Ep. 2362 - Left-Wing "Journalists" PANIC As WaPo FIRES 300+ - The Ben Shapiro Show Recap

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show

Published: 2026-02-05

Duration: 58 minutes

Guests: Gene Hamilton

Summary

The Washington Post faces considerable backlash after laying off over 300 employees amid financial losses, as media dynamics shift dramatically. Meanwhile, the Trump administration moderates its immigration stance, and Treasury Secretary Scott Besson critiques Democratic policies on economic growth and immigration.

What Happened

The Washington Post's decision to lay off 300 employees is a significant response to its $77 million loss in 2023, with projections of a $100 million loss in 2024. This move affects nearly all news departments and highlights the financial pressures traditional media faces as subscriber numbers decline. Critics, including Bernie Sanders, argue that Jeff Bezos's wealth should have cushioned against such drastic measures.

The New York Times, in contrast, has successfully increased its paid subscriber base from 1 million to 10 million over the past decade by acquiring assets like The Athletic and Wordle. This strategic pivot towards a subscriber-based model offers a stark contrast to the Washington Post's struggles. Jim VandeHei from Axios suggests that the leadership at the Washington Post needs to reconsider its strategies, potentially even selling the paper.

On immigration, Gene Hamilton explains the Democrats' push for judicial warrants in ICE arrests as an attempt to slow down immigration enforcement, arguing it would overwhelm the system. Hamilton clarifies that immigration enforcement is a civil function not typically requiring judicial warrants, unlike criminal cases. Steve Bannon's provocative suggestion to use military forces for poll monitoring is criticized by Ben Shapiro as playing into Democratic narratives.

During the Biden administration, the US-Mexico border was declared the deadliest land route in the world by the UN, with numerous deaths attributed to extreme conditions. Christy Noam emphasizes the dangers on both sides of the border, including deaths from heat and water shortages, highlighting the installation of migrant morgues.

Treasury Secretary Scott Besson argues that the Trump administration's 4.1% economic growth was a highlight, contrasting with lower growth in Europe. He suggests that deporting people reduces housing demand, which impacts inflation, and criticizes the Democrats' policies on economic growth.

Besson also addresses tariffs, asserting that they do not cause inflation and cites studies showing tariffs initially cause deflation followed by inflation. He points out the national debt is growing at almost 7% annually, with a current deficit of 5.9% of GDP, emphasizing that growth alone cannot resolve the debt issue.

George Will comments on the national debt nearing $39 trillion, possibly reaching $40 trillion by year-end. He highlights the bipartisan consensus avoiding long-term fiscal solutions due to short-term political pain, echoing the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget's warnings about potential fiscal crises.

Key Insights

• The Washington Post is laying off 300 employees in response to a $77 million loss in 2023, with losses projected to reach $100 million in 2024, affecting nearly all news departments.
• The New York Times has increased its paid subscriber base from 1 million to 10 million over the past decade by acquiring assets like The Athletic and Wordle, showcasing a successful pivot to a subscriber-based model.
• During the Biden administration, the US-Mexico border was declared the deadliest land route in the world by the UN, with many deaths attributed to extreme conditions such as heat and water shortages.
• The national debt is nearing $39 trillion, with a potential to reach $40 trillion by the end of the year, and is growing at almost 7% annually, while the current deficit stands at 5.9% of GDP.