Ep. 2359 - The Grammys vs. ICE! - The Ben Shapiro Show Recap

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show

Published: 2026-02-02

Duration: 1 hr 7 min

Guests: Lionel Shriver

Summary

The episode examines the political statements made at the Grammys against ICE, delves into the details of the Epstein documents, and discusses the political shift in Texas as Republicans lose a Senate seat to Democrats.

What Happened

The Grammys took a political turn this year with several celebrities using their platform to criticize ICE and Trump, including Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish. Bad Bunny's speech centered on love being more powerful than hate, while Eilish made the bold statement that 'no one is illegal on stolen land.' This is seen as part of a broader trend of celebrities using award shows to voice political opinions.

The episode also delves into the recently released 3.5 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Although these documents contain unverified claims about President Trump, Ben Shapiro points out that many allegations remain unsubstantiated. The conversation also touches on the complex network of Epstein's connections, including notable figures like Elon Musk and Bill Gates.

A notable aspect of the Epstein documents is the lack of proper redaction of victims' names, raising questions about privacy and the handling of sensitive information. Shapiro discusses the accusations of a cover-up by the DOJ, though he notes there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The political landscape in Texas is shifting as Democrats gain ground, flipping a state Senate seat previously held by Republicans. This change highlights the growing influence of Democrats in traditionally Republican strongholds.

In the context of ICE, a Minnesota District Court recently upheld ICE's legal authority, rejecting efforts to limit its power. Meanwhile, cities like Seattle and Philadelphia are considering legislation to obstruct federal law enforcement actions, reflecting ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities.

Lionel Shriver's book 'A Better Life' is introduced, which uses a family metaphor to explore immigration issues. The book suggests that defending civilization requires active participation and paints a picture of societal dependency through its protagonist.

Key Insights