Ben Shapiro

Conservative Commentator

Republican

Conservative

Conservative Media

Commentator

Ben Shapiro, born January 15, 1984, is an American conservative commentator, author, podcaster, and attorney. A prodigy who graduated summa cum laude from UCLA at 20 and Harvard Law School at 23, he began writing syndicated columns at 17. Shapiro co-founded The Daily Wire in 2015, serving as editor emeritus and host of the top-ranked "The Ben Shapiro Show" podcast. Previously Breitbart News' editor-at-large, he has authored 15 books, including New York Times bestsellers like "The Right Side of History." Recently, he has led Daily Wire expansions, debated publicly, and commented on the 2024 election and Israel-Hamas war.

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Independent

Independence Score

Says vs Does

What they claim vs what their actions show

🗣️ SAYS THEY ARE

Constitutional conservative

⚡ ACTUALLY ALIGNS

Israel and conservative media interests

🎯 Primary Loyalties (Ranked)

Israel
Republican Party
Free-market businesses
Social conservatism

📋 Actions That Prove It

✓Advocated for U.S. military aid to Israel, including support for $14.3 billion in additional funding after October 7, 2023, Hamas attack
✓Endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2020 after opposing him in 2016 primaries
✓Founded The Daily Wire in 2015, building a media company with over 1 million paid subscribers by 2024
✓Testified before California State Assembly in 2013 opposing AB 1266, a bill allowing transgender student access to facilities matching gender identity

⚠️ Contradictions

•Opposed Donald Trump in 2016 as 'not a conservative' and wrote in another candidate, but endorsed and voted for him in 2020
•Criticizes expansive government spending but supports annual U.S. foreign aid to Israel of approximately $3.8 billion
•Advocates strict free speech principles but called for investigations into universities over antisemitism and deplatforming of BDS supporters

Career Background

•Youngest nationally syndicated columnist in U.S. history (age 17, Creators Syndicate)
•Attorney at Goodwin Procter law firm (2004-2006)
•Senior Editor at Breitbart News (2012-2016)
•Founder and Editor Emeritus of The Daily Wire (2015-present)
•Host of The Ben Shapiro Show (syndicated radio and podcast, 2015-present)
•Author of multiple New York Times bestsellers (e.g., 'The Right Side of History', 'How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps')

Endorsements

•Endorsed Mitt Romney for President (2012)
•Endorsed Ted Cruz in Republican primaries (2016)
•Write-in vote for Mitt Romney in 2016 general election
•Endorsed Ron DeSantis in 2024 Republican primaries (later supported Donald Trump after DeSantis withdrew)
•Supported Donald Trump over Kamala Harris in 2024 general election