Summary of "The Case of the 20-Year-Old High Schooler" – Commentary Magazine Podcast

Release Date: May 28, 2025

In this episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host John Podhoretz engages in a robust discussion with fellow Commentary contributors Abe Greenwald, Seth Mandel, and Matthew Continetti. The conversation centers on contemporary immigration issues, historical comparisons, the ongoing crisis in Gaza, and the intricacies of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.

1. Immigration Policy and Media Portrayals

The episode opens with Podhoretz highlighting troubling immigration stories from the New York Times, particularly focusing on the case of a 20-year-old high schooler allegedly residing illegally in a U.S. high school. Podhoretz criticizes the media’s portrayal, suggesting that such narratives paint immigration enforcement in an increasingly negative light.

John Podhoretz [02:04]: "This high school student is 20 years old... It's almost 20 years since... install a socialist communist government... But this is how the New York Times is now handling this."

Matthew Continetti adds depth by questioning the broader implications of these stories, emphasizing the potential risks associated with adults masquerading as minors in educational institutions.

Matthew Continetti [06:02]: "There's got to be more to the story. We don't know whether this student had links to crime."

Seth Mandel and Podhoretz debate the prioritization of deporting such individuals, with Mandel pointing out the broader dangers posed by illegal immigration.

Seth Mandel [05:39]: "Shouldn't the 20-year-old illegals hiding in high schools be among the first that we deport?"

The discussion underscores concerns about the strain on public services, societal integration, and the criminal justice implications of current immigration policies.

2. Historical Context: The Galveston Project

Podhoretz draws a parallel between current immigration challenges and the Galveston Project of the early 20th century, which aimed to relocate Jewish immigrants from overcrowded urban ghettos to Galveston, Texas.

John Podhoretz [12:55]: "The Galveston Jews fanned out over the Southwest. They opened stores... 100 years later, they are all over America."

Continetti contrasts this successful historical assimilation with today’s illegal immigration dynamics, where legal structures and community support networks have eroded.

Matthew Continetti [17:20]: "There's a weird system in which these people come to America and they don't become Americans. They remain apart and outside."

This comparison highlights the importance of structured immigration policies and community-based support in ensuring successful integration.

3. Gaza Aid Distribution and Media Coverage

Shifting focus to the Middle East, the podcast delves into the recent food aid distribution in Gaza, orchestrated by a private American company in coordination with Israeli authorities. Podhoretz criticizes the media's handling of the situation, arguing that reports often misrepresent the reality on the ground.

John Podhoretz [21:02]: "Aid is being distributed at sites. The foundation... has set up in coordination with the Israeli authorities."

Abe Greenwald expresses concern over the humanitarian implications, noting the similarity of aid distribution lines to those historically associated with atrocities.

Abe Greenwald [29:52]: "There were a lot of very troubling pictures posted yesterday at the distribution site... exactly what it looked like at Auschwitz."

Continetti counters by emphasizing Hamas’s role in complicating aid distribution, suggesting that the new plan aims to separate Hamas influence from the general population.

Matthew Continetti [26:27]: "Separating the population from Hamas... shows some promise to begin to separate Hamas from the non-Hamas elements of the population."

The conversation critiques mainstream media outlets like NPR for their uncritical reporting of Hamas statements, thereby perpetuating a biased narrative.

Continetti [34:38]: "Interpolated heroic efforts are now being painted as chaotic, misleading representations of the situation."

4. U.S. Foreign Policy: Iran Negotiations and Middle East Strategy

A significant portion of the episode examines the Trump administration’s approach to Iranian nuclear negotiations. Podhoretz and his guests express skepticism about the administration’s handling, particularly regarding uranium enrichment.

John Podhoretz [40:08]: "If we're negotiating with Iran and they're just saying no to everything, why are we essentially giving them a couple of solats?"

Mandel critiques the administration’s perceived softness, arguing that it emboldens adversaries.

Seth Mandel [56:18]: "Trump has now projected a kind of weakness of a different sort that has given adversaries every reason to continue to think that they can play us."

Continetti warns against the geopolitical ramifications of current negotiations, suggesting that compromises on nuclear policies could destabilize the Persian Gulf region.

Matthew Continetti [46:04]: "We are introducing the prospect of nuclear instability into a region that has been nothing but trouble for the United States for the last 50 years."

The discussion extends to the broader implications for Middle East stability, touching upon the roles of Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the potential for further conflicts involving China and Russia.

5. Media Bias and Information Warfare

Throughout the episode, the commentators emphasize the role of media bias in shaping public perception of international crises. Podhoretz and Continetti argue that mainstream media often fails to critically assess the actions of entities like Hamas, instead perpetuating unverified claims that obscure the true nature of conflicts.

Continetti [35:31]: "They are able to escape culpability and continue their devious plans without any real consequences."

Greenwald echoes these sentiments by highlighting how media narratives can sometimes equate terrorists with legitimate actors, undermining factual reporting and informed discourse.

Abe Greenwald [29:51]: "Hamas is trying essentially to set up what can only be described as a checkpoint... They rushed through it yelling F Hamas."

This segment underscores the podcast’s overarching theme of advocating for a more critical and nuanced understanding of international issues, free from media-induced biases.

6. Conclusion and Final Remarks

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reflect on the interconnectedness of domestic immigration policies and international foreign affairs, emphasizing the need for coherent and principled approaches to both.

John Podhoretz [60:04]: "And like, that will happen when I win a Pulitzer Prize. And so if I were he, I would start... stop looking to them for validation."

The discussion concludes with a call for listeners to remain vigilant against media biases and to advocate for policies that prioritize national security, societal well-being, and international stability.

Notable Quotes:

• John Podhoretz [02:04]: "This high school student is 20 years old... It's almost 20 years since... install a socialist communist government... But this is how the New York Times is now handling this."

• Matthew Continetti [06:02]: "There's got to be more to the story. We don't know whether this student had links to crime."

• Seth Mandel [05:39]: "Shouldn't the 20-year-old illegals hiding in high schools be among the first that we deport?"

• John Podhoretz [12:55]: "The Galveston Jews fanned out over the Southwest. They opened stores... 100 years later, they are all over America."

• Matthew Continetti [17:20]: "There's a weird system in which these people come to America and they don't become Americans. They remain apart and outside."

• Abe Greenwald [29:52]: "There were a lot of very troubling pictures posted yesterday at the distribution site... exactly what it looked like at Auschwitz."

• John Podhoretz [40:08]: "If we're negotiating with Iran and they're just saying no to everything, why are we essentially giving them a couple of solats?"

• Matthew Continetti [46:04]: "We are introducing the prospect of nuclear instability into a region that has been nothing but trouble for the United States for the last 50 years."

This episode offers a critical perspective on current immigration narratives, historical assimilation practices, media biases, and the complexities of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. The hosts advocate for stringent immigration enforcement, highlight the successes of past policies, and caution against perceived weaknesses in international negotiations, all while challenging listeners to question mainstream media portrayals.