Welcome To 2023! | Ep. 1638

In this solo episode recorded at the start of 2023, Ben Shapiro covers the major news stories that dominated the headlines as the year began. Pope Benedict XVI, the longtime leader of the Catholic Church who served as pontiff for nearly eight years before his retirement in 2013, passed away at an advanced age. His death marked a significant moment for the global Catholic community and the broader religious landscape. The episode also examines a controversial 60 Minutes segment featuring an environmental activist known for making apocalyptic predictions about climate change and environmental catastrophe. Shapiro critiques the credibility of these doomsayers, noting that many of their most dire forecasts have failed to materialize over the years, yet they continue to receive mainstream media attention and coverage. In international news, Andrew Tate, a controversial internet personality and former kickboxer, was arrested in Romania on serious criminal charges. This arrest drew significant attention given Tate's prominence on social media and his contentious public persona. Domestically, President Joe Biden began laying the groundwork for his re-election campaign, signaling his intention to run for a second term despite concerns about his age and approval ratings. Meanwhile, the Republican Party found itself embroiled in internal conflict regarding Kevin McCarthy's pursuit of the Speaker of the House position. McCarthy faced significant resistance from members of his own party who opposed his leadership, creating a dramatic standoff that threatened to derail the power structure within Congress at the start of the new legislative session. These events collectively represent the complex political and cultural landscape that Americans faced as 2023 began, with traditional institutions, political divisions, and emerging controversies all intersecting to shape the national conversation.