The Josh Hammer Show
Episode: The Shadow War Against President Trump
Date: March 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Newsweek’s Senior Editor-at-Large Josh Hammer tackles the escalating "shadow war" said to be waged against President Trump and his MAGA coalition—both within conservative media and inside the current administration. He breaks down how rival factions, leaks, and personal ambitions are fueling conflicts on the American Right. Later, Hammer interviews Sebastian Lai, son of imprisoned Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, exploring the Chinese Communist Party's crackdown on press freedom and American foreign policy’s moral obligations. The episode closes with commentary on unfolding protests in Cuba, the precarious DHS shutdown, and the broader implications for national security.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. The “Shadow War” Against President Trump (00:36–18:32)

The Fissures Within the Right

• Hammer identifies a coordinated campaign against Trump from both “peripheral” podcaster figures (such as Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes, and Megyn Kelly) and actors inside the federal government—a “shadow war” undermining the MAGA agenda.
• Concern that internal Republican divisions ("political suicide") endanger any chance of winning swing voters:

  "Who in the world wants to vote for a party that is playing footsie with people like Nazis and racists?" – Josh Hammer (02:51)

Tucker Carlson and Surveillance Claims (03:00–05:47)

• Tucker Carlson alleged in a recent video that the CIA is monitoring his communications, which Hammer disputes, suggesting NSA oversight, likely leaked for political purposes.
• Hammer theorizes the leak linking Carlson to Iranian regime contacts was likely orchestrated by Tulsi Gabbard, current DNI head, due to her ideological ties and possible 2028 presidential ambitions.
• Gabbard’s foreign policy history, including meeting Syria’s Assad and her Russophilic views, are cited as problematic and "very much in this Russophilic orbit." (05:00)

Personnel Moves and Administrative Infighting (06:58–12:03)

• Dan Caldwell hired by Gabbard to DNI after being ousted from the Pentagon for leaking (“Signalgate”)—interpreted by Hammer as a “middle finger” to Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
• Joe Kent, another top Gabbard deputy and described “Tuckerite,” resigns with a public letter blaming Trump for “an unnecessary war in Iran” driven by Israeli pressure and “the American lobby.” Hammer calls the letter “disgusting resignation letter” (09:57) and decries Kent as a prolific leaker.

Hammer’s Theory: What’s at Stake?

• Hammer posits this shadow war aims to fracture or ultimately replace the MAGA movement, setting up self-serving narratives for future presidential runs, especially for figures like Tucker Carlson and possibly Tulsi Gabbard.

  “The goal is to destroy MAGA, whether it's from without… or from within—the office of the DNI and various other actors here.” (15:27)

• Predictions that Gabbard may face resignation or firing as intra-administration strife spills out in public hires and leaks.

  “The fact that she publicly hired Dan Caldwell after Caldwell was just fired by Hegseth last year makes it less of a shadow war and pretty much more of just a naked out in the open war...” (17:59)

On the Iran Conflict

• Hammer asserts U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran are succeeding, dismissing accusations of an “endless war.”
• Calls for Trump to clearly articulate U.S. objectives and to “finish the job” rather than stop short, warning:

  “You don't start wars unless you intend to finish those wars. This is a tale as old as time.” (21:42)

• Massive damage has been inflicted on Iranian regime targets, per Hammer.

2. Interview: Sebastian Lai on Hong Kong & Jimmy Lai’s Plight (24:06–33:15)

Background of Jimmy Lai’s Detention (24:45–26:35)

• Sebastian recounts his father’s prosecution for pro-democracy journalism, including being held five years in solitary confinement and now sentenced to 20 years under National Security Law.

  "When [Lai] was given the opportunity to leave at 72... he decided to stay and defend his colleagues... For his act of bravery... he's now being tortured." – Sebastian Lai (25:25)

• Details the inhumane prison conditions: Lai's failing health, teeth and nails deteriorating, and the broader suppression of Hong Kong freedoms.

What Can Be Done? (26:46–28:25)

• Sebastian thanks President Trump for voicing support, emphasizes the urgency due to his father’s age and health, and urges the U.S. to keep international attention high.

The Erosion of Hong Kong’s Autonomy (29:22–31:25)

• Predicts Hong Kong will become “indistinguishable from Beijing, Shanghai” amid deepening repression, loss of basic freedoms, and abuses of legal process (e.g., "no jury, three government-appointed judges... torturing witnesses").

  “It's a city that lives in lie... It's an incredibly heartbreaking thing to see.” – Sebastian Lai (31:23)

Why Americans Should Care (31:47–32:54)

• Sebastian: America’s tradition is “to be united against tyranny, united for democracy and goodness.” U.S. advocacy for his father’s release would send a strong signal globally.

3. Commentary: Freedom, Foreign Policy, and Threats at Home (33:21–43:15)

Reflections on Freedom (33:21–35:18)

• Hammer warns Americans not to take freedoms for granted and contrasts U.S. rights to growing censorship and draconian laws abroad and in Western countries like the UK.

  “Freedom is not free. We think of it as free. We oftentimes just take it totally for granted, especially here in the United States.” (33:39)

Cuba: Protests and U.S. Leverage (35:18–39:26)

• Reports on large-scale protests and widespread power outages in Cuba amid ongoing repression and regime collapse:

  “For most people across the deeply impoverished island of Cuba, the lights literally did not come on.” (37:20)

• Plays Trump’s characteristically brash answer about “taking Cuba” (37:44–38:08):

  Trump: "I think I could do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth? They're a very weakened nation." (37:53)

• Hammer touts Trump’s record as a consequential foreign policy president, connecting past achievements (ISIS, Abraham Accords) with present crises in Iran, Venezuela, and potentially Cuba.

DHS/TSA Shutdown Domestic Crisis (40:01–43:11)

• Raises alarms about a partial shutdown of DHS/airports, blaming Senate Democrats for stalling security funding legislation.

  “I can't recall a time when the possibility of literally shutting down airports was ever discussed as something that could viably, legitimately happen. This is absolutely nuts.” (41:12)

• Urges listeners to pressure senators to pass the SAVE act to restore DHS/airport operations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the shadow war:

  “This is a huge middle finger, huge middle finger to Pete Hegseth. It is a huge middle finger to Donald Trump, the Commander in Chief himself.” – Josh Hammer (08:57)

• On Trump’s foreign policy critics:

  “They're melting down. They're publicly melting down. That's why Megyn Kelly has this bizarre anatomical fixation with a rather private part of Mark Levin's anatomy. That is why Tucker is doing this self-aggrandizing stunt about the CIA surveilling him.” – Josh Hammer (18:35)

• Sebastian Lai on Hong Kong:

  "This is a place that will send 500 police officers to raid a newspaper and then turn around and say we still have press freedom... It's a city that lives in lie..." – Sebastian Lai (30:56)

• On the fragility of American freedom:

  “Freedom is not free... this country... has been going on for a very, very long time. And with time... you run the risk of just simply being satiated and just not thinking about what it is that you are actually exercising on a daily basis.” – Josh Hammer (33:39)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:36 – Introduction to the shadow war theme; MAGA right-wing infighting outlined
• 03:00 – Tucker Carlson’s surveillance claim discussed; speculation on leaks
• 06:58 – Dan Caldwell’s hiring and Signalgate controversy
• 09:57 – Joe Kent’s resignation and the anti-Trump letter
• 15:25 – Hammer articulates the “ultimate goal” of MAGA’s rivals
• 17:59 – Analysis of Tulsi Gabbard’s future and the public nature of the intra-administration conflict
• 24:06 – Sebastian Lai interview segment begins
• 25:25 – Sebastian describes Jimmy Lai’s ordeal and prison conditions
• 29:22 – Sebastian’s outlook for Hong Kong's future
• 31:47 – Why Americans should care about foreign dissidents
• 35:18 – Reflection on the price of freedom and legal repression abroad
• 37:44 – Clip of Trump discussing Cuba (“I could do anything I want with it…”)
• 40:01 – DHS shutdown implications; TSA risks; pressure for legislative action

Tone and Language

The episode features Hammer’s signature combative, irreverent rhetoric—blending dire warnings with sarcasm, sharp critiques, and inside commentary on conservative politics. Interviews and emotional topics (Hong Kong) are approached with gravity and personal empathy, providing a balance to the otherwise blistering and polemical delivery.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers listeners a comprehensive, if partisan, breakdown of current power struggles within the American Right, as well as insight into authoritarian threats abroad. It mixes high-stakes political intrigue with appeals to fundamental freedoms, making the episode relevant for both political junkies and those concerned with international human rights.