The Josh Hammer Show – Episode Summary

Episode Title: John Thune Is Lying to You About the SAVE America Act
Date: March 11, 2026
Host: Josh Hammer
Main Guest: Ellie Cohanim, former US Deputy Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism

Episode Overview

In this episode, Newsweek Senior Editor-at-Large Josh Hammer dissects urgent issues at the intersection of American politics, legislative power struggles, and global conflict. The episode zeroes in on mounting tensions around the “SAVE America Act”—Republicans' flagship election integrity bill—in the US Senate, and the crucial role of Senate Republican leadership, particularly John Thune, who Hammer accuses of misleading both colleagues and the public about the bill’s fate.
Simultaneously, Hammer and guest Ellie Cohanim deliver firsthand insights on the ongoing American-Israeli military campaign against Iran, exploring the humanitarian and strategic stakes for both US interests and the Iranian people.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The SAVE America Act: Legislative Standoff

• Act Overview:
  The SAVE America Act (formerly “SAVE Act”) is pitched by Republicans as the main vehicle for election integrity:
  • Requires universal voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote.
  • Attempts to sharply restrict mail-in ballots (except for military, illness, disability).
• House Passage:
  • Cleared House in February with a near-party-line 218-213 vote.
• Senate Impasse:
  • Hammer: “It is stalled in the Senate, and that is where we currently pick up our tale.” [02:13]
  • Main target of criticism: Senate Republican leader John Thune, cast as the stumbling block.

Hammer’s Accusations Against John Thune [03:35–07:32]

• Thune “Lying” About Filibuster Workarounds:
  • “John Thune in particular…is lying to his fellow caucus members. He is lying to the people. He is lying to his own party. And frankly, now he’s actually lying also to President Donald J. Trump himself.” [03:42]
  • Claims the rules allow a “talking filibuster”—if Democrats are forced to talk until exhaustion, the bill could advance with a simple majority.

Thune Responds: “It’s About the Math” [Clip 1, 06:41–07:32]

• Thune: “We don’t have the votes either to proceed, get on a talking filibuster nor to sustain one if we got on it. But that’s just—that is just a function of math and there isn’t anything I can do about that.” [06:41]
• Hammer rebuts: “Your caucus has a 53–47 majority…you probably could get this thing passed.” [07:32]

Internal GOP Drama & Primary Pressure

• John Cornyn Flips:
  • Cornyn, facing a tough Texas primary, publicly challenges Thune—writes op-ed urging use of the talking filibuster. [09:18]
  • “A primary challenge actually can push people to do the right thing. Who would have thought?” [10:52]
• Public Endorsement & Trump’s Stance:
  • Trump threatens to block all other legislation until the act passes, urging, “Go for the gold, must show voter ID and proof of citizenship, no mail in ballots except for military, illness, disability.” [04:53]

Public Support for Voter ID

• 83% (Pew) to 84% (Gallup) of Americans favor voter ID requirements. Hammer cites this as overwhelming evidence the legislation is popular across party lines. [12:45]

2. Operation Epic Fury: US-Israeli Campaign Against Iran

• Military Update:

  • Operation “Epic Fury” continues with “staggering military success” against Iran.
  • Hammer: “There are very few remaining targets when it comes to actual maritime vessels…the Iranian navy is not really floating...they’re at the bottom of the ocean.” [14:25]
  • Air campaign has “crippled” Iran’s military infrastructure; reports indicate Khamenei's son (alleged new leader) is badly injured but alive.

• Humanitarian and Political Stakes:

  • Reza Pahlavi (exiled crown prince) releases video urging Iranians to “secure essential provisions…withdraw from the streets…await my final call.” [18:52]
  • Discussion of ways US/Israel aim to “soften the ground” for a people’s uprising against the regime.

3. Interview: Ellie Cohanim on the War and Iran’s Future [23:54–32:48]

Personal Perspective on the Regime

• Cohanim recounts her family’s escape from Iran post-1979 revolution, her sense of loss at the regime’s destruction of the “golden era” of rights and prosperity.
• “For 47 years they have now terrorized the country, the region and the world.…” [24:15]

Prospects for Regime Change

• Hammer: “From an America First, American national interest perspective, there are some regimes that act in a manner…hostile to the American national interest. It’d be very difficult to think of a regime that has more consistently done the latter…than the Iranian regime.” [25:13]
• Cohanim: US/Israel targeting regime’s “repression infrastructure” (e.g., Basij, police, IRGC pay system) to help Iranian people eventually rise up. [26:28]
• Hammer and Cohanim debate challenges:
  • Unarmed populace, fear of repeating Iraq’s sectarian chaos if populace is armed.
  • Possible internal defection likelier from “traditional” military (less ideological than IRGC). [27:45]
• On Reza Pahlavi as a potential leader:
  • “He’s the only figure Iranians trust because he’s not associated with the regime… But does he have any support on the ground? Does he have any forces?” [31:03]
  • Proven influence, but his leadership depends on gaining security/international support.

4. Energy Markets, Geopolitics & Media (34:13–end)

• Iran’s Leverage Over Oil Markets:
  • Hammer: “Iran…has the ability to hold the world’s energy markets hostage via control of the Strait of Hormuz.” [35:02]
  • “Would you prefer a nuclear-armed Iran…capable of shutting down 20% of the world’s oil…Are you kidding me?” [33:33]
• US Deterrence:
  • “US is now taking out lots and lots of mine layers…making sure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for the free flow of oil and natural gas.” [35:02]
• Media Critique:
  • Hammer lambasts mainstream outlets (CNN highlighted) for downplaying Iranian regime losses and distorting news (e.g., coverage of terror attack in NYC).
  • “The media just continues to just epically botch this.” [36:22]
• Audience Appeal:
  • “We hope that’s why you choose to cut through the fog…we’re just honored…that you’ve chosen us…” [39:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Senate Stalemate:
  • Hammer: “The main reason that it has been stalling in the Senate for weeks is that Senate Republican leadership is not being honest with you. They are lying to you.” [03:35]
• John Thune (on vote count):
  • “We don’t have the votes either to proceed, get on a talking filibuster nor to sustain one…that is just a function of math.” [06:41]
• Hammer’s Counter:
  • “The math is such that your caucus has a 53 to 47 majority…you probably could get this thing passed.” [07:32]
• Ellie Cohanim (on the regime):
  • “The regime…has redundant forces. They’ve got the IRGC, which is very ideological and very loyal, and then they’ve got the traditional military. If anyone would flip, more naturally, it would seem the military.” [27:45]
• Trump’s Public Ultimatum:
  • “I, as president, will not sign other bills until this is passed and not the watered-down version. Go for the gold, must show voter ID and proof of citizenship, no mail-in ballots except for military, illness, disability.” [04:53]
• On Reza Pahlavi:
  • “He’s the only figure that Iranians trust because he’s clearly not associated with the regime…he can be without a doubt a political leader who can help transition.” [31:03]

Important Timestamps

• SAVE America Act Background & Senate Standoff: 02:13–12:45
• Thune’s Response & GOP Crossfire: 06:41–10:52
• Trump’s Ultimatum: 04:53–05:45
• Ellie Cohanim Interview (Iranian uprising, regime change): 23:54–32:48
• Oil Markets & Iran’s Geopolitical Threat: 33:09–35:02
• Media Critique: 36:22–39:50
• Closing Reflections (Value of Time, Personal): 39:50–42:50

Tone & Style

• Hammer’s tone is direct, combative, and unapologetically partisan (“Pure uni party failure theater from Jonathan [Thune]…”).
• Throughout, there’s a through-line of urgency and a rallying cry to the conservative base to pressure Senate leadership and support bold action abroad.
• Interview segments with Ellie Cohanim inject a personal, historical dimension, blending policy analysis with lived experience.

Summary Takeaways

• SAVE America Act is a litmus test for the GOP’s seriousness on election security; intra-party divisions are as central as Democrat opposition.
• The fate of Iran’s regime, in Hammer's framing, is a test not just of US-Israeli military power but of Western resolve to promote freedom and effect regime change.
• Oil market disruptions and media narratives are both portrayed as battlegrounds in the struggle for American and global security.
• Memorable appeals to the audience underscore themes of agency, vigilance, and prioritizing “purpose” in civic and personal life.