Commentary Magazine Podcast

The Democrats’ stalled drive toward impeaching Donald Trump accelerates anew following reports that Trump made a “promise” to Ukraine’s leader in exchange for their efforts to investigate Joe Biden’s son and his dealings in that former Soviet Republic. What does the news mean for Donald Trump and the 2020 Democratic field? Give a listen.

The COMMENTARY Podcast hosts are still shaking off the afterglow from the annual roast, but have just enough energy to break down the results of the latest round of Israeli elections, the ongoing international crisis in the Middle East, and Corey Lewandowski’s embarrassing performance before a congressional committee.

Christine Rosen makes an appearance live and in studio for this episode of the COMMENTARY podcast, and it’s a big one. The hosts dismantle the New York Times story involving new allegations against Justice Brett Kavanaugh and speculate about the mentality that would lead the paper to publish such dubious material. Plus, the Middle East is on a knife’s edge following a devastating attack on Saudi oil refineries that American officials allege was Iran’s doing.

Why did Donald Trump pick John Bolton in the first place if he disagreed with everything Bolton said and stood for? We discuss this on today's podcast, along with our predictions for the Democratic debate (as Clubber Lang says in Rocky III, we predict...pain, but mostly for the viewers). Give a listen.

So maybe, we discuss on today's podcast, the most honest 2020 choice would be the one between Trump and one of the left candidates in the Democratic party, Warren or Sanders—because it would most closely reflect the state of American politics. Also what just happened with the Taliban and what is going on with impeachment. Give a listen.

What the heck is going on in the United Kingdom? We don’t really know, but neither, it seems, do they, so the COMMENTARY podcast feels no feel no compunction about sounding off about it. Also, a brief review of the 2020 Democrats’ seven-hour climate change town hall that no one who wasn’t paid to do so watched in its entirety. Speculation abounds in this episode.

We ask this question, along with others—like why should we care when a reporter destroys someone's career—on today's podcast. Give a listen.

The former FBI director gets properly raked over the coals; the Democrats have to decide whether to go insane; and the New York City schools threaten to destroy themselves. It's a podcast. Give a listen.

What was Trump doing talking about Jews and loyalty? Why does everyone have a cow every five minutes about what Trump says when he's been doing the same thing for four years now? Whom does this help? Whom does it hurt? The whole podcast gang is back to offer maybe a little insight. Give a listen.

John Podhoretz is still on vacation, so we’re going to save the elephant in the room for his triumphant return. In the interim, the remaining hosts of the COMMENTARY podcast discuss the dogs that are not barking in 2020: #MeToo, environmentalism, impeachment, etc. We also discuss former Rep. Joe Walsh’s expected challenge to Trump and wonder if we live in existential dread of a boring election.

John Podhoretz is out for this episode of the Commentary Podcast, but he’s with us in spirit as we dive into the controversies of the week, many of which involve ethnicity and orientation. In this episode, the podcast explores the scuttling of Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib’s trips to Israel, the Democratic 2020 field’s attacks on America’s foundational traditions and institutions, and the New York Times’ 1619 Project.

The protests in Hong Kong get more aggressive and the prospects for peaceful resolution seem to be getting more distant; what does it all mean? And what on earth is an "inverted yield curve" and why should it terrify us? You might not get an answer from this podcast, but you will be entertained. Give a listen.

The COMMENTARY podcast on the mysterious death of Jeffrey Epstein, the cancellation of a controversial film depicting Trump voters as hunting targets, and why Joe Biden’s gaffes don’t seem to matter. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.

Well, President Trump didn't really rise to the occasion this week, but neither did many Democrats, and the growing notion that every Trump voter is complicit in his every questionable act is beginning to take hold of everyone to the left of the GOP. Is this politically wise? Is it morally sensible? What consequences will it have? Give a listen.

Two mass shootings in two cities over the course of 12 hours this weekend sharpened the nation’s focus on gun violence and the dangerous ideologies motivating the shooters. Can there be a productive response to these atrocities, or will they be subsumed into the dialectic surrounding the 2020 election?