The Commentary Magazine Podcast: "Trump at Davos"

Date: January 21, 2026
Host: John Podhoretz
Panelists: Abe Greenwald, Seth Mandel, Eliana Johnson, Christine Rosen

Overview

In this episode, the Commentary team unpacks the international fallout from President Donald Trump's recent appearance at the Davos summit, his increasingly unpredictable style, and the potential consequences for the Republican Party in the 2026 midterms. The discussion weaves through Trump's erratic rhetoric on foreign policy (specifically NATO and energy), repercussions in the political and legal system, the weaponization of the Department of Justice, and evolving campus anti-Semitism and free speech debates.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. International Fallout from Trump's Davos Speech

[03:35 - 14:35]

• Shock among Conservative Media: John Podhoretz opens with observations about how even conservative outlets (notably National Review) are alarmed by Trump’s recent behavior and rhetoric, suggesting calls for invoking the 25th Amendment.
  • “Jim Garrity lost it, no longer has that feeling or connection.” – John [05:23]
  • Trump’s hinting at NATO’s destabilization was described as “apocalyptic rhetoric from very boring politicians.”
• European Leaders' Reactions: Seth notes how leaders like Macron called for deeper ties with China, while the Canadian PM called the moment a "rupture," but he doubts it is truly irreversible. [06:53]
• Windmill Diatribe: Trump’s energy attack at Davos focused on windmills as a symbol of failed European green policy:
  • “China sells windmills to stupid people... you could tell how bad a country is doing by how many windmills it has.” – Trump summary via Seth [07:25]
  • Seth observes that, buried in Trump’s bluster, is a critique of Europe’s abandonment of nuclear power and reliance on Russian gas, but his chaotic delivery obscures any policy kernel.
  • “What comes out is total gobbledygook, and so the point is completely lost.” – Seth [10:45]
• No Strategy, Just Chaos: The panel sees Trump’s foreign policy statements as “cut loose from any sense” of strategy.
  • “There is no strategy. He goes after Maduro one week... spends a week fighting with Greenland and Denmark…” – John [12:13]

2. Domestic Fallout: Erratic Leadership and Political Risks

[14:35 - 20:54]

• Christine suggests initial Trump unpredictability was amusing to some, but fatigue has set in as unpredictability causes market volatility and real consequences.
  • “Trump has forgotten, if he ever knew, that his projection of American power still relies on the consent of the people he governs.” – Christine [12:23]
• Eliana notes a "split screen" between Trump's belligerent Davos persona and a more conciliatory tone at his marathon press conference:
  • Trump admitted communication was the administration's fault, not the public's misunderstanding, and softened his stance on immigration and Greenland. [14:35]
• Polling Parallels: John compares Trump’s current polling (2026) to Bush in 2006 and Obama in 2014—both saw major losses:
  • “This is not good as a harbinger… Trump is on a bad trajectory.” – John [17:27]
  • Predicts a dire outcome for Republicans if Trump doesn’t change course.

3. Weaponization of Justice and Administrative Discipline

[20:54 - 33:59]

• Christine criticizes the administration’s lack of discipline, especially the misuse of the DOJ for personal and political vendettas:
  • “Weaponization of the Justice Department actually undermines some really good work.” – Christine [23:06]
• Eliana clarifies the resignations of Minnesota U.S. attorneys are more complex than mere protest against politicization, but attacks on the prosecutors (by Pam Bondi and others) are counterproductive. [28:07]
• The panel debates the wisdom and legal grounding of pursuing "incitement" charges against elected officials like Keith Ellison for their speech around protest actions:
  • John: “It’s so crazy that it, again, raises 25th Amendment.” [30:40]

4. Free Speech in America: Limits, Precedent, and Protest

[33:59 - 44:32]

• Christine and Seth express worry about the growing U.S. impulse to police or punish speech as in Europe, noting the emerging protest style that tests First Amendment boundaries—especially pro-Palestinian activism and campus unrest:
  • Christine: "We do not want to cultivate a culture in this country that comes anywhere close to that." [34:32]
• Seth compares the Mark Kelly controversy (proposed loss of military benefits for political speech) to attacks on campus free speech rights.
• John points out that overreach in government attacks on opponents not only undermines the administration but also confuses and alienates voters.
  • “They are making sure that it is difficult for them to get that message through…” – John [41:56]
• Christine observes that Trump’s retribution is now perceived as exclusively self-serving:
  • “Now it feels like the retribution is entirely personalized for Trump… he’s settling scores.” [42:41]

5. The Supreme Court Succession Dilemma

[44:32 - 58:59]

• John introduces the scenario where Justices Alito and Thomas might retire, raising the stakes for Supreme Court nominations amid Senate control uncertainty. [46:27]
  • He and Eliana debate whether Trump would make sound choices, given his break with the Federalist Society and transactional style. [47:35]
  • Eliana emphasizes that despite chaos, Trump still listens to some serious legal advisers, but his alienation of GOP senators could haunt him at confirmation time. [55:35]

6. Surge of Anti-Semitism, Campus Monoculture, and Suppression of Jewish Voices

[62:25 - End]

• The team switches to the intensification of anti-Semitic protests targeting Jewish performers, businesses, and students, citing incidents at comedy clubs and universities.
  • Seth identifies activist groups (notably the Hyndra Job foundation) as Hezbollah-connected and responsible for orchestrating both propaganda and direct action:
    • “These organizations are part of … the spread of terror propaganda and the arm of these organizations that pretend to have political wings and media wings and all that stuff.” – Seth [65:22]
  • Eliana critiques university leadership (quoting and disputing Harvard’s Alan Garber) for blaming political activism in classrooms rather than the deeper issue: ideological monoculture.
    • “If there was ideological and political diversity in our universities, … would be much more tolerable…” – Eliana [70:00]
  • Panelists lament law enforcement’s inaction as protestors block venues, repeatedly emphasizing that hindrance to Jewish speech has become normalized and tolerated in ways that should alarm all Americans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump's Governing Style:
  “He is cut loose from any sense of, like, what he does at 1:00pm connecting to what he does at 2:00pm ... there is no strategy.” — John [12:13]
• On the Shift in Conservative Opinion:
  “Jim Garrity lost it, no longer has that feeling or connection.” — John [05:23]
• On Anti-Semitic Campus Culture:
  "You do not want to cultivate a culture in this country that comes anywhere close to that [European crackdown on speech]." — Christine [34:32] "You have a campus chill zone of speech ... a culture of suppression of Jewish speech and it is undeniable, but it is also not necessarily an open and shut First Amendment issue." — Seth [67:29]
• On the Risks of Indiscipline:
  "Weaponization of the Justice Department actually undermines some really good work ... lack of discipline in the administration's rhetoric." — Christine [23:06]
• On Political Risk in 2026:
  “Trump is on a bad trajectory, and it's possible that his conciliatory words, as well as the reflection of the uncertainty in the markets ... have spooked him.” — John [17:27]

Key Timestamps

• [03:35] - Opening thoughts on Trump's unpredictable Davos performance and increasing calls for 25th Amendment
• [07:25] - Recap of Trump’s windmill attack at Davos
• [14:35] - Split between Trump’s Davos rhetoric and softer press conference tone
• [17:27] - Analysis of Trump’s polling and Republican midterm risk
• [23:06] - Discussion on DOJ weaponization and consequences for legal investigations
• [30:40] - Debate over prosecuting elected officials for "incitement"
• [41:56] - Consequences of undisciplined government attacks, impact on voter perceptions
• [46:27] - SCOTUS succession scenarios and risks in the current climate
• [65:22] - Anti-Semitic activism, campus chill, and organizational networks behind protests
• [70:00] - The deeper problem of university monoculture and shrinking Jewish presence

Summary Flow & Tone

Through sharp banter and exasperated humor, the panel’s tone is candid and sometimes darkly wry. There’s palpable frustration at the GOP’s strategic drift under Trump and concern for the future of American political and civic norms—from foreign policy unpredictability to the erosion of civil liberties and the rise of anti-Semitic activism.

For Listeners New to the Episode

This discussion captures a pivotal moment as the consequences of Trump’s second term—both at home and abroad—become increasingly unpredictable. The hosts bring a mix of alarm, analysis, and reluctant nostalgia for the recent past, pairing detailed policy critique with cultural and institutional warnings. If you’re tracking the intersection of U.S. politics, foreign policy, and the culture wars, this episode provides a deeply informed (and unsettled) snapshot of the current American right.