Podcast Summary

Real America’s Voice

Human Events with Jack Posobiec – November 21, 2025
Host: Jack Posobiec
Guests: Kenny Cody (Human Events Opinion Editor), Cliff Maloney (The Phase)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on a high-profile diplomatic controversy: U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s clandestine meeting with convicted spy Jonathan Pollard at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, sparking debate about "America First" foreign policy and elite privilege. Host Jack Posobiec, joined by Kenny Cody and Cliff Maloney, unpacks the fallout, the generational divide on U.S.-Israel relations, populism's power, and the necessity of authentic engagement with middle and working-class voters. The conversation also surveys populism as a political tool, threats to trust and authenticity, and strategies for connecting with Gen Z and persuadable voters.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Huckabee–Pollard Meeting: Treason, Optics & Elite Privilege

[02:22, 08:05, 10:39, 31:42]

• Background: Ambassador Mike Huckabee met with Jonathan Pollard—convicted of spying for Israel—at the U.S. Embassy, without White House knowledge.
• Jack Posobiec’s Perspective:
  • Harshly criticizes the meeting:

    "This man is a traitor...not someone that you want ever to associate with." [04:09]

  • Stresses that "America First" means no free passes, regardless of the country involved.

    "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. That's not how it works." [05:30]

  • Frames the incident as symptomatic of broader elite privilege and disconnect with working Americans.
• Kenny Cody’s Take:
  • Warns that younger generations (Gen Z, Millennials) reject any diplomacy or policy appearing to prioritize foreign interests.
  • Critiques both parties for special treatment of elites:

    "Gen Z is...pro-America. They don't want to see our funds...our interest going anywhere else besides to the America first mindset." [11:32]

• Cliff Maloney’s View:
  • Argues such actions damage the GOP’s working-class credibility:

    "You can't meet with traitors. That has to be the policy of the United States." [32:37]

  • Calls out the "two tracks" for elites and everyone else, reinforcing populist grievances.

    "It just really plays into that whole argument that maybe we're not the party that stands with the working class." [33:05]

2. America First vs. Elitism: Populist Appeal & Generational Shifts

[12:26, 14:30, 15:39, 16:21]

• America First in Focus:
  • Debate over whether "America First" means isolationism (America Only) or prioritizing the American people above elites and foreign interests.
  • Jack and Kenny refine the slogan:

    "No, no, it's American people first...The American people have to come first." [16:10]

• Young Voters' Disillusionment:
  • Gen Z skepticism toward foreign entanglements and elite dealmaking.
  • Kenny Cody:

    "Even if you're on the right, like you're an America first conservative...you don't want to see America prioritizing another country and especially meeting with...somebody convicted literally for...spying on the United States on behalf of Israel." [11:32]

• Epstein Scandal as Symbol:
  • The Jeffrey Epstein files, elite protection, and relationships with foreign intelligence reinforce distrust.
  • Kenny Cody:

    "The reason Jeffrey Epstein is such a big topic...is because of the special treatment he got from the elites..." [15:12]

3. Populism as a Political Tool

[23:27, 24:07, 25:00, 25:44]

• Populism Transcends Party:
  • Kenny Cody defines populism as a tool, not an ideology:

    "Populism doesn't have a necessary ideology. It's not communist, it's not conservative. It is a tool that you use to talk to the people that are not elites." [23:27]

  • Both left and right can exploit populist anger; case studies include Bernie Sanders and left-populists like Mondami.
• Governing by Populism:
  • Populism must inform governing, not just campaigning:

    "You have to listen to the middle class. Because what populism is, it's having an ear to the issues that people are caring about." [25:02]

• The Risk of Losing Authenticity:
  • If Republicans appear elitist or out of touch, voters will defect to any leader—left or right—who listens and acts.

4. Policy, Optics, and “Action”: Authenticity and Voter Trust

[27:12, 28:28, 38:58, 42:58]

• Action vs. Rhetoric:
  • Voters want to see concrete improvements, not just slogans or legislative wins.
  • Kenny Cody:

    "You actually have to go out instead of going and debating and getting along with Democrats, we actually have to offer solutions and deliver on promises." [26:29]

  • JD Vance’s advocacy for a healthcare plan highlighted as a model for actionable populism.
• Trust and Authenticity:
  • Trust is hard-won and easily lost; blue-collar voters “want to hate you, they want to mistrust you” [39:48]
  • Jack Posobiec warns:

    "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." [39:48]

• The Democrat Challenge:
  • Cliff Maloney and Kenny Cody warn that if Republicans don’t deliver for working Americans, Democrats can co-opt populist messaging and issues like housing or H1Bs.

5. Connecting with Gen Z and Persuadable Voters

[46:58, 47:32, 48:00]

• Gen Z Strategies Proposed:
  • Suggest Gen Z listening events, Q&As, “fireside chats”, TikTok livestreams, and more direct, authentic outreach.
  • Kenny Cody:

    "Just listen...Generation Z...they trend conservative. That Pat Buchanan mindset...go out and say, 'this is what we're going to do, we're listening to the people and this is the action we're going to take.'" [47:38]

  • Importance of using alternative media:

  "They're not getting [news] off of Fox News, CNN...they're getting [it] off of networks like this and social media." [49:25]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jack Posobiec:

  "This man [Pollard] is a traitor. This man stole 1 million classified U.S. documents...I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but when treason season begins, we're gonna have to call it out." [04:09]

  “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. That's not how it works.” [05:30]

• Cliff Maloney:

  "You can't meet with traitors. That has to be the policy of the United States." [32:37]
  "It just really plays into that whole argument that maybe we're not the party that stands with the working class." [33:05]
  “Authenticity is what most Americans care about. Right? That's the battle you're referencing, Jack. The battle between authenticity and elitism...” [34:43]

• Kenny Cody:

  "Populism doesn't have a necessary ideology...it is a tool that you use to talk to the people that are not elites, to talk to the working class." [23:27]
  "Whoever is listening to them and providing some kind of solution...conservatism, liberalism, progressivism goes. Communism goes out the window...because they actually have somebody that's listening to them." [43:00]

• On Engaging Gen Z:

  "Trump should hold Gen Z listening events?...Maybe town halls or fireside chats. Just listen… That’s how you win Generation Z and keep them." [47:26–48:00]

Important Timestamps

• [02:22] – First discussion of the Huckabee–Pollard meeting and the potential legal/ethical ramifications.
• [10:39] – Introduction of Kenny Cody, generational view on U.S.–Israel relations.
• [12:26] – Gen Z’s perspective on America First and foreign involvement.
• [14:30–16:21] – Populism, elites, and the "American People First" framework.
• [25:44] – Governance by populism; affordability crisis as focal issue.
• [32:37–34:43] – Cliff Maloney’s argument about the scandal’s working-class optics.
• [39:48] – Discussion of trust, authenticity, and populism’s limits.
• [42:58–44:43] – If the GOP drifts toward elitism, Democrats can seize the populist mantle.
• [47:16–49:53] – Concrete suggestions: Gen Z outreach, fireside live streams, visibility in working-class contexts.

Summary Table

| Topic | Key Point | Timestamp(s) | Notable Quotes (Speaker) | |----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | Diplomatic Optics | Huckabee–Pollard meeting damages trust and "America First" credibility | 02:22, 08:05, 31:42 | "You can't meet with traitors..." (Cliff Maloney, 32:37) | | Populism | Tool for working class engagement, risks of inauthenticity, bipartisan utility | 23:27, 25:44, 43:00 | "Populism doesn't have a necessary ideology..." (KC, 23:27)| | Gen Z Focus | Rejects elite favoritism, wants authentic outreach, innovative engagement needed | 12:26, 47:16-49:53 | "Just listen...Generation Z..." (KC, 47:38) | | Trust & Authenticity | Once lost, trust is hard to regain; action needed, not just words | 39:48, 42:58 | "If you lose that trust...you lose that authenticity." (JP) | | Democrat Populism | Dems can weaponize same populist themes if GOP loses focus on working people | 44:18–45:47 | "The left can take this idea of being the people..." (CM, 45:47)|

Conclusion

Jack Posobiec and his guests delivered a fierce critique of elite privilege and backchannel diplomacy, tying the polling and populist mood of the country directly to the GOP’s future success—or failure—in connecting with working and middle-class Americans. The episode underscores that populism remains the most effective political force, but only when grounded in tangible action, trust, and relentless focus on everyday Americans' needs. The panel agrees: lose that authenticity, and low-propensity voters will jump ship, regardless of party. Real engagement (especially with Gen Z), transparency, and results—not just slogans—are paramount for political victory in the current era.