Ben Shapiro Defends Trump's Iran Attack, Slams Kamala Harris' Criticism

Shapiro calls Harris' opposition to the strikes an "idiot take" and "pathetic stuff"

Mar. 3, 2026 at 1:31am

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Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Kamala Harris after she publicly opposed President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran, killing the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Shapiro defended the strikes as a necessary show of strength after years of what he views as failed diplomatic engagement under the previous administration. Meanwhile, Trump doubled down on the attacks, describing Khamenei as "one of the most evil people in History" and calling his death a victory for justice.

Why it matters

The clash between Shapiro and Harris highlights the deep partisan divide over the use of military force against Iran. For Shapiro and Trump's supporters, the strikes represent a long-overdue assertion of American power. But for Harris and other critics, the attacks risk dragging the US into an unwanted war with Iran.

The details

In her statement, Harris wrote that "Donald Trump is dragging the United States into a war the American people do not want" and that she is "opposed to a regime-change war in Iran". Shapiro responded by dismissing Harris' remarks as an "idiot take" and "pathetic stuff", arguing that the previous administration's diplomatic efforts under former President Joe Biden had failed. Trump, meanwhile, doubled down on the attacks, describing Khamenei as "one of the most evil people in History" and calling his death a victory for justice.

  • On February 28, 2026, Trump confirmed that joint US-Israeli strikes had killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
  • On February 28, 2026, Trump announced that 'heavy and pinpoint bombing' would continue for at least a week in pursuit of what he called peace in the Middle East.

The players

Ben Shapiro

A conservative commentator and the co-founder of The Daily Wire.

Kamala Harris

The former Vice President of the United States, who publicly opposed President Trump's decision to strike Iran.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, who ordered the strikes on Iran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The Supreme Leader of Iran, who was killed in the US-Israeli strikes.

Joe Biden

The former President of the United States, whose diplomatic efforts with Iran are criticized by Shapiro.

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What they’re saying

“Donald Trump is dragging the United States into a war the American people do not want. Let me be clear: I am opposed to a regime-change war in Iran, and our troops are being put in harm's way for the sake of Trump's war of choice.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President

“Apparently the way to dismantle the Iranian nuclear threat was to kiss their a** under Joe Biden.”

— Ben Shapiro, Conservative Commentator

“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”

— Donald Trump

“This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

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The takeaway

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