The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Episode: Witkoff's Call, Mamdani's Transition
Date: November 26, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into two major stories: the controversy over Steve Witkoff's leaked phone call regarding the proposed Russia–Ukraine peace deal, and the political transition surrounding Zoran Mamdani’s incoming administration in New York City. The hosts, John Pothor, Eliana Johnson, and Abe Greenwald, analyze the substance and spectacle of diplomatic negotiations under Trump, the shifting U.S. stance on Ukraine and Russia, and the radical trajectory forecasted for New York under Mamdani. The discussions are cynical, sharp, and brimming with skepticism about both foreign and domestic political maneuvers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Steve Witkoff’s Leaked Call & the Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan

• Leaked Phone Call Dynamics (00:41–06:05)

  • Witkoff (Trump’s special envoy) is heard coaching his Russian counterpart on how to ingratiate himself with Trump, including flattering him about other deals ("Tell him, great job on the Israel deal…").
  • There’s confusion about whether Witkoff was colluding with Russia to draft a “take it or leave it” peace plan to be imposed on Ukraine.
  • John Pothor finds the revelations “pretty underwhelming” as they offer little more than insights into Trump’s need for flattery.

    “I was very amused by Witkoff sharing the explosive state secret of how to… persuade Trump.” — John (04:07)

  • The call took place ahead of Zelensky’s White House visit, and appears designed to create positive optics for a Trump–Putin conversation before engaging Ukraine.

• Superficiality of U.S. Negotiations (06:05–07:15)

  • Abe observes that the focus is all on appearances, not substance:

    “It’s just all showbiz. Like Witkoff isn’t there talking issues at all. He’s almost like coaching how to appear on camera. You know, he’s the sort of Trump showrunner guy or something.” — Abe (06:05)

  • The tendency is to prioritize stagecraft and media narratives over solving hard diplomatic issues.

• Problems with the Proposed Deal (07:15–12:55)

  • The plan, leaked to Axios, included outrageous provisions like capping the Ukrainian army at 600,000 and ceding all of Donetsk—even territories not under Russian control.
  • Eliana deems the agreement “absolutely demented,” highlighting how U.S. negotiators seemed to let Russia write its own wish-list:

    “If Witkoff were a really good negotiator, he would have said, oh come on, forget that.” — Eliana (07:47)

  • Confusion within the administration is exemplified by Senator Rubio’s contradictory remarks about the negotiation documents’ authenticity.

• Ukraine’s Calculations and Trump’s Response (12:55–18:21)

  • Ukraine seems eager to fast-track a deal, possibly banking on Russia rejecting terms—thereby shifting blame their direction.
  • Trump’s pattern: he both threatens Russia and then softens, leading to erratic diplomatic moves.

2. Trump’s Strategic Logic and Internal GOP Pressures

• Contradictory U.S. Actions (12:55–13:45)

  • Despite tough sanctions and arms deals with Ukraine, the administration’s peace overtures appear weak and inconsistent.

• Domestic Political Games (13:45–16:32)

  • Eliana argues some in the administration are more loyal to the “isolationist right” (she singles out “J.D. Vance”) than to U.S. interests, seeking to deliver a loss for Ukraine to satisfy a niche but vocal GOP faction.
  • Ukraine has become a convenient political football for the right-wing podcast and media crowd, less an issue for most voters.

• Trump’s Approach to Negotiation (16:32–18:21)

  • Trump’s history of abandoning deals if he finds them unfavorable is cited.
  • The desire to “say he ended yet another war” is strong, but so is Trump’s distaste for looking foolish or being outmaneuvered—especially by Putin.

3. Putin’s Long Game vs. Trump’s Short-Termism

• Assessment of Putin’s Motives (18:21–28:03)

  • Panel debates why Putin continues the war despite mounting costs; speculation centers on Russian imperial ideology and national mythology (“Novo Rossia”).
  • Trump’s inability to grasp or care about such deep-seated motives is contrasted with Putin’s centuries-deep vision.

• The Issue of Bad Faith Negotiators (24:19–26:28)

  • Eliana draws parallels between negotiating with Hamas and Russia—both are seen as fundamentally untrustworthy.
  • The U.S. is “Lucy with the football,” constantly dragged into unwinnable, performative process by bad-faith actors.

4. Zoran Mamdani’s Transition in New York City

• Concerns over Transition Team and Policy Direction (28:38–37:05)

  • Mamdani is retaining a tough-on-crime police commissioner but packing his transition team with radical activists, such as Alex Vitale (author of "The End of Policing"), Tameka Mallory, and others with anti-Israel, anti-police, and far-left credentials.

    “[His] transition team is quite literally appalling and a rogues gallery of the, some of the worst people in the country.” — John (33:23)

  • There are worries about imminent conflict between Mamdani’s radicals and the established police leadership, as well as anticipation of intense anti-Israel activism.

• Potential Clashes with Albany and State Politics (37:05–41:30)

  • Mamdani’s agenda (free busing, left-wing social programs) would need buy-in from Albany, setting up likely confrontations with Governor Hochul.
  • The discussion explores whether Hochul will feel more pressured by Mamdani’s left or by likely Republican challengers in 2026.

5. The Politics of Free Busing and Urban Policy

• Free Bus Fares and the Homelessness Debate (44:08–46:45)
  • Panel argues that making buses free, despite fare evasion already being common, will further incentivize use of buses by the homeless, turning them into makeshift shelters—a negative for regular riders.

    “You turn the buses into traveling homeless shelters, which is what the subways are… If a smelly, disgusting homeless guy is lying in a car… you can jump out of the [subway] car and get into the next one… If such a person gets on your bus, you are trapped.” — Eliana (44:18)

6. Media & Culture Moment: ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Recommendation

• Documentary Review and Policing (46:46–53:11)
  • John strongly recommends the Netflix documentary “The Perfect Neighbor,” initially meant to critique Florida’s Stand Your Ground laws, but which instead documents the professionalism of Ocala, FL police through body-cam footage.

    “They are calm, they are contained, they are controlled… They do not lose their temper with anybody… And it enrages me to think of the way in which the reputations of America’s police forces have been dragged through the mud by the Mamdanis and the Alex Vitales…” — John (46:46–49:51)

  • The film ironically undercuts its ideological premise by showcasing the police’s restraint and professionalism.
  • John closes with a Thanksgiving greeting, previewing the next show.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Witkoff’s “secret” advice to Russia:
  “I don’t think Putin would have ever figured that out if Witkoff had not shared this top secret intel with the Russians.” — John (04:07)

• On the performativity of negotiations:
  “It’s just all showbiz… pure surface.” — Abe (06:05)

• On the lopsided Ukraine deal:
  “If Witkoff were a really good negotiator… Like, this agreement forces the Ukrainian army to be no more than 600,000 people. I mean, what are you, what are you kidding me?” — Eliana (07:47)

• On Trump’s approach to dealmaking:
  “Trump is somebody who walks away from deals when he decides they stink.” — Eliana (16:32)

• On Putin’s motives:
  “There’s this whole world of the Russian Putin intellectual elite inventing this counter history… It’s a… kind of sickness in his brain and in his following…” — Eliana (28:03)

• On Mamdani’s transition team:
  “His transition team is quite literally appalling and a rogues gallery of… some of the worst people in the country.” — John (33:23)

• On buses as shelters:
  “You turn the buses into traveling homeless shelters, which is what the subways are… If a smelly, disgusting homeless guy is lying in a car… you can jump out of the car… If such a person gets on your bus, you are trapped.” — Eliana (44:18)

• On police professionalism (documentary review):
  “They are calm, they are contained, they are controlled… It enrages me to think of the way in which the reputations of America’s police forces have been dragged through the mud…” — John (49:46)

Important Timestamps

• 00:41: Opening of Witkoff call discussion / peace plan controversy
• 04:07: Witkoff’s advice to Russians (“flatter Trump”)
• 06:05: Media spectacle vs. substance in U.S. diplomacy
• 07:15: The “demented” points in the draft Ukraine deal
• 12:55: U.S. sanctions on Russia and conflicting approaches
• 13:45: Domestic U.S. political calculations influencing Ukraine policy
• 16:32: Trump’s pattern of walking away from bad deals
• 18:21: Putin’s long view, Trump’s eye on legacy
• 28:38: Transition to Mamdani’s NYC transition team and policies
• 33:23–36:28: Deep dive on transition team membership and radicalism
• 41:30: Hochul’s political dilemma
• 44:08: NYC buses as de facto shelters if fares go to zero
• 46:46: Recommendation and review: ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ documentary

Tone

• Cynical, sharp, and skeptical: The conversation is forthright, often sardonic, and unfiltered.
• Engaged and combative: Especially on the topics of political radicalism and foreign policy naivete.
• Details and asides: The hosts provide granular analysis, bring in historical analogies, and don’t shy from blunt appraisals.

This summary delivers an in-depth orientation to the episode’s major arguments, themes, and moments, offering enough detail and context for listeners (or readers) to understand the stakes, controversies, and the podcast’s distinctive voice.