Acting Labor Secretary Says Federal Government Now Smallest Since 1966 Saving 40 Billion Annually
"The federal government is at its smallest size since 1966, and that saves taxpayers over $40 billion a year. The private sector is booming, exactly what President Trump promised."
About this episode
Ben Shapiro argued that President Trump is entering this week's China summit from a position of strength, not weakness, systematically dismantling narratives that Beijing holds leverage over Washington. Shapiro opened by detailing five structural crises plaguing China: catastrophic demographics with a collapsing birth rate, systemic lack of innovation reliant on IP theft, hidden debt exceeding 300 percent of GDP, a technologically inferior military, and autocratic governance that stifles growth. He contrasted China's $15,000 per capita GDP with America's $95,000, emphasizing that China's economy is not remotely competitive despite media portrayals. A major revelation came when Shapiro disclosed that 10 to 15 percent of China's oil imports from Iran have been cut to zero under Trump's Iran policy, crippling a key Chinese energy source. He also reported that UAE's break from OPEC and the neutralization of Venezuela as a Chinese oil intermediary have further isolated Beijing. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced in a 60 Minutes interview that he proposed eliminating Israel's $3.8 billion annual U.S. military aid over the next decade, contradicting claims that Israel seeks increased American taxpayer support. Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling told Shapiro the federal government is now its smallest since 1966, saving $40 billion annually, while private sector jobs in construction and manufacturing surge. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed on Face the Nation that the Department of Energy has personnel ready to remove nearly 1,000 pounds of weapons-grade uranium from Iran. Shapiro also covered the failed Trump-brokered Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, which collapsed immediately with Russia launching 7,000 kamikaze drones on day one. The episode included sharp cultural commentary on a Kevin Hart roast featuring shockingly crude jokes and debunked rumors that Elliot Page would play Achilles in Christopher Nolan's Odyssey film. Shapiro closed by attacking Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Boston College historian Heather Cox Richardson for distorting the principles of America's founding, framing the left's revisionism as an attempt to delegitimize the nation ahead of America's 250th anniversary.
Key takeaways
- Netanyahu proposed eliminating Israel's $3.8 billion annual U.S. military aid over the next decade, beginning immediately.
- Trump administration cut China's oil supply from Iran by 10 to 15 percent down to essentially zero, weakening Beijing's energy security.
- Federal government shrunk to smallest workforce size since 1966, saving $40 billion annually under Trump, per Acting Labor Secretary.
- U.S. Energy Secretary confirmed Department of Energy personnel are ready to remove 1,000 pounds of weapons-grade uranium from Iran.
- Trump-brokered Russia-Ukraine ceasefire collapsed immediately with Russia launching 7,000 kamikaze drones and 2,000 shelling attacks on day one.
- China's GDP per capita is $15,000 compared to America's $95,000, with systemic problems in demographics, debt, and innovation masked by state-directed growth.
- UAE broke from OPEC and is reorienting toward America and Israel, further isolating China from Middle East oil supplies.