Why Ben Shapiro Left L.A. – And Why the Rest of Us Should Pay Attention

Ben Shapiro just dropped a sharp, no-holds-barred video breaking down the mess that is modern Los Angeles. If you've ever wondered how one of America's most iconic cities turned into a cautionary tale, this clip nails it. 

The Core Problem: Leadership Failure on Homelessness

Shapiro doesn't pull punches. He slams current leaders like Karen Bass and Nithya Raman for their handling of LA's homelessness crisis. Decades of progressive policies, massive spending, and feel-good rhetoric haven't fixed the streets — they've made them worse. Tents, trash, and human suffering now define parts of what was once a world-class city.

The numbers are staggering, the results embarrassing. Billions poured in, yet visible decline continues. Shapiro highlights how this isn't just a policy failure — it's a leadership one.

Enter Spencer Pratt: Using AI to Expose Reality

One of the most interesting angles? Reality TV star Spencer Pratt jumping into the mayoral race with viral AI-generated campaign ads. These ads cut through the noise by starkly showing the city's decay. No sugarcoating. Just raw visuals that force viewers to confront what's happened to Los Angeles.

Pratt's approach is refreshing in its directness. In a city drowning in spin, using modern tools like AI to tell uncomfortable truths stands out.

Shapiro's Personal Take

From Reality TV Villain to Serious LA Mayoral Contender: Spencer Pratt on Joe Rogan

Spencer Pratt, the former The Hills star once known as reality TV’s ultimate villain, joined Joe Rogan for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation back on April 15, 2026. In the episode (JRE #2483), Pratt explains why he’s running for Mayor of Los Angeles, shares the personal tragedy that pushed him into politics, and delivers sharp criticism of the city’s current leadership. With the LA mayoral primary election happening tomorrow, June 2, this discussion feels more relevant than ever.

Watch the Full Podcast Here [VIDEO]

What are you favorite podcasts?

I remember when podcasts first started gaining traction about 20 years ago. Back then, it was usually just someone plugging a microphone into their computer and talking about whatever they wanted. It felt like producing your own radio show — and you could do it for five minutes or five hours.

It’s wild how much the medium has evolved. Podcasting is now a massive industry.

Source: MusicRadar.com

My go-to podcasts right now are PBD Podcast and Timcast IRL. I’ve also started tuning into Bill O’Reilly’s new show, We’ll Do It Live — especially after his recent interview with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. That one earned a solid spot on my must-listen list.

Sean Hannity’s Hang Out is another I should follow more closely. He even filled in once as a guest host on PBD’s show.

A few honorable mentions:

• The Adam Carolla Show — always entertaining, especially if you want unfiltered takes on what’s happening in California. He was directly impacted by the 2025 wildfires.
• The Joe Rogan Experience — I don’t catch it as often as I should, but his interview with Donald Trump in 2024 was excellent. He consistently lands fascinating guests.
• Larry Elder — I’ve been following him since his Moral Court days and his long run in talk radio. His show used to air here in Chicago on WLS-AM. I really respect how he combines strong opinions with facts.

Looking back, my media habits have changed significantly in recent years. I barely watch traditional TV anymore — especially since Fox News canceled Tucker Carlson (who definitely belongs on this list too). I don’t follow the news the way I used to. These days, podcasts keep me plugged into current events far better than cable news currently.

Newspapers feel almost extinct. I used to regularly check the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times back when I first started this blog. Now I rarely do.

Question for you all: What podcasts do you listen to on a regular basis?

Does "Suicidal Empathy" Explain Our Soft-on-Crime Policies?

 Empathy is a virtue — the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. But when it's misdirected, excessive, or untethered from reason and consequences, it can become suicidal empathy.

As evolutionary psychologist Gad Saad explains in his PragerU video (and upcoming book Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind), civilizations don't always die by murder. Per historian Arnold Toynbee, they often die by suicide — from within, through well-intentioned but self-destructive choices.

Watch Saad's full take here [VIDEO]

What's going on with the Iran War?

 This blog used to be known for covering the news of the day so here's one development that's been discussed today regarding the Iran War. They've been talking about a deal and hopefully an eventual cessation of hostilities.

BBC:

The US and Iran still need to work out several sticking points before an agreement on the war can be reached, Vice-President JD Vance has said.

Asked by the BBC if President Donald Trump was close to signing a deal, Vance said it was too early to say "when or if" the two sides would finalise an agreement.

The deal would reportedly extend the ceasefire for 60 days and launch talks on the future of Iran's nuclear programme.

Earlier on Thursday, US officials told the BBC that the two countries had agreed a framework of a deal, pending the approval of Trump and Iran's leadership.

But Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the deal had not been finalised or confirmed.

Basically we wiped out their military, we killed the top tier of their leadership (remember in the initial airstrikes Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed). Reports are the new Supreme Leader also Khamenei is incapacitated - when his appointment was announced all they showed as his head on a cardboard body, he wasn't even there to show himself as the newly appointed Supreme Leader.

I just wonder how long the Iranian Revolutionary Guard will continue fighting?

California Sheriff Chad Bianco on the PBD Podcast

I used A.I. to pull some significant points from this morning's podcast

Straight Talk from California’s Law-and-Order Governor Candidate

Source: LA Times

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco joined Patrick Bet-David on the PBD Podcast (#808) for a candid discussion about California’s 2026 gubernatorial race. As a Republican candidate with a strong law enforcement background, Bianco pulled no punches on the state’s crises, his primary rivals, and the failures of Democratic leadership—particularly under Governor Gavin Newsom.

Steve Hilton vs. Sheriff Chad Bianco: Who’s the Better Choice to Run California?

Last week PBD hosted Republican Steve Hilton one of the two leading candidates for California governor. This week, we get the other prominent Republican in the mix: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

With the June 2, 2026 jungle primary fast approaching, this race is heating up. I’m embedding the full interview with Sheriff Bianco below. If you’re up early or following the blog, this is a good one to watch when it drops. [VIDEO]

Newt Gingrich on Pod Force One discussing Trump, Iran, Bill Clinton's impeachment and breaking the modern left

Note: This post was written with the assistance of AI.

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In a recent episode of Miranda Devine’s Pod Force One, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich delivered a characteristically sharp and historically grounded analysis of where American politics stands in mid-2026. With Donald Trump back in the White House and the nation engaged in conflict with Iran, Gingrich laid out a high-stakes vision for the upcoming midterms and the deeper ideological battle facing the country.

Here are the core insights from Gingrich’s appearance, condensed and organized for clarity.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Has Learned Nothing in 6 Years

Since Memorial Day just passed, I wanted to share this post from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. While the nation honored our fallen service members, he chose to remember George Floyd instead.

Today, we remember George Floyd, who was murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer six years ago.

That moment changed our city forever.

— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) May 25, 2026

His city was torn apart by the riots following Floyd's death in 2020. Six years later, Frey still prioritizes this narrative over Memorial Day.

Stossel on America's 250th birthday

I hope everyone had a restful Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, here in Chicago, it was anything but peaceful for many residents. The now-familiar “teen takeovers” returned, bringing chaos, violence, and disruption to parts of the city. These incidents highlight deeper issues that our local leaders need to address seriously — not just with more police presence, but with stronger accountability and cultural changes.

[VIDEO] Today, I wanted to share something more uplifting and thought-provoking as we move forward. This powerful video from John Stossel explores what truly makes America great — especially timely as the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday this year (the Semiquincentennial).

In the video, Stossel and his guests — including Ron Paul, Steve Forbes, and others — dive into how liberty, strong property rights, and limited government turned a young nation into the freest and most prosperous in history. Ben Franklin’s famous warning rings especially true today: “We have a republic, if we can keep it.”

PBD Podcast: Steve Hilton candidate for California Governor

Steve Hilton is one of two prominent Republican candidates for Governor of California, alongside Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. With the jungle primary set for June 2, 2026, there had been serious discussion on the right about the possibility of two Republicans advancing to the November general election.

On the PBD Podcast this week, Hilton broke down the latest polling — showing him narrowly leading or tied near the top — and warned about the real risk that two Democrats could squeeze into the top two spots. That outcome would shield lame-duck Governor Gavin Newsom from full accountability for the state’s failures. He even suggested Sheriff Bianco should consider dropping out to consolidate the Republican vote and prevent a Democrat-only general election.

Hilton is an unusual figure in this race. A former Fox News host of The Next Revolution, he previously served as a top political strategist and aide to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron. He moved to the United States in 2012 and became a citizen. He has cited a major falling out with Cameron over immigration policy — an issue the UK continues to grapple with.

Now a recent immigrant from England, Hilton is running to lead the Golden State. California has elected an Austrian-born movie star with a thick accent as Governor — so why not a sharp-minded Englishman with a concrete plan to fix the mess? I could get behind that.

Here's the podcast in question [VIDEO]

Matt Walsh takes on the real history of Civil Rights

 As always I will withhold judgement until seeing this. Matt Walsh is known for his rather sarcastic take on controversial issues such as trans-ideology, anti-racism, and of course often on the news of the day. I'm curious what direction he'll take on the Civil Rights movement.

Here's a trailer [VIDEO]

Adam Carolla: Katie Porter Keeps EMBARRASSING Herself!

 I find the California Governor's race very interesting. We have a jungle primary (or top-two primary) which means of the candidates who are running in the primary only two - regardless of their party - will make it to the general election in November.

The polls so far show that two Republicans may be the top two in November Sheriff Chad Bianco and  former British political strategist and former FOX News host Steve Hilton. And all the Democrats which include former Congressmember Katie Porter and formerly included former Congressmember Eric Swawell who was forced to withdraw and resign from Congress.

Katie Porter is the subject of the below video from Adam Carolla's podcast. There was an ad that made that made her look a bit more reasonable or relatable. However, she still does have the reputation of an explosive temper. Check out what Adam's talking about below [VIDEO]

Amazing CNN is broadcasting the California Governor's debate! Now more of us gets to see the Democrats go after each other and the two Republicans get by unscathed. And we see Katie Porter try to say don't question her temperament.

I've been watching a lot of the candidates go back and forth whether in interviews or in debates. There are a few Democrats that are saying some reasonable things. Especially the Mayor of San Jose Eric Mahan. Based on some of the things that he's saying I could trust him to actually run California.

I don't know about the odds of Hilton and Bianco to get in the top-two. And worse still California is so far off the rails if either of them gets elected they may immediately face a recall. I hope not though.

I hope everyday Californians are ready for normal. And that might mean they might have to shut out Democrats for a time.

And if I may add with the fall-out from the misadministration after the wildfires in California last year I think the LA Mayoral race could be interesting. A Republican named Spencer Pratt has been making some good noise in his race against the seemingly clueless incumbent Karen Bass though time will tell if the residents of the City of Angels Brotherly Love is ready for yet another Republican in over 30 years to take command of America's 2nd largest city.

I do hope Californians are ready for a real change in the nation's most populous state also.