What A Day: "The Trump Putin Breakup Explained" – Detailed Summary
In the July 16, 2025 episode of What A Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the intricate dynamics of former President Donald Trump's deteriorating relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and its profound implications on international conflicts, particularly the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Joined by Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama and co-host of Pod Save the World, the discussion offers a comprehensive analysis of current U.S. foreign policy challenges and their domestic repercussions.
1. The Trump-Putin Rift and Its Impact on the Ukraine War
The episode opens with Jane Coaston addressing the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting President Trump's initial promises to end the war swiftly. However, 00:02 Coaston points out that despite Trump's assurances, the war remains unresolved, attributing the prolonged conflict to Trump's approach to Russia.
Donald Trump confidently asserts at 01:22, “This is Biden's war. I'm just trying to end it because we're saving a lot of lives,” shifting the blame for the war's continuation onto his successor, President Joe Biden.
Coaston contrasts this with Trump’s earlier stance on Putin. In May, Trump expressed discontent with Putin’s actions:
Donald Trump remarks at 01:49, “I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people. And I don't like it at all. Okay?”
Fast forward to July, Trump’s tone shifts dramatically. During a press conference, he mentions a conversation with Putin through the First Lady:
Donald Trump states at 02:19, “We had a wonderful conversation. She said, oh, really? Another city was just hit.”
Despite multiple phone calls with Putin, Russia has intensified its military aggression, exemplified by a massive aerial bombardment on southwestern Ukraine, launching hundreds of drones and missiles in a single day.
2. Interview with Ben Rhodes: Analyzing the Foreign Policy Failures
Jane Coaston transitions into an in-depth conversation with Ben Rhodes 03:28 to dissect the ramifications of Trump's foreign policy decisions:
Jane Coaston: "Trump has done a 180 degree turn from the way he's talked about Ukraine and Russia. Is this a good thing? Was this inevitable?"
Ben Rhodes responds candidly 03:50, “Yeah, I think it was inevitable. Trump is the only person in the world who seems to have been surprised by the fact that Vladimir Putin lied to him.”
Rhodes criticizes Trump's inconsistent policies, noting that Trump's recent support for Ukraine mirrors initiatives already underway from the Biden administration, lacking a coherent strategy 04:00.
He elaborates on how Trump's initial attempts at appeasement have backfired, emboldening Putin to escalate the conflict:
Ben Rhodes: “If you're Putin, you're carrying out this war of attrition. Then Trump humiliated Zelensky in the Oval Office. The Ukrainians are feeling vulnerable. What do you do? You press your advantage.”
Rhodes asserts that Trump's policies have left Ukraine in a precarious position, diminishing their ability to negotiate effectively and thereby prolonging the war 05:00.
3. The Stalemate in Gaza: Ceasefire Negotiations Falter
The conversation shifts to the Gaza conflict, where ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas show no progress despite high-profile interventions, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington.
Rhodes identifies the core issue hindering peace efforts:
Ben Rhodes: “Hamas... needs to end the war. The US and Israeli position is to release hostages and then resume the war.”
He criticizes the lack of genuine commitment to peace, highlighting Israel's plans to relocate Gazans to camps, which undermines broader ceasefire objectives 08:17.
4. State Department Cuts and Reductions in Foreign Aid
The episode also scrutinizes the Trump administration’s significant cuts to the U.S. State Department, resulting in over a thousand layoffs. Coaston and Rhodes discuss the detrimental effects these reductions have on American diplomatic efforts:
Ben Rhodes explains 10:48, “They eliminated any bureau that has any values proposition attached to it... China has a coherent strategy for being more present around the world, building relationships in places like Africa and Southeast Asia that we are retrenching from.”
Furthermore, the Senate is poised to consider an $8 billion cut to foreign aid. While the vital PEPFAR program combating HIV/AIDS abroad remains intact, Rhodes laments the Republican Party's shift away from values-based foreign policy:
Ben Rhodes: “Withdrawal of Republican support from PEPFAR tells you everything about the Republican Party... We have such short attention spans... if you take away PEPFAR funding, people will die.”
5. The Jeffrey Epstein Files Controversy in the House
Shifting focus to domestic politics, Coaston covers the contentious debate in the House regarding the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files. California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna criticized Republicans for opposing amendments that would compel the Justice Department to disclose documents related to the disgraced financier.
Mike Waltz, a Republican representative, responds 18:26, “This is a question of whose side are you on? Are you on the side of the people?... or are you on the side of the rich and powerful?”
The infighting within the Republican ranks is evident as some, like South Carolina's Ralph Norman, show unexpected support for releasing the files, hinting at internal divisions 19:25.
6. Trump Administration's Moves on Education and Immigration
Coaston highlights the Supreme Court's approval of the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education, leading to the termination of approximately 1,300 workers 20:29. President Trump emphasizes reducing federal oversight in education:
Donald Trump: “We want to bring education back to the states, take the federal government out of it... That's about all we need.”
Additionally, the administration is intensifying immigration enforcement by subpoenaing landlords for tenant information and attempting to deny bond hearings to undocumented immigrants, thereby extending their detention [21:XX](approx. 21:XX).
7. Mike Waltz’s Senate Confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to the UN
The episode concludes with Mike Waltz’s Senate confirmation hearing for the role of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Waltz acknowledges the need for UN reform while committing to veto anti-Israel resolutions 22:15.
Mike Waltz: “We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk, where China, Russia, Europe, the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts.”
However, his past controversies, including the infamous "Signalgate" scandal where sensitive war plans were inadvertently shared, cast a shadow over his nomination. When questioned about the mishap, Waltz dismissed the severity, claiming no disciplinary action was taken 22:52.
Conclusion
The episode provides a critical examination of Donald Trump's foreign policy strategies, highlighting the adverse effects of his fraught relationship with Vladimir Putin on global conflicts. Through Ben Rhodes' expert insights, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how Trump's actions have exacerbated wars in Ukraine and Gaza, undermined U.S. diplomatic efforts, and weakened America's stance against global adversaries like China. Additionally, domestic policy shifts, including cuts to foreign aid and controversial moves in education and immigration, underscore the broader implications of the Trump administration's approach. The discussion around Mike Waltz's Senate confirmation further illustrates the complexities and challenges within the current political landscape.
For those interested in further exploring the topics discussed, Ben Rhodes' show, Pod Save the World, offers weekly breakdowns of international stories and U.S. foreign policy developments. Listen to What A Day on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube for more insightful analyses.