The Commentary Magazine Podcast – “The Pod-Caste System”

Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Jon Podhoretz (Editor, Commentary Magazine)
Panelists: Abe Greenwald (Executive Editor), Seth Mandel (Senior Editor), Eliana Johnson (Editor, Washington Free Beacon)

Overview

This episode dives into the current American political climate, centering on the ongoing war with Iran, debates around antisemitism and anti-Americanism on the right, fractures within both major U.S. political parties, media distortions, and the implications of conspiracy-driven narratives. The conversation weaves together recent events, media coverage, intra-party ideological struggles, and reflections on Jewish identity and the commentary’s role in public discourse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise of Conspiracism and Antisemitism on the Right

• Abe’s Distraction & Frustration ([00:49])

  • Abe describes being “distracted from the facts of the war” by the “gnat-like swarms of negative commentary coming from the woke right,” especially as it connects to conspiracy theories and antisemitism.
  • Quote: “They’ve made it about whether or not the American right is going to be anti-American and anti-Jewish… that’s national suicide.” — Abe ([02:52])
  • Concern that both major parties could end up harboring anti-American, anti-Jewish worldviews.

• Joe Kent’s Resignation & Conspiratorial Claims ([00:49], [23:07])

  • Joe Kent resigns from the National Counterterrorism Center, blaming Israel for his late wife’s death (though her involvement was in the Syrian conflict).
  • He appears on Tucker Carlson’s podcast, advancing further conspiracy theories.

2. The Mamdani-Diwaji Controversy & Public Figures’ Accountability

• Exposé on Rama Diwaji (Mamdani’s Wife) ([05:03]–[09:57])

  • Eliana discusses her exposé on state legislator Zoram Mamdani’s wife, highlighting her explicit support of radical anti-Israel positions and connections to pro-terrorist networks.
  • Debate on whether spouses of politicians are private citizens and if their views are relevant to public discourse.
  • Quote: “She worked on his campaign. …She’s a public figure. There’s just no question about it.” — Seth ([09:41])

• Broader Implications for Democratic Politics

  • The Democratic Party’s proximity to these issues is discussed as a sign of the party being “lost” regarding Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment.
  • Quote: “What will it mean for America and for America’s relation to Jews and all of that if the Republican Party is lost?” — Jon ([06:58])

3. Trump, the ‘Woke Right,’ and Intra-Party Cleavages

• Trumpism’s Identity Crisis ([12:16]–[17:27], [35:37]–[44:53])

  • Trump’s support for the war in Iran puts him at odds with the isolationist, conspiratorial right (Tucker Carlson, Joe Kent, Megyn Kelly, etc.).
  • Quote: “The anti-war contingent on the woke right is…an outlier cult.” — Jon ([12:53])
  • Poll cited: 100% of self-identified MAGA respondents still support Trump ([12:53]).

• Isolationist Right vs. ‘Common Sense’ Trumpism ([59:27]–[62:46])

  • The panel critiques intellectuals like Christopher Caldwell for characterizing the anti-war, isolationist right as the “true” heirs of Trumpism.
  • Quote: “What Trump’s representing here…is how does America project power to defend or advance its national interests.” — Jon ([59:27])
  • Quote: “This Trump term…he described his agenda as a common sense revolution. To me, the domestic and foreign components are of a piece.” — Abe ([61:31])

4. Media Coverage & Narrative Distortion

• Failings in Mainstream Coverage ([17:27]–[20:05], [49:29]–[56:21])

  • The mainstream press is critiqued for misrepresenting figures like Joe Kent (from crackpot to brave dissenter) and overemphasizing Islamophobia while downplaying rising antisemitism on the right.
  • Quote: “How ill prepared you would be to actually understand what’s going on…from reading all of this mainstream coverage.” — Eliana ([17:33])
  • The Free Beacon’s mission to cover stories ignored by the mainstream is highlighted ([48:14]).

• Case Study: Cesar Chavez Abuses ([51:31])

  • The decades-long burying of Cesar Chavez’s abuse by the press is used as an illustration of bias by omission and misplaced journalistic emphasis.

5. The Function of Antisemitic Conspiracy in Politics

• Delegitimization of Jewish Participation ([25:47]–[34:04])

  • Accusations of “wars for Israel” and BDS tactics are not about harming Israel materially but about making American Jewish participation in civic and political life suspect.
  • Quote: “They want everybody to wonder what the Jews are up to. And that’s really what it’s about.” — Seth ([27:41])
  • Panel notes similar tactics on both the far-right and the left, converging in “horseshoe theory.”

• Antisemitism as a Recurring Toxin in Western Politics ([30:39]–[35:37])

  • Jon: “It’s never just about the Jews… Antisemitism is a constant poison stream in Western civilization and at moments of stress or crisis…it is a constant as an explanation for why things are going wrong.”
  • Abe: “It’s about using Jew hatred as a means of civic destruction.”

6. The Battle for America’s International Role

• Projection of American Power ([59:27]–[62:46])
  • The current administration’s realignment toward more active power projection is seen as a unifying theme of Trump’s leadership, contrary to the “deep state” narrative.
  • The panel positions American support for Israel as historically significant, akin to the U.K.–U.S. alliance in WWII.
  • Media is criticized for downplaying Iran’s isolation and portraying the U.S./Israel as instigators.

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Abe: “They’ve made it about whether or not the American right is going to be anti-American and anti-Jewish…and that’s national suicide.” ([02:52])
• Jon: “The anti-war contingent on the woke right is…an outlier cult.” ([12:53])
• Eliana: “The idea that his wife is a private citizen is preposterous. The wives of politicians are not private citizens and their views matter.” ([09:06])
• Seth: “They want everybody to wonder what the Jews are up to. And that’s really what it’s about.” ([27:41])
• Jon: “Antisemitism is a constant poison stream in Western civilization and at moments of stress or crisis… it is a constant as an explanation for why things are going wrong.” ([30:39])
• Abe: “It’s about using Jew hatred as a means of civic destruction. These people want to bring down the present order just as their mirror images on the left want to do so.” ([34:12])
• Jon: “If you’re going to worship somebody, worship God, don’t worship a person. Politicians will invariably disappoint you…Put not your trust in princes.” ([64:34])

Notable Segment Timestamps

• [00:49] – Joe Kent’s resignation & conspiracy theories
• [02:52] – The right’s temptation toward anti-American/anti-Jewish ideas
• [05:03] – Discussion of Zoram Mamdani, his wife, and the nature of public/private citizen
• [09:06] – The relevance of spouses’ ideological positions in politics
• [12:53] – Data on MAGA’s unwavering support for Trump; the myth of a large, influential GOP anti-war movement
• [17:33] – Mainstream media’s narrative failures
• [23:07] – Israel as a scapegoat in American political discourse
• [25:47] – The function of “wars for Israel” rhetoric and antisemitic conspiracies
• [30:39] – Antisemitism as a “constant poison stream”
• [35:37] – Intellectual corruption on the right; critique of Christopher Caldwell
• [44:53] – Alliance of far-right and far-left through antisemitism (horseshoe theory)
• [48:14] – The Free Beacon’s role and alternative media focuses
• [51:31] – The Cesar Chavez revelation as an example of buried journalistic facts
• [59:27] – Defining Trumpism: “common sense revolution,” American power projection
• [62:46] – The dangers of worshipping political figures; the lesson of “Put not your trust in princes”

Tone & Style

The tone is intellectually rigorous, sharp, and sometimes acerbic, with strong emphases on historical perspective and moral clarity. The panelists mix somber warnings with biting wit as they analyze present dangers and past mistakes. There’s a clear sense of urgency about the American right’s direction and the centrality of combating conspiracy and antisemitism to preserve political health.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a sweeping, often heated analysis of the American political landscape amid war, revealing deeper anxieties about antisemitism, public discourse, and the future of party politics. The conversation returns repeatedly to the personal motivations and ideological battles shaping public life, the vital necessity of principled journalism, and the enduring struggle to keep conspiracy and hatred from poisoning self-government.