Summary of "Do It Right!" Episode on The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Release Date: April 22, 2025

Host: John Podhoretz
Guests: Abe Greenwald (Executive Editor), Seth Mandel (Senior Editor), Christine Rosen (Social Commentary Columnist)

1. Introduction

In the April 22, 2025, episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast titled "Do It Right!", host John Podhoretz engages in a robust discussion with his colleagues Abe Greenwald, Seth Mandel, and Christine Rosen. The conversation centers on the tumultuous state of the Trump administration, examining whether the current crises within various agencies are the result of intentional media undermining or inherent flaws within the administration itself.

2. The Trump Administration's Internal Struggles and Media Relations

John Podhoretz initiates the discussion by addressing the ongoing challenges faced by the Trump administration, questioning whether these are orchestrated media plots or internal mismanagement. He emphasizes the importance of Trump maintaining focus on his core objectives rather than publicly blaming the media to preserve his coalition.

John Podhoretz [00:46]: "If you exist in a world in which the joy, the pleasure and the goal is to own the libs and make libs cry, then they're doing a fantastic job."

Abe Greenwald concurs, highlighting the significance of Trump's awareness of internal issues and the administration's ability to recognize and address burgeoning problems before they escalate into full-blown disasters.

Abe Greenwald [03:27]: "If Trump doesn't believe that there's a mess brewing and growing beneath him, no one is going to tap him on the shoulder and say, by the way, Mr. President, we have a problem here."

3. Economic Concerns and the Fed Conflict

The discussion shifts to economic indicators, with Christine Rosen pointing out alarming signs such as the Dow Jones potentially experiencing its worst April since the Great Depression. This economic instability is poised to challenge Trump's support base, especially among moderates who might be more forgiving if economic conditions improve.

Christine Rosen [05:08]: "The Dow Jones is about to have the worst April since the Great Depression."

John Podhoretz critiques Trump's historical lack of sentimentality towards his allies, using past examples to argue that Trump's unwavering support for individuals like Pete Hegseth is inconsistent with his typical behavior of discarding allies once they are no longer useful.

John Podhoretz [05:08]: "Once he's done with them, he was done with them."

The conflict with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is examined, with Rosen expressing concern over Trump's attempts to politicize the Fed. Podhoretz argues that Trump might be setting Powell up to take the fall for economic mismanagement, thereby shifting blame away from his administration.

Christine Rosen [11:53]: "Trump is trying to politicize the Fed... setting him up to take the fall on the economy."

4. DEI Policies and the Harvard Lawsuit

A significant portion of the episode delves into the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly focusing on the high-profile lawsuit filed by Harvard University. The administration's letter demanding Harvard address alleged Title VI violations has led to legal battles that Podhoretz predicts Harvard will ultimately lose due to the strength of the administration's case.

John Podhoretz [29:41]: "Harvard will not prevail in this suit... they have violated Title 6 in relation to Jewish students."

Christine Rosen highlights the inconsiderate handling of Jewish students' harassment on campus by Harvard, criticizing the institution for its inadequate response and subsequent legal actions when threatened with federal funding cuts.

Christine Rosen [16:43]: "The minute their endowment or their money is threatened, boom. Lawsuits, anger, public recrimination."

Abe Greenwald adds that Harvard's reluctance to adequately protect its Jewish students and its failure to promptly address anti-Semitism have significantly weakened its position, reinforcing the administration's stance against the university.

Abe Greenwald [28:16]: "They never came back. That's where they're sticking to."

5. Public Education and Supreme Court Cases

The conversation extends to broader educational policies, specifically focusing on the upcoming Supreme Court case Mahmoud vs. Taylor. This case challenges public school districts' authority to enforce curricula that parents claim violate their religious beliefs. Podhoretz anticipates a Supreme Court ruling that will favor parental rights over imposed educational content, further exemplifying the administration's cultural battles.

John Podhoretz [56:56]: "This is about public schooling and the violation of the American self-governance compact."

Abe Greenwald underscores the shift in policy enforcement, noting the elimination of opt-out provisions for parents, which has intensified the conflict between educational institutions and families seeking to align schooling with their beliefs.

Abe Greenwald [57:50]: "They were getting rid of the opt-out. So the fight started when the school stopped letting some of the schools stopped letting parents opt out."

6. Cultural Wars and Policy Indiscipline

The panel discusses the broader cultural wars, emphasizing how the Trump administration's policies aim to reset American priorities towards performance and excellence, moving away from static identity-based assignments. They critique the administration's inconsistent and sometimes chaotic policy implementations, which undermine serious governance efforts.

John Podhoretz [07:48]: "There's nothing new here about tariffs... he can do anything he wanted like that."

Christine Rosen connects the administration's cultural initiatives to broader societal issues, arguing that policies targeting DEI and academic institutions are part of a larger strategy to dismantle established liberal norms.

Christine Rosen [16:53]: "The culture that is endorsed time and time again in Trump world is that if you play the victim of the media or the left, it doesn't matter what your incompetent mistake was."

7. Conclusions and Future Outlook

As the episode concludes, the panelists reflect on the potential trajectory of the Trump administration. They express concern that without corrective measures, the presidency may spiral into what Podhoretz describes as a "train wreck." However, there remains a faction within the MAGA base that holds onto hope, viewing Trump as a pivotal figure necessary to counteract perceived liberal dominance in various institutions.

Seth Mandel [20:21]: "The hardcore MAGA fans... out there."

John Podhoretz [45:58]: "This is a winning issue for them, but it won't be a winning issue for them if the Supreme Court rules against the administration."

Overall, the panel emphasizes the critical importance of the administration's ability to manage internal and external pressures effectively. The outcome of ongoing legal battles, economic stability, and the administration's internal coherence will significantly influence the success or failure of Trump's presidency.

Notable Quotes:

• John Podhoretz [00:46]: "If you exist in a world in which the joy, the pleasure and the goal is to own the libs and make libs cry, then they're doing a fantastic job."

• Christine Rosen [05:08]: "The Dow Jones is about to have the worst April since the Great Depression."

• John Podhoretz [29:41]: "Harvard will not prevail in this suit... they have violated Title 6 in relation to Jewish students."

• Christine Rosen [16:43]: "The minute their endowment or their money is threatened, boom. Lawsuits, anger, public recrimination."

• John Podhoretz [56:56]: "This is about public schooling and the violation of the American self-governance compact."

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the Trump administration's current challenges, offering insights into potential future developments within both the administration and the broader American political landscape.