Podcast Summary: The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Episode: Trump’s Not Fetishizing ‘Peacemaking’
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: John Podhoretz
Panel: Abe Greenwald, Christine Rosen, Seth Mandel
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Overview
This episode centers on the aftermath of Israel’s hostage rescue and peace deal with Hamas, Donald Trump’s role and evolving U.S. policy on Israel under his presidency, the changing dynamics in American and Jewish opinion regarding Israel, and the surge of anti-Semitism in U.S. political and cultural life. The hosts analyze Trump’s surprising approach to enforcing peace and contrast it with previous U.S. administrations, examine both left- and right-wing anti-Semitism, and reflect on the broader implications for the American Jewish community.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Jewish Holidays and Symbolism (00:21–07:39)
- The episode opens with reflections on the end of the Jewish holiday Sukkot and Simchat Torah, explaining the cultural and religious significance especially in the context of current world events.
- Insight: The joy of the holiday felt more intense this year, coming after traumatic events and successful hostage rescues in Israel.
- Notable moment: Discussion of the emotional impact of a recently freed hostage attending the funeral of his fallen IDF commander.
2. Hostages: Release, Rescue, and the Deal (07:39–13:08)
- Panelists recount the stories of the hostages, particularly Avinatan Or and Noah Argamani, their reunification, and the covert Israeli rescue mission.
- Key Insight: Such emotional reunions have uplifted the global Jewish community and brought a “spring in its step” that had been absent.
- Tactical detail: Emphasis on the secrecy needed to protect identities like Or’s elite military background during captivity.
Quote:
“It was very nice to see basically everybody, every part of the Jewish world seems to have an extra spring in its step that it didn’t have, by the way.” — Abe Greenwald [09:05]
3. Hamas Obstructionism and Peace Deal Fallout (13:08–19:29)
- Skepticism about Hamas’s motives for delaying the return of deceased hostages. Panelists conclude Hamas derives only fleeting leverage or a sense of defiance by withholding bodies.
- Discussion of possible Israeli and Trump administration reactions to Hamas’s delays: renewed military action or increased pressure.
- Christine Rosen notes the war is in a new psychological phase; the Israeli public feels closure with the war’s formal end.
Quote:
“It’s a game when you have no game left... interesting question to deal with... This is some weird—it's like a power play when you've lost all your power.” — John Podhoretz [13:08–16:24]
4. Trump’s Approach: Not Fetishizing Peace (19:29–24:44)
- Trump, unlike most predecessors, does not make a dogma out of the peace agreement if Hamas does not live up to terms. He has publicly threatened to authorize Israeli action if hostages’ remains are not returned — a marked departure from post-1948 U.S. diplomatic norms.
- Key Insight: Trump’s style introduces the real possibility of renewed force, which prior Western leaders avoided.
- Trump’s public statements highlight a personal identification with Israeli trauma and display new resolve.
Quote:
“He is not making a fetish out of the peace... He’s the one who’s saying, ‘I’ll make Bibi go back in to get the rest of the remains if Hamas doesn’t make that evident.’” — John Podhoretz [23:23]
Quote:
“All American diplomacy, all Western diplomacy from the war of 1948 onward has always been, ‘Okay, let's calm it down now...’ Trump basically saying, now, you got to prove that you're one of those people. And if you're not, you know, I saw what you did on October 7th. You're animals, and Israel can go kill you off, as far as I'm concerned, if you don’t live up to the terms that we laid out here.” — John Podhoretz [25:05]
5. Trump’s Personal Investment and Perspective Shift (27:50–32:12)
- Trump’s support for Israel is partly attributed to his lack of rapport with any Hamas leaders and a strong bond with Netanyahu.
- Anecdote: Dan Senor describes Trump’s vivid, emotional recollection of October 7, suggesting the attacks personally affected Trump.
- Personal experiences and survival (e.g. Butler assassination attempt) may have intensified Trump’s resolve.
Quote:
“He began to talk about what happened on October 7th to the Israelis who were massacred... apparently it had an enormous effect on him because he could not stop talking about it.” — John Podhoretz [28:49]
Quote:
“He is flighty and he is capable of getting into a rage about something minor... He's a human being.” — John Podhoretz [31:54]
6. Political Personalization of Middle East Policy (32:12–34:33)
- Discussion of how leaders’ personal opinions and experiences (Obama’s dislike for Netanyahu, Trump’s closeness with Bibi) shape U.S. policy toward Israel.
- Trump's role is cast as an "enforcer," not a peacemaker obsessed with stability for its own sake.
Quote:
“He’s the one who’s saying fafo to Hamas.” — John Podhoretz [32:12]
7. The Structure and Genius of the Peace Deal (33:23–34:33)
- Praise for the phased withdrawal deal: Israel withdraws stepwise but does not need to complete withdrawal if Hamas fails to deliver, putting Hamas in a checkmate.
- The release of living hostages was not phased — a key strategic win for Israel.
Quote:
“You can see the genius of the structure in it now is that... they've, they've been kind of checked into this corner of the board and by the deal.” — Abe Greenwald [34:33]
8. Hamas Internal Violence and Western Double Standards (34:33–38:20)
- Western intellectuals’ muted response to Hamas brutality against other Palestinians after Israel’s partial withdrawal.
- Prediction: Calls may arise for Israel to intervene on humanitarian grounds ("bigotry of Western intellectuals").
Quote:
“Who will publish the first op ed that says Israel has an obligation to go into Gaza City and interpose itself between Hamas and the Gazan tribes on human rights grounds? … I promise you that op ed is coming.” — John Podhoretz [34:33]
- Silence from prominent left-wing critics of Israel (“the Mehdi Hassans, the Hassan Pikers…”), showing selective outrage.
9. American Political Landscape: Anti-Semitism and Israel (38:20–52:57)
- Rise of anti-Semitic primary challenges emerging in the Democratic Party (e.g. Maine Senate race, Zoran Mamdani in NY).
- Analogy to Tea Party tactics, but now fixated on Israel/Jews, not domestic policy.
- Discussion of the “mainstreaming” of classical anti-Semitic tropes (e.g. “Jewish power,” AIPAC conspiracies).
- Recent polling: Most American Jews do not feel Trump is trustworthy or a true friend, even as they acknowledge GOP is more pro-Israel.
- “Jewish vote” increasingly fractured—issues of identity and priority.
Quote:
“If the line about Israel’s monstrosity goes on and remains this kind of fundraising juggernaut and passionate issue for Democratic primary voters, then it’s just about Jews. Jews have too much power in America.” — John Podhoretz [44:21]
10. The Nature of Jewish Political Identity in America (47:43–52:00)
- Comparison to Catholic vote: American Jewish identity and voting are divergent—many Jews are disengaged from Israel and Jewish communal life.
- Analysis that support for Israel is becoming less relevant to Jewish voting patterns, which skew toward liberal/Democratic concerns except in moments of existential crisis.
11. Anti-Semitism on the Left and Right: Telegram Group Chat Scandal (52:57–67:03)
- Discussion of a massive leaked group chat of “Young Republicans” containing anti-Semitic, racist, sexist, and homophobic content.
- The response by politicians (notably J.D. Vance) was insufficient or dismissive; minimizing it as “kids telling dumb jokes,” even when many participants were adults.
- Broader point: Both the right and left fail to police hatred on their own sides—either dismissing, minimizing, or invoking hypocrisy when caught out.
- Difficulty of drawing lines between legitimate speech, “edgy” talk, and what should disqualify someone from leadership or public employment.
Quote:
“It’s not cancel culture to say that this, this is outside the boundary of what we deem to be acceptable in relation to us. You are perfectly free to say anything you want to in a group chat. We are not obliged to employ you...” — John Podhoretz [70:46]
Quote:
“When you take on the leadership of a political [movement]... you have to leave Farrakhan behind. That’s the difference.” — Seth Mandel [69:00 approx.]
12. Cancel Culture, Speech Boundaries, and Radicalization (70:46–74:28)
- Reflection on how “cancel culture” radicalized some, pushed bigotry underground, and when the boundaries loosened, released a wave of hate and incivility.
- Classic “Mitch McConnell–Harry Reid–Filibuster” analogy for opening Pandora’s Box: unintended long-term consequences (73:55).
- Closing recommendation: a brief, unrelated movie plug for “Roofman” starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst.
Memorable Quotes and Attributed Moments
-
On Trump’s transformation:
“He began to talk about what happened on October 7th to the Israelis who were massacred and who were hunted down in very, very, very graphic detail... apparently it had an enormous effect on him because he could not stop talking about it.”
— John Podhoretz [28:49] -
On peace and pressure:
“He is not making a fetish out of the peace... He’s the one who’s saying, ‘I’ll make Bibi go back in to get the rest of the remains if Hamas doesn’t make that evident.’”
— John Podhoretz [23:23] -
On Hamas and returning the bodies:
"It’s a game when you have no game left.”
— John Podhoretz [13:08–16:24] -
On the new basis of anti-Zionism:
“The issue isn’t foreign policy. The issue is Jews...”
— Seth Mandel [52:00–52:57] -
On the political shift:
“If the line about Israel’s monstrosity goes on and remains this kind of fundraising juggernaut and passionate issue for Democratic primary voters, then it’s just about Jews.”
— John Podhoretz [44:21] -
On cancel culture and boundaries:
“It’s not cancel culture to say that this, this is outside the boundary of what we deem to be acceptable in relation to us.”
— John Podhoretz [70:46]
Timestamps for Notable Segments
- Jewish Holiday Reflections: 00:21–07:39
- Hostage Rescue and Aftermath: 07:39–13:08
- Hamas, Peace Deal, and Trump’s Reaction: 13:08–24:44
- Trump’s Personal Impact and Shifted Policy: 27:50–32:12
- Western Responses and Double Standards: 34:33–38:20
- Anti-Semitism and U.S. Political Shifts: 38:20–52:57
- Telegram Group/Right-Wing Scandal: 52:57–67:03
- Cancel Culture and Speech Boundaries: 70:46–74:28
Tone
The conversation is serious, analytical, and at times urgent, reflecting the panelists’ concern for both Israel and American Jewish life, as well as their disdain for hypocrisy and bigotry across the spectrum. The panel mixes reporting, anecdote, cultural reference, and political theory in a candid, conversational tone.
Conclusion
This episode offers an in-depth analysis of the shifting Middle East peace landscape, the surprising forcefulness of Trump’s pro-Israel posture, and the troubling normalization of anti-Semitism in public and political life. The hosts contextualize both current events and their implications for the Jewish American community, U.S.-Israel relations, and broader issues of identity, culture, and politics.