Ben Shapiro
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Aaron Shapiro is an American conservative
political commentator, radio talk show host, attorney, and media consultant. A native of Los Angeles
, Shapiro graduated from high school at age 16 and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles
and Harvard Law School
. He has written four books, starting with Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth in 2004, and writes a column for Creators Syndicate
.
(UCLA) at the age of 16, majoring in political science
, and graduating summa cum laude in 2004. At UCLA, Shapiro lived off-campus. He also wrote a column for the Daily Bruin
student newspaper at UCLA from 2000 to 2002. The Daily Bruin suspended Shapiro after he complained on radio talk shows that the newspaper refused to print his column accusing Muslim student groups of supporting terrorism. He received his Juris Doctor
(J.D.
), cum laude, from Harvard Law School
in 2007. He formerly practiced law at the Los Angeles office of Goodwin Procter
LLP. He now does independent legal consulting for major media clients.
at age 17 to become the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the U.S.
He has written a book on his experiences in college, titled Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth (ISBN 0-7852-6148-6), which was published in 2004 by WND Books. In Brainwashed, Shapiro accused professors of being "totalitarian" and "indoctrination" through "[m]aking a case for one side and completely discarding the other side. He also criticized campus speech codes. In the Christian Science Monitor, Marjorie Kehe wrote: "Shapiro makes sweeping - and many would say absurd - charges that they promote atheism, absolute sexual freedom (including pedophilia and statutory rape, which are crimes), and rampant environmentalism." UCLA professor Robert N. Watson accused Shapiro of personal attacks and fabrications.
His next book, Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism Is Corrupting Our Future (ISBN 0-89526-016-6), was published by Regnery
in June 2005. Michelle Malkin
recommended the book for summer reading in a feature by the conservative magazine National Review
: "Ben argues valiantly on behalf of modesty in a flesh-baring world."
His following book, Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House (ISBN 1-5955-5100-X), was published in 2008. Shapiro's latest book, Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV
was published by Harper Collins in June 2011. In that book, Shapiro argues that Hollywood has a left-wing agenda construed in the messages in primetime entertainment programming and interviewed many in the entertainment industry including Vin Di Bona
. His example of the children's show Sesame Street
as left-wing propaganda was widely spread before publication. In interviews with producers of those shows, Shapiro obtained admissions that the shows Happy Days
and M*A*S*H promoted a left-wing, pacifist agenda. Based on the revelations in Shapiro's book, the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors passed a unanimous resolution condemning political discrimination within Hollywood.
. On Sundays, he hosts The Ben Shapiro Show on the Orlando, Florida
talk radio station WEUS
.
and pornography
. He has also spoken favorably of tighter immigration
restrictions and expanded government wiretapping powers of suspected terrorists. Shapiro is also strongly critical of the liberal
beliefs of American Jews
. Shapiro is also a very strong advocate for abstinence before marriage. He is also a staunch critic of judicial activism
, supporting judges whom he believes interpret the United States Constitution
according to its original meaning
. He has advocated significantly modifying the jury system as it exists in the United States.
. Shapiro married in Acre, Israel
in July 2008.
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
political commentator, radio talk show host, attorney, and media consultant. A native of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Shapiro graduated from high school at age 16 and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
and Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
. He has written four books, starting with Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth in 2004, and writes a column for Creators Syndicate
Creators Syndicate
Creators Syndicate is an independent distributor of comic strips and syndicated columns for daily newspapers. It was founded in 1987 by Richard S. Newcombe, and is based in Los Angeles. Creators was one of the first syndicates to allow its clients to maintain creative control of their material...
.
Early life and education
Shapiro attended Yeshiva University High Schools of Los Angeles and graduated early after skipping third and ninth grades. He then enrolled at the University of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
(UCLA) at the age of 16, majoring in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, and graduating summa cum laude in 2004. At UCLA, Shapiro lived off-campus. He also wrote a column for the Daily Bruin
Daily Bruin
The Daily Bruin is the student newspaper at the University of California, Los Angeles.-Frequency and governance:When classes are in session, the Bruin is published Monday through Friday during the school year and once a week on Mondays in the summer quarter.It is overseen by the ASUCLA...
student newspaper at UCLA from 2000 to 2002. The Daily Bruin suspended Shapiro after he complained on radio talk shows that the newspaper refused to print his column accusing Muslim student groups of supporting terrorism. He received his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
), cum laude, from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
in 2007. He formerly practiced law at the Los Angeles office of Goodwin Procter
Goodwin Procter
Goodwin Procter LLP is a prominent law firm based in the United States, consisting of 850 attorneys serving clients in Boston, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Silicon Valley, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C....
LLP. He now does independent legal consulting for major media clients.
Writing career
Shapiro was hired by Creators SyndicateCreators Syndicate
Creators Syndicate is an independent distributor of comic strips and syndicated columns for daily newspapers. It was founded in 1987 by Richard S. Newcombe, and is based in Los Angeles. Creators was one of the first syndicates to allow its clients to maintain creative control of their material...
at age 17 to become the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the U.S.
He has written a book on his experiences in college, titled Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth (ISBN 0-7852-6148-6), which was published in 2004 by WND Books. In Brainwashed, Shapiro accused professors of being "totalitarian" and "indoctrination" through "[m]aking a case for one side and completely discarding the other side. He also criticized campus speech codes. In the Christian Science Monitor, Marjorie Kehe wrote: "Shapiro makes sweeping - and many would say absurd - charges that they promote atheism, absolute sexual freedom (including pedophilia and statutory rape, which are crimes), and rampant environmentalism." UCLA professor Robert N. Watson accused Shapiro of personal attacks and fabrications.
His next book, Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism Is Corrupting Our Future (ISBN 0-89526-016-6), was published by Regnery
Regnery Publishing
Regnery Publishing in Washington, D.C., is a publisher which specializes in conservative books characterized on their website as "contrary to those of 'mainstream' publishers in New York." Since 1993, Regnery Publishing has been a division of Eagle Publishing, which also owns the weekly magazine...
in June 2005. Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin is an American conservative blogger, political commentator, and author. Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She is a Fox News Channel contributor and has been a guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and national radio programs...
recommended the book for summer reading in a feature by the conservative magazine National Review
National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
: "Ben argues valiantly on behalf of modesty in a flesh-baring world."
His following book, Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House (ISBN 1-5955-5100-X), was published in 2008. Shapiro's latest book, Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV
Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV
Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV is a 2011 book by Ben Shapiro. In it he argues that producers, executives and writers in the entertainment industry are using television to promote a liberal political agenda. As evidence, he presents statements made...
was published by Harper Collins in June 2011. In that book, Shapiro argues that Hollywood has a left-wing agenda construed in the messages in primetime entertainment programming and interviewed many in the entertainment industry including Vin Di Bona
Vin Di Bona
Vincent John "Vin" Di Bona is a television producer for many American television shows such as America's Funniest People, MacGyver and Entertainment Tonight as well as America's Funniest Home Videos...
. His example of the children's show Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
as left-wing propaganda was widely spread before publication. In interviews with producers of those shows, Shapiro obtained admissions that the shows Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
and M*A*S*H promoted a left-wing, pacifist agenda. Based on the revelations in Shapiro's book, the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors passed a unanimous resolution condemning political discrimination within Hollywood.
Radio
Shapiro guest hosts regularly for major talk show hosts including nationally syndicated hosts Jerry Doyle and Rusty HumphriesRusty Humphries
Ralph E. "Rusty" Humphries is an American radio host, conservative political commentator, and songwriter. Humphries' nationally-syndicated radio show, The Rusty Humphries Show, based in Atlanta, Georgia, airs on over 250 stations through Talk Radio Network.-Career:Humphries has hosted as a...
. On Sundays, he hosts The Ben Shapiro Show on the Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
talk radio station WEUS
WEUS
WEUS is a radio station licensed to Orlovista, Florida, serving the Orlando area. The station is owned by Star Over Orlando, and airs a talk radio format....
.
Political ideology
Shapiro has taken conservative stances on many social issues. He favors stronger military and law enforcement spending, as well as more restrictive laws against abortionAbortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
. He has also spoken favorably of tighter immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
restrictions and expanded government wiretapping powers of suspected terrorists. Shapiro is also strongly critical of the liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
beliefs of American Jews
American Jews
American Jews, also known as Jewish Americans, are American citizens of the Jewish faith or Jewish ethnicity. The Jewish community in the United States is composed predominantly of Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Central and Eastern Europe, and their U.S.-born descendants...
. Shapiro is also a very strong advocate for abstinence before marriage. He is also a staunch critic of judicial activism
Judicial activism
Judicial activism describes judicial ruling suspected of being based on personal or political considerations rather than on existing law. It is sometimes used as an antonym of judicial restraint. The definition of judicial activism, and which specific decisions are activist, is a controversial...
, supporting judges whom he believes interpret the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
according to its original meaning
Originalism
In the context of United States constitutional interpretation, originalism is a principle of interpretation that tries to discover the original meaning or intent of the constitution. It is based on the principle that the judiciary is not supposed to create, amend or repeal laws but only to uphold...
. He has advocated significantly modifying the jury system as it exists in the United States.
Personal life
Ben Shapiro is an Orthodox JewOrthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
. Shapiro married in Acre, Israel
Acre, Israel
Acre , is a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. Acre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the country....
in July 2008.