Ana Kasparian, a co-host of the prominent progressive online news show “The Young Turks,” extended praise to Ben Shapiro, former Editor Emeritus of the Daily Wire, for his conduct in discussions, countering critics who questioned her engagements with him.
Their initial clash occurred in 2021 through a debate, and this year, Kasparian appeared as a guest on Shapiro’s “Sunday Special” show for an in-depth interview. Despite their sharp disparities in viewpoints, both encounters stood out for their civility and mutual respect.
In a recent post on X, Kasparian shed light on her rationale for engaging with Shapiro. She emphasized that her willingness to engage stems from his respectful demeanor towards her. She also underlined her prerogative to decline conversations with individuals she deems disrespectful, irrespective of their alignment within the Left, a political stance she aligns with.
Drawing a contrast, Kasparian made reference to Vaush (real name Ian Kochinski), a popular Left-wing content creator, who had used derogatory language towards her during disagreements. She commended Shapiro’s approach by stating, “Unlike Vaush, Shapiro never once called me ‘retarded’ or a ‘b****’ over disagreements. That’s how mature individuals who engage in thoughtful discourse behave. I am under no obligation to engage in conversation or debates, especially with those exhibiting anti-social behavior like Vaush. It’s that simple.”
Kasparian did not escape criticism from certain factions on the Left for her interactions with Shapiro, a prominent figure in conservative media.
Their 2021 debate delved into subjects ranging from education to Critical Race Theory and the news media. Following the debate, Kasparian addressed the backlash from some quarters on the Left, emphasizing that Shapiro, by virtue of his larger audience, was actually “platforming” her, a point acknowledged by the fact that his audience did not express concerns about it.
Kasparian took to a series of tweets to elucidate her decision to engage in the debate, voicing her frustration at being underestimated and criticized. She asserted her capability to firmly defend her viewpoints and highlighted the courage it took to engage in a debate with Shapiro before an audience largely holding opposing views.
Regarding the concept of platforming, Kasparian discussed the discrepancy in their respective followings, underscoring that Shapiro’s platform amplified her voice. She urged the Left to embrace confidence and actively participate in more dialogues, believing that a more substantial presence across different platforms could effectively lead to a change in perspectives.
Shapiro echoed Kasparian’s sentiments, concurring that her perspective was “spot on.” Their shared viewpoint underscores the importance they both place on fostering respectful and meaningful discourse across ideological divides.