EXCLUSIVE: Crowder Debates Comedian Dave Smith On Trump, Israel, & America First

Comedian Dave Smith and Steven Crowder debate Donald Trump's foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran and Israel, highlighting fundamental disagreements on non-interventionism versus America First.

• Dave Smith called for Trump's impeachment over an Iran strike, viewing it as an illegal war of aggression.

• Steven Crowder defends Trump's foreign policy as effective 'America First' non-interventionism, achieving de-escalation.

• The debaters fundamentally disagree on the morality and effectiveness of US military intervention and foreign aid.

Dave Smith and Steven Crowder engage in a lively debate centered on Donald Trump's foreign policy, specifically his approach to Iran and Israel. While sharing common ground on issues like anti-foreign aid, they diverge significantly on Trump's decision to withdraw from the JCPOA and the subsequent strike on Iranian facilities. Smith advocates for strict non-interventionism and criticizes Trump for actions he considers illegal wars of aggression, while Crowder defends Trump's 'America First' approach as a more effective and non-interventionist stance compared to previous administrations, arguing that he prioritized American interests and achieved de-escalation.

Trump's Foreign Policy

• 00:03:05 Dave Smith asserts that he is highly critical of neoconservatives and the Republican Party for allowing them to drive US foreign policy, aligning with many of Crowder's points on foreign aid and AIPAC. Smith called for Trump's impeachment after a strike on Iran, viewing it as an 'unbelievably reckless decision' and a 'war of choice' that betrayed the anti-war principles Trump campaigned on. He maintains that America should only engage in wars when directly threatened, rejecting adventurism seen across multiple administrations.

• 00:10:00 Steven Crowder challenges Dave Smith's call for impeachment, arguing that the real-world consequences would be detrimental to the 'America First' movement, potentially leading to a less effective president. Crowder insists that Trump's actions, such as the surgical strike on Iranian enrichment facilities, were consistent with his campaign promises to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to enforce 'red lines' that previous administrations failed to uphold. He believes Trump's foreign policy has led to de-escalation in conflicts like the Israel-Gaza war and is superior to the alternatives.

• 00:17:44 The debaters discuss whether Donald Trump ended any wars, with Crowder citing ceasefires in conflicts like Israel-Gaza, and diplomatic engagement with nations such as Thailand and Cambodia, as evidence of Trump's non-interventionist tendencies. Smith counters by arguing that Trump continued wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen, and supported Israel's actions in Gaza, making his anti-war rhetoric largely unfulfilled. He believes Trump's policies, particularly regarding Iran, ultimately perpetuated rather than ended conflicts.

• 00:28:54 The discussion turns to America's role in the Middle East, with Dave Smith asserting that US backing of Israel, including foreign aid, weapons, intelligence, and UN vetoes, creates a 'moral hazard' that encourages Israeli aggression. He argues that if America ceased its support, Israel would be forced to de-escalate, and the US would avoid entanglement in regional conflicts, including with Iran. Crowder disagrees, suggesting that without US influence, a worse genocide could occur, though he shares Smith's opposition to all foreign aid.