Josh Hammer on Debating Dave Smith, Zionism & U.S.–Israel Aid | Soothing Semantics Podcast
July 29, 2025
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33:13Now PlayingJosh Hammer on Debating Dave Smith, Zionism & U.S.–Israel Aid | Soothing Semantics Podcast
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as posted by the channelIn this insightful episode of Soothing Semantics, Rafie Pinsky talks with Newsweek’s Senior Editor-at-Large **Josh Hammer**. From his beginnings as a lawyer and early writing at Daily Wire to his recent high-profile debate with libertarian commentator Dave Smith, Josh shares how he built a career in political journalism and why he stands up for Zionism in America’s culture wars.
📰 **Conversation highlights:**
• Josh’s career arc: from law school and clerking to conservative journalism at Daily Wire and Newsweek
• Working alongside Ben Shapiro, leaving Daily Wire and building his own platform
• The rise of antisemitism on both the left and right—and why facts alone often don’t win debates
• How he prepared to debate Dave Smith and why libertarian “America First” arguments break down
• Evaluating U.S. foreign aid: the complexities of the US‑Israel military aid package, phasing it out and authentic Zionist self-reliance
• The failures of modern libertarianism and why “facts don’t care about your feelings” isn’t enough today
• The influence of Nick Fuentes, Candace Owens and other controversial figures on political discourse
• Plugging Josh’s book *Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation, the Destiny of the West* (out now)
💬 Josh explains why he believes the classical America First and Zionist positions are aligned: a strong, self-sustaining Jewish state and an informed U.S. foreign policy free of isolationist clichés.
📚 **Check out Josh’s book**
*Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation, the Destiny of the West* — available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
☕ **Support the podcast**
📌 **Connect with Rafie Pinsky**
• Instagram (Podcast)
• Instagram (Real Estate)
• X/Twitter
🗂️ **Follow Josh Hammer**
• Website & column
• X/Twitter
• The Josh Hammer Show: on Newsweek’s YouTube channel
🕒 **Chapters**
Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this discussion on media, Israel and American conservatism, please like, subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments.
#SoothingSemantics #JoshHammer #IsraelAid #Zionism #USPolitics #DaveSmith #AmericaFirst
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