The Commentary Magazine Podcast Commentary Magazine

The Washington Post's new publisher tells the staff the truth—they stink, the product stinks, it's lost half its audience and $77 million in the past year, and there will be massive change. A watershed moment moment 40 years in the making? Eli Lake joins us to discuss, and we play his weekly AI song to boot. Give a listen.

The polling is coming in and...sorry, but the Trump verdict isn't changing anything, it appears. Nonetheless, liberal journalists and politicians keep believing their take that "the rule of law is on the ballot" applies to the aftermath of a Trump victory rather than describing what's happening right now in the wake of the New York case. Also: Veepstakes! Veepstakes! Give a listen.

Today we discuss both the remarkably confusing interview Joe Biden gave to Time and the Wall Street Journal's not-so-deep dive into the state of the president's cognitive abilities. Just how bad is it? And is the administration's disordered policy simply a result of Biden's disordered thinking? Give a listen. 

Jonathan Schanzer joins us today to consider whether Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his capacity to affect events in the way he wants to, how the Biden administration's policies are getting Israeli soldiers killed, and why America seems allergic to military victory. Give a listen.

What the heck happened on Friday with Joe Biden's speech apparently saying Israel had agreed to some plan to end the war in Gaza with Hamas still in power—or maybe not still in power—or maybe kind of still in power? What did Israel do to give Biden the opening to move the goalpoasts in this way? And what will the Hunter Biden trial mean for the president? Give a listen.

Settle in for a rollercoaster ride as the entire COMMENTARY crew considers the legal questions of the Trump verdict, its political implications for 2024, and the question of how America will view this matter in the context of (yes, we mean it) the legitimacy of the United States and its institutions. Plus, an Eli Lake song! Give a listen.