The Ben Shapiro Show

Episode 2344: GROSS: Hollywood Attacks ICE, Ignores SLAUGHTER In Iran
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)

Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro provides a pointed critique of Hollywood celebrities and progressive activists for, in his view, prioritizing domestic virtue signaling—specifically attacks against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)—over condemning the mass killings of protesters by the Iranian regime. Shapiro dissects the events at the recent Golden Globes, analyzes left-wing rhetoric surrounding a controversial ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis, and explores U.S. policy options amid ongoing violence in Iran. The episode also features a discussion with Matt Fradd, host of "Pints with Aquinas," on the role of faith in contemporary society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hollywood’s Priorities and Virtue Signaling

Timestamps: 04:45–21:30

• Golden Globes Recap: Ben criticizes Hollywood celebrities for protesting ICE and other U.S. policies at the Golden Globes while staying almost silent on Iran’s violent crackdown.

• Target Selection: He sees celebrities’ activism as “pseudo-moral” (06:20), with priorities set by new trends, not enduring principles.

• Specific Examples:

  • Nikki Glaser’s Joke (07:40): Ben scoffs at her focus on “CBS News” as the pinnacle of moral outrage.
  • Mark Ruffalo’s Speech (09:38): Ruffalo dons a pin for Renee Good (killed in an ICE-related incident) and decries “dictatorship” in America, which Ben calls melodramatic.

    "It's hard to pretend anymore that we don't live in a dictatorship." — Mark Ruffalo [09:38]

• Double Standards:
  Ben draws a contrast:

  “There are people on earth… who are literally putting their lives at risk, their bodies on the line for their own freedom, and Hollywood has nothing to say to them… nothing. Literally nothing. Dead silence.” [19:58]

2. The Minneapolis ICE Shooting and Renee Good

Timestamps: 13:25–44:01

• Incident Overview: Ben breaks down the viral case of Renee Good, who was shot by ICE after parking to block their enforcement action; her supporters frame her as a martyr, but Shapiro argues the facts are misrepresented.
• Footage Critique: He reviews video clips showing Renee Good obstructing officers and taunting them.

  “Up until the moment that Renee Goode tries to drive away, there is no perception that she's doing anything wrong. I mean, she's taunting the police officers at the time.” [15:40]

• Comparison to Other Cases:
  • References other highly publicized law enforcement incidents (Ferguson, George Floyd) as part of a broader trend of narrative distortion.
• Political Fallout:
  • Critiques both left (for lionizing Good) and right (for opportunistic initial statements). “Jumping to your favorite narrative” is “the enemy of good sense.” [46:12]
• Escalation:
  • Notes anti-ICE protests are growing, and activist groups are now escalating tactics. “This is just going to continue.” [48:00]
  • Protest rhetoric compared ICE to Nazi SS units, which Shapiro calls “ridiculous” (50:15).

3. Democratic Politicians & ICE Backlash

Timestamps: 50:00–45:45

• Senator Chris Murphy: Calls ICE enforcement “inhumane and illegal” and accuses them of undermining public safety.

• Ayanna Pressley: Declares ICE cannot be reformed and is constitutionally abusive.

• Ilhan Omar: Asserts ICE is an “occupying force”—Ben and Matt Fradd respond with incredulity, arguing ICE’s jurisdiction is legitimate.

  "This is to, to create fear, is to terrorize our communities. It is to tell us that we are powerless." — Ilhan Omar [42:21]

• Ben & Matt’s Rebuttals:

  • ICE targets criminal aliens; obstruction is illegal.
  • The anti-ICE rhetoric is fueling more confrontation and, potentially, violence.

4. Broader Context: Iran’s Deadly Crackdown

Timestamps: 21:40–44:01, 28:00–32:00

• Situation on the Ground:

  • At least hundreds, possibly thousands, killed during Iranian government suppression of protests.
  • Shapiro highlights the West’s relative silence—especially among progressive activists and Democratic politicians—regarding atrocities in Iran.

• U.S. Policy Debate:

  • The Trump administration is reportedly considering military options and economic measures, such as seizing Iranian oil tankers.
  • Expresses skepticism toward “negotiation” with Iran, calls for meaningful U.S. support for protesters—without calling for a full-scale invasion.

  “No one is talking about Iraq…The question is what options are on the table that would protect the protesters, weaken the regime and allow the Iranian people to take the situation into their own hands.” [36:47]

• Strategic Implications:

  • Regime change would shift Middle East geopolitics, undermine China and Russia, aid U.S. interests.

5. Political Corruption & Fraud in Progressive Cities

Timestamps: 45:51–48:30

• Minneapolis Fraud Scandal:
  • Ben highlights Democratic officials, including Ilhan Omar and Mayor Jacob Fry, downplaying massive fraud in government programs, arguing a lack of accountability undermines progressive ideals.
• NYC Housing Example:
  • Points to the failures of government-run housing in the Bronx as further evidence of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.

6. Trump vs. Jerome Powell (Federal Reserve Controversy)

Timestamps: 49:00–52:53

• Powell Investigation:
  • DOJ launches criminal probe into Fed Chair Powell for allegedly misleading Congress about the scale of renovations; Ben suspects political retribution for Powell resisting Trump’s interest rate policies.

  “You should not be targeting people based on specious investigations… the DOJ should not be used for political purposes—whether you are targeting Donald J. Trump and your name is Joseph R. Biden, or targeting Jerome Powell and your name is President Donald J. Trump.” [53:53]

• Powell’s Response:

  “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President.” — Jerome Powell [53:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Shapiro on Hollywood:

  “It is an act of bravery to stand up at the Golden Globes and Virtue Signal on behalf of the LGBTQ Plus Minus Divided By Sign. These are the things that matter most, according to Hollywood.” [08:35]

• Mark Ruffalo’s Awards Speech:

  “This is for [Renee Good]. This is for the people in the United States who are terrorized and scared today. I know I'm one of them. I love this country. And what I'm seeing happening is not America.” [15:24]

• On Iranian Protesters:

  “There are people on earth who are literally putting their lives at risk, their bodies on the line for their own freedom, and Hollywood has nothing to say to them. Nothing. Literally nothing. Dead silence.” [19:58]

• Ben Shapiro on Political Narratives:

  “The desperate desire and need to create a full on black and white narrative with regard to what are very tragic and very often shaded incidents is truly an astonishing thing. And that's what Hollywood does best.” [15:58]

• On Domestic vs. International Focus:

  “Thankfully, the Hollywood coterie informs us that the real issue we should all be worried about is not what's happening in Iran, it's the fact that ICE is trying to do its job.” [46:46]

Interview: Matt Fradd and "Pints With Aquinas"

Timestamps: 54:50–62:10

• Show Introduction:

  • Matt Fradd explains "Pints With Aquinas": long-form, intellectually rigorous discussions on Christian faith, history, and theology.
  • The first episode focuses on the historicity of the New Testament and the divinity of Jesus.

• Ben on Faith & Modernity:

  • Highlights that “the revitalization of Christianity in particular in the West, but faith generally, is really important in an increasingly secular world.” [56:40]
  • Notes trend of fewer but more devout churchgoers, mirrored in Judaism.

• Matt on Tradition:

  “I think Jordan Peterson, in a way, was a gateway drug for many people to take another look at Christianity and not mock it or Judaism or just belief in God in general.” [57:28]

  • Observes people moving toward “apostolic Christianity” for tradition and clarity amid social change.

• On Conversion & Repentance:

  “If a person who's coming back to Christianity is more concerned with other people's sins than their own, this is not a good sign… the first thing should be a desire to amend my own life by the grace of God.” — Matt Fradd [59:25]

• Show Format:

  • Weekly long-form interviews; additional Q&A and educational content planned.

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|-----------| | Hollywood at the Golden Globes, ICE controversy | 04:45–21:30 | | The ICE shooting: Renee Good case | 13:25–22:35 | | Protest reactions & rise of anti-ICE activism | 44:01–48:00 | | U.S./Iran crisis, policy options | 21:40–44:01, 28:00–32:00 | | Minneapolis fraud & NY housing critique | 45:51–48:30 | | Jerome Powell/Fed controversy | 49:00–53:53 | | Matt Fradd/Pints With Aquinas interview | 54:50–62:10 |

Tone & Style

Ben Shapiro maintains a fast-paced, sharp, and acerbic tone throughout, balancing cultural critique with policy analysis. He frequently uses humor, sarcasm, and pointed rhetorical questions ("Call me crazy"), but grounds his arguments in specific cases and statistics. Matt Fradd brings a more reflective and philosophical tone in the latter part of the episode.

Summary for Non-Listeners

Ben Shapiro’s January 12, 2026 episode spotlights the gap between Hollywood’s celebrity activism—loudly criticizing U.S. immigration enforcement and law enforcement practices at the Golden Globes—and the comparative silence over mass atrocities overseas, specifically in Iran, where protestors face deadly government crackdowns. He dissects the misrepresentation of a highly publicized ICE shooting, criticizes growing anti-ICE activism, and accuses the left of political opportunism in both domestic and international crises. Shapiro offers a conservative perspective on U.S. responses to Iran, covers alleged mismanagement in Democrat-led cities, and cautions against the politicization of federal institutions like the Federal Reserve.

The episode closes with a thoughtful conversation about the role of faith in modern life, with Matt Fradd introducing his show, "Pints with Aquinas," and exploring why tradition and serious religious commitment may be resurging in a secular age.