Ramesh Ponnuru — senior editor at National Review, columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute  — joins Ben to discuss Trump's effect on the GOP, the growth of the Pro-Life movement, why the Dems lurched to the far left, if the conservative coalition has changed since the Reagan Era, and much more.

Skip to the bonus question at 56:27!

This week, Representative Mike Waltz of Florida joins us to discuss America-first foreign policy as President Trump’s designation for National Security Advisor in the new administration. While Waltz is in the throes of planning for the transition, he shares his foreign policy priorities and proposes a vision for the revival of American strength abroad. Waltz offers his perspective on the fate of NATO, and why domestic American energy is an essential component of American foreign policy. He also discusses what Middle East diplomacy might look like after the Abraham Accords, and how outer space and cybersecurity are part of his policy calculus as well. Don’t miss this important conversation on this latest episode of The Sunday Special!

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Ben Shapiro

The Sunday Special

The Trump Effect | Congressman Mike Waltz

Dr. Kevin Roberts is the President of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that plays a central role in hosting national public policy debates among the political right. In his new book, “Dawn’s Early Light,” Roberts offers a diagnosis of America’s most urgent problems, as well as a series of policy prescriptions for a more prosperous future. In this episode of The Sunday Special, Kevin discusses the tradeoffs inherent to policymaking, why Republicans must not neglect fiscal conservatism any longer, and which executive agency he would reform first. Roberts also injects nuance into our foreign policy debates and explains why some institutions are not even worth overhauling. Stay tuned, and welcome back to another episode of The Sunday Special.

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A New American Century | Dr. Kevin Roberts

Gene Simmons is a rock n’ roll legend, best known as the charismatic bassist and frontman of KISS. With a larger-than-life persona, theatrical concert style, and signature face paint, Simmons and KISS revolutionized rock in the 1970s and 80s with hits like “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” and “Rock and Roll All Nite.” In today’s episode, Gene tells the story of his family’s persecution and immigration to the US, how his upbringing shaped his personal philosophy, and his journey to becoming an iconic rockstar. He also shares the reason for his deep American patriotism, as well as a few hard-learned lessons about love. Simmons’ impact on American music and culture is undeniable. Don’t miss the legendary Gene Simmons on this episode of the Sunday Special.

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The Evolution of a Rockstar | Gene Simmons

Rob Schneider is a beloved American entertainer, comedian and actor, best known for his work on “Saturday Night Live” and dozens of comedies including “50 First Dates,” “Grown Ups,” and “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan.” In today’s episode, we discuss his frustrations with the Democratic establishment in Hollywood, why he left California, and the upsides of being canceled. Schneider also forecasts trends in the comedy industry, offers his diagnosis of the liberal establishment, and encourages other entertainers to follow his lead. As a Hollywood veteran and advocate for free speech, Rob is on a mission to shape the future of his industry. Don’t miss Rob Schneider in this latest episode of the Sunday Special.

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The Upside of Being Canceled | Rob Schneider

Montana Tucker is a multi-talented American influencer and activist, whose online following of over 14 million on platforms like TikTok and Instagram has made a tremendous impact on how young Americans absorb information about Israel and antisemitism on social media. In today’s episode, Montana discusses her experiences touring college campuses, the most common misconceptions she hears about Israel, and her takeaways from personally meeting with the families and victims of the October 7th attacks. Using the power of dance and storytelling, Montana has inspired so many to utilize their creative platforms for good. Stay tuned for this wonderful conversation with Montana Tucker, on the latest episode of the Sunday Special. 

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Debunking Social Media Lies | Montana Tucker

This week on The Sunday Special, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is back to discuss his latest book, “We Who Wrestle With God.” In today’s episode, Jordan describes what it means for man to be created in the image of God, and what the Bible can tell us about our capacity for both tremendous sacrifice and tremendous folly. He also reflects on his writing process, and why he believes it is good enough to conduct himself as if God exists. Grab your copy of “We Who Wrestle With God,” available everywhere on November 19th—stay tuned and don’t miss this episode of the Sunday Special with the inimitable Dr. Jordan B. Peterson.

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We Who Wrestle With God | Dr. Jordan B. Peterson

Avichal Garg is a successful venture capitalist, serial entrepreneur, and founding partner at Electric Capital, where he focuses on investing in innovative technologies in the Web3 space. In today’s episode, Avichal outlines the problems with legacy Big Tech and cryptocurrency’s role in the declining power of the American dollar. He also describes his optimism about the burgeoning AI revolution, and how we can best prepare for the changes it will almost certainly bring to our everyday lives. Stay tuned to hear Avichal Garg’s perspective on the intersection of technology and politics, on this episode of the Sunday Special.

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Harnessing the Power of AI | Avichal Garg

This week on the Sunday Special, Ben Shapiro welcomes Dr. Paul Kengor, a distinguished political scientist, author, and expert on communism and Ronald Reagan’s presidential legacy. In today’s episode, we dissect the infiltration of Marxist ideas among American progressives, the ideological crux of a Marxist’s worldview, and whether or not Kamala Harris can be classified as a Marxist herself. We also examine the similarities and differences between the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, and how American conservatives can lead the way toward a less divisive future. Don’t miss this important conversation with Dr. Paul Kengor, on this episode of the Sunday Special. Thanks for being a DailyWire+ member. This show is ad-free.

What Makes A Marxist? | Dr. Paul Kengor

Bishop Robert Barron is a renowned Catholic theologian and author, often cited as “the Bishop of the Internet” for his innovative approach to evangelization in the modern world. Through his Word on Fire ministry, Bishop Barron produces and publishes books, documentaries, sermons, and podcasts that spread the gospel to over 200 million viewers online. In today’s episode, Bishop Barron and I dissect contemporary myths about traditional religion and delve into the underlying presumptions of a secular society. We also explore the ideological tension between virtue and freedom, and whether the pursuit of unqualified liberty is as useful as we might think. Stay tuned and don’t miss this episode with Bishop Robert Barron on The Sunday Special.

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The Dangers of Secularism | Bishop Robert Barron

Steve Ballmer is a prominent American businessman and philanthropist, best known for his role as the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. In today’s episode, Ballmer shares the circumstances of his upbringing in Detroit, Michigan, the early days of Microsoft, and his concerns about the public’s wavering faith in the “American Dream.” Ballmer also discusses his work with USAFacts, his advice to entrepreneurs, and the shifting landscape in Big Tech today. Steve’s enthusiasm for business and clear passion for his charitable work are evident to all who meet him. Don’t miss this latest episode of The Sunday Special.

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Is the American Dream Still Alive? | Steve Ballmer

Vince Everett Ellison is a political commentator, author, and documentarian focusing on the intersection of American politics, race, and religion. Born on a cotton plantation in Haywood County, Tennessee, Ellison admired how his parents lifted him and his seven siblings out of poverty through hard work and their Christian faith. In today’s episode, we discuss the Democrats’ most depraved policies, Trump’s appeal to black voters, and Ellison’s reaction to the Chicago DNC. We also explore why progressive politics thrive on arrogance, and how humility can be found in religious faith. As we navigate one of the most contentious election seasons of our lifetime, you won’t want to miss Vince Everett Ellison’s analysis of Democratic party politics.

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Race and Religion in American Politics | Vince Everett Ellison

Jonathan Pageau is a French-Canadian liturgical artist, writer, and public speaker on religious philosophy, symbolism, and Orthodox Christianity. Pageau’s commentary can be found on his YouTube channel, “The Symbolic World,” as well as in Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s 17-part “Exodus” seminar and The Daily Wire’s latest series, “Foundations of the West.” In today’s episode, Jonathan and I discuss the biblical themes found in classical fairy tales like “Jack and the Beanstalk,” and the important role that storytelling plays in establishing our most deeply held cultural norms. Pageau also speaks to the modern uses of symbolism, from the prevalence of conspiracy theories to the real meaning behind the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics. Stay tuned, and welcome back to another episode of the Sunday Special.

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The Dark Side of Fairy Tales | Jonathan Pageau

Dr. Drew Pinsky is a board-certified internist and addiction medicine specialist with over 35 years of experience in national TV and radio, as well as a New York Times bestselling author and host of The Dr. Drew Podcast. From Celebrity Rehab on VH1, to his eponymous talk shows with leading experts in the medical field, Dr. Drew pushes forward our national conversation on topics like nutrition, medical technology, mental health, and addiction. In today’s episode, Dr. Drew shares his personal experience being censored by the legacy media, surveys the decay of the American medical establishment, and highlights the backward incentives in our governmental agencies which no longer effectively safeguard Americans’ health. While we navigate an extremely polarized political moment, the restoration of Americans’ physical and mental wellbeing should be of paramount importance to all of us. Don’t miss this important conversation with Dr. Drew Pinsky, on this episode of the Sunday Special.

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The Decay Of The American Medical Establishment | Dr. Drew Pinsky

Vivek Ramaswamy is an American business leader, New York Times bestselling author, and former Republican presidential candidate whose standout performances on the debate stage and the campaign trail have made him a mainstay commentator on topics ranging from the latest electoral trends to the economy, Big Tech, and higher education. In his latest book, "Truths: The Future of America First," Vivek criticizes the Republican Party’s shortcomings and lays out a positive vision for the future of American conservatism. In this episode of the Sunday Special, Vivek and I discuss how the Trump campaign can win this election season, the failures of neoliberalism, and the need to redefine ‘Americanism’ in support of our country’s founding ideals.

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Defining American Identity | Vivek Ramaswamy

Recently, a narrative was introduced to the public conversation that Adolf Hitler wasn’t really interested in continuing WWII, that he offered peace to Britain and France, and that Winston Churchill, driven by some mysterious personal vendetta, refused and kept the war going for his own perverse purposes. This is a gross misreading of history, and conveniently omits key facts about Hitler’s true intentions; anyone suggesting otherwise is engaging in dangerous revisionism. On this episode of the Sunday Special, Niall Ferguson leads us through these untruths. Ferguson is a Scottish historian who is best known for his in-depth analysis of economic history, empire, and global conflicts like WWI and WWII. He doesn’t just recite history—he tells you why it happened, what could have been different, and how the war reshaped our global order. 

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Who Was The Bad Guy In WWII? | Niall Ferguson

On today’s episode of the Sunday Special, I sit down with the man, the myth, the fearless leader of the Sweet Baby Gang, The Daily Wire’s very own Matt Walsh. Walsh’s knack for revealing lies with satire has been captured once again in "Am I Racist?”, where the toxicity of racial equity is on full display. In the film, Matt infiltrates a “White Privilege Grief Workshop,” disguises himself as a DEI consultant to the queen of the anti-racists, Robin DiAngelo, and all while threads the needle for us as viewers on the profound anti-Americanism that undergirds it all. All of us at The Daily Wire cannot wait for the rest of the nation to see the film, and grapple with the reality of the DEI industry. Don’t miss this inside look at "Am I Racist?", out in theaters September 13th. Welcome back to another episode of the Sunday Special.

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The King Of Satire And Disguise | Matt Walsh

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a world-renowned clinical psychologist, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, and online educator known for his influential lectures on religious belief, narrative mythology, and personality analysis. In his latest DW+ series, Foundations of the West, Dr. Peterson travels to Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome to uncover the ancient roots of Western civilization. I was glad to join Dr. Peterson in the first part of the series, where we traversed the hills of Jerusalem and discussed the sacred stories at the heart of the West’s early flourishing. In today’s episode, Dr. Peterson shares a few behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the series’ filming, his personal religious journey, and his observations on the biblical themes of risk and sacrifice. Stay tuned and don’t miss Dr. Jordan Peterson’s latest insights, on this episode of the Sunday Special. Thanks for being a DailyWire+ member. This show is ad-free.

How To Find Beauty In Self-Sacrifice | Jordan Peterson

Spencer Klavan is an associate editor at the Claremont Institute, host of the Young Heretics podcast, and a scholar of ancient Greece. His astute political commentary ranges from critiques of the modern Left to philosophical explorations of the ancient world. In this episode, we explore Klavan’s latest book, “Light of the Mind, Light of the World,” where he rejects the popular notion that science and religion are incompatible, and instead forecasts a future where scientific discovery leads to a religious resurgence. We also discuss the symbolic relationship between Athens and Jerusalem, as well as the religious observations of great scientists like Galileo, Newton, and Einstein.

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Unraveling The Mysteries of The Ancient World | Spencer Klavan

This week on the Sunday Special, Dennis Quaid joins us ahead of the premiere of the upcoming biopic Reagan, coming to theaters nationwide on Friday, August 30th. Quaid is quite the renaissance man–he is a 2x Golden Globe-nominated actor, musician, self-proclaimed golf addict, and licensed pilot. As an actor, he is best known for his versatility in films such as  Breaking Away, The Right Stuff, The Big Easy, and The Parent Trap. In today’s episode, Quaid discusses how he prepared to portray Reagan, parallels between our current political moment and President Reagan’s era, offers a few predictions about the future of Hollywood, and shares a few of his all-time favorite films. Stay tuned for a fantastic conversation with the talented Dennis Quaid. 

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The Reagan Era | Dennis Quaid

In this episode of the Sunday Special, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch joins us to discuss his latest book, "Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law." With his signature judicial clarity, Justice Gorsuch explores the effects of our government’s expanding federal criminal code and the real-world consequences when seemingly innocuous activities entangle citizens with federal law. Justice Gorsuch shares the stories of Americans whose livelihoods have been negatively impacted by overregulation, and why he remains an “incorrigible optimist” about the future of our nation. This conversation is essential listening from one of our country’s sharpest legal minds! Thanks for being a DailyWire+ member. This show is ad-free.

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