Summary of "Trump Meets the Press" - The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Release Date: May 5, 2025

Introduction In the episode titled "Trump Meets the Press," The Commentary Magazine Podcast hosts Abe Greenwald, Christine Rosen, and Matthew Continetti delve into the recent interview of former President Donald Trump on "Meet the Press" with Kristen Welker. The discussion navigates through Trump's policy stances, his potential 2028 presidential run, internal dynamics within the MAGA movement, and foreign policy implications, particularly concerning Iran and the Houthi missile attack.

1. Overview of Trump's "Meet the Press" Interview

Abe Greenwald initiates the conversation by highlighting the extensive coverage of Trump's latest interview on "Meet the Press," noting the proliferation of clips and sound bites, particularly Trump's comments on upholding the Constitution and deportations.

"[03:52] Matthew Continetti: ...He just kept kind of going back and reflexively saying, 'well, it's my lawyers. My lawyers are up to it.' ...he'll always obey the Supreme Court."

Matthew Continetti emphasizes the length and depth of the interview, pointing out how Trump's repetitive references to his legal team indicate his reluctance to engage deeply with certain topics. He also notes Trump's repeated assurance to "always obey the Supreme Court," contrasting it with current administration actions regarding deportations.

Christine Rosen critiques Trump's handling of economic messaging, particularly his comments on consumer goods and tariffs. She argues that Trump's downplaying of economic hardships by referencing children's toys undermines his connection with struggling voters.

"[07:53] Abe Greenwald: ...he's sort of speaking against abundance...his message sounds a lot like the extreme environmentalists who are like, 'You actually do not need two cars...'"

Greenwald adds that Trump's rhetoric against consumer abundance is discordant with his historical image as a symbol of American prosperity, creating confusion among his base.

2. Potential 2028 Presidential Run and MAGA Succession

The hosts explore the possibility of Trump running for a third term in 2028, examining his comments during the interview and his mentions of potential successors like Marco Rubio and JD Vance.

Continetti discusses Trump's strategic ambiguity regarding a 2028 run, suggesting that maintaining uncertainty keeps his endorsements valuable and preserves leverage within the Republican Party.

"[10:47] Abe Greenwald: ...he mentioned Marco Rubio and JD Vance as potential successors, which I think is just classic Trump."

Rosen contrasts Rubio and Vance, highlighting their different backgrounds and policy approaches within the MAGA movement. She posits that Rubio's pragmatic conservatism may appeal more to moderate voters compared to Vance's more rhetoric-driven approach.

"[23:10] Christine Rosen: ...Rubio's Florida version of GOP Republicanism right now is a much more powerful message...JD Vance rhetorically can dance circles around someone like Marco Rubio."

Greenwald theorizes that Trump's preference for Rubio indicates a desire to keep Rubio aligned with his policies, preventing Vance from gaining too much independent traction.

3. Economic Policies and Tariffs

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Trump's economic policies, especially his use of tariffs as a primary tool against China and its global economic implications.

Continetti critiques Trump's departure from free-market principles, arguing that his focus on trade deficits and protectionism disrupts traditional economic theories that favor competition and supply growth to lower prices.

"[13:12] Matthew Continetti: ...Trump views trade deficits as losses...he thinks that's a win because he says we're not giving them any more money."

Rosen echoes concerns about the real-world impact of these tariffs, especially on small businesses reliant on Chinese imports, questioning the sustainability and public perception of such policies.

"[07:53] Christine Rosen: ...Scott Benson's op-ed...Trump telling people that five pencils and three dolls are enough is not the message that someone who used to give his child..."

Greenwald expresses apprehension about the long-term effects of Trump's tariff strategies, noting the potential for ongoing economic pain and market uncertainty.

"[31:28] Christine Rosen: Well, this is actually someplace where the future of MAGA is going to hang in the balance, not just on economic indicators."

4. Foreign Policy: Iran and Houthi Missile Attack

The conversation shifts to Trump's foreign policy, particularly his stance on Iran's nuclear program and the recent Houthi missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport.

Continetti outlines the internal divisions within the administration regarding Iran, with figures like JD Vance advocating for nuclear agreements that allow uranium enrichment, while Marco Rubio opposes any form of enrichment.

"[41:39] Christine Rosen: ...UK disrupted an Iranian terrorist cell...the Houthis got a missile through that hit near Ben Gurion Airport."

Greenwald and Continetti discuss the implications of the Houthi attack, criticizing the US military's effectiveness and expressing concerns over the inability to prevent such penetrations despite advanced defense systems.

"[51:02] Abe Greenwald: ...US Military effort against the Houthis...it's got to be something more, a lot more than sending a signal."

Rosen emphasizes the need for clear communication to the American public about the threats posed by Iran-backed groups, advocating for a robust strategy to counteract terrorism both abroad and domestically.

"[54:50] Christine Rosen: ...It's an offensive concept in and of itself...MAGA, make America great again...we must eliminate the people who are trying to sponsor it abroad."

5. Media Representation and Personal Attacks

The hosts critique the media's portrayal of political figures, using the example of John Fetterman to illustrate how personal attacks and misinformation can influence public perception.

Rosen criticizes the media's invasive reporting on Fetterman's medical history, suggesting it serves as an ideological purge against pro-Israel Democrats.

"[55:07] Christine Rosen: ...publicly called a genocide...extreme allowed them to ...target him."

Continetti associates this with historical patterns of media bias, likening it to the "drive-by media" tactics once described by Rush Limbaugh.

"[60:14] Matthew Continetti: ...the left has been trying to co-opt abundance...this is an example of what Rush Limbaugh used to call the drive-by media."

Greenwald echoes the sentiment that such media strategies are unfounded and detrimental to fair political discourse.

6. Trump's Vision for National Holidays and Military Parades

The discussion concludes with Trump's plans to rename significant national days and introduce Victory Days, juxtaposed with his inclination to showcase military strength through parades.

Continetti highlights Trump's initiative to establish Victory Day commemorations for World War I and II, noting the potential confusion and mixed public reception.

"[65:22] Abe Greenwald: ...he is waxing strong...renaming days speaks to a kind of God complex."

Rosen expresses skepticism about the practicality and reception of these changes, questioning the necessity of altering established national holidays.

"[66:54] Christine Rosen: Yeah, he wants to take over Veterans Day with that."

Greenwald criticizes Trump's habitual renaming of entities, viewing it as an overreach of presidential authority.

"[68:05] Matthew Continetti: ...woke was all about renaming stuff. And Trump is back because of the public rejection of Wokeism."

7. Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

In a lighter segment, Continetti recommends the 1992 film Sneakers for its intellectual and original storytelling, contrasting it with the perceived lack of novel ideas in contemporary Hollywood productions.

"[70:23] Christine Rosen: ...If not to live...premise jail...novel ideas like Sneakers and wickets are scarce."

Greenwald shares his appreciation for the film, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to thoughtful and substantive content.

"[71:17] Abe Greenwald: ...I remember seeing Sneakers in the theater...its novel premise and storytelling."

Notable Quotes

• Matthew Continetti [03:52]: "He just kept kind of going back and reflexively saying, 'well, it's my lawyers. My lawyers are up to it.'"

• Christine Rosen [07:53]: "Trump telling people that five pencils and three dolls are enough is not the message that someone who used to give his child..."

• Abe Greenwald [65:33]: "I have to say, not to attack him for this, but his penchant for speaking things into existence, renaming things, sort of speaks to a kind of God complex."

Conclusion

"The Commentary Magazine Podcast" provides a comprehensive analysis of Donald Trump's recent interview, dissecting his political maneuvers, policy decisions, and the broader implications for the MAGA movement and American politics. Through expert insights and critical discussion, hosts Greenwald, Rosen, and Continetti offer listeners a nuanced understanding of the current political landscape shaped by Trump's enduring influence.

Note: This summary excludes advertisement segments and focuses solely on the substantive content of the podcast episode.