The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "Hostages, Trump's Vision, and Schumer" – January 17, 2025

Hosted by John Podhoretz, with contributions from Abe Greenwald, Christine Rosen, and Seth Mandel

1. Introduction and Transition of Power

Timestamp [00:54]

John Podhoretz opens the episode by marking a significant political transition: the conclusion of Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s presidency and the inauguration of Donald Trump. He reflects on the tumultuous era of Biden’s administration, expressing a mix of scorn and concern about the political landscape that has unfolded.

John Podhoretz: "Thank you for joining us on this horrendous journey. And may we only see brighter days ahead."

2. Ceasefire and Hostage Deal Between Hamas and Israel

Timestamp [01:50] - [09:33]

Podhoretz discusses the pivotal hostage deal brokered between Hamas and Israel, highlighting its approval by Israel's security cabinet. The deal promises the release of 33 of the 98 hostages, some of whom may tragically be children. The uncertainty surrounding the release—whether hostages will emerge alive or deceased—casts a shadow over Israeli society's hopes for a peaceful resolution.

John Podhoretz: "The question that haunts me is whether the Israeli people are prepared for some of the possibly absolutely heartbreaking, heart-rending, soul-crushing news that will emerge when these early hostages come out."

Seth Mandel introduces the concept of "Schrodinger's Deal," emphasizing the inherent uncertainty and lack of transparency in the negotiations. He likens the situation to Schrödinger's cat, where the outcome remains unknown until observed.

Seth Mandel: "It's happening, then it's not, then it's happening, then it's not... that's the Schrodinger's deal."

3. Psychological and Political Implications of the Hostage Release

Timestamp [09:33] - [12:49]

Christine Rosen critiques the Biden administration and Secretary of State Tony Blinken for their handling of negotiations, pointing out that Hamas has consistently disrupted deals, often blaming Israel for setbacks. She underscores the moral outrage surrounding Hamas's atrocity of taking children as hostages, labeling it an international crime.

Christine Rosen: "Taking children as hostages is...crime. That's not supposed to happen."

Abe Greenwald echoes Rosen's sentiments, condemning Hamas's opaque negotiations and the psychological torment inflicted on hostages and their families.

Abe Greenwald: "This is a sickness. And they're maniacal, evil."

4. Trump's Foreign Policy and the TikTok Controversy

Timestamp [17:16] - [27:34]

The conversation shifts to Donald Trump's foreign policy stance, particularly his handling of TikTok. Podhoretz critiques Trump's sudden change of heart regarding TikTok, despite his earlier "America First" rhetoric, which emphasized economic isolationism and national security concerns.

John Podhoretz: "Trump is entering office now having within two transactional alterations of his view... He did not get what he wanted. He is a piss pot."

Christine Rosen stresses the necessity of a values-based foreign policy, arguing that Trump's transactional approach lacks the moral clarity needed to address broader civilizational threats.

Christine Rosen: "We need to be a little more firm in what we're up against and what our values are."

5. Democratic Party Dynamics and Chuck Schumer's Role

Timestamp [43:09] - [68:34]

The discussion delves into internal Democratic Party struggles, focusing on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Podhoretz and Mandel critique Schumer's recent actions and his portrayal of attempting to push Biden to step down during a debate. They express skepticism about the veracity of Schumer's accounts, suggesting a possible cover-up within the party.

John Podhoretz: "Schumer obviously gave them an interview in that classic way where... we know what when this happened."

Abe Greenwald highlights the perception among international allies of America's unreliability in maintaining long-term commitments across administrations.

Abe Greenwald: "They see America as unreliable on this long-term question of keeping promises from administration to administration."

6. The Broader Civilizational Battle and Ideological Warfare

Timestamp [27:34] - [50:34]

Christine Rosen expands the conversation to a global scale, asserting that the ideological war against Western civilization is intensifying. She laments the erosion of clear American values and the failure to communicate what the United States stands for, making it vulnerable to anti-Western ideologies both abroad and within domestic institutions like universities.

Christine Rosen: "We're at a moment now civilizationally, where I think we need to be a little more firm in what we're up against and what our values are."

Podhoretz agrees, emphasizing the interconnectedness of domestic and foreign policy issues, and criticizes Trump's transactionalism for neglecting foundational values.

John Podhoretz: "Freedom comes as God... really is not a global idea. Certainly, it doesn't govern Confucian thinking... It's clear that Trump doesn't believe that."

7. Speculation on Future US Policies and Challenges

Timestamp [50:34] - [67:34]

The hosts discuss potential future challenges, such as the US response to China's actions in Taiwan, and the ongoing threat of Islamic terrorism. Rosen warns that the ideological battle is a form of warfare that the US must recognize and combat effectively.

Christine Rosen: "The ideological and cultural war that is being waged by our enemies into the minds of most Americans... is a propaganda war."

Mandel connects past US foreign policy decisions, like the 1994 nuclear disarmament agreements with Ukraine, to current challenges, questioning the sustainability of America's commitments under an "America First" paradigm.

Seth Mandel: "We have to deal with problems here at home... it's all connected now because the ideology that is fueling Hamas is the same..."

8. Media's Role and Internal Cover-ups

Timestamp [67:22] - [68:34]

The conversation turns to the media's complicity in political cover-ups, comparing the current Biden-Schumer dynamic to historical events like the Nixon administration's Watergate scandal. Podhoretz emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability to prevent future abuses of power.

John Podhoretz: "We need to know what was going on inside the Biden White House so that it can never happen again."

Mandel notes the media's tendency to present biased narratives, often painting political figures like Schumer as heroes without substantiating their claims.

Seth Mandel: "Schumer just wants to have something on the record out there saying, me too. I also have courage."

9. Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook

Timestamp [69:51] - End

In the final segments, Podhoretz speculates humorously about potential pardons from Biden, reflecting his disdain for the outgoing administration. He wraps up the episode by previewing future discussions, including assessments of Trump's inaugural address and the initial outcomes of the hostage deal.

John Podhoretz: "Enjoy the apparently eight amazing football games that are going on this weekend... We will reconvene then."

Key Takeaways

• Hostage Deal Uncertainty: The imminent release of hostages by Hamas poses significant emotional and psychological challenges for Israeli society, with the possibility of tragic losses.

• Schrodinger's Deal: The hostage negotiations are fraught with uncertainty and lack of transparency, likened to a quantum state of being both resolved and unresolved simultaneously.

• Critique of Biden Administration: The podcast criticizes the Biden administration's handling of negotiations with Hamas, emphasizing perceived failures and internal Democratic Party conflicts.

• Trump's Foreign Policy: Donald Trump's approach is portrayed as transactional and lacking in consistent values, raising questions about his ability to address complex international issues.

• Ideological Warfare: The hosts argue that the US faces a broader cultural and ideological battle against anti-Western forces, both internationally and domestically.

• Media and Accountability: The podcast calls for increased transparency and accountability within the US government, drawing parallels to past political scandals.

Notable Quotes

• John Podhoretz [01:50]: "The question that haunts me is whether the Israeli people are prepared for some of the possibly absolutely heartbreaking... news that will emerge when these early hostages come out."

• Seth Mandel [05:48]: "We, it all feels like until the moment it happens, we won't know if it was ever going to happen. And Israel has tried to do some things to smooth that out."

• Christine Rosen [09:33]: "Taking children as hostages is... crime. That's not supposed to happen."

• Abe Greenwald [11:57]: "This is a sickness. And they're maniacal, evil."

• Christine Rosen [27:34]: "We need to be a little more firm in what we're up against and what our values are."

• John Podhoretz [43:09]: "Schumer obviously gave them an interview in that classic way where... we know what when this happened."

Conclusion

This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast provides a critical examination of recent geopolitical developments, internal Democratic Party dynamics, and the incoming Trump administration's foreign policy approach. Through incisive commentary and pointed analysis, Podhoretz and his co-hosts articulate concerns about leadership, policy consistency, and the broader ideological battles facing the United States.