Summary of "Oy, Canada" Episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Introduction

In the April 29, 2025 episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host Jon Podhoretz, along with executive editor Abe Greenwald, social commentary columnist Christine Rosen, and senior editor Seth Mandel, delve into the ramifications of former President Donald Trump's recent actions and rhetoric on both international relations and domestic policies. The discussion is anchored around Trump's controversial comments about Canada, his broader foreign policy maneuvers, and the ensuing political and social consequences in the United States and abroad.

Canada Election Impact

Key Topic: The unexpected loss of Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative party in Canada’s recent election, attributed largely to Donald Trump's derogatory remarks about Canada.

• Jon Podhoretz opens the conversation by highlighting the significant political fallout in Canada following Trump's disparaging jokes about the country becoming the "51st state." He notes that despite Conservatives leading by 25 points in polling after Justin Trudeau's resignation, the party lost, and its leader Pierre Poilievre failed to secure his seat.

  Jon Podhoretz [00:37]: "...Trump is the leader of a new populist worldwide surge movement... nationalistic, anti liberal, anti woke forces."

• Abe Greenwald adds context by pointing out that Trudeau had been a target of MAGA sentiments during the pandemic due to stringent lockdowns and the trucker protests, which Trump exacerbated with his prolonged mockery.

  Abe Greenwald [03:29]: "Trump took that, ran with it, kept going like a lot of entertainers do..."

• Christine Rosen reflects on the unintended consequences of Trump's rhetoric, observing that it has inadvertently spurred a resurgence of Canadian nationalism. She emphasizes that the backlash in Canada represents a shift away from aligning with Trump’s narrative.

  Christine Rosen [15:41]: "...the emergence of a left-wing Canadian nationalism."

International Nationalism and MAGA

Key Topic: The influence of MAGA on global nationalist movements and its inability to create a cohesive international alliance akin to historical international communism.

• Seth Mandel discusses how MAGA followers are more reactive than proactive on the international stage, often idolizing successful nationalist leaders like Viktor Orban in Hungary but lacking a unified ideological framework.

  Seth Mandel [10:23]: "...they latch on to people they think are already winning."

• Jon Podhoretz draws parallels between MAGA's international aspirations and the Soviet Union's export of communism, albeit noting the fundamental differences in ideology and objectives. He speculates whether MAGA is inadvertently fostering anti-American nationalism globally.

  Jon Podhoretz [06:46]: "...international communist movement and MAGA should be taken a little more seriously."

• Christine Rosen underscores that Trump's approach to international relations—termed as disruptive and antagonistic towards traditional allies—has led to a more isolated America and pushed some countries closer to China.

  Christine Rosen [19:14]: "...he's adding something to it which I think makes it interesting and useful to his base."

Trump’s Leadership Style and Foreign Policy

Key Topic: Trump’s erratic and unilateral approach to foreign policy, characterized by personal vendettas and disregard for traditional diplomatic protocols.

• Jon Podhoretz criticizes Trump’s behavior as self-serving and detrimental to international relations, citing instances like the Greenland incident and his antagonistic stance towards Canada as examples of irrational and damaging policies.

  Jon Podhoretz [22:12]: "Trump is behaving like an irrational, psychotic person in office."

• Christine Rosen compares Trump’s foreign policy to Obama’s, highlighting the shift from moral relativism to a blunt, offensively nationalist rhetoric that disregards longstanding alliances.

  Christine Rosen [21:31]: "...Trump is Obama. Follow, follow the logic here."

• Seth Mandel comments on Trump's preference for immediate results over strategic long-term planning, suggesting that his administration's approach is more about making impactful statements than achieving sustainable outcomes.

  Seth Mandel [32:59]: "...he has sparked a similar feeling... and he likes the result."

Domestic Policies: Border Control and Tariffs

Key Topic: The administration's aggressive stance on immigration and trade, and its socio-economic repercussions.

• Jon Podhoretz expresses concern over Trump's border policies, noting a paradox where broader calls for closing borders coexist with selective deportations that undermine the administration’s objectives.

  Jon Podhoretz [43:19]: "...70% of Americans don't have a BA."

• Christine Rosen acknowledges the mixed outcomes of these policies, where successful actions like closing borders are overshadowed by ineffective deportation efforts due to legal and procedural hurdles.

  Christine Rosen [46:34]: "...the deportation efforts look stumbling and bumbling."

• Seth Mandel highlights Trump's strategy of focusing on results over process, betting on tangible outcomes to win voter support despite the legal challenges that follow.

  Seth Mandel [48:46]: "...he's going to rely on results and not process."

• Tariffs: The discussion shifts to Trump's implementation of tariffs, which Jon Podhoretz argues disproportionately benefits big businesses while harming smaller manufacturers and the broader economy.

  Jon Podhoretz [51:51]: "...tariffs are win, lose or draw. The point at which you can see the slide."

  He underscores the potential political fallout as tariffs may alienate everyday Americans, especially small business owners, leading to declining support for the administration.

Public Opinion and Political Consequences

Key Topic: Deteriorating public support for Trump’s administration and the implications for future elections.

• Jon Podhoretz references a Marist poll indicating that 45% of Americans are giving the Trump administration an F, a significant increase from 32% eight years prior, signaling deep disapproval across independent voters.

  Jon Podhoretz [42:09]: "...45% of Americans are giving the Trump administration an F."

• Christine Rosen emphasizes that the drop in approval is particularly concerning among independents, who are crucial for election outcomes, suggesting that Trump's actions may undermine his political base.

  Christine Rosen [42:25]: "...more than half of them are now grading him a D or an F."

• Seth Mandel correlates Trump's confrontational policies with a potential increase in political opposition, anticipating greater challenges from Democrats in upcoming elections.

  Seth Mandel [55:22]: "...he is running America like Trump."

Concluding Thoughts

The panel concludes with reflections on the broader implications of Trump's leadership style and policies. They express concern over the long-term effects on both U.S. domestic politics and international relations. The hosts agree that Trump's aggressive and often erratic approach has led to significant backlash, both at home and abroad, potentially setting the stage for political instability and weakened alliances. They also note the challenges Trump poses to traditional conservative values, emphasizing his departure from meticulous policy-making towards a more unpredictable and personality-driven administration.

Notable Quotes

• Jon Podhoretz [00:45]: "...Trump is the leader of a new populist worldwide surge movement to oust Liberals from power..."

• Abe Greenwald [03:29]: "...Trump took that, ran with it, kept going like a lot of entertainers do..."

• Christine Rosen [15:41]: "...the emergence of a left-wing Canadian nationalism."

• Jon Podhoretz [22:12]: "Trump is behaving like an irrational, psychotic person in office."

• Christine Rosen [19:14]: "...he's adding something to it which I think makes it interesting and useful to his base."

• Seth Mandel [48:46]: "...he's going to rely on results and not process."

• Jon Podhoretz [42:09]: "...45% of Americans are giving the Trump administration an F."

Conclusion

In this episode, The Commentary Magazine Podcast provides a critical analysis of Donald Trump's impact on international politics, particularly regarding Canada, and scrutinizes his domestic policies on immigration and trade. The panel highlights the negative repercussions of Trump's unilateral and confrontational approach, suggesting that his strategies may lead to long-term political and economic challenges for the United States. The discussion underscores the importance of strategic, measured leadership in maintaining both domestic stability and strong international alliances.

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