Ep. 2346 - Iran SLAUGHTER In The Streets?! - The Ben Shapiro Show Recap

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show

Published: 2026-01-14

Duration: 55 minutes

Summary

Iran is reportedly suppressing protests with extreme violence, potentially killing tens of thousands. President Trump urges continued protests and takes economic actions against Iran.

What Happened

Reports are emerging from Iran suggesting that as many as 20,000 protesters have been killed by the regime. This brutal crackdown is part of the government's response to widespread protests, exacerbated by economic struggles due to U.S. sanctions. The Iranian rial has plummeted, trading at a fraction of a penny, as the country faces severe economic challenges.

President Trump has urged Iranian protesters to continue their demonstrations, emphasizing the importance of standing up against the regime despite the risks. He has also announced increased tariffs on countries that do business with Iran, raising them to 25%, as part of a strategy to isolate the Iranian government further.

The Iranian government has reportedly shut down the internet and is actively attempting to jam Starlink, a move aimed at preventing the flow of information both internally and externally. Despite these efforts, President Trump is considering actions to help restore internet access in Iran, highlighting the importance of communication in the resistance movement.

The discussion also touched on potential geopolitical shifts if the Iranian regime were to change, which could notably weaken Hezbollah in Lebanon and open the door for possible agreements between Iran and Israel. Such a shift is seen as a significant change in Middle Eastern politics, with widespread implications.

The episode also covered the U.S. Supreme Court's involvement in protecting women's sports, with debates surrounding the participation of trans women in girls' sports teams. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito raised questions about the constitutional aspects of sex and equal protection in this context.

On the domestic front, President Trump has announced a halt to federal payments to sanctuary cities starting February 1st, following ICE's increased cooperation with local authorities. This decision has sparked legal challenges from states like Minnesota and Illinois, which have filed lawsuits to ban ICE operations, although such lawsuits lack precedent.

Key Insights

• Reports indicate that the Iranian government may have killed up to 20,000 protesters in response to ongoing demonstrations, highlighting the severity of the crackdown amid economic struggles exacerbated by U.S. sanctions.
• The Iranian rial has significantly devalued, now trading at a fraction of a penny, as the country's economic challenges deepen under international pressure.
• The Iranian government has shut down the internet and is attempting to jam Starlink to control information flow, while efforts are being considered to restore internet access to support resistance movements.
• A potential regime change in Iran could weaken Hezbollah in Lebanon and open possibilities for agreements between Iran and Israel, signaling a major shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics.