Is Everything Sexual Assault Now? | Ep. 404

Bannon's Role

Steve Bannon's perceived influence within the Republican Party is often overstated, according to Ben Shapiro. He argues that Bannon is not the leader of a movement, despite having financial backing from the Mercers. Instead, core conservatives remain the driving force within the party, representing a solid majority. Shapiro explains, "Trumpism and Bannonism are not a thing. There's no philosophically consistent Trumpism or Bannonism." 1 2.

   

Trumpism

The notion of a rising nationalist, populist movement within the Republican Party is challenged by Ben Shapiro. He highlights that the party's core conservatives, who support global economic involvement and immigration, form the largest segment. Shapiro states, "I do not see the evidence of that," referring to the supposed dominance of philosophical Trumpism and Bannonism 3. Instead, he attributes the influence of Trump and Bannon to an attitude of anti-establishment anger that predates their prominence 4.

   

Divisions

Internal divisions within the Republican Party are marked by ideological differences and narratives of anti-establishment sentiment. Ben Shapiro discusses the perception that Bannon and Trump dominate the party, a view he finds exaggerated. He notes that while Bannon's influence is acknowledged, it is not as pervasive as some suggest. Shapiro uses the metaphor of the "anger monkey" to describe the unchecked emotional responses within the party: "We just kept feeding it, and the anger monkey just kept eating." 5 6.