Podcast Summary: Amanpour (CNN Podcasts)

Episode Title: Standing up to Trump at the UN, Palestinian statehood & Jane Fonda on the climate crisis
Date: September 27, 2025
Host: Christiane Amanpour

Overview

This episode, recorded during the United Nations General Assembly’s 80th year, covers pressing issues of global leadership amid volatile international dynamics. We hear from Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira as they respond to Donald Trump’s combative speeches at the UN, addressing topics from immigration to the Israel-Gaza conflict and international trade. Hollywood legend Jane Fonda appears alongside ecofeminist Mela Chiponda, discussing activism, climate solutions, and Fonda’s memories of Robert Redford. Other segments include a ground report on women’s safety in Mexico and a deep dive into the politics of public memory and truth through a look at the Bosnian conflict and a New York cathedral's new mural on migration and dignity.

Key Segments and Insights

1. Trump’s UN Tirade and European Resistance

[00:29–03:36]

• Context: President Trump’s speech at the UN was full of broadsides against the institution and many U.S. allies, deriding open borders, dismissing climate change, and harshly criticizing countries that accept immigrants.
  • Trump: “Your countries are going to hell… Climate change… It’s the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion.” [00:29]
• Amanpour’s framing: She highlights how these statements mirror Trump’s “American carnage” tone and sets up conversations with leaders he targeted, starting with Spain’s Prime Minister.

2. Interview: Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain

[03:36–09:56]

Spanish Recognition of Palestinian Statehood

• Sanchez argues for an international peace conference and recognition of both Palestinian statehood and Israel by Arab countries:

  • “The biggest mistake that the Israeli government is committing is how to fight against terrorism... you have to do it within the legal framework. And this is not happening...” [03:36]
  • “Politics, diplomacy... That is why I think it’s so important what happened last Monday when large majority of countries and also two permanent members of the Security Council...” [03:36]

• Amanpour notes: “Four permanent members. Only the US doesn’t.” [04:49]

On Counterterrorism and Israeli Critiques

• Responds to Israeli criticism (by Benny Gantz) that Spain’s experience with terrorism isn’t comparable:
  • “We suffered the BAS terrorism, ETA in Spain for 40 years. We know quite well...the big mistake is to call it war against terrorism because it’s more complex than a war.” [05:19]
  • “How do we marginalize Hamas support within the Palestine society? ...because there’s only bombing from the Israeli government and without political dialogue with the moderates...” [05:19]

Defending Migration and Economic Growth

• Rejects Trump’s characterization of Spain regarding immigration:
  • “This is not the case of Spain...We are definitely against smugglers... but during the last seven years...we received 2 million migrants...and at the same time...reduced the unemployment rate by 40%...” [06:39]
  • “Last year 3.5%, this year 2.7%. We are representing 30% of economic growth of the European Union... thanks to regular migration.” [06:39]
• Green transition: “Spanish experience shows...when you have more renewable sources in your energy mix, you... drop electricity prices. Since 2017, we have dropped the electricity prices by 50%.”
  • Amanpour: “50%?” [07:57]
  • Sanchez: “5, 0.” [07:58]

Spain and NATO

• Stands up to Trump’s demand for 5% GDP defense spending:
  • “This is not a question of figures, it is a question of capabilities.” [08:08]

On Netanyahu Avoiding Spanish Airspace

• Reacts diplomatically, stresses commitment to Israel but critiques Netanyahu:
  • “We are committed with Israel. We want the best future for Israel. But what Prime Minister Netanyahu is doing is the opposite, is creating more unstable Middle East political situation...” [09:07]

3. Activism & Interconnection: Jane Fonda and Mela Chiponda on Climate & Gender

[11:09–18:20]

Responding to Trump’s Climate Denial

• Fonda: “We just have to talk to him. He just needs some education. He doesn’t understand.” [12:10]
• Amanpour asks about Fonda’s civil disobedience campaigns.
  • Fonda: “After years...protesting and lobbying...we realized the reason [for lack of legislative change] is that so many people elected to office in Washington take money from the fossil fuel industry...If you can’t change the people, change the people.” [12:40]
  • “We started the Jane Fonda Climate PAC and we elect climate champions...now we’re facing two existential crises, climate and democracy. You can’t have a stable climate unless you have a stable democracy...” [12:40]

Mela Chiponda: Gender, Climate, and the Global South

• On intersectionality: “The climate crisis is not just one issue. It is connected to gender...energy...as Shine collab we’re working on the intersection of gender, climate, and energy.” [13:43]
• Discusses the disproportionate impact on African and Caribbean nations despite their minimal emissions.
• Fonda: “Fifteen years ago at the Ford foundation, we created the Frontline Women’s Fund...we realized now...we have to send resources directly to women. Today we launched the Jane Fonda Gender and Climate Justice Fund...” [14:38]

Global Reach of the Fund

• “The first cohort today, it was Ecuador, Indigenous people in Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Senegal, and Indonesia.” [15:25–15:39]

Activism, Partnership, and Legacy

• Chiponda lauds joint activism with Fonda: “We need more Jane Fondas...more frontline women's defenders...the climate crisis...is global in nature.” [15:41]

Remembering Robert Redford

• Fonda on Redford: “The morning I heard, I just cried all morning. I couldn't believe it. He was such a presence. I was always in love with him.” [17:17]
• Lists their films together: Barefoot in the Park, The Chase, Electric Horseman, Our Souls at Night; favorite: “Barefoot in the Park.” [17:31]
• Fonda at 88: “I’m scared to death. I made three movies in one year and then I haven't worked since then. I want to work and I need to work. I miss the craft. It’s a noble profession...” [17:51]

4. Brazil Responds to U.S. Pressure: Mauro Vieira, Foreign Minister

[24:30–31:41]

Standing Up to Trump at the UN

• Vieira, on Trump’s criticisms: “President Trump...may not be well informed. I don't know where he gets his information about the political scene in Brazil.” [24:30]
• Defends Brazil’s autonomy and democracy:
  • “Brazil sent a message to all aspiring autocrats... Our democracy, our sovereignty, are non-negotiable.” [25:27]

Trade Disputes and Facts

• “Brazil has a huge deficit with the U.S. Over the last 15 years, more than $410 billion...around $20 billion every year. Our tariffs...average 2.7%, very low. 8 out of the 10 most important products from the U.S. enter Brazil tax free.” [26:58]

Bolsonaro, Democracy, and Amnesty

• Responding to Trump’s rumored support for Bolsonaro:
  • “The trial was very long...hundreds of thousands of proofs against Bolsonaro and the generals...They were all convicted. First time a former president is condemned because he tried to destroy Brazilian democracy...if they approve a very ample amnesty, it will be unconstitutional.” [28:04]

Climate: Brazil’s Renewable Leadership

• “Electrical matrix in Brazil is 92% renewable...we believe in renewables and we are fighting for energy transition. This will save the planet. Of course, [Trump] has a different one, but this is up to him.” [29:41]

Recognizing Palestine, Condemning Genocide

• Vieira: “It’s not a reward for Hamas...We condemned Hamas...But this does not justify vengeance against the Palestinian people...That’s why we joined South Africa in the International Court of Justice [on genocide]. You cannot use hunger as a weapon of war.” [30:35–31:41]

5. Women’s Safety in Mexico

[18:20–19:58]

• Special report on Mexico City’s female taxi drivers fighting gender-based violence through an all-women, women-driven taxi company.
  • Amanpour: “Women fighting back, looking out for each other and making change, which is an inspiration to all of us.” [19:58]

6. Historical Echoes: Bosnia and the “Twilight Zone” of Truth

[31:47–36:59]

• Amanpour revisits 1990s Bosnia, drawing a parallel to current conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine, and how parties in war manipulate reality:
  • “Time spent in Bosnia can be like entering the twilight zone, where everyone’s reality comes made to measure...” [31:47]
  • “You only see when the shelling of Sarajevo...the first thing you do is accuse the Serbs...I guarantee you we are not shelling...” [34:16]
  • She laments modern restrictions on journalism in Gaza: “How different from today’s Gaza, which the Israeli government does ban us from entering.” [35:03]

7. Art and Migration: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Mural

[36:59–37:40]

• Features Adam Svionovich and a new mural celebrating immigrants at New York’s iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
  • Svionovich: “This is not a political painting...It’s a painting about showing the dignity of all people...As long as you understand the basic humanity of somebody who is other, the whole dialogue winds up being in a much better place.” [36:59]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pedro Sanchez (Spain):

  • “The biggest mistake that the Israeli government is committing is...how to fight against terrorism...you have to do it within the legal framework. And this is not happening...” [03:36]
  • “We are representing...30% of the total economic growth of the European Union...thanks to regular migration.” [06:39]
  • “Since 2017, we have dropped the electricity prices by 50%.” [07:58]

• Jane Fonda:

  • “After years...protesting...we realized the reason [for lack of progress] is that so many people elected...take money from the fossil fuel industry. If you can't change the people, change the people.” [12:40]
  • “We can’t have a stable climate unless we have a stable democracy.” [12:40]
  • On Redford: “The morning I heard, I just cried all morning. I couldn’t believe it. He was such a presence. I was always in love with him.” [17:17]

• Mela Chiponda:

  • “This crisis is not a single issue thing...as Shine collab, we’re working on the intersection of gender, climate, and energy.” [13:43]
  • “We need more Jane Fonders...the climate crisis is global in nature.” [15:41]

• Mauro Vieira (Brazil):

  • “Our democracy, our sovereignty, are non-negotiable.” [25:27]
  • “Brazil has a huge deficit with the U.S.—over $410 billion in 15 years...” [26:58]
  • “Electrical matrix in Brazil is 92% renewable...we believe in renewables...” [29:41]
  • “We condemned Hamas…but this does not justify vengeance against the Palestinian people...You cannot use hunger as a weapon of war.” [30:35]

• Adam Svionovich:

  • “This is not a political painting...It’s a painting about showing the dignity of all people. As long as you understand the basic humanity of somebody who is other, the whole dialogue winds up being in a much better place.” [36:59]

Timestamps and Segment Guide

• [00:29] Amanpour opens main topics and previews guests
• [03:36] Interview: Pedro Sanchez (Spain) on Israel-Palestine, terrorism, migration, climate, NATO
• [11:09] Interview: Jane Fonda & Mela Chiponda on climate activism, Jane Fonda Gender and Climate Justice Fund, intersectionality, Redford
• [18:20] Field report: Women taxi drivers in Mexico fighting violence
• [24:30] Interview: Mauro Vieira (Brazil) on Trump, tariffs, democracy, renewables, Palestine
• [31:47] Reflections on Bosnia, past wars, and present-day propaganda
• [36:59] Adam Svionovich on the new immigration-themed mural at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Language & Tone

The podcast maintains a serious, unflinching tone typical for Amanpour’s brand, with moments of warmth and humor in the Fonda/Chiponda section, and measured but sharp critiques from the political leaders. The language is clear and informative, and direct quotes preserve the speakers’ voices.

For listeners seeking a thorough, compelling briefing on the world stage at this tumultuous moment—through the eyes of leaders, activists, and artists—this episode is an essential listen.