The Rest Is Politics: US 119. Has Trump’s Madman Diplomacy Worked?
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Oct 13, 2025 The hosts dive into Trump's diplomacy in the Gaza conflict, questioning his commitment to a ceasefire. They discuss Trump's unconventional methods, including leveraging relationships to manipulate outcomes and his calls for pardoning Netanyahu. Market reactions to Trump's tariff tweets raise eyebrows, alongside concerns about insider trading and market volatility. The conversation scrutinizes the ethics of mixing politics with business, and the potential long-term impacts on trust and governance in democratic societies.
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Trump’s Unconventional Peacemaking Moment
- Donald Trump won widespread applause in Israel after pushing a hostage-prisoner swap and delivering a Knesset speech.
- The deal highlights Trump's ability to use unconventional pressure and regional relationships to force action.
Kushner And Qatar Were Key Levers
- Jared Kushner's regional ties and business relationships were central to the negotiations alongside Trump's pressure on Netanyahu.
- The Qatar-mediated separation of hostage issues from long-term politics helped make the swap achievable.
Hostage Swap Is Just The Start
- The hostage swap is only the first, easier phase; lasting peace will require months or years of follow-through on security, governance, and weapons issues.
- Both hosts warned Hamas may remain powerful and Gaza faces immediate violence and instability.