Ep. 2339 - 2026 SHOCK: Trump DEPOSES Maduro! - The Ben Shapiro Show Recap

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show

Published: 2026-01-05

Duration: 1 hr 15 min

Guests: Daniel DiMartino

Summary

The Trump administration executed a military operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, underscoring a bold foreign policy strategy. The episode also discusses potential regime changes in Iran and political shifts in the U.S.

What Happened

The episode opens with a detailed account of the Trump administration's bold operation, dubbed 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' to arrest and extradite Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. This military operation involved U.S. Special Operations forces and advanced air power, including F-18s and F-35s, and resulted in Maduro's capture and extradition to the U.S. to face narco-terrorism charges.

President Trump announced Maduro's capture on Truth Social, framing the operation as a demonstration of U.S. military prowess and his foreign policy strategy of 'peace through strength.' The operation was strategically planned with inside information from an asset within Maduro's regime and faced some injuries but no fatalities among U.S. forces.

The discussion highlights the implications of Maduro's removal, noting that Delcy Rodriguez is positioned as a key figure in the transitional government. Trump emphasized the importance of U.S. interests in Venezuelan oil and criticized past nationalization efforts that harmed American enterprises.

The episode examines international reactions, with condemnation from Russia, China, and Mexico, while the EU supported a democratic transition in Venezuela. Domestically, figures like Bernie Sanders criticized the operation as unconstitutional, while others like AOC and Marjorie Taylor Greene questioned its motivations.

Attention shifts to Iran, where protests have resulted in 41 deaths amid a critical shortage of basic necessities. The U.S. president warned Iran of potential consequences should they continue repressive actions against protesters, while Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini reportedly has a contingency plan to flee if protests intensify.

In U.S. politics, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race amid fraud allegations, influenced by federal investigations into daycare fraud involving Somali-led operations in Minnesota. This scandal has significantly impacted Minnesota's political landscape.

Lastly, the episode anticipates 2026 as a year of revelation, where international and domestic challenges are expected to test the resilience of global leaders and economies. Challenges from China's assertiveness, Russia's ambitions, and Iran's nuclear aspirations, along with political and economic turmoil domestically, are predicted to shape future geopolitical dynamics.

Key Insights