Nothing But The Truth

Trudy Stern speaks with Ayelet Samerano, whose son Yonatan was murdered and kidnapped into Gaza on October 7th. Ayelet recounts the harrowing days of uncertainty, the painful confirmation of his fate, and her transformation into a fearless advocate for the hostages. Together, they discuss the failures of international institutions, the strength of the hostage families, and why Ayelet refuses to stop fighting for justice and truth.

Trudy Stern sits down with Congresswoman Laura Gillen, her own representative from New York’s 4th District, to discuss the dramatic shift from private life to public office. Gillen shares what it’s like to balance motherhood with life in Washington, the lessons of freshman orientation, and why building bipartisan relationships is essential in today’s divided Congress. She also reflects on her recent trip to Israel and how her Long Island roots guide her work on Capitol Hill.

In this episode of Nothing But the Truth, Trudy Stern sits down with Yoram Ettinger to discuss why the U.S.-Israel alliance is not charity but a mutually beneficial partnership. From intelligence sharing to military innovation, Ettinger explains how Israel acts as America’s most reliable strategic asset in the Middle East, saving the U.S. billions while strengthening both nations’ security.

Trudy Stern welcomes Congresswoman Claudia Tenney to discuss her recent trip to Israel, the ongoing war with Hamas, and the global fight between freedom and tyranny. From meetings with Israeli leaders to standing firm against misinformation, Tenney shares insights on U.S.–Israel relations, security, and why she sees hope despite the challenges ahead.

Trudy Stern is joined by writer and activist Karys Rhea to expose how parts of the American right are embracing rhetoric that echoes the far left—from antisemitic conspiracies to anti-Western sentiment. Together, they trace how influencers like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson are reshaping the conservative movement, and why this shift is especially dangerous for Jews.

As Israel fights for its survival in the wake of the October 7th Hamas massacre, global leaders seem to be rewarding terror with statehood. Trudy Stern sits down with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman to unpack this upside-down moment in history. From the Abraham Accords to media distortion and growing antisemitism, they examine what’s gone wrong—and what needs to be done to set the record straight.

Trudy Stern continues her eye-opening conversation with Hudson Institute Fellow Zineb Ribuoa, focusing on how the West is responding to growing threats from Iran, Russia, and China. They discuss Israel’s bold cyberattack on Iran’s financial system and what it reveals about modern warfare, deterrence, and U.S. alliances.

Trudy Stern speaks with Zineb Riboua of the Middle East Forum to connect global flashpoints—from Africa to the Middle East to American campuses. Together they examine how Iran, Russia, and China are working through proxy groups like the Polisario Front to destabilize regions and challenge Western influence, highlighting why these conflicts are not isolated, but deeply interconnected.

As New York City gears up for a pivotal mayoral election, Trudy Stern takes a step back from campaign noise to focus on the system itself: how local and state government actually works. With Assemblyman David Weprin as her guest, this episode unpacks the structure and function of state and city government, from the role of the mayor and city council to the power dynamics between Albany and local officials. Who’s really responsible for policing, schools, and taxes? How much influence do campaign promises actually carry? With decades of experience at both the city and state level, Weprin provides a rare inside look at the machinery behind the headlines—arming voters with the truth they need before they head to the polls.

As the dust settles in the Middle East and the U.S. sees new legislative momentum at home, Trudy Stern sits down with Senator James Lankford to break down two major developments: the end of the war between Israel and Iran, and the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill.” In this episode, they unpack what the bill really does—debunking claims of Medicare cuts and tax breaks for the wealthy—while exploring its impact on taxes, Medicaid reforms, and federal spending. With global diplomacy shifting and domestic policy at a crossroads, Senator Lankford offers a clear-eyed perspective on where America stands and what comes next.