The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "The Good, the Bad, and the Trumpy" – January 22, 2025

Hosted by John Podhoretz, Executive Editor Abe Greenwald, and contributors Matthew Continetti and Christine Rosen, this episode delves into the tumultuous first 48 hours of the Trump administration. The discussion navigates through the whirlwind of executive actions, the administration's strategic maneuvers, and the ensuing political repercussions.

1. Introduction and Overview

John Podhoretz opens the episode by drawing a parallel between the show's theme and the notorious 1980s sitcom The Facts of Life, emphasizing the duality of the Trump administration's actions:

"Trump is doing some amazing things and he's doing some awful things."
(02:00)

He sets the stage for an in-depth analysis of the initial executive actions and policies enacted by President Trump, highlighting Mark Halperin's observation of Trump's strategy to overwhelm opponents with a barrage of announcements.

2. Executive Actions and Administrative Strategy

Matthew Continetti reflects on Trump's administration's immediate impact, comparing it to the first term's firehose of policies influenced by COVID-19 and social unrest:

"This is a return to what normal is under Donald Trump."
(05:05)

Abe Greenwald adds that the press has shifted its perspective, now recognizing Trump as a force rather than treating him as an unpredictable figure:

"The press actually understand that he's always been the guy with the brass knuckles."
(05:30)

Continetti further elaborates on the administration's momentum, noting the professionalization and strategic planning behind the executive orders:

"The machine that Trump built now operating at a very intense level."
(06:56)

3. Press and Internal Administration Dynamics

Christine Rosen contrasts Trump's current approach with his 2017 administration, noting that Trump is no longer "flying blind":

"He's not flying blind. That's very, very obvious."
(07:31)

Podhoretz critiques Trump's initial attempts at coalition-building, citing ineffective appointments like Rex Tillerson and Jim Mattis, and the infamous Cabinet loyalty tests:

"They didn't create an airtight administration in 2017."
(08:45)

Continetti warns of the transient nature of executive orders, cautioning that without legislative backing, these can be swiftly reversed by future administrations:

"If you live by executive order, you die by executive order."
(09:33)

4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policies

The discussion shifts to Trump's executive order targeting DEI initiatives within the federal government:

"The federal government is obliged to no longer hire to have any color consciousness in its hiring policies."
(10:48)

Greenwald underscores the administration's move towards merit-based policies, referencing states like Florida under DeSantis as models:

"Florida eliminated DEI in the state-level bureaucracy."
(16:16)

Continetti emphasizes the legal robustness of these orders, asserting they are meticulously drafted to withstand challenges:

"These are professionally drafted to withstand legal challenge."
(14:00)

Rosen adds that public sentiment is shifting away from DEI, aligning with Trump's policies:

"The majority will be happy to see DEI being taken on or removed."
(41:52)

5. Personnel Appointments and Foreign Policy

Continetti expresses skepticism over Trump's foreign policy appointments, highlighting figures like Eldridge Colby from the Quincy Institute:

"Bridge Colby has been made head of the policy planning staff."
(51:01)

Podhoretz criticizes these appointments as contrary to Trump's hawkish stance, suggesting they resemble policies of previous administrations like Obama’s:

"Why would Donald Trump want to appoint someone with an Obama Biden foreign policy?"
(55:30)

Rosen points out the ideological misalignment, noting that such appointments undermine Trump's coalition:

"He's returning the favor, especially on the issue of Israel."
(55:33)

6. Pardons and Judicial Actions

The conversation transitions to Trump’s use of pardons, specifically the commutation of the Silk Road founder, a figure associated with online drug trafficking:

"Trump pardoned the head of Silk Road, a libertarian hero turned drug lord."
(58:27)

Greenwald criticizes the pardon, highlighting the detrimental impact of Silk Road on society:

"Silk Road did a lot of damage to a lot of families."
(64:13)

Continetti links this action to Trump's broader strategy of rewarding loyalists and undermining perceived government overreach:

"It's a payback. It's a payback."
(61:17)

7. Impact on Higher Education and Legal Challenges

Continetti discusses the administration's crackdown on DEI in higher education, highlighting the removal of DEI officers and the imposition of strict compliance terms on federal contracts:

"Trump instructed every DEI officer in the federal government to go on leave."
(39:19)

Greenwald notes the bipartisan backlash against DEI, with even traditionally liberal institutions experiencing pushback:

"Dana Bash interviewed Homans who reflected public opinion wanting to target DEI."
(24:44)

Continetti warns of increasing judicial challenges to these policies, anticipating swift legal battles:

"The Trump team is better at quickly elevating cases to the Supreme Court."
(48:07)

8. Cultural and Social Implications

Podhoretz and Continetti explore the cultural shifts prompted by the administration's policies, discussing the broader implications for American society and the ongoing culture war.

Greenwald highlights the administration’s efforts to dismantle long-standing DEI initiatives, framing it as a correction to previous overreach:

"Any professor or administrator advocating DEI can't just use free speech as a shield."
(40:02)

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Podhoretz reflects on the transformative potential of the administration’s policies, acknowledging both positive and negative outcomes:

"Reestablishing merit and equality of opportunity could be as transformative as anything else Trump has done."
(49:22)

Continetti anticipates continued resistance and legal challenges, emphasizing the administration's strategic foresight in implementing sustainable executive orders:

"The policies are professionally crafted to endure legal scrutiny."
(15:30)

10. Advertisements and Recommendations

While primarily concentrating on substantive policy discussions, the episode features brief advertisements for Mint Mobile, Boland Branch bedding, and NetSuite by Oracle, which are seamlessly integrated without disrupting the core content.

Towards the end, Podhoretz passionately recommends the Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending, highlighting its unique storytelling and exceptional performances:

"It's a real triumph and the kind of thing you have never seen before."
(64:39)

Key Takeaways:

• Executive Actions: The Trump administration is employing a rapid and strategic deployment of executive orders aimed at reshaping federal policies, particularly targeting DEI initiatives.

• Administration Dynamics: There is a notable shift in how the press and political insiders perceive Trump's leadership, recognizing a more calculated and formidable approach compared to his first term.

• Policy Implications: The rollback of DEI policies is expected to have significant cultural and administrative repercussions, with anticipated legal challenges poised to test the administration's legislative finesse.

• Foreign Policy Concerns: Appointments perceived as hawkish yet ideologically aligned with previous administrations raise questions about the consistency of Trump's foreign policy strategies.

• Pardoning Practices: The issuance of pardons, such as that of the Silk Road founder, underscores a pattern of rewarding loyalty, potentially at the expense of ethical governance.

This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the nascent Trump administration, balancing the assessment of its transformative policies with a critical examination of their broader societal impacts.