By: Fern Sidman

In a forceful and wide-ranging interview on The Ben Shapiro Show, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik delivered an emphatic defense of several of President Donald Trump’s most controversial policy moves, including the recent ban on foreign nationals studying at Harvard University, the ongoing legislative push behind the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and the mounting threat posed by Iran to U.S. and Israeli interests. Stefanik has emerged as one of Trump’s closest and most vocal allies in Congress, playing a central role in shaping the Republican legislative agenda ahead of the 2025 elections.

On Trump’s Ban on Foreign Nationals at Harvard

Stefanik began the interview by applauding President Trump’s executive action barring foreign nationals from enrolling at Harvard University, citing deep institutional failures to address antisemitism and national security risks. “I called on President Trump to do that,” Stefanik told Shapiro. “He followed those hearings incredibly closely. It’s an issue I’ve discussed with him for years.”

The move comes amid rising scrutiny of elite institutions for harboring radical ideologies and failing to protect Jewish students. Stefanik, who has led congressional hearings on antisemitism in higher education, said Harvard and similar schools had ample opportunity to reform but “failed at the highest levels.”

“These institutions have fundamentally lost their way,” she declared, referencing the decline in Jewish student admissions, incidents of campus intimidation, and the widespread proliferation of DEI bureaucracies. “You’ve seen Hillels targeted, professors spewing vile antisemitism — and they’re propped up by these universities,” she added. “It is important for this administration to use the power of the purse to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars don’t fund antisemitism.”

On the Terror Attack in Boulder, Colorado

Stefanik also addressed the recent firebombing of a pro-Israel gathering in Boulder, Colorado, which injured over a dozen people, including a Holocaust survivor. “This was a terror attack on U.S. soil,” Stefanik said, blaming President Joe Biden’s immigration policies for allowing the Egyptian-born suspect to remain in the country illegally.

The attacker, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly used Molotov cocktails and a flamethrower in the attack. “This happened because of Joe Biden’s failed border policies,” Stefanik told Shapiro. “New York Democrats want more illegals and continue to put them first — even when they import individuals who are fundamentally anti-American.”

Stefanik argued that the attack illustrated the broader failure of Democratic leadership to prioritize national security and Jewish safety, noting, “You are seeing electoral shifts in key parts of New York moving toward Republicans because the people have had enough.”

On the “One Big Beautiful Bill”

Turning to legislative affairs, Stefanik touted the passage of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” as the centerpiece of the Trump agenda in Congress — a sweeping package of economic and security reforms.

“This is what we ran on, and we owe it to the American people to deliver,” she said. The bill includes provisions for border security, energy independence, and major tax relief, such as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. “I was the deciding vote,” Stefanik noted, emphasizing her role in ensuring its passage in the House.

Though the bill now faces an uphill battle in the Senate, Stefanik remained optimistic, pointing to Trump’s unique ability to unite both chambers. “President Trump has a way to work with all these members — senators, House Republicans — to get this done,” she said.

She also highlighted how the bill addresses key concerns in New York, including high taxation. “I’m particularly proud of the economic pieces that benefit New Yorkers,” Stefanik said.

On the Threat from Iran

Stefanik closed the interview with a stark warning about the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling it “a regime of terror” and reiterating Trump’s hardline stance against its nuclear ambitions. “We need to make sure it is zero — zero nuclear, not for power, not for anything,” she declared.

While she couldn’t delve into classified intelligence, Stefanik stated unequivocally that House Republicans and the Trump administration are united in opposing any Iranian nuclear capability. “This has been clear from the first term under President Trump and remains clear today,” she said.

Referring to Iran’s funding of Hamas and Hezbollah — groups involved in the October 7 massacre in Israel — Stefanik underscored the broader regional threat. “We know Iran is backing terrorism. That led to October 7, the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust,” she said.

Drawing on Trump’s past diplomatic wins, such as the Abraham Accords, Stefanik expressed confidence in his ability to negotiate from a position of strength. “President Trump is the strongest negotiator we have — around the world,” she said.

Chairwoman Stefanik remains a central figure in the GOP’s push to align congressional priorities with Trump’s second-term vision. From higher education reform to national security and legislative victories, Stefanik’s interview with Ben Shapiro offered a comprehensive look at the Republican agenda as the party prepares for a crucial election cycle.