The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Today's podcast takes up Zohran Mamdani's spokesman's appalling declaration that a meeting inside a synagogue about how to move to Israel was a violation of international law—in effect justifying an anti-Semitic demonstration outside it. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 21 November 2025

As a genocidal protest breaks out in front of an Orthodox synagogue in New York City, elsewhere in the cultural capital, a books-awards group hands out garlands to explicitly anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic work. This continues a trend that is alienating readers and movie audiences and others—the wild politicization of forms of education and entertainment. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2025

We talk about the remarkable new relationship developing between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the remarkable developing hostility between the U.S. and Venezuela, and the remarkable breakup journalism of Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 19 November 2025

James B. Meigs joins us to talk about how scared, or not, we should be by AI. Also: What gives with NASA? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 18 November 2025

James Kirchick joins the podcast to discuss his new COMMENTARY article, "Neither American nor Conservative," about the isolationists of the American Conservative throwing a tantrum over Donald Trump's muscular support for Israel. And what does it mean that the Heritage Foundation board member Robert P. George just resigned? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 17 November 2025

Today's podcast notes eerily similar stories in the New York Times and the Washington Post on Trump's supposed troubles with MAGA—leading us to ask, is there such a thing as MAGA without Trump or independent from Trump? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 14 November 2025

With the shutdown over, it's time to ask the question: What do Democrats actually want? We can't quite figure it out but we try. Also, Epstein. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Published: 13 November 2025

Late-breaking news of communications relating to Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump provide us with a chance to talk about conspiracy theories and how Trump's deployment of them is biting him now with the continued questions relating to the now-dead half-billionaire sex criminal. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025

Today's podcast begins with continuing fallout from the end of the shutdown before moving on to worrying signs that President Trump doesn't understand how he sounds when he talks about the economy—and what he could do to sound better. Also, we're supposed to feel sorry for Hamas murderers trapped in their own tunnels? Seriously? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025

The government shutdown appears to be reaching its end, and that's because eight non-Democratic senators have effectively agreed to the deal that Republicans put on the table before the shutdown began. What went on here? And why is Trump now offering 2 grand to taxpayers as a "tariff bonus"? And, most deliciously, we explore the collapse of the BBC senior leadership after an internal expose of their crimes against Trump, trans ideology, and Israel. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2025

The freakout online at the suggestion that maybe Gentiles working at the Heritage Foundation might want to eat a Shabbat dinner at the home of a Jewish person really gave the game away this week–and not in a good way. Is this a game that Jews should even attempt to play? And is there really any way for conservatives to "educate" or "coopt" those who have such hostility toward the Jewish people? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2025

Christine Rosen, Eli Lake, and I talk about the drama of yesterday's Heritage Foundation meeting, during which Kevin Roberts took another shot at apologizing and staffers in turn aired their outrage, support, and anti-Israel animus. And Christine and Eli make a bunch of Gen-X cultural references that I should get but don't. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

In yesterday's elections, the Republicans took what John calls both a thumping and a shellacking. Donald Trump wasn't on the ballot, but he was on voters' minds. What are the Republicans to do? And what does the election of Zohran Mamdani herald for the country? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2025

California, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City all have potentially game-changing elections today and we break them down rather than having a breakdown, which will probably come tomorrow, once the results are in. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

We welcome Eliana Johnson to the podcast as our new daily colleague following the departure of Matthew Continetti as we discuss the crisis at the Heritage Foundation and the behavior of its chief executive in defending Tucker Carlson after he literally turned his airwaves over to a modern-day Nazi. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2025

A farewell tribute to COMMENTARY podcast stalwart Matthew Continetti as he moves on to the Wall Street Journal to ply his wares. We reminisce, we say what we think we did right, and what we did wrong, and then Matt makes not one, not two, but three recommendations! Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2025

Donald Trump and Chinese premier Xi decided to back off their big fight and make concessions to each other for a year rather than end up in a full-scale trade war. The question: Did this aggressive move by Trump serve any real purpose? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2025

Today's podcast takes up a story you may not yet know about because the media aren't reporting on it: A blockbuster report from the House detailing the ways in which Joe Biden in 2024 and 2025 was not actually performing his presidential duties and his aides were. Also: since when is Hamas breaking a ceasefire supposed to be reported out as Israel breaking a ceasefire? Since now. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2025

Today we look at Donald Trump's trip to Asia and how he might approach Xi Jinping on trade. We also consider the public's perception of what tariffs are doing to prices and why Trump always needs to have a shadow hanging over his accomplishments. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2025

Today's podcast asks what Democrats might take away from next Tuesday's elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City—and how the political dilemmas they face are affecting the government shutdown. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2025

A conversation about how Donald Trump controls all news in this country morphs unexpectedly into a deep dive into large language models, uncanny valleys, AI, driverless cars, and everything scary about everything. Give a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2025

As the agonizing over the White House ballroom continues, we continue to analyze it. And what's up with Donald Trump's interest in Argentine beef?  Finally, we get to the NYC mayoral race and how Zohran Mamdani, if elected, might respond to his base. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2025

The liberal meltdown over the creation of a ballroom at the White House is another example of how liberals and the left keep stepping on their own substantive disagreements with Donald Trump because they get distracted by...stupid things. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2025

Is the Trump administration's success in the Middle East going to have an effect on the way the more extreme elements of the right talk about Israel and Jews more broadly? And if podcasters continue to trash-talk Trump on this and other matters, will Trump take it lying down—or will he insist on a loyalty test for them too? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2025

A huge show of anti-Trump force this weekend raises the question—to what end and for what purpose? And was Israel's decision to hit back hard at Hamas for violating the Trump deal really a sign of a division between the administration and the Israeli government or more of a tactical pause to see how Hamas reacts? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2025

We discuss last night's NYC mayoral debate, in which Zohran Mamdani was bad, Andrew Cuomo was worse, and Curtis Sliwa was Curtis Sliwa. And we talk about the terrorist-run city of Birmingham, UK. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2025

Donald Trump is telling Hamas to fulfill its end of the deal or he will tell Israel to go back in and go get the bodies of the hostages Hamas is still holding. He's continuing to use the threats of force to change the realities on the ground in ways that remain fresh and new. Meanwhile, American politicians are behaving badly on both sides of the aisle. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2025

Eliana Johnson joins the podcast to discuss Donald Trump's telling Hamas to disarm or be disarmed. We also talk about the Democrats' fanciful claim that Trump got the cease-fire and got the hostages back by following the Biden administration's plans. And we get into the New York Times' worshipful profile of Zohran Mamdani. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2025

Settle in; This is a long one. We discuss the release of the hostages, Donald Trump's extraordinary speech to the Knesset, the meaning of deterrence, the changing atmosphere in the Middle East, and the question of...providence. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2025

The end of the war in Gaza follows the unprecedented two-year psychological war against Zionism, supporters of Israel, and the very idea that Jews need and deserve to defend themselves. This has been an open question for us since 1948, when even Hannah Arendt opposed the creation of a Jewish state in the pages of COMMENTARY. We explain why she was wrong then, is wrong now, and why Israel's survival is important even for turncoat Jews who attack it. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2025

We must not hope for the best while expecting the worst today; today is a day to celebrate while cautiously looking forward. Jonathan Schanzer joins us to talk about the terms of the deal that will bring the Israeli hostages home while ensuring Israel retains military options and territory in Gaza—a better deal for Israel than most of us ever expected would be the final case. How did it happen? What happens next? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 October 2025

Eliana Johnson joins the podcast today to talk about the unprecedented attack-dog performance on Tuesday in a Senate hearing by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who decided to treat her oversight committee as though they were enemies whom she had every right to attack in personal terms. Is this a new model going forward? And what's this with the idea that a Harvard professor shooting a gun near a synagogue was just hunting rats? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2025

Jonathan Schanzer joins the podcast to discuss the ways in which the maligned Israeli approach to the war in Gaza may have, in fact, made its victory this week possible—and if there is no end at hand, establishes its grim but necessary path forward. Programming note: No podcast on Tuesday, October 7, in observance of Sukkot. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2025

We return to daily podcasting in the wake of a horrible car-ramming-stabbing spree at a synagogue in Manchester, followed by a massive pro-terrorism demonstration right outside 10 Downing Street. The bloodlust for Jewish lives and security has only grown in the two years since October 7. Why? And how can it be stopped? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2025

So the federal government has "shut down," which it really hasn't, actually, and here we go again. Or will this really be a huge showdown, given that three Democrats have already voted against it and show they don't want to play this game (another six and the shutdown ends). Also: what is this ludicrous "scoop" from human dreidel Barak Ravid about how Trump had to yell at Netanyahu to get Bibi to agree to a deal that gives Bibi everything he wants? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2025

There is much to discuss about Donald Trump's historic proposal for ending the war in Gaza: how the media has reacted, what it says about the Trump administration's support for Israel, and how each of us think Hamas will respond. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

Does Donald Trump help or hurt himself by using the weapons of the presidency as personal tools for revenge? This is apart from the question of whether his doing so is simply turnabout-as-fair-play or simply an outrageous misuse of his power. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2025

The indictment of James Comey causes us to go down memory lane remembering how destructive Comey was of the good working order of law and politics in matters involving both parties. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2025

We're back from Rosh Hashanah to sing the glories of Donald Trump's controversial United Nations speech, which is only controversial because he isn't saying what the elites want him to say. And we try to make sense out of what seems like a huge shift on Trump's part in the direction of supporting Ukraine. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2025

The massive memorial for Charlie Kirk in Arizona was more of a Christian revivalist meeting than the funeral of a political figure. What does it herald for the United States? And why does the "recognition" of a non-existent Palestinian state not worry us as much as you might expect? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2025

The fallout from the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel continues, with the revelation that, basically, no one watches his show—so why should Disney and ABC keep it on the air if he's more trouble than he's worth? That goes to the question of what to do when a heavy-handed government starts interfering in private business and going after someone who was exercising his free speech. The issue is more complicated than both left and right are willing to acknowledge. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 September 2025

Eliana Johnson joins today's the podcast to talk about the reasons behind Jimmy Kimmel's suspension and the role of government in it before we move on to the frightening and open advocacy of anti-Semitic opinions by the woke right in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 September 2025

Andrew C. McCarthy joins us to discuss the developments in the Charlie Kirk assassination case and the murder of health-care executive Brian Thompson, both of which took major steps forward yesterday in surprising and chilling ways. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2025

Israel has gone all in to finish the war Hamas started on October 7. Batten down the hatches and watch for the anti-Semitic content. Speaking of which, watch as the anti-Semites try to claim Charlie Kirk, a prominent Christian Zionist, as one of their own. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2025

The gyrations of people who do not want to deal with the political and ideological implications of the Charlie Kirk assassination are the chief focus of today's podcast. We also take up the question of why, if America is so "mad" at Israel for the Qatar strike, our secretary of state is in Israel praying at the Western Wall. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2025

The changes in American society that will result from the assassination of Charlie Kirk have already been experienced by America's Jews and the ways we've had to change our lives in the wake of the explosion of anti-Semitic violence over the past decade. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 September 2025

Noah Rothman joins us to talk about political violence and the cultural atmosphere that helped lead to the assassination of a 31 year-old man in the open air of a Utah college campus. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2025

Another remarkable historical turn as Israel makes it clear to Hamas leaders outside Gaza that they are not safe from the war they decided to wage against the Jewish state—an example of how Israel is changing the rules of the game in the Middle East and, as Abe says, is "redrawing the map." Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2025

So now conspiracy thinking is OK, so long as it involves Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein—that seems to be the mainstream media takeaway from the continuing focus on this admittedly compelling and disgusting story. Trump is a conspiracist, and he's made it to the top—so does that make conspiracies true? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2025

The horrifying murder of a young woman on the light rail in Charlotte has cast a new light on the cultural and political divide relating to crime. And Russia may finally have pushed Trump to the limit. Or has it? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2025