National Review senior writer Noah Rothman joined the show to discuss how global actors—terrorists included—track and respond to American politics, particularly the presidency. The conversation followed a gripping interview with former Israeli hostage Omri Tov, who reported that Hamas terrorists explicitly feared Donald Trump and hoped Kamala Harris would become president, believing a Biden-Harris administration would be more favorable to their goals.
Tov, held hostage for 500 days after Hamas’s October 7th terror attack, described how his treatment changed when Trump entered office—receiving more food and less abuse, as captors feared an aggressive response. Rothman said the terrorists’ understanding of U.S. political dynamics, while perhaps simplistic, was not inaccurate. Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-backed groups had reason to fear Trump’s uncompromising rhetoric and military posture compared to the more conciliatory tone of the Biden administration.
Rothman noted that President Biden’s promises of severe consequences for Hamas have not materialized. Despite tough talk, the administration negotiated separately with Hamas for the release of American hostage Eitan Alexander, leaving Israeli captives in enemy hands. Rothman argued this approach signals weakness and sends the wrong message to adversaries watching how America responds to terrorism.
He also warned of broader implications of current U.S. policy in the Middle East, including Biden’s decision to pause strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis and speculation about a new nuclear deal with Tehran. Rothman expressed concern that any interim deal would mirror the original Iran nuclear agreement by overlooking terrorism and ballistic missile threats for the sake of diplomatic optics.
The conversation shifted to domestic legal challenges facing the administration and the broader separation-of-powers debate. Rothman criticized Congress for failing to assert its authority, allowing presidents and judges to increasingly govern through emergency powers and nationwide injunctions. He suggested that Trump, intentionally or not, had triggered a healthy rebalancing by challenging overreaching courts and forcing Congress to re-engage with its constitutional role.
Rothman applauded the Trump administration’s efforts to rein in independent federal agencies and called for lawmakers to perform the oversight duties they’ve long abdicated. He described the system as dangerously dysfunctional, with Congress outsourcing too much power to the executive and courts.
The conversation closed with a look at Republican electoral strategy. Rothman said the GOP’s 2026 midterm approach appears to be heavily centered on Trump, with the former president expected to influence candidate selection, fundraising, and policy messaging. While Trump’s brand continues to resonate with key demographics—particularly young men, Latinos, and working-class voters—Rothman cautioned that this support may prove fleeting if other Republicans fail to connect sincerely with those same groups.
He concluded by warning that mimicking Trump’s style without authenticity risks alienating the very voters the party hopes to retain. Without a coherent identity beyond Trump, Rothman said, the Republican Party could struggle to sustain its gains once Trump exits the political stage.