Shapiro Warns Democrats Could Flip Six Senate Seats in 2026 Midterms
"In North Carolina, Democrats are up. In Ohio, dead heat. In Maine, that is Graham Plattner, the Nazi tattoo guy, versus Susan Collins, dead heat. In Texas, James Talarico, Sunday school howdy duty with the LGBTQ flag, that dude is in a dead heat with Ken Paxton. In Iowa, dead heat. In Alaska, dead heat. That's 6 seats If Democrats were to win 4, they would take control of the Senate."
About this episode
Ben Shapiro, broadcasting from home while dealing with voice issues, delivers a fiery monologue attacking Tucker Carlson's announcement about starting a third party, which Shapiro characterizes as a deliberate sabotage effort against Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Shapiro frames the current political landscape as a battle against two forces: the Democratic Socialists of America on the left and what he calls the "woke right" led by figures like Carlson. He argues that Carlson has no genuine intention of launching a third party, but rather aims to demoralize conservative voters so he can later claim Republican losses resulted from the party rejecting his policy positions, thereby forcing the GOP to shift toward pro-Putin, pro-Iran stances. Shapiro presents polling data showing Democrats competitive or leading in six Republican-held Senate seats, including Texas and Iowa, with statistician Nate Silver estimating an 80-90% chance Democrats take the House and 40% chance they control the Senate. He warns that a Democratic Senate victory would enable left-leaning Supreme Court appointments if Justices Thomas (78) or Alito (76) are replaced, potential Trump impeachment and conviction, and obstruction of military funding. Shapiro accuses Carlson of consistently praising America's enemies, from Vladimir Putin to Nicolas Maduro to jihadi groups, while opposing free markets and traditional American principles. He draws parallels between Carlson's strategy and the failed Reform Party launched by Ross Perot in the 1990s, which ultimately collapsed. Throughout the episode, Shapiro positions The Daily Wire as defenders of core American principles including free markets, peace through strength, and traditional values, contrasting this with what he sees as convergence between far-left DSA activists and Carlson's nationalist populism. The monologue concludes with promotion of Daily Wire Plus ahead of the July 4th holiday.
Key takeaways
- Ben Shapiro accuses Tucker Carlson of deliberately attempting to sabotage Republican chances in 2026 midterms to reshape the party toward his policy preferences.
- Polling shows Democrats competitive or leading in six Republican-held Senate seats including Texas, Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina, Maine, and Alaska.
- Nate Silver estimates 80-90% chance Democrats take the House in 2026 and 40% chance they control the Senate.
- Democratic Senate control would enable left-leaning Supreme Court appointments if Justices Clarence Thomas (78) or Samuel Alito (76) are replaced during the term.
- Shapiro claims Carlson consistently praises American enemies including Putin, Maduro, Hamas, and Iran while opposing free markets and traditional American principles.
- Shapiro argues Carlson's third party announcement is not genuine but tactical, comparing it to Ross Perot's failed Reform Party from the 1990s.
- New York DSA member Zohra Mamdani quoted praising Marxist economics and calling for 78-degree thermostat requirements in New York City businesses.