History of Ben Shapiro in Timeline
Ben Shapiro is a prominent American conservative political commentator, media host, and attorney. He is known for his conservative viewpoints, rapid debating style, and prolific output as a writer and commentator. He co-founded The Daily Wire in 2015 and hosts "The Ben Shapiro Show," a popular podcast and radio show. Previously, he held editorial positions at Breitbart News. He is also the author of numerous books, furthering his influence in conservative circles.
January 15, 1984: Birth of Benjamin Aaron Shapiro
On January 15, 1984, Benjamin Aaron Shapiro was born. He is an American conservative political commentator, media host, and attorney.
1996: Performed at Israel Bonds Banquet
In 1996, at the age of 12, Ben Shapiro performed at the Israel Bonds Banquet, showcasing his talent as a violinist.
2000: Graduated from Yeshiva University High School
In 2000, Ben Shapiro graduated from Yeshiva University High School of Los Angeles at the age of 16, having skipped two grades.
2002: Controversial Statements on Civilian Casualties
In 2002, Ben Shapiro wrote an article expressing indifference to civilian casualties in Afghanistan and the West Bank, stating that one American soldier is worth far more than an Afghan civilian. He later apologized for these comments, acknowledging the article was poorly written and morally flawed.
2003: Support for the Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, Ben Shapiro supported the invasion of Iraq, justifying it by arguing that the focus should be on regimes that endanger American security.
2004: Graduated from UCLA
In 2004, Ben Shapiro graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa.
2004: Published Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth
In 2004, Ben Shapiro published his first book, "Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth," arguing that American universities are dominated by left-wing ideology.
2006: Call for Reinstatement of Sedition Laws
In 2006, Ben Shapiro called for sedition laws to be reinstated, citing speeches critical of the George W. Bush administration. He later retracted these views in 2018.
2007: Graduated from Harvard Law School
In 2007, Ben Shapiro graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.
2008: Marriage to Mor Toledano
In 2008, Ben Shapiro married Mor Toledano, an Israeli medical doctor of Moroccan Jewish descent. They later had two daughters and two sons.
2010: Description of Obama's State of the Union Address
In 2010, Ben Shapiro described President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address as "philosophically fascist."
2010: Views on homosexuality and mental illness
In 2010, Shapiro argued that homosexuality should not have been removed as a mental illness from the DSM because homosexuals have higher rates of depression than heterosexuals and do not reproduce.
2010: Controversial statement about Israelis and Arabs
In 2010, Shapiro stated "Israelis like to build. Arabs like to bomb crap and live in open sewage", later clarifying that he was referring to the leadership and terrorist groups.
2011: Remarks on "Bad Jews" and Political Affiliation
In 2011, Ben Shapiro tweeted that Judaism is plagued by "Bad Jews" who "largely vote Democrat." He also wrote an article titled "Jews in Name Only" criticizing Jews who vote for Obama.
2011: Published Primetime Propaganda
In 2011, Ben Shapiro's fourth book, "Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV", was published. In the book Shapiro argues that Hollywood promotes a left-wing agenda through prime-time entertainment programming.
March 2012: Runs Benjamin Shapiro Legal Consulting
As of March 2012, Ben Shapiro ran an independent legal consultancy firm, Benjamin Shapiro Legal Consulting, in Los Angeles.
December 2012: Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
In December 2012, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred.
2012: Became editor-at-large of Breitbart News
In 2012, Ben Shapiro became editor-at-large of Breitbart News, a rightist website.
2012: Joined KRLA-AM 870 as a host
In 2012, Ben Shapiro joined KRLA-AM 870 as a host on their morning radio program.
2012: Hailed as "rising star"
In 2012, Ben Shapiro was hailed by Zman Magazine as a "rising star in America's conservative movement".
January 10, 2013: Appearance on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight
On January 10, 2013, Shapiro appeared on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight and called Piers Morgan a "bully" for "standing on the graves of the children of Sandy Hook" regarding gun control.
February 7, 2013: Published controversial article about "Friends of Hamas"
On February 7, 2013, Ben Shapiro published an article claiming a group called "Friends of Hamas" was a foreign contributor to Chuck Hagel's Senate confirmation campaign. He later expressed regret after the story was discredited.
October 7, 2013: Co-founded TruthRevolt
On October 7, 2013, Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing co-founded the U.S. media criticism website TruthRevolt.
2013: Published Bullies: How the Left's Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences Americans
In 2013, Ben Shapiro published his fifth book, "Bullies: How the Left's Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences Americans."
2014: Statements on Radical Muslims
In 2014, Ben Shapiro released a YouTube video entitled "The Myth of the Tiny Radical Muslim Minority," claiming that over half the Muslims on Earth are radicalized. His methodology was later criticized.
2014: Views on discrimination against homosexuals
In 2014, Shapiro argued that the United States "is not a country that discriminates against homosexuals" and that "there is a vastly minute amount of discrimination against gays in this country."
July 2015: Confrontation with Zoey Tur on Dr. Drew On Call
In July 2015, Shapiro and transgender rights activist Zoey Tur were on Dr. Drew On Call to discuss Caitlyn Jenner's Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Shapiro referred to Tur as "sir" and questioned her genetics, leading to a physical altercation and police report.
September 21, 2015: Founded The Daily Wire
On September 21, 2015, Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing founded The Daily Wire.
2015: Co-founded The Daily Wire
In 2015, Ben Shapiro co-founded The Daily Wire, a conservative news and opinion website. He also became editor emeritus of the publication.
2015: Opposition to Obergefell v. Hodges
In 2015, Shapiro opposed the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling that deemed bans of same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
2015: Reference to the Image used by MSNBC
In 2021, Shapiro referenced the fact that MSNBC used a factually incorrect image in 2015, had to retract it, and admit it was factually incorrect.
February 25, 2016: Controversy at California State University, Los Angeles speech
On February 25, 2016, Ben Shapiro's speech at California State University, Los Angeles, titled "When Diversity Becomes a Problem," faced protests and attempted cancellation, leading to a lawsuit.
March 2016: Resigned from Breitbart News
In March 2016, Ben Shapiro resigned from his position as editor-at-large of Breitbart News, citing the website's lack of support for reporter Michelle Fields and criticizing Steve Bannon.
August 2016: DePaul University revoked invitation
In August 2016, DePaul University revoked an invitation for Ben Shapiro to address students and barred him from entering the campus due to "security concerns".
August 2016: Opposition to Donald Trump's candidacy
In August 2016, Shapiro wrote an article for the Daily Wire arguing that Trump, if elected, would not appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court. He also described Steve Bannon as a "bully".
2016: Hosted KRLA's The Morning Answer
By 2016, Ben Shapiro was one of the hosts for KRLA's "The Morning Answer", a conservative radio show, and faced pressure to support Donald Trump.
2016: Comments on Bernie Sanders' Jewish Identity
During the 2016 presidential election, Ben Shapiro wrote an article titled "No, It Doesn't Matter That Bernie Sanders Is Ethnically Jewish. He's a Jew In Name Only."
2016: College campus speaking tours
From early 2016 to late 2017, Ben Shapiro spoke at 37 college campuses across the United States, presenting conservative viewpoints.
2016: Described himself as "basically a libertarian"
In 2016, Ben Shapiro described himself as "basically a libertarian".
2016: Resignation from Breitbart News
In 2016, Ben Shapiro resigned from his position as editor-at-large of Breitbart News.
2016: Views on the political left and American culture
In 2016, Shapiro expressed his views on the political left, accusing them of believing in a "hierarchy of victimhood" and dominating American culture through entertainment, media, and academia, leading to the disenfranchisement of conservatives and the election of Donald Trump.
2016: Target of antisemitic tweets
In 2016, according to an analysis by the Anti-Defamation League, Shapiro was the most frequent target of antisemitic tweets against journalists.
September 14, 2017: Speech at University of California, Berkeley
On September 14, 2017, Ben Shapiro gave a speech at UC Berkeley, criticizing identity politics, with significant security costs and some arrests.
October 2017: Response to Las Vegas shooting
In October 2017, following the Las Vegas shooting, Shapiro argued that "banning all guns would be unwise as well as immoral" and that gun control laws wouldn't have prevented the shooting.
2017: College campus speaking tours
From early 2016 to late 2017, Ben Shapiro spoke at 37 college campuses across the United States, presenting conservative viewpoints.
2017: Released first fiction novel, True Allegiance
In 2017, Ben Shapiro released his first and to date only fiction novel, "True Allegiance".
2017: Statements on Systemic Injustice and Slavery
In 2017, Ben Shapiro stated that the disproportionate poverty among black people in the United States is not due to racism and dismissed the idea that the United States was founded on slavery, arguing it was founded in spite of slavery.
2017: Criticism of the alt-right movement
In 2017, Shapiro criticized the alt-right movement, calling it a "garbage movement composed of garbage ideas" that had nothing to do with constitutional conservatism.
2017: Response to Quebec City Mosque Shooting
In 2017, after the Quebec City mosque shooting where the shooter checked Shapiro's Twitter feed, Ben Shapiro condemned the attack and denied inciting it.
March 2018: TruthRevolt ceased operations
In March 2018, TruthRevolt, the U.S. media criticism website co-founded by Ben Shapiro, ceased operations.
April 2018: The Ben Shapiro Show syndicated to radio
In April 2018, Westwood One began syndicating "The Ben Shapiro Show" podcast to radio.
December 2018: Frequent appearances on PragerU
As of December 2018, Ben Shapiro made frequent appearances on PragerU with talks on intersectionality and Hollywood, gaining millions of views.
2018: Retraction of Support for Sedition Laws
In 2018, Ben Shapiro retracted his 2006 call for the reinstatement of sedition laws, describing his earlier column as "garbage."
2018: Accusations against Facebook
In 2018, Shapiro argued that Facebook was targeting conservative sites after the platform implemented an algorithm change, limiting their traffic, and that they are not transparent enough.
January 2019: Condemnation of Steve King's Comments
In January 2019, Ben Shapiro condemned Representative Steve King for his comments in defense of "white supremacy" and "white nationalism," calling for King to be censured.
January 2019: Westwood One expanded Ben Shapiro's program
In January 2019, Westwood One expanded Ben Shapiro's one-hour podcast-to-radio program, adding a nationally syndicated two-hour live radio show.
March 2019: The Ben Shapiro Show ranked highly
As of March 2019, "The Ben Shapiro Show" podcast was ranked by Podtrac as the second most popular podcast in the U.S.
2019: Published The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great
In 2019, Ben Shapiro published "The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great", focusing on Judeo-Christian values and their decline in modern America.
2019: Dispute with The Economist over "alt-right" label
In 2019, Shapiro criticized The Economist for describing him as "alt-right" in an interview. The Economist later apologized and changed the description to "radical conservative".
2019: Speech at March for Life
In 2019, Shapiro spoke at the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., and described abortion as a "violent act".
2019: Comparison of Ilhan Omar and San Diego shooter
In 2019, Shapiro stated that Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar and the white supremacist San Diego shooter hold "a lot of the same opinions about Jews."
2019: Comments on Roe v. Wade and abortion
In 2019, Shapiro stated that the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade was "not going to happen", expressing doubts about the court's willingness to do so at the time.
2019: Response to Beto O'Rourke's proposal on religious institutions
In 2019, in response to Beto O'Rourke's call for the removal of the tax-exempt status of religious institutions opposed to same-sex marriage, Shapiro stated that he would either "leave the country" or "pick up a gun" if O'Rourke tried to "indoctrinate" his children in religious schools.
June 2020: Stepped down as editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire
In June 2020, Ben Shapiro stepped down from his role as editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire and took on the role of editor emeritus.
September 2020: Relocation from California
In September 2020, Ben Shapiro announced that he and his family were leaving California. He relocated The Daily Wire's headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee, and resettled his family in Florida.
October 19, 2020: Announcement of support for Donald Trump
On October 19, 2020, Shapiro announced that he would be voting for Trump in the 2020 presidential election, citing being wrong about Trump on policy, damage already being done, and the Democratic Party having lost their minds as his reasons.
November 3, 2020: Rebuke of Trump's premature victory claim
On November 3, 2020, Shapiro rebuked Trump on election night when Trump prematurely claimed himself the winner, stating that it was deeply irresponsible.
2020: Support for Randy Feenstra
In 2020, Ben Shapiro supported Randy Feenstra, the primary challenger to Steve King.
2020: Featured in study about right-wing podcast framing
In 2020, a study examined issue framing by right-wing podcasts using The Ben Shapiro Show as an example of a mainstream conservative perspective.
2020: Views on California wildfires
In 2020, in an opinion piece on the California wildfires, Shapiro argued that state policies contributed more to the severity of the fires than climate change. Scientific American accused Shapiro of promoting climate change denial.
2020: Response to Beto O'Rourke's proposal on religious institutions
In 2020, in response to Beto O'Rourke's call for the removal of the tax-exempt status of religious institutions opposed to same-sex marriage, Shapiro stated that he would either "leave the country" or "pick up a gun" if O'Rourke tried to "indoctrinate" his children in religious schools.
2020: Estrangement from Mara Wilson
In 2020, it was reported that Ben Shapiro and his cousin, Mara Wilson, had not contacted each other for several years due to their differing political beliefs.
January 14, 2021: Guest writer for Politico's Playbook newsletter
On January 14, 2021, Ben Shapiro was featured as a guest writer for Politico's Playbook newsletter, defending House Republicans who opposed the second impeachment of Donald Trump, which drew backlash from Politico staffers.
2021: Published op-ed during Israel-Palestine crisis
During the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, Shapiro published an op-ed stating the conflict's root cause was Israel's existence and Hamas's desire for its non-existence, accusing Hamas of using foreign aid for terror tunnels and rockets, and positioning rockets in civilian areas. He criticized media coverage and The New York Times for its opinion article.
2021: Described himself as "generally libertarian"
In 2021, Ben Shapiro described himself as "generally libertarian" with regard to the role of the government and as a conservative with regard to the role of social structures.
2021: Published The Authoritarian Moment
In 2021, Ben Shapiro published "The Authoritarian Moment", arguing that the authoritarian threat in the U.S. comes from the left's control of various institutions.
2021: Ben Shapiro's podcast ranked highly on Apple Podcasts
In 2021, Ben Shapiro's podcast was ranked as the 9th most listened to on Apple Podcasts.
2021: Views on global temperature increase
In 2021, Shapiro stated that a global temperature increase of 4 °C (7.2 °F) did not amount to an emergency and that describing it as such was a "purely political designation".
2021: Views on COVID-19 vaccine
In 2021, Shapiro stated that he was in favor of the COVID-19 vaccine and that he was vaccinated, but is against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
August 2022: Argument against Marxism in America
In August 2022, Shapiro argued that "Marxism can't work in America", citing "high levels of societal income mobility" as the reason.
October 2022: Condemnation of Kanye West's Antisemitic Comments
In October 2022, Ben Shapiro condemned Kanye West's antisemitic comments, comparing them to propaganda in Nazi Germany and calling West "unstable".
2022: Roe v. Wade Overturned
In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
December 1, 2023: Cameo in The Daily Wire film Lady Ballers
On December 1, 2023, Ben Shapiro had a cameo in The Daily Wire film "Lady Ballers", portraying a referee.
January 26, 2024: Appeared in Tom MacDonald's music video "Facts"
On January 26, 2024, Ben Shapiro appeared alongside artist Tom MacDonald in the music video for MacDonald's rap song "Facts", which Shapiro is featured on.
February 5, 2024: "Facts" debuted on Billboard Hot 100
On February 5, 2024, the song "Facts" by Tom MacDonald featuring Ben Shapiro, debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
February 2024: "Facts" topped Apple Music charts
In late January and early February 2024, the song "Facts" by Tom MacDonald featuring Ben Shapiro, held the No. 1 spot on Apple Music.
March 2024: Comments on retirement age
In March 2024, Shapiro attracted criticism for stating on his show that "No one in the United States should be retiring at 65 years old. Frankly, I think retirement itself is a stupid idea unless you have some sort of health problem."
October 2024: Support for Donald Trump After DeSantis Drops Out
In October 2024, after initially favoring Ron DeSantis during the 2024 Republican primaries, Shapiro supported Donald Trump after DeSantis dropped out. Shapiro later helped host a fundraiser for Trump and interviewed him on his show.
October 2024: Defense of Israeli Actions Amidst Gaza War
In October 2024, during an appearance at UCLA, Ben Shapiro stated he doesn't just condone the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces and Netanyahu-led Israeli government amidst the deaths of over 40,000 people during the ongoing Gaza war but celebrates and lauds them, claiming they have the best civilian-to-terrorist kill ratio in the history of urban warfare and blaming Palestinian casualties on Hamas.
2024: Real value of 2017 security spending
In 2017, the University of California and the city of Berkeley spent $600,000 on security for Ben Shapiro's speech; this equals $769,671 in 2024.
March 4, 2025: Launch of Website Urging Pardon for Derek Chauvin
On March 4, 2025, Ben Shapiro launched a website urging President Trump to pardon Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of George Floyd's murder, though this pardon would not cover Chauvin's state conviction.
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