The Daily Wire and Its Relationship to Zionism: An Overview

What Is The Daily Wire?

The Daily Wire is a conservative news and media company founded in 2015 by Ben Shapiro, Jeremy Boreing, and Caleb Robinson, with an initial investment from Farris Wilks, a Texas billionaire known for supporting right-wing causes. The platform has gained a massive following through its podcast, news articles, and more recently, its video streaming platform, DailyWire+. The outlet covers a range of topics, with a strong focus on cultural conservatism, limited government, and the defense of traditional Western values1.

The company’s meteoric rise has been bolstered by its alignment with the broader conservative movement, advocating for free speech, religious freedom, and, significantly, a pro-Israel and Zionist stance.

Zionism and The Daily Wire’s Editorial Line

Ben Shapiro has been one of the most vocal advocates of Zionism in American conservative media. His views, shaped by his background and Orthodox Jewish beliefs, influence The Daily Wire’s pro-Israel coverage. Shapiro frequently defends Israel's actions in the Middle East and champions the idea of Israel as a key ally to the West. Under his editorial leadership, The Daily Wire positions Israel as a stronghold of democracy and stability in a region marked by political turmoil.

Shapiro’s views align Zionism with broader themes of nationalism and self-determination, both central to The Daily Wire’s mission. The platform’s content often portrays Israel as an example of how a nation can maintain its cultural and religious integrity while resisting external threats2.

Financial Backing and Influences

The Wilks brothers, Farris and Dan Wilks, were the initial major financial backers of The Daily Wire. These billionaires, who made their fortune in fracking, provided an initial investment of $4.7 million to launch the platform. Their total contribution is reported to be around $15 million34.

The Wilks brothers are known for their strong conservative beliefs, particularly their religious and cultural conservatism, which aligns with the values promoted by The Daily Wire. Their influence in The Daily Wire’s early stages is significant, particularly as they are part of a network of conservative donors who have played a role in shaping right-wing media.

As The Daily Wire grew, it became self-sustaining and expanded its revenue streams. It is now primarily funded through:

1. Subscriptions: The DailyWire+ platform offers exclusive podcasts, videos, and films to paying subscribers.

2. Advertising: The site generates significant income through advertisements across its content channels.

3. E-commerce: The company has diversified into merchandise sales, contributing around $22 million from commerce alone in 20235.

The Wilks brothers are not the only influential conservative backers indirectly connected to The Daily Wire. Several other foundations and donor networks fund organizations that align with the outlet’s ideological mission. These include:

• Charles Koch Foundation

• Mercer Foundation

• DeVos Family Foundations

• Donors Trust, a donor-advised fund often referred to as the "dark money ATM" of the right4.

The Daily Wire has also maintained its independence by emphasizing its commercial success. It became profitable just 14 months after its launch and now operates as a self-sufficient company, reinvesting its profits into expanding its content and services4.

Key Influences Behind The Daily Wire’s Zionist Support

In addition to Shapiro’s strong Zionist stance, The Daily Wire’s pro-Israel editorial line fits neatly within its broader political ideology. The platform frequently highlights issues of national sovereignty, portraying Israel’s geopolitical struggles as a reflection of the broader cultural and political battles faced by Western nations.

Zionism at The Daily Wire is not solely a foreign policy issue but is often discussed within the context of national identity, cultural preservation, and resistance to globalist movements. The platform’s emphasis on nationalism, strong borders, and cultural heritage resonates with its audience, which includes a diverse array of conservative thinkers, ranging from traditionalists to libertarians6.

While Shapiro’s personal background plays a significant role in shaping this message, the broader appeal of pro-Israel content at The Daily Wire reflects its alignment with a larger conservative consensus that sees Israel as a key ally and symbol of resilience.

The Daily Wire’s Broader Political Message

The Daily Wire’s support for Zionism is consistent with its broader mission to defend Western civilization, oppose progressive ideologies, and support national self-determination. The platform often portrays Israel as an example of a country that has successfully defended its sovereignty and cultural integrity against external and internal challenges.

This alignment between Zionism and national conservatism at The Daily Wire reinforces its appeal to a wide audience of conservative thinkers who favor strong national identities and oppose globalism2.

Footnotes

1. The Daily Wire - Wikipedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Daily_Wire ↩

2. Ben Shapiro’s Pro-Israel Views. Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved from: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/ben-shapiro ↩ ↩2

3. The Wilks Brothers' Influence on Conservative Media. Axios. Retrieved from: https://www.axios.com ↩

4. Ben Shapiro "Owns the Libs"...But Who Owns Him?, TYT Network. Retrieved from: /mnt/data/shaprio.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3

5. E-commerce Growth and Revenue Streams. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com ↩

6. Influence Watch: Conservative Funding Networks. Retrieved from: https://influencewatch.org ↩