Ep. 2370 - Dave Chappelle Has LOST IT - The Ben Shapiro Show Recap
Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
Published: 2026-02-18
Duration: 1 hr 0 min
Guests: Jason Riley, Buck Sexton
Summary
Ben Shapiro critiques the media's silence on a transgender shooter with Nazi affiliations, scrutinizes Dave Chappelle's Hollywood virtue signaling, and examines Steven Colbert's reaction to a spiked interview. The episode also delves into broader political narratives and media dynamics.
What Happened
Ben Shapiro opens by criticizing the media's lack of coverage on a transgender shooter in Rhode Island who murdered his family and had a Nazi symbol tattoo, highlighting the media's selective narrative shaping. He accuses outlets like The New York Times of ignoring the transgender aspect to fit their ideological bias.
Dave Chappelle's recent actions come under scrutiny as Shapiro discusses Chappelle laying flowers at a memorial for anti-ICE activist Alex Pretti. Shapiro criticizes this as Hollywood virtue signaling, contrasting it with Chappelle's previous opposition to affordable housing near his Ohio residence.
The episode addresses Steven Colbert's frustration over CBS's decision not to air an interview with Texas Senate candidate James Tallarico due to FCC equal time rules. Shapiro implies that the decision reflects broader media biases and fear of non-progressive ideas.
Shapiro discusses the political climate, including Democratic voters' discontent with their party, describing it as 'sold out' and 'paralyzed.' He highlights the struggle within the Democratic Party to balance progressive ideals and broader electability.
The episode features Buck Sexton discussing his book 'Manufacturing Delusion,' which examines how mass hysteria and misinformation are used to control narratives. Sexton draws parallels with historical tactics, emphasizing the danger of not recognizing lies.
Shapiro praises Jason Riley's book 'The Affirmative Action Myth,' arguing that racial preferences are unnecessary for Black success. Riley's insights on the importance of family structure over symbolic representation in leadership are highlighted.
Throughout the episode, Shapiro promotes sponsors like ZipRecruiter and ExpressVPN, emphasizing their benefits and offering discount codes to listeners. He also encourages membership to DailyWire+ for exclusive content.
The episode concludes with a focus on current geopolitical tensions, including President Trump's strategies in the Middle East and New York City's fiscal policies under Mayor Mamdani, providing a comprehensive view of domestic and international issues.
Key Insights
- Media outlets like The New York Times have been accused of shaping narratives by omitting the transgender identity of a Rhode Island shooter, suggesting a bias in how stories are reported based on ideology.
- Dave Chappelle's gesture of laying flowers at an anti-ICE activist's memorial is critiqued as contradictory, given his opposition to affordable housing near his own Ohio home, highlighting a tension between public virtue signaling and personal interests.
- FCC equal time rules led CBS to drop an interview with Texas Senate candidate James Tallarico, sparking debate about media bias and the reluctance to broadcast non-progressive viewpoints.
- Buck Sexton's 'Manufacturing Delusion' argues that historical tactics of mass hysteria and misinformation are still used to control narratives today, warning of the dangers when society fails to recognize systemic lies.
Key Questions Answered
What was the media's response to the Rhode Island transgender shooter?
The media, particularly The New York Times, largely omitted the transgender aspect of the Rhode Island shooter who had Nazi affiliations, a point criticized by Ben Shapiro for reflecting media bias.
How did Dave Chappelle's recent actions reflect Hollywood virtue signaling?
Dave Chappelle laid flowers at a memorial for anti-ICE activist Alex Pretti, which Ben Shapiro critiques as an act of Hollywood virtue signaling, especially in light of Chappelle's opposition to affordable housing near his residence.
Why did CBS spike Steven Colbert's interview with James Tallarico?
CBS spiked the interview due to concerns over the FCC's equal time rule, which mandates equal airtime for political candidates, a decision that Steven Colbert criticized.