Podcast Summary: Human Events Daily with Jack Posobiec

Episode: It's Treason Season - No Traitors Allowed
Date: November 21, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on the theme of "treason"—both in the literal sense (with a focus on the controversy involving U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s meeting with convicted spy Jonathan Pollard) and the broader, populist sense of political betrayal against the American people. Host Jack Posobiec, joined by Human Events opinion editor Kenny Cody and guest Cliff Maloney, dissects the fallout from this diplomatic scandal, the optics crisis it creates, and its implications in the ongoing contest between populism and elitism in American politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Scandal: Mike Huckabee Meets with Jonathan Pollard

• [03:02 - 07:21]
  • Jack Posobiec opens the main segment detailing reports that U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee held an unsanctioned meeting with Jonathan Pollard, a former Navy intelligence analyst convicted for selling U.S. secrets to Israel (and allegedly attempting to sell them to other countries, including the Soviet Union).
  • Posobiec emphasizes his personal outrage, highlighting the betrayal Pollard’s actions represented to American intelligence.
  • The meeting was not cleared by the White House and was omitted from Huckabee’s official schedule. The administration was blindsided when the meeting became public.
  • Quote:

    "You can't sit down with traitors. You can't get to pick and choose just because you have a personal opinion on the matter when you're a U.S. diplomat." – Jack Posobiec (05:15)

  • The hosts discuss how this feeds the perception that there are double standards for elites and for "the rest" of Americans, and how such optics undermine America First principles.

2. Populism vs. Elitism: The Widening Chasm

• [09:55 - 18:59]
  • Guest Kenny Cody joins to analyze the generational effect on the perception of U.S.-Israel relations, particularly among Gen Z.
  • Both Posobiec and Cody argue that Gen Z wants "America First" to mean American people first—regardless of traditional party lines or foreign entanglements.
  • They contextualize the Epstein files controversy and the pervasiveness of elite impunity as further fuel for the populist backlash.
  • Quote:

    "Gen Z is not pro-Israel or anti-Israel...they are pro-America. They don't want to see our funds, our interest going anywhere else besides to the America First mindset." – Kenny Cody (11:11)

  • The conversation pivots to the importance of authenticity and the dangers of appearing to prioritize "the elite track" over everyday citizens.

3. Political Fallout: Optics and Consequences

• [21:32 - 26:53]
  • The hosts address warnings for politicians: authenticity wins elections, and populism is a tool, not an ideology.
  • Cliff Maloney weighs in, stressing that even the perception of inauthenticity, or being cozy with elites and "traitors," is toxic. Voters are primed to distrust and will rapidly abandon political figures who cross this line.
  • The panel discusses how Democrats are adopting populist language and policies (e.g., focusing on kitchen-table issues like housing and healthcare) to woo voters rightfully suspicious of duplicity or inaction.

4. Kitchen-Table Issues Trump Partisan Divides

• [29:34 - 32:58]
  • Discussion broadens to broader kitchen-table issues facing working class Americans: affordability, healthcare, jobs, and national security.
  • The hosts stress that action (not just rhetoric) is needed—such as presenting healthcare plans, showing up at factories, and engaging directly with voters.

5. How to Win & Keep Trust: Action, Not Just Words

• [42:54 - 47:09]
  • Both Cody and Maloney underscore that populism works for any party willing to genuinely listen and act for ordinary voters.
  • They advocate for more direct engagement—town halls, Gen Z listening events, live streams—especially via platforms like TikTok, where Trump has large yet underutilized reach.
  • Quote:

    "The flip side of populism is if you start looking like you're trending in an elitist direction, they are on you. They are on you." – Jack Posobiec (38:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Huckabee-Pollard Meeting:

  "This is not someone that you want ever to associate with... You can't sit down with traitors." – Jack Posobiec [05:06–05:17]

• On Gen Z’s Political Attitude:

  "Gen Z is not pro-Israel or anti-Israel...they are pro-America." – Kenny Cody [11:11]

• On Populism:

  "The definition of populism is the people against elitism." – Kenny Cody [13:46]
  "Populism doesn't have a necessary ideology... It is a tool." – Kenny Cody [21:32]

• On Political Trust:

  "If you lose that trust, if you start appearing inauthentic, if you start looking like you're dabbling in these elite games...you lose that trust, you lose that authenticity." – Jack Posobiec [36:45]

• On Solutions and Engagement:

  "It's not a Republican or a Democratic pathway. It is a path to victory..." – Kenny Cody [40:33]
  "You go and meet people where they're at, legit, like physically." – Kenny Cody [44:54]

• On Needed Political Action:

  "Show that you have the ability that you're listening. Show that you're listening. I would even suggest...set up listening tours and make it so it's Gen Z." – Jack Posobiec [44:30]

Important Timestamps

• [03:02] – Introduction of the Mike Huckabee–Jonathan Pollard meeting controversy.
• [09:55] – Kenny Cody joins in-studio; discussion on generational views and U.S.-Israel relations.
• [11:42] – Divergence between America First as policy and its practical optics.
• [13:46] – Populism defined and contrasted with elitism.
• [21:32] – Populism as a political tool; the dangers if unused or misused.
• [29:34] – Cliff Maloney highlights dangers of obvious inauthenticity and elite favoritism.
• [32:58] – Rural working-class support for Trump and underlying motivations.
• [36:45] – The critical role of political trust; pitfalls of betraying working-class voters.
• [42:54] – Democrats adopting populist themes; the need for Republicans to maintain authenticity.
• [44:54] – Suggestions for direct engagement with Gen Z and the broader electorate.

Closing Thoughts

The episode drives home the dire necessity of authentic, America First governance—moving from rhetoric to action—and rails against any signals (such as fraternizing with convicted traitors) that could undermine the trust painstakingly built with working Americans. The panel makes clear that the battle between populism and elitism is ongoing; whichever side listens and acts for "the little guy" will capture future electoral wins.

For further commentary from the guests, follow Kenny Cody on [Truth Social and X (@DCodyTN)] and Cliff Maloney on [X (@Maloney)]. For more columns, visit humanevents.com.