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Portrait of Ben Shapiro

Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States · Nationality American — Media / political commentary / culture / freedom of expression

Ben Shapiro

Media and journalismPolitics and government

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “2023–2024: Public split with Candace Owens over Israel, Gaza and statements considered antisemitic” and “2020: Reaction to 'WAP', allegations of slut-shaming and mockery of his anatomical commentary”.

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Profile No. 1788 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Ben Shapiro

Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
7Documented controversies
10Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

November 2023–March 2024

2023–2024: Public split with Candace Owens over Israel, Gaza and statements considered antisemitic

No legal proceedings

After 7 October 2023 and the war in Gaza, Shapiro publicly described some comments by Candace Owens, then a Daily Wire presenter, as 'disgraceful' and 'disreputable' and invited her to leave the company if she considered her employment incompatible with her convictions. In March 2024, the Daily Wire announced the end of its relationship with Owens.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Jewish Telegraphic AgencyBen Shapiro’s split with Candace Owens reflects how Israel and antisemitism are also dividing the rightMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Washington PostCandace Owens departs Ben Shapiro’s website after antisemitic commentaryMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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02

August 2020

2020: Reaction to 'WAP', allegations of slut-shaming and mockery of his anatomical commentary

No legal proceedings

Shapiro devoted a segment to reading the censored lyrics of 'WAP' by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, describing the song as vulgar. He then joked that the moisture described in the song might be attributable to medical conditions, triggering widespread mockery and accusations of slut-shaming.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianCardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's WAP should be celebrated, not scoldedMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianThe WAP uproar shows conservatives are fine with female sexuality – as long as men control itopinionMedium reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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03

September 2010 / controverses ultérieures jusqu’en 2019

2010: Tweet generalising about Arabs — 'bomb crap and live in open sewage'

No legal proceedings

Ben Shapiro posted a tweet claiming that Israelis liked building while Arabs liked to 'bomb crap and live in open sewage'. The wording has repeatedly been cited as an example of a hostile generalisation about Arabs and has resurfaced in several interviews.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianAndrew Neil: questions to Ben Shapiro were legitimateMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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04

10–12 May 2019

2019: BBC interview with Andrew Neil cut short after accusation of bias, followed by public admission of being 'destroyed'

No legal proceedings

During a BBC interview promoting his book, Shapiro accused Andrew Neil of political bias, became irritated by questions about his own previous statements and ended the interview. The exchange went viral.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianAndrew Neil: questions to Ben Shapiro were legitimateMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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05

14 September 2017

2017: Berkeley lecture requires approximately $600,000 security operation amid protests

No legal proceedings

Shapiro's appearance at UC Berkeley, amid intense tensions over freedom of expression on campuses, required an exceptional police operation estimated to cost approximately $600,000. Protests were held around the campus and several arrests were reported.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Berkeley NewsShapiro event goes off with barely a hitchAcademic publicationVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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06

March 2016

2016: Resigns from Breitbart over handling of Michelle Fields–Corey Lewandowski incident

No legal proceedings

Shapiro resigned from Breitbart alongside journalist Michelle Fields after concluding that the outlet had failed to defend Fields properly following her allegation of assault against Corey Lewandowski, then Donald Trump's campaign manager. Shapiro accused management of turning Breitbart into 'Trump's personal Pravda'.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianBreitbart staffers resign over treatment after Trump manager's alleged assaultMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Washington PostReporter who says she was manhandled by Trump campaign manager resigns from BreitbartMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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07

July 2015

2015: Televised confrontation with Zoey Tur, deliberate misgendering, verbal threat and police report

No legal proceedings

During a televised debate about Caitlyn Jenner, Shapiro refused to use transgender journalist Zoey Tur's gender, asking her 'What are your genetics, sir?'. Tur placed her hand on his neck/shoulder and warned him that he could go home 'in an ambulance'. Shapiro subsequently filed a police report alleging battery.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    SalonBen Shapiro files police report against trans woman Zoey TurMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The AdvocateTransphobic Breitbart Editor Claims Zoey Tur Assaulted Him On-AirMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (5)
  1. Candace Owens2 documented references
  2. Caitlyn Jenner1 documented reference
  3. Donald Trump1 documented reference
  4. Megan Thee Stallion1 documented reference
  5. Steve Bannon1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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