The Meaning of Norman Podhoretz

The Commentary Magazine Daily Podcast for December 17th, 2025, features Abe Greenwald, Christine Rosen, and Eliana Johnson, who begin by acknowledging the passing of Norman Podhoretz, former editor of Commentary, and extend condolences to his son John and family. They reflect on Podhoretz's significant impact on American intellectual life, his courage in challenging conventional thinking, and his eloquent writing style, particularly his framing of the post-9/11 world. The discussion then shifts to the Brown University shooting investigation, focusing on the university's controversial removal of a student's online presence and the authorities' handling of the case, raising concerns about institutional trust and potential motives. Finally, they analyze a Vanity Fair profile of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, discussing her candid remarks about the Trump administration and the implications of Trump's perceived disregard for rules and norms.