Add The New York Post on Google Piers Morgan and Ben Shapiro escalated their months-long feud this week, trading personal insults after Morgan declared the conservative podcaster “banned” from his online show — though Shapiro already said he wouldn’t appear on it.
The latest flare-up began Wednesday after a social media user mocked Morgan for wanting Shapiro on “Piers Morgan Uncensored.”
“No, @benshapiro is now banned from @PiersUncensored – he’s become ratings kryptonite so I can’t risk him dragging down my massive numbers,” Morgan wrote.
Shapiro quickly fired back, noting that he had already publicly refused to appear on Morgan’s show.
“Oh no you’re banning me from a show I announced publicly I wouldn’t do months ago because you’re Political Bonnie Blue, whatever will I do now,” Shapiro wrote, referencing the controversial porn actress.
He followed with another jab aimed at Morgan’s free-speech posture.
“Also, I’ve been reliably informed by midwit British clickwhores that denial of platform is a violation of free speech principles and censorship, or something,” Shapiro wrote.
Shapiro has also mocked Morgan over his appearance, recently posting a photo of the late Irish actress Brenda Fricker — who played the “Pigeon Lady” in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” and bore a resemblance to Morgan — as a dig at the British broadcaster.
The increasingly personal exchange marks the latest turn in a relationship that has shifted from years of combative but cordial appearances into an open fight over Israel and Morgan’s repeated platforming of controversial guests.
The two famously clashed over gun control on CNN in 2013, when Shapiro accused Morgan, who has advocated for stricter gun regulations, of being “a bully” and “standing on the graves of the children of Sandy Hook.”
That showdown did not trigger a lasting rupture, as the two continued appearing on each other’s shows over the following years.
Their relationship eventually deteriorated amid disagreements over the Israel-Hamas war, although Shapiro continued appearing on Morgan’s program into 2024.
Morgan has blamed their eventual split on his increasingly critical coverage of Israel’s government.
Shapiro has focused his criticism on Morgan’s guest choices and debate format, branding him the “Jerry Springer of political television” in March and accusing him of elevating anti-American and extremist voices.
He specifically called out Morgan’s repeatedly hosting comedian Dave Smith, who had said that “America is arguably the worst terrorist organization in the world.”
Morgan shot back by calling Shapiro a “cancel culture vulture” and defending his decision to interview controversial guests, arguing that his show gives viewers a chance to see their views challenged.
The feud escalated this week after Morgan interviewed recently deported Milo Yiannopoulos and invited him to respond to Shapiro’s criticism.
Shapiro then devoted part of his show to criticizing Morgan’s approach to political media, calling his program a “Jerry Springer-Click-Bordello” and warning viewers against rewarding personalities who “grift for clicks and cash.”
“There are lots and lots of people in our public life who grift for clicks and cash, and you can tell who they are by the fact that they shift their views and their personas on a routine basis, kaleidoscopically,” Shapiro said.
He argued that such figures were shaping politics because “people love car wrecks” and urged his audience not to feed the cycle.
“So here is a solution: do not donate your attention to them,” Shapiro said.
“There are only so many breaths you have in this life, and you’re not going to get these breaths back.”
Morgan promptly used Shapiro’s broadside as fresh ammunition.
“BREAKING: Humbled to see Little Benjy @benshapiro has used me to shamelessly and hypocritically clickbait-whore his floundering show in a desperate attempt to get his viewing numbers up!” Morgan wrote while sharing the clip.
He escalated the attack after another social-media user praised Shapiro for remaining intellectually consistent.
“Ironically, Ben has proven himself to be an amoral, intellectually dishonest click-whore, especially about Israel, which is why nobody watches him anymore, and they all watch me instead,” Morgan wrote.
