Right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro was torn apart by Andrew Neil in an excruciating interview.
The conservative writer prides himself on his debating skills and use of “facts” but he was left irritated when Neil subjected some of his past comments to scrutiny.
Shapiro is a supporter of Georgia’s controversial abortion laws and has previously falsely claimed that the “majority of Muslims have been radicalised”.
When Neil questioned him on his views on abortion, Shapiro bizarrely accused Neil (the chairman of conservative-leaning magazine The Spectator) of being “on the left”.
You can watch the full interview here:
@darachomaolain Here's @afneil interviewing @benshapiro - this is the full, unedited version. it is not Fox News or… https://t.co/bnjoOQZdDl— Rob Burley (@Rob Burley) 1557489490
Other highlights included Shapiro saying that the phrase “human life exists at conception” was “science” and lashing out at Neil by saying he “doesn’t give a damn what you think of me” before angrily ending the interview.
Some people criticised the BBC earlier in the day for choosing to have Shapiro on the show.
Truly unbelievable Ben Shapiro is on BBC's Politics Live. He believes most Muslims are radical, is a vile racist ab… https://t.co/I9lygWmwHL— Miqdaad Versi (@Miqdaad Versi) 1557479579
The editor of Politics Live, Rob Burley, explained the BBC’s reasoning for interviewing him:
2) . .we can do our job and challenge with tough questions put by @afneil. Shapiro is actually "platformed" when h… https://t.co/L9Dgkc6Mx3— Rob Burley (@Rob Burley) 1557484260
4) He is not being normalised in this interview but challenged for views many regard as disturbing and extreme. The… https://t.co/omhOshDlZC— Rob Burley (@Rob Burley) 1557484933
And when it aired, some people enjoyed the interview - if only because it was a chance to see Shapiro visibly uncomfortable under pressure.
Absolutely hooting with laughter that Ben Shapiro has just accused Andrew Neil of being a terrible, biased, liberal leftie #PoliticsLive— Jane Merrick (@Jane Merrick) 1557489070
Ben Shapiro owned by major British centre right journalist who he has "never heard of" - he has heard of @afneil no… https://t.co/s1R0nRAtQA— Paul Mason (@Paul Mason) 1557495424
Ben Shapiro going on BBC and demanding conservative Andrew Neil admit he's a leftist then crying about how unfair i… https://t.co/OWMtgxJybI— Wild Geerters (@Wild Geerters) 1557496464
Here's regular user of the term "snowflake" Ben Shapiro shortly before he ran away from an interview because he fou… https://t.co/1TDfPHKdJm— James Felton (@James Felton) 1557491148
Shapiro even apologised for incorrectly claiming Neil is left-wing.
Just pre-taped an interview with BBC’s @afneil. As I’m not familiar with him or his work, I misinterpreted his anta… https://t.co/8mAoslAeYq— Ben Shapiro (@Ben Shapiro) 1557428131
However, others were unconvinced by the BBC's explanation.
Shapiro may have been robustly questioned but some were concerned that wouldn't counter the publicity from the interview.
This is a naive excuse for giving #benshapiro - well known for his anti-Muslim racist views a BBC platform. It does… https://t.co/IPuWXGpBU2— Dr Zubaida Haque (@Dr Zubaida Haque) 1557488399
Will interviewing him A) make those millions of followers turn against him and see the error of their ways? or… https://t.co/U3d5V47oXE— David Whitley (@David Whitley) 1557485342
All publicity is good publicity - even if you're filmed throwing a tantrum on live TV.
However, at least we can all agree that Ben Shapiro is not the elite debater the American right-wing like to think he is.
Why was Andrew Neil being cruel to that child and why was he allowed on TV without his parents.— Karl Sharro (@Karl Sharro) 1557496354