Overview of 209. Netanyahu Vs Zelensky: Who Has Trump’s Ear?
This episode of The Rest Is Politics US examines how Donald Trump’s current priorities are reshaping U.S. foreign policy politics, with a focus on the contrasting fortunes of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Katty Kay and Sam Stein argue that Trump appears more aligned with “winners” than with embattled allies, and that Zelensky has become far better at navigating Trump’s tastes for publicity, optics, and simple political wins. The conversation also covers the fallout for J.D. Vance from the Iran diplomacy debacle, and whether a resurfaced affair from decades ago could meaningfully damage Gavin Newsom’s presidential prospects.
Trump, Zelensky, and Netanyahu: A Shift in Favor
Zelensky is now better at “speaking Trump”
- The hosts note that Zelensky’s recent Washington visit looked very different from his famously hostile Oval Office meeting last year.
- This time, the meeting was behind closed doors, with carefully managed optics.
- Zelensky is described as having learned how to appeal to Trump:
- lots of flattering visuals
- fast photo releases
- media-friendly gestures
- public emphasis on Trump’s role in potential deals
Netanyahu is on the back foot
- Netanyahu is portrayed as arriving in Washington with far less goodwill.
- Trump and his aides are increasingly frustrated that Netanyahu has helped pull the U.S. deeper into conflict with Iran.
- Trump is described as wanting an off-ramp and being tired of escalation.
- The episode suggests that Trump prefers to associate himself with situations that look successful, not open-ended wars.
Vance’s role in the meetings matters
- J.D. Vance was notably absent from the Zelensky meeting but present for the Netanyahu one.
- That difference is read as politically meaningful.
- Vance’s public skepticism toward Israeli war policy is discussed as evidence of a broader shift in some corners of the MAGA/right-wing ecosystem.
Ukraine’s Political Momentum
Zelensky’s Washington strategy is working
- Zelensky is said to understand that Trump responds to visuals, praise, and momentum.
- The episode highlights how Trump reposted one of Laura Loomer’s interviews with Zelensky, signaling that the publicity strategy worked.
- Zelensky is also credited with helping push a major Russia sanctions bill through the Senate.
The sanctions bill and battlefield context
- The Senate advanced Lindsey Graham’s Russia-Iran sanctions bill by 86–12.
- Zelensky reportedly made the case directly to wavering Democrats that the bill needed to include pressure on China and India for buying Russian oil.
- The hosts suggest that battlefield developments in Ukraine are helping the political case for continued support.
- There is also discussion of Trump’s decision to allow or support the use of Patriot interceptor missiles for Ukraine.
Key point
- Ukraine is not “winning” in a definitive sense, but the trajectory is seen as better for Kyiv than it was earlier in the year.
- The hosts emphasize that this is a political and diplomatic shift as much as a military one.
Iran, U.S. Policy, and the Limits of Trump’s Dealmaking
Trump is boxed in
- Trump is described as wanting to avoid a long war with Iran but struggling to create a clean exit.
- The transcript references renewed Iranian attacks and the fragility of any temporary ceasefire.
- The hosts argue that Trump’s Iran policy is constrained by:
- domestic polling
- oil-market realities
- the absence of an obvious diplomatic off-ramp
The MOU criticism
- Much of the blame is placed on a rushed, poorly structured memorandum/understanding around the Iran issue.
- The argument is that ambiguity over issues like the Strait of Hormuz contributed to the renewed conflict.
- This is framed as a major diplomatic failure with real consequences.
J.D. Vance: Political Damage and 2028 Implications
Vance is caught between factions
- The episode argues that Vance is trying to balance:
- pro-Israel Republican donors
- the anti-war wing of the GOP
- Trump’s broader political instincts
- He is said to be less compelling as a public communicator than many expected.
His record may be hurting him
- The hosts suggest Vance’s core ideological brand is under strain:
- anti-interventionism
- worker-focused economic populism
- immigration hardline politics
- Some of these ideas are not translating well in practice:
- tariffs have not delivered
- manufacturing revival is not clearly happening
- immigration crackdowns are politically costly, even if effective in policy terms
Polling warning sign
- Vance’s standing in a 2028 Republican primary poll has fallen sharply:
- from 52% to 39%
- Meanwhile, Marco Rubio has improved significantly.
- The episode treats this as evidence that Vance may be losing momentum.
Gavin Newsom’s Affair and Presidential Politics
The scandal itself may not be decisive
- A former aide, Ruby Rippey, wrote about a past affair with Newsom.
- Newsom had already acknowledged the relationship years ago.
- The hosts agree that, on its own, the story is unlikely to be fatal.
Why it could still matter
- The affair involved a power imbalance, since she worked for him.
- The episode contrasts this with how modern audiences view scandals, especially after the Monica Lewinsky era.
- However, the broader point is that Newsom has already been a known quantity for decades.
The bigger issue: electability and image
- Newsom’s real problem may be declining presidential odds, not the affair.
- Recent polling has him slipping in the 2028 Democratic field.
- The hosts argue that his early rise was fueled partly by:
- name recognition
- his public fight with Republicans over redistricting
- his image as a Democrat willing to confront Trump
Where Newsom fits in the Democratic field
- The conversation frames Democratic politics as split into rough lanes:
- progressive left
- establishment/moderate
- candidates trying to straddle both
- Newsom is seen as struggling to define his lane clearly.
- Still, he retains major advantages:
- fundraising strength
- organizational infrastructure
- national profile
Main Takeaways
- Zelensky has learned how to play Trump’s game: optics, praise, and visible wins matter.
- Netanyahu is losing influence in Trump-world because the Iran situation looks messy and politically costly.
- The MAGA right is not monolithic: figures like Laura Loomer reflect shifting attitudes toward Ukraine and Israel.
- Vance may be paying a political price for the Iran diplomacy failure and his broader ideological positioning.
- Newsom’s affair is less important than his overall political trajectory—especially whether he can remain a viable, clearly defined national candidate.
Bottom Line
This episode argues that Trump is increasingly drawn to whichever foreign leader can give him the appearance of success and control. Right now, that seems to be Zelensky, not Netanyahu. The discussion also suggests that the ripple effects of Trump-era foreign policy are already shaping future political contests, especially for J.D. Vance and Gavin Newsom.