Summary of "Why Is Trump Still Holding Rallies?" – The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Episode Information:
- Title: The Commentary Magazine Podcast
- Host/Author: Commentary Magazine
- Episode Title: Why Is Trump Still Holding Rallies?
- Release Date: January 24, 2025
1. Introduction to the Episode and Main Topic
The episode opens with John Podhoretz welcoming listeners to the Commentary Magazine Daily Podcast. He introduces himself as the editor of Commentary Magazine and mentions the availability of their daily newsletter curated by Abe Greenwald. The primary focus of the episode is to analyze why former President Donald Trump continues to hold rallies despite being in a lame-duck status at the end of his second term.
Notable Quote:
John Podhoretz [00:04]: "Hope for the best. Expect the worst."
2. Trump's Rallies: Purpose and Strategy
John Podhoretz delves into Trump's recent activities, highlighting his surveys of disaster sites in North Carolina and LA, followed by a planned rally in Las Vegas. He debates the political astuteness of Trump conducting rallies post-presidency, suggesting it helps maintain his connection with his enthusiastic base. Podhoretz posits that as a lame-duck president, Trump needs to keep his prominence to influence his party's future.
Notable Quotes:
John Podhoretz [03:05]: "Trump rallies and Trump's reminder to Washington and to the media and others that he still has a connection to the electorate that brought him in... is not only negative... but that connection is real and personal because he's a lame duck."
Abe Greenwald [04:33]: Discusses historical parallels with President James K. Polk's assertive strategies to expand the nation, comparing it to Trump's preference for rallies and publicity over governance.
3. Historical Comparisons: Trump vs. Polk vs. Reagan
The hosts draw parallels between Trump's tactics and those of past presidents like James K. Polk and Ronald Reagan. Abe Greenwald emphasizes Polk's decisive expansionist policies, contrasting them with Trump's penchant for theatrics and rallies. John Podhoretz further compares Reagan's selective communication strategy, which created impactful presidential moments, to Trump's constant media presence that demystifies the presidency.
Notable Quotes:
Abe Greenwald [04:33]: "He did what Jackson couldn't do because he was all intensity and all of that stuff."
John Podhoretz [09:20]: "Obama really broke that model by doing media, different kinds of media... And then Trump completely obliterated it by being immensely present."
4. Relationship with Future Politicians: J.D. Vance and Legacy
Chris Stirewalt introduces the topic of J.D. Vance, a potential future presidential candidate, and his interaction with Trump in the Oval Office. The discussion centers on whether Trump's endorsement and mentorship of Vance will help preserve the MAGA legacy or if Trump's own diminishing influence as a lame-duck will undermine it.
Notable Quotes:
Chris Stirewalt [07:02]: "Trump was leading him into, I mean, it will become, I would assume, if J.D. Vance runs for president one day, a little snippet in his campaign video."
John Podhoretz [08:27]: "He is going to need to keep that in the forefront of people's minds... so he is going to need to keep that in the forefront of people's minds."
5. Democratic Party's Internal Struggles and Messaging
Christine Rosen and Abe Greenwald critique the Democratic Party's current struggles, emphasizing their inability to effectively counter Trump's strategies. They discuss the Democrats' reliance on social psychologists to manage communication styles, suggesting a disconnect from the grassroots and ordinary voters. The conversation highlights the Democrats' focus on academic and elite perspectives rather than addressing concrete policy issues that resonate with the electorate.
Notable Quotes:
Christine Rosen [09:20]: "Trump treats this term in large part as one long victory lap... He keeps his finger in the face of his enemies the entire time."
John Podhoretz [22:37]: Discusses a Punchbowl News article illustrating Democrats' internal crisis and their preparation for a "Trump era."
6. Media's Role and Suppression of Stories (Hunter Biden Laptop)
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing the mainstream media's handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story. The hosts argue that media outlets like Politico and the New York Times suppressed the story, which could have influenced the 2020 election. They compare it to past incidents where media suppression backfired, inadvertently amplifying the suppressed information.
Notable Quotes:
John Podhoretz [54:45]: "Politico was purchased by a German concern, Axel Springer... They imagined itself to be this powerful... but Politico ended up being what a powerless entity to the Democratic Party, toadying."
Christine Rosen [57:08]: "Trump's claims no longer offend me in that way."
Abe Greenwald [64:35]: "The Hunter Biden laptop story came out long enough before the election that the CEO of Twitter was called to Congress to testify about muting the tweet from the New York Post."
7. Language and Rhetoric in Political Strategy
The discussion touches on the strategic use of language in politics. Abe Greenwald criticizes both political sides for their obsession with terminology—left with terms like "Latinx" and right with efforts to rename geographical features (e.g., Gulf of America). The hosts argue that Trump’s straightforward and unembellished language contrasts with the left’s manipulative linguistic strategies, reinforcing his authentic connection with his base.
Notable Quotes:
Christine Rosen [30:03]: "The left changes the language. The left says these, use these words, you'll change these thoughts."
John Podhoretz [33:05]: Discusses Trump's attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America as a political maneuver.
8. Views on Media Influence and Gatekeeping
Abe Greenwald and the other hosts express skepticism about the continuing power of mainstream media. They argue that media has transitioned from gatekeepers to niche providers, losing their centralized influence. This shift, coupled with the rise of fragmented media consumption, is seen as diminishing the traditional media's ability to shape public narratives effectively.
Notable Quotes:
Abe Greenwald [68:00]: "We have to get to the point where people, am I a mainstream media journalist? Yeah, I guess... I don't think there is a mainstream anymore. I think all media is niche media."
John Podhoretz [68:26]: "The power, the imagined power that these institutions have is dramatically less than they think it is."
9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As the podcast wraps up, the hosts reflect on the enduring impact of Trump's political strategies and the media's role in shaping public perception. They emphasize the importance of effective policy over rhetorical maneuvers and caution against the pitfalls of media suppression and elite-driven narratives. John Podhoretz underscores the necessity for politicians to focus on "doing the right thing" rather than getting bogged down in language battles.
Notable Quotes:
John Podhoretz [70:13]: "If you think that this does not reveal that the, one of the two most important news organizations in Washington was not putting its finger on the scale to try to get Joe Biden elected is now it's incontrovertible."
Abe Greenwald [68:26]: "The gatekeeping phase is over. We're done with the gatekeeping phase. There's no more gatekeeping. It all comes out. Everything comes out eventually."
John Podhoretz [70:48]: "It's [the Commentary podcast] how much I love the commentary podcast."
Key Takeaways:
- Trump's Rallies: Serve as a strategic tool to maintain his influence and connection with his base during his lame-duck term.
- Historical Parallels: Comparisons to Polk and Reagan highlight different presidential communication and governance styles.
- Democratic Struggles: Internal issues and elite-focused strategies hinder the Democrats' ability to counter Trump's influence effectively.
- Media Critique: Mainstream media's suppression of critical stories like the Hunter Biden laptop may have inadvertently strengthened Trump's narrative.
- Language Battles: Both political sides manipulate language, but Trump's straightforward approach resonates better with his supporters.
- Evolving Media Landscape: The decline of mainstream media gatekeeping shifts power dynamics, leading to more fragmented and niche media consumption.
- Policy Over Rhetoric: The importance of implementing effective policies over engaging in linguistic and rhetorical battles is emphasized for political success.
Conclusion: This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of Donald Trump's continued rallies within the broader context of American political dynamics. Through historical comparisons, media critiques, and discussions on party strategies, the hosts offer insightful perspectives on how Trump's actions may shape his legacy and influence future political landscapes.