Pod Save the World: "Trump’s Insane Plan To “Own” Gaza"
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Hosts: Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes
Episode Summary:

1. Introduction

In this episode of Pod Save the World, hosts Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes delve into the tumultuous developments surrounding former President Donald Trump's audacious plan to “own” Gaza. Released shortly after Trump’s announcement, the episode provides an in-depth analysis of the geopolitical ramifications, the reactions from the international community, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy.

2. Trump's Plan to "Own" Gaza

Tommy Vietor opens the discussion by highlighting Trump's unexpected declaration to ethnically cleanse and indefinitely occupy the Gaza Strip. This plan, which aims to deny Palestinians the right to return to their homeland, has been met with widespread condemnation.

• Trump's Announcement:
  • [05:10] Donald Trump: "I'm committed to buying and owning Gaza... we're committed to owning it."
  • [05:31] Donald Trump: "Would the Palestinians have the right to be returned? No, they wouldn't."

Ben Rhodes emphasizes the historical and legal implications of such a move, questioning Trump's disregard for state sovereignty and international law established post-World War II.

• [07:42] Ben Rhodes: "This idea is an absolute dead on arrival, crazy thing to be talking about... it's treating land like real estate instead of sovereign territory."

3. International Reactions and Regional Stability

The hosts discuss the immediate backlash from key Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Jordan, all of which are significant recipients of U.S. military aid.

• Impact on Jordan and Egypt:
  • Tommy Vietor: "Half the population of Jordan is Palestinian... Egypt is struggling with massive economic problems."
  • [11:57] Ben Rhodes: "King Abdullah is married to a Palestinian... it's unclear if his regime could survive this pressure."

The discussion underscores the precarious balance these nations maintain, highlighting how Trump's pressure could destabilize already fragile governments.

4. USAID and Foreign Aid Cuts

Tommy shifts focus to the broader context of Trump’s foreign policy shifts, particularly the cuts to USAID and their dire consequences.

• Consequences of USAID Cuts:
  • [67:57] Sarah Jacobs: "We are already seeing more people facing starvation... Ebola outbreak in Uganda cannot be effectively managed."
  • [73:55] Ben Rhodes: "Foreign assistance is more than just health care... it's essential for security operations like anti-narcotics missions."

Sarah Jacobs, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, details how the freeze on USAID funding is crippling efforts to combat crises in Africa, leading to increased starvation, disease outbreaks, and weakened security infrastructure.

5. Nomination Turbulence: Kash Patel for FBI Director

The episode covers the contentious nomination of Kash Patel as Trump’s pick for FBI Director, highlighting his questionable employment history and potential conflicts of interest.

• Kash Patel’s Controversies:
  • [29:03] Ben Rhodes: "A country that no longer exists... he's got foreign financial entanglements that would spike literally anyone from getting a security clearance."
  • [30:24] Tommy Vietor: "He seems to have perjured himself... What are you guys going to do about it?"

Ben Rhodes critiques Patel’s background, pointing out his ties to foreign entities and his role in purging career civil servants at the FBI, raising alarms about national security risks.

6. JD Vance’s International Trip and AI Summit

Tommy Vietor reports on JD Vance’s first international trip as Vice President, where he addressed an AI summit in France alongside global leaders.

• AI Leadership and Regulations:
  • [47:36] JD Vance: "America wants to partner with all of you... we need international regulatory regimes that foster the creation of AI technology."

The summit reflects the Trump administration’s stance on AI, advocating for minimal regulation to maintain American leadership, contrasting sharply with Biden’s approach focused on AI safety and guardrails.

7. Political Instability in the Philippines

The hosts explore the volatile political landscape in the Philippines, focusing on the intense rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte families.

• Assassination Threats and Impeachment:
  • [60:35] Tommy Vietor: "Duterte threatened to have Marcos and his family assassinated if she was killed... She clarified that she was not joking."
  • [61:51] Sarah Jacobs: "The Philippines lacks true democracy... It’s just about power and wealth."

This feud exemplifies the deep-seated corruption and lack of democratic governance in the region, with serious implications for U.S. foreign relations.

8. Executive Orders and Historical File Releases

Tommy highlights Trump’s executive order to release JFK assassination files, uncovering 2,400 previously misplaced documents.

• JFK Files Release:
  • [63:09] Ben Rhodes: "This doesn't exactly put conspiracy theories to rest... maybe that's where we get some clarity."

While the release may not conclusively resolve long-standing theories, it represents a significant shift in accessing historical government records.

9. Conclusion and Looking Forward

The episode culminates with a discussion on the broader implications of Trump’s foreign policy maneuvers, emphasizing the destabilization of international relations, undermining of U.S. national security, and the erosion of democratic institutions.

Ben Rhodes warns of a future where the U.S. becomes increasingly alienated from international law and cooperation, citing the sanctioning of ICC officials and the alignment with kleptocratic interests.

• [26:21] Ben Rhodes: "The center of gravity on issues of international law and cooperation are going to move from Washington... the US is becoming a rogue nation outside of international law."

Tommy Vietor echoes these sentiments, expressing deep concern over the accelerating shift towards authoritarianism and the potential for constitutional crises triggered by Trump's disregard for established norms.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump on Gaza Ownership:
  [05:10] "I'm committed to buying and owning Gaza... we're committed to owning it."

• Ben Rhodes on Sovereignty:
  [07:42] "It's treating land like real estate instead of sovereign territory."

• Sarah Jacobs on USAID Impact:
  [67:57] "We are already seeing more people facing starvation... Ebola outbreak in Uganda cannot be effectively managed."

• Kash Patel’s Potential Threat:
  [30:24] "He seems to have perjured himself... What are you guys going to do about it?"

Final Thoughts

Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes provide a comprehensive and critical examination of Donald Trump’s foreign policy initiatives, particularly his controversial plans for Gaza. The episode underscores the dangerous precedent set by undermining international law, decreasing foreign aid, and appointing unqualified officials to key national security positions. As the global landscape continues to evolve, the hosts caution against the long-term repercussions of such policies, calling for vigilant oversight and public accountability to preserve democratic values and international stability.

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