The Parasites Who Want To Run America

The Decline of the Democratic Party

Shapiro opens by addressing the ongoing crisis within the Democratic Party, questioning why it has lost significant support despite the election of Donald Trump twice in recent years. He attributes this decline to the party’s embrace of what he calls “luxury beliefs” — ideological stances held predominantly by privileged, white, college-educated liberals who are disconnected from the realities faced by working-class Americans and minorities. This disconnect is exemplified by a viral video from Los Angeles showing white protesters blocking a young Black woman from going to work in the name of protesting immigration policies. Shapiro condemns this behavior as a stark example of white privilege and performative activism that alienates everyday Americans.

He further critiques the Democratic Party’s primary process, which he argues favors the most ideologically extreme left-wing candidates, often young, privileged individuals with little real-world experience. This has led to the rise of figures like Zoran Mamdani, a Queens state lawmaker and self-described Democratic socialist who is currently the frontrunner in the New York mayoral primary. Shapiro paints Mamdani as emblematic of the party’s radical left turn, highlighting his advocacy for city-owned grocery stores, defunding the police, and his vocal support for causes like Palestinian solidarity — positions Shapiro dismisses as impractical and disconnected from the needs of ordinary New Yorkers, especially communities of color.

The New York Mayoral Race

The New York mayoral race serves as a case study for Shapiro’s broader critique. He contrasts Mamdani’s radical platform with that of Andrew Cuomo, the disgraced former governor, who despite his own controversies, remains a more moderate and experienced candidate. Shapiro underscores the absurdity of Mamdani’s rise, noting his privileged background as the son of a Hollywood director and a Columbia University professor, and his lack of a traditional career. He argues that Mamdani’s base is largely composed of white, progressive college students who prioritize ideological purity over effective governance.

Shapiro also discusses the ranked-choice voting system in New York, which complicates the electoral landscape and could lead to unpredictable outcomes. He warns that if Mamdani secures the Democratic nomination, the incumbent mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, will face a tough challenge, despite his own legal and political troubles.

Unrest in Los Angeles

Turning to Los Angeles, Shapiro examines the recent protests and riots sparked by immigration enforcement raids. He features an interview with Dr. Phil McGraw, who participated in an ICE ride-along and witnessed firsthand the violence and chaos that erupted. Dr. Phil describes attacks on federal agents, including the use of fireworks loaded with shrapnel and the torching of vehicles, painting a picture far removed from the peaceful protest narrative often portrayed in mainstream media.

Shapiro criticizes local Democratic leaders like Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom for their failure to enforce the law and for blaming federal authorities for the unrest. He highlights California’s broader problems under Newsom’s leadership, including skyrocketing costs of living, homelessness, declining education standards, and rising crime, which are often obscured by manipulated statistics and political spin. Despite these failures, Newsom remains a leading figure in the Democratic Party and a potential 2028 presidential contender, largely because of his vocal opposition to Donald Trump rather than any record of effective governance.

The Military Parade

Shapiro shifts focus to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Army, marked by a large military parade planned by President Trump in Washington, D.C. He explains the historical significance of the event, tracing the Army’s origins to the Revolutionary War, and rebuffs media attempts to trivialize the parade as a birthday celebration for Trump. The event is expected to feature thousands of soldiers, vehicles, and aircraft, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators.

In response, a coalition called No Kings has organized nationwide protests, framing the parade as a symbol of authoritarianism and corruption. Shapiro dismisses these protests as a coalition of left-wing groups united primarily by their hatred of Trump, including organizations like Greenpeace, the ACLU, and Planned Parenthood. He critiques their messaging as hypocritical and historically inaccurate, noting the irony of wealthy sponsors backing an anti-establishment movement.

Foreign Policy Debates and the Threat of Nuclear War

The episode concludes with an in-depth discussion of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Shapiro highlights recent moves by the U.S. government to relocate embassy staff and reposition military assets in anticipation of possible Israeli or American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. He underscores the consensus among intelligence agencies and allies that Iran is actively pursuing nuclear weapons, a development that cannot be ignored.

Shapiro critiques the dovish wing of the Republican Party, represented by figures like Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, who recently released a controversial video condemning the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and warning of the dangers of nuclear escalation. He interprets Gabbard’s message as a form of historical revisionism and a dangerous appeasement stance that undermines America’s strategic interests. Shapiro argues that standing firm against Iran’s nuclear program is essential to preventing a far worse outcome — the proliferation of nuclear weapons to a hostile regime that sponsors terrorism and threatens regional stability.

He also addresses the hypocrisy of those who decry Israeli military actions while ignoring Hamas’s violent tactics, including the recent killing of aid workers in Gaza. Shapiro emphasizes that the real humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by Hamas’s actions and that Israel’s efforts to provide aid through non-Hamas channels are often overlooked or misrepresented.