Pod Save the World: Trump’s Shocking Ukraine Reversal
Release Date: July 9, 2025
Hosts: Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes
Produced by Crooked Media

Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Pod Save the World, hosts Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes delve into the latest developments in international politics, focusing on a dramatic policy shift by former President Donald Trump regarding U.S. support for Ukraine. The conversation spans a wide range of topics, including Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's visit to Washington, the shifting landscape of Democratic support for Israel and Palestine, the chaotic implementation of new U.S. tariffs, updates on Iran, the escalating Afghan border crisis, and significant events in Thai politics. The episode also features an insightful interview with Congressman Jason Crow, shedding light on the implications of recent legislative changes.

Artificial Intelligence and Political Impersonation

[01:23 - 02:18]
Tommy Vietor opens the discussion with a concerning report about someone impersonating Senator Marco Rubio using AI-generated voice and text messages. Ben Rhodes comments on the absurdity and potential dangers of such impersonations, highlighting the ease with which AI can mimic prominent political figures.

Tommy Vietor [01:52]: "I guess. They contacted three foreign ministers, a governor, and a member of Congress by sending AI generated voice and text messages."

Ben Rhodes [02:05]: "And why Marco Rubio? Right? Of all the people, it's just kind of funny and perfect that it's him."

Netanyahu’s Washington Visit and U.S. Foreign Policy

[05:13 - 09:47]
The hosts analyze Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington, marking his third trip since Trump took office. They express skepticism about the effectiveness of the Trump administration's approach to pushing Netanyahu for a ceasefire in Gaza, especially in light of Netanyahu's controversial plans for Gaza, which Ben Rhodes describes as "ethnic cleansing."

Tommy Vietor [05:13]: "Israel, Katz, the Israeli Defense Minister, announced that he has ordered the IDF to prepare for the construction of what he called a humanitarian city on the ruins of the city of Rafah in Gaza."

Ben Rhodes [09:47]: "They have essentially more money than they could possibly spend... So it's very worrying."

The discussion emphasizes the dissonance between the Trump administration's public support for peace and the Israeli Defense Ministry's aggressive strategies in Gaza.

Shifting Democratic Support: From Israel to Palestine

[12:34 - 15:18]
Tommy and Ben examine recent Quinnipiac poll data revealing a significant shift in Democratic support, with a growing majority now sympathizing with Palestinians over Israelis. This 56-point swing, especially prominent among younger Democrats, underscores a political sea change that the Democratic leadership has yet to fully address.

Tommy Vietor [12:34]: "In 2017, Democrats said they sympathized more with Israel by 13 points. Today, Democrats sympathize with the Palestinians by 43 points."

Ben Rhodes [15:18]: "We need to have this fight as a party because these are the wrong people to have under your tent."

The hosts argue that ignoring this shift risks alienating key voter demographics and weakening Democratic positions on critical foreign policy issues.

Trump’s Inconsistent Policy on Ukraine and Defense

[20:29 - 29:40]
A significant portion of the episode critiques Trump's erratic decisions regarding U.S. weapon shipments to Ukraine. Ben Rhodes highlights the lack of a coherent strategy within the Trump administration, pointing to inconsistent messages and policy reversals that undermine support for Ukraine.

Ben Rhodes [24:07]: "There's no process here. There's nobody running a process. It's like one guy decides to pause stuff, another guy decides to resume it."

Tommy Vietor [28:53]: "If you want to combat that week by week... that's not inspiring a lot of confidence."

The conversation underscores the detrimental impact of such unpredictability on both U.S. foreign relations and Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Tucker Carlson’s Interview with Iran’s President

[40:10 - 44:15]
Tommy and Ben discuss the fallout from Tucker Carlson's recent interview with Iran's President Massoud Possession, where sensitive topics like assassination attempts are broached. They critique the media backlash against Carlson for engaging with controversial figures, arguing that open dialogue is essential for understanding and potentially bridging conflicts.

Ben Rhodes [41:22]: "You learn what their strategy is. So, look, I do think that it connects to the Avaken Prison thing..."

Tommy Vietor [44:15]: "It is censorious. It is anti free speech. I regret that the Democratic Party has embraced it at times."

Tariffs and the Global Trade War

[31:45 - 37:38]
The discussion shifts to Trump's delayed trade deal deadline and his resultant imposition of new tariffs on 14 countries. Ben Rhodes provides a critical analysis of the chaos surrounding these policies, highlighting the lack of coherence and the potential long-term negative impacts on the U.S. economy and global standing.

Ben Rhodes [35:17]: "Far more than anything the BRICS have ever done, Trump is putting the dollar as a reserve currency at risk."

Tommy Vietor [37:38]: "FYt it makes no sense."

Humanitarian Crisis: Afghan Border Struggles

[46:58 - 50:14]
The hosts address the escalating humanitarian crisis at the Afghan border, exacerbated by China's actions in Iran and Pakistan's expulsion of Afghans. They emphasize the dire situation faced by millions of Afghan refugees, the logistical challenges of handling mass displacements, and the potential destabilization of Afghanistan and the region.

Ben Rhodes [50:14]: "It's just another reason to keep some attention on trying to protect at least that population of Afghans who are here."

Tommy Vietor [50:14]: "There's something truly awful man made crisis that is getting next to no attention."

Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday and Succession Controversy

[52:28 - 55:00]
Tommy and Ben cover the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, India, and the contentious issue of his succession. The Dalai Lama's preconditions for his successor—namely, being born in the free world—are discussed in the context of Chinese interference in Tibetan religious affairs.

Tommy Vietor [54:38]: "And they bully the hell out of governments to not meet with."

Ben Rhodes [54:57]: "You remember this, they really, you know, they'll use all their muscle to."

The segment highlights the ongoing struggle between Tibetan independence movements and Chinese repression, emphasizing the importance of international support for authentic Tibetan leadership.

Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute

[57:58 - 60:09]
The episode explores the escalating border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, triggered by a disputed land area and resulting in mutual accusations and sanctions. The conversation delves into the political instability in Thailand, Prime Minister Petung Tarn Shinawat's crisis following a leaked phone call, and the historical context of military coups in the region.

Ben Rhodes [59:00]: "Nobody's that sympathetic to the military here. Even though she handled this poorly..."

Tommy Vietor [60:09]: "Like, you know, Marco Rubio, watch who's sliding."

The hosts emphasize the fragility of diplomatic relations and the potential for further instability in Southeast Asia.

U.S. Immigration Policy and TPS Termination

[63:33 - 66:35]
Tommy and Ben condemn the Trump administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals from Honduras and Nicaragua, highlighting the humanitarian and legal implications of such actions. They discuss the historical context of TPS, the dire conditions migrants face in their home countries, and the political unpopularity of rescinding protections for long-term residents.

Ben Rhodes [65:59]: "It's cruel, it's stupid, it's unnecessary."

Tommy Vietor [66:18]: "Pew had a poll last month that found 59% of voters oppose ending TPS for immigrants who fled war, natural disease, disasters."

The segment underscores the moral and economic consequences of aggressive immigration policies and calls for sustained advocacy against such measures.

Interview with Congressman Jason Crow

[69:10 - 95:45]
The episode features an in-depth interview with Congressman Jason Crow from Colorado's 6th district. Crow discusses the implications of the recently passed "Big Beautiful Bill," criticizing its impact on national security, clean energy, and immigration. He highlights the administration's rollback of clean energy tax credits as a strategic blunder that jeopardizes U.S. competitiveness and energy independence.

Jason Crow [71:11]: "The energy production tax credit rollbacks... are probably one of the largest national security strategic blunders."

Crow also addresses concerns about the politicization of intelligence and the erosion of checks and balances within the U.S. government, particularly regarding military and immigration policies. He emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to adapt to changing public opinions and advocate for a progressive foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and sustainable energy solutions.

Jason Crow [83:12]: "This administration and the, the... are a recipe for disaster, and it's not going to end well."

Crow advocates for stronger congressional oversight and the protection of whistleblower mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in intelligence operations.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tommy and Ben wrap up the episode by reiterating the urgency of addressing the myriad international challenges discussed, from the humanitarian crises to the shifting political landscapes. They call for increased awareness and action to counteract the detrimental policies of the Trump administration, emphasizing the role of informed and engaged citizens in shaping a more just and stable global order.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tommy Vietor [12:34]: "In 2017, Democrats said they sympathized more with Israel by 13 points. Today, Democrats sympathize with the Palestinians by 43 points."

• Ben Rhodes [24:07]: "There's no process here. There's nobody running a process. It's like one guy decides to pause stuff, another guy decides to resume it."

• Tommy Vietor [37:38]: "It just could not make sense."

• Ben Rhodes [65:59]: "It's cruel, it's stupid, it's unnecessary."

• Jason Crow [71:11]: "The energy production tax credit rollbacks... are probably one of the largest national security strategic blunders."

Key Takeaways

• Netanyahu’s Aggressive Policies: The Israeli Defense Minister's plans for Gaza indicate a deeply troubling strategy that undermines peace efforts.

• Democratic Shift: A significant realignment in Democratic support from Israel to Palestine reflects changing voter priorities and necessitates adaptive foreign policy responses.

• Tariff Chaos: Trump's inconsistent trade policies create economic uncertainty and harm U.S. global competitiveness.

• Humanitarian Crises: Escalating conflicts and border issues in Afghanistan, Iran, Thailand, and Cambodia demand urgent international attention and humanitarian response.

• Immigration Turmoil: The termination of TPS for Hondurans and Nicaraguans highlights the administration's harsh immigration stance, with severe implications for affected communities.

• Strengthening Democratic Leadership: The Democratic Party must address internal divides and shifting public opinions to form a cohesive and progressive foreign policy strategy.

• Protecting Civil Institutions: There is a critical need to safeguard the integrity of intelligence agencies and uphold checks and balances to prevent the excessive concentration of executive power.

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This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode "Trump’s Shocking Ukraine Reversal," highlighting the hosts' critical analysis of current U.S. foreign policy, international conflicts, and the evolving political landscape. Notable quotes provide direct insights, reinforcing the key discussions and conclusions drawn by Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes.