Podcast Summary: The Commentary Magazine Podcast – "Trump Gives It to the United Nations"

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: John Podhoretz, with panelists Abe Greenwald, Matthew Continetti, Christine Rosen
Theme: A deep dive into Donald Trump’s 2025 address to the United Nations, his unorthodox style, sharply critical message, escalating rhetoric on Ukraine and Europe, Israel-Gaza dynamics, immigration politics in the U.S. and Europe, and the broader disruption of the international and domestic political order.

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode unpacks Donald Trump’s recent UN speech, exploring not just its substance and style (brash, critical, unapologetically "Trumpian"), but also its political implications for the U.S., the UN, Europe, and key foreign policy flashpoints. The panel provides a critical and, at times, spirited discussion about Trump’s attacks on the UN, shifting U.S. posture toward Ukraine, his self-styled leadership, and the reverberations of his approach on allied and adversarial nations alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s UN Speech: Style, Substance, and Symbolism

• Brash delivery and departure from tradition:
  Trump’s address was characterized by personal anecdotes, off-the-cuff remarks, and open mockery of the UN’s inefficiency, notably referencing a failed UN renovation bid and even an “escalator scandal.”

  "Donald Trump went before the UN...gave a speech that was either the most embarrassing speech ever delivered by an American ... or from another perspective, it was absolutely fantastic." – John Podhoretz (01:15)

• The "escalator-gate" incident:
  Alleged sabotage of Trump’s escalator at the UN (03:53) became a metaphor for institutional dysfunction. Trump used the technical snafu and a teleprompter failure as proof of the organization's incompetence.
• Open criticism of the UN:
  Trump blasted the UN as a "ridiculous organization" that has failed its high principles, singling out its anti-Israel and anti-American bias, and alluding to a possible U.S. exit from the institution.

  “He kind of laid out the bill of particulars on how the UN has completely failed...just lays the groundwork for an eventual US exit.” – Matthew Continetti (05:10)

2. Contrasts with Past Presidents' Approaches

• Trump vs. Reagan/Bush at the UN:
  Past Republican presidents delivered "beautiful, heartfelt, rhetorically significant speeches," but were met with skepticism abroad. Trump’s blunt approach rejects trying to curry favor with international elites.

  "Trump isn’t interested in their respect...he’s done supplicating the people who disrespect people who think the way we do." – John Podhoretz (08:24)

• Authenticity as superpower:
  Christine Rosen notes Trump’s political strength lies in always being "himself," which can be refreshing amidst diplomatic gamesmanship.

  “Sometimes you need a rule breaker to come in and state clearly how just terrible some of these institutions have become, he was that guy.” – Christine Rosen (10:54)

3. Key Policy Themes in the Speech

• Climate, Energy, and Europe:
  Trump railed against climate “hyperbole,” the Green New Deal, and Europe’s energy weakness—warning that Europe’s deindustrialization risks making it an appendage to China (13:16). Meanwhile, European leaders earn praise for China and scorn for Trump’s stance, underscoring media bias.
• Ukraine War:
  Trump’s address lambasted Europe’s continued purchase of Russian oil (13:47), accusing Europe of prolonging the war despite rhetorical support for Ukraine.

  “Europeans talk a good game...But they will not do anything to halt their effective subsidy of the Russian war machine.” – Podhoretz (13:47)

4. Trump’s Shifting Posture on Ukraine

• Changing signals:
  Trump shifted from pressuring Ukraine to sue for peace to now suggesting Ukraine can win, citing its bravery and Russia’s weaknesses (16:09).

  “Six months ago, he was like, you don’t have the cards...Now, Trump is rhetorically more on Ukraine’s side.” – Podhoretz (30:53)

• Deal-maker mentality:
  Christine Rosen frames Trump’s foreign policy as fundamentally transactional: when adversaries appear weak, the “deal” changes direction (23:33).
• Debate over substance vs. trolling:
  The panel debates whether Trump’s new rhetoric is genuine or meant to provoke Putin into negotiations.

  “Does he really believe that? Or is he trying to poke Putin into a response...” – Abe Greenwald (22:30)

5. Broader Foreign Policy and Domestic Politics

• Aggression and restraint:
  Trump’s military interventions are surgical—targeting cartel ships or Iran but avoiding large entanglements, favoring hostile postures towards Russia’s allies (33:32).
• Linking Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Hamas:
  The rhetorical and political connection between support for Ukraine and steadfastness in Israel/Gaza is discussed. Trump explicitly ties these conflicts as part of a broader civilizational struggle (36:11).
• Europe’s immigration politics and Israel:
  The recognition of a Palestinian state by European countries is interpreted as a domestic political maneuver to appease large, restive Muslim populations, not based on peace process realities (39:55).

  “They are trying to distract their restive base...through distraction. And that’s one of the reasons why I think this is kind of laid an egg.” – Podhoretz (43:26)

6. Immigration Enforcement and Political Fallout in the U.S.

• Border politics under Trump:
  With “astonishing” improvements in border security, the panel debates whether anti-ICE violence from the left is handing political ammunition to Republicans (48:48). Violence against ICE is condemned, with rhetoric traced to Democratic officials (54:34).

  “It is literally a gift to Trump and the Republicans. It fulfills an argument that the left...is careening off into violence.” – Podhoretz (52:49)

• Tone-shifting required:
  Christine Rosen urges the Trump administration to recalibrate rhetoric, noting that rising support for immigration among the public runs counter to harsh, mocking messaging (55:38).

7. Danger of Extreme Rhetoric

• Mainstreaming violence:
  The hosts argue that “ideas have consequences,” and alarmist or irresponsible language from both left and right has stoked a culture of violence, as seen in attacks on law enforcement (58:03).

  “We now have the ability to get directly into the cerebral cortexes of unstable people with information that...would have been...impossible before.” – Podhoretz (58:23)

8. On Policing Political Sides and Legal Expectations

• James Comey indictment debate:
  The possibility of indicting James Comey for perjury is discussed, raising questions about whether political actors should “police their own side.” The risk of politically-motivated prosecutions counter-balanced with concerns about accountability is highlighted (62:53).

  “Part of the rule of politics is that you’re supposed to police your own side.” – Podhoretz (65:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s UN performance:
  “It was ambrosia and nectar as far as I’m concerned.” – Podhoretz (03:31)
• On “escalator-gate”:
  “One of those Hegelian ironies of history. This escalator was going up, whereas...in Trump Tower, Trump was going down.” – Continetti (04:01)
• On the change in U.S. approach to the UN:
  “He’s done supplicating the people who disrespect people who think the way we do.” – Podhoretz (08:22)
• On the migration crisis in Europe:
  “Europe is deindustrialized...its economy has kind of collapsed over, especially in comparison to the United States.” – Continetti (13:16)
• On Trump’s dealmaking approach:
  “To him, foreign policy is dealmaking. That’s, it’s that simple.” – Rosen (23:33)
• On the performative self-congratulation:
  “Trump’s enemies accuse him of the two minutes’ hate, but it's actually the two minutes’ self-flattery that he's more prone to.” – Rosen (29:24)
• On European leaders appeasing domestic Muslim voters:
  “They are trying to distract their restive base...through distraction. And that’s one reason why I think this has laid an egg.” – Podhoretz (43:26)
• On political consequences of violence against ICE:
  “It is literally a gift to Trump and the Republicans. It makes the argument that the left is careening off into violence.” – Podhoretz (52:49)
• On the “irresponsibility” of extreme political rhetoric:
  “If Gavin Newsom...is saying the election of 2028 is going to be canceled...I don’t even know if the word irresponsible can capture the enormousness of what he has done.” – Podhoretz (61:10)
• On policing one’s side:
  “Part of the rule of politics is that you're supposed to police your own side.” – Podhoretz (65:04)
• Self-aware humor:
  “It’s actually the Free Beacon come to life.” – Rosen, recounting the White House’s new “gallery of presidents” (38:29)
• Comic relief:
  “Matt's cat made an appearance...to encourage you all to say so.” – Rosen (69:35)

Important Timestamps

• Trump’s speech analysis and “escalator-gate”: 01:15–05:10
• Trump vs. past presidents at the UN: 06:29–09:15
• Trump’s authenticity and conservative critique of the UN: 09:15–11:15
• Energy, Europe, China, and climate: 11:15–13:16
• Europe’s double game on Russian oil and Ukraine: 13:47–16:09
• Trump’s evolving stance on Ukraine: 16:09–30:45
• Debate on Trump’s motives re: Ukraine: 22:29–25:47
• Trump’s “stand up routine” in the White House: 37:59–39:55
• Europe’s recognition of Palestinian state as political theater: 39:55–48:00
• Immigration and ICE violence politics: 48:48–58:03
• Dangers of extreme rhetoric and real-world consequences: 58:03–62:49
• Policing political sides: Comey case: 62:53–68:07
• Wrap-up and banter: 69:24–69:50

Summary Tone

The episode is lively, critical, and at times sardonic—reflecting the Commentary Magazine brand: intellectually sharp, generally conservative, but quick to call out folly on all sides. The panel openly admires Trump’s disruptive bravado at the UN, but tempers that with skepticism and concern about his reliability, the dangers of performative politics, and the deepening cultural and political divides both in the U.S. and abroad. Frequent humor and self-awareness keep the tone engaging throughout.

This summary is designed to give you the core arguments, memorable lines, and key moments from "Trump Gives It to the United Nations"—ensuring you don’t miss the nuance and punchlines that defined the live discussion.