Ep. 2374 - Candace Owens Is Evil - The Ben Shapiro Show Recap

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show

Published: 2026-02-24

Duration: 1 hr 12 min

Guests: Mary Margaret Olihan

Summary

Ben Shapiro critiques Candace Owens for her controversial series targeting Erica Kirk and explores the cultural implications of the new 'Wuthering Heights' film adaptation. He also previews President Trump's upcoming State of the Union address, discussing its expected themes and public reception.

What Happened

Ben Shapiro opens the episode with a strong critique of Candace Owens, who released a trailer for her new series 'Bride of Charlie' that attacks Erica Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk. Owens accuses Kirk and Turning Point USA of complicity in Charlie's murder, an assertion Shapiro vehemently condemns as conspiratorial and evil.

Shapiro then shifts to the upcoming State of the Union address by President Trump, predicting it will be longer than last year's 99 minutes and focus on American patriotism, a revival of faith, and rejecting political violence. Erica Kirk is expected to attend as a guest, and the men's Olympic hockey team will be present while the women's team declined.

Discussing the cultural landscape, Shapiro analyzes the global box office hit 'Wuthering Heights,' describing it as a culturally degrading film that replaces romance with explicit sexual content. He criticizes the film for its lack of romantic tension and virtue, offering zero stars out of four.

Shapiro underscores the societal decline in values, arguing that the film's portrayal of romance is a reflection of this trend. He compares it unfavorably to the 1939 version of 'Wuthering Heights,' highlighting its lack of understanding of romance and virtue.

In political news, Shapiro covers a CNN poll showing President Trump's approval rating at 32%, with 61% believing his policies are moving the country in the wrong direction. He also notes the ongoing unpopularity of tariffs, which haven't significantly impacted manufacturing or the trade deficit.

Shapiro also discusses public behavior issues, such as the snowball incident in New York City, and comments from figures like James Tallarico and Gavin Newsom, who advocate for a focus on broader issues rather than identity politics.

Throughout the episode, Shapiro stresses the importance of focusing on core cultural and political issues, criticizing distractions and divisive narratives that detract from meaningful discourse.

Key Insights

Key Questions Answered

What accusations did Candace Owens make against Erica Kirk?

Candace Owens accused Erica Kirk and Turning Point USA of complicity in Charlie Kirk's murder, which Ben Shapiro denounces as conspiratorial and evil.

How was the new 'Wuthering Heights' film received?

The new 'Wuthering Heights' film is criticized by Ben Shapiro for lacking romantic tension and replacing it with explicit sexual content, reflecting cultural degradation.

What can we expect from President Trump's State of the Union address?

President Trump's State of the Union is expected to focus on American patriotism, a revival of faith, and a rejection of political violence, with a likely duration of over 100 minutes.