Ben Shapiro, born in 1984 in Los Angeles, has become a prominent but controversial figure in American conservative media. Raised in a conservative Jewish family, he has made a name for himself through various platforms, including editing for Breitbart News from 2012 to 2016, co-founding The Daily Wire, and hosting The Ben Shapiro Show. Recently, he stirred controversy with a phone interview of former President Donald Trump on his podcast.
Shapiro graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science at just 20 years old and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2007. He has authored 14 books that promote conservative ideologies, often claiming that the left holds an overpowering influence in the U.S. media landscape.
While Shapiro presents himself as a champion of traditional values—evidenced by his marriage to Israeli medical doctor Mor Toledano in 2008—his views often provoke heated debate. He has claimed that he and his wife were both virgins before marriage, a fact he emphasizes to underscore their adherence to religious principles.
On critical social issues, Shapiro adopts positions that many find regressive. He opposes abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, supports capital punishment, and is against same-sex marriage. His skepticism regarding systemic injustice against African Americans has raised eyebrows; he argues that personal choices are primarily to blame for the challenges facing these communities. In a discussion with Joe Rogan, Shapiro stated, “The problems that have plagued communities in the United States, not just black communities, problems of racism, problems of sexism. The ways those get alleviated is people making better choices over time.” He referenced Jewish experiences of discrimination in the early 20th century to suggest that improvement comes solely from individual effort, an argument that many see as dismissive of the broader systemic issues at play.
Shapiro’s fervent support for Israel has attracted backlash, particularly following recent escalations in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Critics like Norman Finkelstein have accused him of distorting facts to serve a narrative, stating, “These people [Shapiro, Bill Maher, and others] use their power and position to lie as Israel conducts its genocide in Gaza. Those people are revolting. Revolting. They’re also revolting cowards.” Finkelstein’s call for a debate went unanswered, highlighting Shapiro’s reluctance to engage with critical voices.
During a live interview in Tel Aviv, Shapiro explained his choice to remain in the U.S., insisting that promoting American values is part of his Jewish mission. However, his remarks about civilian casualties in conflict zones have sparked outrage, and he later issued apologies for some of his more incendiary comments.
Shapiro’s commentary on Vice President Kamala Harris further exemplifies his contentious style. He has criticized her laughter as “awkward” and accused her of “conning” her way into political positions, labeling her as “dangerous.” His attempts to portray her as a victim of her own making—despite her racial background—have been criticized as reductive and harmful. In discussions about Harris, he often resorts to derogatory descriptions, seeking to undermine her credibility and capabilities.
In Spring 2016, Shapiro famously declared he would “never vote for Donald Trump,” opting instead to support Ted Cruz during the Republican primaries. However, he has since reversed course and is now endorsing Trump in the upcoming presidential election, particularly in light of Trump’s strong backing of Israel. This shift raises significant questions: What has changed to make Shapiro support Trump now?
Overall, Ben Shapiro stands as a polarizing figure in American conservative discourse. While he presents himself as a defender of free speech and traditional values, his views often reflect a rigidity that many find unyielding and dismissive of complex social realities.
