The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Episode: Do Trump's Vendettas Harm Trump's Agenda?
Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: John Podhoretz, Abe Greenwald, Matthew Continetti

Overview

In this episode, the Commentary team dives deep into the impact of Donald Trump’s pursuit of personal vendettas—especially his eagerness to pursue legal action against political adversaries like James Comey—on his broader administration agenda. The hosts wrestle with the concept of “lawfare” as political payback, the ongoing government shutdown standoff, and the evolution of ideological echo chambers on the left and right. The episode also touches on generational dynamics within the Democratic Party, urban decline, and ends with a lighter discussion of legendary sports broadcasters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump's Pursuit of Political Opponents: Is Lawfare the New Norm?

Timestamps: 04:28–13:00

• The hosts debate the merits and dangers of the Trump administration's legal action against James Comey, questioning whether these acts are justice or pure payback.
• Abe Greenwald notes that the process itself is a penalty for targets like Comey, echoing Andy McCarthy’s point:

  "With lawfare, the process is the penalty. The weakness of the case is really ancillary... now Comey is going to have to deal with the legal ramifications of the case." (10:41, Abe Greenwald)

• John Podhoretz warns that when a sitting president uses prosecutorial power for retribution, it's a recipe for abuse, regardless of precedent:

  "He is the president of the United States. He has the power of the presidency behind him. This is not ... hidden, deep state actions. We are hearing that he is the one who was directing this." (11:37, John Podhoretz)

2. The Dangers and Consequences of Political Lawfare

Timestamps: 13:00–18:19

• Reference past instances of lawfare from both parties, including Iran-Contra and the Scooter Libby indictment, to highlight a cycle of escalation.
• Personal stories underscore the suffering caused by prolonged legal battles, as when John recounts his brother-in-law Elliot Abrams’ ordeal:

  "The process was the penalty. Walsh had. No, there was nothing in it for Walsh not to go ahead and punish Eliot for a political difference that he had with him." (16:16, John Podhoretz)

3. The Trump Administration's Agenda: Political Payback vs. Policy Focus

Timestamps: 23:38–29:27

• Matthew Continetti challenges whether the goal is to mirror liberal lawfare or achieve genuine progress:

  "Is the purpose to be the mirror image of the liberal establishment's persecution, or is it to bring the country to a better place?" (23:38, Matthew Continetti)

• The group worries that Trump’s obsession with personal battles is a distraction from larger conservative goals and dilutes energy for effective governance.
• Abe emphasizes that revenge actions risk overshadowing substantive policy achievements, especially with midterms approaching:

  "Any move by this administration that is focused more on Trump's personal agenda and payback is time that could otherwise be spent highlighting either the administration's achievements or addressing the sources of inflation..." (28:11, Abe Greenwald)

4. Effect on Republican and MAGA Coalition

Timestamps: 31:59–34:59

• Abe Greenwald observes that the Trump base relishes these confrontations, and even actions perceived as petty are celebrated by loyalists:

  "Some of these moves ... are welcomed excitedly by the Trump base. The Trump voters, MAGA, they want payback just as much as Trump does." (32:12, Abe Greenwald)

5. Limits of Political Revenge and Overloading the System

Timestamps: 34:59–37:52

• Caution against hyperactivation and "breaking the circuit" of public tolerance—too many vendetta campaigns at once risk undermining overall effectiveness and public patience.
• Matthew notes backlash potential, e.g., making political opponents "heroes":

  "What happened with Jimmy Kimmel? He's back... They made him into, excuse me, a hero that he need not have been otherwise." (36:03, Matthew Continetti)

6. The Government Shutdown: Standoff Dynamics and Partisan Incentives

Timestamps: 37:52–45:39

• The team explains the mechanics of the shutdown threat and negotiation scenarios, including Senate vote math and Chuck Schumer’s political calculus.
• John questions the enduring relevance of the "Democrats win shutdowns" narrative, noting political realities have changed since the 1990s:

  "But that was 30 years ago... And now they're saying we're going to shut the government down unless you give us stuff on Obamacare. And I don't think so." (39:20, John Podhoretz)

• Abe outlines policy sticking points, especially around Obamacare subsidies, Medicaid, and USAID funding.

7. The Left’s Social Media Echo Chamber & the Limits of Digital Discourse

Timestamps: 49:27–55:09

• John reflects on how “Blue Sky,” a new leftist Twitter, demonstrates the disciplinary power of online shaming, and likens it to prior right-wing purges.
• Abe highlights the extremes to which the Democratic base has moved, as shown by public vilification of moderate voices like Ezra Klein:

  "That to me shows the degree to which the Democratic base has just spiraled off into a loony left land." (54:39, Abe Greenwald)

8. Generational Change and the Coming Democratic Party Shake-Up

Timestamps: 59:17–62:18

• Discussion about how the Democratic rank-and-file are pushing for younger, more radical leaders, possibly spelling the end for long-serving politicians like Chuck Schumer.
• Andrew Cuomo’s bid to revive his political fortunes is seen as futile—a sign that the party wants new blood, even if it means embracing candidates further to the left.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On political retribution:
  "He is in a place where, on policy after policy... the Republicans are far more in touch with... the American people. And what concerns them than the Democrats are... But he pulls it back to himself in a way that is injurious..." (29:39, John Podhoretz)

• On lawfare’s double-edged sword:
  "The danger, of course, as you say, is that this lawfare will turn out the same way as the Democratic lawfare, and we're going to have to be facing the consequences the next time Democrats have control..." (22:30, Abe Greenwald)

• On social media echo chambers:
  "The Democrats now have this very efficient little world in which they are functioning almost exclusively in their own ecosystem and the purpose of which is to establish the line that you are not supposed to cross. And if you cross it, oh boy, are you going to get it." (49:27, John Podhoretz)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump’s Lawfare Tactics vs. Agenda: 04:28–13:00
• Lawfare in American History—Personal Stories: 13:00–18:19
• Base Motivation vs. National Interest: 23:38–29:27
• Shutdown Mechanics and Politics: 37:52–45:39
• Social Media and Partisan Disciplinary Effects: 49:27–54:39
• Democratic Party Generational Dynamics: 59:17–62:18

Tone and Style

The episode features sharp, intellectual, and sometimes sardonic commentary characteristic of Commentary’s right-leaning, but not MAGA-aligned style. Hosts blend policy analysis, political theory, personal anecdotes, and cultural references—often with a rueful sense of humor about the current trajectory of American politics and media.

Closing/Recommendations

Abe Greenwald recommends Rich Podolsky's book Madden and Summerall: How They Revolutionized NFL Broadcasting, highlighting the rarity and cultural resonance of iconic broadcasting duos.

Final Thought:
John Podhoretz concludes with a reflection on American resilience—the capacity for second (and third, and fourth) acts—and a reminder that, for all the chaos, the future in politics and culture is open to sudden change.

For listeners looking to understand the complexities and contradictions of the Trump era, this episode offers a nuanced, critical, and historically informed perspective—with plenty of memorable lines and lively debate.