Lions vs. Scavengers: Understanding Who Really Hates the West (A PragerU Take with Ben Shapiro)

The future of Western civilization feels like it's on the edge. Radical protests keep disrupting cities, vandalizing neighborhoods, and taking over college campuses. But it's not random chaos—it's the same groups switching causes like flags on a pole: radical Muslims, LGBTQ+ activists, communists, anarchists, and environmentalists.

These alliances often make no sense on the surface. "Queers for Palestine" exists, even though the realities in places like Palestine directly contradict the values they claim to support. So what holds this unlikely coalition together?

The Core Divide: Lions vs. Scavengers

Bill O'Reilly on California's Political Shift: Signs of Change in the Golden State?

 Bill O'Reilly recently broke down the latest developments in California politics on his No Spin News. The segment covers primary election results and what they might mean for the state's future.

Watch the full No Spin News clip here [VIDEO]

Key Highlights from the Clip

• O'Reilly discusses the challenges with vote counting in California elections.
• He notes the hype around certain races and provides his straightforward take on the outcomes.
• The analysis touches on broader implications for California governance and national politics.

The Fall of Scott Pelley: Old Guard vs. New Leadership at CBS News

Big changes are shaking up one of television’s most iconic news programs. Veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley was fired this week after a heated clash with new management. The story, covered sharply in this PBD Podcast video (“Bought His Own Hype”), highlights the tension between legacy journalists and the fresh direction CBS News is taking under Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.

Here you can watch the clip from the PBD Podcast [VIDEO]

Trump on Pod Force One: Candid Talk with Miranda Devine

In a wide-ranging interview in the Roosevelt Room, President Donald Trump sat down with Miranda Devine for her Pod Force One podcast and spoke openly about several pressing issues.

The Heated Call with Benjamin Netanyahu

One of the most striking moments came when Trump confirmed reports about a recent phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He acknowledged using strong language, telling Devine he said something along the lines of, “Bibi, are you effing crazy? What are you f'n doing?”

Trump explained that he was “a little bit perturbed” by Netanyahu’s continued military actions against Lebanon and Hezbollah. He pushed for restraint to avoid complicating broader regional negotiations, particularly around Iran. At the same time, Trump emphasized that he and Netanyahu still work well together overall. He described himself as a “wartime president” and Netanyahu as a “wartime prime minister,” noting they have a strong relationship despite the blunt exchange. Trump also pushed back against claims that Netanyahu had tricked him into any actions regarding Iran, calling such suggestions nonsense pushed by political opponents.

Other Key Topics

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.”