commit to right now is the thing that won't change, which is the nature of the institution."
Experiences with Bullying (43:36)
Shapiro reflects on being bullied as a youth:
- Experienced physical bullying and social isolation
- Believes it made him tougher but acknowledges the damage it can cause
- Argues some adversity is necessary to develop resilience
He cautions against letting past hurts define you indefinitely, noting how marriage and family helped him move beyond a "chip on his shoulder" mentality.
The Importance of Family (54:35)
Shapiro strongly advocates for the importance of family:
- Sees marriage and children as stabilizing forces for individuals and society
- Argues the social purpose of relationships is procreation and child-rearing
- Believes shared values on child-rearing are crucial for successful marriages
He contends that prolonged singlehood can be problematic, leaving people stuck in immature mindsets.
Media and Information Landscape (1:36:40)
Shapiro discusses changes in media and information distribution:
- Criticizes Scientific American for endorsing political candidates
- Argues politicization of science undermines public trust
- Sees Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter/X as largely positive for free speech
- Notes the decline of Facebook as a news distribution platform
He expresses concern about the loss of "normie" spaces for political discussion online.
"Peak Woke" and Future Ideological Divides (2:02:56)
Shapiro believes we've passed "peak woke" in corporate America but that ideological divides will persist in new forms:
- Economic pressures forcing companies to abandon "DEI" initiatives
- Lingering fatigue from social upheavals of 2020
- Shift from racial/gender focus to class-based resentment
- Emerging divide between "lions" (producers/builders) and "scavengers"
He predicts continued conflict between those who want to build and those who want to tear down existing structures.
Conclusion
Ben Shapiro offers a conservative perspective on the current state of American politics and culture. He sees the 2024 election as a critical juncture but cautions against apocalyptic rhetoric. Shapiro advocates for a return to traditional values around family and masculinity while acknowledging the need for the political right to adapt to changing circumstances. He remains optimistic about America's fundamental strengths but warns of deepening ideological divides that go beyond simple left-right distinctions.
Throughout the conversation, Shapiro emphasizes the importance of intellectual honesty, maintaining perspective amidst political turmoil, and the stabilizing force of family and community. While firmly conservative in his views, he demonstrates a willingness to evolve his positions based on new information and changing circumstances.