The Commentary Magazine Podcast

We continue our ongoing coverage of the Iran War by discussing this morning's press conference with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, and the implications of American strategy on the day after. Plus Christine recommends People in Glass Houses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eli Lake of the Free Press joins us for another emergency update on the ongoing American and Israeli military operations against Iran. What aces might Iran still have up its sleeve, and what does the future hold for the future of the region? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by FDD's Jonathan Schanzer and JNS's Ruthie Blum from Tel-Aviv to discuss the Israeli and American attacks on Iran, the news that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed, and what this means for the future of the country and the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Paramount Skydance's seemingly successful outbidding of Netflix in the race to purchase Warner Bros. and the grim reality of a media that refuses to adapt to the shifting digital landscape. Plus, the massive American military buildup in the Middle East as war with Iran inches closer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we reminisce about pre-internet money culture and the dangers of the new digital paradigm, particularly for children, on the backdrop of ongoing lawsuits against social media companies. How can children navigate this new world, will tech companies be held accountable, and how does all this connect to the Epstein files? Plus John recommends Allegra Goodman's This is Not About Us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss all aspects of President Trump's State of the Union Address: The television spectacle, the outbursts, the guests of honor, and more. Will the speech help Republicans close the enthusiasm gap in advance of the midterm elections? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Gavin Newsom's SAT scores on the backdrop of his 2028 presidential ambitions, and John recommends Splitsville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AEI's Adam White joins us on this snowy Monday to discuss the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision striking down Trump's IEEPA tariffs, particularly Justice Gorsuch's concurrence, as well as possible replacements for the potentially retiring Justice Alito. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the breaking news that SCOTUS has ruled Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, as well as the 2025 economic numbers and the ongoing creep towards an attack on Iran. Plus, Trump's plan to release government files on aliens, and John recommends Your Pro-Israel Bookshelf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss Tucker Carlson's concocted controversy surrounding his airport interview with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, the growing anticipation of a potential American attack on Iran, the U.S. hockey victory at the Winter Olympics, and Prince Andrew's arrest. Plus, John recommends Marty Supreme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The buildup of American forces in the Middle East as the Iran talks falter has us asking: is war coming, or is it all just negotiating bluster? Plus, republicans brace for the midterms, and Washington DC's historic sewage spill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the legacies of the recently-deceased Robert Duvall and Jesse Jackson, AOC's blunders and Marco Rubio's triumph at the Munich Security Conference, and John recommends You've Got Mail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss a worrisome new Wall Street Journal piece on Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski's conduct at the Department of Homeland Security. Plus, early signs that Trump's iron grip on the Republican party starting to slip, the alarmism surrounding the revocation of the EPA's regulation of CO2, the HHS's assault on medical advancements, and Christine recommends Magda Szabó's The Fawn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we continue to dig into the ongoing Epstein controversy. The unprecedented release of millions of documents has led to broad brush allegations and partisan mud flinging, culminating in Pam Bondi's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. Will we ever experience responsible governance again? Plus Carrie Prejean Boller's stunt at the Religious Liberty Commission meeting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by Commentary's new Washington commentary columnist Jamie Kirchick to discuss his new piece on Yoram Hazony. Plus the positive job report, Trump's deal-making obsession on the backdrop on Netanyahu's visit to Washington, and John once again recommends Natan Sharansky's Fear No Evil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats are pushing a hard line on DHS funding. Will the administration blink, and how will it influence ongoing immigration enforcement? Plus Gallop's optimism poll, the ongoing Epstein revelations, and Seth recommends the Netflix documentary Miracle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was Robert Kraft's antisemitism ad at Superbowl LX a waste of time and money? Plus Bad Bunny's halftime show, bizarre AI ads, and John recommends the new movie Send Help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recent reports on the advances of AI in computer coding could spell a major shift in the software sector and cause substantial shifts in society. Is the AI singularity upon us, and how do we handle this emerging future? Plus John and Eliana recommend the Mel Brooks documentary The 99 Year Old Man! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major shift, it seems, in the Trump administration's approach to illegal aliens is taking place; what does this mean for Stephen Miller's hyper-aggressive approach and the White House's efforts to find a way to forestall a blue wave in November? Also, what is the purpose of these Iran negotiations? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The layoffs at the Washington Post are the source of bitter media tears today, but the Post's staff did it to themselves, and we explain why—and why it's failed where the New York Times and the New York Post have both succeeded. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eli Lake joins us today to discuss the question of what might come after the mullahs in Iran, and we ask: What is the president doing, calling for Republicans to nationalize elections? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The shocking result of a special election in Texas marks yet another political bungle by the GOP and the Trump White House. Can they stop self-owning and get themselves back on track? Also, landmark events relating to transgenderism, Epstein files horrors, and the wondrous career of Catherine O'Hara. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quiet revolution is underway on the Temple Mount, where for six decades Jews have been forbidden to pray due to the rules established by a Muslim authority with dominion over the Dome of the Rock mosque—rules allowed to stand by the Israeli government. What changed and why is this so important? And why are the grounds for arresting former CNN anchor Don Lemon for participating in the disruption of a church service in Minneapolis stronger than you might think? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The least isolationist president of our time—despite the neo-isolationists who seem to think he's on their side—may be poised to hit the mullahs as early as this weekend. How to explain the decision to do so? We give it a go. And we look at the new video of the tragically killed Alex Pretti and what it says about the events in Minneapolis. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The political fallout in Minnesota has had a boomerang effect on the Trump administration because of its predisposition to take the hardest-line position on every matter and be provocative rather than resolute and calm. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The president's decision to try and get himself out of the Minneapolis mess offers us a chance to assess just how much trouble he's in, and who's responsible for the trouble—is it his advisers, is it the media-Democratic complex, or is it Trump alone? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The behavior of the administration's mouthpieces in the wake of the tragic shooting in Minneapolis this weekend cannot be overlooked or forgotten—unless Trump wants to. The return of the final Israeli hostage ends a period far longer than the time since October 7. Will Iran pay for its monstrous crimes against its own people? Today's Recommends: HBO Max's "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year-Old Man." Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Stirewalt joins us to today to discuss how good economic numbers suggest the Fed's behavior over the past year has been pretty effective—so why is Trump so obsessed with turning it upside down. And we take note of the horrifying op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on how "American studies" is really "anti-American studies." Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we ask whether a proposal by Rahm Emanuel for a mandatory retirement age for politicians and judges makes sense and whether it might be a populist issue that could really gain traction—along with, maybe, pardon reform. Also, why do people who work at CBS News think their dumpster fire of an organization should be run the way it was being run when it was being run into the ground? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we try to figure out why Donald Trump wants to start a fight with Europe over Greenland, to what extent his Justice Department is going after the right and wrong targets in Minnesota, whether some Supreme Court judges will soon be stepping down, and what went on when protesters in New York canceled a show by a Jewish comedian. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The cascade of frenetic actions on the part of the Trump administration over the past week—even as Trump seemed to blink on acting when it came to Iran—is unnerving. Is there good news? Can someone cheer us up? And what about the Harris campaign going full-on dual-loyalty accuser in interviewing Josh Shapiro? Meanwhile, a recommendation for a remarkable novel called Foster Dade Explores the Cosmos, by Nash Jenkins. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bad polling for the president raises the question of whether his pursuit of aggressive anti-immigration aims in Minneapolis and elsewhere is hurting his standing. Even more important: He's not convincing the American people he's good for the country when it comes to economics. And why are Hollywood opinion leaders going ballistic about a certain scene on the show Landman? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After days of looking like America was going to intervene in the Iranian crisis, Donald Trump pulled way back yesterday. Was this tactical? Or was he told it wasn't a layup and he didn't want to risk his capital? Is this refusal part of a larger foreign policy theme? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An interesting day at the Supreme Court as the justices discussed two cases involving the issue of transgenderism in girls' sports—with some of the justices pretty badly embarrassing themselves and others punching holes the size of the Marianas Trench in the arguments of the ACLU. Also: the difference between 1960s civil rights protests and what we're seeing now from the left. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eli Lake joins us to go through the history of the resistance to the Iranian regime, what makes this moment so different, and what the United States has to do to ensure the kind of outcome that will make the world a better place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much of what's been going on in this country seems performative and almost cinematic that we might need to consider how much Hollywood and pop-culture fantasy in general is leaching into our reality. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Schanzer joins the podcast to discuss the remarkable events unfolding in Iran, with the nation possibly in full-scale revolt against its barbaric regime. And I take exception to some mail we've been getting about the goings-on in Minnesota. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The split-second confrontation between ICE officers and a woman driving a car that appeared to aim at one of them, leading to her death, threatens yet another unraveling of the American civilizational thread. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is Mrs. Stephen Miller promoting the views of Jenny McCarthy—and what does it mean that the Trump administration is so intimate with the world of right-wing podcasting? What does it mean that former Trump official Dan Bongino is returning to the podcast airwaves in full attack mode against the Tucker Carlson podcast wing? What does it mean that legacy media outlets are rooting for Bari Weiss to fail at the failing CBS News? What does it all mean, I ask you? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We note that the airwaves yesterday were filled with desperate efforts to distract from the Venezuela story by focusing instead on Greenland or the Epstein files. What's happening here? Could it be that this is the way the media are trying to protect their friends in politics? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We begin with Venezuela, of course, but move on to the startling announcement by Tim Walz that he is not running for reelection as governor of Minnesota owing to the burgeoning fraud scandal there—a staggering fall for a man who was almost vice president. And who's coming up the pike? Why, it's Zohran Mamdani! Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump's decision to arrest Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a massive and brilliant kinetic military action may prove to have long-lasting political, ideological, and strategic ramifications of an almost unprecedented scale. That's what we talk about on this rare emergency edition. Happy New Year and give a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, John returns to discuss the life of his father, Norman Podhoretz. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we discuss the life, work, and ideas of longtime COMMENTARY editor and intellectual giant Norman Podhoretz, who died yesterday at age 95. From there, we move on to the strange developments in the Brown University shooting investigation, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles's unusual interview with Vanity Fair, and the Trump administration generally. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eli Lake joins the podcast to discuss "The Palestine Firsters," his lead article in the January issue of COMMENTARY. Why do Ben Rhodes and a cast of others on the left and right want America to work against its core interests by breaking the U.S.-Israel alliance? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The attack on Bondi Beach is not an isolated incident; it's the export of the Islamist war against the Jews to areas far from Gaza. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Trump losing the thread as we head into 2026? And what's this—secular saint Oliver Sacks, the man who brought empathy to discussions of human weakness, made a lot of stuff up? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the boarding and seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, the United States's confrontation with Venezuela ascends to a higher level. What's going on? And why are Democrats making crazy commercials and going with crazy candidates for 2026? And why am I recommending a movie from 1946–It's a Wonderful Life—that everyone has already seen? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eli Lake joins us for a conversation that begins with Christmas music and ends with man's search for meaning. Today's COMMENTARY RECOMMENDS: The Bible. Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's podcast tries to make sense out of the incoherent Trump administration posture toward China, AI chips, tariffs, farmers, and the economy. Also, Christine Rosen recommends Chip War by Chris Miller and Philip A. Wallach's Why Congress? Give a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices