The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "Cultural Honors and the Culture War" Release Date: August 14, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host John Podhoretz, along with co-hosts Matthew Continetti, Christine Rosen, and Abe Greenwald, delve into the intricate interplay between cultural honors and the ongoing culture war in the United States. The discussion centers around recent developments under the Trump administration, particularly concerning the Kennedy Center Honors and the Smithsonian Institution.

1. Trump’s Takeover of the Kennedy Center Honors

The episode opens with John Podhoretz announcing a significant shift in the administration of the Kennedy Center Honors under President Donald Trump. Traditionally, the Kennedy Center Honors have celebrated a diverse array of artists from various political backgrounds. However, in this iteration, Trump has exerted considerable influence over the selection process.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Involvement: Trump has taken personal control of the Kennedy Center, appointing his aide Rick Grinnell as the director. This move has altered the programming and selection of awardees.

  “Trump has effectively changed the programming. He's setting the seasons, you know, the list of productions each season.” — John Podhoretz [09:33]

• Selection of Honorees: The list of honorees includes figures like Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, Gene Simmons of Kiss, and Sylvester Stallone. The selection reflects a blend of classic Americana and figures aligned with Trumpian values.

  “He categorized the honorees in a way that aligns with his aesthetic and political preferences, emphasizing traditional and patriotic figures.” — Abe Greenwald

• Controversial Choices: The inclusion of Sylvester Stallone sparked debate among the hosts. While Stallone is a legendary figure in American cinema, his selection was seen as unconventional compared to previous, more critically acclaimed recipients.

  “Stallone is just not a liberal icon at all, kind of an anti liberal icon. And so that's the interesting pick.” — John Podhoretz [35:42]

2. Smithsonian Institution Under Scrutiny

The conversation shifts to the Trump administration's decision to review the Smithsonian Institution's exhibitions and materials in preparation for the United States' 250th anniversary. This move is perceived as an attempt to realign the museum's content with a more nationalistic and less critical perspective of American history.

Key Points:

• Purpose of the Review: The administration aims to ensure that the Smithsonian's exhibits reflect what they define as "Americanism," potentially curating a more favorable portrayal of American history and culture.

  “In preparation for the 250th birthday of the United States, the material in this museum should reflect what the commanding document of this says is Americanism.” — John Podhoretz [36:00]

• Response from the Academic Community: Sarah Wexler, executive director of the American Historical Association, criticized the review as a major overstep, emphasizing the importance of professional historians and curators in maintaining historical accuracy.

  “Only historians and trained museum professionals are qualified to conduct such a review, which is intended to ensure historical accuracy.” — John Podhoretz [59:19]

• Christine Rosen’s Perspective: Rosen acknowledges the potential for positive change but cautions against a reactionary approach that might oversimplify complex historical narratives.

  “History is a complicated story of lots of mistakes and lots of wonderful things, too. And it should be told in a way where people bicker about what's in the foreground and what's in the background.” — Christine Rosen [52:53]

3. Cultural Legacy and Artistic Merit

The hosts discuss the broader implications of politicizing cultural institutions. They explore how the emphasis on certain narratives and figures may overshadow artistic merit and lead to a homogenized cultural landscape.

Key Points:

• Impact on Artistic Diversity: The selection of honorees like Michael Crawford and Gene Simmons highlights a preference for certain types of performers, potentially sidelining more diverse or critically acclaimed artists.

  “Michael Crawford performed in Phantom of the Opera 36 years ago and nothing of any note since.” — John Podhoretz [18:22]

• Shift in Museum Narratives: There is a concern that museums might prioritize nationalistic narratives over comprehensive historical accounts, thereby limiting the scope of education and cultural appreciation.

  “Putting on garbage shows of third rate art because they were painted by lesbians is not how you curate a major American museum.” — John Podhoretz [62:20]

4. Reactions and Future Implications

The episode concludes with reflections on the potential long-term effects of these cultural shifts. The hosts express both skepticism and cautious optimism about the Trump administration's intentions and the actual outcomes of these policies.

Key Points:

• Generational Challenge: Christine Rosen emphasizes that the transformation of cultural institutions is a generational issue that requires thoughtful implementation to avoid oversimplification of history.

  “These museums are free. They're open to the public. It's wonderful. But what is going on here is very similar to what Trump is trying to do with the universities.” — Christine Rosen [49:58]

• Potential for Institutional Reform: Abe Greenwald suggests that while the initial steps are promising in highlighting existing issues, the success of these reforms depends on the administration's ability to appoint knowledgeable and unbiased individuals to oversee these institutions.

  “Trump brings to light the problems that people have... it makes everyone debate about it. This is the case with crime, with the universities, with whatever.” — Unknown Speaker [55:57]

• Balancing Act: The hosts agree that while rectifying institutional biases is necessary, it must be done without replacing one form of ideological bias with another, ensuring that historical and artistic integrity remains intact.

  “If he thinks he's going to just go back to America's Great and there were no problems, that's not history either.” — John Podhoretz [62:44]

Conclusion

The Commentary Magazine Podcast episode "Cultural Honors and the Culture War" provides a comprehensive analysis of the Trump administration's influence on cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center Honors and the Smithsonian. Through a blend of critical insights and diverse perspectives from the hosts, the discussion underscores the delicate balance between nationalistic narratives and the preservation of historical and artistic integrity. The episode invites listeners to ponder the future trajectory of America's cultural landscape amidst political interventions.

Notable Quotes:

• “We have surpassed our goal of 20,000 subscribers to the YouTube channel by Labor Day weekend.” — Abe Greenwald [03:00]

• “Trade set the seasons, you know, the list of productions each season.” — John Podhoretz [09:33]

• “All My exes live in Texas and that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee.” — John Podhoretz on George Strait [26:53]

• “Identitarianism is the enemy of aesthetics.” — John Podhoretz [62:20]

• “Trump’s actions bring to light the problems that people have... it makes everyone debate about it.” — Unknown Speaker [55:57]

Note: The timestamps correspond to segments within the provided transcript, ensuring accurate attribution of quotes and discussions.