Overview of Ep. 2398 - "No Kings" Rallies… Paid For By A King
Ben Shapiro dissects this weekend’s nationwide “No Kings” protests, arguing they are less a spontaneous grassroots movement against presidential overreach and more a coordinated, well-funded campaign backed by far-left networks—some tied to an American tech billionaire living in Shanghai. The episode also covers related violence at some protests, celebrity and political participation, international reactions (notably from Iran and Russia), U.S. military posture toward Iran, and a separate controversy in Jerusalem where Israeli police briefly prevented Catholic clergy from holding Palm Sunday services due to missile-threat safety restrictions. The show intersperses analysis with sponsor reads and a short Q&A on the filibuster.
Main themes and takeaways
- No Kings rallies were large but not primarily principled: Shapiro argues protesters oppose Trump personally rather than coherently opposing centralized executive power (pointing out past Democratic uses of executive power they did not protest).
- Funding and coordination matter: A Fox Digital investigation cited by Shapiro links roughly 500 groups (combined ~$3 billion annual revenues) to coordinated action; particular attention is drawn to Neville Roy Singham, an American tech tycoon in Shanghai, alleged to have funneled hundreds of millions into activist organizations.
- Protest behavior: Coverage included violent incidents (bricks thrown, federal building vandalism) and performative symbolism (celebrities, Handmaid’s Tale costumes) that Shapiro criticizes as incoherent or hypocritical.
- Geopolitical exploitation: Iran, and to an extent Russia, publicly welcomed/encouraged the protests—Shapiro frames that as hostile regimes attempting to leverage U.S. domestic unrest to their advantage.
- Iran conflict escalation: CBS/WSJ reporting (cited) shows the Pentagon preparing limited ground/special ops options; the U.S./Israel campaign has reportedly damaged Iranian missile facilities; Trump’s statements threaten further strikes on Iranian infrastructure if negotiations fail.
- Jerusalem incident clarified: Israeli police temporarily blocked Cardinal Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre due to strict Old City safety rules after Iranian missile impacts. Israeli authorities and church leaders subsequently coordinated a solution; Shapiro argues the initial blocking was a local mistake, not state-directed religious discrimination.
Topics discussed (organized)
The No Kings protests
- Organizers’ claim: rallies opposed to Trump acting like a “king.”
- Attendance claims vs. skepticism: organizers estimated 8 million nationwide; Ben doubts the figure and cautions typical organizer inflation.
- Protest actions: reports of violence in some locations, property vandalism, provocative signage and flags, clashes with ICE officers.
- Celebrity/political participation: Robert De Niro (video/live), Jamie Lee Curtis, Al Sharpton, Letitia James, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Gov/Mayor appearances (Tim Walz, Brandon Johnson), Rep. Ilhan Omar among public voices.
Funding and coordination allegations
- Fox Digital findings: a network of ~500 groups with roughly $3 billion combined annual revenues allegedly helped coordinate the protests.
- Neville Roy Singham: portrayed as a key funder who has supported far-left organizations; marriage ties to Code Pink co-founder Jody Evans; alleged transfers of roughly $278 million into activist institutions; reports of a politically influential wedding summit in Jamaica that forged alliances.
- Shapiro’s framing: the movement is “organized” and partially externally funded, not purely grassroots.
International reactions and implications
- Iran: Iranian leaders publicly praised or welcomed the protests; Shapiro notes they publicly appeal to U.S. domestic politics to blunt U.S. pressure on Iran.
- Russia: Reported to have provided satellite/drone tech to Iran; Shapiro emphasizes Russia’s regional self-interest and notes this undermines claims that Russia is an ally of the West.
- U.S. military posture: Pentagon considering raids/seizures (Kharg Island, Strait of Hormuz coastal areas); 31st MEU arrival cited; Trump’s public threats to destroy Iranian infrastructure if negotiations fail.
Jerusalem / Holy Sepulchre controversy
- Safety restrictions: Old City under strict limitations because narrow alleys and lack of protected spaces make mass gatherings high-risk under missile attacks; home-front rules disallow gatherings >50 and ban gatherings in areas with no mamad (protected shelter).
- The incident: Cardinal Pizzaballa and the Custos were briefly prevented from entering the Church for Palm Sunday; Israeli police and church later coordinated a framework for Holy Week liturgies (limited/symbolic formats, broadcasts).
- International reaction: Some foreign leaders and commentators criticized Israel; Shapiro defends Israeli measures as safety-driven and argues outrage was overblown.
Q&A — Filibuster
- Caller asks whether Republicans should eliminate the filibuster now to prevent Democrats from doing so later.
- Shapiro’s stance: he views eliminating it preemptively as unwise; suggests pushing for a constitutional amendment to entrench the filibuster if Republicans don’t trust future norms—recognizes political and practical obstacles.
Notable quotes and perspectives
- Ben Shapiro: protesters are “not protesting a specific issue... they just do not like the president.”
- Shapiro on funding: describes a “$3 billion web” and highlights Neville Roy Singham’s role in financing activist institutions.
- Neville Roy Singham (quoted from a conference): promotes a “new world order” and multilateralism with China; calls to reframe World War II narratives to emphasize Chinese/Soviet suffering.
- President Trump (Truth Social quote cited): threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s electric generating plants, oil wells, Kharg Island, and possibly desalination plants if a deal is not reached and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
- Israeli police and officials: emphasized that restrictions were for life-saving safety and apply equally to all faiths; later coordinated with church leaders.
Evidence cited (sources mentioned on the show)
- Wall Street Journal: coverage of No Kings turnout and reporting on Iran/war posture.
- Fox Digital News investigation: funding network, Singham connections, Jamaica wedding summit.
- CBS News / Wall Street Journal: U.S. military preparations and arrival of Marine units.
- The Washington Post: reported damage to Iranian missile production facilities and launch sites.
- Israeli police/Ministry statements and Latin Patriarchate statements about the Jerusalem incident.
Practical takeaways / conclusions
- Shapiro’s central claim: No Kings protests are driven more by anti-Trump sentiment and organized funding than by a principled defense of constitutional limits on the executive.
- Foreign adversaries can exploit U.S. domestic unrest; transparency about funding and organization matters.
- Safety-driven, temporary restrictions in conflict zones (like Jerusalem’s Old City) can look discriminatory but may reflect legitimate life-saving priorities; prompt coordination can resolve disputes.
- U.S. policy options toward Iran include a mix of pressure, limited operations, and threats—uncertainty remains whether rhetoric translates into specific strikes.
Caveats and context to keep in mind
- Attendance figures and financial linkages involve claims from organizers and investigative reporting—numbers may be contested.
- The episode mixes news reporting, commentary, and opinion; many characterizations reflect the host’s political perspective and rhetorical framing.
- Some details (names, amounts, motivations) come from secondary reports and government statements; independent verification may vary.
If you want, I can produce a one‑page executive summary or timeline of the key events (No Kings rallies → Singham/Jamaica nexus → Iran/US military updates → Jerusalem incident → filibuster Q&A).