Who's Who in Social Media
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Who is Ben Shapiro?

Ben Shapiro is a prominent American conservative political commentator, lawyer, author, and public speaker. He has gained widespread recognition for his sharp, often controversial commentary on U.S. politics, social issues, and culture, which has made him a major figure in conservative media.

June 27, 2024
Jeremy Boissinot

Ben Shapiro is a prominent American conservative political commentator, lawyer, author, and public speaker. He has gained widespread recognition for his sharp, often controversial commentary on U.S. politics, social issues, and culture, which has made him a major figure in conservative media.

Ben Shapiro: an important figure in the Conservative space

Early Life and Education

Born on January 15, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, Shapiro grew up in a Jewish household. He showed early signs of academic prowess, skipping two grades and enrolling at UCLA at the age of 16. Shapiro graduated summa cum laude from UCLA in 2004 with a degree in political science and went on to earn his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2007.

Career in Media and Politics

Shapiro started his career in media at a young age. At just 17, he became the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the United States. His early writings focused on critiquing liberal bias in American academia and media.

In 2015, Shapiro co-founded The Daily Wire, a conservative news and opinion website, where he serves as editor emeritus. The Daily Wire has become one of the most influential conservative platforms, featuring articles, videos, and podcasts that cater to right-leaning audiences. The site’s success has propelled Shapiro into a major voice in conservative media.

Shapiro also hosts The Ben Shapiro Show, one of the most popular political podcasts in the country. The show features his takes on daily political events, policy, and social issues from a conservative standpoint. It also airs as a syndicated radio show, further expanding his reach.

Writing Career

In addition to his podcasting and media endeavors, Shapiro is a prolific author, having written several best-selling books, many of which critique leftist ideology and progressive politics. His works include:

“Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America’s Youth” (2004): A critique of liberal bias in higher education.

“Primetime Propaganda” (2011): An exploration of the liberal agenda in Hollywood.

“The Right Side of History” (2019): A defense of Judeo-Christian values and the Western tradition, which Shapiro argues have been essential to America’s success.

“The Authoritarian Moment” (2021): A critique of left-wing authoritarianism and censorship, particularly on college campuses and in media.

Political Views

Shapiro is known for his staunchly conservative viewpoints, which span a wide range of political and social issues. He is a vocal advocate for free speech, a strong supporter of gun rights, and a critic of progressive movements such as Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ activism. He has been outspoken against identity politics, socialism, and what he perceives as the left’s efforts to undermine Western values.

On the cultural front, Shapiro is deeply critical of what he sees as the degradation of traditional moral and religious values in American society. He often focuses on the importance of family, faith, and personal responsibility as cornerstones for societal success.

Public Speaking and Controversy

Shapiro has become a sought-after speaker on college campuses across the United States, where his appearances often attract both enthusiastic supporters and large protests. His speeches focus on defending conservative values, critiquing left-wing ideologies, and promoting free speech. Shapiro’s confrontational style often leads to heated exchanges, and he has been involved in numerous public debates with figures from across the political spectrum.

Criticism and Controversy

Shapiro’s strong opinions have made him a polarizing figure. His blunt, rapid-fire style of debating often draws criticism from political opponents, who accuse him of fostering divisiveness. He has faced accusations of being inflammatory and promoting harmful rhetoric, particularly regarding his views on Islam, LGBTQ+ rights, and race relations.

Despite the controversy, Shapiro has remained a significant influence in conservative circles, admired for his intellectual rigor and ability to articulate conservative ideas clearly and forcefully.

Personal Life

Ben Shapiro’s business partner is Jeremy Boreing. Together, they co-founded The Daily Wire, a conservative news and media company, in 2015. Jeremy Boreing serves as the co-CEO of the company alongside Shapiro. Boreing has played a significant role in building the brand, overseeing business operations, and expanding the company’s content, which includes news, opinion articles, podcasts, and video content.

In terms of his personal life, Ben Shapiro’s spouse is Mor Toledano Shapiro, whom he married in 2008. She is a physician, and they live together with their children.

A Political Activist active on Social Media

Naturally, Ben Shapiro understands the power of social media. Here's a breakdown on her activity:

X (formerly Twitter): Rapid-Fire Political Commentary

X is his go-to platform for real-time engagement and instant reactions. It’s the place where Shapiro amplifies his voice in the national political conversation, participating in debates, sharing his opinions on legislation, and responding to trending news. This high-frequency posting strategy is designed to keep his followers informed and engaged.

Purpose: Ben Shapiro uses X as his primary platform for sharing fast-paced, real-time reactions to political events and cultural news. His approach is direct and assertive, posting almost 41 tweets a week, often commenting on breaking news, government policies, and social issues. With over 20K interactions per tweet on average, his tweets resonate well with his audience, particularly among those who share his conservative values. His constant presence on X ensures that his followers are always aware of his stance on current events.

Followers: 7M

Influence Score: 96.6/100

Activity: 41 tweets per week

Engagement Rate: 0.28%

Instagram: Personal Insights with Political Commentary

On Instagram, Ben Shapiro shares a more visual narrative, integrating political discourse with glimpses into his personal life and behind-the-scenes moments. His strategy is more polished on this platform, featuring well-curated posts that include personal takes, quotes, and visually appealing graphics related to his podcast episodes or political commentary. His followers are drawn to both his commentary and more personal updates, creating a sense of connection beyond his politics.

Purpose: Instagram helps him maintain a more polished, multifaceted persona, offering both political and personal content. While politics remains at the core, Instagram allows Shapiro to humanize his brand by sharing behind-the-scenes content and glimpses into his everyday life.

Followers: 4.3M

Influence Score: 91.5/100

Activity: 11 posts last month

Engagement Rate: 0.77%

YouTube: In-Depth Discussions and Debates

Shapiro’s YouTube channel is the platform where he dives deep into political analysis and cultural critiques. His videos feature long-form content that covers a wide range of topics, including discussions about government policies, social issues, and cultural trends. With over 248K average views per post and a strong engagement rate of 4.29%, YouTube is where Shapiro showcases his intellectual depth and expands on topics that his followers care about in great detail.

Purpose: YouTube allows him to explain his views in a more comprehensive and nuanced way compared to X or Instagram. It serves as his main hub for longer, in-depth content, including interviews, debates, and podcast segments.

Subscribers: 7M

Influence Score: 88.8/100

Activity: 48.2 videos per month

Engagement Rate: 4.29%

Ben Shapiro's social medias explained

Ben Shapiro’s cross-platform strategy is all about combining speed and depth. On X, he engages in quick, real-time conversations, while on Instagram, he provides more visual and personal content. YouTube is where he shines in terms of long-form, educational content, offering in-depth analysis of political and social issues. Each platform serves a specific purpose, and together they allow Shapiro to maintain a multi-layered presence that caters to different segments of his audience.

Shapiro ensures that no matter where his followers engage with him, they receive consistent messaging and content relevant to their interests—whether that’s quick news updates on X, personal insights on Instagram, or in-depth commentary on YouTube.

Causes/Topics of Influence

Ben Shapiro is known for his strong conservative views, particularly on issues such as free speech, gun rights, Israeli and Ukrainian support, and criticism of progressive politics. He engages his audience with well-articulated opinions on current events, blending cultural and political commentary. His platform, The Ben Shapiro Show, addresses these topics, along with broader social and economic issues. His perspectives are often sharp, highly opinionated, and appeal to a large conservative audience.

Rankings and Influence

Top 1% in the U.S. for X, marking him as a dominant voice in political discussions on the platform.

Ranked #42 overall on X in the U.S., highlighting his significant reach within the social media landscape.

#6 in Political Reporters & Activists in the U.S., showcasing his authority in shaping political discourse.

Sponsored Reachability

Ben Shapiro’s reachability is marked as “Very Difficult” due to his prominent status. However, with an estimated sponsored post cost of $45K, his influence remains highly valuable for brands looking to tap into his large, politically engaged audience. His sharp viewpoints and large following make him an influential figure for potential collaborations within the political, media, and advocacy spaces.

In conclusion, Ben Shapiro uses his social media platforms to assert his conservative views, engage with millions of followers, and influence political discourse in the U.S.

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About the author

Jeremy Boissinot

Jérémy Boissinot is the founder of Favikon, an AI-powered platform that helps brands gain clarity on creator insights through rankings. With a mission to highlight quality creators, Jérémy has built a global community of satisfied creators and achieved impressive milestones, including over 10 million estimated impressions, 20,000+ new registrations, and 150,000 real-time rankings across more than 600 niches. He is an alumnus of ESCP Business School and has been associated with prestigious organizations such as the French Ministry and the United Nations in his professional pursuits.