Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and British broadcaster Piers Morgan have intensified their public feud, trading personal insults and accusing each other of dishonesty and seeking attention.
The latest exchange began when Morgan declared Shapiro “banned” from his online show, “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” a statement Shapiro countered by noting he had previously announced he would not appear on the program.
Shapiro responded on social media, questioning Morgan’s free speech claims and referencing a controversial pornographic actress. He also mocked Morgan’s appearance by posting a photo of the late actress Brenda Fricker, who bore a resemblance to the broadcaster.
Morgan, in turn, called Shapiro a “cancel culture vulture” and an “amoral, intellectually dishonest click-whore.” He accused Shapiro of using him to gain viewership for his own show.
The dispute has its roots in disagreements over coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, with Morgan accusing Shapiro of being dishonest about the conflict. Shapiro, however, has criticized Morgan for his guest choices and the format of his program, calling it a “Jerry Springer of political television” and a “Jerry Springer-Click-Bordello.”
Shapiro specifically took issue with Morgan’s repeated interviews with Dave Smith, a comedian who has made controversial statements about the United States. Shapiro also criticized guests like Milo Yiannopoulos, who was recently deported.
Shapiro has accused figures like Morgan of “grifting for clicks and cash” and warned his audience against rewarding personalities who shift their views to gain attention, arguing that such behavior distorts public discourse.
Morgan has defended his show’s approach, stating that it allows controversial views to be challenged. He has also claimed that his critical coverage of the Israeli government led to their public split.
The public spat marks a significant escalation from years of combative yet cordial interactions, including a notable clash over gun control on CNN in 2013, where Shapiro called Morgan a “bully” and accused him of exploiting the Sandy Hook tragedy. Despite that earlier confrontation, they continued to appear on each other’s programs for several years before their relationship deteriorated amid broader political disagreements.