Ben Shapiro lists the top five worst US presidents in his recent ‘Facts’ episode
Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro Reveals His List of the Five Worst Presidents in American History
In the latest episode of “Facts,” Ben Shapiro, the former editor of the Daily Wire, unveiled his selection of the five worst presidents in American history. This episode, released on Presidents’ Day, delves into the presidents who disregarded the Constitution, wreaked havoc on the economy, implemented detrimental policies, and contributed to the Civil War. Shapiro also argues that two modern presidents, George W. Bush and Donald Trump, deserve higher rankings than they are typically given by academics.
The Fifth Worst President: Jimmy Carter
Shapiro identifies Jimmy Carter as the fifth worst president due to his term being plagued by inflation, a gasoline shortage, and the Iranian Revolution. Additionally, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan after Carter downplayed the threat of communism during his time in office. Shapiro criticizes Carter’s post-presidential activities, such as his association with Hamas and his speeches for terrorist Yasser Arafat.
The Fourth Worst President: Barack Obama
Shapiro argues that Barack Obama is the fourth worst president and believes understanding his presidency is crucial to comprehending where American politics went astray. During Obama’s two terms, the country experienced a weak economic recovery, heightened racial polarization, and the rise of anti-police sentiment in cities like Baltimore and Ferguson. Shapiro also highlights Obama’s use of the Justice Department to target political opponents and his flip-flopping on the issue of marriage.
The Third Worst President: James Buchanan
James Buchanan, who served one term before the Civil War, is Shapiro’s pick for the third worst president. Shapiro criticizes Buchanan for stating that while secession was illegal, the government lacked the power to prevent it, which ultimately fueled the states’ decision to leave the Union.
The Second Worst President: Lyndon Johnson
Lyndon Johnson is Shapiro’s choice for the second worst president. While Johnson is credited for the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, Shapiro argues that the rest of his administration was a disaster. Johnson’s “War on Poverty” is highlighted as a major policy failure with long-lasting negative consequences.
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The Worst President: Woodrow Wilson
Shapiro declares Woodrow Wilson as the worst president in American history. He criticizes Wilson’s authoritarian tendencies, his support for eugenics, his handling of World War I, his infringement on civil liberties, his racial policies, and his nationalization of major American industries. Shapiro describes Wilson as a “horrific president” in various aspects.
Shapiro concludes the episode by defending George W. Bush and Donald Trump against their critics. He attributes Bush’s economic failures to policies inherited from the Clinton era and emphasizes that the Iraq war had broad support at the time. Regarding Trump, Shapiro argues that people often focus on his rhetoric while overlooking his successful economic record and peace deals in the Middle East.
WATCH:
How did Woodrow Wilson’s actions in terms of limiting free speech and creating the Federal Reserve affect individual liberty and the economy?
And his mishandling of foreign policy, such as the failed intervention in Libya and the controversial Iran nuclear deal.
The Third Worst President: Woodrow Wilson
Shapiro contends that Woodrow Wilson is the third worst president in American history due to his actions that undermined individual liberty and the Constitution. Wilson enacted the Espionage Act, which severely limited free speech during World War I and targeted those who spoke out against the war. Wilson also created the Federal Reserve, which has had a detrimental impact on the economy and led to inflation and economic instability.
The Second Worst President: Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Shapiro ranks Franklin Delano Roosevelt as the second worst president due to his expansion of government power and his policies that prolonged the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, while well-intentioned, created a culture of dependency on the government and failed to bring about true economic recovery. Additionally, Roosevelt’s internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II is a stain on his legacy and violated the principles of due process and individual rights.
The Worst President: James Buchanan
According to Shapiro, the title for the worst president in American history goes to James Buchanan. Buchanan’s presidency was marked by the escalating tensions between the North and the South, which eventually culminated in the Civil War. Shapiro criticizes Buchanan for his failure to take decisive action to address the issue of slavery and his inability to broker a compromise between the opposing factions. Buchanan’s inaction and weak leadership ultimately led to the bloodiest war in American history.
While Shapiro acknowledges that the rankings in his list may be controversial and subject to interpretation, he firmly believes that these five presidents had a detrimental impact on the country and should be remembered for their failures. He also argues that the traditional rankings by academics often overlook the negative consequences of their actions and policies. By shedding light on the flaws and shortcomings of these presidents, Shapiro hopes to encourage a more nuanced understanding of American history and the impact of presidential leadership.
In conclusion, Ben Shapiro’s selection of the five worst presidents in American history includes Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and James Buchanan. He argues that these presidents not only disregarded the Constitution and wreaked havoc on the economy but also implemented detrimental policies and contributed to the Civil War. By challenging traditional rankings and highlighting the negative consequences of their actions, Shapiro seeks to prompt a more comprehensive evaluation of presidential leadership and its impact on the nation.
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