The Ben Shapiro Show Ep. 1092 - The Woodward Tapes
Sep 10, 2020
Bob Woodward's bombshell tapes reveal Trump downplaying COVID-19 while showcasing his early awareness of the virus's severity. The podcast critiques the political responses from both Trump and Democrats, emphasizing the importance of accountability. It also draws parallels between COVID-19 and Watergate, questioning the prioritization of market concerns over public health. Additionally, contrasting rhetorical styles between Trump and Obama emerge, highlighting the challenges in political communication during a crisis.
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Woodward's Dubious Reporting
- Ben Shapiro recounts Bob Woodward's history of dubious reporting practices, including decontextualizing comments and reporting rumors.
- He questions the White House's decision to let Trump speak to Woodward, given Trump's tendency to overstate and say silly things.
Trump's Fatal Flaws
- Trump's personality includes two key flaws: never admitting wrong and engaging in puffery.
- These flaws combine to create problematic quotes about COVID-19.
Trump's Early COVID Concerns
- On February 7th, Trump told Woodward COVID-19 was deadly and airborne, contradicting later WHO findings.
- Shapiro argues that public disclosure then would have been met with skepticism, citing Democrats' initial opposition to Trump's China travel ban.