Ben Shapiro: 'My loyalty to politicians is a five out of ten'
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Ben Shapiro, a prominent conservative voice in the US, is known for his online magazine The Daily Wire and YouTube shows.
- Shapiro stated his loyalty to any politician, including Donald Trump, is a 'five' on a scale of zero to ten, emphasizing policy quality over personal allegiance.
- He compared political loyalty to that towards a plumber, asserting that politicians should be retained only if they perform effectively.
American conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, widely recognized for his rapid-fire speaking style and influential presence through The Daily Wire and his YouTube channel, has articulated his stance on political loyalty. Shapiro, who has navigated a complex relationship with former President Donald Trump's political movement, described his loyalty level to any politician as a 'five' on a scale of zero to ten.
Shapiro emphasized that his primary criterion for evaluating politicians is the quality of their policies, not personal allegiance. He drew an analogy to the relationship with a plumber, suggesting that politicians, like service providers, should be judged by their performance. "Why should I feel more loyalty to a politician than to my plumber?" Shapiro questioned, adding, "If the politician fixes the toilet โ wonderful. If not, he should be fired."
If it comes to loyalty to politicians, I would always say five. What matters is the quality of the policy.
This perspective underscores Shapiro's commitment to a policy-driven approach in politics, prioritizing tangible results and effective governance over unwavering support for political figures. His comments reflect a pragmatic and critical engagement with the political sphere, suggesting that accountability and performance are paramount in assessing political leadership.
Why should I feel more loyalty to a politician than to my plumber? If the politician fixes the toilet โ wonderful. If not, he should be fired.
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.