FYPod – Episode 3: Why Isn't Ukraine the New Gaza? (with Ellie Schnitt) Summary

Release Date: March 4, 2025 | Host: The Bulwark’s Tim Miller and Cameron Caskey | Guest: Ellie Schnitt

1. Introduction

In Episode 3 of FYPod, hosts Tim Miller and Cameron Caskey delve into the complex relationship between Gen Z's political inclinations and international conflicts, specifically comparing the United States' involvement in Ukraine and Gaza. Joined by political analyst Ellie Schnitt, the conversation explores the underlying factors driving Gen Z's support for Trump in 2024 and examines whether shifting alliances and media narratives have influenced their perspectives on foreign policy.

2. Gen Z’s Engagement with International Conflicts

The episode opens with Cameron questioning the apparent apathy among Gen Z towards international issues like NATO and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Cameron Caskey [03:33]:
"I kind of wonder if like maybe like people a lot younger than me, like, don't even give a fuck about this."

Ellie Schnitt responds by highlighting the pervasive apathy, likening it to "Murphy's Law of Gen Z," where if something can be apathetic, Gen Z will be apathetic.

Ellie Schnitt [04:07]:
"I think people are all over the place in my generation. Obviously, number one is always going to be apathy."

3. Trump’s Image Among Gen Z

A significant portion of the discussion centers on former President Trump's influence on Gen Z. Tim Miller probes whether Trump's straightforward stance against foreign wars resonates with younger voters, contrasting it with his perceived petulance.

Tim Miller [06:36]:
"Trump has a pretty simple argument that I can understand how it might appeal to some young people, which is just like, no more wars."

However, Ellie critiques Trump's approach, suggesting that his exhibited "petty little king" behavior undermines his tough image.

Ellie Schnitt [05:44]:
"I think that without a doubt, the idea that Trump's in office is saying we already lost. So many of what people were protesting was that Biden was someone to negotiate with, but with Trump, we lost."

4. Contrasting Leadership: Trump vs. Zelensky

The hosts and guest compare Trump's leadership style to that of Ukrainian President Zelensky, examining how each appeals to or alienates Gen Z.

Tim Miller [08:19]:
"It's a moral imperative... If you have the ability to help people who need help, you should do it."

Ellie Schnitt [16:53]:
"I think that one of the lessons we're learning here is American isolationism is even scarier when the people we're going to be isolated with are each other and each other sucks."

Ellie emphasizes the emotional impact of visible foreign aid, contrasting it with less tangible support for Ukraine.

5. Media Narratives and Historical Perspectives

The conversation shifts to how history is framed and its impact on Gen Z's understanding of international relations. Ellie discusses the influence of American-centric historical narratives and their potential to skew perceptions of current events.

Ellie Schnitt [08:26]:
"History is written by the winners. And for all I know, not that there's going to be a public school system by the time I have kids within the next, let's say, 18 months."

The hosts debate how media portrayal affects Gen Z's view of leaders like Putin and Zelensky, questioning the consistency in characterizing dictators.

6. Strategies to Engage and Mobilize Gen Z

The trio explores potential methods to awaken political engagement among Gen Z. Tim suggests that amplifying the failings of opposing leaders might galvanize young voters.

Tim Miller [56:46]:
"They would point out very small, specific things... It's like, that makes sense. To me, because you're not hearing any like, actual, like, common sense solutions to the problems that people are legit facing."

Ellie counters that providing tangible reasons to support policies, rather than solely opposing the other side, could be more effective.

Ellie Schnitt [52:26]:
"There are so many popular policies that liberal candidates or left wing candidates have run on that the Democratic Party can put forward and say, hey, here's Your thing."

7. Cryptocurrency Policies and Political Corruption

A heated segment discusses the U.S. government's strategic Bitcoin reserve and its implications, with Ellie expressing skepticism about the transparency and motives behind crypto investments tied to political figures.

Cameron Caskey [29:20]:
"You were doing this podcast on a platform like that, I just think that that happened, but you were living it. So maybe I'm being warped by the Internet and that didn't actually happen."

Ellie Schnitt [30:42]:
"The easiest explanation for how all of these things are happening is Trump made a bunch of backdoor deals... Crypto is a really great way to make money illegally."

They discuss potential conflicts of interest and the lack of oversight in governmental crypto ventures.

8. Ellie Schnitt’s Views on Foreign Aid and Nationalism

Ellie presents a controversial stance on U.S. foreign aid, advocating for unconditional support to Israel while opposing financial assistance to Ukraine.

Ellie Schnitt [61:21]:
"We should not send any money to foreign wars except Israel, where we should just send them all the money they want, no questions."

She warns against the continuing support for Ukraine, hinting at ulterior motives and questioning the morality of ongoing conflicts.

9. Conclusions and Implications for U.S. Politics

The episode wraps up with reflections on the current state of the Republican and Democratic parties, emphasizing the need for authenticity and relatable policies to reconnect with Gen Z.

Tim Miller [55:58]:
"A lot of people that I was friends with, like, at that time... it's like, we have to give people something to vote for instead of something to vote against."

Cameron Caskey [79:56]:
"Stop sucking. Just be normal. That's it. Stop being."

The hosts advocate for moving beyond petty political battles to address substantive issues that matter to younger voters.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Cameron Caskey [03:33]:
  "I kind of wonder if like maybe like people a lot younger than me, like, don't even give a fuck about this."

• Ellie Schnitt [04:07]:
  "I think people are all over the place in my generation. Obviously, number one is always going to be apathy."

• Tim Miller [06:36]:
  "Trump has a pretty simple argument that I can understand how it might appeal to some young people, which is just like, no more wars."

• Ellie Schnitt [16:53]:
  "I think that one of the lessons we're learning here is American isolationism is even scarier when the people we're going to be isolated with are each other and each other sucks."

• Ellie Schnitt [61:21]:
  "We should not send any money to foreign wars except Israel, where we should just send them all the money they want, no questions."

Conclusion

Episode 3 of FYPod offers a deep dive into the intersection of Gen Z's political attitudes and international conflicts, questioning the efficacy of current political strategies and media narratives. Through candid discussions and expert insights, hosts Tim Miller and Cameron Caskey, alongside guest Ellie Schnitt, uncover the complexities of engaging America’s youngest voters in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

For more insightful discussions on America's youngest voters and their political dynamics, tune in weekly to FYPod.