Bulwark+: Recent Episodes
The Bulwark
Charlie Sykes and guests discuss the latest news from inside Washington and around the world. No shouting, grandstanding, or sloganeering. Conservative, conscientious, and civil.
plus.thebulwark.com
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Andrew Egger and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on Iran’s sweeping new demands, Trump’s response, and why the prospects for a diplomatic deal are fading. They discuss Trump’s shrinking military options, depleted U.S. weapons supplies, and the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz that's left merchant crews trapped at sea for months.Read…
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Donald Trump’s attacks on Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed may be doing the exact opposite of what he intends. Tim Miller gives his take on Trump repeating the same failed strategy Republicans used against him in 2015 and 2016, attacking an outsider in ways that ultimately give them more attention and support. Tim also weighs in on AOC’s comments about “Woke 1.0,” arguing that Democrats need to be more willing to acknowledge where the movement went too far and how that overreach hurt the party politically.Watch The Moment with Katy Tur on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The party is sticking with Max Miller despite the very credible domestic abuse allegations. Not only is this a gift to his Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, in that red district in Ohio, it’s also likely to impact the Senate and governor's races there as well. Meanwhile, Tucker and MTG are talking about creating a third party for 2028. And Trump is losing to Iran so badly he can’t even make a coherent argument about the war for his biggest fans. Plus: the ankle monitoring of Haitian immigrants is very Soviet-era Eastern Bloc, defense contractors don’t want Ukraine making Patriot missiles because they can do it for less money, Trump is literally giving Mexico territory so he can build his corrupt border wall through Big Bend National Park, and Tim keeps his promise and shares some history on bananas.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
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Tim’s candidate list, including Ohio’s Brian Poindexter
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Monday’s “Morning Shots”
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Bill and Eric Edelman on the munition depletions
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Tim and Isaac Saul on the bulldozing of Big Bend
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Jim on the governor’s race in Ohio
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NYT profile of Brian Poindexter
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Bill’s “Bulwark on Sunday” with Col. Bree Fram
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Atlantic piece on Ukraine becoming a military powerhouse
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Saletan gives his take on Trump’s new NIH director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, becoming a loyalist defender of the Trump administration’s most controversial and absurd health claims. Bhattacharya repeatedly blames Anthony Fauci for COVID-era school closures, declining vaccine confidence and other public-health failures, even when the record doesn’t support those claims. He also refuses to clearly say that vaccines do not cause autism and dodges questions about anti-vaccine misinformation and the CDC shooting. What happens to science when the people running America’s health agencies become more focused on defending Trump and RFK Jr. than following the evidence?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live to cover the right’s freakout over AOC deciding to freeze her eggs, Max Miller refusing to drop out of his re-election bid, Sen. Mike Lee fuming at Coca-Cola, and Trump mocking Joe Biden after it was announced that his cancer had spread.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eric and Eliot begin with reflections on recent domestic political developments and the “horseshoe theory” uniting political extremes around isolationism and anti-Israeli sentiment. They then discuss the ongoing negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and the difficulties the Iranian government and Trump administration have created for themselves. From there they move to the recent cyberattacks on American water systems and the seemingly blasé response by both the Trump administration and the larger public. The two also highlight Russia’s ongoing hybrid war with Europe and the tightening links among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. They revisit the continuing degradation of Turkish democracy before wrapping up with thoughts on the recent migrant surge into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.
Reminder: Shield of the Republic will be going independent soon! Subscribe at shieldoftherepublic.com and follow @ShieldPod on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Congressional Budget Office Analysis of the Trump-Class Battleship:
https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-08/62550-battleships.pdf
CSIS Report on Low Munition Stocks:
https://www.csis.org/analysis/six-reasons-why-united-states-low-munitions
IISS Report on Russia’s Hybrid War Operations:
https://www.iiss.org/research-paper/2025/08/the-scale-of-russian--sabotage-operations--against-europes-critical--infrastructure/
Garry Kasparov on the DSA:
Kathy Gilsinan on the GOP’s Groyper Problem:
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/08/01/heritage-foundation-young-republicans-groypers-hiring-01006937
Tucker Carlson’s Manifesto:
https://www.axios.com/2026/08/06/tucker-carlson-third-party-israel-trump
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Bill Kristol welcomes recently retired Col. Bree Fram to discuss Hegseth's leadership and the damage he's inflicting on the United States Military, as well as her own personal experience being forced out of the military after over 20 years of service.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) joins Mona Charen for a conversation about why character still matters in leadership, how America lost many of the institutions that once helped build it, and what the military can teach about integrity, responsibility, and moral courage in an era of political double standards.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
Programming note: This Wednesday join us for the next edition of The Bulwark Book Club. Mona Charen and Bill Kristol will discuss Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson with you LIVE at 1:30 p.m. EDT. Drop your questions, comments, and thoughts on the book in the comments of this post.
Published in 1894, the novel tells the story of two boys–one born into slavery, the other the master’s son–who were switched at birth.
Watch your inbox for a link on Wednesday to watch the show.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Access this member edition in the Bulwark App—now available on Apple and Google. Or set up the ad-free edition of this Bulwark show on your player of choice using your private RSS feed here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller shares highlights from his MS NOW appearance with John Heilemann and Jessica Taylor—Trump's political struggles, a scorching anti-war ad targeting Mike Rogers, Bill Cassidy's confirmation vote, and a state-by-state look at the Senate map, from Georgia to Texas to Kansas.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
After Sen. Lindsey Graham’s passing in July, South Carolina is holding a special Republican primary to replace him as the nominee for U.S. Senate. His sister, Sen. Darline Graham, has President Trump’s endorsement. But the polls (and our focus group) suggests that that may not be enough to fend off a cadre of other challengers. Associated Press national politics reporter Meg Kinnard joins Sarah to discuss Lindsey Graham’s legacy among South Carolina Republicans, and the state’s unexpected (and fast) special election.
There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with someone you think would enjoy the content.
Ad-free editions are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members on the site, the Bulwark App, via your member-only RSS feeds, and the Substack mobile and TV Apps. Upgrade now to listen without ads and to join the community in the comments.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller sits down with Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle, to discuss Donald Trump’s plans to build a border wall through and around Big Bend National Park in West Texas. Saul explains why local residents, business owners, sheriffs, and even some Trump-supporting officials are pushing back against the project. Tim and Isaac discuss the environmental damage from construction, the enormous $19.4 billion cost for the new border barriers, and the surprising possibility that new roads and infrastructure could actually make it easier for migrants to navigate the area.Read more from Isaac’s work at Tangle: https://www.readtangle.com/author/isaac-saul/
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Andy Ogles is officially not returning to Congress after losing his Tennessee Republican primary. Brendan Hartnett and Lauren Egan, give their takes on Ogles’ stunning defeat and why Trump’s endorsement wasn’t enough to save him. We break down Ogles’ history of disgusting, racist and homophobic comments, his controversial $25,000 GoFundMe for a memorial garden that never happened, and how Tennessee’s redistricting helped reshape the race. Plus, Brendan and Lauren talk about what Ogles’ defeat means for Democrats hoping to flip the newly redrawn district and whether Trump’s endorsement is still the force it once was in Republican primaries.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim got his hopes up that Bill Cassidy was going to come out against Blanche as AG. But of course, the senator showed once again that Republicans will do anything to stay on Team Trump—including turning our government into a corrupt, gangster oligarchy. Never mind that ordinary Americans are still dealing with the stink bombs Trump dumped on our economy with his tariffs and failed war: We’ve got lousy job numbers and higher prices across the board. Plus: The deportation of legal immigrants is a moral stain on our country, Russia’s energy crisis has backed Putin into a dangerous corner, and Trump is on a goldmaxxing spree. Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:
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Catherine’s latest “Receipts” newsletter
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Sam and Catherine on the jobs numbers
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Evan Osnos’ New Yorker piece, “The Future, Made in China”
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Tim’s playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL and Tim did a GIANT show this week.
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Uncanny Callista Gingrich.
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Thom Tillis publishes his burn book.
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Tucker’s running for president.
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Burrito discourse.
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And more!
Seriously: Instant classic. This one goes in the vault.
Read JVL’s Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. Ride with us.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein went live to cover the terrible jobs report this month, the White House's attempt to spin the economy as booming, the bill in the Senate that could give Trump more tariff power, and a federal appeals court blocking construction on Trump's ballroom. This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.Read more from Catherine's newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/senate-voting-to-give-trump-a-tariff
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tucker Carlson has a new message for the Republican Party—and it sounds an awful lot like the opening pitch of a presidential campaign. JVL, Andrew Egger and Will Sommer give their takes on Tucker's sweeping "10-point" vision for America, why he's increasingly distancing himself from Donald Trump, and whether he's laying the groundwork for a 2028 White House run. Plus, we break down Tucker's appeal to disaffected MAGA voters, the growing rift inside Trump's coalition over foreign policy and corruption, and why JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and the rest of the Republican field should be paying attention.Read more from Will's newsletter: Tucker 2028
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
POTUS has always used lies to great advantage, but his fakery can’t disguise the dangerous reality that the United States is running out of missiles. What a time for Trump to don an SNL-grade wig. Meanwhile, AIPAC may be evolving into a Trump super PAC, Max Miller keeps showing everyone he’s a sociopath, the GOP Islamophobia is looking very 2002, and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo accidentally admits Trump is looking out for the billionaires. Plus: The new Democratic Senate nominee from Kansas, pastor Adam Hamilton, joins Tim to discuss that sleeper race and how incumbent Roger Marshall is all about championing Trump and not the people of Kansas.
Sam Stein and Kansas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Adam Hamilton join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Inc.'s profile of The Bulwark
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Adam Hamilton's website
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Brian Poindexter's website (Dem running against Max Miller.)
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Trump's new wig
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) joins Catherine Rampell to discuss his years-long investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's finances and why he believes major Wall Street banks helped enable Epstein's sex trafficking operation by failing to report suspicious transactions. Wyden explains why he says top bank executives should be held accountable, responds to questions about the 60 Minutes interview that never aired, and lays out what Congress could do if Democrats retake the Senate. Wyden also breaks down his opposition to the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, arguing that it would hand Trump sweeping new tariff powers that could drive up costs for American consumers.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer take on Laura Loomer’s latest cabinet ambitions, MTG’s over-the-top Vegas wedding, Sean Duffy’s disappearing taxpayer-backed road trip, the bizarre MAHA diet taking hold in Trump’s orbit, Steven Crowder’s defense of fascism, and one congressional candidate’s unbelievable beach brawl.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The polling was way off, but suburban Dem voters in Michigan nonetheless showed that they’re sick of the party establishment and enraged by Trump, the war, the lies, and the corruption. AIPAC didn’t read the room. But party leaders are sounding united behind El-Sayed and Jane predicts he’ll bring a Mamdani-like energy to his campaign against Mike Rogers. Meanwhile, Republicans are sticking with sh*tbag Max Miller. Plus: Federal agents are threatening Americans for speaking out against ICE, Vance is always looking for a way to signal that he hates the war, and what other former podcast hosts can try to segue to elected office?
Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jane’s podcast, “What A Day”
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El-Sayed with influencers Monday night
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Photo of Chuck Edwards
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Andrew Weissmann discuss the Justice Department’s dismissal of charges over damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, potential recourse for Olympian David Hearn, and Trump’s response. They also examine Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation prospects, the proposed “anti-weaponization” fund and tax-immunity agreement, Capital One’s anti-money-laundering claims involving Trump Organization accounts, and Anthony Fauci’s decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment before Congress.
show notes:
Andrew Weissmann's new book, Liar’s Kingdom, is out now.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
Access to this show’s community comments and ad-free editions is available exclusively for Bulwark+ members here and on the Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.Bulwark+ members can also listen ad-free on your podcast player of choice—click SET UP here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Andrew Egger (filling in for Ben Parker) went live to cover reports that the U.S. missile supplies are dwindling, the Russian missile attack on Ukraine, the cyberattacks across several U.S. states, and Oman’s role in a potential deal with Iran.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on Deadline: White House to discuss Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings, voter frustration over the economy and the war in Iran, and Democrats’ midterm opportunities. They also consider the limits of Republican campaign spending and the party’s response to abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah’s on vacation, so Sam, Tim, and JVL discuss:-Live results from the (unexpectedly close) Michigan Senate primary, and discuss what an Abdul El-Sayed or Haley Stevens win would mean for November.-The horrifying child abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller, and his disastrous CNN interview.-Trump’s anger at Jeanine Pirro after she dropped vandalism charges related to the reflecting pool.-Todd Blanche advancing out of the Senate Judiciary Committee-Finally, they discuss JVL’s triad about democratic socialists (meh) versus social democrats (better), and how Democrats can stop letting Republicans set the narrative of this election.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller and producer Ansley Skipper test how much political news made it through Tim’s vacation bubble, from Trump’s White House correspondents’ dinner insults and the Fauci diaries to Canada tariffs, RFK Jr.’s cooking show, and a bizarre lettuce-recall controversy.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Rep. Chuck Edwards faces House Ethics censure over harassment allegations involving young staffers—Christmas tree visits, 30 tubs of ice cream, matching guns, a custom Adam Sandler puzzle. Will Sommer and Sarah Matthews dig into the creepy details, the power dynamics on the Hill, and why GOP colleagues are staying quiet.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Altman wants a supercomputer to talk to his kid so he doesn’t have to. Elon thinks Grok can make a better Odyssey than Christopher Nolan. And Silicon Valley has been cultishly hyping AI so much that they’ve lost the plot. Regular people are sick of all the synthetic slop, they don’t trust the tech titans, and their opposition to data centers is just the tip of the iceberg of a growing tech backlash. The political winds are shifting just in time for the midterms, so Elon's dumping more than $100 million to try to overcome them.
The Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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TNL live at 9pm ET on Tuesday's primaries on YouTube or Substack
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Lauren on data centers in Democratic campaigns
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Charlie's "The Myth of SpaceX"
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Politico on the growing backlash against the AI buildout
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Jasmine Sun on how LLMs don't write well
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover the DOJ dropping more Reflecting Pool cases, Senate Republicans advancing Todd Blanche’s vote out of committee, Max Miller defiantly staying in for bid for re-election, and Oman and Iran potentially coming to a deal over the Strait of Hormuz.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller and Sam Stein give their takes on Trump’s chaotic press conference in the Oval Office on Monday, where Trump defended Rep. Max Miller amid domestic violence allegations and lashed out at his longtime friend and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro over her failed Reflecting Pool vandalism case. Is Jeanine Pirro about to be fired? Plus, Trump once again warned Iran that it was their “last chance” for a deal after threatening to commit war crimes against the entire country.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Saletan dismantles RFK Jr.'s disastrous CNN interview, exposing one false claim after another on COVID, vaccines, Anthony Fauci, Donald Trump, and the media. From conspiracy theories to blatant contradictions, the secretary of Health and Human Services spends more time attacking Dana Bash than defending his own claims and the facts don't hold up. If the nation's top health official is still pushing COVID misinformation, Americans deserve to know.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Both the left and center-left are acting like the other faction within the party is the enemy—and not Donald Trump. Democrats need to keep their eye on the ball: Trump and the corruption, lying, and incompetence across his administration. In the past couple of days, the massive dishonesty has included Doug Burgum’s doubling down on the Reflecting Pool lies and Todd Blanche’s sham document on the IRS and the J6 weaponization fund. And why is Schumer signing off on a deal with Republicans to keep the government open? Plus: Max Miller is finally a national story, and Tim unloads on getting dragged into the Michigan Senate race as well as AIPAC’s massive spending on behalf of Haley Stevens.
Bill Kristol joins back-from-vacation Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Ron Brownstein
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Bill's interview with Margaret Donovan on Hegseth last week
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TNL live tomorrow on Tuesday’s primaries: on YouTube or Substack
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Tim's candidate list
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Sommer, Sam Stein and Andrew Egger went live to cover the growing calls on the right for GOP Rep. Max Miller to resign, whether Jeanine Pirro will be fired over the botched Reflecting Pool case, Tucker speaking with foreign agents, and the audience collapse among right-wing MAGA media figures.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Saletan fact-checks the GOP's Fauci diary attacks, debunking RFK Jr.'s vaccine claims, Fox News's selective editing, and conspiracy theories about lab leaks, school closures, and vaccine sabotage—showing why these "gotcha" moments collapse under scrutiny.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Join Bill Kristol and Ron Brownstein as they cover Trump's awful polling, Democrats' chances in the Senate, and whether we could see a blue Tsunami in November.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Mona Charen speaks with The Atlantic’s Idrees Kahloon about how Trump’s immigration, university, trade, fiscal, and foreign-policy agenda could weaken the foundations of long-term American prosperity and global influence. They also discuss China, alliances, executive power, political corruption, and Kahloon’s reconsideration of campaign-finance reform in an era of small-donor-driven extremism and weakened political parties.
Show Notes
Trump’s Anti-Growth AgendaBy Idrees Kahloon
Bulwark Book Club pick for August: Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson. Join Mona Charen and Bill Kristol to discuss this classic that explores racism and slavery. Published in 1894, the novel tells the story of two boys – one born into slavery, the other the master’s son – who were switched at birth. Send your questions, comments, and thoughts on the book here.
Watch your inbox for details on when the episode will drop.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Access this member edition in the Bulwark App—now available on Apple and Google. Or set up the ad-free edition of this Bulwark show on your player of choice using your private RSS feed here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sonny Bunch and Bill Kristol take on the dismissed felony vandalism case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn—who was accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool—after government officials acknowledged problems with the work itself. They consider what the case reveals about political pressure, government misconduct, the costs of defending against unjust prosecutions, and Trump’s fixation on remaking Washington.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
At the end of one of the most expensive Democratic primaries for Senate in American history, Abdul El-Sayed appears to be pulling away. We've been talking to Democratic primary voters in Michigan about El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens, and what they like (and don't like) about each candidate.
Jonathan Cohn, author of the newsletter The Breakdownand The Bulwark's resident Michigander, joins the show to discuss a primary that Sarah thinks has gone on for way too long.
show links
How Old-School Race Animus Could Shake Up the Michigan Senate RaceWhy Gretchen Whitmer’s Senate Endorsement MattersWhy Mallory McMorrow’s Campaign Didn’t Survive
There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Full ad-supported episodes of The Focus Group Podcast are available wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
Ad-free editions like this one are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members on the site, the Bulwark App, via your member-only RSS feeds, and the Substack mobile and TV Apps. Upgrade now to listen without ads and to join the community in the comments.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah Matthews joins MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace to break down Trump’s Cabinet meeting, his continued defense of January 6th rioters, and why his obsession with 2020 could hurt Republicans in the midterms. BBC They also discuss Trump’s falling poll numbers, the chaos inside his administration, and how the Texas Senate race could give Democrats a surprising opportunity.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The Washington Post is in turmoil once again. Opinion editor Adam O’Neal is stepping down after just over a year, raising fresh questions about Jeff Bezos’s controversial overhaul of the newspaper’s opinion section to focus more on “personal liberties and free markets.” Will Sommer sits down with Semafor media editor and Mixed Signals podcast cohost Max Tani to break down what O’Neal’s departure means, why the Post’s conservative pivot has struggled, and whether the paper’s expensive push into YouTube and podcasting was doomed from the start.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah and JVL have a super-sized, instant classic:
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The Trump administration is using ChatGPT for everything.
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Why are Cornyn and Tillis even bothering with their fake protest of Todd Blanche?
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The Dem Senate map is looking . . . possible?
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Trump has raised $800 million from “donors” since coming back to office.
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And JVL finally explains why he’s obsessed with 60 Minutes investigative reporter Ross Douthat.
Plus: Emo JVL needs your advice in the comments!
Show Notes:Sarah Longwell and Alex Seitz-Wald: The Maine Thing
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. Ride with us.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Join Catherine Rampell and JVL as they cover the week's biggest economics and finance stories.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Jasmine poses Triad readers’ questions to JVL: What do you think about the DSA? What can be done to protect the 2030 census from Republican meddling? Why does the right crave authoritarianism? Why did The Bulwark change its website? All that and more (like JVL’s hidden backstory as an opera singer) in this week's mailbag.
Link to JVL’s stream with Destiny here!
For an printable transcript and a list of questions for the Triad Mailbag head to:
Previous Triad Mailbags can be found here.
This week, I’m joined by Sugar showrunner Sam Catlin to discuss the second season of Apple TV’s underappreciated gem. If you haven’t watched the show, you should; season one is available in full and the penultimate episode of season two airs today. It’s a neo-noir with a sci-fi twist, a show about how media can shape us as people, and one of the best-acted programs on television. (Seriously: There’s a whole TV show with Colin Farrell doing A-List work and people aren’t talking about that nearly enough!) I hope you give the show a watch and give this episode a listen.
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President Trump’s approval rating is collapsing, and new polling shows voters are increasingly unhappy with his handling of the issues that matter most: the Iran war and the economy. Sarah Matthews gives her take on the three new polls showing Trump stuck in the low 30s, with voters questioning his decision to launch military action against Iran, his broken promise to avoid new wars, and his failure to deliver on his pledge to lower costs. Trump is out of touch with everyday Americans and the numbers paint a grim picture for the White House heading into the midterm elections.
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JVL and Andrew Egger discuss Todd Blanche’s stalled attorney general confirmation, as Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis seek assurances that the Trump administration will not revive a proposed “anti-weaponization” fund for allies and January 6 defendants. They also consider Trump’s response, Blanche’s political strategy, and the senators’ reluctance to confront the president directly.
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Sam Stein and George Conway discuss James Comey’s challenge to the “8647” prosecution, Donald Trump’s Supreme Court bid to overturn E. Jean Carroll’s $83 million defamation judgment, and the administration’s push for new restrictions on mail-in voting. They also cover the withdrawal of subpoenas targeting New York Times reporters and the delayed Paramount-Warner Bros merger.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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Savanna Cannon has become one of the fastest-rising viral personalities in right-wing media, but is politics really what she's selling? Will Sommer joins Brendan Hartnett to break down how Cannon's provocative MAGA videos have ignited a civil war on the right, with conservative influencers arguing over sex appeal, authenticity, and the growing influence of OnlyFans in the MAGA ecosystem. They explore how creators are using political content to build massive audiences, why conservative media can't seem to look away, and what Cannon's success reveals about the incentives driving online right-wing culture.Read more from Will's work: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/right-wing-media-and-onlyfans-are-symbiotic-relationship
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At the very least, Hegseth's refusal to acknowledge that it was our Tomahawk missile that killed 120 schoolchildren on the very first day of the war makes him unfit to serve as secretary of defense. Army JAG veteran Margaret Donovan says civilian casualties are a tragic reality in war and the public has the right to know what went wrong. The U.S. military prides itself on its excellence and precision, and that is what separates our fighting forces from those of our enemies. But Hegseth is also dragging this vital institution down because of the munition depletions, the lack of dignity being shown to fallen soldiers, his hare-brained schemes and war crimes in the Caribbean, and his undermining of military discipline by brushing off recent dangerous flyovers in civilian areas.
Margaret Donovan joins guest host Bill Kristol.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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The Democratic National Committee is facing growing criticism from within its own ranks—and now one of the party's most prominent fundraisers is speaking out. Sam Stein sits down with veteran Democratic fundraiser Rufus Gifford to discuss why he believes DNC Chair Ken Martin is failing at the two most important parts of the job: raising money and delivering a clear message. Gifford explains why he thinks the committee is spending too much on long-term party-building while critical Senate and House battlegrounds need every available dollar ahead of the midterms.Read more from Lauren's reporting on Ken Martin
Read Rufus Gifford on Substack
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Tim’s back next week but in the meantime enjoy this ad-free preview of The Bulwark Podcast—today with JVL and Robert Kagan. Upgrade to watch the full show—ad free—and join the Bulwark community in the comments. Ride with us.
At a little-noticed conference on political violence a couple of weeks ago, Marco Rubio and Stephen Miller employed the dehumanizing rhetoric of the Soviets and Nazi mastermind Joseph Goebbels to attack the left. And while they might want us to think they were just talking about the DSA, it sure seems that they meant Democrats generally—including those who might be legitimately protesting Trump's efforts to try to steal an election. Plus: Iran is not acting like it fears the United States, Lindsey Graham probably did more harm than good, and the Fauci drama is the latest example of the MAGA double standard about telling the truth.
Bob Kagan joins guest host JVL.
Show notes:
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JVL's 'Triad' on Trump's best option on Iran
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Bob's articles at The Atlantic
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Jonathan Cohn takes on the Fauci hearing spectacle, where Rand Paul grilled the former NIH chief over newly obtained diaries—and Fauci pled the Fifth. Cohn joins MS Now to separate legitimate oversight from what he calls a political show trial aimed at Trump-era vengeance.
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.), Ben Parker and special guest Ret. Rear Adm. John Kirby went live to discuss the U.S. intercepting an attack by Iran, Trump’s response to the attacks, and the concern on U.S. missile stockpiles as the war drags on.
Drawing on his own experience in the Navy, John breaks down what it’s really like to defend the Strait of Hormuz, why Iran continues to threaten global shipping despite months of U.S. strikes, and how a lack of clear strategy is putting American readiness at risk.
Plus, a look at how the Pentagon’s silence and the White House’s inconsistent public statements are undermining public trust at a moment when Americans deserve honest answers about the war.
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Sarah, JVL, and Catherine Rampell discuss:- Mitch McConnell's SECOND proof of life photo, and what's really going on with him.- The White House Correspondents' Dinner do-over, Trump's comments about Kaitlan Collins, why anyone goes to it anymore, and how the whole thing seems to be playing into Trump's hands.- The drama inside the Democratic National Committee, and how (and whether) having a strong national party committee matters anymore.- The proposed new primary calendar for the 2028 Democratic primaries.- The final stretch of the Michigan Senate primary.
Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September!
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The Justice Department's case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn may have a major problem and it comes from the government's own witness. Sam Stein is joined by NBC News justice reporter Ryan Reilly to take on new court filings showing the prosecution's key witness reportedly acknowledged the reflecting pool was already damaged before Hearn allegedly touched it. If that's true, can DOJ still prove the felony charge against him? They discuss why the $1,000 damage threshold is so important, what Jeanine Pirro's office has to prove, and why Hearn's attorneys argue the grand jury may have been misled.Read more from Ryan’s reporting: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/reflecting-pool-case-witness-conceded-damage-olympic-canoeist-davey-he-rcna589510
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Stephen Miller has a free hand to pump out his racist policies; Trump regularly says blatantly offensive things that are way past a dog whistle; and one-time insurgents at the Heritage Foundation and other MAGA institutions are muscling out people who aren't comfortable with openly embracing bigotry. The groypers are running today's Republican Party. At the same time, Trump's Iran war has opened divisions within the administration, and the leaks are coming fast and furiously. Plus: the gullible people who think their bribes will keep them safe from Trump, Rod Dreher's falling out with JD Vance, the ties between the Tates and the White House should be a bigger scandal, Mitch McConnell may be doing the most Mitch McConnell thing of all, and how Cincinnatians fought back against DHS to protect a local chaplain.
Zeteo’s Asawin Suebsaeng joins guest host Will Sommer.
Show notes:
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Swin's recent reporting on Trump's failed Iran war
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Will's recent “False Flag” on MAGA rallying around Andrew Tate
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The NYT on the crackup at the Heritage Foundation
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New York mag on Justin Sun blowing the whistle on Trump
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Swin on the chaplain in Cincinnati
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Rod Dreher with a platter of oysters in Paris
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover Trump’s claim that the late Lindsey Graham wanted him to make a deal with Iran, the Republican holdouts who could derail Todd Blanche’s confirmation to be AG, and why Trump is now pushing RFK Jr. to find a connection between autism and vaccines.
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Mitch McConnell says he's "still working hard" to get back to the Senate, but the only proof of life we've gotten is two photos and a statement from his physician. JVL and Andrew Egger break down why the timeline doesn't add up, why a five-minute call with a reporter could end all the speculation, and why the new photo is sending conspiracy theorists into overdrive.
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Not only has our lousy commander-in-chief allowed the country's missile inventory to be dramatically depleted, Hegseth's politicized hiring and firing of officers has come home to roost and is doing real damage to the military as an institution. Meanwhile, Zelensky says he'll show Trump proof that Russia is helping Iran in the war, and Laura Loomer has done an about-face and now says she's on Ukraine’s side. Plus, the wet, hot DSA summer hits its peak in the Michigan Senate race, Bibi is going to try to save his hide, and Republicans in swing districts have been given the all-clear to distance themselves from Trump.
Bill Kristol joins guest host John Heilemann.
Show notes:
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The NYT on the diminished stockpile of Patriot antimissile interceptors
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John's "Impolitic" podcast
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Jon Cohn on Whitmer's endorsement of Haley Stevens
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Lauren on the troubles at the DNC
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Epstein survivor, Dani Bensky
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Andrew on Trump bombing at the White House Correspondents Dinner
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live to cover Laura Loomer's recent trip to Ukraine, the giant conspiracy theory on Joe Rogan, Kash Patel using the FBI to hype himself up, Liz Truss partnering up with Matt Schlapp, and Trump posting gross and disgusting slop all weekend long.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eliot returns from his trip to western Canada to review the latest jackassery with Eric. The two discuss recent developments surrounding a potential U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement and contextualize it against the history of U.S. non-proliferation and counter-proliferation efforts. They also reflect on their personal experiences with the late Senator Lindsey Graham and examine his legacy. From there they turn to the latest updates from Ukraine, including President Zelensky’s dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi. Finally, they consider the ongoing likelihood of escalation in Iran.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Will Saletan and Ben Parker take on Mike Waltz's Sunday show gauntlet defending Trump's Iran war—confused goals, dwindling munitions, Russia and China's help, civilian infrastructure targeting, and fantasy pipelines meant to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
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Bill Kristol welcomes Epstein survivor Dani Bensky to discuss her private meeting with Todd Blanche, her communications with Senators Tillis and Cornyn, and whether any GOP Senators will do the right thing.
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Thomas Edsall tells Mona Charen Democrats can recover from Trump's bad ratings by moderating on three fronts: transgender policy (affirm two sexes, restrict sports/prisons/youth surgery), immigration (pro-legal, pro-enforcement), and crime (oppose lenient DAs and no-bail policies).
His diagnosis: the party's become too elitist and needs working-class voters back to beat MAGA.
If the Democrats Actually Want to Win, This Is What They Have to Do
Bulwark Book Club pick for August: Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson. Join Mona Charen and Bill Kristol to discuss this classic that explores racism and slavery. Published in 1894, the novel tells the story of two boys – one born into slavery, the other the master’s son – who were switched at birth. Send your questions, comments, and thoughts on the book here.
Watch your inbox for details on when the episode will drop.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Trump took the stage at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and delivered one of the most uncomfortable speeches of his political career. Sam Stein and Will Saletan break down the jokes that bombed, the attacks on Kaitlan Collins and other targets that crossed the line from comedy into cruelty, the surreal Wall Street Journal/Epstein moment, and what happened when Trump faced an audience that simply stopped laughing.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro is on track for a pretty big win in November. And he can’t do that without winning over a lot of former Trump voters, including the ones in our focus group. Cook Political Report editor-in-chief Amy Walter returns to the show to discuss how our Pennsylvania focus group felt about Shapiro, AND Sen. John Fetterman’s possible party switch, and about the Trump administration. They also break down whether Democrats should be concerned about the generic ballot polling we’re seeing right now.
show links
Subscribe to the Cook Political Report!
CPR’s PollTracker (Trump Approval Rating Aggregator)
CPR’s “Find a Race” sorter
CPR’s Battleground District Project
There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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JVL joins Destiny for his first-ever political stream to talk about how MAGA media manufactures reality, why mainstream outlets keep playing by obsolete rules, and how Democrats kill their own messages before voters ever hear them.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Big show today: It’s the dawn of Streamer JVL?
Plus: Some questions for Tom Homan about shooting January 6 insurrectionists; Haley Stevens and authenticity; and the Mitch McConnell conspiracy theory. Also, a conversation about raising good men.
But the big topic is the Department of Defense suddenly removing the names of four dead soldiers from the Iran war casualty list because they were killed after Trump declared a ceasefire in April—because there are now apparently two distinct Iran wars. Even though neither of them is, for legal purposes, a “war.”
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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Join Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker as they cover the Pentagon lowering the count of US service members killed in the Iran War.
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Join JVL and special guest Paul Krugman (filling in for Catherine) as they cover the week's biggest stories from the world of economics and finance.For more on Catherine's original reporting, check out her latest Receipts newsletter on how the Trump administration is conspiring to exclude millions of immigrants from the 2030 census, here.
Follow Paul Krugman on Substack.
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Nate Jones of Vulture to discuss his monumental effort to rank the 100 most powerful directors in Hollywood. We discussed how the audience has shifted from stars to IP to maybe, now, directors, and what that means for the industry. Plus: Who did his inside sources think he rated too highly … and too lowly? All that and more on this week’s (if I do say so myself) very fun episode. Debate amongst yourselves: Who has the most juice in Hollywood … and who should have the most juice?
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Sam Stein and Ben Parker give their takes on why the DOJ abruptly withdrew its subpoenas against three New York Times reporters and their family members over reporting on security flaws in Trump’s Qatari-gifted Air Force One. But the losses in court don't stop there, the administration also quietly dropped its demand for a list of Jewish faculty and students at UPenn, and a Trump-appointed judge just blocked the White House from obtaining Kentucky’s voter rolls. Plus, in a scene straight out of Pyongyang: Trump finishes a speech, and the applause just… doesn’t stop. A full uncomfortable minute of a room too scared to be the first one to sit down.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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In 2026, everyone who follows politics has an opinion about Maine politics. Here’s the thing: a lot of people in Maine think they’re wrong. So, Sarah talked to a former national political reporter who moved his family to Maine to help stand up a local paper. Former NBC News reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, now deputy editor of the Midcoast Villager, joins to discuss his transition to local journalism, the unique culture of Maine politics, and how Graham Platner’s exit from the U.S. Senate race landed with Maine voters. They also size up the new Democratic candidate, Troy Jackson, and discuss why Susan Collins has had such staying power, and how–or whether–her luck might finally run out in 2026.
Show notes:
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The front page on the most recent issue of the Midcoast Villager
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Sarah’s ‘Focus Group’ pod
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NYT profile of the Midcoast Villager
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Tim’s playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the double standard at the heart of the GOP right now: Democrats forced Graham Platner off the ballot over disturbing allegations, while Republicans stand by candidates and members with far more documented records. Texas gun-YouTuber Brandon Herrera made disgusting comments about women and children. Arizona's Mark Lamb is facing sexual misconduct allegations. Sitting Congressmen Cory Mills and Max Miller continue to face domestic abuse allegations. So what does Mike Johnson say when he's asked directly about it? He dodges.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger give their takes on Trump's new threats of war crimes to Iran, the new polling showing MAGA support for the war cratering, and the new U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement. Plus, they dig into the White House's ever-expanding gold decor of oversized frames, mystery bells, and speculation about Trump's late-night decorating habits.
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Sarah Longwell welcomes George Conway back to The Illegal News to discuss Trump Media’s plan to sell Wall Street firms early access to Trump’s market-moving Truth Social posts. They also talk about DOJ subpoenas targeting New York Times reporters and their families, Trump’s Qatar jet, the newly activated Alien Terrorist Removal Court, and the Paramount–Warner merger.
show notes:
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
Access to this show’s community comments and ad-free editions is available exclusively for Bulwark+ members here and on the Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.Bulwark+ members can also listen ad-free on your podcast player of choice—click SET UP here.
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Trump keeps promising more bombs and bigger explosions in Iran, but the regime knows he’s just trying to disguise his retreat. And the Iranians are not going to back down until the whole world can see that they beat Trump. Meanwhile, in the middle of a war that is ostensibly about stopping Iran from getting a nuke, POTUS just cut a deal with the Saudis for their own nuclear program. Plus: The failure of Republican senators to stand up to Trump may be out of fear of his voters, and are the American people or our political system more to blame for what ails the country?David Frum joins guest host Jonathan V. Last.
Show notes:
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JVL's Triad on Trump being at war with himself
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JVL's Triad, "Very Low-IQ Trump Too Stoopid to Win War"
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David's pod episode with Jeffrey Goldberg
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The latest episode of "The David Frum Show"
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Nixon certifying JFK's election victory
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Will Saletan breaks down how Donald Trump’s empty threats, reckless boasts, and shifting stories turned his Iran deal into a deadly fiasco—and exposed just how little he understands the war he started.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker are joined by Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) for her take on the state of the Iran war, U.S. military strategy, and the health of American democracy heading into the midterms. Slotkin, a former CIA analyst with three tours in Iraq, pushes back on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's testimony that the U.S. has neutralized Iran's naval threat in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing Iran retains "veto power" over the critical waterway through drones, mines, and fast boats. Plus, Sen. Slotkin explains how her "Protect Our Polls Act" is designed to block the military from being deployed to polling sites during the midterms without congressional approval.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey just pulled in $124.5 million over its opening weekend, the biggest domestic opening for a live-action film this year. So why has MAGA Twitter spent the weekend insisting it's a woke disaster, a box office fraud, and a betrayal of Homer himself?Sam Stein, Sonny Bunch, and Will Sommer give their takes on the right's bizarre backlash: the fake Achilles/Elliot Page casting controversy, the Emily Wilson translation discourse, the conspiracy theories about Rotten Tomatoes being "rigged," and the very online split between guys like Matt Walsh and Elon Musk (furious) and Ben Shapiro and Dave Rubin (actually kind of into it).
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Sarah, JVL, and False Flag author Will Sommer (sitting in for Tim) discuss:
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Whether Laura Loomer is one of the adults in MAGA-land? I’m Ron Burgundy?
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The state of the Iran War.
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The ridiculous AI advertisement being run by a Ted Cruz-aligned outside group in Florida (and the whacky candidates in the ad).
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The unfolding special Republican primary for Senate in South Carolina
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The Michigan Senate race...and how all of the online conventional wisdom stacks up with reality.
Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September!
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.
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Join Sam Stein and HuffPost's Arthur Delaney as they cover the brewing dissatisfaction with Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Todd Blanche.
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Ronald Reagan said it best: One of the greatest sources of America's greatness are the people drawn to the country from every corner of the globe, who become American and keep the country young, vital, and modern. But Trump and Stephen Miller are sticking to their absolutist deportation plan without regard to history or its political cost. Meanwhile, we are learning in real time that our trillion-dollar weapons systems are (sometimes) no match for Iran's drones—and that the regime can't resist the opportunity to humiliate another U.S. president. Plus, Laura Ingraham spoke truth, Bibi has turned Americans against Israel, Testosterone Pete is making the Pentagon look weak, and the joy of MAGA tears over The Odyssey.Joe Scarborough joins guest host Sam Stein.
Show notes:
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"Morning Joe" on MS NOW
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Rahm Emanauel's speech on the U.S.-Israel relationship
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger went live to cover CNN's reporting that Trump and Elon Musk's cuts through DOGE to the CDC and USAID slowed the response to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, the Pentagon withholding the number of U.S. military injuries from the war with Iran, and why Trump's strategy appears trapped between military escalation and political retreat.
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Brendan Hartnett and Will Saletan put their encyclopedic knowledge of Donald Trump to the test by predicting which words he would use in a major speech. The fake bets produce some eerie wins, one brutal near-miss, and a new appreciation for how quickly prediction markets can become addictive.
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Trump tried to steal the limelight and the valor of Spain at the World Cup, even as more troops died overseas; Stephen Miller regularly encourages ICE to be violent while Pete Hegseth pushes soldiers to be macho bullies. The leaders in this country are men with no center and no core. Now with the arrest of the Tate brothers in Miami, Trump gets a chance to extend his record of standing by sex pests and assaulters. Plus: Iran and the U.S. are dangerously escalating the war, ICE is going even more rogue, Maine Dems have a replacement for Platner, and generic ballot polling suggests voters aren't necessarily gravitating to Democrats—and the noisy DSA may have a lot to do with that.Bill Kristol joins special guest host Sarah Longwell.Show notes:
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Sam and Mark Hertling on the Iran strikes on an air base in Jordan
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Umberto Eco's "Ur-Fascism" piece
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live to cover Trump refusing to leave Spain’s World Cup celebrations, the MAGA right questioning Trump’s claim that Iran is “obliterated” after deadly attacks on U.S. bases, the Tate brothers arrested in Florida, and Clavicular explaining “looksmaxxing” to Sean Hannity.
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Eric welcomes back friend of the show Professor Hal Brands, the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. The two discuss Hal’s recent work, beginning with his column in Bloomberg dissecting the key strategic errors that Trump has made in the ongoing war with Iran. Hal then breaks down his recent essay with Michael Beckley in Foreign Affairs, which examines global conflict through the lens of “heartland” and “rimland” coalitions. Finally, they turn to Hal’s latest edited volume which brings together essays by a large group of scholars considering the many ways that AI may change the nature of international affairs, the conduct of war, and global order.
Hal Brands’ latest in Bloomberg:
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/trumps-iran-blunder-shows-strategy-can-defeat-firepower/
Hal Brands & Michael Beckley’s latest in Foreign Affairs:
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/heartland-vs-rimland-beckley-brands
The Geopolitics of AI: Power, Conflict, and the Future of Global Order:
Free PDF via Johns Hopkins University Press
Hard copy via Amazon
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Join Bill Kristol and former DOJ pardon attorney Liz Oyer as they discuss Oyer's testimony at Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing.Read Liz's Substack, Lawyer Oyer: https://www.lawyeroyer.com/
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Mona Charen and Eric Edelman examine how Trump stumbled into the Iran war without a clear plan, alienated allies, strengthened Tehran’s position, and left the United States looking weaker.Inside Israel’s Secret Operation to Cultivate AhmadinejadUS lacks scores of ambassadors in Africa
Bulwark Book Club pick for August: Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson. Join Mona Charen and Bill Kristol to discuss this classic that explores racism and slavery. Published in 1894, the novel tells the story of two boys – one born into slavery, the other the master’s son – who were switched at birth. Send your questions, comments, and thoughts on the book here.
Watch your inbox for details on when the episode will drop.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Access this member edition in the Bulwark App—now available on Apple and Google. Or set up the ad-free edition of this Bulwark show on your player of choice using your private RSS feed here.
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Sam Stein and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) take on the deadly Iranian strike on a U.S. base in Jordan, the mounting American casualties, and a rapidly widening war with no clear path to de-escalation.
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On a week that tested both of them, Sarah and Andrew discuss: Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing, and Trump's prime-time speech on election interference. Andrew walks through the cross-examination Senate Democrats didn't run—the statements that went unchallenged, the follow-ups nobody asked, and the one question about the withheld Epstein files that Blanche has still never answered. Then: why he thinks dismantling the government's election-security apparatus isn't neglect, but the point.Also discussed: the $1.776 billion payout, the document absolving Trump of tax liability, what Blanche told the Epstein victims that simply isn't true, and why Andrew keeps calling BS.
show notes:
Andrew Weissmann's new book, Liar’s Kingdom, is out now.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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American politics and politicians are decidedly lower-character than they used to be. So, how did we get here? And why have voters seemingly lowered their expectations?
The New York Times’ David French joins the show to discuss Americans’ relationship with low-character politicians like Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump, and how our major political parties have handled candidates like Ken Paxton and Graham Platner in 2026.
Show notes:David French: The Platner Trap
There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
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Sam Stein speaks with Rep. Jim Himes about Trump’s election speech, his attacks on voting systems, and the danger of declaring sitting senators illegitimate. They also examine how Trump’s own foreign-interference files document Russia’s efforts to help him, spread the Burisma story, and create chaos in American politics.
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Sarah Longwell and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss Trump’s tedious (and still scary!) election speech, the documents that undercut his election claims, JD Vance’s cringe appearance on Joe Rogan, Trump voters’ brutal reactions to Vance, and Democrats’ missed opportunities at the Todd Blanche hearing.
Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Show notes:
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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The one presidential election Trump lost was when he was in power and in charge of election integrity. Still, Trump is asking his supporters to believe the most preposterous lie yet: The elections run by Democrats in '16 and '24 were legitimate, but the election he oversaw wasn't. And he seems determined to take matters to the breaking point ahead of the midterms. Plus: Never forget that Jack Smith charged Trump with fraud for knowingly lying about his loss to Biden, the real TDS is continuing to claim the 2020 election was stolen, Lindsey Graham damaged our democracy, and why has Merrick Garland stayed silent through all the purges at the DOJ and FB!?
MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
Show notes:
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Nicolle's show, "Deadline: White House"
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Nicolle's pod, "The Best People"
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Tim's playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.
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Join Catherine Rampell and Justin Wolfers as they cover the week's biggest economics and finance news.Check out Justin's Substack, Platypus Economics: https://platypuseconomics.com/
On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Chris Fenton to discuss efforts to pass a federal tax credit that would help reshore American film production and his own made-in-America film, Bad Counselors, which hits theaters next week. Things got a little spicy as we debated some of the downsides of these programs—and, specifically, how they might come to pass; I think the federal government should be working for all of America on this issue rather than picking winners and losers state by state—but something clearly needs to be done. Film production and the culture industry more broadly is one of the great American exports, and we’ll all be better off if we can find a way to keep those jobs in America.
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Join Sarah Longwell and Sonny Bunch as they cover Trump's July 16, 2026 prime time speech.
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Sam Stein speaks with Reuters national security reporter Erin Banco about Trump’s planned election speech, his administration’s moves against federal election officials, and concerns inside his own White House that reviving voting-machine conspiracies could backfire by convincing MAGA voters to stay home.
White House weighs releasing controversial intel on China and US elections, sources sayForeign Threats to the 2020 US Federal Elections
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The men serving Trump are so used to getting away with punking people, including too many members of the media, that they sometimes walk into a trap they don't see coming, and the truth slips out. Like Todd Blanche—Trump's personal attorney masquerading as acting AG—having to own the fact that he collaborated with Ghislaine Maxwell to protect Trump. Or Jay Clayton, the DNI nominee, showing that he has zero self-worth and that he's ready to do anything to help POTUS try to steal the election in the fall. Plus, the administration has too much of an obsession with d*icks—and trying to rewrite African-American history as well. And parents with young kids be warned: Vance has an issue with eating corn dogs and has an odd reaction to Biden licking an ice cream cone.
Michael Steele joins Tim Miller.
Show notes:
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Michael's "The Weeknight" on MS NOW
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Longer clip of Ossoff's exchange with Jay Clayton
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Tim's episode with Clint Smith from the July 4th weekend
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"This Is Your Land," the book Tim referenced
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker take on the Pentagon's bizarre new testosterone screening program for troops, a promotion list with zero women admirals, and China's quiet power grab as America's alliances crack under Trump.
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Buckle up. It’s the last Trio video of July—and it’s a big one. The guys start by reacting to Joe Rogan’s interview of JD Vance, in which the Vice President trafficked in Epstein conspiracy theories. Vance also reflected on more important matters, like who’s cooler: Republicans or Democrats? His expertise on coolness could only come from years of experience getting stuffed into lockers and getting swirlies from bullies. Then, they go deep on New Orleans rapper Boosie’s attempt to get a pardon from the administration with help from an infamous duo of GOP operatives. Plus, an update on Kash Patel’s girlfriend. And the woman who couldn’t walk forward after receiving the flu shot—where is she now?
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Join Sam Stein, Bill Kristol and Will Saletan as they cover the Todd Blanche confirmation hearing live.
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While ICE is still murdering people in the streets, more than 60,000 people are currently being held in ICE detention centers across the country. The largest facility is at Fort Bliss in El Paso—which was an actual Japanese internment site in WWII. Detainees there are being deprived of needed medication; some have been held incommunicado; others have reported that the tent camp was not designed for humans to live there. When the conditions are not dire enough to make detainees self-deport, guards terrorize them into submission. Plus: Cuban and Venezuelan immigrants are particularly caught in the crosshairs of the escalating deportation campaign. And Tim holds forth on Trump’s goons murdering our neighbors, ICE’s reckless Kavanaugh stops, the straight-up Constitutional violations the administration is encouraging, and the illegal and marauding settler groups in the West Bank.
The New Yorker’s Jon Blitzer joins Tim Miller.
Show notes:
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Jon's piece, "Locked Away"
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Nick Miroff's Atlantic piece on the Maine shooting
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The NYT on Marco running Venezuela (gift link)
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The episode of "This American Life" Jon referenced, "What Is Your Emergency?"
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Jon's book, "Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here"
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The HBO Max show, "Proud," Tim referenced
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Lauren Egan speaks with Democratic congressional candidate Cait Conley about taking on Mike Lawler, Trump’s broken promise to avoid new wars, and Lawler’s four votes against reining in the administration’s Iran conflict.
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The whole gang is back together, for the last time until August. Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss:- Two more killings by ICE officers. JVL asks whether we're getting numb to this. No one on this show is numb.- Trump's aborted plan to toll the Strait of Hormuz--and whether it was an act of war.- Sarah lets Todd Blanche (and Republican senators) have it.- After JVL's wifi goes bad, Tim and Sarah discuss Tim's interview with Pete Buttigieg, and why Tim is glad Josh Shapiro isn't wading into intra-Democratic turf wars.
Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September!
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Sam Stein speaks with Ben Wikler, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, about why Trump is not the main character for many voters, how groceries, gas prices, roads, and local relationships shape elections, and his plan for rebuilding Democratic power from the ground up.Buy Ben's book, "This Is The Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy" - https://www.amazon.com/This-Plan-Americas-Meltdown-Democracy/dp/1324131438
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Trump's rare triple L: his 20% Strait of Hormuz toll dies within 24 hours, E. Jean Carroll finally collects $5.62 million after his lawyers claimed presidential immunity, and ICE halts vehicle stops after multiple fatal shootings.E. Jean Carroll receives $5.62 million sex abuse, defamation payment from Trump after yearslong waitTrump cites presidential immunity to try to toss out $83M judgment he owes to E. Jean CarrollICE Ordered to Cease Most Vehicle Stops After 2 Killings in a Week
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Join Bill Kristol and Ben Parker (filling in for Andrew Egger) as they cover the week's biggest stories.
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Democrats tend to defend the institutions that Trump is tearing apart, but Pete Buttigieg says the party should be focusing on the bigger, deeper structural problems the country is facing and the need for political reform. The kind of radical institutional changes he’d like to see include: expanding SCOTUS and the House of Representatives, statehood for Washington, D.C., and directly electing the president by popular vote. Plus, Pete gets candid about the “most fucked-up thing” that’s ever happened to his family, the big opportunity for Dems in Iowa in November, and Pete’s stumping for candidates in places where Fox News reigns.
Pete Buttigieg joined Tim Miller in Des Moines.
Show notes:
Here is a list provided by Pete Buttigieg of candidates he has endorsed in the 2026 election cycle:
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Jonathan Cohn talks with epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina about the record-breaking cyclospora outbreak, which foods to avoid, why officials still haven’t found the source, and how cuts to public health could make outbreaks like this more common.
Follow Katelyn Jetelina and Your Local Epidemiologist on Substack.
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The Trump administration is going full speed ahead on its authoritarian project to intimidate the media and the business world—and to gun people down in the streets. And in Israel, Netanyahu is allowing settler militias to run amok in the West Bank, killing Palestinians and destroying their villages and property. Rep. Khanna joins Tim to describe his own personal encounter with the private armed groups near Hebron. Plus, the mixed legacy of Lindsey Graham, Trump is trying to pretend he didn't sign a deal giving Iran management of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Dems have a real chance to weaken Todd Blanche and the whole administration.Bill Kristol and Rep. Ro Khanna join Tim Miller.Show notes:
-
Monday's "Morning Shots"
-
Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Sarah
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on the conspiracy theories surrounding Lindsey Graham’s death and Mitch McConnell’s hospital “proof of life” photo, Jared and Ivanka Kushner’s scandal-plagued Albanian excursion, Libs of TikTok embedding with ICE, and the latest drama from the online looksmaxxers.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eric and Eliot catch up for the first time in a month after returning from overseas. They break down the latest jackassery, from Graham Platner’s campaign implosion to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gifting revolvers and live, gold-plated ammunition to the heads of state at the recent NATO summit. They assess the NATO summit more broadly and note the caveats to Trump’s promise to provide Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missile defense interceptors. Eric unpacks his recent Bulwark piece on the conspiracy of silence at the gathering related to Turkey’s democratic backsliding. They also discuss recent investigations into China’s assistance to Russia’s war effort, the state of the “ceasefire” with Iran, and Rahm Emanuel’s speech in Tel Aviv. Finally, they trade observations from their travels to France and Eastern Europe.
Eliot’s latest in the Atlantic (gift link):
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/07/america-france-enduring-relationship/687844/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPg9Zn56KAT0A_Vk94nJcGVU&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Eric’s latest in the Bulwark:
Nate Swanson on Iran overplaying its hand: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/iran-won-war-may-lose-peace
Howard Altman on the problems with the Ukraine Patriot licensing deal: https://www.twz.com/land/ukraine-built-patriot-missiles-wont-be-defending-the-countrys-skies-anytime-soon
Michael Weiss, Roman Dobrokhotov, and Christo Grozev on China and Russia’s targeting of Starlink: https://theins.press/en/inv/294635
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Sam Stein takes on Trump's escalating war on the press: subpoenas targeting NYT reporters over Air Force One security reporting, a rambling 450-word attack on Maggie Haberman, and the irony of Trump attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner just weeks later—while Mark Zuckerberg stays conspicuously silent.
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Many Democratic primaries in 2026 have been hashing out America’s relationship with Israel, because Democratic voters' opinions of Israel have taken a nosedive the last three years. Pod Save America and Pod Save the World co-host Tommy Vietor joins Sarah to discuss the role Israel-related politics has played in the 2026 midterms, and the role it may play in the next presidential primaries.
There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Tim Miller joined the Deadline: White House panel to discuss Trump’s failed attempt to stop the bipartisan housing bill, the Republican cowardice it exposed, Trump's Qatar jet fiasco, and Graham Platner’s withdrawal from the Maine Senate race.Watch Deadline White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller take on Donald Trump’s decades-long habit of defending men accused of sexual assault and misconduct. From Roy Moore and Roger Ailes to Mike Tyson and Ghislaine Maxwell, they roll the archival tape and expose the staggering depth of the GOP’s hypocrisy.
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Sarah and JVL are back together, looking at Trump’s NATO disgrace, wondering if Mitch McConnell is really talking to people on the phone about detailed policy questions, and analyzing the factional fight in the Democratic party between the people trying to elect Democrats and the insurgents focused on displacing the establishment.
Short version: What if Morris Katz is just the left’s Steve Bannon?
Also, there’s some personal stuff at the end.
Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Show notes:
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JVL’s Triad: “Progressives Are Mad at the Wrong People”
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Sarah is Wyatt Earp; JVL is Doc Holliday, explained.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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The Trump administration desperately wants the public to just tune out the shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE agents in Houston. But this roaming army of masked, armed men chasing people down and killing them is tied directly into the administration's criminality across the board. Trump may pardon Stephen Miller, but he should be on trial in state court in 2029. Meanwhile, McConnell's choice to not convict on impeachment means Donald Trump is his legacy. Plus: Republicans showed with the housing bill that they could find a backbone, Platner is not who he said he was, Dems should talk about race more, some way too early Magnolia Bowl talk, Vance/Trump 2028, and which potential Democratic nominees would Stuart work for in a heartbeat?
Stuart Stevens joins Tim Miller.Show notes:
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Stuart's book, "It Was All a Lie"
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Stuart's "The Conspiracy to End America"
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Tim’s playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Catherine Rampell is joined by special guests from Yale's Budget Lab, Natasha Sarin and Martha Gimbel, to break down Trump's refusal to sign a housing bill he once championed, the bipartisan push for tax breaks for seniors, and what happens when the across-the-board 10% tariffs Trump imposed expire later this month.
On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by renowned critic and film historian David Thomson to discuss his new book, A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies. It’s a bracing tome, given its thesis: That the film screen has fundamentally altered who we are and how we interact with the world, in ways mostly negative. I’ll have more on this book in my newsletter this week, but I really hope you pick it up; there’s a lot to chew on in it.
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Sam Stein, Tim Miller and Will Sommer take on the week's weirdest stories: MAGA Manny changes his story on tape—to a puppet. Colorado GOP frontrunner Victor Marx's confessions keep getting darker, and he's still winning. Meghan McCain posts photographic proof that nobody came to her State Fair broadcast. Students for Trump founder Ryan Fournier is arraigned in shackles on new felony charges—with Jeanine Pirro's name on the indictment. Plus: the Candace Owens–Ben Shapiro war over the Kirk trial.Read Will's False Flag newsletter at https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag
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Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell to discuss a big week in legal news: DOJ's stunning concession in a reporter's lawsuit over the Epstein files, the questions senators must make Todd Blanche answer at his confirmation hearing, and the Trump-appointed judge who torched DOJ's demand for the names of every 2020 election worker in Fulton County. Plus: the DOJ letter that signals a plan to challenge the 2026 midterms, and the Supreme Court's surprising ruling on your phone's location data.
Reining in a Rogue Supreme Court by Norman Ornstein
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Trump had to take two Air Force ones to the NATO summit in Turkey: his new bling Qatari hand-me-down that he wanted to show off and the old baby blue one which he had to use to fly safely home—given the war in neighboring Iran. And at the FBI, Kash Patel’s thievery of taxpayer resources has gotten so out of hand, even Chuck Grassley wants answers. Plus: Ukraine has created panic in Russia (which has Trump rethinking which side he wants to root for), Dems should be highlighting the massive military waste in Iran, and Ben invites the public to test-run his new giant database of government records. Oh, and baby elephants are the best.Ben Wittes joins Tim Miller.Show notes:
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Lawfare on the military's potential deployment at the polls
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Ben’s email: benjamin.wittes@lawfaremedia.org
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Ben's Substack, "Dog Shirt Daily"
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Democrats swore they'd never do what Republicans did with Trump. Then came Graham Platner. Mona Charen and Will Saletan on the fake oysterman, the vetting failure, and the death of shame—plus Trump's World Cup meddling and the loss Mona says America needed.
Bulwark Book Club pick for August: Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson. Join Mona Charen and Bill Kristol to discuss this classic that explores racism and slavery. Published in 1894, the novel tells the story of two boys – one born into slavery, the other the master’s son – who were switched at birth. Send your questions, comments, and thoughts on the book here.
Watch your inbox for details on when the episode will drop.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Access this member edition in the Bulwark App—now available on Apple and Google. Or set up the ad-free edition of this Bulwark show on your player of choice using your private RSS feed here.
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Sam Stein and Tim Miller take on JD Vance's rough day in Wisconsin: playing Fraud Czar while his Iran deal implodes, and telling a cookie story that accidentally describes Trump. Plus: Patrick Dempsey passes on a Maine Senate run, and Riley Gaines isn't sure Helen Keller existed. (Will Sommer will be back soon. Pray for his wifi.)
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Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell went live to cover the breaking news that Graham Platner has chosen to end his campaign for Senate.
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Sam Stein and Adrian Carrasquillo take on the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, shot dead by ICE in the North Houston suburbs. Lorenzo lived in the U.S. for 35 years, built a construction business, and put three sons in college. DHS released a statement nearly identical to the one it issued after Renee Goode's killing—and ICE won't say where the three witnesses in his car are.Read Adrian's full piece: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/he-lived-here-for-35-years-put-three-kids-in-college-ice-killed-jim-lorenzo-salgado-araujo
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Roughly 2,000 people a day are being swept up by ICE and put in subhuman conditions. And Stephen Miller's quotas likely contributed to the recent tragic deaths of two immigrants. Meanwhile, Graham Platner is still holding the Democratic Party hostage. What lessons can be learned for Democrats who went along with this walking red flag? Also, the Republicans' McConnell story is not convincing, man baby POTUS had some ridiculous demands at NATO, and Susan Collins helped fund the gulags. And on a more silly note: Was Taylor's wedding tacky? And should Tim and Alex do a sex podcast?Alex Wagner joins Tim Miller.Show notes:
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Alex's pod, "Runaway Country"
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Alex's Substack
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Bill on ICE in "Morning Shots"
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Catherine Rampell gives her take on Donald Trump's latest attempt to claim credit for Walmart's routine discounts, treating a standard retail promotion like a White House policy victory. From Walmart sales to corporate investment announcements, Trump has repeatedly portrayed business decisions that were already in motion as personal wins for his administration.
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live to cover Trump’s press conference at the NATO Summit where called Iran “scum,” said negotiations were over, warned of “a big attack” on Iran, and said a U.S. aircraft carrier was struck by “the Islamic Republic of Japan.” Plus, Mark and Ben break down Trump’s comments to Ukrainian President Zelensky about the war in Ukraine.
Read more from Mark on NATO spending: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-nato-defense-spending-canard-trump-5-percent-europe-turkey-alliance-russia-ukraine
Read more from Mark on the NATO Summit: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/withdrawing-troops-from-europe-is-policy-search-problem-hegseth-nato-trump
Read more from Mark on Air Force Major Watson: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/when-conscience-conflicts-with-commission-military-uniformed-protest-trump-major-jason-watson
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Trump's Versailles peace deal feels truly dead. Iran fired missiles at tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. answered with strikes promised to be "more intense" than last month's—and Tim asks the question nobody in the administration can answer: why?Plus: JD Vance's Iran victory lap ages badly, Trump trolls Meloni then insists he likes her, Belgium dunks on the "Trump curse," and the White House story that shows just how thick the narcissism bubble really is.
Watch Clint Smith on The Bulwark PodcastWatch Deadline: White House on MS NOW
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Tim, Sarah, and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) take on the political stories dominating the headlines:— Mitch McConnell is alive and taking calls (maybe, probably?)—despite Laura Loomer’s reports to the contrary.— Platnerdämmerung; the enormous irresponsibility of the Platner candidacy will have real consequences for his movement and for the country; and the messy road ahead in Maine (even if Platner does the right thing and drops out.)— In the wake of the Platner debacle, irony is dead as Trump defenders trip over themselves to claim the moral high ground. Case in point: Kevin McCarthy.— Mallory McMorrow’s failed Michigan Senate campaign exemplifies the challenges of splitting the difference between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party.— Plus, the USMNT’s embarrassing loss to the waffle-eating Belgians in the World Cup Round of 16.
Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September!
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After being a guest on Piers' show numerous times, Tim gets a chance to pin him down for answers. Like, how could he have ever thought Trump in his second term was ready to be a "great president?" And even though Piers is now critical of Trump's tariffs and the war he started in Iran, he still thinks the verdict is out on Trump's obvious corruption—and whether the man can evolve and change the course of his presidency. Plus: Mark Hertling discusses the Air Force major who called for the impeachment of Trump and Vance as well as POTUS's confusion over the role of NATO.Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling and Piers Morgan join Tim Miller.Show notes:
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Tim and Sarah on Platner accusations and the state of his campaign
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“The Next Level” podcast out later Tuesday
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Sarah on how Platner crossed voters’ red line
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Hertling on Maj. Watson's protest
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Hertling’s and Ben’s “Command Post”
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Hertling’s book, “If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal”
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Donald Trump spent America's 250th birthday celebrating one person: himself.Will Saletan breaks down Trump's July 4th speeches, his bizarre Mount Rushmore post, his obsession with foreign leaders praising him, and why Trump's version of patriotism always revolves around Donald Trump. From claiming America was "dead" before his return to joking about a third term, Trump reveals a vision of the country where loyalty to him matters more than loyalty to the Constitution.
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Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller are going live to cover POLITICO's bombshell story on Graham Platner, Platner's response, and the future of the campaign.
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POTUS went on a stock buying spree the day before he paused some of his tariffs last year. The markets rebounded on his tariffs' reversal. On Monday, Trump from the Oval Office encouraged Americans to buy stock in Dell, a company he's heavily invested in. And he defended his children having access to insider information because of his presidency. This is Putin-grade corruption. Meanwhile, McMorrow's withdrawal from the Michigan Senate race shows Tim was right about the risks of encouraging factional fighting among Dems. Plus: Michael Cohen has always worn a "for sale" sign, and is there any experience in America that Trump hasn't tried to ruin? Go Team USA.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.Show notes:
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Sam and Bill on Trump's July 4 speech
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live to cover the week’s craziest stories from the right wing fever swamp, including MAGA blaming liberals for the rain on Trump’s fireworks show, the conspiracy involving rap music and USAID, Trump asking FIFA’s president to investigate the red card call, and the latest charges filed against Students for Trump founder.
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Will Saletan and Jonathan Cohn take on the shakeup in Michigan's Senate race: Mallory McMorrow has dropped out, leaving a two-way Democratic primary between establishment favorite Haley Stevens and Bernie-backed progressive Abdul El-Sayed. Was McMorrow pushed? Where do her voters go? And is the man who would be America's first Muslim senator the party's biggest risk—or its best shot at holding a seat Democrats have kept for decades?
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Trump's massive America 250 celebration was supposed to be a patriotic showcase, but it quickly descended into chaos. Sam Stein and Bill Kristol give their takes on the biggest failures of the day, from Patriot Front's march through Washington, D.C. and Republicans' attempts to blame the left, to Doug Burgum's refusal to clearly condemn neo-Nazis, hours-long security delays, thunderstorms, and a celebration that seemed designed more to glorify Donald Trump than the country itself.
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Jay Nordlinger joins Bill Kristol for Bulwark on Sunday.Read Jay's Substack, "Onward and Upward" https://www.jaynordlinger.com/
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Historian Lindsay Chervinsky discusses her book on our second president, John Adams, and how crucial his decisions were in solidifying our democratic republic.
For The Bulwark Book Club for July, Mona interviews presidential historian Lindsay about her book Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic.
show notes:Follow Lindsay at Imperfect Union
Read Lindsay’s essay “Who Gets to Claim 1776?”
Bulwark Book Club pick for August: Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson. Join Mona Charen and Bill Kristol to discuss this classic that explores racism and slavery. Published in 1894, the novel tells the story of two boys – one born into slavery, the other the master’s son – who were switched at birth.
Watch your inbox for details on when the episode will drop.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Access this member edition in the Bulwark App—now available on Apple and Google. Or set up the ad-free edition of this Bulwark show on your player of choice using your private RSS feed here.
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Tim Miller is joined by TMZ DC’s Charlie Cotton and Jacob Wasserman to talk about their unlikely rise on Capitol Hill and why lawmakers keep stopping to talk to them. From Lindsey Graham’s infamous Disney bubble wand to chasing members of Congress through the Capitol, the pair discuss how they’re bringing a fresh approach to political reporting, what surprised them most about Washington, and why asking different questions can reveal a different side of the people in power. They also share behind-the-scenes stories from their first two months covering Congress and what it’s like building relationships with politicians across the political spectrum.
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If you're wondering how (and whether) America is worth celebrating on this particular July 4th, this show will be a bit of a pep talk for you. Heather Cox Richardson joins Sarah to discuss voters' complicated relationship with patriotism this year, and the lessons of history for rebuilding from the Trump years.Through July 6: Join The Bulwark for $86 a year—14 percent off.Follow Heather Cox Richardson's 250 to 250 project, which marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by telling the stories of the people, places, and events that have moved the United States toward a more perfect Union.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Tim Miller takes on Trump's 327 unreported stock trades made the day before his surprise tariff pause—and why Tim has come around on impeachment. He also breaks down the July 4th speech from Mayor Mamdani that even this ex-Republican appreciated. Plus, Tim appears on Deadline: White House to discuss a new congressional report on how the White House hijacked America's 250th, from the shadow charity Freedom 250 to Park Service workers made to wear "Vichy pins."Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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It's hard to be in a celebratory mood about America 250. The administration only wants to tell a narrow story of the country without all the contradictions and complexities of its history. And for the past 18 months, it has also been a particularly challenging time for black members of the military under Hegseth, who brazenly disregards their service, blocks promotions of black officers, or expunges them from the ranks. But the aspiration of America as a multiracial, multiethnic, multi-faith democracy is a noble one, and our job is to keep trying to build the country we want it to be. Plus: the man who's trying to stop the magafication of the Smithsonian, advice for how to talk to kids about the country's history, and the simple joys of a July 4th cookout.The Atlantic's Clint Smith joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notes
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Clint’s piece on being black in Hegseth’s military
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Clint on the man who’s put himself between Trump and the Smithsonian
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Clint's "How the Word Is Passed"
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Thursday’s “Morning Shots” on the words of Gerald Ford
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Tim’s July 4th playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol (filling in for JVL) take on America’s 250th birthday under Trump—and how far the GOP has fallen from Reagan’s “you can become an American” to 2,000 ICE arrests a day. They break down the right-wing meltdown over the birthright citizenship ruling, Megyn Kelly’s race to the bottom, why the “socialist takeover” panic misses what Democratic voters actually want, and who’s really rising in the 2028 field.
Read Sarah’s Triad newsletter.
Also: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC. We’ve moved to a bigger room at the 92nd Y and we need to sell it out. So come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Also, also: If you want JVL to host the Seattle show instead of Tim on September 15, let us know in the comments.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
This week I’m joined by CNN’s media analyst Brian Stelter to discuss the big news of the week, Comcast’s decision to spin NBC Universal off into a separate company. What will happen to the broadcast network? Who might some of the suitors be for the standalone company? All that and more on this week’s episode. If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller is joined Jared Poland and Brendan Hartnett after they spent time at Trump's "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall. What was billed as a patriotic celebration to celebrate America's 250th anniversary felt more like an underwhelming county fair, complete with sparse crowds, overpriced food, empty podcast tapings, Michael Knowles debating the Salem witch trials and a lumberjack competition.
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Not only did Trump pocket $2.2 billion last year—vastly increasing his pre-presidency wealth—he shamelessly showed off his new hand-me-down plane from Qatar which Americans paid hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade. Not to mention, there's a massive conflict of interest involved in Trump taking a gift from a country that is directly impacted by his administration's foreign policy decisions. Plus: Vance can't tell a joke to save his life, Trump is the polar opposite of Teddy Roosevelt in almost every way, the Russian casualty count from the war in Ukraine has been catastrophic for the country and potentially destabilizing, and the challenge of celebrating 250 when Trump has inverted the American dream.Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller.
Show notes:
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Susan's 'Political Scene' podcast
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Tim's July 4th playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on the lewd "Uncle Sam" court battle to get back on the National Mall, Stephen Miller's deranged pregnancy-test proposal for women entering the country, Scott Presler getting blocked from the South Dakota GOP convention, Trump's $700 million Qatari Air Force One, James Fishback's residency lawsuit and his cringeworthy iShowSpeed stream-snipe, MAGA's blackmail-debate meltdown, and JD Vance bombing in front of the troops.
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The Supreme Court left birthright citizenship intact, but the bigger story may be everything else it handed the Trump administration. Ben Parker and Adrian Carrasquillo are joined by the American Immigration Council's Michelle LaPointe and Todd Schulte from FWD.us to break down the Court's immigration rulings, what they mean for Temporary Protected Status asylum, and Trump's mass deportation agenda. They also react to Stephen Miller's explosive response to the birthright citizenship decision, the far-right rhetoric surrounding immigration, and explain why hundreds of thousands of immigrants could soon lose legal protections.Read more from Adrian: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/huddled-masses
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Will Sommer take on the Great American State Fair fiasco, MAGA's rival Freedom Fest lineup (starring Dog the Bounty Hunter), and Colorado's stranger-than-fiction GOP frontrunner Victor Marx—live from the Aspen Ideas Festival. Plus: an audience Q&A on hate, hope, and why authoritarians want you exhausted.
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Trump leaves ice cream cartons, potato chip bags, and candy wrappers all over his personal space at the White House. His diet aside, his aides are working overtime to keep the state of his health a secret. And it turns out that his loss in 2020 made him more powerful: He didn't have to deal with post-Covid inflation and the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump also wouldn't have been prosecuted, which ultimately led to him getting his get-out-of-jail free card to break all the laws, courtesy of the Supreme Court. Maggie joins Tim to discuss some of the revelations in her new book, including the pardons Trump is promising and the relationship between POTUS and a young aide who writes him "raw" and "emotional" love notes. Oh, and Marco—who's having the time of his life—was the guy who set up the deal to send people to the gulag at CECOT. Plus: Cam Kasky on why DSA candidates are resonating with voters and how things feel on the ground around Platner in Maine and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan.Cameron Kasky and Maggie Haberman join Tim Miller.
Show notes:
- Maggie's and Jonathan Swan's book, "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump"
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Sarah Longwell and Georgetown University Law Center's Steve Vladek discuss the Supreme Court's final day of the term—a narrow 5-4 ruling upholding birthright citizenship, the court gutting independent agency protections (while carving out a suspicious exception for the Fed), and a rapid-fire tour through rulings on mail-in ballots, trans athletes, campaign finance, TPS for Haitians, and asylum seekers at the border. Plus: why Amy Coney Barrett has become the MAGA right's newest target, and what Steve thinks Alito is waiting for before he retires.
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Join Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker as they cover the latest on negotiations with Iran, why Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio are still using Signal despite the blatant security risks, and why American allies are losing trust in the United States. This week, The Bulwark is running our July 4th sale—a full year of membership for our email newsle…
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Tim Miller recaps his appearance on Deadline: White House with Nicole Wallace—discussing new polls for the Texas Senate race, the Supreme Court's liberal justices sounding the alarm in recent rulings, and new reporting on Trump's East Wing ballroom, which broke ground under no-bid contracts despite Trump's repeated promises that it would cost taxpayers "not 10 cents."
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Sarah, Tim, and Andrew Egger (filling in for JVL) discuss:-The Supreme Court's ruling upholding birthright citizenship.-NPR's retracted report that Justice Alito was retiring.-The DSA-aligned Democratic candidates winning primaries in New York City, and whether Democrats are headed for a giant fight over socialism in 2027.-Rep. Tom Kean's return to Congress after his depression diagnosis.-The gang pops off on the gut-wrenching story of the false CPS report against Pete Buttigieg-Fresh polling in the Maine and Texas Senate races.
Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September!
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SCOTUS did manage, for now, to stop Trump from recreating the American republic, but four of the court's justices believe that the fundamental law of birthright citizenship in the Constitution can just be repealed—along with the very nature of what American citizenship means. But overall, while Trump had some big wins from the Supreme Court this term, he also had massive losses. David runs down some of the latest rulings with Tim. Plus: Mamdani doesn't think the Constitution should be changed so he can run for POTUS (David thinks he's wrong), Platner is not winning over white working-class voters, Dems need a bigger tent but there have to be lines the party won't cross, and the DOJ is (mostly) losing its immigration protest cases.David French joins Tim Miller.Show notes:
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David's Newsletter on one-party rule
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David on the purging of Gen. Donahue
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More on the Broadview case in Chicago, from David
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Brian Tyler Cohen cover the day's news and discuss BTC's new book, "The Day After."
Pre-order the book: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/thedayafter
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Will Saletan gives his take on Sen. Bill Cassidy's remarkable CBS interview, where the outgoing Louisiana Republican criticizes Trump on everything from Iran and affordability to executive power, RFK Jr., vaccines, and the Constitution. Cassidy says RFK Jr. is building public health on "a foundation of lies," warns against putting any president above the law, and reflects on why standing up to Trump ultimately cost him his Senate seat.
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Former Republican Senator Jeff Flake joins Sarah Longwell for his take on the moment Republicans could have stopped Donald Trump and why they didn't. Flake reflects on his famous 2017 speech, the GOP's surrender of congressional power, why so few Republicans stood up to Trump, and whether the party can ever return to its conservative roots.
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The most powerful person in the world repeatedly creates his own narrative about a news event despite what we can see and hear with our own eyes and our own ears. Media organizations that don’t fight like hell in response are failing at doing their most basic job—and they’re failing the country and our democracy as well. That’s what CBS News did when it settled Donald Trump’s frivolous 60 Minutes lawsuit and when it tried to change the story of the Minneapolis protests to benefit Trump. Plus: Dems are on the cusp of a big fight, the Iran war is being fought on social media (and on the weekend), Sen. Jon Ossoff is deploying a clever strategy, and why isn’t the left talking about climate change? Oh and this: How do you live a life of value and meaning?John Dickerson joins Tim Miller from the Aspen Ideas Festival.Show notes:
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John’s Substack
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John’s long-running pod, Slate’s “Political Gabfest”
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Sam Stein, Andrew Egger, and Politico's Kyle Cheney go live to break down the Supreme Court's latest rulings, including decisions upholding mail-in voting, blocking President Trump from firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and allowing him to remove independent regulators.Read more from Kyle
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Will Saletan takes on Trump's unraveling Iran war—drone strikes on U.S. allies, Iran's claim to control the Strait of Hormuz, and a new threat to build nuclear weapons. He breaks down the actual text of the agreement Trump signed, fact-checks a week of contradictory claims about oil prices and military control, and explains why Iran knows Trump's threats are empty.
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Former Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer joins Bill Kristol to discuss Todd Blanche, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.Read Liz Oyer's Substack
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Sonny Bunch and Catherine Rampell take on Mel Brooks' 100th birthday and AFI's new ranking of Blazing Saddles as the funniest movie ever made. They dig into his EGOT-winning career, his fearless mockery of Hitler, why his comedy still holds up — plus the upcoming Spaceballs sequel and Catherine's middle-school Spaceballs obsession.
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Mona Charen and FT columnist Ed Luce dig into Giorgia Meloni's public dressing down of Trump, the UK's political chaos, and the fallout from Trump's Iran war—including the case that the U.S. is now paying Iran reparations and Israel is boxed into an impossible corner. Plus: Luce's surreal Sunday phone calls with Trump himself.
show notes
FT Swamp Notes with Ed Luce: How to lose a war in three easy steps
Bulwark Book Club: Mona will interview presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky about her book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic.
Join the conversation! Drop your questions about the book for Mona to discuss with Lindsay here. This post is pinned to the top of The Mona Charen Show page on the site.
Watch your inbox for details on when the episode will drop.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller and Will Sommer to give their takes on one of the strangest weeks in MAGA world. They unpack the arrest of a pro-Trump streamer accused of committing lewd acts at Trump's Great American State Fair, the latest legal troubles facing Students for Trump founder Ryan Fournier, and the new report raising questions about Rep. Abe Hamadeh's live-in senior staffer.Read more from Sources Say News: https://sourcessay.news/p/looksmaxxing-gilded-offices-and-a-live-in-staffer-insider-allegations-of-abe-hamadeh-s-capitol-hill
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Tim Miller takes on the collapsing Iran ceasefire—Iranian drones hitting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. counterstrikes, Iran retaliating against U.S. targets in Bahrain, and JD Vance's tough-guy statement that's landing nowhere. Plus: Trump's new self-portrait passport, and whether he understands what a passport is.
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Colorado isn't much of a swing state anymore, but we're covering its primaries anyway. Both of its senators and one longtime member of Congress are facing bigger headwinds than you might expect. Our focus groups of Colorado Democrats will tell you why. Kyle Clark, host of Next with Kyle Clark, joins Sarah to discuss Colorado's upcoming primaries. Plus: Kyle's crazy run-in with the Republican frontrunner for governor, whether Rep. Lauren Boebert has gotten less crazy, and how Democrats feel about Gov. Jared Polis's pardon of Tina Peters.Show notes:Kyle's interview with Rep. Lauren Boebert
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Tim Miller went on MS Now to talk to Nicolle Wallace to give his take on one of the most disturbing political stories of the year after Pete Buttigieg revealed that a false report led child protective services to investigate his family. Tim explains why weaponizing the government against political opponents should alarm every American. Plus, Tim reacts to Megyn Kelly's comments about Haitian immigrants and fact-checks JD Vance's take on Watergate.Read more from Pete: https://petebuttigieg.substack.com/p/a-terrible-thing-happened-to-my-family
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It’s a special show this week where JVL gives Sarah a series of impossible choices. Will she choose institutionalism, or Secretary Mayor Pete? Will she endorse the political analysis of [REDACTED]? What will she do when Cletus says that he doesn’t like democracy and wants minority rule?
Come find out!
Also: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC. We’ve moved to a bigger room at the 92nd Y and we need to sell it out. So come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Also, also: If you want JVL to host the Seattle show instead of Tim on September 15, let us know in the comments.
show notes:Catherine Rampell: The Americans Trump Would Rather Not SeeJVL’s Traid:What Was Cletus Thinks About DemocracyJim Swift:Haitians Prepare for DisasterAgora Institute Study
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The "eating the cats and dogs" blood libel worked so well that SCOTUS agreed to end humanitarian protections for Haitians. Justice Alito, who complained about the way Italian-Americans were depicted in "The Sopranos," just couldn't see any racism in Trump's repeated disparagement of Haiti or its immigrants. By the way, Megyn Kelly: You didn't do anything to build this country. And while JD thinks Nixon's Watergate crimes are now no big deal, the federal government just sentenced an American to 30 years in prison for moving anarchist zines out of his home. Plus, Jane's nostalgia theory explains why Vanilla Ice thinks the early 90s were the best era, the white male obsession with Caitlin Clark, and the men who can't quit blaming the 19th Amendment for the country's ills.
Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Jane’s pod, “What A Day”
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Roy Cooper’s new ad
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The reporting on Rep. Hamadeh
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Tim’s playlist
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Ben Fritz of the Wall Street Journal to discuss his exclusive on the partnership between Google and A24 and what it portends for the rest of the studios who are either diving into the world of AI filmmaking or cautiously sitting on the sidelines waiting to see how things shake out.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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JVL and Will Sommer give their takes on Trump’s kickoff event for the America 250 celebration and the president’s immediate lie that 45,000 people packed the National Mall and “nobody left” early. They dig into the crowd-size lies, the campaign-style speech at an official government event, Trump’s promises about the White House ballroom, and why the America 250 rollout already feels more focused on Trump’s image than America’s birthday.
Read Christopher Hooks in Harpers, “Happy F*g Birthday”
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The POTUS speech to kickoff the "state fair" in honor of America's 250th year was all about how the country is great because of him. Meanwhile, Hegseth is continuing to purge the Pentagon of some of our best warfighters for political and cowardly reasons. Plus, Bill Cassidy caved to Trump yet again, another son-in-law is following in Jared's footsteps and angling to get in on the family's hustle, some love for George Washington, and the administration's levels of corruption are so epic it's like Watergate every day.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tom on making the 250th "small"
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Tom on the capitulation to Iran
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Netflix's "The American Experiment"
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Will Saletan takes on Donald Trump’s vision of American power, arguing that military force is increasingly being used as a tool for profit—through oil, minerals, trade concessions, and economic leverage rather than the defense of allies or democratic values.
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Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn discuss the major SCOTUS decision that would allow the White House to deport more than 350,000 refugees.
Read more from Jonathan Cohn, “Trump’s Deportation Agenda Awaits SCOTUS—With Grandma at Risk”
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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann talk about the Iran nuclear deal—why the "win" Trump is selling actually leaves America with less leverage, fewer allies, and zero nuclear resolution than where we started. Plus: what Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman's book reveals about JD Vance's behind-the-scenes opposition to the war, Trump's habit of comparing himself to history's worst tyrants, and the new DOJ legal theory that could gut Americans' right to sue polluters under environmental law.
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Join Sam Stein, Will Sommer, Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol as they cover Trump's "Freedom 250" rally in Washington, DC.
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The Mamdani sweep in NYC shows that the populist left is winning the arguments about Israel policy and going after billionaires, but it sure seems like there may be limits to their success outside the blue urban core. And Republicans are likely to make hay with at least one of Tuesday’s congressional primary winners—Darializa Avila Chevalier—who wants to end policing and won’t say whether murderers should go to jail. But the GOP colossally screwed up in North Carolina and Georgia, and Tim makes a bold prediction about how the party will respond. Plus, Trump is showing clear signs of aging, another one of his candidates lost on Tuesday, AOC's silence at this moment is noteworthy, and never underestimate the power of charisma in politics.
Peter Hamby joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Peter's podcast, "The Powers That Be"
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Peter's columns at Puck
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Andrew Egger, Catherine Rampell and Joe Perticone went live to cover Trump's sudden decision not to sign the bipartisan housing bill.
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Join Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker as they cover the week’s biggest military and foreign policy stories.
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Jonathan Cohn takes on Trump's push to end temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants—following home healthcare worker Maryse, who cares for a 96-year-old in South Florida, and what's actually at stake for the 350,000+ people (and their U.S.-born children) facing deportation as early as July 2nd if the Supreme Court sides with the administration.Read more from Jonathan Cohn: https://www.thebulwark.com/trumps-deportation-agenda-awaits-supreme-court-grandma-haitians-temporary-protected-status-heath-aides
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Tim is sick, but he’s strapping on his football helmet. Tim, Sarah, and JVL cover:
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The mysterious 79 year-old receiving non-public weight loss drugs (and if not Trump, who?)
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The latest revelations from Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman’s new book.
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Tucker Carlson supposedly leaving the Republican Party...or is it all a long game to help JD Vance?
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The Trump administration’s ongoing capitulation to Iran...and even JD Vance used to think it was stupid!
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The latest National Mall reflecting pool drama.
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How Pete Buttigieg got ‘radicalized’ by his time in the Biden administration...and Tim’s warning for Democrats.
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FINALLY: The Washington Post’s monster feature on the cult leader who’s been coaching Tulsi Gabbard through her political career.
Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September!
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Sen. Mark Warner joins Sam Stein for his take on the chaos surrounding acting DNI Bill Pulte, alarming reports of potential firings inside the intelligence community, and why Warner believes Pulte poses a national security risk. They also dive into explosive questions surrounding former DNI Tulsi Gabbard after reports detailing her ties to a cult and why those revelations surfaced only after she left office. Plus, Warner weighs in on Trump’s Iran negotiations, the lack of congressional oversight, and what lawmakers still don’t know about the administration’s plans.
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The era of hell that we are living through may have been ordained in the 90s by angry Republican voters who felt screwed by the corporate elite—and political leaders who didn’t represent them. Trump watched Pat Buchanan and David Duke and saw how their protectionist, anti-immigrant, culture war messaging was resonating. More recently, Trump returned to his New York wheeler-dealer vibe by getting us in a war because he needed to look strong after SCOTUS struck down his stupid tariffs. Plus, more on Vance’s insincere religious discovery, Platner’s tattoo, the Dems’ nerd problem and its incompatibility with the base’s desire for a fighter, the jock/creep administration, and the Dan Goldman coffee shop incident.
John Ganz joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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John's book, "When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s"
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John's Substack
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Tim's interview with Jon Ossoff
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Jonathan Cohn reports from South Beach on the fight over a beloved LGBTQ landmark, the history of Miami Beach’s queer community, and how a symbol many thought was gone ended up becoming permanent.Read more from Jonathan Cohn: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/how-a-florida-city-saved-its-pride-symbol-from-maga-erasure
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Tim Miller and JVL take a victory lap through some of the most confident predictions from the Iran War's biggest cheerleaders. Scott Jennings, Ben Shapiro, Hugh Hewitt, Mark Levin, and Bari Weiss' bloggers promised total victory, regime change, and a transformed Middle East. Instead, Trump ended up signing a deal with the very regime they said had to be defeated. Now, those same loudest voices cheering for "total victory" are scrambling to explain Trump's deal with Iran.
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Trump is so embarrassed by his own personal vandalism of the Reflecting Pool that he's got the Justice Department investigating his latest conspiracy about bad guys that don't exist. Of course Fox News is happy to oblige by menacing journalists who dared to report on the damage POTUS did to the national monument. Meanwhile, Vance's Catholic conversion story is almost more fake than Trump's tough stance against the Iranian regime. Plus, Tulsi has been under the sway of a cult leader, Italy's Meloni is a pleasant surprise, Brexit was stupid and ruined the political careers of British prime ministers, and the World Cup is the perfect patriotic antidote to Trumpism.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Tim's and JVL's live reading from Vance's new book
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Clip from Douthat's interview with JD
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George Packer's piece, "The Talented Mr. Vance"
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Jon Swaine's reporting on Tulsi (gift)
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Eliot reviews the week’s jackassery and offers his thoughts on Juneteenth and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He then welcomes Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, distinguished professor at Emory University and prolific author. She explains her background as a historian of the Holocaust, her work documenting Holocaust denial, and her experience being sued by British Holocaust denier David Irving. They discuss her work as Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism from 2022 to 2025, which included efforts to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords and creating the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism. They explore the political and ideological forces behind the current global rise in antisemitism before pivoting to the threat it poses to democracy and the state actors exploiting it to sow division in the United States.
David Irving v. Penguin Books Ltd. and Deborah Lipstadt:
hdot.org
INSS Report on China’s online campaign to sow division in America:
https://www.inss.org.il/publication/china-usa-influence/
George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-06-02-0135
Letter from the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island to President George Washington:
https://www.gwirf.org/files/moses_seixas_letter.pdf
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on the messy first day of U.S.-Iran talks—Trump's threat to seize the Strait of Hormuz and kill negotiators, JD Vance appearing to get publicly snubbed, and the Lebanon clause that may have handed Hezbollah a veto over the whole deal.
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Bill Kristol sits down with Civil War historian Kevin Levin to examine Trump’s effort to reshape America’s story ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Read Civil War Memory
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Mona Charen welcomes military analyst Andrew Fox for a conversation on Trump’s Iran ceasefire, whether America squandered its leverage against Tehran, the growing influence of Qatar and Turkey, Israel’s military and political mistakes, Hamas’s strategy in Gaza, and the battle over public opinion that could shape the future of the Middle East.
show notes:
Follow Andrew Fox and read his dispatches on his Substack Fox on War
Bulwark Book Club: Mona will interview presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky about her book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic.
Join the conversation! Drop your questions about the book for Mona to discuss with Lindsay here. This post is pinned to the top of The Mona Charen Show page on the site.
Watch your inbox for details on when the episode will drop.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Barrels of ink have been spilled about James Talarico, Ken Paxton, Graham Platner, and Susan Collins. For the first time, we’re listening to how swing voters in Texas and Maine are assessing these two races. We hear from 2024 Trump voters in Texas who disapprove of the president, and Mainers who voted for Joe Biden for President in 2020 and for Susan Collins down-ballot. CNN political reporter Patrick Svitek joins to break these groups down, and to preview some upcoming congressional primaries.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
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JVL and Sonny Bunch take on the bizarre saga of Washington’s algae-filled Reflecting Pool and John Cafaro the Trump-connected donor who landed the contract to fix it. Plus, an unexpected detour into wrestling history, Paul Bearer, and why this whole scandal feels more like a cartoon than real life.
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The Iran war deal is falling apart (already). Israel is turning on Trump. And the two most insipid trad-Cath poasters in America are podcasting together again.
Plus: JVL (finally) explains his disdain for the NYT’s DEI Trump apologist.
Hit the like button ❤️ and come to the comments so JVL doesn’t get all needy.show notes:
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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Obama never thought Trump could win in 2016, perhaps because he underestimated how much the opposition loathed him. At the opening of his new presidential center on Thursday, he spoke of presidents acting with duty, honor, and kindness—even though the current occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is all about destroying things, being mean, hurting people, and starting dumb wars. Indeed, Trump's foreign policy may be more in the American tradition than Obama's. Plus, a debate over whether Kamala's response to Gaza cost her the White House along with her standing in the party. Also, some Knicks love and another installment in the perils and pitfalls of wokeness—this time with some Talarico comments from 2020.
Ta-Nehisi Coates joins Tim Miller for the Juneteenth holiday weekend pod.
show notes
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Ta-Nehisi's latest piece in Vanity Fair
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Tim's playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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JVL and Catherine Rampell take on the bizarre saga of Trump’s Reflecting Pool contractor, the strange new world where convicted fraudsters are lining up for MAGA pardons, and the MAHA crusade against blue M&M’s—all while Trump’s Iran ceasefire claims leave markets shrugging and investors wondering what, if anything, still matters.
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Will Saletan takes on JD Vance's TV blitz defending the Iran nuclear deal—and checks his claims against the actual text.
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On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by my first guest, the great Richard Rushfield, to talk all things TV. What’s the deal with Fox buying Roku? What does the post-peak-TV era look like? And, perhaps most importantly, who is on the Mount Rushmore of television? All that and more on this week’s episode. Leave your pick for the all-time-top-four TV figures in the comments!
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Sam Stein, Tim Miller and Will Sommer take on an insane MAGA scandal in DC—fake Secret Service badges, a strip club blowup, tearful confessions about an Iran airstrike that never happened, and an arrest that finally brought the whole charade crashing down. Plus: what exactly is going on with Kari Lake's face?Read Will Sommer's False Flag newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-shocking-arrest-of-a-maga-pit-bull-fake-secret-service-pal-ryan-fournier-jordan-daley
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Donald Trump gave away the store in the second worst treaty signed at Versailles. The bounty POTUS delivered has already started to flow with the lifting of oil sanctions on Iran. The unfreezing of restricted assets—and a $300 billion reconstruction and investment fund—is just around the corner. Trump is even defending Iran's right to have ballistic missiles. He likes to talk tough, but he is a wuss, and the Dems can't let up on calling him out for his cowardice and his stupid war. Plus, gaming which group of Trump supporters got cucked the most, Republicans on the Hill are already rushing to protect Trump on the deal, and a Texas temperature check on Talarico v Paxton.
Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Text of the agreement between the U.S. and Iran
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Kinzinger's Substack
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"The Kinzinger Report" podcast
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Tim's and JVL's reading of Vance's new book
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein, Brendan Hartnett and Sarah Matthews are going live to cover the mess at Trump's renovated Reflecting Pool.
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Tim Miller and JVL attempt to read JD Vance’s new memoir 'Communion' and discover a book full of contradictions, self-owns, political rationalizations, and some very revealing clues about the vice president’s worldview.Buy Vance's new book (or don't!): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTQ68YZN
CORRECTION: Talking about a Catholic bookstore in Washington, D.C., on K Street, JVL says it was “Pauline Book Center.” This is wrong. JVL was referring to the Catholic Information Center on K Street. There is another Catholic hub, across the river on King Street in Alexandria, Virginia, called Pauline Books. JVL's stupid brain mushed them together. He regrets the error.
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Journalist Michael Weiss, editor of The Insider, and retired CIA veteran Marc Polymeropoulous take over The Bulwark for the kind of conversation they have with each other every day about the intelligence world, what the hell is happening in the United States and what it means around the globe. As they started recording, Trump was wrapping his bizarre Wednesday speech at the G7 Summit defending his deal with Iran. Marc and Michael go off about the news conference and turn to a riveting conversation about what is different about the war with Iran compared to the continuing show of strength in Ukraine and how that's happening thanks to years of groundwork by the CIA. It's an alliance that is actually winning despite Trump's posture towards Ukraine and the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky.Follow Marc on X here: https://x.com/Mpolymer...and Michael here: https://x.com/michaeldweissWatch Michael's latest conversation with Tim Miller:
And you can read Michael's work on his Substack: https://macspaunday.substack.com/...and at The Insider: https://theins.press/en/authors/weiss
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Sarah Longwell is joined by law professor and Strict Scrutiny co-host Leah Litman to discuss the White House’s plan to suspend habeas corpus, JD Vance’s push to invoke the Insurrection Act, the Gavin Newsom investigation, and the 19 Supreme Court decisions that could reshape American democracy before the midterms.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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The pro-Israel hawks are still reeling from the terms of Trump's initial deal with Iran, which grants access to funds that had been frozen because of the regime's support of terrorism. The neocons got bamboozled by Trump, like so many before them—in this case believing that he would always have Israel's back. On the domestic front, Trump repeatedly lied when he said taxpayers weren't funding his ballroom, and in an act of revenge, he's keeping down and dirty Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Plus, the left has a shortage of candidates that can win non-blue states, and a debate over whether social and cultural issues are why Dems often don't resonate with voters.
Krystal Ball joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Krystal's "Breaking Points"
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"Krystal Kyle & Friends" pod
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Brendan testing a water sample from the algae-covered reflecting pool
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein, Andrew Egger, and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.), went live to cover Trump's appearance at the G7 conference. Plus, the gang reacts to the U.S. unveiling the text in their official MOU with Iran.
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker are joined by Tom Nichols to discuss the week's military news.
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JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the Iran "deal" that isn't really a deal—a memorandum of understanding that lifts sanctions immediately and hands Iran $300 billion while punting everything else down the road. Then: the war hawks who drummed up the Iran war—Thiessen, Graham, Levin, the WSJ editorial board — are repositioning and refusing to say they were wrong. Plus: Trump's accelerating decline, the corruption behind the White House UFC fight, and why Trump's DOJ will open a federal investigation on every 2028 Democratic nominee regardless of who it is.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.
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Vance is trying to sell the administration’s initial deal with Iran as a signal that the regime is ready to end its reign of terror and join the community of nations. Never mind that the CIA is outwardly saying that the Iranians can’t be trusted and that the developing agreement looks like a disaster waiting to happen. Also looking pretty naive are the pro-Israel American foreign policy hawks, who thought Trump would be a good war partner with the Israelis. Trump is now on day three of trash-talking Bibi and Israel—this time at the G7. Plus, Sam Forstag, Democratic congressional candidate in Montana, joins Tim to explain how he’s managed to unite the lefties and the centrists behind his campaign, why Dems need to cool it on language that alienates the working class, and how voters are so damn tired of being told to hate each other.
Sam Forstag and Michael Weiss join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Sam's campaign website
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Michael's Substack
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Watch for Tim's and JVL's live reading of Vance's new book on YouTube or Substack
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Tim's 'Take' with Caolan Robertston in Kyiv re the Russian strike on the Dormition Cathedral
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"The Pulp" interview with Sam
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and JVL give their takes on a bombshell new report from the Washington Post showing Trump's White House ballroom project could cost more than $600 million with taxpayers footing half the bill. They break down the ballooning price tag, the demolition of the East Wing, and whether a future president should just tear the whole thing down.
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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover the week's biggest news.
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Sam Stein and POLITICO’s Chris Cadelago take on reports that the Trump Justice Department is investigating Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. They discuss what's actually known about the probe, the long-running Trump-Newsom rivalry, and whether the investigation is a legitimate corruption case or the latest example of Trump targeting his political opponents.
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Tim Miller is joined by journalist and YouTuber Caolan Robertson, reporting from Kyiv after one of Russia's most devastating attacks on Ukraine in months. Caolan witnessed the aftermath firsthand as Russian missiles and drones struck the Dormition Cathedral, a historic monastery and church complex more than 1,000 years old and one of the most significant sites in Christian history. They discuss Putin's escalating campaign against Ukrainian civilians, the hypocrisy of Russia's self-proclaimed defense of "Christian values," and what life is like in Ukraine as Russia intensifies its terror attacks despite mounting setbacks on the battlefield. Caolan also shares his reporting from Ireland, where critical materials continue flowing into Russia's war machine despite public support for Ukraine.Watch more from Caolan: https://www.youtube.com/@CaolanReports
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POTUS humiliated himself and our country with a peace “deal” that strengthens Iran’s hand and apparently pays billions to the regime—which it can use to build more weapons and fund its proxy terror groups. We don’t even know if the Strait of Hormuz is open, despite the credulous reporting by numerous media outlets. Meanwhile, Trump’s cage fight at the White House was beyond parody and truly despicable on so many levels, including: taxpayer money being spent to glorify him, the corruption and kickbacks surrounding the fight, and the Saudis underwriting a White House event, even though they share none of our traditions or values. Plus, the Knicks win and the World Cup are serving up real joy and hope, and the Kennedy Center seems to be under orders to hide that Trump’s name has been removed from the building.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.Show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Hertling on the use and abuse of the military at the UFC fight
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Brendan's interview with Rep. Joyce Beatty, who sued to get Trump's name off the Kennedy Center
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The Bulwark's live coverage from the Kennedy Center Friday eve
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer and Sam Stein are going live to cover all the news in the right wing fever swamp.
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Tim Miller and JVL give their takes on Trump's announcement that he's reached a deal with Iran. Pakistan says the deal will be signed on Friday.
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Will Saletan gives his take on the Trump administration’s victory lap over a potential Iran agreement and explains why the supposed deal sounds remarkably similar to the nuclear deal Trump spent years attacking. After Pete Hegseth and Mike Waltz hit the Sunday shows to sell Trump’s foreign policy “win,” Will examines the White House's contradictions and what the administration may not be telling you.
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With Eric on vacation, Eliot welcomes Kenneth Pollack, VP for Policy at the Middle East Institute, to the show. Ken outlines MEI’s mission before providing analysis on the current state of the Iran war. They discuss the difficulty of ending a conflict when both sides believe they are winning, and whether we are on the cusp of significant concessions or escalation. They explore whether the war was a good idea badly executed or a bad idea badly executed. The pair also speculate about what a successfully prosecuted war effort would have looked like before turning to the likely trajectory of the Iranian regime in the future. Ken explains the broader implications of the war for the Gulf States, Israel, China, Russia, and Turkey before closing with a conversation about why the United States cares about the region and why it presents such an enduring challenge.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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John Avlon welcomes Marine veteran and With Honor co-founder Rye Barcott to discuss why political courage has become so rare in Washington. Drawing from Barcott’s new book 'Courage Can Save Us,' they explore the lawmakers willing to defy their own parties, the incentives driving polarization, the future of national service, America’s role in the world, and why service and civic responsibility may be the key to repairing a divided country. Plus, Avlon shares an update on what’s next after his final episode of How to Fix It.Buy Courage Can Save Us: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Can-Save-Extraordinary-Americans/dp/B0GGCDZGJN
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The Bulwark's Brendan Hartnett reported live from the Kennedy Center at 2:30 AM on Saturday morning, where Rep. Joyce Beatty—who sued Trump in December after being silenced during the board vote to add his name to the building—joins him to watch it finally come back down, following a federal judge's ruling that only Congress has the authority to rename the memorial.
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Tim Miller and political streamer Destiny take on Bulwark Podcast clip that radicalized an anti-communist, Elon's first trillion, Trump's kakistocracy cabinet, why Democrats keep walking into far-left media ambushes, and whether the rest of us have any idea what to do about any of it.
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Gen Z swung hard for Trump in 2024. Now his approval with them is under 30%. What happened, and what does this generation’s mix of political views (especially on the war in the Middle East) mean for 2026? Bulwark contributor Rachel Janfaza is back on the pod to discuss. Plus: Sarah has some opinions about Gen Z’s new social habits, and we get into how AI is quietly destroying the entry-level job market — including, yes, applications to scoop ice cream.
show links:
Rachel Janfaza: Are lines the new third space?Rachel Janfaza: I Applied to 70 Jobs: Meet the Class of 2026
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The Bulwark crew was live on the ground at The Kennedy Center for the countdown to Donald Trump’s name removal.
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Tim Miller recaps his appearance on Deadline: White House with Nicole Wallace, then delivers his personal thoughts about Pride.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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Pete Hegseth's latest workout video was supposed to showcase strength. Instead, it was sloppy, in poor form, and seems to show Trump administration officials more determined to become fitness influencers than lead a country. Will Sommer and Joe Perticone give their takes on Hegseth's viral bench press session, RFK Jr.'s airport pull-up stunts, Kash Patel's workout videos, and the broader obsession with macho posturing in MAGA politics.
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The vice president of the United States called a meeting in the Situation Room last year to discuss the administration's cover-up of the Epstein files. Never mind that there were allegations in the files that Trump had had sex with an underage girl in Epstein's child trafficking ring—and which somehow involved Trump's alleged nipple fetish. The Epstein victims and the underlying crimes were not a priority in the meeting; getting Ghislaine or Vance on a friendly podcast was. Plus, the perception of a deal with Iran seems to be more important than an agreement itself, cuck John Cornyn is not worthy of sympathy, Dems have got to stop walking on eggshells, advice for making the most effective campaign contributions for the midterms, POTUS thinks he is the culmination of what America 250 is celebrating, Tim likes the UFC Claw, and the worst Spencer Pratt takes of all.
Jon Favreau joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Jon's 'Offline' podcast
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Tim's 'Triad' on the most effective campaign contributions
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Peter Hamby on America 250
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Tim's playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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A super-sized Secret this week:
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Sarah and JVL are coming to the legendary 92nd Street Y in New York on September 8. Come and hang out with them in JVL’s back yard! It’s possible he’ll have the championship belt! (Tickets on sale here.)
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JVL actually thinks the Iran deal might be real this time. He’s got a theory.
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Sarah has a theory of her own about who leaked to Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about the Trump administration’s big Situation Room summit on how to handle the Epstein files?
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JVL makes progress on his continuing quest to bring Sarah around on “the free market” and court expansion. Is this the week the dam breaks?
It’s a good show, long show. Hit the like button ❤️ and come to the comments so JVL doesn’t get all needy. Again.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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Bill Kristol, Sonny Bunch and Brendan Hartnett went live to cover the court ordered removal of Trump's name from the Kennedy Center.Watch Sonny's conversation with Kennedy Center whistleblower Josef Palermo: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-toady-ric-grenell-made-a-fundraisingRead Sonny's piece on the dismantling of the Kennedy Center: https://www.the…
I’m joined by Peter M. Hoffman this week to discuss his new memoir, Karmic Winds, about his time in Hollywood as the tax lawyer who could figure out how to get movies financed and get people paid. Fans of 1980s action movies will recognize many of the names here, as Hoffman was a key figure in the Golan and Globus empire before becoming CEO of Carolco Pictures during their epic run of films that included Basic Instinct and Terminator 2. We also discussed the way tax laws helped—and then hindered—getting movies made, and Peter’s own unfortunate run-in with IRS authorities. If you want the full story, make sure to check out his book, which goes into much more detail than we had time for here.
This episode gets a bit in the weeds about tax law and the such, but I’d love to hear from folks about their favorite Carolco films. One that we touched on very briefly is Jacob’s Ladder, a movie I’ve always found fascinating in part because I don’t think it entirely works. Or at least, it didn’t for me … but Peter’s book highlights the ways in which the film reflects the Tibetan Book of the Dead, which may just be the key to unlocking it all. I’m excited to go back and revisit it with that idea in mind.
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer are back and the FBI is coming after Will! How much time is Kash Patel's bureau spending on posting memes than fighting crime? Then, RFK Jr. sits down with a wellness guru whose résumé includes injecting stem cells into his own penis. Naturally, he's now dispensing health advice from the Health and Human Services podcast studio. And finally, the man leading the push to draft former Border Patrol official Greg Bovino for a 2028 presidential run is facing a felony meth charge after a bizarre motel incident. Plus: Candace Owens starts another right-wing influencer war about masculinity.Read more from Will’s False Flag newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-dangerous-escalation-losing-war-iran-bombing-kharg-invasion-blanche-epstein
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Trump shifts his position on the Iran war so often that it sure looks like he is using the same propaganda technique that Putin uses with abandon: Flood people with contradictory stories to confuse and exhaust them so they'll just tune out. That could be helpful for a commander–in-chief running a failed military campaign. At the same time, the only engagement the administration seems to want is from the online world—which they use to create an alternate reality. Plus, Russia is not winning the war in Ukraine and does not know how to, much of Trump's immigration policy is about performative cruelty, political oppression still continues in Venezuela, Kari Lake has a new gig, and new selections for the Anne Applebaum book club.
Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Anne's latest reporting from Ukraine
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Phillips O'Brien piece on Iran, "War Crimes Seem To Be Official US Policy Now"
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A Venezuelan opposition leader on the continuing political oppression there
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Anne's reporting on Kari Lake running Voice of America
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Anne on Lake being nominated as ambassador to Jamaica
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Summer novel rec from Anne, "The Time of Cherries"
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Tim's summer novel rec, "My Tender Matador"
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker cover President Trump's post threatening an invasion of Iran's Kharg Island.
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Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Sonny Bunch give their takes on the New York Times bombshell surrounding the Trump White House’s frantic effort to manage the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Behind the several meetings in the Situation Room, JD Vance looks ahead to his own 2028 prospects, Dan Bongino screamed at Pam Bondi, and Susie Wiles and Stephen Chung were left trying to contain damage that keeps multiplying. The only consistent goal was protecting Donald Trump from whatever the files might say.
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Trump's AG nominee Todd Blanche lost Trump's own criminal trial, built an illegal slush fund, and lied on Fox News—and Republicans are confirming him anyway. Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss what Democrats can actually do at the hearing and why Trump is screaming election fraud while gutting the unit that investigates it. Plus: A federal judge ruled Trump's Kennedy Center takeover is illegal, his lawyers told a court they could bulldoze the Statue of Liberty, and there's now a grotesque, 92-foot metal structure on the White House lawn.
Show notes
Buy Andrew Weissmann’s book, Liar’s Kingdom! https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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Donald Trump knows he is on target to lose the midterms, so he's busy laying the groundwork now for challenging the outcome in the fall. That's why he seized the 2020 ballots in Fulton County, why he's determined to get hatchet man Bill Pulte in place as director of national intelligence, and why he’s pushing the South to gerrymander back to the dark days of Jim Crow. This is not the time to despair or to outsource the fight for democracy to others. Sen. Warnock also talks about centering ordinary people in politics, the Supreme Court's deeply dishonest Callais ruling, the performative piety of JD Vance and Mike Johnson, the high likelihood that Trump mocks God—and doesn't believe in anything except his own self-enrichment. Plus, Tim on the deliciousness of Nancy Mace's fifth-place showing in the South Carolina governor's race.
Sen. Raphael Warnock joins Tim Miller.
show notes
- Sen. Warnock's new book, "The Crooked Places Made Straight," out next week
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JVL, Andrew Egger and Ben Parker went live to discuss Trump's June 10th press event where he said he "loves" inflation and claimed to reveal military secrets about oil in Iran.
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker are discussing the week's major military and foreign policy news.
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Join Sam Stein and Bill Kristol as they cover the evening's primary elections: Maine, South Carolina, and more. Plus, the latest on Iran and Trump digging his heels in on the appointment of Bill Pulte.
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The gang is back together, and the U.S. and Iran are back at war...maybe? Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss the latest in Iran, Donald Trump storming off of Meet the Press, the 'stolen election' freakout in Los Angeles, Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General, and JVL's Triad about former DHS commander Greg Bovino (kinda sorta maybe) eyeing a presidential run.Plus: Graham Platner, Lindsey Graham's primary in South Carolina, and the gang reacts to a completely wild AI-generated ad of...James Talarico in a dress? Finally, Tim debriefs on his interview with a Silicon Valley vibes-whisperer.Read JVL's Triad, here.Watch Tim's interview with Jason Calacanis, here.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Trump's approval rating may be near record lows, but tech tycoons and powerhouse CEOs are still all-in with bending the knee to Trump and bearing him gifts. If he turned America into an oligarchy, they'd be OK with that too. Anything to gut regulations and keep their taxes low—even if regular Americans might soon be looking for a pitchfork. Jason tries to explain the view from the tech world to the rest of us. Plus, AI job displacement, Elon's IPO grift, and a counterfactual had Kamala been president.
Jason Calacanis joins Tim Miller
show notes
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Jason's "All-In" podcast
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Jason's company, Launch
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover the week's news.
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Tim Miller gives his take on Donald Trump's appearance at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where the president was met with a chorus of boos from Knicks fans. Tim breaks down the reaction inside MSG, the even harsher response from fans gathered outside to watch the game, and the attempts by Fox News to spin away what everyone could plainly hear. Why does Trump's movement always seem to need validation and why can't they just admit when the crowd turns against him?
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Andrew Egger is joined by Casey Michel, author of the forthcoming book United States of Oligarchy: How America's Wealthiest Ally with Dictators, Weaken the U.S., and Destroy Democracy, to examine how Jared Kushner became a walking conflict of interest at the center of American foreign policy. From cultivating relationships with Saudi royals and Gulf autocrats while serving in the White House to launching a multibillion-dollar investment fund backed by foreign governments after leaving office, Casey walks through how Kushner went from being a laughingstock in the Middle East to a billionaire. Plus, with all these foreign interest conflicts, why is Congress allowing him to be one of Trump's key players in negotiations on Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran despite having no traditional diplomatic experience.
Read more from Casey in Mother Jones: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/06/jared-kushner-affinity-partners-fund-saudi-arabia-qatar-uae-israel-middle-east-deals-nepotism-iran-war-gaza-peace-deal-diplomat-steve-witkoff-donald-ivanka-trump/
You can pre-order Casey's book here: https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Oligarchy-Wealthiest-Dictators/dp/1250430119/?tag=bulwark08-20
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Todd Blanche did one singular thing that particularly pleased Donald Trump: He organized and executed the Epstein cover-up. Democrats must ruthlessly hang Blanche's dirty work on every Republican senator who's willing to confirm him as AG. That includes his moving Ghislaine Maxwell to a cushier prison, the millions of documents he's not releasing, and his complete disregard for the survivors. Plus, Bill Pulte is the linchpin in Trump's plot to interfere with the midterms, Pratt lost fair and square in LA, Scott Pelley made clear how hard Bari Weiss is working to serve POTUS, and Trump managed to make Iran even stronger over the weekend.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.Show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Tim's 'Take' on Trump's "Meet the Press" interview
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday with Tom Joscelyn
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer went live to give their takes on the flurry of stories across the right-wing fever swamp. They discuss: Mike Lee blasting Pete Hegseth for snubbing Mormons, Kash Patel launching attacks against Judicial Watch, Republicans claiming fraud because Spencer Pratt is losing in the LA mayoral race, Lauren Boebert sounding off on a Fox News reporter, and whether Albania’s PM could be ousted over Jared and Ivanka’s luxury resort.
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Eric and Eliot dissect the latest jackassery before pivoting to the war with Iran. They offer differing assessments of the negotiations and discuss the prospects for a lasting ceasefire. Next, they return to the Russia-Ukraine war and reflect on the staggering Russian casualty levels and severe economic toll the war continues to inflict on Russia. They discuss the under-reported and dangerous nuclear developments on the Korean peninsula before closing with the books they're currently reading.
Eric’s Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications Monograph:
https://csbaonline.org/uploads/documents/CSBA8429_(Three_Body_Problem_Report)_final.pdf
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Sonny Bunch and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) review Pressure, the new film about the D-Day weather decision that nearly derailed the largest invasion in history. They discuss what Eisenhower was really up against: a catastrophic dress rehearsal, a ghost army commanded by Patton, alliance politics, and a lone British meteorologist telling him the June 5 launch date would be a disaster. Plus: Hertling on getting caught in an Iraqi sandstorm, the Coast Guard’s impossible mission in The Perfect Storm, the Eagle Claw debacle in Argo, and the Benghazi chaos of 13 Hours—and what all of these have in common. Also, was Brendan Fraser the right choice to play Ike?
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Tim Miller reacts to Donald Trump’s combative NBC interview, where the president lashes out at the press, revives election conspiracy theories, defends his Jan. 6 compensation fund, dismisses farmers’ economic pain, and makes fresh promises on gas prices and Iran. By the end, the interview devolves into a shouting match—and Trump storms out.
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Tom Joscelyn joins Bill Kristol for Bulwark on Sunday.
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John Avlon sits down with Seth Bodnar, independent candidate for U.S. Senate from Montana, to talk about why a Green Beret veteran and former university president is betting that the two-party system has finally broken down enough to make a third path viable. They cover the Iran war, the rigged ballot access game, dark money flooding Montana's Democratic primary, China buying American farmland, the healthcare cost crisis, and what one independent senator could actually do with the right leverage in a 50-50 chamber.
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Mona Charen and Will Saletan on Texas's political earthquake: Paxton's shocking primary win, whether Democrat James Talarico can actually flip the state, the YOLO Republicans finally speaking up too late, and what Bill Cassidy's post-loss laugh tells you about everything.
Bulwark Book Club: Mona will interview retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling abour his book, If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal.
Join the conversation! Drop your questions or comments about the book for Mona to explore with Gen. Hertling here. We’ll pin this post to the top of The Mona Charen Show page on the site.
Programming note: June 8 at 7pm EDT, Mona will interview retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling about his new book If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal live on Substack. Watch your inbox for details.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann return to discuss Todd Blanche’s growing Senate confirmation problems, Trump’s $1.7 billion “weaponization fund” scheme, why the judge isn’t letting the case die, the DOJ’s targeting of Congress members and critics, potential Ghislaine Maxwell fallout, and the reason Weissmann thinks the case against John Bolton is different than other "revenge" prosecutions.
Show notes
Buy Andrew Weissmann’s book, Liar’s Kingdom! https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
Access to this show’s community comments and ad-free editions is available exclusively for Bulwark+ members here and on the Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.Bulwark+ members can also listen ad-free on your podcast player of choice—click SET UP here.
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
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Summer’s here, and Sarah’s taking a break from primary election coverage to take stock of the national political landscape. We haven’t talked to swing voters in a little while about the overall state of the country, and it’s becoming clear that the war in Iran is overshadowing, well, everything. Plus: The post-redistricting U.S. House math for Democrats, and a local issue bubbling up all over the country that explains a LOT about why Americans are so disillusioned.
Sarah kicks this around with one her favorite nerds: Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report.
Note: The discussion of Maine’s Senate race took place BEFORE the June 4 New York Times reporting on Graham Platner.
show links
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Subscribe to the Cook Political Report!
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By Amy: Taking Stock of the House Math
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CPR’s PollTracker (Trump Approval Rating Aggregator)
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CPR’s “Find a Race” sorter
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CPR’s Recent Poll: Battleground District Project
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
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Sarah and Sam take on the Graham Platner mess. Plus: is Susan Collins a fraud? The GOP's slush fund cave explained. And Sarah's past as a Republican operative gets dug up—and she's ready for it.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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Sam Stein and Brendan Hartnett take on the most important research project in American political journalism: documenting every time Donald Trump has publicly lost his mind over how handsome a man is.After over 100 documented instances, it's fair to say we have a pattern on our hands. The president cannot stop slow-panning across a room full of guys and narrating what he sees. We're not here to judge. We're here to document
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Catherine Rampell and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on the return of the flesh-eating parasite screwworm. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has already blamed the Biden's border and immigration policies as a potential cause after saying in November that it was under control. But is that the full story? We examine whether DOGE-related staffing cuts and the broader erosion of international cooperation may have played a role in weakening surveillance and response systems. Plus, beef prices are already at record highs, and ranchers are warning of even more disruption ahead if the outbreak spreads, we explain the economic impacts this could have on farmers and consumers.
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The corruption in the Trump administration is so shameless and so abundant that neither the media nor regular people can keep up. While Ivanka’s purchase of a private “fixer-upper” island is getting a lot of attention (aside from infuriated Albanians), the private equity deals her husband is making while supposedly negotiating Middle East peace are not. Trump himself has never had so much money—including from the top businesses paying to play—that the corrupt generational wealth he’s creating will even be around for Barron’s great-grandkids to enjoy. Dems need to start connecting the dots now. Plus, Bill Cassidy is putting his future lobbying career ahead of the American people, no one should ever count Pelosi out, and Tim says Platner is looking like a risky choice.
Stephanie Ruhle joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Joe on Trump's stock trades
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Tim on Cassidy protecting Trump's $1.8 fund
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Tim's playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein went live to cover the week's financial and economic news.
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Jasmine poses Triad readers’ questions to JVL: How can retirement fund holders avoid Elon Musk’s monster SpaceX IPO? What in the world are Mikie Sherrill and Abby Spanberger thinking? Can James Talarico actually take Texas? All that and more (like how JVL imagines The Bulwark after Trump) in this week’s mailbag.
To preview all the questions JVL and Jasmine tackle this week or read the transcript, check out the accompanying newsletter and join the Triad community in the comments.
Catch up on previous editions of the Triad Mailbag here.
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I’m super-excited about this week’s episode, as I’m getting to talk about one of my favorite zombie movies (Day of the Dead) with one of the creators of that film (John Harrison, the first assistant director and composer of its iconic score) and one of the producers at one of my favorite boutique Blu-ray labels (Jeff Roland from Shout Factory/Scream Factory). We talk all about the making of the film, of course, but also the making of this set: one of my favorite special features on the bonus disc is a 30-minute-or-so doc about the actual restoration of this film. How they tracked down the interpositive, what they had to do to get the transfer into shape for a 4K release, how they had to mix the sound, etc.
I really cannot recommend this set enough: it comes out June 16, but I strongly recommend picking up a copy now, as these collector’s editions can be hard to keep in stock. Obviously, the fans of Romero’s films are going to want it. But I would pitch it to anyone who appreciates a good piece of archival work: There are documentaries on this thing that will simply help you understand the world of physical media better. Plus a fun new audio commentary featuring Drew McWeeny and Daniel Kraus. And, of course, a pristine new transfer that gives extra depth and definition to all of those scenes set in the underground mines where most of the movie takes place.
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Hunter Biden is back online and he’s not just lurking. He’s posting, replying, and diving headfirst into viral Twitter debates with users big and small. JVL, Sam Stein, and Sonny Bunch give their takes on whether Hunter’s unexpected social media renaissance is just chaos…or something more strategic. Could this be a redemption arc? A political liability? Or even the beginning of a strange new media career?
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Tim Miller takes on the Senate vote that kept Trump’s controversial $1.8 billion fund alive, exposing the Republican lawmakers who condemned it in public and then helped save it behind closed doors. Plus, the growing controversy surrounding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, and Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s luxury island project in Albania as questions about corruption and self-enrichment continue to mount.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan joins Sam Stein and Will Sommer to discuss his new reporting on the Groypers, the followers of white nationalist streamer Nick Fuentes. Donie spoke to two Groypers who defended Fuentes sexist and racist views. But shortly after they spoke, the two were admonished by Fuentes and faced calls by other supporters to be doxxed because of how they looked. Sam, Will and Donie break down what it actually means to be a Groyper and how online extremism, irony, and nihilism blur together.
Watch more of Donie’s work: https://www.cnn.com/videos/title-2600247
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Most of the multibillionaires are not only hoarding their money and failing to contribute to the public good, they're also using their wealth-based power to manipulate the government, the markets, or our elections. Like Elon, for instance, who just manipulated the Nasdaq so all Americans with a 401(k) can help him become the first trillionaire by the end of the year. At some point, there is such a thing as too many billions for one person, and we need to start applying the pre-Reagan tax rate. Plus, 'vanilla' Dems are doing pretty well, maybe not so fast on Pratt 2028, and Trump will never forgive Vance for being right about the Iran war. And Lawfare's Katherine Pompilio discusses her exclusive reporting on the significant number of pardoned J6ers who went on to commit subsequent crimes.
Katherine Pompilio and JVL join Tim Miller.show notes
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Katherine's reporting on the scores of pardoned J6ers committing new crimes
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JVL on how Marco beat out JD for the Trump's Favorite Adopted Son spot
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JVL's "Trump Madman Theory’ of . . . the Stock Market"
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Lauren on the 'vanilla' dems
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The Secret Podcast
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
As House Democrats look to reclaim the majority in 2026, DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene joins Joe Perticone to unveil four new Democratic target districts and explains why her party believes the political map is expanding. DelBene discusses emerging pickup opportunities in New Jersey, California, Nebraska, and Florida, including the growing controversy surrounding Tom Kean Jr., who has been absent from public view for months. Plus, Joe also asks Florida's newly redrawn congressional map and whether DelBene and the DCCC is supporting Debbie Wasserman Schultz in her controversial new district.Read Joe Perticone's 'Press Pass' Newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/presspass
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer are back to give their takes on Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s luxury island project in Albania that's sparking mass protests, the candidate in Colorado’s Republican gubernatorial race who claims he performs exorcisms, and the federal insider trading investigation into George Santos. Plus, Will brings the latest update from the increasingly chaotic world of right-wing influencer Elijah Schaefer.Read Will Sommer's 'False Flag' newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag
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After "60 Minutes" veteran Scott Pelley was fired, he said that the new management at CBS News had instructed him to put false information in his political stories. Coupled with the decimation at The Washington Post, it feels like there is a vast rightwing conspiracy to take over the media. Plus, the much-promised ceasefire with Iran is nowhere in sight, Megyn Kelly feels duped by Trump, California's marquee races look like they'll be Dem v. MAGA, and Steve King gets revenge. Also, newly minted Democratic Senate nominee in Iowa, Josh Turek, talks about his prairie populism, how he'll win over Trump voters, the state's farmaggedon, and its growing cancer rate. And three NBA super-fans give their picks for the finals.
Josh Turek and Luke Russert join Tim Miller.show notes
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Turek's campaign website
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Luke will be a new co-anchor on MS NOW's "The Weeknight" on June 15
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller takes on the growing controversy surrounding Delaney Hall, the ICE detention facility facing allegations of abusive conditions, blocked inspections, and a detainee hunger strike. He also examines the confrontation outside the facility involving protesters and Senator Andy Kim.
Life inside the Delaney Hall ICE detention camp is a travestyS.O.S: A Second Letter From Delaney Hall
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Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (ret.) discuss Pete Hegseth’s controversial intervention in military promotions, rising tensions with Iran, and Ukraine’s latest strikes deep inside Russia. Then they’re joined by former Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker for a wide-ranging conversation on Ebola, pandemic preparedness, military medicine, and what America may be losing as public health infrastructure is dismantled.
Programming note: On June 8 at 7pm ET, Mona Charen and Mark Hertling will kick off the Bulwark Book Club with a live chat about Mark’s book, If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal. This livestream is for Bulwark+ subscribers on Substack and YouTube.Mark’s book consists of a series of journal entries Mark wrote to his two young sons while he was deployed in the Middle East. You can order Mark’s book from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or buy a signed copy via the publisher.Have question for Mark after reading If I Don’t Return? Drop your questions and feedback about the book here before June 8. This post is also pinned to the top of The Mona Charen Show page.
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Jonathan Cohn talks with oncologist and UPenn vice provost Zeke Emanuel about the breakthrough new pancreatic cancer treatment—what the science actually means, why it took so long, and what Trump’s cuts to federal research funding put at risk.
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Sam Stein and Semafor's Max Tani go live to react to CBS firing Scott Pelley from 60 Minutes. Pelley's firing comes after he tore into Bari Weiss and 60 Minutes' new executive producer Nick Bilton, accusing Weiss of "murdering" the venerated newsmagazine.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim, JVL and Sam discuss Bill Pulte’s jaw-dropping appointment as Acting Director of National Intelligence and the Trump administration backing off of its weaponization slush fund (for now). Then, JVL puts Tim in the hot seat about election denier Tina Peters’ release from prison. Plus: A bit of schadenfreude over the meltdown at 60 Minutes, the gang discusses the California and Iowa primaries, and Trump reportedly losing it at Bibi Netanyahu over Lebanon.
Last night after the gang recorded, the news broke that Scott Pelley had been fired from CBS News. Sam spoke with media reporter, Max Tani from Semafor, for Bulwark Takes. Read JVL’s Triad, here.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.
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Republicans never defend Trump’s corruption on the merits. Their lot in life is just to serve up anti-moral excuses for his repeated acts of immorality. And the Dems are currently in a bit of a moral dilemma of their own over the latest Platner revelations, given the moral imperative of having a Senate that obstructs Trump’s worst policies. Questions of morality also surface with AI, particularly if we allow machines to do the thinking for us. Plus, the Dems need a Wemby, an American debt crisis seems inevitable, the global fertility crisis may be too hard to fix, and why is the English-language world the most unhappy?
Derek Thompson joins Tim Miller.show notes
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“The Next Level” pod will be out later today
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Derek’s piece on vicemaxxing
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Derek on the great AI cost panic
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The “Plain English” pod, hosted by Derek
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“Mere Christianity,” by C.S. Lewis
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“Pluribus”
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah Longwell gives her take on the state of the race in Iowa ahead of Tuesday's primary elections. With Donald Trump's approval numbers slipping, farmers feeling the effects of tariffs, and growing frustration with Republican leadership in the state, Democrats believe they have a real opportunity to compete in races that once seemed out of reach. Sarah breaks down what's driving voter anger and looks at Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, the Democratic Senate primary between Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, and why national political observers are suddenly paying close attention to a state that has trended Republican for years. Is Iowa becoming competitive again? And could it be one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 election cycle?
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JVL and Will Sommer give their takes on the explosive showdown inside CBS News after Scott Pelley confronted new 60 Minutes executive producer Nick Bilton during his first meeting with staff. According to reporting from Oliver Darcy's Status newsletter, Pelley blasted CBS leadership and declared that Bari Weiss is "murdering 60 Minutes." JVL and Will break down what happened in the meeting, why Bilton appeared unprepared for the backlash, the firing of key 60 Minutes staffers, and what the corporate overhaul could mean for the future of the iconic broadcast. They also discuss why many journalists believe the changes have little to do with digital growth and everything to do with control over the newsroom.Read more from Status: https://www.status.news/p/scott-pelley-60-minutes-nick-bilton-bari-weiss
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger give their takes on the breaking news that the Trump administration is reportedly pausing and potentially abandoning the controversial $1.8 billion slush fund for January 6 defendants and other Trump allies. Sam and Andrew walk through how the arrangement came together, why judges are now scrutinizing it, and why even Republican lawmakers are growing uneasy with the implications. But just because they said it's "paused," is it actually over?
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Another weekend passed without a promised Iran deal. Despite reporting to the contrary, Iran’s negotiators don’t live in caves, and they’re not interested in dealing with the U.S. anymore, at least according to state media. Meanwhile, the president continues to release unhinged midnight bleats on his social media platform, including one targeting not just a judge who ruled against him in the Kennedy Center case but also that judge’s spouse. That’s just one reminder that the authoritarian threat remains, and we should prepare for election meddling if the midterms don’t go Trump’s way. Plus, the White House seems to have soured on JD Vance, the Epstein cover-up continues, there’s more Graham Platner drama, Susan Collins has enabled the worst of Trump 2.0, and Bill outflanks Tim on Pride Month?Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.Show notes
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Bill’s Bulwark on Sunday with Nathaniel Zelinsky
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Bill’s Morning Shots from Friday on Trump’s plans for America250
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live on Monday at 10am to cover the outrage from Republicans about artists cancelling on America 250 and Trump making it a rally instead, the Proud Boys bringing cookies to a pro-ICE rally, Trump’s former Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino hanging with white nationalists, and James Fishback’s ex-girlfriend speaking out.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eliot joins Eric from the shores of Lake Champlain to break down the latest administration jackassery before pivoting to the ongoing negotiations with Iran. They also discuss Russia’s recent drone and missile barrage directed at Kyiv which included an Oreshnik missile capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads. Eric outlines his new CSBA monograph on nuclear command, control, and communications in the context of deterring both Russia and China as nuclear peers. To close out the show, Eric provides commentary on the Kenyan government’s rejection of US efforts to open a quarantine facility for Americans who have contracted Ebola, John Cornyn’s primary loss, and the prospects for the administration’s Cuba policy.
Eric’s Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications Monograph:
https://csbaonline.org/uploads/documents/CSBA8429_(Three_Body_Problem_Report)_final.pdf
Eliot’s Latest in The Atlantic (Gift Link):
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/words-war/687343/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPvaB1GNTRUB7dNFTvrxKF_o&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Catherine Rampell and Will Sommer take on one of the strangest stories in American politics: a mystery candidate named Dan Sullivan has entered the Alaska Senate race—as a Republican—to run against the incumbent Republican senator also named Dan Sullivan. Who recruited him, why does his photo look AI-generated, and why is a Peltola-aligned strategist's name buried in the press release metadata?
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Nathaniel Zelinsky, lead counsel in the Kennedy Center case against Trump, joins Bill Kristol for Bulwark on Sunday to discuss the current situation with Trump and the courts.
Nathaniel Zelinsky is a senior counsel and member of the Washington Litigation Group’s steering committee. He is an appellate lawyer who has handled high stakes cases involving major constitutional questions and multibillion dollar disputes, and has argued at every level of the federal judiciary, including before the Supreme Court.
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John Avlon welcomes his wife Margaret Hoover—host of Firing Line and great-granddaughter of President Herbert Hoover—to discuss what Paxton’s annihilation of Cornyn reveals about today’s GOP, Trump’s Iran gamble, the case for ranked-choice voting, and what this political era has done to two journalists who started on opposite sides of the aisle.
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Jonathan Chait of The Atlantic joins Mona to discuss the incredible scope and scale of Trump’s corruption—from the $4 billion the Trump family has added to its net worth since January 2025, to the $1.776 billion “weaponization” slush fund, to the dozens of DOJ officials who quit rather than follow corrupt orders. They trace how a century of progressive-era reforms that kept American government relatively clean is being systematically dismantled, and why the mafia-style loyalty-and-punishment logic now governing federal law enforcement is more authoritarian than merely corrupt. Plus: are Senate Republicans finally showing a spine? And is the Democratic Party’s new obsession with monopolies as the root of all evil a winning strategy—or a trap?
show notes
Read Jonathan’s article on the $1.8 billion slush fund
Read Mona’s article on Trump’s corruption
Bulwark Book Club: Mona will interview retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling abour his book, If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal.
Join the conversation! Drop your questions or comments about the book for Mona to explore with Gen. Hertling here. We’ll pin this post to the top of The Mona Charen Show page on the site.
Programming note: June 8 at 7pm EDT, Mona will interview retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling about his new book If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal live on Substack. Watch your inbox for details.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Access member edition in the Bulwark App—now available on Apple and Google.
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Tim Miller and Pablo Torre take on the White House calling Tim an Iranian propagandist, how Trump colonized American sports culture—from SEC stadiums to the White House lawn—and why Democrats keep fumbling the ball on sports politics.
Follow Pablo Torre Finds Out on Substack or YouTube
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Catherine Rampell welcomes Epstein survivor Annie Farmer to discuss Pam Bondi’s closed-door congressional testimony, the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files, and the unanswered questions that continue to fuel demands for transparency. Farmer shares her firsthand perspective on the investigation, the treatment of survivors, concerns about missing documents, and why accountability remains elusive decades after the first warnings about Epstein.
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Everyone loves to complain about how California is governed...even some of the Democrats in our focus groups. So, how is the Democratic primary to replace Gavin Newsom shaping up? Plus, a proto-Trump is running for Los Angeles mayor, and Republicans are noticing beyond California. Puck News's Peter Hamby returns to the show to download on how California politics is shaping the rest of America in 2026.By Peter Hamby:California LoveIs Xavier Becerra the Best California Can Do?
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
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Ben Parker and Sonny Bunch give their takes on the news that a federal judge's ruled that Trump's name must be removed from Kennedy Center. They examine the legal battle, the mass exodus of performers, the uncertain future of upcoming seasons, and how Trump's efforts to remake the Kennedy Center may have backfired.Read more from Sonny's piece: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/a-day-and-a-nation-at-the-kennedy-centerWatch Sonny's conversation with Josef Palermo's on the Kennedy Center:
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Tim just happened to quote from an official Iranian news agency about how the regime is cleaning up in their negotiations with the Trump administration, and the White House accused him of being a foreign agent. Maybe the administration should take a closer look at all the money the guy sitting behind the Resolute Desk and his family are getting from Mideast dictators if they're really looking for foreign agents. Speaking of massive amounts of corruption, the Dems need to be making the case everywhere just how brazenly corrupt Trump & co. are—and not wait until 2027. Plus, the real freak in the Texas Senate race is Paxton, Platner's struggles and missteps are part of his appeal, the Great American State Fair is another Trump fiasco, and parenting lessons on how to raise kids to push back against bullies.
Lis Smith joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Tim's episode with E. Jean Carroll from last year
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Liz's book, "Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story"
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Tim's playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Sarah and JVL talk about the ongoing meltdown of Trump’s Freedom 250 event; the inappropriateness of putting a UFC cage fight on the White House lawn; John Cornyn’s sudden understanding of what Trump is; and Bari Weiss’s murder of 60 Minutes.
It’s a good show / short show because we’re both playing hurt today, so forgive us if we’re not at our most dazzling.
Read JVL’s Triad newsletter about 60 Minutes here.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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Catherine and JVL went LIVE at 12:30pm on Friday.Read Catherine Rampell's 'Receipts' newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/receipts
Just as a heads up: This episode was posted on the Takes feed over the weekend, but I wanted to make sure and share it with y’all because a.) it was a lot of fun and b.) I did a weirdly large amount of work for it, having to rewatch three films and read a bunch of stuff. But I wanted to make sure you guys heard it in case you haven’t subscribed to the Takes feed. (And if you haven’t, for shame! You’re missing JVL and me riffing on the terrible America 250 concert!)
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Tim Miller reacts after the official White House account suggested he should be investigated under FARA over his commentary on the Iran war. He also breaks down the Trump administration’s escalating use of the DOJ against critics, including a criminal investigation against E. Jean Carroll, and explains why he believes the White House is lashing out as the Iran negotiations unravel.
The Bulwark Podcast with E. Jean Carrol
Matthew Petti for Reason: Does Reporting Bad News About the Iran War Make You a Foreign Agent?As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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JVL and Sam Stein give their takes on CBS News firing Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, and top executives at 60 Minutes. Plus, they break down why the changes at CBS News appear tied to corporate merger politics from Trumpworld and what the shakeup says about the future of independent journalism in America.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Bezos, Elon, Andreessen and the whole lot are such terrible, tiny, greedy people. They blow off the public’s concerns about AI while living apart from us in their cashmere prisons; they keep talking about things they know nothing about; and they figured out how cheap it is to buy and manipulate a president. The pitchforks are coming. Plus, the SpaceX IPO is all about Elon’s self-dealing, Ellison doesn’t care about CBS News or its journalists—and only bought the network to influence Trump—injectable peptides may not be worth the risks, and some longevity tips from Kara.Kara Swisher joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Kara's and Scott Galloway's “Pivot” podcast
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Kara's "On with Kara Swisher" pod
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CNN's "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever"
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JVL and Sonny Bunch take on Trump's "Freedom 250" disaster—the washed-up acts already bailing on the Great American State Fair, the UFC cage being built on the White House lawn, and why the whole spectacle looks less like a birthday party and more like something straight out of The Boys.
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Sam and Will went live at 11am ET to cover the week’s biggest developments in the right wing fever swamp.
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Andrew Egger and Will Saletan give their takes on Trump’s latest cabinet meeting spectacle, from his bizarre rant about the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, potentially bombing Oman, and Pete Hegseth pitching a staggering $1.5 trillion defense budget. As Trump’s poll numbers slide and Republicans brace for a brutal midterm environment, the White House still seems trapped in a reality-defying loyalty pageant.
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The United States lost the Iran war back in March when Trump chickened out and didn’t retaliate against Tehran once it proved it could inflict economic pain on the Gulf states. While much of the mainstream media keeps hyping the negotiations and the ceasefire, Iran is not making concessions and is focused on shaking Trump down for money. But the biggest loser in this debacle may be Israel, which turned itself from a dominant power in the region to a losing power. And Israel, which the administration is likely to turn against, could be irreparably damaged in U.S. public opinion as well. Plus, the post-WWII American-led world order is collapsing, Trump is the worst negotiator, and conquering Cuba will require a major nation-building effort.Bob Kagan joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Bob on Trump's surrender
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Bob on the end of the post WWII-order
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The Next Level LIVE after the Texas primary
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Sarah Longwell welcomes Mary McCord—former DOJ prosecutor and co-host of the Main Justice podcast—to discuss a series of jaw-dropping legal scandals surrounding Trump’s Justice Department. They include the secretive $1.776 billion “slush fund” for January 6 defendants, a federal judge exposing shocking grand jury misconduct in the Broadview Six case, the collapse of the Kilmar Abrego Garcia prosecution, growing judicial distrust of DOJ lawyers, and what happens when prosecutors start acting like political operatives instead of officers of the court.
Listen to Main Justice on Apple Podcasts:
Show notes
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live on Wednesday at 10:30am ET to cover the latest on the war in Iran and Pete Hegseth's graduation speech at West Point where he blamed “foolish and feckless leaders” for promoting diversity.
Programming note: On June 8 at 7pm ET, Mona Charen and Mark Hertling will kick off the Bulwark Book Club with a …
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Sarah, Tim and JVL went live to cover the Texas primary runoff election, Megyn Kelly (maybe?) turning against Trump, and much more.
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan give their takes on Donald Trump’s latest visit to Walter Reed, the White House’s growing secrecy around his health, and the bizarre effort by the White House to defend footage of the president appearing to fall asleep during meetings. They discuss Trump’s repeated medical checkups, his confusing answers about MRIs and CAT scans, comparisons to the Biden health debate, and why transparency matters when it comes to the president of the United States.
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As we barrel towards July 4th, Trump wants the celebration of our country's 250th anniversary to be not only about him but also about America as a white republic. But this diverse nation needs to speak up and speak back loudly to drown out that MAGA messaging. In his new book, Glaude lays out the inherent contradiction of America's milestone anniversaries, starting with the one in 1876. Plus, black Mississippians are aiming to top Obama-era turnout numbers, Trump has a pathetic need to be worshipped, and the MMA fight at the White House perfectly encapsulates the decline of seriousness in this country.
Eddie Glaude joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Glaude's new book, "America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries"
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Glaude's "Begin Again," his study of James Baldwin
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Baldwin's essay on Faulkner
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Andrew and Bill went live at 10am ET on Tuesday to cover the notable deflections over the weekend from a small group of GOP Senators about a potential deal with Iran, the worsening approval ratings for Trump and the war, and the reported potential plan by the U.S. to have Iran send its enriched uranium to Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, or China.
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The master negotiator couldn't have been more clear how badly he wants out of his war, and now the Iranians are enjoying twisting the knife over a murky developing deal that will likely deliver sanctions relief and more. Trump keeps trying to shoehorn the Abraham Accords into the negotiations as a face-saving move, but there's no denying that the U.S. has made Iran a stronger power than it was before the war. Plus, Cuba looks to be in the crosshairs next, the Dems need someone at the DNC who can give donors confidence, and remembering those we've lost in service to this country.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for a holiday pod.
show notes
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Marine veteran, Michael Wood
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Mark Hertling on how vets regard Memorial Day
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Will Selber on remembering the Gold Star families
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Van Lathan joined Tim Miller at the Los Angeles live show to break down the SCOTUS VRA ruling and what it really means for the Deep South—including a conversation with his 88-year-old grandmother who thought the civil rights battle was already won. Plus: Van's gym run-in with Theo Von, whether MAGA can be deprogrammed, and why he's not the one to do it (but Tim might be).
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Ebola is back. Hantavirus is spreading. So Sonny Bunch and Jonathan Cohn revisited three pandemic "classics"—And the Band Played On, Contagion, and Outbreak—to see which one we're actually living in.
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Eliot and Eric discuss the current state of the Iran negotiations, the apparent US-Israeli plan to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a Delcy Rodríguez-type figure early in the war, and Reuters’ report on the ongoing hollowing out of U.S. diplomacy. They assess Trump’s apparent designs in Cuba, noting the indictment of Raul Castro, and the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean. Finally, they touch on Turkey’s deepening fall into authoritarianism and Putin’s visit to Beijing before turning to guest Marc Bennetts, journalist and author of THE DESCENT: Witnessing Russia’s Spiral Into Madness Under Putin.
The Descent: Witnessing Russia’s Spiral into Madness Under Putin:
https://a.co/d/01fuFsvu
Inside the Unravelling of US Diplomacy Under Trump:
https://www.reuters.com/investigations/inside-unraveling-us-diplomacy-under-trump-2026-05-21/
Early War Goal Was to Install Hard-Line Former President as Iran’s Leader:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/us/politics/iran-israel-us-leader-ahmadinejad.html
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Catherine Rampell welcomes former DHS official Doug Rand to take on Trump’s purposely chaotic new green card policy, why legal immigrants and Silicon Valley are panicking, and how the administration may be using confusion and fear to push people out of the country.Listen to Doug Rand's podcast, 'The Melting Pod' — https://meltingpod.org/
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Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, Sam Stein, Van Lathan, Brian Tyler Cohen, Jon Favreau, Jane Coaston and Erin Gloria Ryan appeared on stage LIVE in Los Angeles on May 21, 2026.The Bulwark hosted a live quiz pitting the two teams against each other on the most obscure—and embarrassing—chapters of recent political history. Plus: the DNC autopsy gets roasted, California goes on trial, and JD Vance receives the takedown he deserves.
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Bill Kristol talks with Michael Wood about his military service and the debacle of Trump's Iran war.
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Senator Andy Kim joins John Avlon to break down the avalanche of corruption hitting Washington—Trump's 3,600 stock trades in a single quarter, the $1.8 billion DOJ slush fund being funneled to January 6 rioters, and the IRS granting the Trump family permanent immunity from tax investigations. Kim explains why his Restoring Trust in Public Service Act is the fix, and what Democrats are doing right now to build the evidence trail before 2029.
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Mona Charen is joined by her dear friend Danielle Crittenden for a powerful and honest discussion about the journey that led Danielle to write a book titled Dispatches from Grief. Danielle’s daughter died suddenly in early 2024 at the age of 32. Mona and Danielle talk about the shock of the loss, the ongoing emotional and physical pain of grief, the power of religious rituals and how eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has helped with Danielle’s healing.
Show notes:
Danielle’s book Dispatches From Grief: A Mother’s Journey Through The Unimaginable
We know so many of you love reading, so we are excited to share with you that we are starting a monthly book club with Mona Charen.
Mona’s first pick: retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling’s book, If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal.
Join the conversation! Drop your questions or comments about the book for Mona to explore with Gen. Hertling here. We’ll pin this post to the top of The Mona Charen Show page on the site.
Programming note: June 8 at 7pm EDT, Mona will interview retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling about his new book If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal live on Substack. Watch your inbox for details.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Saturdays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Access member edition in the Bulwark App—now available on Apple and Google.
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein and Andrew Egger are going live to cover what appears to be an imminent deal to end the war in Iran.
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer descend into the strangest corners of MAGA internet culture: January 6 reparations, Hunter Biden teaming up with Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes feuding with Tucker Carlson, and the surreal “nBeartaria” compound where the internet’s saddest men are trying to build a right-wing utopia. Plus: San Diego Republican drama, burglar twinks, and more deeply cursed political lore.
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Sarah is in the City of Angels; JVL is in the Big Apple;) and they have A LOT to catch up on. Gas is at $4.65. Trump is at -22 in the latest Fox poll. The Senate said no to the billi for his ballroom.
Oh, and maybe we’re going to do regime change in Cuba soon?
Plus: They recap the California live shows and go deep on Tina Peters.
show notesRead JVL’s Triad newsletter: here.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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Sarah is sick and tired of the arguments about whether Democrats should move to the left or the center, because Democratic voters’ answers to this question overlap a lot more than the online turf wars suggest. Adam Jentleson, founder of the Searchlight Institute and author of the forthcoming book Supermajority returns to the show to dig into why voters don’t think in partisan boxes, how some surprising Democratic figures are breaking ideological molds, and what a genuinely big-tent coalition actually looks like in practice.Adam Jentleson’s Supermajority, available for pre-order.
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Live from LA! Tim, Sarah, and Sam debate whether Democrats should just “let Trump cook” as his approval numbers crater, Republicans start breaking ranks, and the MAGA coalition begins to fracture. Plus: Rubio takes heat over Iran, the gang ranks Trump’s worst cabinet members, and they roast Trump’s gaudy gold makeover of Washington.
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Trump's killing off of John Cornyn's political career was the last straw for Senate Republicans, who magically found the courage—for the moment—to oppose his thug fund and the cool billion dollars he's demanding for his ballroom. And while the DNC autopsy shows a party not focused on winning, Jeffries and Schumer played a very shrewd hand with their anti-ICE DHS shutdown. Plus, the staggering amount of stock trades from the guy in the Oval Office, blue California's herd mentality may end up sending a man with no message to the governor's mansion, Trump is the Henry Ford of the Chinese auto industry, and Mike makes the case for bulldozing the new East Wing.Mike Murphy joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notes
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Joe on the trader in the Oval Office
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Mike's EV website
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Tim's playlist
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Join Catherine Rampell and JVL at 12:30pm ET as they go live to discuss the biggest political, financial and economic stories of the week.
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Tim Miller and Andrew Egger are going live to give their takes on Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation from the Trump administration.
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Jasmine poses Triad readers’ questions to JVL: How can we stop Trump's slush fund? Will AI discourse dominate the 2028 campaign? Why does Trump keep turning down Iran's proposals to end the war? What is the true definition of populism? All that and more (like whether JVL thinks his best friend, Sarah Longwell, should run for Senate in Pennsylvania) in t…
On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Julia Alexander to discuss her latest piece for Puck on why romantasy—the subgenre of fine literature dedicated to dragons and sex—has had a hard time gaining a foothold on streaming services despite burning up the book charts. We also chatted about Amazon’s advertising ambitions and how it hopes to use its supposedly profitable video division to drive business elsewhere on the site … and whether or not the company is getting so big, it might make sense for the government to force some parts of it to split off. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Will Saletan gives his take on Todd Blanche’s embarrassing performance as Donald Trump’s acting Attorney General, and why his public defenses of the administration keep collapsing under scrutiny. From reviving debunked 2020 election claims to arguing that indictments themselves are proof of guilt, except when it comes to Trump, Blanche repeatedly finds himself trying to justify glaring double standards in real time. Will walks through Blanche’s interviews, the James Comey indictment, Trump’s public pressure on DOJ leadership, and how the Justice Department is shaped by loyalty to Trump rather than consistent legal principles.
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Catherine Rampell is joined by Thomas Florsheim Jr., whose company makes the president’s favorite shoe brand, to discuss what Trump’s tariff agenda has meant for his business. From skyrocketing import costs to supply-chain chaos to millions paid in tariffs, Thomas explains why reshoring production to the United States still doesn’t make economic sense. He describes the scramble to move manufacturing between countries, the hidden costs businesses face from constant policy uncertainty, and why his company ultimately sued the federal government over the tariffs.Read more from Catherine Rampell
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From the state where Trump claims he’d win if Jesus counted the votes, Sarah and Sam joined Tim live on stage in San Diego to debate who is the most cucked Republican and whether Bill Cassidy should get credit for his late-in-the-game YOLO opposition to Trump. Also, Jeff Bezos has Tim rethinking his opposition to socialism, and how could Bibi and Trump have had such an absurd plan for a new Iranian president? At the top of the pod, Amanda Carpenter runs down the thug fund (don’t call it a slush fund) and Trump’s effort to get permanent immunity from any tax liability for himself and his family. Plus, POTUS’s revenge tour may backfire, and the administration may try using Fulton County as a test case for taking over vote counting in Democratic counties. Amanda Carpenter, Sarah Longwell, and Sam Stein join Tim Miller.show notes
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Jon on how Trump’s global health cuts are undermining the response to the Ebola outbreak
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Lauren on how the Georgia governor’s race may be the most important one in the country
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And we still have a few tickets left for TONIGHT at Bulwark Live: LA at 7pm. Our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats at TheBulwark.com/Events
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Join Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Sam Stein live on the Bulwark tour bus, as they head to Los Angeles.
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Jonathan Cohn is joined by Dr. Craig Spencer to break down the growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, why global health officials are sounding the alarm, and how Trump-era cuts to public health infrastructure could affect the response. Spencer is an emergency medicine physician and Ebola survivor. During the historic 2014 outbreak, he treated patients and then contracted Ebola himself, became one of the most visible voices during that crisis. Dr. Spencer explains why this outbreak has experts more worried than past Ebola flare-ups, how Ebola actually spreads, and why it is very different from a respiratory virus like COVID.Read more from Jonathan Cohn: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-decimated-our-global-health-network-then-ebola-hit-outbreak
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JVL and Andrew Egger give their takes on Donald Trump’s bizarre comments about wanting to be prime minister of Israel, his relationship with Netanyahu, and his supposed “99%” approval rating in Israel. They also break down the growing MAGA divide over Israel and Iran, Thomas Massie’s defeat, and why Trump’s political instincts may finally be slipping. Plus: the Republican backlash to Trump’s billion-dollar ballroom and what it says about a president governing like he has nothing left to lose.
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Tennessee is on the front lines of the racialized politics that has resurfaced in the South since SCOTUS gutted the Voting Rights Act. Its Jim Crow legislature stripped the people of Memphis of congressional representation for their majority-black city, and Democratic legislators have been punished for protesting the move. The state is looking less like a democracy by the day. Meanwhile, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana are also working on dismantling black political power in their states. Plus, Trump is an anti-farmer president, Stephen Miller is still running an immigration crackdown, and Tim sees promising signs in Tom Massie’s loss in Kentucky.
Tennessee's Rep. Justin Jones joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jones on Hannity in January
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San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, joins the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego TONIGHT. And on Thursday at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats at TheBulwark.com/Events
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Donald Trump turns 80 next month, but Democrats still seem reluctant to make his age and health a political issue. Sam Stein and Lauren Egan give their takes on the questions about Trump’s bruised hands, dentist visits, public appearances, and why the overall transparency about Trump's health hasn't become a bigger story even after Republicans spent years relentlessly attacking Joe Biden over age and decline. Plus: Sam attempts to test Trump’s concealer explanation himself.Read more from Lauren's reporting: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/democrats-trump-aging-elderly-very-old-hands-makeup
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live on Wednesday morning to give their takes on NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's comments about the Strait of Hormuz and the reported plan by the U.S. and Israel to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad back to power in Iran. Plus, Ben and Mark break down why Pete Hegseth's decision to pull troops out of Polan…
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Sam Stein and JVL give their takes on Rep. Thomas Massie's primary loss to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein.
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Donald Trump just endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over longtime Senator John Cornyn. Tim Miller joined Chris Jansing on MS Now to say it’s one of the most humiliating political rejections imaginable. After years of defending Trump, flattering Trump, and publicly groveling for Trump’s approval, Cornyn still got tossed aside in favor of Paxton, a scandal-plagued MAGA loyalist. Tim breaks down why Trump’s endorsement matters, what it says about the Republican Party, and why Democrats believe James Talarico could now have a real opening in Texas.
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Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell on launch day for his book 'Liar's Kingdom'—but first they discuss why Weissmann calls Trump's $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund" an outright fraud on taxpayers. Then: why election lies are distinct even among Trump's 30,000 lies, what Brazil and the UK do to stop them, and the publisher that vanished the day after a Trump executive order. Plus mob bosses in bathrobes.
Show notes
Buy Andrew Weissmann’s book, Liar’s Kingdom! https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
Bulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/Events.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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Donald Trump—as a private citizen—sued our government, which he runs, and then “settled” the lawsuit with $1.8 billion that he stole from the U.S. Treasury. See, he needs a secret fund of taxpayer money so he can pay not only reparations to his band of Jan 6 rioters, but also to incentivize future (election) criming on his behalf. In a special emergency The Next Level (TNL), Tim, Sarah, and JVL break it all down. Plus, Martha explains how Iran’s demands for money may be why Trump won’t officially end the war. And she discusses Zelensky's resiliency, along with her new book about the 9/11 generation that fought our wars.
Martha Raddatz, Jonathan V. Last, and Sarah Longwell join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Pre-order Martha's book, "The Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and Purpose"
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Sarah's ‘Illegal News’ podcast; interview with Andrew Weissmann out Thursday
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego this Wednesday. And on Thursday at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Andrew Egger and Will Sommer take on the chaos erupting inside the January 6th world now that Trump's $1.776 billion "weaponization" slush fund is real — including two MAGA lawyers in an all-out war over who gets to skim 30% off the rioters' windfall, and one miraculous lung recovery that happened to coincide with the fund's announcement.The Trio is live in San Diego on Wednesday, May 20th—grab your tickets at https://thebulwark.com/events.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to discuss the terms of Trump’s $1.776 billion slush fund for his fans, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defending the outrageous fund to Congress, Trump’s slipping poll numbers. Plus, amid a war in Iran and surging gas prices, Trump has his eyes on one thing: the ballroom.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer are finally doing it live—and before they hit the stage in San Diego, they’re warming up with the week’s most unhinged news from MAGA World. Trump is amplifying bizarre (flattering?) information about Thomas Massie’s sex life. Hunter Biden is going on Candace Owens. And a January 6th grifter made a miraculous recovery the moment reparations money appeared.
The Trio is live in San Diego on May 20th—grab your tickets at thebulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller takes on Trump's last-minute decision to stand down from a planned military strike on Iran, and why the real story isn't the diplomacy, it's who's doing the asking. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE told Trump to hold off, and he said yes.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Andrew Egger and Joe Perticone give their takes on Trump’s shocking new $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” settlement fund, a scheme that could funnel taxpayer money to January 6 defendants and other Trump allies. They explain how the administration rushed the deal to avoid judicial scrutiny, why Congress likely won’t stop it, and how Republicans could end up politically trapped ahead of a tough midterm season defending payouts to convicted rioters.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sadly, it’s taken some time, but voters seem to be figuring out that Trump only cares about himself, his ballroom, his blatant corruption, and his unquenchable desire for revenge. 2026, so far, has been bad for his approval ratings. And his continued weakness on the world stage, especially when it comes to Iran and China, will only drive his numbers down more. At the same time, Trump has done permanent damage to our standing among our allies. Plus, Dems need to get serious about AI as well as a stock-trading ban for public officials—including presidents—Trump has far too many unexplained medical conditions, and Tim explains his support for commuting Tina Peters’ prison sentence.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Lauren on how the Dems should respond to an aging Trump's health issues
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Rob Flaherty, Kamala's deputy campaign manager
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego this Wednesday. And on Thursday at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Will Sommer went live to cover Trump withdrawing his $10B lawsuit against the IRS, the $1.7B slush fund for MAGA allies, Trump’s bizarre Bible reading, Laura Loomer’s fight with Thomas Massie that includes accusations of swinging and cocaine, and groyper drama about a witch that you need to hear to believe.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky join together in New Orleans for a weekend potpourri: the most expensive congressional primary in history (and why a Parkland survivor is rooting for the libertarian gun guy), Eric Metaxas declaring God's divine will is being spent on Trump's ballroom, and why Trump's Iran threats stopped meaning anything weeks ago. Plus: oil at $107, the parliamentarian strikes back, and Tim gets caught on Geese Reddit.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eric and Eliot survey a wide range of jackassery, highlighting Trump’s bizarre attack on longtime Mitch McConnell aide Robert Karem. They discuss Trump’s gross mismanagement of the Department of Defense as exemplified by the US Army budget shortfall due to National Guard deployments to US cities and the border. They debate the intelligence community’s leaked assessment of Iran’s surviving missile and launcher capabilities and what advice they would give to a hypothetical “normal” administration on how to successfully extricate from Iran. They also review the Trump-Xi Summit in China, assess trump’s designs on Cuba, and discuss the broader implications of Turkey’s newly unveiled ICBM.
Eric on the Reagan Defense Build Up (Gift Link):
https://thedispatch.com/next-250/peace-through-strength-reagan-250/?gift_key=e0d7f3be6686eb5a&gift_ref=3886671&utm_source=giftlink&utm_campaign=membergift&utm_medium=copy_link
Eric on Turkey’s New ICBM:
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Bill Cassidy tried to survive Trump’s wrath after voting for his impeachment. It didn’t work. Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell take on Cassidy’s crushing third place finish, Lindsey Graham’s comments about “Trump’s party,” and what it means for Republicans who cross Trump.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Rob Flaherty, deputy campaign manager of Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, joins Bill Kristol to discuss his massive article on the missing DNC autopsy, what really sunk the campaign, and the future of elections.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Congressman Jake Auchincloss joins John Avlon to lay out a new “patriotic center” for Democrats—from taxing social media companies to fund education, to rebuilding America, fixing housing, confronting China, regulating AI deepfakes, and reclaiming patriotism from Trumpism. They also debate school closures, social media addiction, AI’s impact on democracy, and why Democrats need a more aggressive economic message heading into 2028.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
How to Fix It with John Avlon is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. New episodes drop each weekend so if you like what you hear, add the show to your player of choice. To help more people discover this show, leave a comment and rate the show ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.
Ad-free editions are available exclusively for Bulwark+on Substack and YouTube.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah Longwell and Ben Wittes discuss the Supreme Court mifepristone fight and why it could reshape abortion politics for years to come, then dig into Trump’s proposed $1.7 billion “weaponization” fund for Jan. 6 allies, the DOJ’s effort to protect Jeffrey Clark, and Kash Patel’s increasingly bizarre behavior as FBI director.
show notes
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
Bulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/Events.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
Access to this show’s community comments and ad-free editions is available exclusively for Bulwark+ members here and on the Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.Bulwark+ members can also listen ad-free on your podcast player of choice—click SET UP here.
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
A Man for All Seasons is one of cinema's great moral arguments—six Oscars, a cast of legends, and a story about conscience under autocracy that feels more relevant than ever. Mona Charen and Sonny Bunch dig into why this 1966 film became a touchstone for conservative intellectuals, what it says about people who preach virtue and then fold when it counts, and why Robert Bolt—a leftist—wrote the right's favorite movie. Plus: the rule of law, the seduction of power, and what it means to stand fast even when it costs you everything.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Saletan takes on Donald Trump’s own words on the Iran war, gas prices, inflation, and the economy — and methodically shows how Trump keeps contradicting himself on camera. From $300 oil to “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,” this is a devastating walkthrough of Trump’s economic and political logic.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Georgia’s primaries for Governor and U.S. Senate have LOTS of things for political nerds (like you, dear listener) to chew on. But the Republican and Democratic voters we talked to felt pretty sick of politics.
Some of what we learned:
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How Republicans feel about their chances against Jon Ossoff in the fall (not good)
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Why a Trump-like billionaire is overshadowing Trump’s endorsed candidate for governor
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Whether Democratic voters will tolerate a former Republican Lieutenant Governor running as a Democrat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Greg Bluestein joins the show.
By Greg Bluestein:
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Politically Georgia Podcast
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Flipped: How Georgia Turned Purple and Broke the Monopoly on Republican Power
Just announced! We’ve added some chatty friends to our live shows in Cali. Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
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Tim Miller is joined by Johnny Garcia, a Democrat running in Texas’s 35th Congressional District, where a closely watched runoff on May 26 could help decide control of a key House seat. Garcia, a deputy sheriff and former hostage negotiator, outlines his background in law enforcement and his pitch to working-class voters who are struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty. They also talk about the unusual dynamics of the race: Republicans are reportedly spending significant money to boost Garcia’s runoff opponent, a fringe candidate accused of promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories, in an apparent effort to shape a more favorable general election matchup after mid-cycle redistricting in Texas.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller talked to Nicolle Wallace on MS NOW to give his take on Trump’s embarrassing summit in China, where Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping and left with no results for ending the war in Iran. Plus, Tim gave his take on the proposed $1.7 billion fund tied to Trump allies and January 6-related figures, raising fresh concerns about corruption, political favoritism, and taxpayer money being directed toward controversial recipients.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
If the IRS goes ahead and gives in to Donald Trump's demands for a MAGA slush fund, it would be outright theft of the public's money and corruption on a scale that we've never even contemplated in this country. What would stop him from plundering even more from the American people? Plus, Kash's ghoulish snorkel at Pearl Harbor, the Supreme Court's VRA ruling gave permission to practice discrimination, MAGA loves the racism and sexism of the 1950s, and the penile implant expert managing the Hantavirus outbreak. And in his new book, Weissmann explores whether the lies of politicians and political candidates can be criminalized.Andrew Weissmann joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Buy Andrew Weissmann’s book, "Liar’s Kingdom." Use code Liar15 at checkout to receive 15% off and a signed bookplate from Weissmann. Offer expires 5/19/26. Click here.
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"All Roads Lead to the South" for Saturday's National Day of Action for Voting Rights
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Sarah's "Illegal News" podcast
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Tim's interview this week with Comey
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photo from the summit in China and not one woman at the table
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Tim's playlist
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Just announced: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20.And on May 21 at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from , The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage.Grab your seats today at: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Catherine Rampell and JVL went LIVE to give their takes on Trump's reported plans for a secretive $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded slush fund that could quietly reward Jan. 6 defendants and Trump political allies behind closed doors.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Last night news broke that President Trump would drop his $10b lawsuit against the IRS if the people who work for him at the Justice Department would create a $1.7b fund out of taxpayer dollars and allow him to appoint five commissioners to run this fund and they would award money to anyone they deemed fit.
Oh, and that the list of people given money would be secret. And Trump could replace the commissioners any time he wanted, for no reason.
The Trump administration is positioning this as a “truth and reconciliation commission.” Which is amazing.
For a decade JVL (and to a lesser extent Sarah) have wanted a truth and reconciliation commission to document accounts of what people did during the Trump era. And now the monkey’s paw has granted their wish.
We get a truth and reconciliation commission designed to help the people who did the Trump era.
As you can imagine, Sarah and JVL have a lot to say about this. Strap in.
show notes
ICYMI: The gang did a bonus episode this week in meat space. Read JVL’s Triad newsletter: here.
ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21.
Just announced! We’re adding some chatty friends to the lineups for both shows. Grab your seats now to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends and keep an eye on TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
Hey everyone, so: This posted in the Takes feed over the weekend. (You can watch the video on Substack here or YouTube here.) I Just wanted to make sure this episode got into the Bulwark Goes to Hollywood feed in case you don’t subscribe to the Takes feed (though you should!) and also to give everyone a heads up that Mona Charen and I will be doing an episode of her podcast on A Man for All Seasons. You can watch that movie for free on YouTube, so long as you don’t mind ads.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Tim Miller takes on reports that Kash Patel is snorkeling at Pearl Harbor, rigging the most wanted list, and jetting his girlfriend around Europe on your dime. Meanwhile Trump just created a $1.7 billion slush fund for his criminal allies—no Congress required.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Joshua Doss joins Sam Stein to discuss why Black voters are abandoning the Democratic Party, how Republican redistricting may have accidentally handed organizers their most powerful message in years, and why the voters Democrats need most are the ones they've ignored the longest.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The Chinese have long envied America's power, influence, and market share. But after Trump's failed trade war, his attacks on allies, and the embarrassment in Iran, the view from Beijing has shifted: It now sees us as a nation in decline. Plus, inflation is creeping back up, the stock market is out of whack, new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh is screwed, and the ag community is feeling the pain of Trump's policies. And for the view from the Democratic resistance, Rep. Garcia tells Tim that Dems are not finished with their own redistricting and that Gavin's greatest strength is his obsession with winning. And he says Dems are going to fight like hell to win the House so they can investigate the Trump family’s corruption and the Epstein case—the single largest government cover-up in history.
Rep. Robert Garcia and Catherine Rampell join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Catherine's newsletter, "Receipts"
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A grimacing, sweaty Trump getting framemogged by Xi
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Ezra Klein's town hall with Katie Porter's answer to CA's housing crisis
Just announced: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20.And on May 21 at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from , The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage.Grab your seats today at: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL are doing a bonus not-quite-TNL to take on Trump’s staggering $10 billion lawsuit scheme against the federal government, the MAGA civil war over Thomas Massie, and the surreal Capitol Hill bar confrontation involving Rand Paul’s son, antisemitic insults, and Kentucky Republican chaos. Plus, JD Vance launches an “anti-fraud” task force while Trump’s allies chase billions and pardon money.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the report from NOTUS that Senator Rand Paul’s son confronted Congressman Mike Lawler in a drunken late-night exchange that reportedly included antisemitic remarks, a rant about Thomas Massie’s Kentucky primary, and even complaints about the SALT cap. The two unpack the growing MAGA civil war surrounding Massie, the influence of figures like Tucker Carlson, and why Trumpworld appears determined to crush one of the few Republicans willing to openly defy Trump. They also dive into the bizarre allegations now hanging over Massie’s re-election campaign, including “cow money,” workplace complaints, and a last-minute political hit that could shake up the race.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the explosive Senate hearing where Senator Chris Van Hollen pressed FBI Director Kash Patel over his reported heavy drinking, leak hunts, and polygraph tests inside the FBI. What started as a bizarre exchange about an alcohol “AUDIT test” quickly spiraled into accusations, evasions, and some very awkward denials. The two unpack Patel’s combative performance, the administration’s growing paranoia over leaks, and why Donald Trump may see Patel as too useful to lose, no matter how chaotic things get.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Trump’s recent insomnia-induced, Obama-obsessed posting spree showed a level of paranoia and delusion that should be raising real concerns about the mental health of our commander-in-chief. The new blotch on his neck to go with the giant bruises on his hands is not helping matters. Is the DOJ mulling a $10 billion IRS settlement with Trump to try to ease his emotional distress over his seeming loss in Iran? Plus, Gorka’s half-baked “official” counterterrorism strategy, Tim did ask Comey about the Hillary email investigation in a previous interview, and the poll numbers for POTUS are worse than they were after Jan 6.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for a special LIVE pod.
show notes
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Tom on the administration's counterterrorism strategy
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Tim's interview with Comey last year
Just announced: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20.And on May 21 at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from , The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage.Grab your seats today at: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller gives his take on the troubling pattern involving several January 6 defendants who were pardoned by Donald Trump and have since been re-arrested or charged with new crimes in the last year. Recent cases include allegations ranging from assault and harassment to child sexual exploitation charges, as well as violent threats against elected officials, including Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
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JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the Virginia redistricting ruling, what it means for elections this November, and whether Democrats need to start playing as dirty as their opponents. Plus: the Iran war is a strategic catastrophe that most Americans don't understand yet, and what Bob Kagan—the man who cheered on every Middle East intervention—now thinks about where this is all heading. And Marjorie Taylor Greene has moved to Costa Rica. Seriously.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Sam Stein is joined by Rep. Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, for his take on Trump’s war in Iran, the $29 billion estimate of the cost of the war, the $1.2 trillion cost to make a “Golden Dome” style defense, and Congressman Smith’s plan to investigate the U.S. strike on an Iranian girl’s school that killed over 100 people.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Jonathan Cohn and Andrew Egger went live to cover the breaking news that FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned.
Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Because Donald Trump has so thoroughly hijacked the Department of Justice, the public can no longer be confident that a criminal investigation or indictment is legitimate. The default assumption is that official DOJ actions are about servicing Trump's needs for validation, power, or retribution—like the latest seashell-related charges against Comey. Acting AG Todd Blanche acts like a mobster, wears his partisanship on his sleeve, and appears to be breaking the law himself. And at the FBI, Kash Patel presides over a smaller and demoralized and distracted staff, which leaves Comey worried for the safety of our country. Plus, the prospects for accountability post-Trump and the stepped-up investigations into journalists reporting news the administration does not like.James Comey joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Comey's new thriller, "Red Verdict"
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Just announced: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20. And on May 21 at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/Events
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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live at 10am ET to discuss Trump's insane overnight Truth Social posts about how “Dumacrats Love Sewage” and how Barack Obama should be prosecuted for treason. Plus, the Trump family's latest grift is their non-existent cellphone Trump Mobile, despite collecting $59 million in deposits. And, Catherine Rampell joins Andrew to break down the latest inflation numbers, the highest in nearly three years.
Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sam Stein joined Katy Tur on MS Now to break down the Trump administration’s increasingly desperate messaging on the economy as prices keep climbing and voters feel the squeeze. As top Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett pointed to soaring credit card spending as proof the economy is “strong,” Trump is now proposing a federal gas tax holiday, and is considering easing tariffs on beef imports.Watch Katy Tur Reports on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
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Instead of doing the job Americans have been paying Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for—like trying to alleviate the high price of gas and air travel—he's been shirking his responsibilities on a seven-month-long family road trip paid for by industry lobbyists. And of course, Trump is also being looked after: His ghastly, 22-foot golden sculpture was unveiled, and Republicans promised a billion taxpayer dollars for what was supposed to be a donor-funded ballroom. POTUS needs a little bit of a psychological boost after his apparent defeat in Iran. Plus, Ukraine is gaining ground and Putin sounds like he's winding his war down, Trump has basically ended the post-WWII order, and Tennessee's redistricting was pure racial gerrymandering.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday"
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Cathy on Putin's pathetic parade
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Politico's Jonathan Martin on Trump's redistricting
Just announced: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20. And on May 21 at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Will Sommer went live to discuss the golden statue of Trump just unveiled at his golf club, the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy going on a 7-month road trip, Trump's obsession with painting the reflecting pool, and the UFC fight next month on the White House lawn.
Join Sam and Will each Monday at 10:00 a.m. EDT for MAGA Mondays live on Substack and YouTube. Replays are available on Bulwark Takes.
JOIN US! Sarah, Tim and Sam will have some chatty friends joining them on stage for Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20—including our MAGA culture expert Will Sommer. At Bulwark Live: Los Angeles on May 21, the gang will be joined by our Crooked friends Jane Coaston and Jon Favreau and more. To learn more about the lineup for these two live shows in Southern California and to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Eric and Eliot lament the firing of 200 Foreign Service officers and the recent large-scale exodus of senior diplomats from public service. They discuss the impact of the Trump Administration’s diplomatic malpractice including the handling of Operation Freedom and their own disagreements about it. They assess the likely costs of ensuring Iran is not left in control of the Strait of Hormuz and the inevitable long-term future US presence in the Persian Gulf. They also consider the impact of the UK local elections and the collapse of support for Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. Finally, they address the US troop withdrawals from Germany and Vladimir Putin’s worsening political, economic, and personal situation.
Eric & Frank Miller on Withdrawing From Germany:
Secretary Hegseth’s Defense Budget Video:
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Sonny Bunch and Lt. General Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down the greatest war movies ever made from "Saving Private Ryan" and "Black Hawk Down" to "Gettysburg" and "Patton." But this isn’t just a movie ranking. Hertling explains what these films reveal about leadership, combat, strategy, sacrifice, and the real human cost of war. Drawing on decades of military experience, he discusses which movies got war right, what Hollywood still misses, and why stories about combat still matter today.JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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In a special pre-recorded edition of Bulwark on Sunday, Bill Kristol and Sarah Longwell discuss the Virginia redistricting shock, the fight for the 2026 Senate map, Trump’s falling approval numbers, and why Democrats have a much bigger opening than they realize. They also talk about inflation, tariffs, the Iran war’s effect on gas prices, Trump voter backlash, and why Democrats need to stop panicking and start campaigning like they’re trying to win power back.
JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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John Avlon speaks with Rep. Seth Moulton about his insurgent Senate campaign against incumbent Ed Markey, the Democratic Party’s leadership crisis, and why he believes Democrats need a forward-looking agenda instead of running solely against Trump. Moulton weighs in on the Iran war, Pete Hegseth, China, immigration, affordability, health care, high-speed rail, and why he says Democrats must reclaim credibility on national security and the economy.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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Mona Charen spoke with Matt Bennett of Third Way for a diagnosis of where the Democratic Party actually stands: a brand stuck at 28% approval, an immigration message that still hasn't landed, the Hasan Piker debate, a Supreme Court that just made gerrymandering easier, and a tariff-driven economic crisis that Democrats inexplicably won't run on.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller reacts to the escalating fight over redistricting and voting rights after appearances on 'All In with Chris Hayes' and 'Katy Tur Reports,' breaking down the Louisiana and Tennessee map battles, canceled votes, and why he believes Republicans are trying to rig the midterms in plain sight. Plus, Tim discusses the Iran war, Trump’s obsession with getting a deal, and why Iran and Russia may see weakness in Trump’s “day-by-day” political style.All In with Chris Hayes: https://www.ms.now/allKaty Tur Reports: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reportsBulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to https://TheBulwark.com/Events.
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JVL is joined by SiriusXM's The Catholic Channel host Katie McGrady to break down one of the strangest diplomatic moments of the year: Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and gifting him a crystal football paperweight. They unpack the awkward exchange, why the Trump administration seems uneasy with the first American pope, and how previous presidents and diplomats handled papal gifts with a lot more thought.Bulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to https://TheBulwark.com/Events.
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This week's show has a rare note of agreement with our MAGA focus group participants. In Louisiana, Bill Cassidy is running for re-election to the Senate, and trying to pass himself as a MAGA true believer, even though after January 6 he voted to bar Donald Trump from office forever. Our Republican focus groups know he's full of it, and so does Tim Miller who joins the show this week.Tim and Sarah also discuss Republican voters' recent Strange New Respect for Marco Rubio, JD Vance's falling stock, and whether Republicans have an appetite for a future Donald Trump, Jr. candidacy.
Just announced! We’ve added some chatty friends to our live shows in Cali. Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell break down the shocking Virginia Supreme Court decision overturning the state’s new redistricting maps and what it means for the battle for control of the House in 2026. Democrats believed Virginia was their biggest answer to Republican-led mid-cycle gerrymandering in states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Sam and Sarah explain why the decision is such a major setback for Democrats, how Republicans are redrawing districts across the South, and whether Democrats can still overcome a growing GOP structural advantage.
ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21.
Just announced! We’re adding some chatty friends to the lineups for both shows. Grab your seats now to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends and keep an eye on TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Tennessee just completely disenfranchised its black voters after the Supreme Court gave red states the green light to rig the midterms by redistricting black majority districts out of existence—as long as lawmakers pretend they don’t see color when they’re doing it. And while partisan gerrymandering is A-OK with Alito & co., it apparently is not alright for Democratic voters in Virginia to do anything like that to Republicans. Sure sounds like the free speech rules of the Trump administration, where people are free to say what Republicans want said. Plus, the burning rage in the Democratic base, the male doomer industry is selling a bill of goods, and Trump’s very Victorian underestimation of Iran’s ability to fight back.The Atlantic's Adam Serwer joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Adam's response to the Voting Rights Act ruling
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JVL on the prospects of Platner in 2028
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and LA on 5/21: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah and JVL had a big show planned for you. Lots of different subjects. Important news. Funny stories. The whole nine.
And then everything derailed as they went SUPER deep on Graham Platner and the meta-debate about him. If you think Platner has electoral upside, you love Nazis. If you have concerns about Platner’s populism, you’re a closet Republican. The internet has spoken!
It’s a whole thing.
Also: This marks the first time in the history of the show that Sarah read JVL’s piece and JVL . . . didn’t even realize Sarah had written something? The shoe is on the other foot, my pretties!
show notesRead JVL’s Triad newsletter: here.
Read Sarah’s The Man Behind the Tatoo.
ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21.
Just announced! We’re adding some chatty friends to the lineups for both shows. Grab your seats now to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends and keep an eye on TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements.
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Catherine Rampell and JVL discuss the week's economic and financial news.
ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21.
Just announced! We’re adding some chatty friends to the lineups for both shows. Grab your seats now to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends and keep an eye on TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements.
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Jasmine poses Triad readers’ questions to JVL: How close are we to organized political violence? What should be Democrats’ top-three priorities if they retake power? What’s the deal with JVL’s history with Tucker Carlson? What can American’s be proud of today? All that and more (like why Jasmine, a Chicago native, will never support Rahm Emmanuel) in this week’s mailbag.
ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21.
Just announced! We’re adding some chatty friends to the lineups for both shows. Grab your seats now to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends and keep an eye on TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Scott Mendelson of The Outside Scoop to preview the summer movie season and address some of the hottest questions in the biz. Why did Netflix push Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie to next year and give it a full(ish) theatrical window? What’s shaping up to be the biggest flop of the summer? Is box office health finally back on the upswing after some down years post-COVID and post-strikes? And what the heck is “Infinity Vision”? All that and more on this week’s episode. Leave your most-anticipated film in the comments!
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Jonathan Cohn is joined by epidemiologist and former CDC consultant Katelyn Jetelina to unpack the emerging hantavirus outbreak linked to a small expedition cruise ship in the South Atlantic. Katelyn breaks down what hantavirus is, how it typically spreads, why this outbreak is unusual, and what health officials actually know so far. She also explains why experts are urging calm rather than panic and how different the hantavirus is from COVID.Read more of Katelyn’s work: https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Sarah Longwell and Catherine Rampell react to the absurd new YouGov poll asking whether Americans think they—or even an 8-year-old boy—could beat Donald Trump in a fight.Bulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to https://TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Tim Miller breaks down the rapidly escalating confrontation between the U.S. and Iran after Iranian forces targeted American destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. responded with new strikes on Iranian military assets. Despite active combat at sea, Donald Trump insists the ceasefire is still intact, even calling the exchange a “love tap.” Tim gives his take on the administration’s contradictory messaging, global oil markets, and America’s role in the region.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sam Stein and Lauren Egan give their takes on the first ads from Maine Senate candidates Graham Platner and Susan Collins. The two campaigns couldn’t be more different. Platner comes out aggressively, launching a hard-hitting populist message that goes straight at Collins’ record and frames the race as part of a broader fight over power, Trump, and the direction of the country. Meanwhile, Susan Collins responds with a very different strategy: a nostalgic, local-focused ad centered on a decade-old infrastructure win in Maine. Sam and Lauren dig into what these opening ads reveal about each campaign’s theory of the race, whether Collins’ long-standing strengths still hold in today’s environment, and how Platner is betting that going on offense early will define her before she can define him.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Trump's corruption is so astonishing, extensive, and overwhelming that most people can't keep up with all the ways he's profiting off his presidency every single day. Isaac examined the reporting on the First Family's self-dealing in Trump's second term, and he's compiled the most exhaustive accounting of it so far. Just two examples: Trump's sons are doing business with a criminal syndicate that stole billions from Americans; and Trump last year branded a cellphone, had it certified by the FCC, and never delivered them to buyers who paid $100 for the device. The Dems are not doing nearly enough to highlight Trump's corruption. Plus, Saudi-paid Jared really needs to testify before Congress, the value of a news source that breaks our algorithmic siloes, and the risk of the Iran war just fading into the background.
Tangle News' Issac Saul joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Isaac's compilation of the Trump family's self-dealing
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Mona's piece on Trump's corruption
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Isaac on "This American Life"
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Tangle's home page
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Just announced! We'll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live: LA on May 21. For details and to grab your seats head to TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah Longwell takes on growing backlash from Trump’s own voters as rising gas prices, grocery costs, and the fallout from the Iran war hammer household budgets. New focus groups reveal frustration, disappointment, and anger from people who believed Trump’s promises on the economy and “no more forever wars.”Bulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to https://TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss the Supreme Court’s voting rights decision, the rush to redraw congressional maps before the midterms, Trump allies pushing criminal investigations against political enemies, the escalating fight over Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve, and the growing fears around abuse of FISA surveillance powers. Plus, Weissmann explains why the SPLC case is already DOA—and why he believes these moves are straight up authoritarian.
show notes
Buy Andrew Weissmann’s book, Liar’s Kingdom! Use code Liar15 at checkout to receive 15% off and a signed bookplate from Andrew Weissmann. Offer expires 5/19/26: https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
Bulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/Events.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
Access to this show’s community comments and ad-free editions is available exclusively for Bulwark+ members here and on the Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.Bulwark+ members can also listen ad-free on your podcast player of choice—click SET UP here.
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
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Tim Miller joins Nicole Wallace on MSNBC with General Mark Hertling to discuss the Iran war chaos—Trump undercut Rubio twice in one day, the ceasefire is already wobbling, and the "deal" is one page long. Plus: Trump declared war on the Pope and is losing that one too.
Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Tim Miller reacts to Barack Obama and Stephen Colbert joking about Trump, “Colbert 2028,” Democratic messaging failures, and the corruption Americans have somehow normalized in modern politics. Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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The regime in Tehran is not as fractured as is commonly portrayed, and it is also pragmatic enough to see the economic opportunities that would follow from a deal with an eager-to-please-the-markets Donald Trump. But the contours of a potential agreement look like a win for Iran—not for the U.S., which has spent billions a day, lost military personnel and assets, and handed Iran new-found leverage over the global economy. Also, in this season of commencement, Jodi has advice for new college grads on how to navigate the tough employment market and a digitized hiring process. Plus, the Supreme Court's embrace of the shadow docket and John Roberts' pivotal role in the shift, what it's like to listen to Harvey Weinstein mansplain, moneyed Iranians apocalypsemaxxing, and examining Zionism through the prism of the nationalism movement at the time of Israel's founding.
The Times’s Jodi Kantor and The Atlantic’s Arash Azizi join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Arash on Iran mostly wanting a deal
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Jodi's new book, "How to Start: Discovering Your Life's Work"
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Arash's book, "What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom"
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Arash on Zionism and the nationalism movement
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Jodi and Adam Liptak on the birth of the shadow docket at SCOTUS
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan give their takes on the breaking news that the FBI raided the office of Virginia Democrat Louise Lucas, the bizarre presence of a Fox News crew already on the scene, and the FBI’s reported investigation into leaks connected to a damaging Atlantic story about FBI Director Kash Patel.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live to discuss the Washington Post’s reporting that Iran has hit more U.S. military assets than previously reported, the pause on Trump’s Project Freedom hours after it was announced, and whether Putin had any say about the U.S. withdrawing troops from Germany.Read more from the Washington Post exclusiv…
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Sam Stein joined Nicolle Wallace on Deadline: White House to break down Trump’s billion-dollar White House ballroom boondoggle, the GOP’s corruption problem, Democratic Senate momentum, and why the “Epstein class” attack line may be landing harder than Republicans expected. Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-houseTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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In this bite-sized bonus Focus Group episode, Sarah Longwell breaks down the political earthquake in Maine after Janet Mills dropped out of the Senate race. Why are Democratic voters rejecting establishment candidates, forgiving scandals that once would’ve been disqualifying, and demanding fighters over polished politicians?
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Tim Miller and Will Sommer give their take on the Libs of TikTok’s latest campaign targeting a Louisiana doctor and the disturbing evolution of the account growing into right-wing influencer operation. As Libs of TikTok is now deploying a rotating cast of influencer-style hosts to mass-produce outrage content, Tim and Will get into why the anti-cancel culture crowd still seems obsessed with getting random people fired, and how accusations of “violence” are being stretched beyond recognition to punish dissent. Plus, the hypocrisy of the modern free speech debate and why MAGA’s culture war machine never really moved on from cancel culture after all.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss the Trump administration’s assertion that the effort to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz is "separate and distinct" from the larger war effort in Iran. Plus, they get into the drama over Ken Martin’s time as DNC chair, the effect the Supreme Court’s recent voting rights ruling might have on the midterms, the wisdom of Senate Republicans allocating $1 billion for the ballroom Trump promised would be completed without public money and how the Senate battleground his shaping up for Democrats this fall. Bonus: Tim coins a new term for presidents hitting historically bad polling numbers."The YOLO Presidency" by Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer
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Our Constitution is about limited government and restraining the power of the state, but we've got a president asserting powers he lawfully doesn't have, a Supreme Court that largely helps him do so, and a Republican Congress that's just dozing through it all. Americans need a refresher on how our government is supposed to work under the Constitution. Plus, the mifepristone case has brought abortion politics roaring back in time for the midterms, Trump is creating his own libel rules and circumventing press freedoms, and no, SCOTUS, the 14th and 15th Amendments were not designed to be colorblind on the matter of voting rights.
Melissa Murray joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Melissa's new annotated guide to the Constitution
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Melissa's "Strict Scrutiny" podcast
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The NYT on the Supreme Court's shadow docket
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Bill Kristol are going live to discuss Senate Republicans' request for $1 billion in taxpayer money for Trump's ballroom after Trump claimed it was "free of charge." Plus Pete Hegseth announces a new military campaign in Iran, while also claiming the ceasefire is still in place.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angele…
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Tim Miller is joined by GasBuddy’s Head of Petroleum Analysis Patrick De Haan for his take on the escalating oil crisis, surging gas prices, and why Americans could be feeling the effects for a long time. De Haan warns that every day the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted could mean weeks of recovery for global oil markets, potentially leading to a 65-week climb back to pre-crisis prices. He also predicts a July 4 “sticker shock” as rising diesel costs drive up prices on everything from gas to summer cookout staples. They break down why U.S. oil production can’t insulate Americans from global markets, how refinery problems are making things worse, and why this crisis could ripple through the entire economy.Read more from Patrick: https://gaspriceguy.substack.com/Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Jared Poland headed to Capitol Hill after reports that Donald Trump will put his face on U.S. passports—and finds Republicans either defending it, laughing it off, or refusing to engage. Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Acting AG Tood Blanche announced over the weekend that basically everybody in America can use the expression "86 47" without fear of prosecution—except James Comey, who Trump yearns to see behind bars. Also, POTUS is still so steamed that NATO is not helping him with the Iran war that he's ordered thousands of U.S. troops withdrawn from Germany—even though the bases there are key to the war effort. Plus, the ceasefire looks to be in trouble, the Dems need to cool it on the 'burn the witch' culture, and Trump's vanity public projects are becoming increasingly grotesque.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with David Baer
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Tim's 'Bulwark Take' with Marc Elias on the SCOTUS VRA ruling
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JVL on the risk of Fetterman flipping parties
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Lauren on how some Dems want Chair Ken Martin to go
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Lauren on how some Dems want Chair Ken Martin to go
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Mark Hertling on Trump pulling troops out of Germany
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Eric Edelman on the troop drawdown
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Saletan breaks down Tucker Carlson’s series of interviews with the New York Times and shows why his “apology tour” doesn’t hold up. From flat-out denials caught on tape to wild swings between moral outrage and shrugging off atrocities, the pattern is the story: in one moment he sounds reasonable, in the next he’s saying the exact opposite. Read Lulu Garcia-Navarro's article on Tucker Carlson in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/02/magazine/tucker-carlson-interview-trump-iran.htmlTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Will Sommer and Sam Stein are going live to cover the biggest news in the right wing fever swamp.
Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Steven Pinker joins Mona Charen to discuss why the world is improving in ways most people don’t recognize—and why so many still believe everything is falling apart. They explore the case for Enlightenment values like reason, science, and liberal democracy, the growing backlash from both the left and MAGA world, and how media and human psychology fuel constant pessimism.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Eric and Eliot discuss Pete Hegseth’s job security amidst the ongoing war with Iran. They recap his contemptuous testimony at a House Armed Services Committee budget hearing and Vice President Vance’s efforts to distance himself from the war through planted stories. They then turn to King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit to the United States and review the King’s speech to a joint session of Congress. Finally, they discuss recent military developments in southern Lebanon, including Hezbollah’s fiber-optic drone capabilities that highlight the changing nature of war.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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On ‘Meet the Press’, Todd Blanche, Trump’s Acting Attorney General, tries to defend the Justice Department’s indictment of James Comey, but the explanation doesn’t hold up particularly well under scrutiny. Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on the flimsy argument, the timeline, and why the case is drawing skepticism, not just from critics but with Republicans as well.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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H. David Baer joins Bill Kristol for Bulwark on Sunday to discuss the lessons of Hungary.Read Baer's article in The Bulwark
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John Avlon talks with Josh Tyrangiel about what AI actually looks like outside Silicon Valley hype. From Operation Warp Speed to quiet upgrades inside the IRS, they walk through real examples where AI improved government—plus why those wins are so rare, how bureaucracy blocks progress, and what a smarter, more effective approach could look like.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/eventsPre-order Josh’s book, ‘AI for Good’: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/AI-for-Good/Josh-Tyrangiel/9781668082508
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Tim Miller talks with Democracy Docket's Marc Elias about the mess unfolding in Louisiana, where votes are already being cast—and now the election itself could be reset. Marc explains the Supreme Court decision reshaping the Voting Rights Act, the rush to redraw maps across multiple states, and why both parties are bracing for a full-on redistricting war ahead of 2026.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer discuss a chaotic CNN panel blowup, the strange rise of Scott Jennings as cable news’ go-to defender, and the surreal world of MAGA-themed cruises—from a “Gulf of America” getaway to a gay conservative cruise that left Tim stunned. They talk about the escalating Candace Owens feud and lawsuit drama, plus one of the weirdest political clips you’ll see all week—featuring Callista Gingrich.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Usually, an assassination attempt outside a dinner with the president would be a HUGE news event. Instead, the voters in our focus groups weren't talking much about it, and when we brought it up, we heard a LOT of conspiracy theories. We also talked to some Republican voters about whether '86' is really a violent threat, as this week's indictment against James Comey alleges. Atlantic staff writer David Frum joins Sarah for a wide-ranging conversation on the week's events, voters' reactions, and keeping American democracy strong for the long haul.
By David’s wife, Danielle Crittenden: Dispatches from Grief: A Mother’s Journey Through the Unthinkable
By David Frum:The David Frum ShowMAGA’s Strange Quiet After the ShootingGet tickets to The Bulwark's May live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles!
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
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Sarah Longwell is joined by Kyle Sweetser, a former Trump voter and lifelong Republican who is now running for Senate in Alabama as a Democrat. Sweetser explains how Trump-era tariffs impacted his business, why January 6 pushed him into political activism, and why he believes Democrats can compete in deep red states by directly challenging MAGA politics instead of avoiding the fight. They also talk about the political realities of running in Alabama, Trump’s standing with voters, immigration rhetoric, working-class frustrations, and Sweetser’s strategy for winning over disaffected Republicans in a state Trump carried by more than 30 points.
Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Fox News wouldn't shut up about Hunter and Burisma, but its viewers aren't likely to hear any criticism of Eric and Don Jr. raking it in through government contracts approved by the Trump administration. Unlike in Hunter's case, the U.S. government is paying millions of dollars to the president's sons. Plus, Trump is losing the information war on Iran, Bibi is oddly chummy with Putin—given his alliance with Israel's enemy Iran, the nation's debt is larger than our GDP, the governor of Louisiana is outright assaulting democracy, and Kinzinger explains why we need to celebrate heroes. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Preorder Kinzinger's new children’s book, “That's What Heroes Do"
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Kinzinger's Substack
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FT story on the Trump sons/Kazakhistan company deal
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WSJ story on Trump sons/drone company deal
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and LA on 5/12: TheBulwark.com/Events
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the signs that voters are starting to regret their Trump vote—and why that doesn’t mean politics is getting any simpler. Gas prices are rising, a gerrymandering arms race is raging and the Supreme Court reshaped the rules. Plus: the Maine race, the rise of populist candidates like Platner, and what The Bulwark actually stands for.
ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. Click to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends.
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Catherine Rampell and JVL went live to discuss the week's economic and financial news.
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Occasionally, someone will ask me if I think they should invest in a movie. My answer is, invariably, the same: you should only invest in movies you really believe in; you should understand that even if you invest, the movie will likely never get made because most movies never do; and you should only invest if you’re willing to lose everything you put in, because even those movies that do get made tend to show a loss.
I lead with this because today I’m talking to Jeff Annison of Legion M, a production and distribution company built on the idea that fan investments are a great way to both develop seed capital and drive enthusiasm at theaters. Legion M is not a fly-by-night company and has a number of productions under its belt, including My Dead Friend Zoe and The Man in the White Van. Jeff will be the first to tell you that investing is risky and should only be done if you’re comfortable with losing it all, though he obviously has staked his claim with Legion M and put no small amount of his own capital at risk. And they’ve certainly seen some successes with films like the Nic Cage-starring Mandy (one of my favorites of the 2010s).
We discussed how changes to investment laws in 2016 helped spur a shift in indie fundraising from crowdfunding models to models that allow individuals to earn equity in the movies they contribute to the production of. We also discussed the Legion M Film Fund, their distribution-minded arm that provides last-in, first-out money for films seeking a domestic release. And we chatted about the effort to build a consistent fan base via the cultivation of retail investors.
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Sam Stein talks with Jake Sherman about a week of House chaos that somehow ended in a string of wins—key bills passed, a shutdown quietly ended, and hardliners once again backed down. They break down why the threats never stick, how Mike Johnson keeps his conference in line, and why Republicans are still sticking with Trump even as his numbers slide—plus what it all means for redistricting and the coming midterms.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Kate Shaw—ABC News contributor and co-host of the podcast 'Strict Scrutiny'—joins Sarah Longwell to explain a major Supreme Court ruling that reshapes voting rights. Then they discuss a string of notable legal news: a DOJ filing that reads like Trump wrote it himself, Trump suing his own government for $10 billion, and the indefensible Comey “seashell” indictment.
Check out the Strict Scrutiny podcast: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/strict-scrutiny/
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
Bulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Tim Miller talks with Navy veteran and former NASA Chief of Staff Bale Dalton, who’s running for Congress in a deep red Florida district Democrats usually ignore—but may now be in play. They dig into his opponent, Rep. Cory Mills' the mountain of scandals and lies, and why Trump-era chaos could open the door for an upset.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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The bombshell voting rights ruling from the Supreme Court may have been years in the making, but Ossoff sees a tie-in to Trump's sore-loserdom and his inability to accept that black voters in Georgia were responsible for his 2020 defeat. And the senator expects a full-court press to get Alito and Thomas to retire so Trump can nominate MAGA fanatics to the court—and impose his most durable legacy on the country. Ossoff also discussed potential limits on aid to Israel, the geopolitical malpractice of the Iran war, and the brazen corruption of the Trump family’s overseas business deals. Plus, Luke Thomas explains the links between MMA and Trump world, the UFC’s key role in rehabilitating Trump after Jan 6, and the sportswashing behind the upcoming fights at the White House. Extra bonus: Tim weighs in on the Maine Senate race.
Sen. Jon Ossoff and Morning Kombat host Luke Thomas join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Ossoff's campaign website
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Ossoff in 2024, explaining his vote for a resolution that would've blocked arms sales to Israel
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Luke's "Morning Kombat"
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21: TheBulwark.com/Events
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Enjoy a bonus episode of The Focus Group Podcast—Rachel Janfaza talks with Rotimi Adeoye about why Gen Z feels locked out of the economy. They discuss the “House by 30” idea, why vague promises aren’t cutting it, and how both parties—especially after Trump’s failed affordability pledges—are losing trust with young voters who feel like they did everything right and still can’t get ahead.Read Rotimi Adeoye in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/opinion/democrats-homeownership-affordability.htmlTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
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Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn are going live to cover Trump's newest Surgeon General nominee, Dr. Nicole Saphier, a Fox News contributor and prominent MAHA figure. After pulling Casey Means' nomination, Trump bashed GOP Senator Bill Cassidy for opposing Means.
Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/ev…
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Tim Miller was all over MS NOW, talking about Trump’s $400 million “gold ballroom” obsession as his poll numbers slide and voters feel squeezed. He breaks down why the GOP’s usual message machine—coordinated distractions, echo chamber spin, and nonstop attacks—is suddenly falling flat, with backlash over Iran, rising gas prices, and broken promises piling up.
Watch All In with Chris Hayes on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/all
Watch Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-houseTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Tim went live to hang out, take questions and talk about some interesting subjects like: Kash Patel's nightmarish few weeks, the coming economic calamity, truly dire approval numbers for Trump, music stuff, and more.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a …
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Tim Miller unloads on the wave of “false flag” theories spreading after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner incident, calling out how quickly people abandon basic facts when politics takes over.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan give their takes on Pete Hegseth’s heated appearance on Capitol Hill, where questions about the $25 billion war with Iran quickly turned into personal attacks and repeated deflections. Hegseth spent much of his time avoiding accountability, focusing instead on blaming Democrats, raising questions about how he is approaching one of the most consequential national security roles in the world.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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At home, POTUS shows how much he wants to be like an Arab despot, plastering his mug all over the place and deploying the Justice Department to fatuously claim that Comey’s use of seashell art can rise to a crime. But on Iran, he seems to have backed off his promise of a short war, and he’s making pretty wimpy threats against the regime. Plus, Disney’s new CEO is standing by Kimmel, Barney Frank has a warning for Democrats, and recent polling data is not backing up the Dems’ midterms bullishness—even if voter sentiment is very bad for Trump and the Republicans.
John Heilemann joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Subscribe to The Bulwark's YouTube
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John's "Impolitic" podcast
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Tim’s livestream Wednesday at 8pm ET on Substack or YouTube
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21: TheBulwark.com/Events
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Conor Kilgore and Rachel Janfaza discuss why Noah Kahan has become a defining voice for Gen Z—and what his music reveals about a generation shaped by COVID, social media overload, and constant comparison. They get into the mental health themes, the push to log off and reconnect with real life, and why so many young people feel nostalgic for a world they never actually lived in.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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The Pentagon is under fire after the Jacqueline Smith, ombudsman for Stars and Stripes, says she was dismissed for raising concerns about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. What does this mean for press independence inside the military?
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Tim Miller joins the Lib & Learn podcast to discuss the WHCD incident, the media spin that followed, and why both parties keep getting the moment wrong. He explains the real problem inside the Democratic coalition, how the GOP’s viral messaging machine works, and what it would actually take for Democrats to win again.Check out the Lib & Learn podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LibAndLearn/streamsTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sam Stein and Ben Parker break down a Bulwark exclusive that the State Department is putting Trump's face on U.S. passports, as part of "America 250." Sam and Ben walk through what the redesign would actually include, why it’s unprecedented, and how it fits into a broader pattern of Trump branding across federal symbols and institutions. Plus, they break down how we reached out to the White House and State Department for comment and gave them time to respond. Instead, the White House sent the story to Fox News.
Update, (April 30, 2026, 4:20 p.m. EDT): Since this video was published, it has been reported that the Trump-emblazoned passports will only be available at the Washington Passport Agency in Washington, D.C.Read Ben Parker's exclusive report on the new passport design: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/exclusive-state-dept-finalizing-planSubscribe to the Morning Shots newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/morningshotsTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/eventsHave a tip? We have a secure website for that! https://thebulwark.com/tips
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Sarah, Tim and JVL went LIVE for this episode of The Next Level to cover yet another indictment of former FBI Director James Comey by the Trump administration. Plus an attempted shooting at the WHCD and The Bulwark’s own Ben Parker breaks news!
Read Ben Parker’s exclusive reporting on Trump’s plan to put his own face on U.S. passports.
Read JVL’s Triad newsletter.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Sonny Bunch and Catherine Rampell break down a wave of major FCC developments shaping the future of American media. Paramount is asking the FCC to approve up to 100% foreign ownership in a massive media deal that could impact CBS and CNN. Foreign money is flowing deeper into American news—and regulators may be on the verge of signing off. Meanwhile, the FCC is also reviewing Disney’s broadcast licenses following comments made by Jimmy Kimmel, raising new questions about free speech, media pressure, and political influence. All of this comes as critics argue the FCC under Brendan Carr is being used to target Trump’s political enemies.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Acting AG Todd Blanche, who watched Pam Bondi get fired, knows exactly what his assignment is: Go after every political enemy Trump wants targeted, and charge them—even without evidence of a crime. At the FBI, officials under Kash have pursued dubious or phony leads while career agents are seething over what the director has done to the place. Plus, the podcastistan wars may be doing real harm to the MAGA movement, influencers in the Trump echo chamber are looking pretty lame in comparison to key right-wing figures who are breaking ranks with him, and the latest on post-overdose looksmaxxer Clavicular.
Will Sommer and Carol Leonnig join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Carol's latest reporting on the case of assassination suspect, Cole Allen
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Carol's book about the Secret Service, "Zero Fail" and her latest, "Injustice"
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Will's new "False Flag" on Clavicular
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Will on a wild and unnecessary FBI raid
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21: TheBulwark.com/Events
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol are going live at 10am ET to discuss the week's biggest news items.
Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sam Stein welcomes Axios' Marc Caputo to discuss Florida’s new redistricting map—and the legal storm it’s about to trigger. Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a plan that could shift Florida’s congressional delegation from 20–8 to as much as 24–4 in favor of Republicans. But there’s a major problem: Florida’s constitution explicitly bans partisan gerrymandering. So how is this happening?Read more from Marc Caputo: https://www.axios.com/2026/04/27/desantis-florida-map-gerrymandering-redistricting-warTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Trump is a terrible president and he deserves to be criticized, even in personal terms. Our pro-democracy movement has shown time and time again that we can oppose him—and oppose any attempt at violence at the same time. Even putting aside POTUS's own hypocritical calls for violence or his celebrating the deaths of his enemies, Saturday's shooting was related to mental health issues and too easy of access to guns. Plus, Zelensky is the new leader of the free world, Trump looks like he's headed to a humiliating defeat in Iran, the left should work harder to not be false flag cranks, and a look at the Senate map in the context of America Firsters feeling betrayed by Trump's stupid wars and his attempt to redesign D.C. in his image.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Ken Klippenstein's reporting on the shooting suspect, which Tim referenced
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David French on Zelensky (gift)
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
AEI’s Dalibor Rohac analyzes Hungary’s stunning rebuke of Orban and implications for other democratic nations.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer are going live to discuss how Trump’s allies are relentlessly using the WHCD shooting to push the new ballroom, the fascinating details of the individual reactions from Trump cabinet members to the shooting, and the absurd fight at the Substack party.
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Eric and Eliot review an extended buffet of jackassery before turning to the current state of affairs in Iran. They assess the prospects for a negotiated settlement to the war, and whether we could end up in a "no war, no peace" situation. They also discuss the mutual incomprehension that leaders in both countries exhibit regarding the interests and intentions of the other, Iran's new collective leadership in the wake of Ali Khamenei's death, and the structural similarity to the situation faced by Soviet leaders after the death of Stalin. Finally, they respond to reports that the administration is considering deporting to the Democratic Republic of the Congo roughly eleven hundred Afghans in Qatar who were evacuated in 2021 amidst the US withdrawal.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Bill Kristol and Tom Joscelyn went live to discuss white supremacy in the online Right and why they're obsessed with attacking the Southern Poverty Law Center.
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Bill Kristol and Sam Stein went live to discuss the aftermath of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting.
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John Avlon speaks with Alanna McCargo, Senior Fellow for Inclusive Capitalism at the Clinton Foundation, to explore a surprisingly old idea that could fix a very modern problem: what if workers actually owned a piece of what they build?
Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations
Employee Ownership and ESPOS
Council for Inclusive Capitalism
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
How to Fix It with John Avlon is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. New episodes drop each weekend so if you like what you hear, add the show to your player of choice. To help more people discover this show, leave a comment and rate the show ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.
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Sam Stein reacted live to the shooting at the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and Trump's press event afterward.
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Tim Miller joins David Pakman for a wide-ranging conversation on Trump’s unraveling, the “MAGA betrayal” moment among anti-war influencers, and what comes next for the right. They discuss why some of Trump’s loudest supporters feel misled, who actually drives conservative media, and how Never Trump has evolved into something broader. Plus: how to talk to voters who are starting to reconsider—and what a post-Trump GOP might look like.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Everyone agrees that America is too divided. But ALMOST everyone is also contributing to that division in one way or another. So, how do we rebuild a country where Americans can live with each other a little easier? Sarah and our guest both have some ideas. Professional disagreer Jessica Tarlov of the Raging Moderates podcast and Fox News’s The Five, joins Sarah to discuss America’s political divisions and how voters across the political spectrum are feeling about them.
Pre-order Jessica’s upcoming book, I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends.Get tickets to The Bulwark's May live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles!
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Catherine Rampell and Sarah Matthews take on the botched White House photo op that went viral. Donald Trump hosted the 2025 NCAA champion Georgia Bulldogs women’s tennis team—but puts them in the background and skips their handshake. They break down the optics, the politics, and what it reveals about the “women’s sports” talking point.Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sam Stein and Jared Poland give their takes on Trump’s new acting Navy secretary, Hung Cao. From viral podcast clips to resurfaced campaign interviews, Cao leans hard into “alpha male” rhetoric, conspiracy-adjacent claims about witches, and extreme takes on immigration, NATO, and the military. It’s a wild collection of moments, including comments about “peeing standing up,” calling ICE on people, and KKK hoods. Cao’s rise to the top ranks of the Pentagon raise serious questions about judgment and leadership under Pete Hegseth.Get tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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JVL and Sarah Longwell talk about the firing of the Navy secretary mid-conflict and the bizarre “Trump-class battleship” saga, exposing a pattern of impossible promises and chaotic leadership. Plus: the Spirit Airlines bailout and what it says about Trump’s commitment to “capitalism.”
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Not only is the new hardline regime in Tehran now more likely to go rogue as a nuclear power a la North Korea, ordinary Iranians—who Trump and Bibi initially claimed we were rescuing—are also living under even harsher conditions. At the same time, the war has burned through billions worth of our critical weapons stockpile, a development that surely will figure into China’s calculations vis‐à‐visTaiwan. This is the moment for Dems to reshape their brand and win back everyday working Americans. Plus, the settlers’ escalating attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, the Trump administration’s depraved treatment of Afghan refugees, any talk of aid for UAE stinks of Trump family corruption, and Dems need to fix their blue places while simultaneously working to win voters in the red ones.
Nick Kristof joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Nick's nonprofit, Kristof Impact
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Nick's NYT column page
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Helen Keller International
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Kristof Farms
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah Longwell breaks down California’s chaotic governor’s race, where 61 candidates and a fractured Democratic field could open the door for Republicans. In polls, Xavier Becerra is quietly rising as the “safe” choice with Katie Porter still facing questions about her personal baggage, and billionaire Tom Steyer took most of the heat on the debate stage. All of this as Republicans, like Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, stand to benefit from the split in a chaotic jungle primary.
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Catherine Rampell and JVL are going live at 12:30pm ET on Friday, April 23 to cover the week's biggest developments in the world of finance and the economy.Read Catherine Rampell's 'Receipts' NewsletterTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May
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JVL is joined by new Bulwark colleague Jasmine Green for a first-ever mailbag episode—for Bulwark members only. JVL is answering questions straight from you on everything from Trump and nuclear weapons to how this era will be remembered. Along the way, they get into generational divides, whether “Dark JVL” is really a pessimist, and how both of them have changed their minds over time.
Read three things from JVL in the Triad newsletter mid-days Monday-Friday.
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Lou Diamond Phillips, who you know from … well, tons of stuff. La Bamba, Young Guns, Longmire, and last year’s best new TV show, The Chair Company. He’s on the show this week to discuss his new film, Keep Quiet, which is playing this Saturday evening at the Dallas International Film Festival and should hit theaters this summer. We talked about all sorts of stuff, but one thing I find really fascinating is Keep Quiet’s place in the burgeoning mini-genre we might think of as Native Noir: films like this, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Wind River, TV shows like Reservation Dogs, Dark Winds, and Longmire, etc. It’s an interesting moment, and Keep Quiet is a key part of it. I hope you’ll seek it out once it hits theaters … don’t worry, I’ll remind you when it’s about to happen.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down a chaotic day involving Kash Patel. First, Patel snaps at a reporter when pressed about his own lawsuit, turning a simple question into a total meltdown. They also dig into the Justice Department’s indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center, explaining the allegations and why the case is already raising serious questions. Finally, they examine a troubling development: the FBI questioning a New York Times reporter after a story about Patel’s girlfriend.Read more from Will's newsletter False Flag: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flagTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Tim Miller appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored and got into a heated on-air clash with a right-wing “pastor” while dismantling the case for Trump’s war with Iran.Watch more Piers Morgan Uncensored: https://www.youtube.com/piersmorganuncensoredTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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The Epstein files are back in the news and JVL and Will Sommer are here to break down the latest. Republicans are now weighing whether to recommend a pardon for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. At the same time, the Department of Justice’s internal watchdog is launching a review into how the Epstein files were handled, raising new questions about what was released, what was withheld, and why. Is this a routine oversight review—or the start of something much bigger?Read more from Will's newsletter False Flag: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flagTickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss a series of major legal developments—from a questionable DOJ indictment targeting the Southern Poverty Law Center, to Kash Patel’s high-risk lawsuit against The Atlantic, to a wave of firings inside the Justice Department that’s raising alarms.They explain what’s actually in these cases (and what’s missing), why some of the legal theories fall apart under scrutiny, and what it all signals about the direction of the DOJ. Plus: a major ruling on Trump’s January 6 liability—and whether taxpayers could end up footing the bill.
show notes
Buy Andrew Weissmann’s book, Liar’s Kingdom! Use code Liar15 at checkout to receive 15% off and a signed bookplate from Andrew Weissmann. Offer expires 5/19/26: https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
Bulwark Live: California tickets are on sale now! Sarah and gang return to sunny Southern California for two nights May 20 & 21. For details and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/Events.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
Access to this show’s community comments and ad-free editions is available exclusively for Bulwark+ members here and on the Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.Bulwark+ members can also listen ad-free on your podcast player of choice—click SET UP here.
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
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Trump has gone full “1984” with his claim that it’s a good thing that the Strait of Hormuz is closed. He also says that he saved some Iranian women from being executed, which the regime in Tehran called “fake news.” It’s a telling sign of the times when the public can’t figure out whether the White House or the Iranian regime is lying. Speaking of scam artists, Ben joins Tim to discuss his new film on cryptocurrency, "Everyone is Lying to You for Money." The industry is rife with crime, it sorely needs to be regulated, and some of the most unscrupulous people are behind it— including our president
Ben McKenzie and Sarah Matthews join Tim Miller.
show notes
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More on Ben's film, "Everyone Is Lying to You for Money"
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Tim's interview with Ben from 2023
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Tim and Catherine on Tucker's despicable attack on Catherine
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David Kirkpatrick on Trump's $4 bil in profiteering off the presidency, mostly from crypto
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Katie Couric is joining JVL and Bill Kristol to talk about Trump's dismal approval polling, the GOP's failed attempt to gain an edge in the House via gerrymandering, and the upcoming White House Correspondents Dinner.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Tim Miller and Catherine Rampell break down a clip from Tucker Carlson's show attacking Catherine—what he said, what he meant, and why people need to hear the real story.
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Trump's madman antics got him into a game of chicken with Iran, but he's up against people who are even crazier than he is. And he is not likely to get a deal with Tehran that is any better than Obama's nuclear agreement—which Trump called the worst deal in the world. Plus, the Virginia win is another reminder that Dems can effectively play hardball, Kevin Warsh is looking like an alarming pick for the Fed, the media coverage of the mass shooting in Shreveport was almost non-existent, MAGA is obsessed with Mamdani, Sam and Tim have new Cabinet rankings, and is there a way to stop Kushner from making deals with Sharia law countries?
Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Catherine on Warsh failing the big test in his confirmation hearing
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Will Saletan on the latest anti-MAMDANI bill
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Jonathan on the national media largely ignoring the mass shooting in Louisiana
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Tim, Sam, and Sommer on Candace vs. Loomer
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Tim on the Nuggets pod, CSG
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sonny Bunch speaks with whistleblower Josef Palermo, who saw the collapse of the Kennedy Center from the inside. The Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell and the Trump administration said the shutdown was about renovations. But Palermo says the real story is financial collapse, political interference, and a dramatic shift away from the institution’s mission. From six-figure ticket markups to a fundraising pitch delivered during an October 7 memorial, Palermo lays out how things went wrong and how fast it happened.
Read more from Josef Palermo: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/04/inside-kennedy-center-shutdown-drama/686801/
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker discuss the week's major military and foreign policy news.
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Tim Miller and Bill Kristol give their takes on a major election night development in Virginia as voters approve a redistricting referendum that reshapes the state’s congressional map and clears the way for a potential 10–1 Democratic advantage. The result marks a significant political victory for Democrats, who moved aggressively to counter Republican-led gerrymandering efforts in other states.
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Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer break down the explosive feud between Candace Owens and Laura Loomer, including the shocking “sexual predator” and gay husband accusations flying back and forth. The trio takes on Donald Trump’s teased MAGA media rankings and builds their own list of winners, losers, and the truly unhinged figures in Trumpworld. Plus, why a devoted Nick Fuentes supporter went on CNN to talk about his hero and then found himself in his crosshairs.Read more from Will's False Flag newsletter here.
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL celebrate JVL’s Webby win (sort of), and cover Tucker Carlson’s sudden “regret” turn and what it means about MAGA, Donald Trump Jr. as a 2028 front-runner, and the continued disaster in Iran. Plus: the ongoing dysfunction inside the administration, including the latest turmoil surrounding Kash Patel.Don't miss the Triad newsletter this Friday when JVL will answer all your pressing questions on the news of the day. Leave your questions here.
Calling all West Coast friends: Tickets are on sale now for our Bulwark Live: California tour stops. Join Sarah, Sam and Tim in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21 for a night of politics among friends. For show details and to snag your seats visit TheBulwark.com/events.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.
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Trump keeps jawboning the markets to try to manage the fallout from the war on Iran, but we have yet to see the full economic impact of his foreign policy misadventure. Oil and gas facilities in the Gulf have been critically damaged and will take years to repair—which will inevitably lead to higher fuel prices. And countries are stockpiling commodities and products like fertilizer, which will also feed inflation. Plus, a new book on the social and economic travails of modern American men.
The Ringer's Jordan Ritter Conn and Bloomberg's Tracy Alloway join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jordan's new book, "American Men"
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Tracy's podcast, "Odd Lots"
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"Road from Raqqa," Jordan's book about two Syrian brothers
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The NYT story on the Syrian billionaires and their business deals with the Trump family
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Jordan's reporting on the heartbeat of resistance in Minneapolis
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live at 10am ET on April 21 to cover the week's biggest news items.
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Tim Miller went live to take on Trump’s latest Truth Social posts. Plus viewer Q&A and Tim reads the meanest things Bulwark Redditors have said about him — including the “it’s giving midlife crisis” post.
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Andrew Egger talks with JVL about a 2028 scenario that sounds ridiculous at first… until you actually walk through the logic. A surprise contender is polling near the top of the GOP field and could have a clearer path to the nomination than anyone wants to admit. They break down why the Republican primary may be effectively frozen for 2028, how the MAGA base shapes the field, and why some of the most obvious candidates could be boxed out before the race even begins.Read more from JVL's Triad: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-second-coming
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Just hang tight: Trump is super close to a deal with an enemy that he handed all the leverage to. Absolutely do not read his steady supply of hollow threats as him begging Iran for a face-saving off-ramp. Meanwhile, back in reality, Iran too can see how desperate Trump is, the war is helping China feel emboldened, and some of our closest post-WWII allies think Beijing is more dependable than the U.S. under Trump. Plus, Hegseth has chosen an ideal time to pick a fight with the secretary of the Army, numerous officials at the FBI are alarmed by Kash's alleged alcohol-induced absences, kudos to Ossoff for the way he talked about corruption and kleptocracy, and more Vance-splaining from the newbie Catholic Veep.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim’s livestream Monday at 8ET on YouTube or Substack
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JVL on the "Trump Madman Theory' of the stock market
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Lauren on the Dems preparing for a potential midterm-year SCOTUS vacancy
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Tim's 2020 piece on Joe DiGenova
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Images of the Poodle Room, Kash's alleged hangout in Vegas
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Saletan takes on Trump's threats to destroy Iran’s infrastructure—and the chilling defense from top officials who say “all options” includes targets that blur into civilian life. As the language shifts from bridges to hospitals and schools, the question isn’t just strategy—it’s how far the U.S. is willing to go.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer went live to discuss the week's biggest developments in the right-wing fever swamp.
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Mona brings the Beg to Differ panel back for a reunion. They address Orban, Democrats, and Trump Jesus among much else.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members.
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Eric welcomes Eliot back from his sojourn in Spain to break down the latest jackassery from the administration. They discuss the current state of the Iran war, including the somehow simultaneously open and closed Strait of Hormuz, the ongoing negotiations, and how China factors into the conflict. Turning to Europe, they assess Viktor Orban’s electoral defeat in Hungary and the blow it strikes against Trump, Vance, MAGA, and the European right writ large. The conversation also covers the U.S.’s diminishing support for Ukraine and the battlefield situation amidst Russia’s spring offensive. They wrap up with thoughts about the broader European reaction to Trump’s continued threat to withdraw from NATO and Trump’s architectural plans for the nation’s capital.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell take on why two Democrats are breaking through, and what the rest of the party is still getting wrong. They look at standout appearances from Jon Ossoff and Pete Buttigieg, focusing on message discipline, authenticity, and why showing up in tough places matters more than chasing the latest podcast trend.
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Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell discuss the latest chaos in Trump’s Iran strategy, from collapsing negotiations to escalating threats that may be pushing the U.S. toward a much bigger conflict, and the growing concern that even his own team is managing around him.
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Rachel Janfaza and Lauren Egan explore a striking political shift: campus protests that once followed every move of Democrats have all but vanished under Trump—even amid a growing conflict with Iran. From massive campus shutdowns to near silence, what happened to Gen Z activism? They discuss protest fatigue, fear of consequences, changing campus rules, and a deeper cultural shift among young voters who may be giving up on protests altogether.
Read more from Lauren’s reporting: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-campus-protest-culture-that-targeted-biden-goes-silent-for-trump-iran-anti-war
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NYU law professor Ryan Goodman joins Bill Kristol to discuss how surveillance powers could be used—and abused—by the Donald Trump administration. Plus, a broader look at Trump's escalating clashes with the rule of law and what, if anything, Congress can still do to push back.
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Tim Miller takes on fast-moving developments after Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz again and fires on commercial ships—less than a day after Donald Trump said it would "never" close again. Plus: Trump’s appearance with Joe Rogan, his response to the crisis, and his decision to shut down questions from reporters.
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Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV are probably the two most prominent Americans in the world right now, and they're fighting. So we asked American Catholics (including those who voted for Trump) what they thought of their feud, and about Trump's Truth Social Post depicting himself as Jesus. JVL returns to the show with some choice words for some of his fellow Catholics, and discusses the role the Catholic Church has played in American politics more broadly.Get tickets to The Bulwark's May live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles!
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
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The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Click to find the show or add this podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller reacts to a jaw-dropping article in The Atlantic which alleges that FBI Director Kash Patel was repeatedly unreachable on the job—including an incident where security considered breaching a locked door to wake him. From a bizarre meltdown over a computer login to allegations of heavy drinking, missed briefings, and weekends in Vegas, Tim takes on this shocking report.
The FBI Director Is MIA
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Tim Miller joined Katy Tur on MS Now to walk through the growing gap between what Trump is claiming and what Iran is actually saying—highlighting major sticking points like enriched uranium and the fragile status of the Strait of Hormuz. Is this a real breakthrough… or just another rushed attempt to declare victory. Plus, Tim and Jonathan Cohn dig into new signs the White House may be quietly backing away from RFK Jr. as the politics and public health consequences become harder to ignore.Watch Katy Tur Reports on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports
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The U.S. and Israel started dropping bombs on Iran because the regime, amid mass street protests, appeared to be in a weakened state. But the regime has now ended up with a much stronger hand: It's proven its leverage over the global economy with the Strait of Hormuz, and under Trump's offer, Iran will get a huge infusion of cash to rebuild its ballistic missiles program and fund its proxy terror groups. At the same time, Trump has made the United States look like a rogue state—while spending billions for a deal he could have got without a war. Plus, Israelis are likely not happy, the Gulf states realize America can't protect them from Iran's drones, Cuba is readying to be next, Dems should make clear they are the anti-war party now, Trump is fighting his demons from his first term, and JD has a radical and un-American world view.
Ben Rhodes joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notes
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Ben's podcast, "Pod Save the World"
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Ben's forthcoming book, "All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches"
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Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events
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Tim's playlist
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss a bizarre week where markets surge amid global chaos, Trump feuds with his own allies, and confusion over Iran keeps escalating. They also break down a blowout Democratic win, surging fundraising, and what it all signals for the midterms—plus a growing fight inside the party over Israel and its future direction.
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JVL and Catherine Rampell are going live to cover Trump's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open, the potential $20B Iran could get from the U.S., and Catherine's latest reporting on the White House blaming corporate greed for their economic woes.
Special two-part episode of the podcast! The big news in Hollywood this week has been the burgeoning effort by Hollywood creatives to fight the purchase of Warner Bros. by Paramount Skydance. Thousands of names—including some of the biggest in the business—have signed an open letter in the hopes of demonstrating that not everyone in the industry is on board with the potential deal. So I wanted to talk to some of the folks behind it.
First up is an interview with Ted Hope, indie producer extraordinaire and author of the Hope for Film Substack. We talked about how indie production has changed over the last few decades and what could be lost if Warner Bros. and Paramount are allowed to merge.
Then I got Jon Reiss and Jax Deluca of the Future Film Coalition on the horn. We discussed what concrete steps could be taken to help fight this merger and what media consolidation means to the indie filmmakers out there.
If you found this podcast interesting or informative, I hope you share it with your friends!
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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On this bonus episode, Rachel and guest Sami Sage of Betches Media wonder whether millennials are truly still ‘cringe.’ They also discuss the Gen Z gender gap, and how some politically moderate young women are navigating that political divide in their personal lives.
Rachel Janfaza in The Bulwark:
Gen Z Is Ready for Hope and Change
By Sami Sage:
Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives
Betches Media
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Tim Miller gives his take to Nicolle Wallace on MS Now about Donald Trump’s escalating feud with Pope Leo. Tim breaks down president's lie that the pontiff said Iran should be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, JD Vance’s public posture on Catholicism, and the White House's easily debunked talking points to justify its Iran messaging. In between his fight with the pope, Trump also spent time trying to downplay sky-high gas prices and try to claim his ballroom is a national security concern.
Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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Sarah Longwell gives her take on the state of race in the early contours of the 2026 midterm landscape. Democratic candidates are posting eye-popping Q1 fundraising numbers, dramatically outraising Republican opponents across key Senate and House contests. But the picture is more complicated than candidate fundraising alone—while Democrats are surging at the individual race level, Republicans maintain a substantial edge in party committees and aligned super PACs.
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From Trump's sacrilegious use of Jesus, to his massively corrupt pardon scheme, and his desire to plaster his name on every federal building and institution, this country has never had such a bad president. The Dems need to plan now how they will do oversight and also keep his loyalists from helping him cheat in the midterms. Plus, Hegseth really doesn'…
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JVL, Mark Hertling and Andrew Egger are going live to cover Trump's announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Hegseth's press conference, and the continuing war of words between GOP figures and the Pope.
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In this Command Post edition of Bulwark Takes, Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) examine the growing gap between political messaging and military reality, focusing on how Trump’s public statements often differ from what the military actually executes. They also break down what a “blockade” of the Strait of Hormuz really involves and why it’s far more complex and risky than it sounds in political rhetoric. Finally, they turn to Ukraine’s evolving war effort, highlighting how drone warfare and battlefield innovation are reshaping modern combat.Read more from Mark's piece: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/what-a-blockade-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-really-meansBen's book recommendation: https://www.amazon.com/Judgment-Tokyo-World-Making-Modern/dp/1101947101/?tag=bulwark08-20
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Sonny Bunch and Damon Lindelof—the show runner behind Lost, The Leftovers, and Watchmen—discuss the growing backlash to the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. merger and what it could mean for Hollywood’s future. Lindelof explains why he joined more than a thousand industry professionals in signing a public letter urging scrutiny of the deal. He describes a “chilling effect” across Hollywood, where even speaking out against consolidation can carry professional risk.Open Letter: 2,500+ Industry Leaders Oppose the Paramount–WBD Mergerhttps://blockthemerger.com/openletter
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Tim is streaming again, JD Vance keeps losing.
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Andrew Egger and Catherine Rampell give their takes on Trump latest fight with Jerome Powell, now floating the idea of firing Powell, while a bogus investigation continues to hang over the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, Senator Thom Tillis is refusing to move forward on Trump’s preferred replacement, Kevin Warsh, unless that probe is dropped. Plus: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright struggle to explain rising gas prices, walking back earlier optimism as global tensions push costs higher.
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The Irish are protesting in the streets over the price of fuel, Qatar's GDP is plummeting, and heating bills are skyrocketing in France. And today, every world leader and every CEO of every major corporation is having to address the consequences of this war of choice on Iran—and Trump couldn't care less. Instead, he's working on a new distraction to get…
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The MAGA energy isn’t what it used to be—and the signs are everywhere. Tim Miller joined Nicolle Wallace, and looked at JD Vance’s empty event, growing fractures inside Trump’s base, and what it says about where things are heading. Plus, why Hungary’s election offers a surprising playbook for pushing back against authoritarian politics.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman joins Bill Kristol to discuss the stunning defeat of Viktor Orbán and what it reveals about how strongman systems actually fall. They explore how an anti-corruption message, not culture war fights, cut through and built a real movement. The conversation also digs into what American leaders can learn as they confront the rise of Trump-style politics.
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL cover a rough week for Trump, from failed talks with Iran that turned into a naval blockade, to strong signs of real cracks inside his coalition as allies and right-wing media begin to push back against his idiocy. They also talk about what Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for Trump-style politics, and discuss the lightning-fast downfall of Eric Swalwell.
show notes
JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W.
Every votes counts: Vote here for Best Email Newsletter
Calling all West Coast Bulwark+ members: Today starting at 9:00 a.m. PT, tickets will go on sale for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. Click here to get the members-only presale code and links to the ticketing sites.
Tickets go on sale for everyone else starting on Friday, April 17.
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Jonathan Cohn speaks with Mitt Romney as he reflects on the 20th anniversary of Massachusetts’ landmark health care law. Romney discusses the origins of the plan, its influence on the Affordable Care Act, and why that kind of bipartisan problem-solving has all but disappeared from today’s politics.
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Sarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explore why courts keep rejecting Trump's defamation claims, what “actual malice” really means, and how his wave of lawsuits is really meant to pressure the media.Plus: the bizarre Trump-as-Jesus post, the growing use of the justice system for retribution, and why targeting witnesses like Cassidy Hutchinson should set off alarms.
Buy Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York’s Explosive ‘80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation
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The Iranian regime may be wounded, but it’s likely to seek revenge for the war at some point, maybe even through sleeper cells in the United States. And with a second round of peace negotiations potentially in the works, Iran could rake in billions in return for pausing its nuclear program. On the more uplifting side, the election news out of Hungary has feel-good shades of 1989, and is a reminder that reality and facts can get in the way of a stubborn authoritarian. Plus, Tim on Trump's Jesus post and how he's losing political allies by the minute.
Michael Weiss once again joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Michael's Substack
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ON SALE NOW: Bulwark+ members-only presale for Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA through TheBulwark.com/Events
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Tickets for these shows go on sale for everyone else at Noon PT on April 17
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Tim’s livestream Wednesday on Coachella and more
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Cathy on how the Iran war looks from Russia
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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover the week's biggest stories.
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Andrew Egger and Catherine Rampell break down Donald Trump’s bizarre McDonald’s DoorDash photo op at the White House, meant to highlight his “no tax on tips” policy. What starts as an economic messaging push quickly goes off the rails when Trump presses a DoorDash driver on her vote and veers into culture war territory. They also dig into what Democrats can learn from this kind of populist messaging and the risks of trying to copy it without losing the plot on good policy.
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Orbán’s loss in Hungary was so overwhelming he couldn’t cheat his way out of it. But the decisive defeat for both Putin and authoritarianism may also suggest that the vibes they are a changin’. For instance, at home, Trump had to take down his Jesus post because of the backlash from across the political spectrum. People can see he’s flailing on the war and the economy. Plus, Vance has the stink of a loser, Dems can learn some campaigning tricks from Peter Magyar, the Melania-Epstein mystery continues, Trump and Marco are likely to regret those images from the UFC fight, and The Bulwark remains Team Pope Leo.
Bill Kristol joins special guest host, Sarah Longwell.
show notes
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This week's Focus Group pod with sad, mad GOP base voters
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Sarah Matthews
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Monday's "Morning Shots," with David Baer from Budapest
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Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL and Will Saletan went live to cover Trump's bizarre posts, including an image of himself as Jesus and a long screed attacking the Pope.
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Washington Post architecture critic Philip Kennicott discusses Trump’s physical desecration of Washington DC.
Read more from Philip Kennicott: https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/04/07/artemis-moon-trump-iran-war/
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Trump called into FOX News for an interview to explain the Iran war—and quickly fell apart. Will Saletan methodically breaks down how Trump contradicted himself on Iran’s nuclear program, claimed total victory while admitting ongoing threats, and shrugged off rising gas prices and the economic fallout.
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Bill Kristol is joined by Sarah Matthews to discuss Melania, Donald, and how crazy are things now at the White House.
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Eric welcomes The Bulwark’s own Mona Charen back to the show to discuss the week’s developments. They cover the President’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Vice President’s trip to Hungary before pivoting to Vance’s new diplomatic assignment to negotiate an end to the war with Iran. They assess the potential impact on Vance’s political aspirations and the splits in MAGA world over the war. They also discuss the role Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu played in persuading Trump to go to war and the catastrophic damage that Bibi has done to Israel’s support in the U.S. Finally, they examine the Trump administration’s hostility to Catholicism and rebuke recent comparisons between presidents Trump & Reagan.
Eric’s Latest in The Dispatch:
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-threats-abandon-nato/
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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John Avlon talks with Mechele Dickerson about how housing rules, college costs, and the modern school system are stacked against working families—and how those same systems could be fixed. From zoning laws that block affordable homes to financial aid that favors wealthy students, they break down what’s actually driving the squeeze—and what it would take to reverse it.Buy Mechele's latest book, 'Middle-Class New Deal: Restoring Upward Mobility and the American Dream': https://www.amazon.com/Middle-Class-New-Deal-Restoring-Mobility/dp/0520423399
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Sam Stein is joined by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) to discuss the escalating situation in Iran, warning that after 42 days and tens of billions of dollars, the U.S. is no better off and still lacks a clear strategy. Coons raises concerns about congressional authorization, potential backdoor war funding, and the risks of deeper escalation. The conversation also turns to domestic politics, including Pam Bondi and concerns about a more aggressive and loyal next attorney general under Trump. Finally, they discuss Melania Trump’s unusual press conference calling for more Epstein hearings.
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Ned Brower from The Pitt and Karen Tumlin of the Justice Action Center join The Bulwark's hosts Sonny Bunch and Adrian Carrasquillo to discuss the impact of the "ICE episode"—and the Trump policies that it shone a light on. They discuss the reality behind ICE showing up in hospitals, what changed in U.S. policy, and why viewers—and real doctors and nurses—responded so strongly.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: This episode has been updated to remove comments made by or about a focus group participant who we believe misrepresented his political viewpoints to gain access to the group. We are reviewing our participant screening processes accordingly.
If there’s a blue wave in the 2026 elections, it’ll be either because new people start voting for Democrats, or the current Republican base gets sad and stays home. So we convened a focus group of 2020 and 2024 Trump voters who are unhappy with his administration to give you a sample of the kind of despair that could keep Republicans home in November. Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, returns to the show to break down the midterm landscape.
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Tim Miller gives his take on the heated CNBC Squawk Box exchange between Pete Buttigieg and Joe Kernen over Trump’s economy, gas prices, and the war in Iran. Kernen tries to argue with weak MAGA talking points about Biden-era inflation and partisan blame, but Buttigieg pushes back so well that Kernen's co-host literally laughs at him. Tim breaks down why Buttigieg’s approach is resonating and how bad it is for the state of pro-Trump economic defenses.
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JVL and Sarah discuss the failed ceasefire, Melania’s bizarre Epstein pre-denial, and the growing rift between Trump and “America First” heavyweights like Tucker, Megyn, Candace, and Alex Jones. Is this just another performative feud, or the start of something real? And as AI muddies reality itself, what happens when nobody believes anything anymore?
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September
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JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W.
Every votes counts: Vote here for Best Email Newsletter
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No one was really asking about Melania’s ties to Epstein. But after her surprise White House statement to the press on Thursday, the questions are flowing—particularly because a former Brazilian model who moved in both Trump and Epstein circles is posting threats against the First Lady on social media. Tim and Jane break it all down. Plus, Melania does not speak or read English very well, Trump is furious about Tucker & co.’s opposition to the Iran war, Vance’s motives for converting to Catholicism are disgusting and unchristian, and why would Iran permit Saudi-paid Jared to participate in the Islamabad peace talks? Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notes
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JVL and Catherine LIVE on the not-so-great economic news
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Tim's deep dive on Oscar Romero was in this episode
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Tix on sale soon for The Bulwark LIVE in San Diego on May 20 and in Los Angeles on May 21
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Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news over the weekend
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Tim's playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Catherine Rampell and JVL talk about the the week's financial and economic news.
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I’m joined on this week’s episode by Ed Solomon, the writer of the new Steven Soderbergh feature, The Christophers, which is in limited release this weekend and going wider next. It’s the story of an aging artist, played by Ian McKellen, and his new assistant, played by Michaela Cole, who has been hired by the artist’s son and daughter to forge a series of paintings from an earlier, more successful period in his career. The idea being that, when he dies, the kids can sell the “found” works for millions.
Solomon discussed the idea for the film, which began with a single sentence from Steven Soderbergh, and blossomed from a twisty noir into something more emotionally resonant. We also discussed their previous collaboration, No Sudden Move, and why he wishes more people had had a chance to see it; the difference between more conceptual art and actual paintings; and the joy of working with McKellen and Cole in shaping the voice of the characters on the screen in The Christophers.
It was a wide-ranging chat, is what I’m saying, and we didn’t even get a chance to discuss Men in Black or the Bill & Ted series of films, which he co-wrote. Maybe next time! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer dive into the latest MAGA meltdown: a rumored DOJ probe into conservative influencers allegedly taking foreign money. From imagined arrests to twisted punishments, MAGA figures from Benny Johnson and Catturd to Laura Loomer are eating their own, accusing each other while ignoring the real ideological splits.
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Andrew Egger and Will Sommer break down Melania Trump’s bizarre and unexpected White House statement on Jeffrey Epstein. After speaking and not answering any questions, Melania forcefully denied any involvement with Epstein, while also calling past email exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell as “casual” and “trivial.” We dig into the timing, the messaging, and what could be driving this sudden need to get ahead of the Epstein story inside Trump world.
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Putin puppet Viktor Orbán—whose nepotistic and corrupt government in Hungary has become the model for the far-right in America and Europe—is facing his first serious election challenge in 16 years. It turns out that voters get mad when a president steals from the public and tanks the economy. Vance tried to bolster Orbán with Kremlin-esque fake propaganda, but the energy may be with the grassroots campaign of Peter Magyar. Plus, Vance's arrogance and ignorance about Ukraine, Trump is still coming up short on his Iran war goals, the administration made some weird threats against Pope Leo, and Kari Lake is still a loser.
Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Anne's piece on Hungary, "The First Post-Reality Political Campaign"
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Thursday's "Morning Shots"
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Giselle Donnelly's Bulwark piece on how Trump's war is impacting global navigation
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Anne's book, "Twilight of Democracy"
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Anne's "Autocracy, Inc." in paperback
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Anne's book recommendation, "Furious Minds: The Making of the Maga New Right"
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Letters from Leo on Substack
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL talks with Ed Condon of The Pillar about the escalating clash between the Vatican and the Trump administration after Pope Leo’s comments on the Iran war. They unpack the shocking report that a Vatican ambassador was confronted by the Pentagon, JD Vance’s awkward response, and why the American pope likely won’t be visiting the U.S. anytime soon.Read more from JVL: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-department-of-war-vs-the-popeRead more from Ed Condon: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/when-will-leo-come-home
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MS Now to give his take on the wave of Democratic momentum. From a massive Wisconsin Supreme Court victory to a surprising swing in Georgia, Democrats are seeing major gains even in places Republicans thought were safe. Tim explains why one number matters more than anything right now. A fourteen point shift. If that trend holds, states like Texas, Florida, Iowa, and Alaska could all be in play in the midterms. He also shares what he is hearing from Democratic organizers across the country and why there is still a disconnect between voters who want to help and campaigns that need volunteers.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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Andrew Egger talks with shipping expert Sal Mercogliano about his initial reaction to the ceasefire with Iran and what it really means for global shipping with the Strait of Hormuz. Despite claims that the strait is open, most vessels remain stuck or are forced to navigate Iran’s “toll booth,” creating uncertainty for trade and commerce. Sal explains how Iran’s control could permanently reduce shipping capacity and generate massive revenue for Iran, with ripple effects that may take up to 40 weeks to fully recover. We also cover the humanitarian situation for mariners, the economic stakes for oil and global trade, and what the US and other countries are doing or not doing to respond.Watch more of Sal’s videos here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT_yBgKSiwb3WP4ACPnF5nA
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Tom Nichols join Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker to discuss the bleak reality of Trump’s Iran war—where early strikes gave way to confusion, a shaky “ceasefire,” and no clear endgame. They explain how tactical hits didn’t translate into strategic success, why the U.S. may be in a worse position now, and what this reveals about decision-making, military leadership, and the absence of a real plan.
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JVL and Andrew Egger went live reacting to Karoline Leavitt's totally divorced from reality press conference as Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz.
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Trump showed that he is completely unequipped to be a war leader. He threatened crimes against humanity, and not only let a foe prove it could take our punches, but also inflict economic pain on the global economy as well. Indeed, with the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran looks to have emerged from the war with a stronger hand. We also don't know how much Trump's financial ties to Gulf countries are influencing his wild and erratic handling of the war. And if this military operation was just about Israel's national security, then that should have been explained to the American people from the start. Plus, the threat an Orbán loss would pose to MAGA, the key redistricting election in Virginia, and how Dems would prioritize oversight if they win back the House.
David French and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam join Tim Miller.
show notes
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TNL live last night after Trump folded
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Wednesday's "Morning Shots"
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Tim's debate over the war with Rep. Josh Gottheimer
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Tix on sale soon for The Bulwark LIVE in San Diego on May 20 and in Los Angeles on May 21
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain the legality of Trump’s unhinged Iran threats, the legal reality behind “war crimes” warnings, and the global fallout of a strategy with no clear objective. They also discuss Trump’s push to control elections, why it’s likely unconstitutional—and why losing in court may actually be part of the plan. Plus, the Steve Bannon case and what it says about a system where accountability depends on loyalty to the president.
Buy Liar’s Kingdom
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
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Sarah, Tim and JVL go live to cover Trump's Iran ultimatum and other news.
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This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App sto…
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Rep. Josh Gottheimer joins Tim Miller for a heated debate over the war with Iran—where even pro-war lawmakers admit they still don’t know the plan. They clash over whether weakening Iran justifies the risks, rising costs at home, and the lack of clear objectives, while digging into Trump’s leadership, Israel’s role, and the looming War Powers showdown in Congress.
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AI poses real existential threats. The global economy is dependent on it, it's being deployed in war zones and used for domestic surveillance, and it's increasingly integrated into our medical and financial sectors. But the guy sitting atop the world's biggest AI company, Sam Altman, is regarded by some colleagues as a liar, driven by a quest for power, and someone with sociopathic tendencies. When Biden was in the White House, Altman was worried about the limited regulation of AI; under Trump, he's loving that the shackles have come off. Plus, Tim on how the Dems need to get the politics of the Iran war right: Welcome converts into the fold, and prioritize American interests.
Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz join Tim Miller to discuss their New Yorker piece on OpenAI’s Sam Altman.
show notes
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TNL is LIVE tonight at 7:45 ET on Substack and YouTube
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Ronan's and Andrew's story in The New Yorker
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Tim's interview with Karen Hao on the unchecked rise of Altman
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol are going live to cover the morning's big news items.
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In threatening to bomb Iran to smithereens, Trump seems to be motivated by a combination of frustration, vengeance, and wanting to look like a tough guy. But he also has a God complex. Destroying the country’s bridges and its entire energy infrastructure has nothing to do with nukes—and everything to do with war crimes. Plus, the soldiers and airmen who carried out the daring rescue mission over the weekend hail from the “woke and weak” era of the U.S. military, Trump should be impeached, his family has ties with military contracts involved in the war effort, and there are rumors of at least one SCOTUS retirement this year.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Lauren on the Democrats feeling electoral hopium
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The UK's Andrew Neil on the power of the Strait of Hormuz v the Bomb
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The gang reacts to President Trump’s April 6 press conference.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer were live discussing the significant MAGA pushback against Trump’s Easter post about bombing Iran’s civilian infrastructure, the Jonathan Majors filming incident with The Daily Wire, and more.
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David Frum analyzes the roots of both left and right-wing anti-Semitism and what it means for a liberal democracy.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Eric welcomes retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer, and Penn Washington’s Chief of Staff and Director of Communications, Mike Nelson to the show. They discuss the President’s White House speech to sell the Iran war to the American people, and its failure to address a number of important questions. They discuss Mike’s recent Dispatch article on the risks and benefits of different proposed courses of action for U.S. military forces on the ground in Iran, including the difficulties surrounding any mission to extricate the regime’s remaining Highly Enriched Uranium, the potential risks to forces of seizing Kharg Island, the prospect for seizing the smaller islands like Abu Musa, the Tunbs, or Larak, and whether or not the juice would be worth the squeeze in providing an off-ramp to end the war. Finally, they address both the legality and advisability of attacks on Iranian infrastructure and how the Iranians might react to such a campaign.
What a Ground Operation Might Look Like in Iran
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller takes on Donald Trump’s Easter morning threats to bomb Iran’s bridges, power grid, and energy infrastructure if a deal isn’t reached.
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Just Security's Tom Joscelyn joins Bill Kristol to discuss how Trump and his allies are reshaping the DOJ/FBI, DHS/ICE, and the Pentagon — with major implications for civil liberties, political dissent, and the 2026 elections. Correction: Bill incorrectly stated that President Trump will make a speech today. Trump said he will hold a news conference on Monday, April 6, at 1 p.m. ET.
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Trump’s foreign policy is colliding with reality—from Iran to Venezuela to a collapsing Cuba. John Avlon speaks with with former NSC official Juan Gonzalez to break down the unintended consequences: rising oil prices, shaky regime changes, and a growing risk of chaos just 90 miles from Florida. Is there any real strategy here—or are we making things worse?
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Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell give their takes on the Trump White House calling an early “lid” during an escalating war with Iran. As Trump claims the U.S. military is “unstoppable," American fighter jets were shot down and a service member is missing. Sarah also explains that swing voters are turning against Trump, feeling misled as the war drags on and prices rise. They also discuss Trump’s repeated “48-hour” threats, rising oil costs, and the growing gap between his rhetoric and reality.
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The Iran War has been going on for a month, and it’s deeply, DEEPLY unpopular. Plus, we get reactions from swing voters on the characters inside the Trump administration who they like (like Marco Rubio), or REALLY dislike (listen to find out). Atlantic staff writer Ashley Parker returns to the show.
By Ashley Parker:
The Wrath of Stephen Miller
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
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Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell give their takes over one of the biggest questions facing Democrats right now: what to do about Hasan Piker? Should the party engage with voices on the far left to reach angry, anti-war voters or draw a hard line against rhetoric they see as toxic and illiberal? The two debate whether Democrats are picking the wrong fight at the wrong time, how to talk to audiences outside the traditional coalition, and whether engaging controversial figures risks amplifying them.Read more from Lauren’s piece: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/how-big-is-the-democrats-big-tent-hasan-piker-litmus-test
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The pro-Iran war hawks keep crowing about how U.S. military prowess is supposedly striking fear in Beijing and Moscow. But what’s really happening is that Trump is doing exactly what China and Russia hoped he’d do. Beijing has wanted the U.S. out of the Western Pacific and Putin, of course, wants NATO wrecked. Our major allies are scrambling to form new economic and military relationships, and America is likely to be very lonely in the world with only a few stooges to count as friends. This is what ending our role as a global superpower would look like. Plus, the U.S. is unable to win the war at a cost that is acceptable to Americans, Trump is taking a cue from Putin by bombing civilian infrastructure, and blaming NATO for not being willing to fight for the Strait of Hormuz is absurd when the world’s most powerful navy doesn't seem to want to do it either.
Bob Kagan joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notes
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Bob's recent piece in The Atlantic
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Tim's bimbofied livestream
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"Foreign Policy" piece on South Korea that Bob referenced
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Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news over the weekend
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Tim's playlist
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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JVL and Sarah discuss Trump’s rambling, unfocused address that failed to clarify any of the war’s goals, even as evidence mounts that the situation is getting worse. They also talk about the Bondi firing, why it may have been timed to shift attention, and what it says about how this White House handles bad news.Plus: rising oil prices, market jitters, and new warning signs from voters who are starting to turn against Trump.
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September
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JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W.
Every votes counts: Vote here for Best Email Newsletter
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Catherine and Sam cover economic news, including Trump's new budget proposal and the March jobs numbers.
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Steve Starkey to discuss his new book, On the Set of Forrest Gump. Steve won an Oscar for best picture as producer on that film, but he has a career that, as I told him, has meant a lot to me, with credits on, among other pictures, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the two Back to the Future sequels, Contact, Cast Away, and, of course, Forrest Gump.
We discussed all sorts of stuff here, from the movie magician who made Lt. Dan’s legs disappear, to his work as second unit director, to the early days of using digital trickery to fake the words and faces of famous people, to the worst note he’s ever gotten after an audience test, to the difficulties facing California’s film industry in the face of global tax rebates and production credits.
On the Set of Forrest Gump is laid out like a coffee table book and is beautifully illustrated with 250 or so full-color stills from set. So it’s nice to look at. But the story he tells is a fascinating glimpse into the push and pull of art and business, the struggle between the producer on the ground trying to make sure his director has the resources he needs and the studio bankrolling the whole thing and worried about losing tens of millions of dollars on a movie that isn’t a guaranteed hit.
Anyway, I hope you check it out. And if you enjoyed this episode, I hope you share it with a friend!
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Andrew Egger and Catherine Rampell look back at the first anniversary of Trump’s “Liberation Day,” the administration’s infamous tariff rollout. From tariffing penguins to gold bars from Switzerland, "Liberation Day" has proven to be a bust. The Supreme Court ruled them illegal and companies are still waiting for refunds, while the White House fiddles with new versions of the same failed policies.
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Tim Miller takes on a Trump world that’s starting to crack. Even voices from the Theo Von / Joe Rogan universe are turning on Donald Trump—and in some cases making more sense than the people in charge.
Tim also digs into the fight over figures like Hasan Piker—arguing that Democrats are blowing a major chance to build a broader anti-Trump coalition.
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Trump delivered a highly anticipated address on Iran, but instead of clarity, viewers got a confusing, low-energy speech that raised more questions than it answered. JVL and Andrew Egger give their takes on why the speech felt so off, from Trump abandoning his usual rambling to awkwardly sticking to a teleprompter and recycling his own Truth Social posts. They dig into the lack of a clear strategy, the strange war messaging, how the markets reacted so poorly in real time, and why even casual viewers were left asking: what was the point of this? If this speech was supposed to reassure Americans, it may have done the opposite.Read more from JVL's Triad: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/america-lost-iran-won-trump-shat
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Trump fired Pam Bondi, maybe the most destructive AG in the history of the United States, because she wasn't able to magically and lawlessly jail his political enemies. On Wednesday night, he told Americans that gas prices would naturally go down when he was finished with his war—much like the way he told the country in March 2020 that COVID would just go away. In reality, China may end up in control of the Strait of Hormuz and with freight passage paid with the Chinese Yuan. America and the world are paying for the incompetent (and petrified) advisers Trump has surrounded himself with. Plus, POTUS threatened war crimes on national television, the Iranian diaspora bet on the wrong horse, and who will be the next Barbie to get the ax?
Susan Glasser joins join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim's livestream at 8pm ET on YouTube and Substack
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The Bulwark LIVE after Trump's Iran address
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Susan's column on Trump's Wednesday address
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Susan on Trump breaking up with NATO
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The New Yorker on the ex-CIA officer who stopped Iran from getting the bomb
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Sam Stein, Sarah Longwell, JVL and Will Sommer reacted live to the breaking news that Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi.
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Sam Stein, JVL, Tim Miller and Mark Hertling react to President Trump's April 1st address on the war in Iran.
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Will Saletan takes on Pete Hegseth’s conduct during a wartime briefing campaign that keeps veering off course. Instead of focusing on strategy or coalition-building, he’s taking shots at past presidents, the press, and even U.S. allies.
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The war-induced global oil shock is already pushing consumers and businesses to new pain points because of higher fuel prices. Airlines are cutting back routes and ticket prices have started to spike. Expect road trips to be canceled, lifestyles to change, and more people to work from home. Trump is trying to deflect blame onto Iran and NATO, but the world will focus its rage on him and his war of choice. Plus, stagflation may be in the offing, tariffs made people poorer, both Kristi and her husband have unnatural ideas about what the body can do, and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti is taking on one of the most corrupt inside-traders in Congress.
Paige Cognetti and Josh Barro join Tim Miller.
show notes
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The Bulwark LIVE tonight after Trump’s address at 9 ET: YouTube or Substack
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Tim's livestream Thursday at 8 ET
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Josh's Substack
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Cognetti's campaign website
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Josh's "Serious Trouble" pod
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"Central Air" podcast
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Scranton's "The Office" 5K on May 2
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein, JVL, and Andrew Egger give their takes on the newly unveiled “Donald J. Trump Presidential Library” that Trump now himself admits will “most likely” be a hotel. The crew digs into the absurd renderings, including the giant gold statue, an oversized ballroom, and even the Qatari plane overhauled to become Air Force One in the lobby. They also break down how valuable land originally owned by Miami Dade College was transferred to the state and then handed over for the Trump “library.”
Read more from JVL on the latest Trump family grift: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-great-trump-library-robbery
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Command Post Live! Mark Hertling and Ben Parker are going live to discuss Trump’s speech tonight, the prospect of ground troops in Iran, and Trump’s slow-motion destruction of NATO.
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Sarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explain a series of legal fights that go to the core of how the country operates—from whether birthright citizenship could actually be undone, to a new immigration detention policy that could keep people locked up for years.They also discuss the Pentagon’s escalating clash with the press and what it means for the First Amendment and the surreal push to rewrite the January 6th attack on the Capitol.Correction (March 31, 2026, 9:20 p.m. EDT): Elliot Williams mistakenly mentioned San Antonio, Texas as the location of a court conducting legal proceedings involving abortion pills; in fact, the court is in Amarillo, Texas.
Buy Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York’s Explosive ‘80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on a judge’s decision to halt Donald Trump’s plan to build a massive White House ballroom, Trump’s fixation on the project, how often he brings it up in public, and the bizarre moments where it overtakes everything else—even during major national and global events.
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL get into the wild new scandal involving Kristi Noem’s husband—and why the story isn’t what people think it is.They also discuss Trump’s chaotic handling of the Iran conflict, the political fallout at home, and whether his support is starting to crack. Plus: Lindsey Graham’s surreal Disney detour, protests across the country, CPAC’s decline, and JD Vance’s latest reinvention.
show notes
JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W.
Every votes counts: Vote here for Best Email Newsletter
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.
You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.
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Trump has served up so many rationales for why he had to do this war, but helping Iran project even more power in the region was surely not one of the reasons. And yet, here we are. Iran is in control of a good chunk of the global energy supply, and other countries are going to have to beg to get through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the moment for Democrats to show what a real opposition is—especially when warmonger Lindsey Graham runs off to play at Disney World. Plus, Trump's coalition is mid-crackup, Hegseth's self-pity and insecurity is pathetic, and of course, Tim and Jon react to the news of Kristi Noem's bimbofied husband.
Jon Lovett joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jon's "Lovett or Leave It" pod
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The book Tim and Jon discussed, "People of the Lie"
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Andrew and Bill discuss the morning's news.
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Tim Miller breaks down the surreal viral moment of Lindsey Graham at Disney World—and why it’s more than just a weird photo. He also joined Nicolle Wallace to talk about the government shutdown and rising global tensions, and argues it reflects something deeper about accountability and leadership.
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Sam Stein talks with former top intelligence official Sue Gordon to break down the fast-moving Iran crisis—and why the U.S. may not have the intelligence it needs for what comes next. Drawing on decades at the CIA, Gordon explains the growing intel gaps, the risks of escalation, and why bombing Iran is the easy part compared to what follows. As tensions rise and off-ramps shrink, the big question remains: is the U.S. prepared for the consequences of a conflict it may not fully understand?
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JVL and Sarah Longwell give their takes on the shocking new UMass poll showing Donald Trump at just 33% approval, only one point away from the “Bush line.” As the Iran war drags on, gas prices rise, and inflation worsens, they dig into what’s really driving Trump’s downfall and whether it signals real movement with voters. Plus, they react to Brendan Carr openly celebrating media firings as a political “win” for Trump and what it says about power, influence, and the future of the press.
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Thousands of soldiers and Marines have arrived in the Middle East to potentially engage in combat on Iranian soil. Trump has done nothing to make the case for an invasion of Iran, even though he’s got plenty of time to wax rhapsodic about the patios and Corinthian columns on his ballroom project. The Republican congress may have abdicated its Constitutional obligations, but that doesn’t mean Democrats can’t raise hell: Cut your vacation short, demand a vote on the deployment of troops, and go on Fox and denounce Republicans for allowing one man to call the shots on this war—and also make a mess of our economy. Plus, the united opposition in the "No Kings" protests, the wisdom of Lincoln, and life lessons for poor Duke fans.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Lincoln's letter about the Mexican-American war
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"Bulwark Takes" pod for breaking and developing news
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Tim's interview with Al Gore
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ProPublica on the nursing home owner with a Trump pardon
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The Atlantic on how the AI boom wasn't built for this kind of crisis
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Tim's closing song
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Jonathan Cohn analyzes the first godawful year of MAHA, but are things changing for the better? Or slightly better?
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer and Andrew Egger are going live to cover a strange weekend at CPAC, where sparse crowds, defensive spin, and open infighting raised questions about where the MAGA movement stands right now. Plus: Clavicular went to jail...again!
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Eric welcomes Michael O’Hanlon, the Philip Knight chair in defense and strategy at the Brookings Institution, and author of To Dare Mighty Things, and a recent op-ed in the Financial Times on the Trump administration’s $200 billion supplemental budget request to fund the Iran War. They discuss whether there is a unique American “way of war” or “way of strategy,” and the accomplishments of U.S. grand and defense strategies in the post-World War II era and whether Trump is undoing those achievements. They also examine why limited force operations are sometimes hard to avoid, and the role of American pragmatism and innovation in allowing the U.S. to successfully adapt under fire on the battlefield. They close with a conversation about Congress’s role in setting defense strategy and the role it could play in setting limits to “boots on the ground” in Iran and investing in the defense industrial base to increase its productive capacity to replenish the enormous stocks of precision munitions and missiles that have been expended in the war.
Congress must not give Trump a blank cheque for the Iran war (Gift Link):
https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/ce6a9f97-9f47-414b-856b-ab82972c6c20
To Dare Mighty Things: U.S. Defense Strategy Since the Revolution:
https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Mighty-Things-Strategy-Revolution/dp/0300279930
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Saletan takes on a series of moments showing how Donald Trump is pushing past basic limits of presidential power—from putting his face on coins and signature on currency to calling judges “criminals” and claiming he doesn’t need Congress for war or NATO decisions. As millions joined “No Kings” protests, the pattern becomes hard to ignore: a president who treats the rules as optional, surrounds himself with loyalists, and increasingly acts like the law doesn’t apply to him.
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Tim Miller gives his take on Donald Trump’s latest Truth Social spiral and why he's boosting pro-war voices like Mark Levin, who’s floating plans that sound more like a uranium heist than a real strategy. Tim breaks down how Trump’s feed has become a window into his decision-making, why the signs point toward escalation and possible troops on the ground, and how the war is already causing global disruptions. He also reacts to the surreal Palm Sunday moment with Trump sharing a letter from Franklin Graham about Trump getting into heaven.
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The Bulwark's own Jim Swift joins Bill Kristol to talk about No Kings.
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Sonny Bunch and Adrian Carrasquillo take on The Pitt’s ICE episode—how a single raid transforms the ER, triggers fear across patients and staff, and mirrors real-world reporting on immigration enforcement. They discuss the show’s attempt at “balance,” the ripple effects of fear, and why dramatized storytelling can land harder than traditional coverage.They also explore the reaction online, the pressure on Hollywood to soften political edges, and why The Pitt is connecting right now as a rare show that forces viewers to see these issues up close.Read more here: Why the ICE Raid in ‘The Pitt’ Matters: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ice-raid-in-the-pitt-matters-hbo
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JVL (filling in for Sarah Longwell) joins Andrew Weissmann for a wide-ranging breakdown of a system under strain. They discuss the DOJ’s $1.25M payout to Michael Flynn, a surprising leak tied to the Trump investigations, and the backlash that followed—including a top official calling prosecutor Jack Smith a “proven liar.”
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More great stuff:
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Join JVL, Catherine Rampell, Andrew Egger, and many, many others from The Bulwark for live "No Kings" rally coverage.
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Sam Stein takes on a series of bizarre Trump appearances, ranging from crude jokes and made-up stories to comments that may have revealed something far more serious. The pattern raises a bigger question: when the president speaks, how much of it is real?
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Artificial intelligence is such a big change to human civilization that our political class is struggling to keep up. The voters in our focus groups are struggling, too. The Washington Post's Megan McArdle joins the show to discuss how everyday Americans are using (and misusing!) AI, its impact on the political process and information environment, and how public policy can adapt to this brave new world.Megan McArdle's Washington Post Podcast, Reasonably Optimistic
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Tim Miller was on MS NOW's Deadline: White House to explain why Trump’s Iran decision may be doing lasting damage to his own coalition. From GOP infighting to failed election interference efforts and another Democratic win in Washington, MAJOR cracks are starting to show.
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Sam Stein and Tim Miller give their takes on the latest fiasco for FBI Director Kash Patel after Iran-linked hackers breached his email and released a trove of personal messages and photos. From embarrassing photos during a trip to Cuba to serious counterintelligence concerns, it’s another brutal moment for a guy already struggling to prove he’s up for the job.
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In addition to the global energy shock brought on by Trump's war, mortgage rates are surging, and labor costs and prices are rising. And Republicans don't seem to have a plan except to spend more, blame trans kids, and feed Trump's megalomania by allowing him to put his ugly signature on our currency. Plus, JD thinks Americans are stupid, the gap between Bibi's and Trump's objectives vis-à-visIran continues to widen, and where is Marco Rubio?
Michael Steele joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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"The Weeknight" on MS Now
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JVL's and Catherine's live show Friday on the state of the economy
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Find your local "No Kings" protest
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Tim's playlist
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JVL and Bill Kristol—filling in for Sarah—discuss escalating Iran conflict, the risky push toward a wider war, and why the real damage may outlast the fighting. They also get into the global fallout—from threats to the petrodollar system to the collapse of U.S. alliances—and what a rushed exit might look like.
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On this week’s episode, I’m very pleased to be joined by McKay Coppins, author of April’s cover story in The Atlantic: “Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler.” We discussed the rise of sports betting apps, why his boss gave him $10,000 to lose, how the wild proliferation of sports gambling could destroy faith in the sports we watch, and why Kalshi/Polymarket could wind up getting people killed. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! And make sure to read McKay’s story! It’s really quite good.
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on Kash Patel’s girlfriend, a country music “sensation,” over her bizarre Twitter rant about Michael Flynn, Candace Owens fights with MAGA media darling Nick Shirley, and comedian Druski mocks Erika Kirk in viral video.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger watched an hour-and-a-half long Trump cabinet meeting and it was a mess. From ranting about $1,000 pens and fake gold columns to personal attacks on Gavin Newsom’s dyslexia and Jerome Powell, Trump spent more time complaining about the Kennedy Center than he did on foreign policy. We break down the top five most unhinged things that happened during Thursday's meeting.
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For nearly 50 years, since the Ayatollah seized power in Iran and took Americans hostage, the U.S. has known that the regime could single-handedly shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Trump was reportedly warned of this threat, but the failed casino owner blew it off. And now Iran unilaterally controls 20% of the world’s oil supply and an even higher percentage of the fertilizer inventory. But the former vice president tells Tim that Trump’s judgment has been even worse on climate change. On the 20th anniversary of “An Inconvenient Truth,” Gore discusses how the rest of the global economy has ‘miraculously’ responded to the climate threat. He also gives high marks to Mamdani, explains Trump’s use of fear, shares details about his relationship with Clinton—and how his actions after the 2000 election inspired Mike Pence on Jan. 6.
Former Vice President Al Gore joins Tim Miller.show notes
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Gore’s climate change training in Nashville in May
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More on Gore’s “Climate Reality Project”
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Tim’s ‘Bulwark Take’ with Ezra Levin on Saturday’s “No Kings” protests
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Tim Miller talks with Ezra Levin—co-founder of Indivisible— about Saturday's “No Kings” protests. They get into whether protests actually work, how movements grow beyond a single weekend, and why discipline, nonviolence, and even humor can throw off an authoritarian playbook. Plus: the rising threat of political violence, how organizers are preparing for it, and what comes next if this keeps growing.
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Tim Miller was on with Katy Tur to take on a surprising shift in Florida politics after Democrats flip a seat in Trump’s own backyard. Is this a one-off—or the start of something bigger? Plus: the corruption questions that still aren’t being investigated—and what it all could mean for 2026.
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JVL and Andrew Egger take on a surreal White House briefing where everything is supposedly “going great”—even as TSA chaos, rising gas prices, and a widening Iran conflict tell a very different story. Plus: how JD Vance is getting boxed into a political no-win situation.
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Katie Couric joins Tim Miller and JVL to dig into some of the biggest stories so far this week on a special edition of Bulwark Takes happening live on Wednesday at 6:30 PM ET. With Iran rejecting a cease-fire proposal, what will President Trump do next? And why is Iran requesting that Vice President JD Vance come to the negotiating table? Plus, reactions to new reporting from NBC that for the last few weeks, Trump has been shown by his team highlight reels of destruction in Iran. Plus, a look at whether there will be a breakthrough on Department of Homeland Security funding to finally end the growing chaos and delays at U.S. airports, a report from Status that CBS News is seeing its latest ratings of any first quarter this century and Katie has a very important reminder she hopes you and your loved ones to take seriously.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Trump's shamelessness has been his political superpower, but the regime in Tehran is seeing a desperate and panicked man doing the opposite of what he's said about Iran for the past decade. But his supporters at home are not likely to see the dangerous moment we are in unless or until they feel real economic pain personally. Plus, Markwayne Mullin is another shorty tough guy, the Dems don't understand our reality show politics, and how an alternate universe might look if Kamala were president and we weren't in a war.
Phil Gordon and Angie "Pumps" Sullivan join Tim Miller.
show notes
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The "I've Had It" podcast
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"IHIP News" podcast
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Phil's book, "Losing the Long Game: The False Promise of Regime Change in the Middle East"
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Markwayne's booster box
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Daniel Biss joined Lauren Egan to discuss his win in a crowded Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District. AIPAC spent more than $7 million trying to stop him. Biss, whose mother is Israeli and whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors, opens up about what it felt like to be personally targeted and why he believes those attacks backfired. He also breaks down the strategy behind his campaign, taking on outside money head-on, defining the race early, and turning a flood of spending into a liability for his opponents.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom joins John Avlon for a wide-ranging conversation starting with a blunt assessment of the Iran war, what's happening with TikTok and media power under Trump and why Newsom thinks American democracy's biggest test isn't 2028, it's 2026. The conversation also dives into Newsom's leadership in California from policies he says are working because they're about "growth and inclusion" to why fewer than 30 homes have been rebuilt since last year's LA fires. Plus: Why the movie Rocky was everything to Newsom as a bullied kid with a bowl cut.
Note: This conversation was taped on Tuesday afternoon, March 24, 2026.
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Sam Stein, Joe Perticone, and Will Sommer give their takes on the bizarre rise and abrupt fall of Nick Adams, the self-styled “alpha male” known for his tweets about boobs, Hooters, and American exceptionalism. Adams saw his ambassador nomination pulled before landing in a made up new State Department role.
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Tim Miller is going live to talk about the news of the day and just generally hang out.
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Tim Miller, JVL and Sam Stein (filling in for Sarah) discuss Trump’s shambolic approach to the Iran war—no clear objective, mixed signals, and rising economic fallout. As gas prices climb and markets wobble, they ask whether the political damage has already begun, even if the polls haven’t fully caught up.Plus: signs of a potential MAGA fracture, ICE at airports, a look inside the grift behind Project 2025, and a disturbing interview with Greg Bovino.
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This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.
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A war of choice may evolve into a war of necessity because the brains at the White House apparently did not anticipate that Iran—in response to the bombing campaign—would shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which the global economy depends on being open. It's also not a good look for the U.S. to be got by a power like Iran because China is watching. Plus, how the war is impacting the supply chain, the markets may be underpricing oil because traders keep banking on Trump to do his usual TACO, and Israel acting like an illiberal Middle Eastern regime is creating a disconnect with American Jews.
The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg andBloomberg’s Joe Weisenthal join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Where to catch Tim's Tuesday livestream at 8:30pm ET
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Jeffrey on Signalgate and Hegseth one year later
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The Atlantic's McKay Coppins on America's sports betting boom
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Joe's "Odd Lots" podcast
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Lauren Egan take on a real idea circulating among Democratic operatives: run more “hot” candidates. They discuss what that actually means—youth, charisma, online presence—and whether it reflects a deeper effort to fix the party’s image and win back voters.
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Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger discuss the DHS funding fight, ICE at America's airports, and Trump's erratic flip-flops in Iran.
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Tim Miller was on Deadline: White House to take on the political fallout from Trump’s Iran war, warning that the real backlash hasn’t shown up in polling yet as rising costs start to hit voters. He also looks at growing cracks inside the GOP, where even MAGA voices are struggling to defend a war with no clear objective.Plus: chaos at U.S. airports after ICE agents are deployed to “help,” a Supreme Court case that could reshape mail-in voting ahead of the midterms, and Trump’s reaction to Robert Mueller’s death.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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This is a special treat exclusively for Bulwark+ members—a segment from the March 18th live show in Dallas, Texas! Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL took on the grift and chaos inside Trumpworld—from paid influencer campaigns and Ric Grenell’s well-deserved downfall to a system where loyalty is bought, not earned.
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The man in charge is bluffing, blustering, and trying to manipulate the markets by claiming that the administration is in negotiations with Iran and was holding off on further military strikes. Israel's reaction was to drop more bombs on Iran, and the regime itself used Trump's own lines against him in its response. In any event, Iran has shown it can close the Strait of Hormuz, which is much more of a power move than the degradation of Tehran's missile capacity. With the war hitting Americans financially in their daily lives—and Trump now refusing a deal to fund TSA—the Dems have to hammer home that it's POTUS who has delivered higher gas prices and long lines at the airport. Plus, JD is in a job bind, the head of FEMA has a teleporting issue, and Trump showed utter depravity over the passing of Bob Mueller.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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"Bulwark on Sunday" with Bill and Catherine
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Tim's and Bill's 'Bulwark Take' on Trump's reaction to Mueller's death
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Yeats’ poem, “To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Nothing”
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The real "Baghdad Bob"
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JVL and Andrew Egger go live to cover the bizarre statements that Trump made at an event this morning in Memphis.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer go live to talk about Dan Bongino getting heckled for not "taking on the deep state," James Fishback being banned from Mar-a-Lago, and a double dose of TPUSA controversy.
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Brookings scholar Jessica Riedl analyzes the DOGE debacle and the failure of Americans to make grown up choices about spending and taxes.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Eric and Eliot open by analyzing the decapitation campaign against Iran's leadership, the knock-on consequences of the war's energy disruptions, and the Gulf states' reaction to the war. They also explore how the PRC will incorporate lessons from the war, and how depleted U.S. munitions stocks will be refilled. They then turn to special guest Jason Burke, author and longtime national security correspondent at The Guardian. They discuss Jason's effort to explain the origins of contemporary Islamist terrorism in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the role technology played in the evolution of terrorism, and the transition from secular to religious terrorism in the twentieth century.The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s:https://a.co/d/09FMRU7UShield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah Longwell talks with Rep. Lizzie Fletcher about Texas redistricting, the GOP’s push for new seats, and why that strategy could backfire. They discuss the 2026 outlook, the Paxton–Cornyn fight, and why Democrats see a real opening in Texas.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s “48-hour” threat against Iran and the risk of a wider war, with global oil markets and the global economy hanging in the balance. They also discuss the administration’s push to put ICE in security roles at airports and Sen. Mike Lee’s bizarre SAVE Act post.
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Bill Kristol and Catherine Rampell are going live to talk about the economic fallout from Trump's war in Iran.
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Why do small factions end up with outsized power in American politics? John Avlon talks with Dan Cantor about how the two-party system distorts representation—and how fusion voting could break the gridlock.Watch Borgen. Then Get Inspired.
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Robert Mueller, the former FBI director and special counsel who led the Russia investigation, has died at 81. A Vietnam veteran and lifelong public servant, Mueller spent decades in service to the country across administrations of both parties earning a reputation for discipline, restraint, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Trump responded to Mueller's death with a disgusting message: “Good. I’m glad he’s dead.” In this video, Tim Miller and Bill Kristol reflect on Mueller’s legacy from his leadership of the FBI to his role investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and contrast it with the reaction from the man he was tasked with investigating. Correction: Robert Mueller died Friday evening, not today (Saturday) as stated in the episode. His family announced the news in a statement on Saturday.
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Tim Miller and Adam Kinzinger were live in Austin, talking about the escalating Iran war, why it’s already going badly, and how Trump’s “peace candidate” promise unraveled into a costly conflict. Plus: a live “cuck-off” game (it’s not quite what you’d expect).
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A lot of the young people we’ve been talking to recently in our focus groups are relatively apolitical, and many of them don’t vote. But what DO these young people care about? And what could mobilize them in the future? Rachel Janfaza discusses with Anderson Clayton, the youngest state party chair in the U.S. and chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.
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Andrew Egger and maritime history and shipping expert Sal Mercogliano take on the rapidly escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz—and why it’s far more dangerous for the global economy than most people realize. As Iran tightens its grip on one of the world’s most critical shipping chokepoints, up to 25% of global trade is being disrupted. Tankers are stalled, crews are stranded, and energy markets are already feeling the shock.Catch more of Sal’s videos here
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Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL were live in Austin talking about Trump’s Iran war, the cascading economic fallout, and growing global instability. As gas prices spike and allies react, the conversation turns darker: how bad could this get—and what it says about America right now.
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The U.S. is at war with the leading state sponsor of terror, and Donald Trump appointed Markwayne Mullin—a man with no counter-terrorism experience—to help defend the homeland. At the same time, Hegseth is a meathead, and the shoe designer at the top of the FBI is preoccupied with visiting all the places on his bucket list. This is the moment for Democrats to argue that Trump has made the country very vulnerable. Plus, the administration apparently did not consider worst case scenarios vis-à-vis Iran, the Iraq War planners look like pros in comparison, Denmark was seriously preparing for an American invasion of Greenland, and is Israel's conduct contributing to the growing antisemitism problem?
David Frum joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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David's podcast
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David encouraging Dems to get to the right of Trump on the war
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Tim's playlist
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein cover inflation warnings from the Fed and the worsening economic outlook as the Iran war drives oil prices higher and job growth stalls.
On this week’s episode, I’m very pleased to be joined by David Streitfeld to discuss his new book, Western Star: The Life and Legends of Larry McMurtry. Amongst the topics discussed: McMurtry’s obsession with book buying and selling; how his books and the films they were made from helped shape the view of the west; and why Lonesome Dove—both the book and the miniseries—endures more than forty years later. From The Last Picture Show to Brokeback Mountain, McMurtry rests alongside Cormac McCarthy one of the great modern voices of the American West.
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Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn talk with Therese Vogel about the return of measles. Therese shares the story of her sister, who contracted measles as a child and suffered permanent brain damage—shaping the rest of her life—and why that led her to join Grandparents for Vaccines.They discuss why vaccine skepticism has risen, how outbreaks are spreading again as vaccination rates fall, and why many Americans have forgotten how dangerous these diseases once were. They explore the nascent political backlash to anti-vaccine messaging—and how groups like Grandparents for Vaccines are using personal stories to reach people when facts alone aren’t enough.Learn more about Grandparents for Vaccines: https://grandparentsforvaccines.org.
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Will Saletan gives his take on Donald Trump’s dumb and chaotic Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. He called the Iran war an “excursion,” bragging about demolishing Iran while gas prices doubled, and insulted Japan with a Pearl Harbor reference.
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Sam Stein talks with Reuters national security reporter Erin Banco about how the U.S. ended up at war with Iran—and why the official story doesn’t hold up. Intelligence assessments didn’t show an imminent threat, but the administration moved forward anyway after months of pressure, shifting justifications, and a last-minute decision from Trump.
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JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the Trump administration’s stumble into an Iranian conflict that betrays its "no more wars" promise. They analyze the sudden resignation of Joe Kent over foreign wars, Tulsi Gabbard’s surreal FBI testimony regarding Fulton County ballots, and the looming "bloodbath" within a fracturing Republican coalition.
Watch: Tim interview James Talarico live in Dallas
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For Talarico, it doesn't really matter whether Cornyn or Paxton wins their runoff battle. Either way, the Texas Democratic Senate candidate says he is running against the billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt system. To flip the Senate seat, he says he is speaking to the hearts of voters, avoiding media echo chambers, and campaigning on being both pro-immigrant and pro-border security. Plus, Trump's broken promises, Cornyn may be more corrupt than Paxton, Apostle Paul's thoughts on God's sausage, and a Shermanesque denial of the vegan accusations.
James Talarico joins Tim Miller before a live Bulwark audience.
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Tim Miller moderated a conversation with Don Lemon at the 2026 New Orleans Book Festival. They talked about Lemon’s arrest and time in custody and the broader crackdown on Trump critics. They also discussed the war in Iran, and the failures of the mainstream media during Trump's second term.
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POTUS is pretending the laws of supply and demand don't apply when it comes to the price of oil. And his long list of conflicting statements on the Strait of Hormuz is not providing any clarity on whether it will reopen to Western vessels anytime soon. But while Rep. Khanna successfully helped create the Epstein coalition, he says most of his Republican…
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Sam Stein and Sonny Bunch give their reactions to Trump nominee Markwayne Mullin at his DHS confirmation hearing.
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Sam Stein and Rachel Janfaza take on a striking shift among young voters: support for Israel has collapsed, with just 13% of Gen Z viewing it positively. Drawing on new polling and a focus group of students, they discuss how anti-Israel sentiment is spreading—and how it’s increasingly bleeding into something more troubling on campuses and online.
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace to talk about the escalating Iran war, the sudden resignation of Trump official Joe Kent, and the growing split inside MAGA. As competing narratives collide, the panel looks at what’s actually driving the conflict—and why even Trump’s allies are breaking ranks.They also discuss Trump’s erratic messaging, rising concerns about leadership, and the economic fallout already starting to hit Americans—from higher gas and food prices to a broader slowdown that could get much worse by the fall.Watch Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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In this Command Post edition of Bulwark Takes, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker break down how Trump’s snub of NATO allies is shaping the Iran conflict, and how even spectacular military success against the Iranian government and military won’t necessarily lead to victory.Have questions about the Iran war? Send them to commandpost@thebulwark.com and we’ll try to answer them in the next episode!Read more from Mark's piece here: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/iran-gets-vote-in-this-war-thormuz-trump-hegseth-israel-strategy
Buy Mark's book, "If I Don't Return: A Father's Wartime Journal": https://www.amazon.com/If-Dont-Return-Fathers-Wartime/dp/1966786727
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Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell to explain Trump’s failed attempt to target Fed Chair Jerome Powell—and why a judge shut it down as harassment. They also discuss the Trump admin's bizarre border strategy that’s collapsing in court, as DOJ lawyers admit they’re being forced to bring cases they can’t prove. Plus: a major Supreme Court fight over immigrant protections, and new warning signs around Trump’s broader legal strategy heading into 2026.Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against Department of Justice Attorneys
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A former MAGA influencer who saw the underbelly of the immense power and wealth around this administration says never-Trumpers should show compassion for people who are now feeling betrayed by him—and who are starting to have second thoughts about the cult they joined. Ashley, who is the mother of one of Elon's kids, also tells Tim that an increasing number of MAGA women are waking up to the fact that they've been used as pawns in the movement. Plus, Ric Grenell's desperate effort to land a job with Trump, the role of AIPAC in Tuesday's Illinois Democratic primary, and a pending congressional resolution on the West Bank.
Cam Kasky and Ashley St. Clair join Tim Miller.
show notes
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FYPod on looksmaxxing in February 2025
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FYPod's interview with Kat Abughazaleh
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Andrew and Bill are going live to discuss Joe Kent's resignation over the war in Iran and other news of the day.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on Trump’s latest Oval Office comments on Iran. They discuss the contradictions, the absence of a clear strategy, and what it signals about how this war is being handled. Plus, JD Vance dodges a simple question about whether he actually supports the operation, raising questions about what’s really happening behind the scenes.
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Tim Miller talks with Cato’s David Bier about his viral clash with Senator John Kennedy—and what the exchange reveals about today’s immigration debate. They discuss the data on immigrants and the economy, the gap between rhetoric and actual policy, mass deportation proposals, visa bans affecting families, and how enforcement tactics are impacting both immigrants and U.S. citizens.
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As the Iran war enters its third week, the Trump administration looks like it doesn’t know what it’s doing: It did not bother to consult U.S. allies before the military operation began but it now wants their help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; POTUS keeps talking about his great victory even with Marine Expeditionary Forces en route; and the disruption in the oil markets is likely to last for months. In the face of the neutered Republican leaders in Congress, the Dems must be a hard “No” on additional funding—unless it’s about helping our people to exit safely. Plus, FCC Chair Brendan Carr is threatening broadcasters for reporting the truth about the war, JD is hiding in the hedge, our enemies are less afraid of us, the “Donroe Doctrine” looks like a joke, and a major intra-right fight has broken out online.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Bob Kagan
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer takes us on a tour of the groypers and other right wing influencers.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer and Sam Stein are going live to discuss Laura Loomer’s tense event in New Delhi, Tucker Carlson’s new CIA conspiracy theory, and the ugly feud between Megyn Kelly and Mark Levin.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eric and Eliot continue to wrestle with the ongoing Iran war, examining the media coverage surrounding it, the tactical successes the joint forces have had, the inexplicable failure to provide counter-drone defense to US forces, the baffling inattention to mine storage facilities that may have led to mines being seeded in the Gulf, and the enormous expenditure of munitions that may leave the US vulnerable if military operations were required in other theaters. They also discuss how the war might be concluded, likely downstream consequences, and the prospect that President Trump may shift his focus to Cuba, where President Diaz-Canel has confirmed that quiet negotiations with the US have been going on for some time.
Eliot’s Latest in The Atlantic on Air Campaigns (Gift Link).Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Robert Kagan (Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution) joins Bill to discuss the likely consequences of Trump's war in Iran.
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Harvard economist and former IMF chief economist Kenneth Rogoff joins John Avlon to discuss the growing risks facing the U.S. dollar. From exploding national debt and attacks on Fed independence to war in the Middle East and rising global competition, they examine why America’s reserve currency status matters—and what happens if the world starts to move away from it.
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Donald Trump’s claims that Iran has been “decimated” even as his administration asks other countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. They discuss the contradictions in Trump’s messaging and what it reveals about the war. They also react to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s warning to broadcasters over their coverage.
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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss a chaotic week for the rule of law, from the DOJ bizarrely flip-flopping on defending Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms, to a Trump-appointed judge finding evidence of racial profiling in ICE stops in Minnesota, and a new DOJ proposal that could shield government lawyers from ethics investigations.
Buy “Liar’s Kingdom”
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The Democratic primary for US Senate in Illinois is a bit quiet, according to our guest. But underneath the surface, one candidate has a VERY interesting way of getting attention...and voters are starting to notice. David Axelrod, former adviser to President Obama, joins the show to discuss this Chicago-style Senate race.
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
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Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer take on one of the strangest scandals to hit the far-right internet: extremist agitator Jake Lang getting caught in a social-media sting run by a self-styled “predator hunter.” They also talk about the growing war inside conservative media as Megyn Kelly and Ben Shapiro clash publicly.
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Sarah Longwell and JVL talk about what happens if Trump doesn’t TACO and pull the plug on the Iran war excursion after things go from messy to bad. Not great!
Also: What happens if we know how to reform the system, but the system is so ossified that it can’t be reformed? And are The People, in fact, the worst?
Order If I Don’t Return by retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September
Pre-order Andrew Weissmann’s book, Liar’s Kingdom, coming in May
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The Trump administration is preparing to deploy a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East along with more warships. But that development was not Hegseth’s highest priority at his Pentagon briefing. His first order of business was attacking the media—even before mentioning the six fallen service members who were killed in a plane crash supporting the war in Iran. And while the administration may have finally narrowed down its reasons for launching the war alongside Israel, it hasn’t discussed the risks of the operation, or why it doesn’t seem to have an issue with Putin helping Iran in the fight. Plus, JD is skeptical about the war but won’t tell Trump to his face, oil prices are soaring while Russia cashes in, and don’t forget that the Department of Homeland Security is still shut down while our country is at war.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Tom on 'victory disease' in The Atlantic
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French news channel with a split screen of bombs and Trump dancing
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein went live to talk about the revised job numbers and other economic news.
On this week’s episode, I’m very pleased to be rejoined by Kevin Goetz, who is the guru of movie testing to discuss his latest book, How to Score in Hollywood. When you spend nine figures on a film and another eight figures marketing it, you want to know what works for audiences and what doesn’t, and Kevin’s the guy who can help you do that. He believes that nearly every movie—if it’s made for the right price and marketed to the right people—should be able to make money, and he’s happy to explain how his company, Screen Engine/ASI, can help make that hope a reality. Our discussion runs the gamut—from concept testing to post-screening focus groups to some Oscar chatter—and I hope you enjoy.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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In a special live edition of Bulwark Takes, Katie Couric joins JVL and Tim Miller to take on some of the biggest and most interesting stories of the week including the breaking news today out of Michigan where a suspect is dead after ramming a vehicle into Temple Israel synagogue, the latest on the Iran war including the first comments from the country's new supreme leader, what Kash Patel is up to at the FBI and more. Katie also digs in with the Bulwark crew on her latest TV obsession.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
We’re raining hellfire down on Iran and American soldiers have died, but that doesn’t stop Trump from hitting the links, doing a little dancing, or holding a revenge rally. His main preoccupation is his daily PR battle over the war—which currently involves arguing that higher gas prices are a good thing. And his ever dutiful backup chorus in Congress is happy to explain how “freedom isn’t free.” Meanwhile, the immigration system has been so undone that we now have a shortage of seasonal workers. Plus, the absurd shoe-related loyalty test at the White House, a major Trump donor is trying to buy a Senate seat in Oklahoma, at least one white Afrikaner refugee has seen enough and wants to go home, Sam and Tim have new Cabinet member rankings, and some justice for JVL and Bill after Wednesday's pod.
Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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JVL’s “Triad” on Iran from Wednesday and Thursday
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Bill on the "epic failure" of the Iran war in "Morning Shots"
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Adrian and Jared on Markwayne Mullin
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Sam's and Catherine's 'Bulwark Take' on higher gas prices
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Tim's and Sam's year-end ranking of Cabinet members
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"Odd Lots" podcast
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on the sudden shift in Republican messaging on gas prices after the war with Iran disrupted global oil markets. For years, Republicans blamed Joe Biden for high prices at the pump. Now, with prices rising again under Donald Trump, some GOP lawmakers are telling Americans they need to “make sacrifices” or even suggesting struggling families just need better financial literacy.
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Tim joined Katy Tur to talk about the backlash from the “podcast right” over a potential Iran conflict. If those newer, anti-war voters peel away—or simply stay home—it could reshape the politics around Trump’s base. They also discussed immigration, where Republicans are starting to get nervous about the real-world impact of mass deportation policies. Watch Katy Tur Reports on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports
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Sarah was out last week, and felt she had to bring you some timely focus group reactions to the War in Iran. We also check in on their feelings about the Trump administration (especially their handling of the Epstein Files), and talk about a growing strain of conspiracy theorizing tied to Israel (Jeffrey Epstein and Charlie Kirk are BOTH involved!)
Finally, we’ve recently seen members of the Bulwark community pop up in the wild in our focus groups. Hear what drew THEM to The Bulwark. Sarah and Bill Kristol sift through it all.
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
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The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Click to find the show or add this podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller is going live, just because he feels like hanging out. Not everything needs a special occasion.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein, Will Sommer, and Andrew Egger give their takes on the new right-wing conspiracy that claims John Thune is secretly controlled by Punchbowl News and that’s why he won’t eliminate the filibuster to pass the SAVE Act. The theory comes from a software engineer known online as “Data Republican,” who gained prominence during the DOGE era by posting false claims about uncover government waste. Her latest claim hinges on a series of confusing flowcharts that immediately collapses under even minimal scrutiny, but it’s still gaining traction in conservative circles, including Sen. Mike Lee.
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One of the biggest America First fans tells Tim that he thought Trump 2.0 would be different because like-minded, high-level personnel—including the vice president and top DOD staff—were supposed to stop Trump from doing stupid wars like the strategic catastrophe unfolding in and around Iran. And Trump’s mass deportation was supposed to crack down on the labor practices of big business and Big Ag, but POTUS instead is sticking with the Chamber of Commerce status quo. Saagar now regrets his vote for Trump. Plus, the difference between MAGA and America First, a different take on Epstein, Venezuela red-pilled Trump, and the U.S. may be facing a major shortage of munitions because of the latest shock and awe campaign.
Saagar Enjeti joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim's livestream Wednesday at 8:30pm ET on YouTube or Substack
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Saagar's show, "Breaking Points"
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Carville's 2009 book, "40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule The Next Generation"
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Tim Miller give their takes on Joe Rogan’s surprisingly blunt reaction to Donald Trump’s war with Iran. Rogan says many supporters feel “betrayed” after Trump campaigned on ending “stupid wars,” only to launch major strikes that have now killed U.S. troops and raised fears of wider conflict. Sam and Tim dig into Rogan’s political evolution and why this moment is so uncomfortable for the MAGA-friendly podcast world. After years of embracing Trump as the anti-war outsider, figures in the “podcast bro” ecosystem are now confronting the possibility that they misjudged him.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Sarah Longwell talks with former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann about his new book: Liar’s KingdomThey discuss how Donald Trump exposed weaknesses in American institutions, why misinformation has become so central to modern politics, and what that means for the future of democracy.Weissmann explains why simply winning elections won’t fix the problem, explores how other democracies handle threats to the rule of law, and lays out reforms that could strengthen guardrails without rewriting the Constitution.
Buy “Liar’s Kingdom”
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Chatham Bookstore signed copies: https://bit.ly/4aXHu4R
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Politics & Prose signed copies: https://bit.ly/4aALp8Q
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MHQ8MR
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Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/402H2xc
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Bookshop.org: Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/3N5hVa3
More great stuff:
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Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
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ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Texas at TheBulwark.com/Events
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Access to this show’s community comments and ad-free editions are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Bulwark+ members can listen ad-free on your podcast player of choice—click SET UP here.
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
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Sarah, Tim and JVL go LIVE to talk about the escalating air war with Iran and the chaos and dishonesty of Trump’s shifting explanations for it.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.
You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.
Before the bombs and the missiles started falling on Iran, Trump sent Jared and Witkoff to try to cut a deal with Tehran. But his two favorite emissaries with no expertise in world affairs fundamentally misunderstood the Iranian mindset, and Trump grew impatient. Now, while Israel is likely trying to create a failed state in Iran, the U.S. seems to be looking for the quickest exit. Plus, the dystopia of “Robocop,” "Brazil," and "Infinite Jest"may have arrived in real life, the Iran War’s potential impact on the Paramount-Warner Bros deal, predictions for Sunday's Oscars ceremony, and Timothée Chalamet can do no wrong.
Sonny Bunch and Laura Rozen joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Laura’s Substack
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Sonny on our dystopian parody
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger are going live to discuss whether Trump is already close to ending his Iran war, under pressure from both markets and bad polls.Read the latest Morning Shots newsletter.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller joined Nicolle Wallace to discuss Donald Trump’s latest comments on the Iran war and the chaos surrounding his administration’s messaging. Plus: Lindsey Graham’s reported efforts to push Trump toward escalation and Tucker Carlson’s claim that Trump is being fed fake polling about the war’s popularity.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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Sarah Longwell and Sam Stein give their takes on Donald Trump’s latest press conference on the war in Iran, where Trump seemed to declare victory while also suggesting the conflict is just beginning. Trump claimed the war was essentially “over” after the first two days, even as his own defense secretary says the mission is only getting started. They also break down a tense exchange with a reporter who challenged Trump on his claim that Iran bombed its own elementary school, prompting the president to suddenly say he “doesn’t know enough about it.”Pre-order Sarah's book, "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time": https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan give their takes on why Lindsey Graham is suddenly everywhere celebrating the escalation against Iran and why even some Republicans are alarmed by his rhetoric. As Graham cheers the bombing campaign and openly talks about taking on other regimes around the world, critics including Meghan McCain warn that his messaging is scaring voters and pushing the U.S. toward endless wars. Sam and Will trace Graham’s long obsession with regime change, how he’s learned to appeal to Donald Trump, and why this moment may represent the culmination of a decades-long foreign policy vision.Listen to Will's 2023 series on Lindsey Graham here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJNKzTkCZE9sb384PfewA7Gur01abBrcS
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Unless the administration is keeping some closely-guarded secret about why America went to war against Iran, the only thing officialdom is saying out loud is that Netanyahu wanted us to. And now Trump says he's waiting on Netanyahu to end it. But support for the state of Israel cannot make up for the fact that both the president and the prime minister are not to be trusted. Both Trump and Netanyahu are corrupt men who used their power to avoid being held accountable for their corruption. To be skeptical about the aims of the military operation is not antisemitic, but the fact that it is happening at all may contribute to the rising incidence of antisemitism. Plus, JD is in a tight spot, the administration keeps lying about our killing of Iranian schoolchildren, and Sarah's new book advises Democrats on how to win the comms war against Republicans.
Sarah Longwell joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Pre-order Sarah's book, "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time"
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Stream "Memphis Belle," the film Sarah recommended
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Mona Charen talks with Unite America’s Nick Troiano about the structural problem driving America’s political polarization: the primary system.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam and Will talk Iran war, Tucker Carlson and the MAGA fallout.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eric and Eliot welcome Norman Roule, a non-resident senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a thirty-four-year career veteran of the U.S. intelligence community, where he served in the Directorate of Operations as a division chief and chief of station, and for nearly a decade as the national intelligence manager for Iran in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). They discuss Trump’s effort to replicate his Venezuela playbook and the search for an Iranian Delcy Rodríguez, the intricacies of the Iranian succession, and the potential for the regular army (ARTESH) to step in and seize leadership of the country. The conversation also covers the IRGC’s hold on the system in Iran, the sources of Iran’s misreading of the regional situation and of Donald Trump, the failure of Iran’s alliances to come to the rescue, and the nature of Iran as an intelligence target.
Eliot’s Latest in The Atlantic (Gift Link)Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s latest ultimatum to Congress: pass the SAVE Act or he won’t sign any other legislation. They explain what the bill does, why Trump is suddenly pressuring Republicans to blow up the filibuster, and how MAGA activist Scott Pressler ended up shaping the president’s message after a Fox & Friends appearance.
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Tim Miller and JVL are going live to cover the massive increase in oil prices roiling markets right now.
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Tim Miller takes on the hypocrisy behind Washington’s deficit panic. After Elon Musk and Trump allies promised massive spending cuts and warned about “debt slavery,” federal spending kept climbing—and now the Iran war is burning through billions per day.
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Sarah and Bill talk about her new book and all the week’s news.
Pre-order Sarah’s new book How to Eat an Elephant—One Voter At a Time.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
John Avlon talks with Annabelle Gurwitch about surviving stage-4 lung cancer—and what her experience reveals about America’s broken health system. They discuss the rise of lung cancer among non-smokers, the role of pollution and climate policy, the spread of medical misinformation pushed by figures like RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz, and how insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers can trap patients in bureaucratic nightmares. Gurwitch also explains the targeted therapy that has kept her alive for five years and the class-action lawsuit she’s leading over an insurance practice she says is ripping off cancer patients.
Annabelle Gurwitch book: The End of My Life Is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker
Watch, listen and leave a comment. The How to Fix It with John Avlon podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add this podcast to your player of choice, here.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Lauren Egan is joined by Ryan Busse, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Montana’s 1st District, for his take on the stunning shakeup in Montana politics. Within days, Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he won’t seek reelection and Sen. Steve Daines revealed he’s retiring, throwing the state’s political landscape into turmoil. Busse talks about why he believes the race is now wide open and how Democrats can compete in a deeply red state. A former firearms industry executive who later broke with the industry, Busse also explains his unusual political journey and why he thinks economic issues will decide the next election.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Tim Miller takes on Trump’s latest Truth Social rant about Iran—where the president calls Iran the “loser of the Middle East,” talks about the country potentially “collapsing,” and signals the war could escalate even further. He also reacts to Tucker Carlson’s claim that Trump believes the war is polling at 90% support, and what that might mean for where this conflict is headed.
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Sarah Longwell talks with Just Security’s Tess Bridgeman about whether the Iran war is legal under the Constitution, the War Powers Resolution, and international law. They discuss how presidents have stretched their authority for decades, why Congress keeps failing to act, and what it means when one man can take the country to war on his own.
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Read more from Tess: https://www.justsecurity.org/author/bridgemantess/
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Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
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ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Texas at TheBulwark.com/Events
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
Access to this show’s community comments and ad-free editions are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Bulwark+ members can listen ad-free on your podcast player of choice—click SET UP here.
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell, formerly known as George Conway Explains It All (to Sarah Longwell), is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
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Rachel Janfaza sits in for Sarah on this week’s Focus Group to take a look at Gen Z’s personal finances, from their long-term outlooks to their day-to-day habits…especially their investments in crypto and how they’re engaging with sports betting and prediction markets. Ed Elson, co-host of Prof G Markets, joins Rachel.
Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!
Show notes:
Rachel in The Up and Up: How Gen Z spends, saves, and invests
Rachel in The Up and Up:The Kalshi election
Ed’s interview with Kalshi founder Tarek Mansour
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
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Will Sommer and Joe Perticone give their takes on Rep. Tony Gonzales’ sudden retirement after he admitted to an affair with a subordinate staffer. They also discuss the emerging Republican candidate to replace him, who's based his campaign on a hardline pro-gun rhetoric and previously touted ownership of Mein Kampf.
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Tim Miller talks with former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos about the rapidly escalating situation with Iran and the chaos surrounding the Trump administration’s strategy. Trump has floated the idea of choosing Iran’s next leader, while reports suggest the U.S. may be considering covert support for Kurdish groups that could amount to regime change. They also discuss the growing “brain drain” across national security agencies, including reports that FBI Director Kash Patel fired agents with Iran expertise just before the war with Iran.
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Republicans and the Supreme Court have put basically no guardrails on Trump, so he started a global war that is costing taxpayers $1 billion a day. He shrugs about soldiers dying, and he lies about the school full of children that Americans likely killed. And he's downright giddy that because he signed off on all the bombing of Iran, he may get to choose the country's new leader. At the same time, one of the few occasions when Republicans stood up to him resulted in the firing of his first Cabinet member, the scandalous Kristi Noem. Plus, new job loss numbers show how Trump continues to hurt the working class, fuel prices are rising, the administration is again helping Russia in its war on Ukraine, Rand Paul may have an issue with Noem's chosen successor, and have the Dems' chances of retaking the Senate improved?
Neera Tanden, with the Center for American Progress, joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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The Center for American Progress web site
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Catherine on Trump's warflation
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NPR on Neera's OMB nomination being pulled because of her tweets about GOP senators
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Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news coverage over the weekend
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL and Catherine Rampell are going live to discuss the disappointing new jobs report.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the chaotic firing of Kristi Noem after a disastrous hearing, the MAGA infighting that may have taken her down, and what it says about how Trump runs his administration. They also talk about the war with Iran—why the strategy looks confused, how Tehran may be playing the long game, and why the economic fallout is already hitting gas prices, supply chains, and the global economy.
Bulwark+ members also get to learn Sarah’s secret…
Sarah has written a book! Pre-order How to Eat An Elephant now at: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/
On this week’s episode, I’m very pleased to be rejoined by Rod Blackhurst (we had him on a couple of years back to discuss his indie crime drama Blood for Dust) and joined for the first time by Ethan Suplee, veteran character actor we all know and love from films like Mallrats, Remember the Titans,and The Wolf of Wall Street and TV shows like My Name Is Earl.
We’re discussing their new film, Dolly, a true indie endeavor made in the spirit of American classics like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Evil Dead or the New French Extremity’s High Tension. Rod and his partners raised some money, brought some folks to the woods of Tennessee, and put together something he hopes will be memorable for the audiences who see it. It’s hitting theaters this weekend, playing around 800 or so screens across the country, and if you’re a horror head—or just someone looking for something different—I hope you’ll check it out. (It is a horror movie, though, so I cannot provide any refunds if the onscreen terror sparks a walkout.)
As I said, getting Ethan on the show is a real treat because I’ve been a fan for years and it’s been interesting to watch him dip his toes into some darker waters in recent years in films like Dolly, Babylon, Blood for Dust, and God Is a Bullet. It was fun to pick his brain about consciously making that shift and why his film work often gives him a little more space to stretch than his TV work.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller and Will Sommer give their takes on why a stolen truck full of Tucker Carlson’s nicotine pouches has led to an escalating feud with Laura Loomer, another racist group chat scandal that has rocked young Republican and Candace Owens’ increasingly bizarre conspiracy series that now includes a theory involving youth travel basketball.
You MUST read Will's False Flag newsletters.
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Not only is Trump failing to provide any clarity on why the United States went to war against Iran, the administration is also sticking to its habit of declaring an emergency based on some arcane legal provision that supposedly gives the executive branch the power to do whatever it wants. It's almost as though the American legal system can justify authoritarianism if a lawyer can dig deep enough. And Anthropic is currently feeling the sting of this monarchical-style power grab. Meanwhile, the tech overlords wanted free rein on AI under Trump, but they got a Maoist approach instead. Plus, Mamdani's embrace of abundance, the movie industry's troubles, and how parents fall in love with their children.
Derek Thompson joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Derek's interview with Karim Sadjadpour on the "Plain English" pod
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Derek's Substack
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL, Tim Miller and Andrew Egger are going live to cover Trump firing Kristi Noem.
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NOTE: This episode was recorded on Monday, March 2, 2026.Eric and Eliot assess where the US and Israel stand in the current war with Iran and identify the downside risks while acknowledging the world is a better place with the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. They weigh the prospects for success against some of the darker possibilities, discuss the internal situation in Iran, and examine Israel’s role in the operation.
Eliot’s Latest in the Atlantic:America’s Invaluable Ally:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/03/americas-invaluable-ally/686205/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPo_i9WWeAapCb1_ocSZQ-ag&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Trump Rolls the Iron Dice:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/02/trump-rolls-iron-dice-iran/686199/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPiz9hFl3HmKfcY7OSD7I258&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareShield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller gives his take on The New York Times reporting that the Trump Justice Department’s failed to build a criminal case over President Biden's use of an “autopen." Biden and his aides are just the latest in a growing list of revenge investigations that have fizzled under Pam Bondi’s DOJ. From Biden to Obama to Mark Kelly and Jim Comey, the indictments never seem to materialize.
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Sam Stein, JVL, and Catherine Rampell give their takes on why HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is demanding “safety data” from Dunkin' over its sugar-loaded iced coffees and why that fight could hit differently in Massachusetts. From 115 grams of sugar to 48-ounce coffee buckets, the crew taste-tests a truly unholy Dunkin order and debates whether this is public health policy or just another front for the MAHA movement in the culture wars.
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The starting kit for a unified Democratic Party with the biggest, broadest tent should be calling out the billionaire class that is sabotaging our political system, our healthcare system, and driving up costs. Katz, the young media strategist who helped propel Mamdani to his historic win, says it's not enough for Dems to campaign on just hating Trump. Instead, they should take on Trump for breaking his promises about helping working people and being a peace president. Plus, Talarico's winning message in Texas, the risks of a horseshoe alliance between MAGA and the populist left, the algorithmic pipeline that feeds antisemitism, and Platner's appeal in Maine.
Morris Katz joins Tim Miller.
show notes
- Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.), Tom Nichols, and Ben Parker discuss the war with Iran—especially the bigger strategic question: what comes after the airstrikes. They react to Pete Hegseth’s press conference, and answer audience questions about escalation, the point of no return, and how the U.S. and Israel actually coordinate in wartime.
If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journalby Lt. Gen Mark Hertling (Ret.) is available for pre-order now on Amazon and Bookshop.
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL traveled to Minneapolis to see what’s happening outside the Whipple detention center, where local volunteers and protesters say ICE activity hasn’t slowed despite official claims.
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We have a special bonus episode this week: I’m joined by Óliver Laxe, the director of the Oscar-nominated Sirāt, to discuss his film about a rave at the end of the world and how we can find community in an age of dislocation and isolation. I wanted to get this out now because a.) the film is expanding this weekend, b.) Laxe himself will be in attendance at a handful of shows across the country over the next week or two here, and c.) it really is the sort of movie you need to see in a theater. For the sound system and the big picture, yes, but also the sense of community a packed theatrical showing can generate. You’ll want to experience it with other people, believe me.
Laxe will be appearing for Q&As in person through the 8th in DC, Boston, Chicago, Austin, and Nashville; you can see the dates on the flyer below. But if you don’t live near one of these shows, I hope you check out the movie in a theater near you. It’s a real trip.
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Tim Miller goes back into the lion’s den on Piers Morgan’s panel to debate Trump’s escalating war with Iran. Tim notes something surprising: even some of Trump’s biggest MAGA allies sound conflicted about the war. Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored: https://www.youtube.com/piersmorganuncensored
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Sam Stein talks with Senator Tim Kaine as he forces a Senate vote to block Trump from waging war with Iran without congressional approval. Kaine says lawmakers are ducking their constitutional duty and warns the administration’s rationale echoes the run-up to Iraq. If senators want this war, he argues, they should have the guts to put their names on it.
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Join Sarah Longwell, JVL, Tim Miller, Lauren Egan and more for Bulwark's LIVE coverage of the Texas primary elections. The biggest contest is the U.S. Senate primary, with Republicans John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, and Wesley Hunt, and Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico competing for their parties’ nominations.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein, JVL and Andrew Egger give their takes on the chaotic and dramatic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Republican senators sharply questioned Noem over her leadership at DHS, ICE's deadly actions in Minnesota, and her department’s $220 million ad campaign featuring Noem front and center. They also debate a bigger question: Is Noem being set up as the scapegoat? With DHS funding frozen and Republicans under pressure, are some in the GOP trying to sacrifice the secretary to avoid deeper reforms to ICE and immigration enforcement?
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The facts on the ground and the ludicrous statements speak for themselves: The administration inadequately planned for the execution of this war. That's likely why six service members were killed in an insufficiently protected facility. It's why our embassy in Riyadh and our consulate in Dubai were hit with drones. And the administration clearly does not have an exit plan. Venezuela had Trump thinking this could be a cakewalk, but in the Middle East, circumstances can change in a heartbeat. Plus, Israel's role in pushing for the military campaign, Marco's effort to pawn off responsibility for the war, and Gallego's endorsement of Graham Platner in the Maine Democratic Senate primary.
Sen. Ruben Gallego and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Order Hertling’s new book, If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal, or read an excerpt of it here.
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Watch The Bulwark’s LIVE coverage of the Texas Senate primary on Substack YouTube
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Carol Leonnig's reporting on the firing of FBI agents with Iran expertise
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Will Saletan revisits Tulsi Gabbard’s past warnings that Trump “lied” about ending wars—and compares them to her current role defending new bombings in Iran and moves in Venezuela.
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Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger are going live to discuss Israel and the war in Iran, Congressional war powers, the growing split between hawks and “America First” within MAGA, and the DoD/AI question.
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In this emergency episode of The Mona Charen Show, Tom Nichols lays out the tremendous risks Trump has taken with Iran war.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell take on the early polling after Trump’s strikes on Iran—and the warning signs for his coalition. Independents are overwhelmingly opposed, soft Trump voters are wavering, and the “America First” brand is colliding with a foreign war. Is this the start of a political fracture inside MAGA?
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Trump cannot enunciate a clear reason for why he's chosen to go to war against Iran, and the administration is not even bothering to coordinate a message that clarifies its objective. While the military campaign appears aimed at regime change, Hegseth denies it is. And instead of speaking directly to Americans, POTUS himself has taken on a Jekyll and Hyde approach to his rationales in a series of private interviews: he's waffled between "freedom," to installing a caretaker regime à la Venezuela, to maybe even revenge. In any event, the United States seems like it's being dog-walked by the Israelis and the Saudis, and the corrupt deals between the Trump family and Gulf Arab states may be a factor. Plus, anti-interventionist JD is in the cuck chair, and a preview of Tuesday's Senate primary in Texas.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim and Sarah on the administration's war messaging
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'Bulwark on Sunday' with Bill, Tim, and Mark Hertling
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer discuss MAGA’s growing anger over the war in Iran. Is this a temporary wobble, or the start of a deeper split between isolationists and hawks?
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NOTE: This episode was recorded before the US/Israel attack on Iran.Two professors describe the staggering corruption Trump is normalizing and how it is affecting foreign policy. Alexander Cooley and Daniel Nexon join The Mona Charen Show to discuss their Foreign Affairs piece “The Age of Kleptocracy.”
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell discuss the deafening silence from President Donald Trump and his administration after the U.S. strikes in Iran. As of Sunday evening, no one from the White House has laid out to the American public the case or any clear objectives for the major assault. Three U.S. service members have been killed with others severely wounded.
Note: Shortly after this taping, The New York Times published a report about a brief telephone interview the Times conducted with Trump Sunday in which he said the assault will go on for "four to five weeks" if needed and offered no clear vision for a transfer of power in Iran.
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NOTE: This episode was recorded before the attack on Iran.Eric and Eliot review the State of the Union and discuss Eliot’s Atlantic article on the degradation of American political rhetoric. They criticize the President’s failure to make a case for military action in Iran and discuss the potential for the operation to go sideways quickly. They also cover the outbreak of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the Pentagon’s declaration of war on Anthropic. They then turn to returning guest Seth Jones, President of the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and author of The American Edge: The Military Tech Nexus and the Sources of Great Power Dominance. They examine consolidation within the defense industrial base, the scale of Chinese military-industrial production, the convoluted U.S. procurement system, and lessons about munitions consumption from the war in Ukraine.The American Edge: The Military Tech Nexus and the Sources of Great Power DominanceEliot on the State of the UnionFrank Kendall on The Pentagon v AnthropicAnthropic StatementShield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan watched the the Sunday shows and give their takes on the spin after the U.S. strikes on Iran, zeroing in on the mixed messaging from Republican lawmakers defending the action. From Lindsey Graham insisting it’s “not our job” to shape Iran’s future, to Ted Cruz struggling to define an imminent threat, the hawkish case for war raises more questions than it answers. They unpack the interventionists’ victory inside Trump world, the rejection of “you break it, you own it,” and the vague comparisons to a so-called Venezuela model that doesn’t seem to apply.
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Tim Miller and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) join Bill Kristol to discuss the latest developments in Iran.
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Michigan sheriff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Swanson joins John Avlon to talk about why Democrats' numbers are stuck in the mid-20s, how the party lost working-class trust, and what it would take to win it back. Swanson makes a law-and-order case for Democrats—arguing you can have a “fist of iron and a hand of velvet”—and lays out his data-driven jail reform plan that he says cut violence 97% and reduced recidivism.
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Tim Miller takes on Trump’s Texas rally—from floating Ted Cruz for the Supreme Court to teasing a “third term” and congratulating a scandal-plagued congressman. Then he relishes a staggering Truth Social filing: $3.7 million in revenue, $712 million in losses.
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Hayden Field of The Verge joins Andrew Egger to discuss the Pentagon’s fight with Anthropic and what it means for the future of AI. After Anthropic drew red lines around autonomous weapons and domestic mass surveillance, the Department of Defense responded by labeling the company a “supply chain risk” -- a designation typically reserved for foreign adversaries.
Read more from Hayden Field in The Verge, "We don’t have to have unsupervised killer robots"Read more from Andrew Egger's Morning Shots, "AI Death Machines. No Human Oversight. What Could Go Wrong?"
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Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, JVL and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) go live to discuss Trump's attacks on Iran.
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The Texas Senate primary on March 3 between James Talarico and Rep. Jasmine Crockett is a toxic cesspool on Twitter. But Texas Democrats are practically giddy over how much they like both candidates. Atlantic staff writer Elaine Godfrey, who's profiled both candidates, joins the show to chat about the race and discuss why she was kicked out of a Jasmine Crockett campaign event.By Elaine Godfrey:Why I Got Thrown Out of a Jasmine Crockett RallyAudio of Elaine being kicked out: ‘Elaine From Atlantic … She Needs to Leave’Texas's PeteA Democrat for the Trump Era
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace to discuss a stunning new reality: Americans are leaving the country at record levels, the U.S. may be facing population decline, and Trump’s “golden age” looks more like national humiliation. From the Qatari jet embarrassment to foreign-backed media consolidation and escalating tensions with Iran, the conversation covers how corruption, chaos, and bad optics are colliding. Plus: brutal new polling that shows majorities questioning Trump’s honesty, competence, and abuse of power.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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The U.S. government is ordering employees out of Israel and Iraq, the latest signal that war with Iran is approaching. Larry and David Ellison just bought Warner-Discovery and CNN.
Sarah and JVL also talk about the new John Fetterman in Maine and the primary in Texas. As well as the Kansas law targeting trans people.
Finally, they go deep on DHS, depraved indifference, and accountability. (See the piece JVL talks about here.)
Bonus: Pinball discourse. Help decide JVL’s fate in the comments.
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Trump’s head is stuck in the 80s so he may not have noticed that cable is dying. All he can think about is getting his greedy little hands on CNN so he can make them say nice things about him. But independent outlets—like The Bulwark— are changing the media space and are beyond the reach of a corrupted FCC. Nevertheless, our screens are going to be filled with vast quantities of pro-MAGA propaganda. Meanwhile, Mamdani played to Trump’s 80s tabloid obsession to win a favor, which was good, but it was also something that would have the left howling in disgust if Hakeem had done it. Plus, Hegseth is bullying Anthropic because he wants to mass surveil Americans, how states can legally fight back against ICE and the administration’s election meddling, and the irony of cool, edgy, masculine men behaving like women with Mar-a-Lago face.
Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Tim and Andrew on Mamdani's latest White House visit
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Friday's "Morning Shots"
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The Focus Group Podcast on Apple and YouTube
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Protect Democracy's website
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Protect Democracy's lawsuit against ICE on behalf of Maine residents
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Protect Democracy on the Universal Constitutional Remedies Act
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Donald Trump isn’t just attacking voter ID opponents—he’s laying the groundwork to reject the midterms if Republicans lose.Will Saletan traces the throughline from 2020 to now: the claim that Democrats can only win by cheating, the endless escalation from voter ID to reopening old elections, and the growing chorus inside the GOP repeating the same message.
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Sam Stein, JVL, Catherine Rampell, and Sonny Bunch respond to Paramount taking over Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix walked away. The deal, still pending regulatory approvals, would put CNN, HBO, and CBS under one Trump-backed company.
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I’m joined by Paul Fischer on this week’s episode to discuss his new book, The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema. It’s a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in film history, when the breakdown of the studio system gave rise to the auteurist 1970s, the first half of which was dominated by Francis Ford Coppola, only to cede the landscape to the blockbuster entertainments that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg mastered in the back half of the decade and beyond.
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Tim Miller and Andrew Egger give their takes on the shocking and strangely stylish White House visit by Zohran Mamdani, who met with Trump to discuss housing plans. They break down Mamdani’s strategy of engaging Trump directly, the optics of the now-viral meeting photo, and whether Mamdani managed to “mog” the president or simply played to Trump’s ego. Is Mamdani’s approach political genius, dangerous flirtation with Trump’s brand, or just effective results-oriented dealmaking?
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Tim Miller, Will Sommer and Sam Stein give their takes on down two of the strangest—and most troubling developments in MAGA media right now. First: Nick Shirley promotes a gross "documentary" targeting Jewish people and why anti-Semitic tropes keep surfacing in so-called investigative content. Then the trio goes deep on the premiere of Candace Owens’s “Bride of Charlie” series about Erika Kirk. Owens attempts to build a murder conspiracy out of birth certificate discrepancies, Swedish Freemasons, Marine Corps symbolism, charter schools, bees, gambling great-grandmothers, and Jewish Studies departments. Does any of it amount to evidence? Or is this what happens when engagement becomes the only goal?
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No matter how often Trump tries to change the subject, he keeps getting caught in his own attempted diversions. He blames Somali immigrants for importing bribery, corruption, and lawlessness while he sits behind the resolute desk taking a million dollar bribe to b***h about a new bridge. Or he showcases the US men's hockey team while his lying FBI director gets caught red-handed pretending he just happened to be in Italy when the team was playing. And the more Trump tries to run away from the Epstein case, the more blatant the administration's cover-up becomes. Plus, distancing from the craziest parts of the DSA is part of the anti-authoritarian project, Mamdani and AOC have avoided some of their fan base's worst impulses, Newsom put his name on a number of policies that will dog his ambitions, and the Dems need to reclaim improving public schools as one of their key issues.
The Atlantic’s Jon Chait joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim's 'Bulwark Take' on the Epstein records connected to Trump
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Jon on the new Michigan-Canada bridge
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Jon on the 2028 problems for Gavin
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Jon on the corrupt circumstances around Bari at CBS
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Tim on David Frum's podcast
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Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
In a new edition of Command Post, Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling and Ben Parker give their takes on Trump’s military-heavy State of the Union address, including Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear program was “obliterated” even as he suggests military action. They break down how the speech leaned more on ceremony and applause lines than on strategy, vision, or a clear explanation of U.S. national security goals. Former General Hertling also explains why praising military service without explaining its purpose risks misunderstanding the meaning of sacrifice, and why the State of the Union is meant to be more than a performance, it’s supposed to inform Congress and the American people about the country’s direction.
Have a question that you'd like us to consider for a future episode of Command Post? Send an email to commandpost@thebulwark.com. Please include your name, how to say it and where you're located.
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Tim Miller is joined by reporter Roger Sollenberger to discuss Sollenberger’s reporting on Epstein-related records connected to Donald Trump. Roger breaks down the documents from a survivor who allegedly accused Trump of abuse as a minor, the interviews conducted by the FBI, and claims that portions of the investigative files were held by DOJ. They also examine document logs, slideshow materials listing prominent names associated with the Epstein investigation, and allegations that transparency obligations required by law related to the Epstein files were not met.
Roger Sollenberger Substack
DOJ Deleted Record Revealing That Maxwell Holds Potential Blackmail Over Trump
DOJ Removed Record of Multiple FBI Interviews with Underage Trump Accuser, Epstein Data Shows
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Sam Stein, Sonny Bunch, and Ben Parker give their takes on a Wall Street Journal story about a DC tax policy expert who made nearly $500,000 betting that Elon Musk wouldn’t actually cut federal spending, a wager that turned out to be almost free money. They break down how the bet worked, why it was such a lock, how political betting markets create openings for insider trading, and just how absurd some of these political wagers have become.
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For just under two hours, Trump in his State of the Union address lied about the state of the economy, the cost of living, his tariffs, and even his immigration policy—claiming that he favors legal immigration while his armed, masked goons grab and imprison people who followed the law. And if Americans didn’t hear Trump discuss any real policy proposals in speech, it might be because he’s a bit distracted with his quest to capture more media outlets, including his longtime nemesis, CNN. Trump’s attempt to silence dissent has become the signature of his presidency. Plus, the paradoxes and conflicting signals on Iran, the sellout of bipartisan support for Ukraine, Vance finally has a job as VP, and POTUS only allows robotically remixed, Fox fever-dream women in his Cabinet.
Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Susan's column on the SOTU
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Susan on Trump's attacks on free speech
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Josh Barro's new pod, "Central Air"
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. TheBulwark.com/Events.
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After the State of the Union, Tim Miller spoke with Pete Buttigieg for a rapid-fire breakdown of the speech. They took on affordability, immigration, corruption, AI, corporate capitulation to Trump, and what Democrats need to do differently.
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Sarah Longwell is joined by CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams to break down Trump’s latest legal battles—from the Supreme Court limiting his tariff plan to a judge holding ICE in contempt for ignoring court orders.They also discuss the FCC targeting late-night shows, questions about DOJ independence after Trump put his face on the building, and new reporting on the Epstein files.
show notes
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Sarah and Andrew Weissmann discuss SCOTUS’s tariff ruling, here.
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By Elliot: Five Bullets—The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York’s Explosive ‘80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation
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Join Sam Stein, Tim Miller, Andrew Egger Joe Perticone, and more for real-time reaction and analysis as President Trump delivers his State of the Union address. One more thing: special guest Pete Buttigieg joins the panel after the address.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene suddenly wants civility?Tim join "Katy Tur Reports" on MS NOW to take on MTG’s call to “get politics out of everything”—and why that argument misses the point entirely. Plus: does the GOP have a Nazi problem, why Trump won’t disown extremists, and what’s really driving voters away from him (hint: it’s not the tweets).Watch Katy Tur Reports on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL run through a packed episode: explosive new questions about the Epstein files and whether Trump’s DOJ is shielding him, the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling (and the three justices who would green-light almost anything), and what it means for the midterms. They also discuss Kristi Noem’s completely fabricated “cannibal” story, Laura Loomer pressuring Trump to go after Netflix, Make-a-Wish kid Kash Patel, and the messy Senate primary in Texas.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Apart from all the lies MAGA is forced to say in defense of Donald Trump, the movement is actually better at political organizing than Democrats. So while the Dems can pull off the massive No Kings rallies, the protests are just one day and the energy can fizzle away. But MAGA is really focused on turning out the vote so they can win. And they got the idea from the big tent campaign tactics that Obama deployed in 2008 and 2012. Plus, some advice on how Dem candidates can turn their communications into a superpower—like stop proposing solutions when voters are mad and just want to vent.
The New Yorker’s Charles Duhigg joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Charles's piece, "What MAGA Can Teach Democrats About Organizing—and Infighting"
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Charles's book, "Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection"
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Will Saletan gives his take on Donald Trump’s escalating war against anyone who refuses to show total loyalty, including his own appointees. After the Supreme Court ruled against Trump on tariffs, the president lashed out at the justices, even targeting justices he nominated. But it’s not just the Supreme Court, it’s also Jerome Powell, Republican senators, governors, and lawmakers who dared to exercise independent judgment. In Trump’s eyes, if you cross him, you’re a traitor.
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Andrew and Bill preview tonight’s State of the Union speech.
Read the latest Morning Shots newsletter:
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Candace Owens just dropped a trailer for her new “Bride of Charlie” series—and it is something else. Tim Miller and Will Sommer discuss the wild claims, the "handler" plotline, the Romania detour, and the right-wing civil war it’s fueling. Plus: Tucker Carlson’s latest White House visit, his clash with Mike Huckabee over Israel and Iran, and why parts of MAGA are threatening to revolt.
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Sam Stein is joined by Drew Harwell of The Washington Post to talk about his reporting on one of the most disturbing viral stories of the year. Ben Palmer, a Nashville comedian, set up a fake ICE deportation tip line and watched as Americans flooded it with calls. The callers weren’t trolls. They were neighbors, coworkers, even a kindergarten teacher, calmly trying to get families deported. What began as a prank by Palmer turned into a horrifying window into people's worst instincts.Read more from Drew's reporting: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/02/20/fake-ice-tip-line-viral/
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With a shooting at Mar-a-Lago and some real counterterrorism issues associated with Trump's threat of war on Iran, Kash Patel probably had more important matters to attend to than shotgunning beer with the U.S. hockey team. And the team itself might have remembered that Patel himself is standing in the way of investigating the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. But too many people at the top don't give a crap, and others are taking their cue. And that includes the larger media, which has moved on from Minnesota, even though women are having to resort to giving birth at home out of fear that federal agents will snatch family members in the labor & delivery ward. Meanwhile Trump is aggressively promoting regime change in Iran, and Sam Altman sounds like he thinks Neo was the bad guy in "The Matrix." Plus, does Netanyahu's role in helping get Trump back into power—and perhaps pushing him to war— open up a political opportunity for Dems to put pressure on Israel?
JVL joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim plays the guest on Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday"
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Sonny and Tim assess the aesthetics of Trump's performance at his press conference
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JVL's "Triad" about what he saw in Minnesota
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The Wright Thompson Bulwark pod interview that Tim referenced
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The Atlantic on the other aid programs being cut
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer go live to discuss the Kash Patel Olympics controversy—from the FBI jet questions to that now-viral hockey locker room moment. Plus: the blowback from Tucker Carlson’s sit-down with Mike Huckabee, and a James Fishback update after Byron Donalds labeled him a fake groyper.
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Doctor Atul Gawande joins Mona to take on the hardening myths about COVID, the collapse of USAID, and the dangerous assault on American science.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to …
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Eric and Eliot debate the merits and deficiencies of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s attempt to present “Trumpism with a human face” at the Munich Security Conference before turning to the dilemmas Trump faces in Iran. They discuss the administration’s uncertain strategic objective, the failure to consult Congress and the public, and the potential for a much longer military engagement than Trump is accustomed to. In the second half of the show, they welcome Hoover Institution Senior Fellow Frank Dikötter to discuss his newly published book, Red Dawn Over China: How Communism Conquered a Quarter of Humanity. They explore the weakness of the communist movement before World War II; the extensive role Soviet support played in sustaining it and in equipping and training what would become the People’s Liberation Army; the deep Stalinist ideological impact on the party; and the extraordinary violence and barbarity the CCP inflicted on the Chinese populace in the territories it occupied.
Red Dawn Over China: How Communism Conquered a Quarter of Humanity:
https://a.co/d/0d3ozDuB
Eliot on Marco Rubio’s Munich Speech (Gift Link):
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/02/marco-rubio-munich/686025/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPv8cuxRM97HlBS7AWRa8x2QShield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Bill Kristol and Tim Miller go live on Sunday—fresh off their Minneapolis trip.Read JVL's The Triad newsletter, "What I Saw at the Battle of Minneapolis"
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Rahm Emanuel joins John Avlon to argue that Washington needs a full reset—age limits across all three branches, bans on congressional stock trading, strict Supreme Court ethics rules, and an end to “investor days” in the Oval Office.
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Sam Stein is joined by Columbia Heights Superintendent Zena Stenvik for a sobering conversation about what happened when ICE began targeting families in her school district. After multiple students were detained, including five-year-old Liam Ramos, Stenvik describes how her community mobilized, how schools shifted to online learning out of fear, and why she says “we can never normalize this.” It’s a firsthand account of how Trump's national immigration policy collides with real kids, real classrooms, and real consequences.
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Catherine Rampell is joined by Obama’s former U.S. Trade Representative Mike Froman for his take on Friday’s landmark Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump's emergency tariffs. They explore the implications of the court’s decision on executive power, the future of U.S. trade policy under Trump, and what it means for American consumers.
Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
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The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s sweeping tariffs in a 6–3 decision—including votes from two of his own appointees. Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain why the Court said Congress, not the president, controls the power to tax, what the “major questions” fight was really about, and why Chief Justice Roberts appeared to take direct aim at Kavanaugh’s dissent.
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Sen. John Cornyn has been a consistent ally of President Trump. Even Trump likes him just fine...but that may not be enough to save him in Texas, because he may have just been too mild-mannered for too long. He's running against a scandal-plagued (but combative) Attorney General, and a less scandal-plagued (but also less known) newcomer. Texas Monthly writer Eric Benson joins Sarah to break down the Republican brawl in the Lone Star State.Show notes:Eric Benson's John Cornyn profile: The Last Ride of Big Bad John
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Tim Miller and Sonny Bunch give their takes on Trump’s bizarre temper tantrum after the Supreme Court ruled against his emergency tariffs. In weird mood lighting, Trump bashed the Supreme Court justices, announced new tariffs, and kept repeating stories about how much men want to kiss him.
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JVL, Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Sam Stein team up, live in Minneapolis, to dish on how Donald Trump kicked off his new Board of Peace by threatening to go to war with Iran and why other countries are holding people accountable in Epstein-related cases while elites in the United States have dealt with few consequences. Plus, Bill Kristol crashes the party to sling some takes about the potential field of Democratic presidential candidates in 2028.
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Of course, SCOTUS struck down Trump’s stupid tariffs. Nearly every legal expert in America said they were unconstitutional, but we have had to live with them for more than a year. Now, he’s threatening war on Iran apparently because it’s not fair that Obama got a Nobel and he didn’t. Meanwhile, as we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Putin still holds out hope he can seize all of the country. Plus, Marco is working on getting Cuba to be the next domino to fall, Trump’s Board of Peace is pushing a complete fantasy in Gaza, the battle against ICE in Minnesota is not over, and gold medal-winner Alysa Liu—a California lib, and a child of an immigrant—represents the shining city on a hill. She is America.
Michael Weiss joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Michael's Substack
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Alysa Liu's gold-winning performance
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The Gettysburg Address
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Shaun Walker on how most of Europe dismissed the intel on Putin's invasion plans
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Catherine Rampell and Andrew Egger take on the breaking news that the SCOTUS has blocked Trump's tariffs.
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This week Sarah and JVL did the show with a thousand of their best friends at the Pantages Theater in downtown Minneapolis.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll never be able to erase the mind picture of Kid Rock and RFK Jr. as Never Nudes. Come and relive the magic with us in the comments.
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This week, I’m joined by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman to discuss their Oscar-nominated documentary, The Alabama Solution. Currently streaming on HBO, their documentary combines interviews, investigative journalism, and footage from within the prisons themselves obtained via contraband cellphones to reveal the horrible and dangerous living conditions of those serving time in the Alabama correctional system. It’s a documentary primed to shock the conscience, and I hope everyone out there watches it—even, perhaps especially, if you do not consider yourself a prison reform advocate.
You can also go to the documentary’s website, TheAlabamaSolution.com, to learn more about the deaths inside Alabama’s prisons. And if you think this is an important film and an important issue, please share it with a friend.
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Sonny Bunch speaks with Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman to discuss their Oscar-nominated documentary, The Alabama Solution. Currently streaming on HBO, their documentary combines interviews, investigative journalism, and footage from within the prisons themselves obtained via contraband cellphones to reveal the horrible and dangerous living conditions of those serving time in the Alabama correctional system. It’s a documentary primed to shock the conscience, and I hope everyone out there watches it—even, perhaps especially, if you do not consider yourself a prison reform advocate.Go to https://TheAlabamaSolution.com to learn more about the deaths inside Alabama’s prisons.
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The junior senator from Minnesota joined Tim on Wednesday for the first show of a two-night Bulwark run at the historic Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis—the city that caught ICE off-guard with its "radical empathy" and kick-ass organizing skills. It was the "secret sauce" of Minnesotans that looks to have federal agents winding down their operation there. Plus, Democrats need to continue to hold the line on DHS funding, the incompetent clown atop the DoD and other loser Republicans, the Senate is fundamentally broken, and the beauty of retiring to make way for a new generation of leaders.
Sen. Tina Smith joinsTim Miller.
show notes
- Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.
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In this edition of Command Post, Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on the alarming report that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is blocking military promotions because one colonel worked for Gen. Mark Milley, a former Trump adviser turned foe. Plus, the team breaks down the “toxic leadership” behind Kristi Noem’s Coast Guard scandal and why the Trump administration’s approach to NATO at the Munich Security Conference missed the point. Europe isn’t a burden, it’s America’s secret weapon.Read more from retired Lt. Gen. Hertling:
America’s Generals Shouldn’t Face Political Loyalty Tests
Europe Is America’s Secret Weapon. And We’re Giving It Up.
Have a question that you’d like us to consider for a future episode of Command Post? Send an email to commandpost@thebulwark.com. Please include your name, how to pronounce it and where you're located.
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Andrew Egger and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on the stunning back-and-forth at the FDA over Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine, why the agency initially refused to even review the application, and what the sudden reversal says about political pressure inside the Trump administration’s health agencies.
Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
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Sam Stein, Will Sommer and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on RFK Jr.’s bizarre HHS video featuring Kid Rock, whole milk in a hot tub, push-ups in jeans, cold plunges, pickleball, and the increasingly strange aesthetics of the MAHA movement. Why is the Department of Health and Human Services posting this? And who exactly is this messaging for: MAHA moms, the manosphere, or the online right? But beyond the absurd video, the trio digs into the serious policy story underneath. While RFK Jr. leans into culture-war health branding, the Trump administration is making technical but meaningful changes to the Affordable Care Act, loosening coverage requirements, and cutting federal health spending, including major reductions to Medicaid.
Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
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Most Democratic politicians are scared to criticize each other. They also fear dinging former presidents, or the various groups that make up the party’s broad coalition. And too many Dem candidates are afraid to color outside the lines, even if voters want them to be less establishment and more like regular people. Can the party get it together before the midterms? Plus, Trump’s threat of war against Iran, and his reported intent to kill Netflix’s bid to takeover Warner Discovery—potentially giving him power over CBS, CNN, Fox, and TikTok.
The Atlantic’s Mark Leibovich joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Mark's Atlantic piece, "The Democrats Aren’t Built for This"
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Jonathan Alter on Trump's attempt to scuttle a Netflix-Warner deal
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for tonight's show in Minneapolis. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the latest lawsuit against Steve Bannon. The suit alleges investors behind a pro-Trump meme coin that Bannon promoted saw $2.7 million in transaction fees meant for charity go missing. They break down how the “FJB Coin,” launched to capitalize on the “Let’s Go Brandon” movement, promised that a portion of every transaction would go to conservative-friendly charities, but now investors claim the money can’t be accounted for. Plus, they explore Bannon’s ongoing ties to Jeffrey Epstein and what it all means for his standing in Trumpworld.Read more from Will’s reporting:
Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
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Andrew Weissmann explains to Sarah Longwell the new filing from officials in Georgia’s Fulton County election office attacking the FBI's search of the county's election records last month. They also discuss the latest around ICE cases in Minnesota and get to Sarah's rapid fire questions.
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Tim Miller and JVL give their takes on the escalating drama at CBS. The Colbert-Talarico interview controversy is less about FCC fears and more about high-stakes merger politics tied to CBS’ fight to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. They break down Bari Weiss’ role at CBS News, the internal fight over contributor Peter Attia following disgusting emails he sent to Jeffrey Epstein, and why Weiss drove Anderson Cooper to not renew his deal at 60 Minutes.
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From FCC Chair Brendan Carr—who keeps trying to silence the political opinions of late night TV comedians, to DHS pressuring social media companies to expose anti-ICE accounts, and to the willingness of serial killer RFK, Jr and his MAHA cohort to stack up dead children so they can keep their antivax con going—it’s clear the shamelessness of MAGA knows no bounds. But even if the coalition that delivered Trump’s victory in ‘24 has been shattered, the Dems have to skip the seven-point policy plans and focus on the economy and Trump’s corruption. And Dem candidates need to do their own tweeting. Plus, the potential legal peril for Kristi and Corey, Virginia went big and bold against Republicans on redistricting, and an homage to Jesse Jackson.
Rick Wilson joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Will Sommer on Bannon's legal trouble with his memecoin
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Jonathan on the FDA's anti-vaccine agenda
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Rick on how the pro-democracy coalition is winning
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Colbert's banned interview with James Talarico
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Abby Phillip's book on Jesse Jackson, "A Dream Deferred"
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer and Lauren Egan give their takes on the unlikely rise of Louise Lucas, the 82-year-old Virginia lawmaker whose unapologetic, meme-heavy social media presence has Democrats buzzing. As Virginia Democrats push an aggressive redistricting plan, Lucas has become a lightning rod for her online trolling of Republicans, including high-profile sparring with Ted Cruz. Meanwhile, figures like Gavin Newsom and Brian Schatz are experimenting with punchy online voices of their own. Is this the future of Democratic politics and does going viral translate into votes?Read more from Lauren’s reporting: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/how-82-year-great-grandmother-louise-lucas-became-masterclass-democratic-shitposterTickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
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Bill and Andrew talk about their latest edition of Morning Shots.
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Will Saletan takes on Marco Rubio’s warning to Europe about Chinese “extortion”—and the uncomfortable reality that Donald Trump is using America’s economic and military leverage the same way.
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George W. Bush publishes an essay praising George Washington—and the media falls all over themselves calling it a jab at Trump. JVL and Tim Miller aren’t quite buying it.
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The white Anglo-Saxon supremacy in Trumpland is so over the top that even child-of-Cuban-immigrants Marco Rubio claims America’s common cultural heritage is European. But then with a schizophrenic touch, our secretary of state went on to endorse the reelection of Viktor Orban, who has decidedly turned Hungary away from Western democratic values. In response, some high-profile Democrats weighed in, including AOC from Munich. Plus, we are constantly reminded to not trust anything DHS says, the Dems should not agree to give one more penny to ICE, and Marco: The music of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones would not have existed without African American culture.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for the holiday pod.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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ICE released 31-year-old Mariela Sobrero just hours after The Bulwark published a report on her detention. Sobrero, who may have breast cancer, had been held for over a month at the Dilley facility in Texas with her three children. Sam Stein and Adrian Carrasquillo discuss what happened, why media and congressional scrutiny appears to have forced action, and what this case reveals about families and children still inside ICE detention.
Read Adrian’s latest: The Kids Aren’t Alright in Dilley
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David French discusses culture wars morphing into hot wars, partisanship, and the idiocy of threatening Greenland.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Eric and Eliot begin with a buffet of administration jackassery before pivoting to a preview of the Munich Security Conference. They discuss Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Bridge Colby's remarks, as well as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's speech highlighting the importance of transatlantic ties. They also examine the New START treaty's recent lapse and the future of arms control, the prospect for additional U.S. strikes on Iran, and the apparent shutdown of Russian Starlink terminals. They conclude with a discussion of the ongoing international fallout from the Epstein affair and his many unexplained Russian connections.Eric and Frank Miller's Latest on New START:https://thedispatch.com/article/new-start-expiration-russia-united-states-nuclear-program/Eric and Frank Miller on NATO:https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/01/natos-not-dead/Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Sommer joins Bill Kristol to explain the ever-changing cast of characters that populate the MAGA movement.
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David Frum joins John Avlon to discuss the unprecedented scale of corruption in the Trump era—from petty self-dealing to billion-dollar enrichment—and what real accountability would look like. They talk about the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling, the risk of elections that are “free but not fair,” and whether the next administration should forgive, prosecute, or fundamentally reform the system.
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On Valentine’s Day, Sarah Longwell joins Rachel Janfaza and Sarah Matthews to talk about the political dating divide shaping Gen Z. Why are so many women refusing to date Trump supporters? Are conservative men facing a numbers problem? And how did the Dobbs decision, social media, and financial anxiety turn romance into a culture war?
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More and more Trump voters are souring on his administration. But why? Inflation, immigration, and Epstein are all in the mix, but there's a giant mosaic of disappointments. We needed a second qualitative researcher to make sense of it all. Democratic pollster Margie Omero joins the show to discuss what she's heard in her own focus groups, listen to Trump voters who are down on his job performance, and check in with the Democratic base.Margie's focus groups:Trump’s Problems With Latinos Go Deeper Than the Economy14 Wellness Voters Talk Parenting, MAHA and Social Media
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Tim, JVL, and Will Sommer discuss the drama inside Turning Point USA, the trad husband hypocrisy circus surrounding Elijah Schaffer, and the jaw-dropping Wall Street Journal exposé on Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski—luxury jets, fake badges, blankie tantrums and all.
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Sarah and JVL discuss the Wall Street Journal exposé on Kristi Noem, Corey Lewandowski, and the internal fight over whether ICE raids should be loud and viral or quiet and deniable. They talk about why humiliation has become the price of loyalty in Trump World, why Biden is suddenly polling better than Trump on the economy, and what the backlash in Minneapolis tells us about how this moment could turn.
Sam Harris podcast with Tim and Sarah
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In addition to protesting and voting, we have another option hiding in plain sight against this administration: our economic power. Scott says resistance should also include unsubscribing—from one or more streaming platforms, from LLMs, or from ride hailing platforms. Stick it to the CEOs who are enabling Trump and take a piece of hide out of Big Tech, especially Tim Cook’s Apple. There should be an economic downside to supporting ICE. After all, the day Alex Pretti was murdered, Cook was at the White House for a “Melania” screening. Plus, the weak job growth numbers under Trump, the shabby state of our healthcare system, the dangers v. the benefits of AI, the unregulated predictions markets are a breeding ground for bad actors, and young men need to get off their screens, and focus on being healthy, smart, and kind.Scott Galloway joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Scott's "Resist and Unsubscribe"
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"Notes on Being a Man," Scott's latest book
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The Prof G podcasts
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"Raging Moderates" pod with Scott and Jessica Tarlov
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"Pivot" podcast with Scott and Kara Swisher
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Remember that weird moment in the 2024 campaign cycle where Donald Trump started referring to how much he loved and identified with “the late, great Hannibal Lecter”? That was odd, right?
I discussed that and more with Brian Raftery, whose new book Hannibal Lecter: A Life is both the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the love consuming your heart and a fascinating portrait of a bizarre creation from a reclusive writer. Indeed, the most interesting part of the book is the early deep dive into the life and writing of Thomas Harris, who has given just a handful of interviews over his nearly 50-year career.
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Andrew Weissmann explains to Sarah Longwell why Pam Bondi’s bizarre hearing indicates deep problems at the Justice Department. From the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files to the FBI’s raid on Georgia’s Fulton County election office, they discuss what’s happening behind the scenes—and whether core legal standards are being ignored.
ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Minneapolis and Texas at TheBulwark.com/Events
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The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell, formerly known as George Conway Explains It All (to Sarah Longwell), is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
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ICE failed in its operation in Minnesota because the people would not bend to their terror campaign. Minneapolis residents also maintained incredible discipline in their resistance and totally let Trump down by keeping a check on any potential riotous behavior. Meanwhile, the El Paso airport closure shows the administration’s continuing communication problems, and Bondi’s performance before the House Oversight Committee was so over-the-top bad, it’s even getting panned on the right. Plus, Bongino is a con artist and a loser, the Dems have an increasing number of pickup opportunities in red states, Nick Fuentes of all people is providing a little clarity on the state of Republicans, and exactly how many pardoned J6 insurrectionists have gone on to commit child sex abuse? We’re losing count.
Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Country First's campaign to push back on politicization of the National Guard
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Kinzinger on his event with Democrats in Anderson, Indiana
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sen. Mark Kelly joins Sam Stein to explain just how close the country came to a constitutional crisis. He discusses the grand jury’s rejection, the chilling effect on retired service members, and why he believes this fight is far from over—including what Mike Johnson and Republican leaders are (and aren’t) doing about it.
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When the White House starts moving military lawyers into immigration courts, you want people who’ve actually been there to explain what that means. Ben Parker, Retired General Mark Hertling and former JAG officer, combat advisor, and federal prosecutor Margaret Donovan break down what happens when you pull legal advisers out of war rooms and drop them into political fights, and why that could have real consequences for military readiness and the rule of law.JAGs Shouldn’t Be Civilian Prosecutors
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Tim and JVL go through various moments from Pam Bondi's hearing in the Congressional Oversight Committee, in which she evades, lies, and covers for Donald Trump.
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The DOJ tried to criminally indict six lawmakers for reminding service members to obey the Constitution, and a grand jury refused to go along. But even after the charges failed, Speaker Mike Johnson suggested they “probably” should have been indicted. JVL and Andrew Egger discuss what the failed prosecution says about Trump’s Justice Department, the resilience of juries, and the growing willingness of Republican leadership to flirt with red lines that once seemed unthinkable.
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Trump may keep telling Ukrainians their country is about to collapse, and Putin may keep bombing their power plants—leaving them miserably cold during one of the harshest winters in years— but Ukrainians are not giving up, and they’re not backing down. On the streets of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa, Ben found defiance, the will to fight and survive, and a still lingering sentimental attachment to America. But during his recent visit, he also felt embarrassed to be American because of our own resident bully who constantly manufactures faux problems for us to fight about—like the 2020 Fulton County vote count, yet again. Plus, the disorganization and staff shortages in the US Attorneys offices and a tribute from a former Postie to the great news organization Jeff Bezos is vandalizing.
Ben Wittes joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Support Ben's Ukraine battery project on Venmo
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Ben's photo essay from Ukraine
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, a small number of seats are still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Donald Trump claims to be a champion of faith, but his own words tell a different story. Will Salatan puts Trump to the ultimate test: The Bible. From the 10 Commandments to the Sermon on the Mount, see how Trump’s recent speeches stack up against the actual moral instructions of the scripture.
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JVL, Catherine Rampell and Paul Krugman take on the January jobs report.
Follow Paul Krugman on Substack.
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JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller relish Trump’s losing streak—from +6 approval to –14—and why slipping GOP support could signal a Bush-style collapse. They also get into inflation backlash, the White House’s “Don’t Be a Panican” spin, and the early cracks forming inside MAGA. Is this the start of a 2006-level wave?
See the gang live in Minneapolis on February 18 or in Texas, March 18 & 19. For Bulwark Live show details and to get tickets go TheBulwark.com/Events.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.
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Not only did Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick go to the Epstein island, a sultan from the UAE, who sent a “torture video” to Epstein, also attended Trump’s first inaugural. That would be the same country where the royal family secretly bought half of the Trump family’s crypto venture—right before he was inaugurated a second time. For some reason, Sultan bin Sulayem was one of six powerful and wealthy men whose names were redacted in the Epstein files by the DOJ. Thank you, congressmen Khanna and Massie. Also, Lauren Boebert saw something in the unredacted files that led her to call for Ghislaine Maxwell to be moved back to a higher security prison. Plus, the administration wants to be feared but also loved, the benefits of being on Bluesky, and a eulogy for The Washington Post’s sports section.
Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jane's podcast, "What A Day"
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Barron's on how there's only one enforcement lawyer left in the Chicago CFTC
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Crooked Media on Substack
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, a small number of seats are still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer break down the bizarre, disturbing, and increasingly influential world of “looksmaxxing” and the internet personality at its center, Clavicular. The trio give their takes on how a 20-year-old influencer built a massive following by bone smashing his face, abusing steroids and meth, and livestreaming chaos all while becoming a minor celebrity in right-wing online culture. They explain the strange vocabulary (mogging, jestermaxxing, foids), the overlap with incel ideology, and why figures like Clavicular matter politically, even if you wish you’d never heard of them.Read more of Will's reporting on Clavicular, here.
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Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on why Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces zero consequences for lying about his contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files reveal family trips, business deals, and charitable donations between Lutnick and Epstein, contradicting his claims that he cut off contact with him in 2005. They break down how other governments, including the UK, Slovakia, and Norway have forced resignations or investigations over Epstein ties, and why the Trump administration is shrugging off any accountability for Lutnick's lies.
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JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Adrian Carrasquillo give their takes on the record-breaking Super Bowl halftime show by Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar delivered a joyful, confident, massively popular performance and MAGA promptly lost its mind. The trio break down why Bad Bunny’s show worked, why Kid Rock’s conservative counter-programming flopped, and what it all says about Trump losing his grip on American culture.
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Trump of course hated Bad Bunny's halftime performance, but even he wasn't running the Turning Point alternative at Mar-a-Lago. And a couple of Olympic skiers expressing disapproval of ICE or calling for love and respect for immigrants and their fellow Americans sent MAGA into hyperdrive—with calls for the athletes to be denaturalized and deported. Meanwhile, Kash Patel stopped an investigation into the killing of Renee Good because it could make Trump look bad, and this is the week for Dems to stay on offense over the DHS funding bill. Plus, Jon Ossoff hit the right notes in a key speech in Georgia, the National Review is reporting on Trump's corruption, Lutnick did George Costanza-grade lying over his business ties to Epstein, and no, Tim is not running for Senate.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Ron Brownstein
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Tim's 'Bulwark Take' on the National Review's reporting on Trump's corruption
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Tim and Andrew on how Dems may be winning the DHS funding fight
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, a small number of seats are still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18. TheBulwark.com/Events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Mona is joined by the Atlantic’s Peter Wehner to discuss the psychology of MAGA and why defeating them must be the precursor to depolarization.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eric and Eliot welcome back friend of the show Kori Schake, Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, to discuss her new book, The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States. They explore Kori’s critique of Samuel Huntington’s canonical study, The Soldier and the State, examine George Washington’s consequential resignation of his commission before the Continental Congress, and discuss the role of charismatic but unhinged military figures in American politics, as well as the relationship between civilians and military officers when executing orders. The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States: https://a.co/d/0biIePiPThe Soldier and the State: The Theory and Politics of Civil–Military Relations:https://a.co/d/0dsgKaLr
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Tim Miller takes on a stunning National Review series that details the scale of Trump’s crypto corruption—dwarfing anything ever alleged about Biden—and explains how Trump’s crypto business operated as a pay-to-play system for foreign money, why Republican oversight collapsed, and why it matters that conservatives are finally starting to say it out loud.
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Senior CNN political analyst Ron Brownstein joins Bill Kristol to discuss the Democrats chances of winning the Senate during the 2026 midterms.
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Last year, Principles First was hit with bomb threats serious enough to bring in law enforcement, simply for standing up on principle. It was a sign of how dangerous American politics has become when dissent is treated as a threat.John Avlon and Heath Mayo of Principles First examine the erosion of democratic norms on the right, from political intimidation and executive overreach to the collapse of congressional courage. They also focus on solutions: protecting elections and judges, restoring checks and balances, and rebuilding a politics rooted in constitutional limits, character, and courage.
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Tim Miller, Catherine Rampell, and Will Sommer give their takes on the rise of the infomercial wing of the GOP. From ShamWow and MyPillow to the ambassador selling blood-flow vitamins and miracle sleep aids, they unpack how selling stuff became a political credential and why Trump’s brand of politics made it inevitable.
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Why are Gen Z men drifting right while Gen Z women move left? And why do right-wing zoomers think the gender gap is so wide? Sarah Longwell talks with the newest Bulwark contributor Rachel Janfaza, founder of The Up and Up, to analyze new focus groups of Gen Z Trump voters. They also get into these voters' Trump fatigue on foreign policy, why a future JD Vance presidential run isn't appealing, and whether these voters could ever date someone across the political divide.Show notes:Rachel in Vox: The quiet reason why Trump is losing Gen ZNovember 2025: Rachel Janfaza on The Focus Group Podcast
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Andrew Egger and Joe Perticone give their takes on the growing wave of House Republicans announcing their exits as the midterms approach. They break down why Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei and others are heading for the door, how Trump’s iron grip over Congress has made life miserable even for Freedom Caucus hardliners, and why the prospect of being in the minority is driving GOP members to run for the hills.
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Tim Miller and Adrian Carrasquillo joined Nicolle Wallace to relish the moment JD Vance was loudly booed at the Winter Olympics. They also talked about MAGA’s meltdown over Bad Bunny to growing signs of global and cultural rejection, and how Trumpworld’s behavior is turning into a real political liability.Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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Donald Trump posts an overtly racist video, Republicans briefly squirm, and the usual defenses start to crack. JVL and Sarah Longwell explain why this moment exposed GOP cowardice, how Trump’s vanity and distractions are starting to cost him politically, and what billionaire media self-destruction says about power, accountability, and the institutions being hollowed out.
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Trump casually posted a racist video and the White House essentially told Americans to calm down. Convicted felons are being treated better than rounded-up immigrants in detention centers. And the evangelicals' favorite president doesn't seem to understand the meaning of the word, prayer. Still, Republicans on The Hill are seeing the broad unpopularity of ICE's behavior in Minnesota and may be starting to distance themselves from the policies they funded. Plus, a simple measure beyond masks that could really rein in ICE, the extensive structural damage at the DOJ, trads keep rationalizing cruelty, and why is SCOTUS taking so long on the tariffs case? Also, Tim puts David in the squirm chair with a Kid Rock v. Bad Bunny lyrics quiz.David French joins Tim Miller for the Super Bowl weekend pod.
show notes
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David on ending immunity for federal agents
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Chris Geidner on government lawyer Julie Le
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David's tweet about "tradlife"
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Tim, Sam, and Will Sommer on Elijah Schaefer
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JVL on the Beatitudes in "The Triad"
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David's recent piece on liberalism
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The NYT on Katie Britt
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Tim's playlist
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Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, a small number of seats are still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18. TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Andrew Egger react to Trump's racist video last night depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. As the White House defends the post, Republicans like Sen. Tim Scott are "praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House" and calling for it be removed.
I’m very pleased to be joined this week by Matthew Robinson, who is the screenwriter of the new film, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. It is the rarest of things: a mid-budget, high-concept, sci-fi action-comedy. Starring Sam Rockwell as a time-traveler from a ruined future (or possibly just a bum with a fake bomb strapped to his chest), Robinson and director Gore Verbinski (The Ring, Pirates of the Caribbean) have crafted a piercingly satirical take on our obsession with screens, our inability to deal with the tragedy of modern living, and the creeping fire that all-powerful AI will wind up killing half of us and enslaving the rest.
It’s opening wide on February 13, and I really hope you check it out. I may write a hair more about it in my newsletter though I probably won’t review it properly as I try not to review movies made by people I’ve interviewed so as to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. (Ethics, baby!) That said, I strongly recommend going to see it in a movie theater if for no other reason then to demonstrate that there is an audience for original films with a clear point of view and something to say about our world and our moment.
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Sarah Longwell and CNN legal analyst Elliott Williams walk through a stunning week of norm-breaking: the arrest of journalists after a Minnesota protest, Trump hovering over federal law enforcement, an FBI raid on a Georgia election office, and open talk of "nationalizing" U.S. elections. They also discuss Trump’s jaw-dropping $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and his move to take over—and potentially shut down—the Kennedy Center.
show notes:Read the Don Lemon indictmentRead Trump's $10 billion lawsuitON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Minneapolis and Texas at TheBulwark.com/Events
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Tim Miller and Catherine Rampell give their takes on the crypto crash, why Bitcoin and meme coins are plunging, and what the sell-off says about speculation, interest rates, and the broader economy. They break down why crypto hasn’t held up as an inflation hedge, how rising rates are squeezing risky assets, and why Trump-world’s deep exposure to crypto and speculative stocks suddenly looks a lot more precarious.
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on the chaotic scandal surrounding far-right influencer Elijah Schaefer. After disappearing from his online show, Schaefer reemerged with a black eye, paranoid Rumble rants, and a series of increasingly bizarre videos, including wandering through a flooded hotel. The fallout has pulled in secret audio recordings, trad Catholic influencer drama, Milo Yiannopoulos, online feuds, and renewed scrutiny of Schaefer’s self-styled role as a “family values” enforcer on the right as he faces a sex scandal.Read more from Will's reporting
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The massive layoffs at Jeff Bezos's Washington Post involve more than just the financial situation at the paper. The Amazon founder's real priority is keeping Donald Trump happy so the money keeps flowing from his lucrative government contracts. And the man worth $260 billion will do what it takes, even if that means hollowing out a great news organization and potentially turning it into a MAGA-friendly outlet. Maybe having the economy so dependent on government contracts—with an erratic, megalomaniac at the top of the food chain—is not such a good idea. The former executive editor at The Post says Bezos should turn the paper into a nonprofit. Plus, the origin story of "Democracy Dies in Darkness," and the profiteering and corruption in the administration is not getting the press attention it deserves.
Marty Baron joins Tim Miller.show notes
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Marty's book, "Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and The Washington Post"
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Tickets on sale Friday for our LIVE shows in Dallas and Austin in March, and our second Minnesota show is selling out. Go to: TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Tim Miller joins Katy Tur on MS NOW with his take on what the newly released Epstein documents reveal about Jeffrey Epstein, but about how few powerful adults were willing to say no, draw a line, or walk away when it mattered. Tim also responds to Steve Bannon’s threats for ICE to surround the polls ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and what Stephen Miller’s continued influence inside Trump’s orbit says about the current state of Republican politics.Watch Katy Tur Reports on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger react to Trump's latest craziness at the National Prayer Breakfast and his interview with NBC's Tom Llamas.
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In this edition of Command Post, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) joins Ben Parker to break down the surprising clash between the Department of Defense and Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts). Secretary Hegseth is threatening to cut support for Scouting America over DEI policies and integrated troops, but is this really what the Pentagon should be focusing on? Hertling explains why the Scouts’ values like honor, service, and leadership align with military priorities, and why Hegseth’s fight seems out of touch.We also also viewer questions questions about Iranian drone threats to U.S. carriers, Canadian-American military cooperation & NORAD, and maintaining global alliances despite political turbulence.Have a question that you'd like us to consider for a future episode of Command Post? Send an email to commandpost@thebulwark.com. Please include your name, how to say it and where you're located.
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Tim Miller and Andrew Egger give their takes on why Democrats may actually be winning the fight over DHS and ICE funding, even as critics on both the left and right accuse Democratic leadership of weakness. With a partial government shutdown looming, Democrats managed to fund the rest of the government while isolating DHS, forcing Republicans to defend some of ICE’s most unpopular and constitutionally questionable practices.
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Donald Trump is going to do everything he can to hold onto his near monopoly on power after the midterms. Beyond his scheme to invoke the Insurrection Act through a riot he’s trying to will into being in Minneapolis, he could also declare foreign election interference—or claim there was skullduggery afoot in Los Angeles or Georgia precincts. Anything to stall or stop the new Congress from being seated. Who’s going to stop him? Meanwhile, America will get the short end of the stick under his stupid new National Security Strategy. Plus, Dem elites since 2016 have failed to appreciate the economic despair among so many Americans, and some spiritual guidance for getting back to the moral and political pillars of the Declaration of Independence.
Marianne Williamson and Bob Kagan join Tim Miller.show notes
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Bob's recent piece in The Atlantic
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Marianne's Substack
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Due to popular demand, we've added a second show in Minneapolis on Wednesday, February 18. Tickets are now on sale at TheBulwark.com/Events.
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Sam Stein, JVL, and Semafor’s Max Tani react to the Washington Post laying off roughly one-third of its newsroom staff, cutting entire desks, and shutting down major areas of coverage—including foreign bureaus during an active war. They break down what happened, who made the decisions, and why this collapse didn’t have to happen.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein give their takes on Donald Trump’s explosive White House press conference, where he lashed out at CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, dismissed questions about the Epstein files, and once again showed how comfortable he is attacking female reporters. They explain why Trump’s treatment of Collins was especially revealing, how it fits his long-standing pattern of defending powerful men accused of abuse, and why the press corps’ failure to step in matters more than people realize.They also break down Speaker Mike Johnson openly casting doubt on the legitimacy of U.S. elections while admitting he has no evidence of fraud. Tim and Sam explain why Johnson’s comments are not a slip or rhetorical excess, but a deliberate signal and why the real threat may come on the back end of the election, through stalling, lawsuits, and refusal to seat members.
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Sam Stein gives his take on the good news out of Congress. After years of inexplicable delays, political dysfunction, and gut-wrenching defeats, the Give Kids a Chance Act has finally passed and is set to become law. The bipartisan bill will expand pediatric cancer research by allowing the FDA to study combination drug therapies, opening new funding streams, and cutting bureaucratic red tape that has long slowed progress for kids with cancer. Sam walks through how this widely supported legislation was repeatedly sidelined, including Elon Musk’s intervention, Senate procedural roadblocks, and last-minute objections that left families and advocates devastated.
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JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller talk about the new Epstein file releases and what they reveal about elite weakness, Peter Attia’s emails, the effort to rehabilitate Epstein after prison, and why this isn’t “cancel culture.” They also discuss what the FBI's raid of an election center in Georgia and Donald Trump's talk about nationalizing elections means for the midterms and beyond.
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From dads standing guard at school doors, to Costco moms delivering food to people afraid to leave home, and to the ICE spotters patrolling the streets— everyday Minnesotans have been standing up to the Trump administration’s terror campaign with a vibrant sense of community that Stephen Miller apparently did not even consider a possibility. And while most of the rank-and-file activists are not particularly ideological, leftwing protestors are now creating tensions as they try to play a more visible role with dumpster fires and barricades. Plus, Tim makes an urgent plea to the Democratic candidates in the Texas Senate race to skip the racial politics and focus instead on what voters care about.
Minneapolis activist and social media firebrand Will Stancil joins Tim Miller.show notes
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Due to popular demand, we're adding a second show in Minneapolis on Wednesday, February 18. Tickets go on sale Feb 4. Check TheBulwark.com/Events.
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The Atlantic on the neo-Nazi cartoon where Will is the main character
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on the latest wave of Trumpworld absurdity, as the 2020 election conspiracy crowd suddenly snaps back into focus after an FBI raid in Fulton County, Georgia. They unpack Trump promoting a conspiracy about Italian satellites, the apparent sidelining of Ed Martin, the expose on Rep. Nancy Mace that includes late-night tequila runs and Reddit vanity projects, and Florida long-shot gubernatorial candidate James Fishback deciding to join Tinder to meet “young female voters.”
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Tim Miller join Nicolle Wallace to talk about the shifting politics of immigration, Trump’s comments about “taking over” voting in “at least 15 places,” and special-election results in Texas.Watch Deadline: White House on MSNOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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JVL and Sonny Bunch give their takes on Trump’s sudden decision to shut down the Kennedy Center for two years after politicizing it, slapping his name on it, and driving ticket sales to historic lows. They break down how an iconic, nonpartisan arts institution ended up with pandemic-level attendance, why artists and audiences fled, and how a pathetic vanity project backfired spectacularly.
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Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on the alarming return of measles in the United States. The disease is spreading again, with major outbreaks in South Carolina and hundreds of cases appearing nationwide. They break down why falling vaccination rates are driving this preventable crisis, how government leaders are downplaying the threat, and why vaccine skepticism has become a badge of honor on the right, from RFK Jr.’s influence at HHS to Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s push to end vaccine mandates altogether.
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JD originally made a name for himself as an economic populist but now spends all his time lying and ignoring the woes of the white working class. Stephen Miller is far more interested in authoritarianism than the American worker. And the biggest MAGA warrior of all, Steve Bannon, was downright smitten with Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is busy trying to hide the identities of other co-conspirators in the Epstein documents. Plus, the CBP has no business being deployed on the streets of American cities, Tulsi wants foreign election interference, the good news in a Texas special election result, Trump is flailing at another business—the Kennedy Center—and Bad Bunny previews his message for the Super Bowl halftime show.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Bannon's "interview" with Epstein
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Protect Democracy founder Ian Bassin talks about victories and setbacks in the effort to thwart authoritarianism America-style, and what each person can do to preserve free and fair elections going forward.
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Power the Polls– Sign up to work as a paid poll worker and help ensure free and fair elections.
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Protect Democracy: How to Re-Engage – A practical checklist of ways individuals can get involved locally and defend democratic norms.
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For Individuals
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For Introverts (really!)
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Eric and Eliot discuss Trump’s latest reversals on Greenland before pivoting to the recently released National Defense Strategy. They dissect the many flaws of the NDS, including North Korean–style adoration for the President, a lack of explanation for how its stated goals would be achieved, and the total omission of Taiwan. The two also speculate about how Xi Jinping’s recent purge of General Zhang Youxia could impact the Indo-Pacific in the near future, before closing with an assessment of whether Trump is on the cusp of military action against Iran.
Eric on the National Defense Strategy:
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-national-defense-strategy-europe-china-homeland/
Eliot on the National Defense Strategy:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/unserious-national-defense-strategy/685784/
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Will Saletan takes on Todd Blanche’s Sunday show appearances, where Trump’s former lawyer—now running the Justice Department—defends mass deportations, self-issued warrants, foreign money flowing to Trump, and openly political prosecutions, despite promising the Senate none of this would happen.
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Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell discuss Epstein releases and other news.
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John Avlon talks with Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center about the fallout from ICE violence in Minnesota, the administration smearing a victim as a “domestic terrorist,” and why legal accountability may still be possible. They discuss how defamation, civil suits, and court challenges could constrain federal officials acting above the law. They also address Trump’s threats around the Insurrection Act, DOJ pressure on Minnesota for voter data, and a broader pattern of corruption and abuse of power — along with concrete ideas for how institutions, courts, and citizens can still push back.
Nine Solutions for Political Corruption | Brennan Center for JusticeThe Damage to America Is Permanent (w/ Michael Luttig & Jeh Johnson) | How to Fix It
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Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell react to the “Greater Than” ad campaign, a polished rebrand of the push to roll back gay marriage. They watch the ads, break down the claims about children and families, and explain why the argument doesn’t hold up—factually, morally, or politically.
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Sonny Bunch saw "Melania" so you don’t have to and it’s no surprise that it’s not good. Sonny is joined by JVL to give their takes on why the movie makes no sense as a business proposition, Donald Trump’s central role in shaping its purpose, and the decision to put the project in the hands of Brett Ratner, a director exiled from Hollywood after multiple sexual misconduct allegations, as part of his attempted comeback.
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We saw an ICE officer kill an American citizen for the second time in less than three weeks. This time, it was harder for some of the voters we talked to to make an excuse for it. Bulwark immigration correspondent Adrian Carrasquillo returns to the show to discuss his reporting and listen to voters' raw reactions to what they're seeing in the news.
Show notes:The abhorrent power of the photograph of a 5-year-old held by ICE
By Adrian Carrasquillo:Why a Scared 5-Year-Old Boy Shook Our National ConsciencePortraits of the Minneapolis Resistance
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The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Click to find the show or add this podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein give their takes on the explosive revelations from the recently released Epstein files. They delve into the disturbing connections of high-profile figures, including Howard Lutnick and Elon Musk, Bondi's lack of involvement in today's presser, and what the latest docs dump says about Trump’s relationship with Epstein.
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Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller listen to a rare focus group of 14 law enforcement officers, Trump-voting and Harris-voting, to get honest reactions to ICE’s actions in Minneapolis. Hear more on "The Focus Group" on Saturday morning.
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JVL and Sarah came in hottt today, angry about . . . all of it? Journalists are now being arrested. Masked DHS agents are still terrorizing Minneapolis. The worst “free speech” people you know are building a state media ecosystem. And the Melania movie is here.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or list…
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In the wake of the massive winter storm, the power is still out in some places, trees are down, and the death toll continues to rise. And where is FEMA? Don’t pester Trump about it because he is very busy going after political opponents like Don Lemon, relitigating once again his 2020 loss in Georgia, and keeping up his terror campaign in Minnesota in hopes of invoking the Insurrection Act. Plus, he’s got a side hustle orchestrating the payment of $10 billion in taxpayer money to him and his family. Meanwhile, there’s a pretty stinky smell of corruption around the new Fed chair pick, Lindsey Graham wants in on the grift, and where are all the bros who just had to vote for Trump because of Biden’s supposed reign of cancel culture?
Micheal Steele joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Michael's show, "The Weeknight"
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Tim and Andrew on the FBI raid at the Georgia elections office
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Follow "Bulwark Takes" for our weekend coverage
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Tickets for our Bulwark LIVE show in Minneapolis
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Tim's playlist
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein is joined by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) for his take on the rapidly unfolding government shutdown fight and why Democrats are willing to shut down the Department of Homeland Security unless Congress passes real, binding limits on ICE and CBP. Coons explains why Democrats agreed to a short-term DHS extension, what specific statutory reforms they’re demanding, and how Trump’s governing chaos is reverberating beyond U.S. borders.
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Sam Stein, Sarah Longwell and Catherine Rampell are LIVE discussing Don Lemon's arrest related to a Minneapolis church protest and Trump tapping Kevin Warsh as the new Fed chair.
On this week’s episode, I’m very pleased to be joined by Ric Roman Waugh, the director of the new film Shelter, starring Jason Statham. We talked a lot about making that movie and how he best utilized Statham’s skills as opposed to Dwayne Johnson’s in the movie Snitch or Gerard Butler’s in the Greenland films, Kandahar, and Angel Has Fallen. Shelter, which is in theaters now, is a little more meditative than some of Statham’s recent work, though no less effective for it.
Then we discussed making the transition from stuntman to director: Waugh worked with Tony Scott on a number of pictures, and had some interesting insights into the methods of the great action director. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have to practically restrain myself from just doing 30 minutes on Waugh’s Shot Caller, a gritty prison drama
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Dave Wasserman discusses what’s changed and what hasn’t since 2018, including electoral map, redistricting, public discontent, and likely turnout.
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Sarah Longwell joins Nicolle Wallace on Deadline: White House, explaining why the Minneapolis shootings—and the Alex Pretti video in particular—have shifted public opinion.Watch Deadline: White House on MSNOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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JVL is joined by journalist and civil liberties expert Radley Balko for his take on the why the federal response in Minneapolis fundamentally different and far more dangerous than a typical police shooting. Balko explains why this isn’t just a case of bad officers or poor judgment, but a breakdown at the institutional level, where DHS and ICE no longer even pretend to care about legitimacy and may be beyond reform.
Read more from Radley Balko.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein give their takes on Trump’s latest Cabinet meeting where he dodged questions, ignored controversial Cabinet members, and declared that housing prices should go up as he tried to tout affordability.Save the date for our 2026 live tour which we will kick off on February 19 to be with our friends in the Twin Cities. Sarah, JVL, Tim, and Sam will be there and then we will head to the Lone Star State for a one-night show in Dallas on March 18 and one in Austin on March 19. Minnesota tickets will go on sale this Friday and both Texas shows will go on sale next week.Watch your inbox and https://TheBulwark.com/events for more.
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Trump has decidedly built a white supremacist army within the government. And this was always the risk when the Department of Homeland Security was created after 9-11. Influential people warned at the time that our norms would not protect us against someone who was determined to violate them using DHS. At the same time, white people are putting themselves on the line in a way that is reminiscent of the abolitionists. Plus, some often overlooked elements of the Civil Rights Movement, Jared Kushner’s offensive and absurd vision for a “New Gaza,” and the destruction of a jewel of journalism that was CBS.Ta-Nehisi Coats joins Tim Miller.show notes
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Ta-Nehisi's most recent piece in Vanity Fair
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The CBS interview with Ta-Nehisi referenced in the show
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Tickets for the live show in Minnesota go on sale Friday
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller and Andrew Egger give their takes on the FBI’s raid of a Georgia elections office on Wednesday as Donald Trump revives “Stop the Steal” six years after losing the 2020 election.Tim and Andrew break down how it escalates Trump’s long-running election conspiracy into federal law enforcement action, why it looks like a dry run ahead of the midterms, and why Tulsi Gabbard was at the raid.Save the date for our 2026 live tour which we will kick off on February 19 to be with our friends in the Twin Cities. Sarah, JVL, and Tim will be there and then we will head to the Lone Star State for a one-night show in Dallas on March 18 and one in Austin on March 19. Minnesota tickets will go on sale this Friday and both Texas shows will go on sale next week.Watch your inbox and https://TheBulwark.com/events for more.
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JVL and Catherine Rampell give their takes on the reality of the Trump economy and it kinda sucks. Despite Trump’s claims that everything is “hot” and inflation is “solved,” consumer confidence has fallen to a 14-year low, the mounting layoffs across the job market, and the growing “sell America” trade among allies.
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In this edition of Command Post, Bill Kristol and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on the federal agents in Minneapolis following the killing of Alex Pretti, explain the dangers of militarizing U.S. cities, and what NATO allies are doing in the Arctic.Have a question that you'd like us to consider for a future episode of Command Post? Send an email to commandpost@thebulwark.com. Please include your name, how to pronounce it and where you're located.
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Tim Miller joined Piers Morgan to give his take on Alex Pretti's murder by federal officers in Minneapolis and called out panelists defending state violence, while breaking down what real courage and real masculinity looks like.Watch the full video on Piers Morgan’s channel.
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Andrew Egger and Will Saletan give their takes on the attack at an Ilhan Omar town hall in Minnesota, where a man rushed the podium and sprayed her with an unknown substance before being arrested. Donald Trump’s response was to dismiss the attack and blame Omar. Andrew and Will break down the Republican reactions to the attack, including Rep. Randy Fine’s attempt to condemn the violence while justifying it, and what it says about the state of American politics.
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The mass deportation operation was supposed to be about the manly men pulling out all the stops in defense of Western civilization, which they claim is being brought down by brown and black immigrants. But it is the multi-racial, multi-faith people of Minneapolis who are fighting—at the risk of their own lives—for the cause of community, neighborhoodism, and social cohesion. And that is not the same social cohesion of JD Vance, who thinks white people need to live next door to other white people. Meanwhile, MAGA’s dreams that Trump had flipped Hispanic voters sure doesn’t seem to be the case in the Rio Grande Valley, where people are feeling disrespected by ICE and not free to be themselves. Plus, the current state of Second Amendment politics, and some much-needed ridicule of Stephen Miller.The Atlantic's Adam Serwer and Texas-15 congressional candidate Bobby Pulido join Tim Miller.show notes
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Adam's piece in The Atlantic
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Adam’s book, “The Cruelty Is the Point”
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Bobby's campaign web site
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TheBulwark.com/events
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Sarah Longwell is joined by former ICE attorney and CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams to discuss the growing clash between ICE, the Justice Department, and the courts. Williams explains why a federal judge in Minnesota is threatening contempt after ICE ignored a court order, and why DOJ’s response—appealing denied arrest warrants tied to a church protest—stunned the court. They talk about a secret DHS memo claiming ICE can enter private homes without judicial warrants, what that means for the Fourth Amendment, and why these tactics are triggering growing legal and public backlash.Letters from Judge Schiltz calling out DOJ's abuse of the court system:https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669.00805439055.0.pdf
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669.00805439054.0.pdfSecret DHS memo on warrantless entry by ICE: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26499371-dhs-ice-memo-1-21-26/
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The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell, formerly known as George Conway Explains It All (to Sarah Longwell), is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the right wing media fallout from the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis after the White House quietly tried to distance themselves from Greg Bovino. Megyn Kelly was grossly indifferent and didn't "feel sorry" about Pretti's death while Tim Pool remains unapologetic and is pushing for the crackdowns to continue.
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For part two of the January 27 edition of The Bulwark Podcast, The New Yorker’s Jason Zengerle joins Tim to discuss Tucker Carlson’s transformation from a media figure into a political player with a frightening vision for America. Was it the neocons or the white nationalists that most shaped Tucker’s views? And how much does JD owe his career to Tucker? They also talk about Stephen Miller’s role in the administration, the backlash to ICE and CBP, and what all of this says about where the right is headed next.
Watch part one with Gov. Tim Walz here.
show notes
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Jason’s new book, “Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind”
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Tim’s ‘Take’ with reporter Ben Terris about Trump’s health claims
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The deployment of dangerous, untrained, and violent federal agents on the streets of Minneapolis met its match in a massive, organized, nonviolent resistance that truly showed what democracy looks like. And though the ostensible immigration enforcement operation is not over, the administration thought the tough guys would easily prevail. But Gov. Walz says the real strength was with the ordinary and decent Minnesotans who stood their ground to continue protesting and documenting the agents’ behavior.Gov. Tim Walz joins Tim for part one of “The Assault on Minnesota.”
Watch part two of the January 27 edition, here:
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Adrian Carrasquillo spent several days on the ground in Minneapolis as immigration operations intensified across the city. Drawing on firsthand reporting and eyewitness testimony, the conversation documents how immigration enforcement tactics have reshaped daily life for residents, workers, and small business owners.Segundo Balboa, co-owner of Galapagos Bar & Grill: A small-business describes ICE arriving in December, families becoming afraid to leave their homes, and neighborhood commerce collapsing as fear spread. He explains the impossible choice between staying safe and continuing to work to pay bills.Carolina Ortiz, associate executive director of Communities Organizing Latine Power and Action (COPAL): A community organizer and on-the-ground responder, who provides detailed eyewitness accounts of ICE tactics across Minneapolis—agents positioned on nearly every block, unmarked vehicles, covered faces, and arrests carried out through intimidation.Daniel Hernandez, owner of Colonial Market & Restaurant: He explains sales dropping by nearly 90 percent, the loss of the holiday season, and his efforts to support families through food delivery, recovery of impounded vehicles, and coordination with city officials to keep aid inside the community.These interviews show how immigration policy is playing out in real time: fear as a tool, force as a default, and an entire community caught in the middle.Read more about Adrian's experience in Minneapolis:
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Portraits of the Minneapolis Resistance
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24 Hours Alongside an ICE Protester in Minneapolis
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The Trump White House says Americans can eat healthy meals for about $3 a serving. To test that claim, Jared Poland tried living on the administration’s guidance for three days. He also speaks with Colleen Heflin, a professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University who studies food and nutrition policy and social welfare policy.
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Tim Miller takes on the Trump administration’s effort to defuse outrage over Minneapolis with PR tweaks and cosmetic changes, arguing that softer language and shuffled personnel don’t address the abuse of power.
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Tim Miller is joined by New York magazine Washington correspondent Ben Terris to talk about his reporting on Trump’s health and the increasingly surreal way the White House talks about it. From mysterious MRIs and constantly bruised hands to doctors reading from talking points and Stephen Miller insisting Trump is “superhuman,” Tim and Ben dive into what we actually know about the president’s health versus what his inner circle wants us to believe.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger give their takes on the fallout from the White House after top officials like Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, and Greg Bovino called Alex Pretti a “would‑be assassin” and “domestic terrorist” in the minutes after federal agents shot and killed him in Minneapolis even as video evidence and witness accounts contradicted them. As the Trump team scrambles to change the narrative, Bovino has been moved out of his Minneapolis role.
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The Trump administration’s version of the Stasi murdered Alex Pretti in cold blood because he was exercising his First Amendment right to peacefully assemble and his Second Amendment right to carry a licensed firearm. But in MAGA land, those rights only apply to the people on their side, not all Americans. The few Republicans who are starting to feel queasy about menacing agents running around our cities should also recognize that they are complicit in the killings of Pretti and Renee Good because they funded them. As for the Dems, they should be considering maximalist demands—like ending the occupation of the Twin Cities—since the serial liars in the administration are acting like they’re above the law. Plus, Tim Cook and the other CEOs who helped fund the golden ballroom or showed up to the “Melania” screening Saturday night are also complicit.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news and weekend coverage
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Mona speaks with David Brooks (author, contributor to PBS NewsHour and opinion columnist for The New York Times) about why so many Americans feel unseen, how loneliness and moral drift are reshaping society, and what we lose when human connection is replaced by screens, algorithms, and artificial companionship.
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Fresh off MSNOW's The Weekend with Catherine Rampell, Sarah Longwell explains why the killing of Alex Pretti is breaking through with voters—and why government lies and Second Amendment hypocrisy aren’t holding up.Watch The Weekend on MSNOW: https://www.ms.now/the-weekend
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Eric and Eliot welcome Stephen Kotkin, professor emeritus of history at Princeton University and senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and Freeman-Spogli Institute. They discuss his recent Foreign Affairs article, “The Weakness of the Strongmen: What Really Threatens Authoritarians?” Kotkin explores the frailty and resilience of authoritarian regimes through the lens of recent events in Venezuela and Iran, as well as the rise of Russia and China as authoritarian powers. They also discuss potential alternative future paths for Russia and turn to the current authoritarian temptation in the United States, along with the historic reasons for optimism that American democracy is robust enough to weather the depredations of the Trump administration.
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Eliot’s Latest in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/trump-greenland-europe-nato/685720/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPgGy7Ja9UMv_dSH1wXC41Rk&utm_
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The Weakness of the Strongmen: What Really Threatens Authoritarians?: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/weakness-strongmen-stephen-kotkin
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The Five Futures of Russia: And How America Can Prepare for Whatever Comes Next: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russian-federation/five-futures-russia-stephen-kotkin
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Stalin: Paradoxes of Power, 1878-1928: https://a.co/d/40CsvHC
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Stalin: Waiting for Hitler, 1929-1941: https://a.co/d/6IQt4nR
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will Saletan gives his take on why Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem cannot be trusted to oversee the investigation into her own department. In just three weeks, ICE and Border Patrol agents killed two Americans. In both cases, Noem publicly described the victims as violent “domestic terrorists.” And in both cases, video evidence flatly contradicts her claims.
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Sam Stein speaks with Dr. Aasma Shaukat, Alex Pretti’s former boss, about the moment she learned he’d been killed, and what kind of coworker and caregiver he was.
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Sam Stein, The Bulwark's managing editor, takes on Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino’s Orwellian inversion of reality in the aftermath of the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and intensive care nurse. Sam digs into Bovino’s Sunday interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, where Bovino reframes the victim as the aggressor and dismisses…
Bill Kristol, Sam Stein and Adrian Carrasquillo have a live discussion of the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
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John Avlon welcomes CNN’s Christiane Amanpour for a conversation about Iran’s latest uprising, the regime’s crackdown tactics, and what—if anything—could make this moment different from past protests. They weigh the risks of outside intervention, from military strikes to cyber operations, the shadow of the 1953 Mossadegh coup and the 2009 Green Movement, and the challenges of identifying a credible transition path amid competing opposition figures and regional power plays.
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Sarah Longwell is joined by Andrew Weissmann for his reaction to the second killing of a civilian in Minnesota by federal agents. Andrew is professor of practice at the NYU School of Law who served as lead prosecutor in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office from 2017 to 2019, and was General Counsel for the FBI from 2011 to 2013. They discuss the roles of the First and Second Amendments in the case, the contradictions and falsehoods issued by the government, and why it is important for people to continue speaking out and come forward with any video evidence in cases like this.
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Tim, Sarah and Andrew react live.
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Tim Miller, JVL, and Sarah Longwell reacted live to the breaking news of a second fatal shooting by ICE officers in Minneapolis on Saturday.
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Some strange, under-the-radar things are happening on the right. Marco Rubio is experiencing a strange rehabilitation with the Republican base, and some young men are excited about taxing OnlyFans. Meanwhile, JD Vance is still on the struggle bus with swing voters, especially women. Will Sommer, The Bulwark’s right-wing fever swamp correspondent, joins Sarah to break down the growing rift between the MAGA establishment and the America First wing—and what it means for 2028.By Will Sommer:
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MAGA Influencers Cheered Trump’s Venezuela War. Their Audience Said ‘WTF?!’
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Meet the First Groyper Politician
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Over the past week, there’s been a surge of ICE activity in Maine and one incident in particular has captured national attention. A corrections officer recruit was detained by ICE in the middle of the street and his car was left running in the cold. Tim Miller spoke to witness Ben Bozeman, who captured the shocking footage and stepped in to help return the officer’s car.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce, whose recruit was detained, called ICE’s actions “Bush League policing.” We reached out to the Cumberland County Sheriff's office Friday afternoon and spokesperson said that they have not been given any information about the status or whereabouts of their colleague.
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Tim Miller gives his take on one of the most morally disgraceful moments of the Trump presidency. Trump told protesters in Iran that America had their back. He encouraged them to stay in the streets and keep fighting a brutal theocratic regime. Then the Iranian government began executing them by the thousands and the United States walked away. Now, in the middle of that crackdown, the Trump administration is planning to deport Iranian asylum seekers back to Iran, including gay men who face execution simply for who they are.Please contact your senators and representatives: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
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Trump is taking billion dollar bribes for his ‘Board of Peace,’ where he can pretend he’ll be the head of a new world order in partnership with Putin. He’s also looking for his next foreign policy adventure since he didn’t get any mileage with Greenland or Iran. And he’s acting like socialist-fascist Juan Perón—taking stakes in U.S. companies while continuing to sic the American gestapo on the Twin Cities. Meanwhile, a handful of House Dems took a bad vote to fund DHS. Plus, the latest in the annals of unlikeable JD, Gavin’s trolling of MAGA has served him well, Trump is no friend to the domestic auto industry, CEOs are so short-sighted, and Kash Patel is a total clown.
Mike Murphy joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Andrew's reporting on DHS's lies in Minnesota
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Tim's 'Take' on JD's press conference in Minneapolis
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More on Mike's polling on the potential CA wealth tax measure
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"Hacks on Tap" podcast
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Jonathan Chait on the problems with Newsom's record
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The NYT on Kash Patel
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Tim's playlist
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JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the latest—from Trump's sinking poll numbers and the Greenland spectacle to escalating ICE actions and local resistance. They also talk about new focus-group findings showing Gen Z Trump voters cooling on JD Vance (and warming to Marco Rubio), react to the White House’s use of AI imagery in political messaging, and critique Jared Kushner’s glossy “Dubai for Gaza” redevelopment pitch, with a look at how Michigan protest politics is landing now.
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The Oscar nominations dropped yesterday morning and I grabbed our favorite Oscar prognosticators, Katey Rich and Christopher Rosen of The Ankler’s Prestige Junkie, to chat about what it all means. Does Sinners’s 16 nominations mean it could upset One Battle After Another for best picture? What does it mean that Wicked: For Good took home zero nods? Perhaps most importantly: Will Delroy Lindo get his dang Oscar, as we demanded back in October? All that and more on this week’s episode, including a SHOCKING prediction by Christopher at the end of this podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out their podcast. And please share this one with a friend! (And Delroy Lindo’s agent, we gotta get him on this show to talk about his career, amirite?)
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Will Saletan carefully dissects Jack Smith’s congressional testimony and shows how House Republicans used the hearing to distort the investigation and shield Donald Trump.
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Tim Miller and Pod Saves America’s Jon Favreau give their takes on JD Vance’s latest performance defending ICE raids, child detentions, warrantless home entries, and racial profiling allegations. We walk through the facts JD Vance ignored, the lies he told calmly and confidently, and why this version of Trumpism that’s cooler, smoother, and more deliberate may be even more dangerous.Jon Favreau is the host of Pod Save America. Subscribe to Crooked Media for more podcasts, videos, newsletters and analysis.
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Donald Trump is so enamored with Vladimir Putin he doesn't even know the Russian leader is regularly making fun of him in ways that can’t easily be translated. Trump is also running the White House like it's the Kremlin, with backdoor deals, quick enrichment schemes, nefarious activities, and cronies calling the shots—while people in official positions, like Marco, are just fig leaves. It’s the exact kind of political world where Putin flourishes. And his operation against the United States continues apace. Plus, the backstory on the proposed Venezuela-Ukraine swap, Trump's TACO on Greenland, Canada and Europe have had enough of the U.S. and buying American, Western allies don’t trust Vance’s dependence on tech bros, and hello: Ozempic is a Danish drug.
The one and only Fiona Hill joins Tim Miller.show notes
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Fiona's memoir, " There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century"
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Fiona's book, "Mr. Putin: The Operative in the Kremlin"
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David Frum's interview with Fiona
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Tim Miller gives his take on the latest New York Times/Siena poll and the results should worry Trump and the Republican Party. Trump's much-touted 2024 coalition is unraveling, especially among young voters and non-white voters who helped power his return to office. The MAGA realignment didn’t stick with 56% of Americans disapproving of Trump's job as president.
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Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on Trump backing off his threat to occupy Greenland after the markets flinched, calling the "concept of a deal" a victory, when it's really just the status quo being restored.
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Lt. General Mark Hertling (Ret.) is joined by Ben Parker for a Command Post edition of Bulwark Takes, breaking down the national security fallout from Trump’s chaotic Davos remarks and growing global instability. As Russia escalates its war on Ukraine, Hertling explains why Putin’s threats keep working on Trump and why allies are alarmed about his recent Greenland rhetoric. We also examine the dangerous implications of preparing troops from Alaska and North Carolina for possible deployment to Minnesota.
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In his rambling mess of a speech at Davos, Trump confused Iceland and Greenland, and demonstrated that he doesn't understand how NATO works. The infamous draft-dodger also seemed to call Truman and Eisenhower "stupid" for not just taking Greenland after WWII. Nevertheless, his threat to somehow get the island is undermining our international rules-based order. Plus, the secret, imperfect alliance in Congress that is blocking anti-trans legislation, the growing Dem opposition to the DHS funding bill, and the need to fight the trust deficit in the country —and the anger-tainment that is driving it.
Delaware's Rep. Sarah McBride joins Tim Miller.show notes
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Sam's, JVL's and Andrew's reaction to the Davos speech
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McBride's column in Delaware's News Journal
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Tim Miller and Will Sommer give their takes on the disturbing viral night out that brought together the worst corners of the manosphere and the alt-right. From Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes to Clavicular and a new crop of livestreamers, the group’s Miami club crawl featured Nazi salutes, extremist chants, and nonstop “aura farming” all broadcast straight into people’s social media feeds.
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JVL, Sam Stein and Andrew Egger react live to Trump’s rambling and combative speech at Davos on January 21, 2026.
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Asha Rangappa joins Sarah to discuss the ICE raids in Minnesota, a federal court injunction limiting certain actions against protesters, DOJ retaliation, the stalled Epstein files release, and the growing use of law enforcement as a political weapon.Read the Ruling Restricting Federal Agents’ Actions in Minnesota: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.229758/gov.uscourts.mnd.229758.85.0_1.pdf
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Tim Miller is joined by journalist Caolan Robertson, reporting from Davos, to explain how Russia is escalating its war by targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, why this winter is becoming a humanitarian catastrophe, and how Moscow’s economy is finally starting to crack under the cost of war.
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JVL, Sam Stein, and Joe Perticone give their takes on how Trump abruptly endorsed a primary challenger to Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy. Even after Cassidy bent over backward to confirm RFK Jr., Trump still decided it was time to end him.
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Sarah, JVL and Tim discuss the low-energy, never-ending Trump event and the end of their will to live.
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The Republican Party may be deeply unpopular, but the Democratic Party is even more so. The Dems' brand is weak despite the success of the off-year elections in 2025. To have a shot at winning back the Senate in the midterms, and the White House in 2028, the most successful Dems will be the ones who run against the status quo of their own party. In the meantime, Dems should be aggressively holding Republicans responsible for the tariffs, the threat against Greenland, and the terrorizing of Minnesotans— because they're not stopping the administration. Plus, cowardly CEOs, how to use A.I. as a political issue, and Trump & co's efforts to silence Americans.
Veteran strategist David Plouffe joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Plouffe's NYT piece
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Tim's interview with Ryan Grim, the recent lefty guest Tim referenced
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Tim Miller joined MSNOW’s Deadline: White House with Alicia Menendez to talk about why Republicans admitting Trump is wrong—on Greenland, tariffs, and foreign policy—means nothing when they refuse to act. Plus, why a viral Minnesota man’s firsthand account of ICE hits harder than any talking point.
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Sam Stein and Tim Miller give their takes on the disturbing footage of ICE agents detaining an elderly U.S. citizen in Minneapolis with no warrant, no explanation, and no apology. The raid went wrong at every step and DHS is still defending it.
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Will Saletan surgically dissects one of the most embarrassing interviews of the Trump administration: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent twisting himself into knots on Meet the Press to defend Donald Trump’s threats against Greenland and Europe.
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The president's demented rant that the United States has to take Greenland because the Nobel committee has not awarded him his much coveted peace prize is farcical and embarrassing—we are in 25th Amendment territory. At the same time, Trump's alternate claim that conquering the island is about being tough on Russia is so phony since he's busy trying to help give Ukraine to Putin. Meanwhile, ICE agents' constant videotaping of members of the public may be tied to their use of facial recognition software. Plus, in this particularly horrible period of news, we are remembering the hope and optimism that pushed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to fight for a better America.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim's interview with "Minnesota Angry Man," Chris Ostroushko
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The holiday-themed Bulwark Pod with Wright Thompson
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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JVL, Sam Stein, and Andrew Egger give their takes on Donald Trump’s shocking message to European leaders, in which he complains about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and links it to his demands for the U.S. to take over Greenland. They unpack how Trump’s message reflects his strongman worldview, drives allies into China’s hands, and draws uneasy parallels to Putin’s actions in Ukraine.
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Sonny Bunch joins to discuss “It Was Just an Accident” a film from dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi. It raises profound questions about guilt, judgment, and revenge. Also, amazing that it was made at all.
Films & References Mentioned
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It Was Just an Accident(dir. Jafar Panahi)The film discussed throughout the episode — a clandestinely made Iranian dissident film that won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. [Stream/Buy on Apple, Amazon, Fandango, YouTube]
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The Seed of the Sacred Fig (dir. Mohammad Rasoulof)Recommended by Sonny as further viewing; set during post–Mahsa Amini unrest in Iran.[Stream on Hulu, Kanopy, Apple, Amazon]
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The Lives of Others(dir. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck)Cited as a thematic comparison for life under a surveillance state.[Stream/Buy on Netflix, Apple, Amazon]
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A Hero (dir. Asghar Farhadi)Mentioned as another standout contemporary Iranian film about truth, lies, and social pressure.[Stream on Amazon]
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The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Eliot’s coastal Georgian internet connection holds on just long enough to review the administration’s latest jackassery before Eric welcomes journalist Michael Weiss to the show. Their wide-ranging conversation covers the prospects for U.S. strikes in Iran, Trump’s Venezuelan adventure, and the latest from the Russia-Ukraine war. Finally, the two discuss recent revelations related to Havana Syndrome and the role Russian military intelligence has likely played in attacks on U.S. intelligence, law enforcement, and foreign service officers overseas.
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Eric and Frank Miller’s Latest on New START
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Foreign Office by Michael Weiss
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Michael’s Investigation in The Insider on GRU Links to Havana Syndrome
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Trump’s polls are slipping, but his authoritarian project keeps accelerating. Does his unpopularity matter, and on which issues is he most vulnerable—Greenland, NATO, ICE or the economy?
Tim Miller is joined by Minnesota resident turned viral protester Chis Ostroushko for his take on the “insane” Minneapolis protests. Chris shares his unfiltered perspective on how ICE has turned the city into a “military zone” and why he felt compelled to speak out and protest.You can follow Chris at MNAngryMan on Instagram and BlueSky:https://www.instagram.com/mnangryman/https://bsky.app/profile/mnangryman.bsky.social
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Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joins John Avlon to explain how leadership, not slogans, helped reverse Detroit’s decline—and why he believes America’s two parties are failing voters as he runs for Michigan governor as an independent.
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Sonny Bunch sits down with writer Chuck Klosterman to talk about his new book Football—and what the sport’s dominance says about America’s shrinking monoculture.
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JVL and Will Saletan break down Donald Trump’s escalating threats against Europe as he pushes to “conquer” Greenland, claiming “World Peace is at stake!”
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Can Democrats flip the Senate in 2026? Lauren Egan is joined by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) about the states that could make it happen, the recruits who are stepping up, and how the DSCC decides when to endorse. From Texas and Florida to Alaska and Maine, Schiff lays out the plan and explains why the midterms may come down to economic pressures and Trump’s chaos.
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There's a lot of bad news right now—so much that none of it is breaking through that much to the voters we talked to. From the ICE killing of Renee Good to the Epstein files to the criminal investigation into Jerome Powell, Bulwark editor-at-large Bill Kristol joins Sarah for a reflective conversation on the tough times we live in and how voters are processing them.
Previous shows discussing the Epstein Files:
With Will Sommer (November 2025)
With Ashley Parker (September 2025)
With Will Sommer (July 2025)
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Sam Stein takes on the breaking news that a federal judge has set limits on ICE’s violent tactics against peaceful protesters in Minnesota. Also breaking, the DOJ has reportedly launched an investigation into Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, claiming conspiracy to impede federal officers.
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Tim Miller takes on the rough stretch for Trump as leaked internal polling shows his immigration tactics backfiring, ugly ICE footage sparks public backlash, and even the White House admits the optics are hurting them.
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Official Mississippi doesn't really want to talk about the murder of Emmett Till—or teach about the murder of Emmett Till. Almost 71 years later, the intentional attempt to erase the crime lives on. On this MLK Day weekend, Wright joins Tim to discuss the role of history and black history in our public consciousness. Meanwhile, Trump and MAGA are busy trying to rewrite the history of modern-day political violence, including the thuggery of ICE agents. Plus, a ranking of the best SEC college towns, a tribute to Bob Weir, the impact of tariffs on farmers—as well as this year's Mardi Gras— and even the White House is starting to get concerned about the optics of Trump's deportation operation.
ESPN's Wright Thompson joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notes
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Wright's book, "The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi"
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JVL on Trump stashing America's money in Qatar
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Wright's documentary he did with Mickey Hart, "Rhythm Masters"
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Marc Caputo on White House concerns about the optics of deportation
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Tim's playlist
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah and JVL discuss the Minneapolis shooting and the growing backlash to ICE tactics, the collapse of public support for Trump across key polls, MAGA’s “comply or die” hypocrisy, a potential split between “MAGA” and “non-MAGA” Republicans, the political damage of masked federal force, and farce surrounding the Trump’s “gift” of a Nobel Peace Prize.
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Trump’s immigration issue is unraveling and even his own private polls show trouble. Viral videos of ICE raids and protests are driving public backlash, leaving Trump’s team worried about optics… but not about policy. Sam Stein is joined by Marc Caputo of Axios to break down the numbers, the backlash, and what it could mean for Trump’s next moves.
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Chuck Klosterman to discuss all things football and his new book, aptly titled Football. (Please buy a copy for yourself and your friends; you’ll thank me, and then your friends will thank you.) We hit on an array of topics, including but not limited to the potential demise of the sport, the ways in which television and football are a perfect match, why streaming services are spending billions to acquire the rights to NFL and NCAA games, how gambling and fantasy football have fundamentally changed our relationship to the sport, and trying to think through how we think about football and why it matters.
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Sam and Sonny give their takes on an embarrassing scene at the White House in which Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado handed Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal and Trump accepted it.
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JVL and Andrew Egger give their takes on Donald Trump repeatedly floating the idea of canceling elections and why calling it a "joke" is dangerously naive. From past attempts to overturn results to testing how far his party will follow him, they break down why this isn’t just trolling.
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For some reason, the president thinks he is winning the news cycle by occupying a great American city and ordering his agents to violently confront U.S. citizens. But polling and anecdotal evidence suggests otherwise. At the same time, Dems have got to stop tying themselves up in knots over what language to use about ICE. Just keep the messaging fight focused on Trump, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, and ICE. Plus, a strike on Iran is looking less likely, Jeff Bezos is a chicken and should sell The Post, the administration is pushing food rationing, our European allies are planning military exercises over the threat to Greenland, and what happened to the Epstein files?
Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Lauren on the battle among Dems over the term, "Abolish ICE"
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The reporter who applied to be an ICE agent
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Sam's piece about the Dougs
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Tim and Sam debating the worst Cabinet members
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Send tips from on the ground in MN to bulwarkpodcast@thebulwark.com
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President Trump said he may invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 in response to protests and ICE activity in Minneapolis. Ben Parker is joined by retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling to explain what the Insurrection Act actually allows, when it has been used in U.S. history, and why this situation is fundamentally different.Correction (January 15, 3:10 p.m.):Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers in 1991, but he did not die as a result, as suggested in the video.
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Mark Hertling and Bill Kristol discuss the war in Ukraine, including deliberate civilian targeting through winter blackouts, why U.S. disengagement is helping Putin more than any battlefield victory, and how infighting with NATO over Greenland is weakening the alliance from within. They also examine Europe’s response, the rise of the Nordic–Baltic security bloc, the global consequences of American strategic vacuums, the limits of military action in Iran, and risks around the Pentagon’s embrace of AI tools like Elon Musk's Grok.
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Tim Miller gives his take on a wave of disturbing ICE confrontations, including Minneapolis agents threatening civilians and a California protester who was shot in the face and left blind.
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Sam Stein talks with Lauren Egan about her scoop on a new Democratic memo warning lawmakers to steer clear of “Abolish ICE.” They give their takes on the latest polling on ICE, political fear from voters, and why Democrats seem unwilling to use funding leverage even as public opinion shifts. Dems Are Begging Their Own to Drop ‘Abolish ICE’Half of Americans think ICE is making American cities less safe, CNN poll findsMore Americans view the ICE shooting in Minnesota as unjustified than say it is justified‘Disgusting’: Minnesota Senate Race Gets Hostile After ICE Shooting
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To the people who have actually served in war zones—and been up close and personal in real do-or-die situations—the masked, heavily armed agents who are stalking our streets are thugs and cowards. And they would be nobodies without the badges and guns that have been gratuitously handed to them. Meanwhile, amid all the action around Venezuela, Russia's relentless attacks on Ukraine's power sources in the dead of winter is being overlooked by much of the American media. And Trump's fixation with Greenland has the Swedes talking about making nuclear weapons. Plus, airstrikes on Iran alone would miss the strategic mark, Trump still hasn't stopped eight-plus wars, and the Havana Syndrome is real.
Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Mark's piece on Iran
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Mark calling for ICE agents to remove their masks
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The most recent episode of Sarah's 'Illegal News' pod with Asha Rangappa
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Follow "Bulwark Takes" to get the latest "Command Post" from Mark
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Daniel Dale's fact check of Trump
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Send tips from on the ground in MN to bulwarkpodcast@thebulwark.com
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Sarah Longwell sits down with Asha Rangappa—a lecturer at Yale Law School and co-host of the “It’s Complicated” legal podcast—to discuss Venezuela, Jack Smith's congressional testimony, the Minneapolis shooting, and the many other high-profile lawsuits and investigations that have already popped up in 2026.
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Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein take on Trump’s Detroit Economic Club speech on Tuesday so you don’t have to. From tariffs and credit card caps to pitching Socialist-style ideas, they unpack what’s real, what’s bluster, and what it means for everyday Americans.
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Tim Miller returns to "Piers Morgan Uncensored" to give his take on the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis. While Nick Shirley and Will Chamberlain defend the officer’s actions as justified, even Joe Rogan and Tim Dillon said this one crossed a line.
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Sarah, Tim and JVL discuss the ICE killing in Minneapolis and the escalation that followed, including DOJ prosecutors resigning rather than smearing the victim’s family. They also talk about JD Vance’s eagerness to defend state violence, Trump’s pressure campaign against the Federal Reserve and Jerome Powell, the broader pattern of unchecked power and why Democratic candidates like Mary Peltola fit their states while others don’t.
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Trump's low approval ratings may be giving people the idea that he is weak and disempowered. But Trump backed into a corner could well be more unconstrained and more dangerous—and it could also fuel his imperialist ambitions toward Greenland, an island he has been obsessed with owning since his first term. Meanwhile, DHS always knew people would die because of their mass deportation efforts and it still wholly accepted the risk of its military-style operations. But the opposition on the street is building. Plus, a year after the LA fires, a look at the role of disinformation in the disaster, the slow recovery, and the lack of emergency planning by government officials.
Jacob Soboroff and Susan Glasser join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim on the new videos coming out of Minneapolis
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Jacob's book, "Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster"
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Susan's latest New Yorker column
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Friday's episode of The New Yorker's 'Political Scene' podcast
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Susan’s book with Peter Baker, “The Divider”
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The National Review piece on Greenland Susan referenced
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Send tips from on the ground in MN to bulwarkpodcast@thebulwark.com
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller joined Nicolle Wallace on Deadline: White House to discuss why the killing of Renee Good—and the administration’s decision to release the video—may be a political turning point. What was supposed to project strength instead exposes a strategy that alienates swing voters, activates non-activists, and turns immigration from a GOP advantage into a liability.Watch Deadline: White House on MSNOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
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Tim Miller gives his take on the disturbing wave of videos coming out of Minneapolis and who ICE and CBP are really targeting. Scene after scene shows federal agents confronting ordinary people just trying to live their lives: an Uber driver targeted over his accent, a 17-year-old U.S. citizen tackled to the ground while working at Target, and a DoorDash driver chased into a stranger’s home while armed agents surrounded the house.
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Quico Toro offers an insider’s perspective on his lost homeland and the American raid.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Eric and Eliot discuss serious threats that Trump continues to make against Denmark and the possibility that the administration might use military force to seize Greenland. They also examine the seizure of the ghost fleet tanker Bella, the risks of inadvertent conflict with Russia, and ongoing negotiations in Paris over the future of the war in Ukraine. The conversation explores the odds that Russia can continue fighting in 2026 given immense battlefield losses, the country’s cratering economy, and shifts in Ukrainian domestic politics. Finally, they turn to the intensifying protests in Iran, contrasting them with earlier waves of public revulsion against the regime in the late 1990s, 2009, 2017–18, and 2022–23, and discuss what indicators might suggest the regime is truly coming apart at the seams.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein, Catherine Rampell, and JVL provide live, breaking analysis after Fed chair Jerome Powell released a remarkable video message Sunday night announcing an "unprecedented" criminal investigation into him by federal prosecutors. Powell, in the video, says the probe is because the Fed has been setting interest rates "based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of” President Donald Trump.
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Jack and Tim take on Jake Tapper’s on-air fact-checking of Kristi Noem, the rush to label a protester a “domestic terrorist,” and the dangerous argument that being in a car now justifies lethal force.
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After the dramatic capture of Venezuela’s dictator Nicolás Maduro, Trump publicly suggested he’d be honored to “accept” the Nobel Peace Prize won by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, as if awards work like trophies, souvenirs, or FIFA medals. Ben Parker and Mona Charen give their takes on the sheer absurdity and Trump’s warped understanding of Venezuela and immigration.
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Bill and Sam discuss the Minneapolis killing and other items from a very eventful week.
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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis joins John Avlon to break down Trump’s attacks on him and his state, the assault on climate and weather science, and the use of federal power as political punishment. Polis explains how Colorado balanced budgets, cut taxes, expanded services, lowered costs, and built a winning coalition by focusing on results over culture wars.
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Tim Miller and JVL give their takes on the shocking Minneapolis ICE killing of Renee Good, the federal government’s handling of state-sanctioned violence, and what it reveals about America’s culture of death.
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Tim Miller talks with Harvard student and New York Times op-ed writer Alex Bronzini-Vender about the new campus speech crackdown and why it’s now being driven by Republicans, not the left. They dig into how anti-woke politics and federal pressure are reshaping campus life and how the right has adopted the same speech-policing tactics it once condemned.
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The United States just captured Venezuela's dictator, and we needed to get some quick voter reactions. Is this REALLY what the newest members of Trump's coalition voted for? We're also sensing growing discontent from them with the state of the country, and with the Trump administration governing more for its friends than for them. Atlantic staff writer Jonathan Chait joins the show to break down voter sentiment nearly a year into Trump's term.
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Sarah and JVL talk about the new video from the ICE agent as he killed Renee Good. It’s tough and they’re not sure quite where we go from here. Is the rule of law real? Or is everything might makes right?
Also: Trump probably gets away with Venezuela, too. Good times.
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says ICE descended on his city with hopes of rounding up undocumented Somalis. When agents couldn't find any, they started driving around terrorizing people. And now with the killing of Renee Good, they are clearly making the city less safe. But federal officials are also lying about Good's actions before the shooting and her character—and with their bold claims of absolute immunity for ICE agents. More broadly, the administration is trying to intimidate ordinary citizens from documenting the masked agents deployed around the country. Plus, Trump is acting like a conqueror from the Middle Ages when he claims a right to Venezuela's oil, Putin is trying to mask the weakness of Russia's economy, Europeans are back to being anxious over Greenland, and Iranians are taking to the streets again.
Anne Applebaum and Mayor Jacob Frey join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Tim’s ‘Bulwark Take ‘on the new footage from Minneapolis
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Anne's latest pod episode about how federal agents are violating the rights of Americans
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Anne's latest piece on Venezuela
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Tim's interview with George Retes
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Tim's playlist
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Anne’s “book club” recommendations:
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The Captive Mind
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The Oppermanns
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The Director
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The Choice of Comrades
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What We Can Know
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Tim Miller breaks down newly released footage appearing to be from the ICE officer who fatally shot Renee Good.
Correction, January 9, 2025, 3:35 p.m.: The footage from the perspective of ICE agent Jonathan Ross played in this video appears to have come not from a body camera, as mentioned in the video, but from the phone Ross was holding during the incident.
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Donald Trump’s approval numbers are sinking and the cracks are showing in places that once kept him afloat. Sarah Longwell and Andrew Egger giver their takes on why Trump is bleeding support among young men, struggling far beyond his MAGA base, and facing growing backlash over his unilateral intervention in Venezuela. We texted 1,000 Americans about U.S. actions in VenezuelaManospheres of Influence
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On this week’s episode, I’m pleased to be joined by W. David Marx, author of the new book Blank Space: A Cultural History of the Twenty-First Century. Alongside Marx’s Status and Culture, this book is one of the key texts to understanding how and why the culture has shifted so radically so quickly: the combination of “poptimism” (we discuss what, precisely, this is early on) and cultural omnivorism (the merging of all genres and all forms into a sort of equally viable mass entertainment) and the internet’s flattening of culture have led to a stagnant culture and a revanchist counter-counterculture eager to exact revenge and facing no real opposition in that effort.
If you enjoyed our conversation, or simply want to understand how we wound up in the world we wake up to every morning, I strongly recommend picking up Marx’s book. And if anything was unclear from our chat, drop me a line in the comments and hopefully I can help clear things up!
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Eric and Eliot return from holiday break with a special episode breaking down all things Venezuela. They discuss the Trump administration’s raid in Caracas to capture Nicholas Maduro, the legal and constitutional basis for the operation, and the differences from past interventions in Panama and Iraq. The two also examine the next steps in Venezuela and the administration’s prospects of success in “running” the country.
Eliot’s latest in The Atlantic
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Sarah Longwell sits down with Andrew Weissmann to break down a fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota, shocking detention conditions exposed by a federal judge, and a growing pattern of the government misleading courts and defying judicial orders.
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The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell, formerly known as George Conway Explains It All (to Sarah Longwell), is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so more people can find this important show from The Bulwark.
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Most law enforcement departments train officers not to stand in front of vehicles—or shoot at moving ones—but masked ICE agents in Minneapolis did just that after descending on Renee Good's Honda Pilot and spitting out conflicting instructions to her. Not only did the president of the United States lie about the condition of the officer who shot her, Vance and Noem disparaged the deceased 37-year-old mother of three. Meanwhile, Americans are not down with the idea of the US running Venezuela. And the manosphere podcast world, which helped Trump win the election, is now feeling disillusioned and embarrassed about his betrayal of his "peace president" promise—along with his handling of the Epstein files. Plus, a discourse on white people, a consideration of Epstein's influence with the rich and powerful, and a meaty exchange over Kamala courting the Liz Cheney wing while bypassing the left's demands on Gaza.
Ryan Grim joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Drop Site news
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Ryan's 2022 piece on progressive advocacy groups
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Andrew Egger react live to JD Vance defending the ICE officer who fatally shot Minnesota woman Renee Good.
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Tim Miller gives his take on the Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Donald Trump, who has not only avoided accountability, but is now running for Senate. This extremist attacked Capitol police, threatened Muslims and Jews, and continues to spread hate.
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Sam Stein sits down with Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) to break down the recent Maduro operation in Venezuela, the challenges of coordinating military and political strategy, and what the U.S. would actually gain from Greenland. Mark will break down the biggest stories involving the military in a series of chats right here, every Thursday, in a special series.Like the name “Command Post” or have another suggestion? Let us know in the comments.
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The trio is back and 2026 is off to a wild start. Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on the calls for Nicki Minaj to be deported, the political influencers for sale creating a reality TV show, and former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino blasting Matt Gaetz in a fiery MAGA feud.
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Sam Stein and Tim Miller break down the shocking video from Minneapolis where an ICE agent fatally shot an American woman in her car. Sam and Tim give their take on the deadly escalation of federal ICE operations, and the dangerous spin already coming out from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
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Biden and Merrick Garland thought Trump would just go away, but malignant narcissists must be made to leave. And with Congress not fulfilling its constitutional obligation to hold Trump accountable for running the country like a mob boss, newly minted congressional candidate George hopes to join those Democrats on the Hill who aren't afraid to investiga…
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Sam Stein talks with Rep. Ritchie Torres about the explosive rise of political prediction markets—and the serious corruption risks we face.
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Five years after January 6th, the diehards came back to the scene of the crime. Pardoned rioters, conspiracy theories, and a fierce counterprotest collided on the National Mall. Jared Poland gives his take to Sam Stein on what he found from reporting on the ground as Americans argue again over what really happened on January 6th.
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Sarah Matthews was inside Trump’s White House on January 6. Matthews, the former deputy press secretary explains to Sarah Longwell what it was like watching the Capitol attack from the West Wing, why Trump refused to meet the moment, and how that day finally pushed her to resign. Five years later, she reflects on Republican accountability, January 6 fading from public memory, and why Trump’s return to power still shocks her.
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Sarah, Tim and JVL discuss the legality and consequences of the Venezuela operation, the emerging split between “America First” and “Trump First,” Stephen Miller’s grotesque worldview, and why Greenland suddenly feels less hypothetical. They also debate the legacy of neoconservatism and Iraq, MAGA influencer drama, and GOP dysfunction in Congress.
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Trump wanted to alpha male and take some oil, Hegseth wanted to bomb something, Rubio wanted Maduro gone, and aggrieved Stephen Miller wanted to bully the weak. The White House eventually settled on Venezuela as the best place to take out its aggressions and drive home its anti-immigration message. And now the administration finds itself depending on an…
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Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joins Sam Stein and Lauren Egan to give his take on why Trump’s Venezuela policy risks another disastrous war. A veteran of the Iraq War, Gallego says the administration is lying about its intentions, prioritizing oil interests and deportation deals over stability and democracy. He also discusses his Senate amendment to block military force against Greenland, Trump’s threats to NATO, and what the January 6 anniversary tells us about the state of American democracy.
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Five years after January 6, Bill Kristol sits down with Tom Joscelyn, the lead writer of the House January 6 Committee report, to assess where the country stands today. They give their takes on why January 6 was not an endpoint, but the beginning of a new political reality: one defined by a lack of accountability with sweeping pardons, the normalization of political violence, and a movement that no longer accepts elections or constitutional limits.
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JVL and Jonathan Cohn give their take on the shocking changes coming from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services. The federal government is now recommending fewer vaccines for American children, including RSV and Hep B, while flu, COVID-19, and rotavirus vaccines move to “shared clinical decision-making.” What does this mean for parents, pediatricians, and public health? How could it affect vaccine access, liability, and supply? And is this just the first step in a larger anti-vaccine agenda? We break it all down.
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Jack Cocchiarella takes on JD Vance’s excruciating Sunday-show performance—from dodging questions about the $50,000 bribe to getting booted off the air by George Stephanopoulos.
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Trump wants you to think he’s inevitable. He’s not. Jack Cocchiarella takes on how Trump and Kristi Noem are turning ICE into a private army — recruiting extremists, spreading propaganda, and selling power through fear.
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Eliot and Eric welcome back friend of the show Barry Strauss, the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. They discuss the series of Jewish revolts against Roman rule in 67-70 AD and the subsequent Roman siege of Masada, as well as the later Diaspora and Bar Kochba revolts situating them in the geostrategic competition between the Roman and Parthian empires. Barry explains the complications of the ethnic and religious divisions in Judea as well as the role of Jewish apocalyptic and messianic thinking on the protagonists of these serial rebellions. He also touches on the reasons why Judea was seemingly so hard to govern for the Romans, the divisions among Jews, and the degree to which archaeology and numismatics can add to the surviving literary accounts of the wars between Rome and the Jews.
Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World’s Mightiest Empire: https://a.co/d/9xfsZOd
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Bill Kristol and Tom Joscelyn take on the Trump administration’s plan to crush dissent.
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Does “broken windows” policing actually work? John Avlon and John Miller dig into how a small idea changed New York City — and why it still sparks huge debates today. It’s a lesson in data, strategy, and how crime narratives get twisted for politics.
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Jack Cocchiarella and Tim Miller take on Jesse Watters, Fox’s extremely suspicious “guests,” and the right-wing propaganda turning cruelty into entertainment.
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Matt Post went viral as a teen activist taking on gun violence. Now he’s back in the news, running for local office in Maryland. Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller talk with him about how fame, burnout, and hope collide when you try to turn protest into power.
Check out his campaign page here!
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Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell go off on House Speaker Mike Johnson — the “Eddie Haskell of MAGA.” They call out his fake piety, his loyalty to Trump over the country, and his awful attempt to brand peaceful protesters as “anti-American.”
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For the last few weeks, the Trump administration has escalated its authoritarian impulses, from pressuring ABC to cancel a late night host, to deploying the Texas National Guard to Chicago. You might call it “authoritarian,” but the voters are just getting mildly queasy. The Bulwark’s own Andrew Egger joins the show to talk about the news, the voters, and how we’re even supposed to cover it these days.
By Andrew Egger:
Morning Shots: The Insidious Effort to Rationalize Trump’s Lawfare
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Sarah Longwell and George Conway discuss Trump’s fake prosecutions of Comey and Letitia James, the “Truth Social DM” fiasco, and his escalating use of the National Guard to provoke chaos—plus why Americans aren’t taking the bait.
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This week we did something we haven’t done on this show for a couple of years: We just . . . hung out and asked each other questions. Some stuff about life. Some stuff about The Bulwark. Some stuff about the world.
Honestly it was just nice to be together. Hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed visiting with each other.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Tim Miller is joined by George Retes, a U.S. Army veteran and American citizen who was wrongfully arrested and brutalized by ICE while simply trying to get to work. George shares his harrowing story of being surrounded by agents, pepper-sprayed, dragged from his car, locked in a detention center, and even placed on suicide watch—missing his young daughter’s birthday in the process.
Read more about George’s story: https://newsletter.ofthebrave.org/p/im-a-us-citizen-and-a-veteran-ice
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The administration may be trying to lay the groundwork for Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act by invading Chicago, but the real human stories are breaking through: ordinary Chicagoans are outraged that good, decent immigrants are being snatched off the street and their families’ lives ruined. And while Kristi Noem keeps promoting the bad guys that are being rounded up, ICE is also treating American citizens abhorrently. Plus, from our live show in D.C., Rep. Sarah McBride talks with Sarah Longwell about the need for a big tent coalition without purity tests, and how the Dem demands for a renewal of the ACA subsidies is also a challenge to Trump’s authoritarian power grab.
Jacob Soboroff joins Tim Miller and Rep. Sarah McBride was live with Sarah Longwell.
show notes
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Stephen Miller discussing plenary authority on CNN
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Tim's 'Bulwark Take' with George Retes
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Jacob's book, "Separated: Inside an American Tragedy"
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Stephen Markely's book, "The Deluge," referenced by Tim
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"City of Quartz," by Mike Davis, referenced by Jacob
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Tix for MSNBC live show Saturday in NYC
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Tim's playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro) to discuss his new documentary, Orwell: 2+2=5. We talked about his upbringing in Haiti and having to flee a dictatorial regime there, how social media and AI manipulations help degrade the idea of objective truth, and what can be done to combat this scourge. If you enjoyed the episode, I hope you check out his documentary: it’s playing in New York City and Los Angeles now, and you can find showtimes here. It should be expanding across the country here in the coming weeks, including showtimes in Dallas, Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and elsewhere.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Sam Stein is joined by Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii to discuss the ongoing government shutdown amid Russ Vought’s government control, and the situation in Chicago with the Texas National Guard and Trump calling for the mayor and governor’s arrest. Plus, Schatz’s surprising recent retweets of Marjorie Taylor Greene.
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Tim Miller takes on Joe Rogan’s moment of moral clarity on immigration, where Rogan slams the idea of deporting longtime residents and families. Tim explains why this clip could shift the conversation, and why even some conservatives don’t want to be the “bad guys” in America’s immigration fight.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down one of RFK Jr.’s strangest moments yet: suggesting during a Trump cabinet meeting that circumcision might cause autism. The pair unpack the pseudoscience behind RFK’s claim, the misuse of disputed Danish studies, and the way his comments echo the administration’s earlier Tylenol panic.
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The crew is back together, live in D.C. and fired up. From wild personal stories to real talk about how we face this moment as a country, this episode is all about connection, community, and not giving in to the chaos. When things get dark, we stick together.
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Andrew Egger and Will Sommer take on of the most surreal events of the Trump era: a White House “roundtable” where Trump met with right-wing influencers to discuss Antifa as if it were an organized terror group. Egger and Sommer expose the theater behind the event, the made-up claims of an “Antifa hierarchy,” and the absurd partnership between DHS and online agitators. It’s part authoritarian propaganda, part farce, and all dangerous.
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ICE and other armed federal agents are doing their best to incite violence in blue cities so they can help Trump realize his unfulfilled dream from 2020 to impose a military crackdown. At the same time, Trump can only point to what happened in Portland five years ago during Black Lives Matter protests to try to bolster his case. Meanwhile, Comey has a pretty good shot to get his case dismissed—thanks in part to a Truth Social post that was supposed to be a DM to Bondi directing her to go after his enemies. Plus, doubts around the longterm sustainability of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, the butch-up cosplay behind the blowing up of boats off of Venezuela, and the real power of conservative media influencers like Candace and Tucker. Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.
Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Adrian on ICE's propaganda videos
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Amit Segal's newsletter Tim referenced, "It's Noon in Israel"
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Katie Porter's interview with local CBS reporter; starts around 13:45
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The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Lauren Egan sits down with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to look beyond D.C. and see what the government shutdown really means for Americans far from Capitol Hill. Mayor Lucas explains how tens of thousands of federal workers in the Midwest are going unpaid while still expected to work, and how that strain ripples through food pantries, healthcare, and housing programs. He calls out the moral hypocrisy of a government that enforces bills on citizens but refuses to pay its own. The conversation also turns to Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to blue cities and his bizarre threat to move World Cup games.
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Candace Owens and Dinesh D’Souza are in the weirdest feud on the internet, and somehow it involves farm animals. Then Candace brings up a dream she had where she was visited by a ghost. JVL, Sarah, and Will try to make sense of MAGA’s new reality show.
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JVL and Andrew Egger take on Donald Trump’s latest threats to jail his political opponents—including governors and protesters—as he sends National Guard troops into Chicago.
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Trump’s TikTok deal looks like classic crony capitalism as well as open theft. But China has bigger fish to fry with trade than its TikTok algorithm—which led Congress last year to ban the app in the U.S. Meanwhile, Silicon Valley thinks they’re building a machine god with AI, but we really may be heading into catastrophe. Plus, the armed invasion of Chicago, Sam Altman seems disconnected from reality, and Tim Cook’s pathetic bending over for Trump.
Casey Newton joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Casey's Platformer newsletter
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Casey's "Hard Fork" podcast
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JVL's emergency 'Triad' on Chicago
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Tim's 'Bulwark Take' on DHS using Zach Bryan's music in a propaganda video
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Tucker's interview with Sam Altman
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on Candace Owens leaking Charlie Kirk’s texts, the “New Charlie Kirk” Brilyn Hollyhand’s failed debut, and MAGA turning on Trump’s own lawyer.Read Will Sommer’s newsletter — False Flag
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to discuss the alarming National Guard escalation in Chicago, DHS using Zach Bryan’s music as propaganda, and his interview with Kevin Clancy from Barstool Sports.Watch Deadline: White House on MSNBC
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A new kind of McCarthyism has settled in at the Justice Department, where career prosecutors—including those handling tough national security cases—are getting canned for voicing any opposition to politically-motivated demands from top DOJ officials. And those who survive the ongoing purge are literally working in fear that they are being surveilled by the FBI. Meanwhile, MTG may play a role in resolving the shutdown. Plus, Tapper’s timely new book, his maybe/maybe not text interview with Trump, and the heat he’s still taking over his earlier Biden book.Jake Tapper joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jake's new book out Tuesday, "Race Against Terror"
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Jake and Alex Thompson's book on Biden, "Original Sin"
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with special guest Rep. Sarah McBride On sale at TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Andrew Egger are live, reacting to the extremely contentious Pam Bondi Senate hearing. Attorney General Pam Bondi is under fire before the Senate Judiciary Committee after the shocking indictment of former FBI Director James Comey—part of Donald Trump’s widening campaign to punish his political enemies.
Before we get to the episode, a quick note: we are spinning off Across the Movie Aisle into its own separate thing; it will no longer be part of the Bulwark network of shows, but it will still exist on Substack at movieaisle.substack.com. If you listen via Apple, nothing much will change for the moment; if you listen via Substack there may be a few changes for you. But we’ll cover that next week in our first episode at the new spot. —SB
On this week’s episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa look at the perilous state of film and television production in Los Angeles. Is Hollywood’s time as the undisputed king of film production at an end? What does that mean for the people who make a living out there? And what does it mean for the idea of an American film industry? Then they review The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie’s award season play. Is this the movie The Rock needs to regain some credibility as an actor? Or does it miss the mark?
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Trump’s old friend Ghislaine Maxwell is back in the headlines and once again, he’s pretending he barely knows her. From his creepy sympathy for Epstein’s circle to his casual cruelty toward migrants and veterans, the hypocrisy couldn’t be clearer.
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller and Sam Stein discuss the explosive online feud between Sam and Stephen Miller over the weekend, with Sam calling out Miller for saying a Trump-appointed judge is “terrorist,” and Miller’s response claiming Sam is “repugnant.”
Check out Sam’s Twitter interaction with Stephen Miller: https://x.com/samstein/status/1974668611081126351
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim and Cam unpack a viral video out of Chicago where a neighborhood stood up to masked ICE agents, and what it says about America’s growing resistance to faceless state power. Then they take a hard turn into something even creepier: Friend.com, a new AI “wearable” that listens to your life, remembers everything you say, and calls itself your best friend.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Follow FYPod on TikTok @thefypod
FYPod is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
ICE is intentionally provoking violence in the nation’s cities and then glorifying it with their crack video team. Meanwhile, the rhetoric coming from Trump true believers about their desire for a ‘benevolent’ authoritarian strongman is truly alarming. But governors and members of the judiciary are behaving like we still have a republic —and that the insurrectionist president can’t just deploy Guard troops in whatever state he wants. Plus, the Dems should consider broadening their aims with the shutdown, and Jane Fonda is reviving her father’s McCarthy-Era free expression group. Jane Fonda and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Ryan Goodman
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Fonda's Committee for the First Amendment
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"Bulwark Takes" podcast
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Lauren on Geoff Duncan's campaign for governor in Georgia
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Tim at Barstool HQ with KFC
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Pic of Kristi Noem working out
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Where to watch the Fonda's 1971 film, "Klute"
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with special guest Rep. Sarah McBride On sale at TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller takes on AOC and Ruben Gallego’s takedowns of MAGA’s macho posturing, explaining why ridicule can hit harder than outrage.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Damon Linker on just how crazy awful things are, but with some optimism for climbing out of the abyss.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah, JVL and Sonny Bunch take on A Few Good Men — Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom classic about loyalty, law, and the dangerous allure of obedience. They discuss whether Colonel Jessup was ever right, how “Code Red” culture echoes in today’s politics, and why Demi Moore’s character still divides audiences decades later.
Click for previous installments of Bulwark Movie Club
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Mike Johnson’s Meet the Press appearance where he repeatedly lied about the shutdown being over undocumented immigrants receiving free healthcare, struggled to answer Trump’s call to use the military against citizens, and said the unprecedented federal firings during the shutdown are completely up to Russ Vought.Read Jonathan Cohn’s related newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/government-shutdown-emergency-medical-care-illegal-immigrants
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Don’t care for video? Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to audio.
Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Eric welcomes historian Tim Bouverie, author of Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World, to Shield of the Republic. They discuss Tim’s fascinating account of the interplay among personalities and larger forces during the Second World War. They touch on Anglo-French relations and the role of Charles de Gaulle, Britain’s failed efforts to bring Turkey into the war as an ally, as well as the diplomacy of FDR, Churchill, and Stalin at the wartime conferences at Tehran and Yalta. They discuss the relative success of British and American diplomacy during World War II as well as lessons from the record of wartime diplomacy for alliance management and coalition maintenance today.
Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World:https://a.co/d/caX7je6Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War:https://a.co/d/6cPWr7G
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Bill Kristol is joined by law professor Ryan Goodman to discuss the Trump Administration’s expanding use of “national security” at home and abroad, NSPM-7, National Guard deployments, Chicago raids, and lethal strikes on boats in the Caribbean. Plus the legal pushback, Posse Comitatus, district court rulings, and the looming War Powers in Congress.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Are we really close to a second civil war? John Avlon talks with Barbara F. Walter, author of “How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them,” about the dangerous warning signs in America today. From democratic decline to political violence and Trump’s authoritarian playbook. But it’s not just doom: Walter lays out real solutions, from regulating social media algorithms to empowering citizens through peaceful resistance and local reforms. This episode is a sobering look at the risks, and a hopeful roadmap for stopping the spiral before it’s too late.
Watch, listen and leave a comment. The How to Fix It with John Avlon podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add this podcast to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller invades Barstool HQ for a real talk with KFC about Trump, politics, and “free speech.”
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Leaked Signal messages from Trump officials show them casually discussing deploying the 82nd Airborne into Portland—and JD Vance pushing prosecutions against influencers. Sam Stein breaks takes on the chaos, the incompetence, and the absurd “douche canoe” moment inside Trump’s inner circle, thanks to stellar reporting from the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Andy Mannix.
Trump officials discussed sending elite Army division to Portland, text messages show (Star Tribune): https://www.startribune.com/trump-officials-discussed-sending-elite-army-division-to-portland-text-messages-show/601485729Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Adam Mockler joins FYPod to break down what it really takes to debate MAGA talking points in 2025, from hitting Trump rallies as a teenager to going toe-to-toe with Scott Jennings on CNN. The conversation dives deep into the effectiveness of debating in today’s fractured media landscape. Adam breaks down his “pipeline to volume” theory, explaining how the right-wing media machine dominates online and why it’s crucial to meet them on their turf.
Go check out Adam’s channel here!
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Follow FYPod on TikTok @thefypod
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
We haven’t caught up with Democratic voters since the summer. So, who do they see in the Democratic Party who is distinguishing themselves? And, do Democratic voters really want to shut down the government? It turns out some of them are really wrestling with how to wield power. Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of Pod Save America and author of the Substack newsletter The Message Box joins Sarah to download on how the base of the party is feeling.
By Dan Pfeiffer:
Why Everyone Should Stop Freaking Out About Gavin Newsom’s Social Media
The Democratic Divide That Could Decide 2026 (and 2028)
New NYT Poll Shows How Dems Can Win the Shutdown - and the Majority
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend.
The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Click to find the show or add this podcast to your player of choice, here.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
On a special edition of Shield of the Republic, Eric and Eliot break down Secretary of Defense Hegseth and President Donald Trump’s speeches to the General Officer Corps at Quantico this week. They discuss the administration’s ongoing damage to civil-military relations and the implications for the future of our armed forces.
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on the treasury announcement that Donald Trump is planning to be on the $1 coin in 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, possibly illegally. Also, Sam and Will debate Sam’s questionable fashion choices.Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
President Trump’s loyalty purges continue. Prosecutors are fired from the U.S. attorney’s office in Eastern Virginia, including people who had nothing to do with the Comey case. And Kash Patel pushes out an FBI agent in training for displaying a rainbow flag in his workspace. Meanwhile, reports surface that Marco Rubio is leading a push among Trump’s top aides to topple Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller to discuss.
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL. Tickets on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
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Tim’s playlist
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The government is shut down, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. JVL and Sarah Longwell dig into why this is the moment for Democrats to fight, not fold.
From Trump’s reckless threats to use the military against American citizens, to his embrace of Project 2025, to the GOP’s sheer incompetence in running the government they control, this episode makes the case that Democrats can’t afford to play “business as usual” politics anymore.They break down how media is failing to confront authoritarian lies, and what leaders like Gavin Newsom are getting right in this fight.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Tim Miller joins Michael Steele, Symone Sanders-Townsend and Alicia Menendez to discuss the military crackdown and national guard going into new cities, and the White House admitting there will be suffering from the government shutdown.
Watch The Weeknight on MSNBC
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
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Hey, before you listen to this week’s episode, do me a favor and watch the short film we’re going to be discussing. It’s only 17 minutes long, and if you’re between the age of 31 and 45 or so, I think it’ll trip a lot of your nostalgia circuits. (It’s fun for all ages, but Yourgo said this was the age range that best responded to the movie.)
Fun right? OK, now you can listen to this episode with Yourgo Artsitas. It’s a good chat about the nature of online trolling and a simpler time when we believed our votes (for the top songs on Total Request Live) really mattered. If you enjoyed our discussion, share all this with a friend, would you?
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL and Andrew Egger argue that Democrats are bungling the shutdown fight by focusing on healthcare policy instead of wielding raw political power. From Russ Vought’s chaos plan to Biden’s failed “normal politics” strategy, they explain why the stakes are higher than Democrats seem to realize.Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: Whitehouse to discuss the chaos around the Epstein files as Howard Lutnick contradicts Kash Patel’s testimony, how Democrats can handle the messaging around the government shutdown, and Trump’s continued attacks on ships in the Caribbean.
Watch Deadline: White House on MSNBC
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s latest government shutdown — how Russ Vought is using it to punish blue states, why the plan hurts Trump’s own voters, and what it says about Trump’s lawless approach to power.
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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George Conway joins Sarah Longwell to talk the illegal news as Trump’s authoritarian playbook ramps up with attacks on free speech, politicizing the military, prosecuting enemies, and weaponizing the funding fight as Democrats refuse to bankroll Trump’s corrupt, authoritarian agenda. Plus, a revisiting of Conway’s prescient warnings from 2024 on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Watch, listen and leave a comment. Don’t care for video? Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition.
Follow George Conway Explains It All wherever you get your podcasts and Youtube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Andrew Egger and Will Sommer talk about the latest “foot in mouth” moment from Howard Lutnick: going against the Trump story on Epstein and revealing another link from the Trump inner circle to Epstein himself.
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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The Trump administration is turning up the heat now that the government has shut down, cancelling billions for green projects, targeting funding for infrastructure in New York and threatening mass firings of federal workers. Democrats, meanwhile, are trying to hold the line in the Senate with their demands about health care. Elsewhere, the White House is asking a group of top universities to join a compact supporting the president’s political agenda so that they can get federal funds. MSNBC’s Symone Sanders-Townsend joins Tim Miller to talk about the shut down fight and whether the president has overplayed his hand, how Democrats can eventually win seats back in the Senate and what the administration’s pressure on academia is really all about.
Show Notes:
- Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL. Tickets on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The Bulwark crew took the stage in Toronto for a SECOND sold-out live show!
Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now! https://TheBulwark.com/events
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and JVL take on Judge Young’s scathing opinion against Trump officials who tried to deport pro-Palestinian students for their speech.
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Arthur Delaney take on the latest government shutdown, why Democrats dug in over health care subsidies, and how Republicans are playing politics with rescissions and canceled projects.
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Republicans are pushing a false talking point during the government shutdown: that Democrats want to fund “free healthcare for illegal immigrants.” Jonathan Cohn explains why that’s simply not true.
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Honest news. Smart analysis. Good faith. The Bulwark is reader-supported. To receive the latest and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah Longwell and JVL take on Trump’s harsh deportation push—from newlyweds caught in a green card sting to families torn apart by surprise raids. They discuss whether these tactics are reshaping public opinion, why Hispanic voters are turning against Trump, and what the polling really shows about America’s conflicted view on immigration.
Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Honest news. Smart analysis. Good faith. The Bulwark is reader-supported. To receive the latest and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
A government shutdown begins, as a standoff over spending enters what could be a painful phase. And President Trump kicks off the week warning his military leaders about facing an invasion from within. Ken Burns joins Tim Miller to talk about his new documentary, The American Revolution, what lessons from history he tries to apply to our current politics, and how the country has navigated unrest in the past.
Show Notes:
- Tickets to the upcoming Bulwark Live events in Washington, D.C. (on October 8) and New York City (on October 11) with Sarah, Tim, and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel — and viewers responded by canceling Disney+ and Hulu in droves. Sonny Bunch and Julia Alexander take on what the data shows, why the backlash was bigger than Netflix’s “Cuties” controversy, and what it means for the future of TV and streaming.
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Honest news. Smart analysis. Good faith. The Bulwark is reader-supported. To receive the latest and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Pete Hegseth calls in the nation’s top generals and admirals so he can lecture them about being in shape and ending wokeness and Donald Trump can speak ominously about “the war from within” and using American cities as training grounds for troops. JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller react to the supremely weird meeting—and then spend some time reflecting on how the first nine months of Trump’s second term have stacked up against JVL’s worst case scenario from a year ago. Have a question you’ve been dying to ask the gang? Leave it in the comments on this episode and you may just see them answer it during an upcoming live show. We’ll be posting the replays exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Bulwark Live in NYC is sold out but you can still snag tickets for Bulwark Live in DC Oct 8 featuring Rep. Sarah McBride and a super-sized Bulwark panel with Mona Charen, Andrew Egger and Will Sommer at TheBulwark.com/events.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Jonathan Cohn joins Mona to discuss Trump’s and Hegseth’s speeches to the generals and admirals. They then discuss the health care angle of the government shutdown, as well as RFK Jr.’s attack on Tylenol.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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The Bulwark Movie Club watches All the President’s Men, the film that turned Watergate into America’s founding journalistic myth. JVL, Jonathan Cohn, and Sonny Bunch discuss why the movie still works, what it says about the power of institutions, and how Nixon’s scandal compares to Trump’s “Watergate every day” politics.Give us your favorite journalism movies in the comments and recommend what movie you’d like to see discussed in a future edition of the Bulwark Movie Club.
Click for previous installments of Bulwark Movie Club
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Pete Hegseth convenes the military’s top leaders to complain about fat troops and generals and plug his book. Meanwhile, Charlie Kirk’s assassination continues to drive debate about how to confront MAGA as a cultural and political movement. David Jolly, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Florida, joins Tim to talk about his campaign, why he switched parties and how he thinks he can reverse his state’s political trajectory. Then, The Ringer’s Van Lathan talks with Tim about our recent interview with Ezra Klein and what political conversations about beating MAGA are missing.
Show Notes:
- Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
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JVL and Bill react to President Trump and Sec. Pete Hegseth’s speeches to the American generals that gathered today (9/30) at Quantico.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discussed Apple’s move to shelve the TV show The Savant in the wake of multiple bouts of politically inspired violence. Then they reviewed One Battle After Another, the latest movie from Paul Thomas Anderson starring Leonardo DiCaprio. (Here’s a link to the New York Times profile of PTA mentioned briefly in the podcast this week.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode about PTA. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace to take on MAGA tantrum over Bad Bunny, and how it shows their attempt to control American culture is failing.
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JVL and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s Tariffpalooza! Trump slapped a 100% tax on movies, tries to “help” North Carolina’s furniture makers, and leaves farmers begging for bailouts.
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Tim Miller and Will Saletan take on JD Vance’s weekend press tour of BS, as he lies about the shutdown being about undocumented immigrants’ healthcare and the motivations behind the Comey indictment.
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky dive into Netanyahu’s shocking admission at the UN: TikTok is now a “weapon” in Israel’s arsenal. What does that mean for U.S. politics, Trump’s corrupt deal to sell TikTok to his friends, and the Biden administration’s role in paving the way?They also break down Andrew Callahan’s audience backlash over his Pete Buttigieg interview, the problem of “audience capture” in independent media, and the endless fight over AIPAC’s influence. Also, what does the rising trend of virginity culture in reality TV say about Gen Z, purity culture, and the gap between sex on screen vs. real life?
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The Bulwark hit Toronto for a sold-out live show — with Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Sam Stein on stage. From Trump’s bizarre digs at Canada and the Comey indictment, to Canadian trivia disasters, rowdy crowds, and a truly questionable blunt rotation, it was a night of laughs and politics on both sides of the border.
Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now! https://TheBulwark.com/events
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President Trump orders the National Guard to be deployed to Portland, Ore., after declaring it a war-ravaged city. And reports surface that the administration is considering strikes in Venezuela. Meanwhile, the military’s top generals are on their way to Quantico for a mysterious meeting called by Pete Hegseth that the president now wants to crash. Congressional leaders meet with the White House with the clock running out on the window to avert a government shutdown. And the nation reels after a weekend of violence in Michigan and North Carolina.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.Show Notes:
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Arnold and Porter NSPM-7 Memo
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
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The Atlantic's Jonathan Chait discusses how MAGA is using Kirk's tragic death as a pretext for full-on authoritarian repression of dissent.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer discuss Donald Trump’s late night bleat of an AI video depicting himself and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump unveiling a new program for Americans to make use of “Med-Bed” hospitals, as seen in many sci-fi films.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on the conspiracy theory that the FBI staged January 6th. What started as junk reporting has now been laundered all the way up to Speaker Mike Johnson — proof that even the dumbest conspiracy theories can get a promotion in the right fever swamp.
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Eliot and Eric welcome Anne Neuberger, former Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber Affairs and currently the Payne Lecturer at Stanford’s Freeman Spogli Center, to discuss her latest article in Foreign Affairs. They discuss Salt Typhoon, the Chinese hack of U.S. computer systems, and the fact that the Chinese sit astride key nodes of U.S. domestic…
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Lauren Egan talks with Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield about Trump’s distorted narrative of Portland and why Oregon is prepared to block any unlawful troop move.
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Tim Miller takes on the stupidest policy yet as Senate Majority Leader John Thune defends taking the revenue from tariffs to give to farmers who have been heavily affected by the tariffs themselves.
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Bill Kristol and Hannah Yoest explore Marianne Moore’s “Like a Bulwark.” They trace its language and imagery, what the poem reveals about strength and patriotism, and expand the conversation to other poets and the place of poetry in our time.
Explore more through Moore’s “Poetry”, the Poetry Foundation’s Modernism guide, and Auden’s poem for her 80th birthday.
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John Avlon sits down with CNN’s Elie Honig to unpack Trump’s escalating war on the rule of law. From the flimsy indictment of James Comey to the replacement of seasoned prosecutors with political lackeys, they trace how Trump is dismantling the Justice Department’s independence. Drawing lessons from Watergate to January 6th, they warn of the dangers ahead, and explore what reforms are needed to rebuild guardrails and protect democracy.
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Donald Trump’s DOJ just indicted James Comey—but is the case already falling apart? Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann (filling in for George Conway) get into why this prosecution is weak, dangerous, and could blow up in Trump’s face.
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The Daily Caller’s editor-at-large published a shocking column calling for “ultra violence” and “blood in the streets” in response to political tensions. JVL and Andrew Egger break down the dangerous rhetoric, the hypocrisy of MAGA’s approach to violence, and why conservative leaders refuse to denounce it
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky sit down with Jared Poland, one of the unsung heroes behind The Bulwark’s rapid response team. Jared spends his days consuming endless hours of Trump rallies, right-wing interviews, and congressional hearings, so you don’t have to. He opens up about his personal journey, from growing up in a conservative Tennessee family and joining a frat at Ole Miss, to how Trump, COVID, and January 6th pushed him away from the GOP.
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Charlie Kirk was one of the most important figures in conservative media for over a decade, especially for Gen Z. We asked a couple of focus groups of young conservatives what Kirk meant to them, how they’re grappling with his passing, and who else they think will take up his mantle on the right. Will Sommer, author of The Bulwark‘s False Flag newsletter, joins Sarah to discuss the state of young conservatives and his reporting on Kirk’s legacy.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Donald Trump and JD Vance are taking their authoritarian playbook to the next level with stretching “incitement” laws. Will Saletan dissects JD Vance’s recent comments on the FCC taking aim at Jimmy Kimmel and what it reveals about the dark path we’re on towards policing free speech.
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JVL and Joe Perticone take on the latest Epstein files: Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, and Elon Musk all show up. What did the emails reveal—and why are Republicans staying quiet?
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President Trump’s quest for revenge escalates, as a grand jury indicts former FBI Director James Comey days after Trump forced out a prosecutor who refused to bring charges against his political enemies. Trump, meanwhile, is cheerleading the indictment and publicly encouraging prosecutors to go after more Democrats and left-leaning organizations. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller to talk about the merits of the indictment, why we can’t afford to be intimidated by it and what comes next. They also discuss why Pete Hegseth called generals to a mysterious meeting, how the administration released the military record of New Jersey’s Democratic candidate for governor to her political opponent and how Democrats need to play the fight over a looming government shutdown.
Show Notes:
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Adam Kinzinger Substack
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
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NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah and JVL talk about big-tent liberalism—who’s in and who’s out of the l-word tent. JVL goes on a riff quasi-defending Henry Kissinger, which you are absolutely going to hate.
And then we get the main event: JVL doesn’t think [gestures broadly] all this is fixable. Sarah has a plan to fix it.
Who’s right?
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Nate Soares to talk about his new book, cowritten with Eliezer Yudkowsky, If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All. It’s a fascinating book—some will say fearmongering and sensationalist; I, frankly, think they’re overly optimistic about our ability to constrain the development of general intelligence in AI—in large part because of how it’s structured. Each chapter is preceded by a fable of sorts about the nature of intelligence and the desires of intelligent beings that look and think very differently from humans. The point in each of these passages is less that AI will want to eliminate humanity and more that it might do so incidentally, through natural processes of resource acquisition.
This made me think about how AI is typically portrayed in film; it is all too often a Terminator-style scenario, where the intelligence is antagonistic in human ways and for human reasons. We talked some about how storytellers could do a better job of thinking about AI as it might actually exist versus how it might be like us; Ex Machina is a movie that came in for special discussion due to the thoughtful nature of the treatment of its robotic antagonist’s desires. If this episode made you think, I hope you share it with a friend!
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Kyle Cheney of Politico joins Sam Stein to take on Trump’s extraordinary indictment of James Comey — how the charges were filed, why the grand jury tossed one count, and what comes next as Comey faces arraignment on October 9.
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Tim Miller brings on Daily Caller editor-in-chief Dylan Housman to debate Trump’s bizarre interview with the publication, former Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson’s extreme rhetoric, and debate over
Trump’s handling of Ukraine and Gaza, ICE detainments without due process, his many corruption scandals, and the consequences of USAID cuts.
Watch Tim and Sam Stein breakdown the interview, “Tim & Sam Try To Make Sense of Bizarre Trump Interview”
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The White House readies plans for mass firings in the federal government as Democrats weigh the stakes of forcing a government shutdown. President Trump hunts for revenge against his political enemies, and the country reels from a cycle of political violence. Ezra Klein of the New York Times joins Tim to discuss what a fight about a shutdown should really be about, how Democrats can find an effective message and what it will take to pull our politics out of a scary moment.
Show Notes:
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Ezra Klein: “Charlie Kirk Was Practicing Politics The Right Way.”
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Ezra Klein: “We Are Going to Have To Live With Each Other.” (An Interview with Ben Shapiro)
Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Joyce Vance of Civil Discourse joined Bill to discuss the chaos at the Department of Justice.
Follow Joyce Vance on Substack.
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace to get extremely real about his fears for American democracy—torn between pessimism, anger, and a stubborn hope that redemption is still possible.
Catch Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house
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Republicans used to say they were the party of free speech. Not anymore. Will Saletan breaks down how Trump, JD Vance, Mike Johnson, and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr have flipped their stance on free speech since the Charlie Kirk shooting. From defending Tucker Carlson’s Holocaust-denying guests to demanding comedians be silenced, the GOP’s hypocrisy is on full display.
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Sarah Longwell is joined by Ben Wittes to break down the likely to push indictment of James Comey as Donald Trump continues to push Pam Bondi’s DOJ for charges against Comey, Letitia James, and Adam Schiff. Wittes explains the possible charges they could attempt to bring, and why none of them will stick.
Read Ben’s piece in Lawfare, “The Situation: Choose Your Own Adventure: Lindsey Halligan Edition”
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Tim, Sarah and JVL are back! They talk about Trump’s mob-style shakedowns of ABC and Disney, Jimmy Kimmel refusing to cave, Kamala Harris admitting “it” about Pete Buttigieg, Trump’s clownish UN meltdown, and the government’s demented social media propaganda. Have a question you’ve been dying to ask the gang? Leave it in the comments on this episode and you may just see them answer it during an upcoming live show. We’ll be posting the replays exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Bulwark Live in DC featuring Rep. Sarah McBride and super-sized Bulwark panel (10/8) and Bulwark Live in NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
THIS SATURDAY: NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
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A government shutdown creeps closer as President Trump cancels a meeting with Democratic leaders. Former Vice President Kamala Harris embarks on a press tour to promote a score settling book about her campaign. Plus, Trump taps one of his former personal lawyers to replace a U.S. attorney he dismissed for not targeting his political enemies after publicly calling on the Justice Department to move against people he thinks wronged him. In a two-part episode, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) joins Tim Miller to talk about her race for the Senate and how Democrats can dig themselves out of a hole nationwide. And Glenn Thrush of The New York Times joins the show to talk about his reporting on Trump’s escalating pressure on the Justice Department.
Show Notes:
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Glenn’s piece in The New York Times about Donald Trump tapping his former defense lawyer as the new U.S. Attorney in Eastern Virginia.
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
-
NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Jonathan Cohn talks with Ashish Jha, physician and former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, about Trump’s claims from the White House linking Tylenol and vaccines to autism, calling it the worst public health briefing since the bleach moment.
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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s speech at the U.N. General Assembly, where he ranted about migration, claimed credit for ending wars, and demanded a Nobel Peace Prize. They unpack the hypocrisy of his trafficking claims, the bombing of Venezuelan boats, and his obsession with petty grievances—from broken escalators to marble floors—while world leaders sat in silence.
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Tim Miller sits down with Kirk Minihane to unpack the culture wars, the GOP’s hypocrisy on “cancel culture,” and why Trump’s FCC is targeting Jimmy Kimmel.
Check out the The Kirk Minihane Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCke6rWdoATscR7lE3s2R9oQ
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On the latest episode of Just Between Us, guest host Andrew Egger is joined by Lauren Egan and Joe Perticone to discuss the looming government shutdown, the political fallout over the Epstein files, Kamala Harris’s new book and positioning for 2028, and warning signs in the economy.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
The injecting-bleach president is getting some super-strong pseudoscientific information to scare mothers and blame them for autism while conveniently ignoring the role geriatric sperm may play in neurodivergence. Meanwhile, Kimmel may be coming back, but confusion remains about why his show was pulled to begin with—given the jokes Trump, his son, and other high-profile people made about the attempted murder of Paul Pelosi. Plus, the strength of Dems out in the field vs the leadership in DC, and how overly focusing on race and identity in this majority-white country can make everybody focus on it.
Bakari Sellers joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim and Sam on the Tylenol briefing
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Bakari's book, "The Moment"
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Jesse Jackson's 1984 convention speech
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CNN on the Clinton Lincoln Bedroom scandal
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with special guest Rep. Sarah McBrideOn sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
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NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
On this week’s episode, delayed slightly due to technical difficulties, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa broke down the struggle between Jimmy Kimmel, Disney, Nexstar/Sinclair, and Brendan Carr at the FCC. Is this just business as usual at the FCC, or has the regulatory administration overstepped its bounds here. Then we said goodbye to Robert Redford, looking at some of his 1970s classics like All the President’s Men, Three Days of the Condor, and The Sting, among other titles. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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JVL, Sarah and Sonny take on “Clear and Present Danger”—a ’90s thriller packed with politics, cartels, and one of the best action scenes ever filmed. How does it hold up today? Watch as we debate the movie’s politics, Clancy’s worldview, and whether Harrison Ford gave us the best Jack Ryan on screen.In the comments, give us your your favorite action scene from a movie and also what movie you’d like to nominate for a future edition of Bulwark Movie Club.
Click for previous installments of Bulwark Movie Club
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on Donald Trump’s horrific autism press conference — from his bizarre Tylenol claims to his breathtakingly ignorant vaccine rants.
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Tim Miller joins Piers Morgan Uncensored to take on Kari Lake, Wajahat Ali and Eric Bolling as they discuss the heated rhetoric in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
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Trump is firing U.S. attorneys for refusing to target his political enemies, floating a return to Afghanistan, and threatening a shutdown that could devastate health care and jobs. Sen. Mark Warner joins Sam Stein to break down the national security risks, from MAGA billionaires eyeing TikTok’s algorithm to the growing chaos inside America’s intelligence community.
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We thought Tom Homan was just an extreme border hawk and ideologue. Now we know this powerful law enforcement official, who's depriving immigrants of their freedom, may also be a corrupt law-breaker—after he was reportedly recorded taking a $50,000 cash bribe during an FBI sting operation. And MAGA die-hards, like Megyn Kelly, have made clear they don't care. Meanwhile, Kash is having FBI agents pursue QAnon leads in the Kirk assassination. Plus, Tucker is a very sick person, Trump is demanding that Bondi file trumped-up charges against his enemies, and Democrats should absolutely not vote to fund this administration.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Leonnig's and Dilanian's reporting on Homan taking a $50,000 bribe
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Tim on Megyn Kelly's diatribe against him; or watch on YouTube
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Monday's "Morning Shots"
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Will Sommer's newsletter, "False Flag"
Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with special guest Rep. Sarah McBride On sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The Bulwark's Jonathan Cohn discusses the harm RFK has already done, and what he's planning, which may be worse.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger take on the stark contrasts at Charlie Kirk’s funeral — Erika Kirk’s forgiveness, Donald Trump’s unseriousness, Stephen Miller’s fury, and Tucker Carlson’s odd dog whistle.
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Eric and Eliot discuss the perilous moment in domestic politics which we find ourselves after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. They then discuss the recent developments in the Ukraine war, including the violation of Polish and Romanian airspace by Russian drones and the extreme danger these steps represent to European security. Eliot also reports from…
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Tim Miller takes on Megyn Kelly’s attempt to turn corruption into a culture war, calling out her “us vs. them” rhetoric and exposing how she tries to divide Americans.
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Bill Kristol talks with Rep. Jim Himes about Trump’s illegal boat strikes, Pentagon gag orders on the press, and how fear keeps Republicans silent as America edges toward authoritarianism.
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Rep. Dan Goldman joins John Avlon to rip into the FBI’s Epstein cover-up, Trump’s attacks on free speech, and the GOP’s cowardice on healthcare and democracy.
Watch, listen and leave a comment. The How to Fix It with John Avlon podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add this podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Trump’s border czar Tom Homan was reportedly caught on hidden camera accepting $50,000 in cash during an FBI sting — and Trump’s DOJ shut the whole thing down. Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell take on the brazen corruption, the cover-up, and MAGA-world's defense of the indefensible.
Read the massive scoop from Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian: https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/tom-homan-cash-contracts-trump-doj-investigation-rcna232568
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Tim Miller and Cam Kasky riff on AOC’s 2028 buzz, Biden’s pettiness, Gen Z dating rules, and the politics of tipping. In the second half, they’re joined by congressional candidate Elijah Manley, who talks about his race in Florida, taking on corruption, and why Gen Z is ready to fight back.
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Tim Miller sits down with Katie Couric to talk Trump’s attacks on free speech, Disney folding under pressure, the future of late-night comedy, and the looming redistricting fight — all with some laughs (and a little cussing).
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Donald Trump is bleeding support from Hispanic voters, including from some who voted for him. So, we found some former Trump voters who are souring on him, and asked them why. Adrian Carrasquillo, author of The Bulwark's Huddled Masses newsletter, joins the show to discuss voter sentiments on immigration, the future of the immigration debate (especially among Democrats), and his on-the-ground reporting in cities around the country.
By Adrian Carrasquillo:
Trump Hasn’t Invaded Chicago, But the City Is Still Rattled
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Tim Miller is in agony as he’s forced to give Ted Cruz a sliver of credit for standing up for free speech—while refusing to say Trump’s name. Blame Alicia Menendez, who was sitting in for Nicolle Wallace, for putting Tim in this impossible position.
Watch more Deadline: White House on MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on a judge's BRUTAL rejection of Trump’s ridiculous lawsuit against The New York Times — and his claim that bad press should be “illegal.”
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Sarah and JVL talk media consolidation, JVL’s solidarity problems, and Cardinal Dolan’s appearance on Fox.
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Cancel culture lives on, but it's taken new turns, especially among some of the loudest opponents of woke culture who simply can not abide one word of criticism about Charlie Kirk or Israel. Meanwhile, the vice president of the United States is actively encouraging his kind of Americans to rat out their neighbors. Plus, how authoritarianism and corruption go together, the challenge for academics who don't adhere to views on race they're 'supposed' to have, and Trump's talent for exploiting grievance will be studied for years.
The Atlantic's Thomas Chatterton Williams joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Thomas's "Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse"
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Thomas's recent Atlantic piece
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The Harper's Letter
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Tim's playlist
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
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NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Jonathan Cohn and Julian Zelizer discuss the dangers of RFK Jr.’s war on public health and the CDC—and then turn to Trump’s attacks on clean energy, showing how his policies threaten American jobs and the working class—and raise your electric bills too.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Matt Roller, the creator and showrunner of the new Netflix animated show Haunted Hotel. We discussed his background in television, how it helped prepare him for the long (shockingly long!) process of creating a full season of animated television, and why he is reading the comments. The show is live on Netflix now and I hope you check it out … and give it the preferred two (not one!) thumbs up, for the reasons Roller laid out in this episode. And if you enjoyed THIS episode, I hope you share it with a friend! (I could also use a thumbs up or two myself, you know.)
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JVL joins Richard Rushfield of the Ankler to dig into the collision of politics, culture, and creeping authoritarianism.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL (sitting in for Sarah) is joined by George Conway to talk the administration’s “mob government” vibes, torching Todd Blanche’s RICO spin, the FCC squeeze on Kimmel, Trump’s $15 billion New York Times suit, and the Supreme Court’s shadow-docket green light on ICE profiling, plus why Fed independence is now on the line.
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The administration wants people to believe that Jimmy Kimmel was pulled off the air because he supposedly crossed a red line when it came to Charlie Kirk—yet at the same time, somehow totally ignore that this is naked government coercion of critics who embrace the time-honored tradition of skewering presidents. And because this is the Trump administration, there's also a corruption angle, namely a local TV station conglomerate trying to curry favor with Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr to get a $6.2 billion merger approved. Meanwhile, Vance is openly manufacturing a new, broader conspiracy behind the Kirk assassination, continuing his admitted pattern of just making things up out of whole cloth. It'd be nice if other members of the media noticed.
JVL and Brian Stelter join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Brian's "Reliable Sources" newsletter
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JVL's Thursday 'Triad'
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Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
-
NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on the breaking news of Jimmy Kimmel Live being pulled from the air, citing Kimmel's monologue on Monday commenting on Charlie Kirk, amid FCC chair Brendan Carr hours earlier threatening action on Benny Johnson's show.
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Tim, Sarah and JVL are BACK!
Trump’s allies want to charge protesters with RICO, Kash Patel stonewalls, Trump plays the victim, and MAGA world spins new truly nutty conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
For our friends in Canada, we added a second live show with Sarah, Tim and Sam to the schedule. Tickets are on sale now for our bonus Bulwark in Toronto: Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27, here.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn recap the Senate HELP hearing with former CDC chief Susan Monarez, covering why she was ousted, RFK Jr.’s push to delay childhood vaccines, the sidelining of CDC scientists during outbreaks, and the real stakes with public health and vaccine safety.
Read Jonathan’s The Breakdown, “RFK Jr.’s Crusade Against Vaccines Hits Its Action Phase”
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Is Trump and MAGA the inevitable endpoint to conservatism in America? JVL was joined today by Heather Cox Richardson to discuss the state of conservatism in American politics.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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This country has been dealing with an increase in political violence for nearly a decade, and leaders from across the spectrum need to do everything they can to get us off this terrible path. Declaring 'free speech for me and not for thee,' or getting random people fired for not saying nice things about Charlie Kirk isn't helping to tamp things down. Meanwhile, it looks like Trump is sacrificing U.S. national security interests with his corrupt TikTok and UAE deals, and Russia remains one of the only countries in the world Trump hasn't tariffed. Plus, Democrats must not roll over and play dead on the spending bill like they did in the spring.
Amb. Susan Rice joins Tim Miller.
show notes
-
Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) and NYC (10/11) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
-
NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sen. Tammy Baldwin joins Jonathan Cohn to talk about RFK Jr.’s anti-vax agenda, Trump telling Republicans not to work with Democrats, and the looming fight over Obamacare subsidies that could raise premiums for millions.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein join Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to take on Kash Patel’s Senate meltdown, Adam Schiff’s explosive questioning, and Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times.
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Tim Miller and Andrew Egger delve into Donald Trump’s latest lawsuit as he seeks $15,000,000,000 (yes, really) from the New York Times.
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Tim Miller speaks with Ryan Broderick about the extremist internet culture connected to the Charlie Kirk assassination. They examine how meme language, online subcultures, and accelerationist networks are radicalizing young men and driving political violence.
Read more from Ryan Broderick at garbageday.email/
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Will and Mona discuss the MAGA drumbeat for silencing critics.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The former senator and former Dem has some not-very-nice things to say about Schumer and Obama—as well as progressives—who he blames for hounding Biden to move left and diminishing his will to fight. And while he's proud he helped protect the filibuster while he was in the Senate, Republicans just invoked the nuclear option to get Trump's nominees approved. Plus, what's with all the Confederate flags in West Virginia? And why aren't West Virginians more angry that conditions in the state have not improved since flipping red under Trump?
Sen. Joe Manchin joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Sen. Manchin's new book, "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense"
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Tim's 2021 piece, "An Ode to Saint Joe Manchin"
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Tix for a second Toronto show go on sale for members Tuesday at noon and for everyone else on Wednesday!
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
Join Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer for a live reaction to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s oversight hearing on the FBI. Kash Patel faces sharp questioning over his handling of the Charlie Kirk murder investigation and the Epstein case, as senators probe his leadership and judgment.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Pam Bondi tried to score MAGA points—and instead set off a firestorm on the right. Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on her “hate speech” gaffe, the furious backlash, and what it means for Trump’s attorney general.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss Comedy Central’s decision to pull a recent South Park from the rerun rotation after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Then they review The Long Walk, a movie that is either appropriately brutal or exploitatively violent. Which? Hard to say, but the end result is pretty depressing, regardless. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Thursday for a bonus Stephen King adaptation draft. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Sam Stein speaks with Mayor David Holt about America’s struggle with political violence, from the Oklahoma City bombing to today’s climate after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and how local leaders are finding common ground on housing, crime, and inclusion.
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After Charlie Kirk’s assassination, JD Vance rushed to blame “the Left” while ignoring Trump’s violent rhetoric, and then went further, calling for liberal professors to be fired and nonprofit foundations to be investigated.
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky look at the bizarre Trump–Xi “framework deal” on TikTok. Is the U.S. really letting a private app be decided by backroom talks between two world leaders? They also examine Gen Z’s relationship with religion. Why are young men turning back to faith while many women look to community elsewhere?
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger break down the online fallout from Charlie Kirk’s assassination — from Stephen Miller’s threats of government crackdowns to right-wing cancel culture and Kari Lake’s bizarre blame-shifting. What does it say about how America processes tragedy in the age of toxic social media?
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The administration is threatening to take away money and power—and maybe even freedom—from some vague Trump opponents because of the Kirk assassination. It doesn't seem to matter that elected Democrats have roundly condemned his murder. And it doesn't matter that Trump himself largely ignored the recent political assassination of Minnesota Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband. But anyone who is pro-assassination is a foe of The Bulwark. Full stop. A free country by definition must protect the right to self-expression. Plus, the giant nationalist march in London over the weekend, the latest stalling tactic on Russia sanctions, and the right of trans people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Today's "Morning Shots"
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Jay Nordlinger
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Tix for a second Toronto show go on sale for members Tuesday at noon and for everyone else on Wednesday!
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Holly Berkley Fletcher explains the mindset of white evangelicals from a unique perspective—that of missionary kids. She was one. Her new book sheds light on a key MAGA constituency.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Ad-free editions of The Mona Charen Show are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members.
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Two Republicans, two very different responses to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Spencer Cox called for unity and calm. Donald Trump doubled down on rage, declaring Democrats “sick” and elections “rigged.” Will Saletan shows why the difference matters.
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Bill Kristol is joined by Jay Nordlinger to discuss the legacy of human rights struggles, the dangers of demagoguery, and the role of leaders in times of crisis. They look at Putin’s Russia, Trump’s America, and why the future of liberal democracy depends on choices made by both presidents and citizens.
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In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, John Avlon and libertarian thinker Nick Gillespie dive into America’s rising tide of political violence, and how reckless rhetoric fuels it. They explore Trump’s authoritarian drift, from tariffs and National Guard deployments to state capitalism that looks more like Xi Jinping than Ronald Reagan. Can new coalitions of centrists and libertarians push back against MAGA’s illiberal turn and rebuild a politics rooted in freedom, pluralism, and principle?
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Tim and Cam are joined by Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run for Something, the groundbreaking organization helping young, diverse, first-time candidates run for local office. She explains what’s driving the surge of interest in running for office, why so many of these potential candidates are “furious at Democratic party leadership,” and what it really takes to succeed in 2025 politics.
Go check out Run For Something
You can find her new book When We’re In Charge here!
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The murder of Charlie Kirk was the culmination of Americans' long-brewing fear of political violence. First, political violence expert Rachel Kleinfeld joins Sarah to discuss the ramifications of Kirk's death on the American body politic, and then Sarah discusses voters' fears of political violence that we've heard through the years.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Tim Miller spent a full hour on MSNBC with Nicolle Wallace and guests digging into America’s biggest challenges, from the latest school shootings and our broken gun culture to Trump’s authoritarian push to put tanks in U.S. cities. They also covered how Trump’s tariffs are driving inflation, the GOP’s redistricting power grabs, and why courts and communities must keep pushing back. A sharp, unflinching look at the threats to democracy, and where hope still lives.
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Tim Miller is joined by former FBI agent and Lawfare fellow Micheal Feinberg to discuss Kash Patel’s rocky leadership of after Charlie Kirk’s assassination with confidence dwindling among MAGA loyalists, and how the FBI purges are affecting the success of FBI investigations.
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Trump and the people around him want to use the Kirk assassination to suppress their political opposition. And Trump is clearly laying the groundwork for cracking down on people he doesn't like—peaceful protesters, Dem fundraisers—while also offering rhetorical comfort to potential vigilantes on the right. Meanwhile, we are witnessing the danger of having an incompetent person atop the FBI, who alternates his time between posting for clicks and purging the bureau of highly qualified personnel for political cred. Plus, Vance is running for the 2028 nomination every day, the raid on the Georgia Hyundai plant shows the incoherence and stupidity of Trump's economic vision, and as Putin tests the resilience of NATO, the White House is playing politics in Poland.
David Frum joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Frum's "Trump Is No Nationalist" piece
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Bill's tribute to Georgia police officer David Rose
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Bob Kagan's "The Beginning of the End of Nato" Tim referenced
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The poem, "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
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Tim's playlist
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Frum's podcast
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Tix on sale next week for a second Toronto show!
As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Sarah and JVL talk about the president’s response to Charlie Kirk’s murder and why it’s so dangerous. Then we go deep on how to react in moments of crisis: Can you be too nice? How do you balance truth and compassion? What is the impact of timing? And was JVL right to turn the comments off for the first 24 hours?
Do us a solid, though: Don’t comment on this until you’ve listened to the episode.
ICYMI: JVL's Triad: A History of Violence
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JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller react to Trump’s chaotic Fox & Friends rant about the Charlie Kirk murder.
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Tony Gilroy to discuss his work on Andor, the hit Disney+ series that’s a prequel to Rogue One but has ambitions beyond telling the backstory of the Death Star. It is, in a very real way, a TV show about our moment and the mounting tension felt throughout the political order: from Imperial troops on the streets of civilian cities attempting to provoke conflict to Luthen Rael’s (Stellan Skarsgård) campaign of violent resistance, one can’t help but draw parallels to this increasingly fraught point in American history.
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer went live to discuss the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder: the facts, the political fallout, the online right’s reaction, Kash Patel management of the investigation, and what it all means going forward.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on Charlie Kirk’s murder, the spectacle of Turning Point USA, Kirk’s role as a gatekeeper, his clashes with rivals like Nick Fuentes, and the legacy he leaves behind.
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This country has too many guns and too many crazy people. And the social media oligarchs are fanning the flames of violence by constantly trying to piss people off. The Kirk assassination highlights just how dangerous a moment we are living in. America is not free if people are too afraid to speak their minds. Plus, parenting and the surprising gap in what Gen Z women and men think are the highest priorities in life.Crooked Media's Erin Ryan joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim's latest FYPod episode
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JVL on Charlie Kirk
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Andrew on the reaction to the assassination
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Nancy Mace after the shooting
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The Wired story on surrogacy
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Tim Miller takes on a new lawsuit from former FBI officials citing Kash Patel and Dan Bongino politicizing the bureau and pushing out career agents in favor of loyalty and social media clout.
Read more in the NYT, "White House Exerts Enormous Influence Over F.B.I., Lawsuit Says"
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky share their immediate reactions to the assassination attempt on Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in Utah. As a shooting survivor, Cameron explains why this event was particularly triggering, and why it must be recognized for what it is: a school shooting. They also examine the political fallout. Will the right turn Charlie Kirk into a martyr? Why does Turning Point USA resonate with young people? And how will this event shape the already escalating wave of political violence?
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Rep. Brendan Boyle joins Sam Stein to explain why Republicans want a shutdown and how their healthcare cuts could throw 15 million Americans off insurance. They dig into Trump’s role, the chaos in Congress, and Boyle’s push to protect constitutional spending powers.
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Tim, Sarah and JVL are back! Trump shrugs at Russian drones, clings to a laughable “hoax” defense on Epstein, and gets played by Netanyahu yet again — while Kamala Harris calls Biden’s 2024 run reckless.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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The gang will be together for two live shows in October:
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October 8 - Live in D.C. — On sale now.
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October 11 - Live in New York - Bulwark+ members will get first dibs on tickets via a members-only presale on Friday, Sept 5. Want early access to tickets? Join now!
To learn more and grab your tickets, go to TheBulwark.com/events.
Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell react to the shooting of conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk.
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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If Zohran Mamdani, as NYC mayor-elect, held a dinner with finance bros and threatened them with a huge wealth tax if they didn't sweet-talk him and say how much they agreed with his political vision, the Wall Street community would freak out. Yet, this version of a shakedown is really happening at the White House all the time and in response, the country's most powerful and wealthy business leaders can only trip over each other as they jostle for the chance to cut up Trump's well-done steak. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is tripping over its own rulings to green-light ICE's racial profiling in Southern California.Stephanie Ruhle and MALDEF's Thomas Saenz join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Maggie Haberman pursuing the White House's 'hoax' theory on Epstein
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Job Garcia's video of his arrest—includes non-visuals when his phone was in his back pocket
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Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Tim Miller joins MSNBC’s The Weeknight to take on Donald Trump’s desperate Epstein cover-up, the GOP’s ritual humiliation in defending him, and a Senate leadership that’s never been weaker from Trump’s absurd signature denial to John Thune’s vanishing act.Watch MSNBC's The Weeknight – https://www.msnbc.com/weeknight
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Tim Miller takes on two surprisingly effective Democratic ads — Zohran Mamdani's spoof that has billionaires freaking out and Mallory McMorrow’s football-focused spot that calls out greed and inflation.
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An Israeli airstrike in Doha left Hamas officials dead and U.S. officials scrambling. Sam Stein and Alex Ward explain the unprecedented move, Trump’s reaction, and what it means for future diplomacy with Qatar.
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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Egger take on the White House press conference where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Epstein documents fake—and the press mostly let her get away with it.
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More than 10 years in, journalists still have not figured out how to cover Trump. He understands the media environment better than a lot of reporters, and knows his outrageous acts and statements command attention—and that people will not be able to finish processing one outrage before the next one comes down the pike. But now he's laying down the terms of how he expects to be covered, and media orgs are complying by hiring or giving airtime to MAGA avatars. In the process, journalists are failing to hold the powerful to account. Plus, Dems actually went on offense and got their hands on the Epstein birthday book, and Israel is aggressively embracing the age of impunity.
The Economist's James Bennet joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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James, in The Economist, on his departure from the NYT over the Tom Cotton op-ed (gifted)
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James on the rules for defending democracy under Trump (gifted)
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events.
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Sarah and JVL go through the Epstein Birthday Book in detail. We tell you what’s actually in it, no euphemisms. And what it means for Trump and 2026.
But before you ask: It’s Tuesday. So no Rebecca.
NYC and D.C. friends don’t delay! Grab your seats today for our Bulwark Live shows in October. Go to TheBulwark.com/events for details and to purchase tickets.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
Tim Miller joins Stephanie Ruhle on MSNBC’s The 11th Hour to take on the looming Democratic showdown over a potential government shutdown, Trump’s slipping poll numbers on key issues like immigration and trade, and why Democrats need to pick smart fights that define the stakes heading into 2026. They also discuss the Epstein cover-up allegations, what Trump’s actions reveal about his political vulnerabilities, and how Democrats can leverage oversight to keep the pressure on. Watch The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle – https://www.msnbc.com/11th-hour
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
On this week’s episode, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter asked why Activision would turn down a chance to have Steven Spielberg direct a Call of Duty movie. Then they reviewed Highest 2 Lowest, the latest collaboration between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington. Spoiler: We all loved the score, which is apparently a controversial opinion in some quarters! (Also the rest of the movie is pretty good too.) Make sure to swing by Thursday for a bonus Spike Lee draft. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent lost 90% of his hedge fund’s money and left Wall Street with one of the worst track records in the business. Tim Miller and Marshall Brandt take on how this so-called “financial expert” burned billions.
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Rep. Laura Friedman joins Sonny Bunch to explain how tax credits shape where movies are made and why Congress should act now. From jobs to soft power, they explore what’s at risk if America loses its film edge.
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Sam Stein and JVL take on the newly uncovered Epstein letter that Trump swore was fake and dig into what it means for Murdoch, Fox News, and MAGA loyalists who insisted it was all a hoax.
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Sam Stein and JVL discuss the Supreme Court’s decision on ICE and racial profiling, as Trump and MAGA over-inflate how bad crime is as an excuse to continue to raid cities and detain anyone, even American citizens.
Read JVL’s The Triad, Understanding Trump’s Pivot to “Crime”
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Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller discuss various pressing issues, including the recent Supreme Court ruling on racial profiling, the implications of ethnic cleansing narratives, and the internal conflicts within the left. They also explore generational perspectives on success, particularly focusing on the differing priorities of Gen Z men and women. Cam also speaks about his potential run for New York's 12th Congressional district.
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In seven months, Trump has accumulated an astonishing amount of unchecked power. No one inside his administration is challenging his will, and Trump is assuming war powers with barely any explanation—while blacklisting Tom Hanks from West Point. At the same time, in the business world, only one MAGA-friendly hedge fund billionaire has raised mild concerns about the Fed, but top-shelf tech leaders can't thank Trump enough just for existing. But, the resistance is showing up in Chicago and the Dems have a chance to throw their weight around with a potential government shutdown. Plus, Vance is an amazingly succinct liar and the White House Rose Garden has had a Panera patio makeover.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Today's "Morning Shots"
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Gov. Pritzker responding to Trump's Chi-pocalypse meme
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Backgrounder on the Bobbsey Twins
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell take on Donald Trump’s unusual speech at the Museum of the Bible. From suggesting that domestic violence shouldn’t count as real crime, to inventing an “anti-Christian bias” crisis, to reframing January 6th rioters as victims, Trump is showing us exactly how his grievance politics work.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a …
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Mona welcomes UVA's Brad Wilcox to discuss the latest stats on marriage, what singlehood means for kids, men, and women, and marriage's new alt-Right foes.
REFERENCES:
- Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization — W. Bradford Wilcox (HarperCollins, 2024)
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Trump stays silent on Epstein while Mike Johnson pushes the bizarre idea he was an FBI informant. Sarah Longwell and Will Sommer look at the fight over the files in Congress, the backlash in focus groups, and the pressure survivors are putting on Washington to act.
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Trump posted a meme declaring "war" on Chicago, raising questions about whether he’s joking. Tim and Sam take on what this means, why Megyn Kelly of all people is pushing back, and how blue state governors are preparing for Trump’s authoritarian instincts.
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Bill Kristol and Ryan Goodman examine the deadly U.S. strike at sea, as officials struggle to keep their story straight, the legal case collapses under scrutiny, and the action points toward a dangerous escalation with Venezuela.
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John Avlon sits down with Ambassador Nicholas Burns, who served as US Ambassador to China from 2021 to 2025. They discuss how Donald Trump’s foreign policy blunders are weakening America and strengthening China. From alienating India with sky-high tariffs, to undermining alliances with Japan and South Korea, to wavering on tech restrictions and Taiwan, Trump’s choices are giving Beijing an edge. They also talk about China’s massive “Salt Typhoon” cyberattack, its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the bizarre hot-mic moment where Xi, Putin, and Kim Jong-un mused about living forever.
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Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Sonny Bunch revisit Mike Judge’s Idiocracy — the 2006 comedy that was supposed to be satire but now feels uncomfortably close to reality. Plus: why Sarah never watched it until now, and why JVL ended the movie feeling depressed instead of entertained.
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State Rep. and DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta joins Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky for a powerful conversation on the Democratic Party’s future. Malcolm opens up about his 108-mile walk to protest Pennsylvania’s transit crisis, his personal “glow up” after a health scare, and why Democrats must focus on affordability, safety, and real reform. They also tackle Fetterman’s health, the Zohran Mamdani win in New York, and the growing debate over “woke” language inside the party.
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Donald Trump has run into some summer doldrums...from the uncertainty in the economy, to his Big Beautiful Bill, to his refusal to come clean about Jeffrey Epstein. We're wondering how voters are processing the last couple of months. Atlantic staff writer Ashley Parker, who's covered Trump for over a decade, joins Sarah for our season premiere.
By Ashley Parker:
'I Run the Country and the World'
Flattery, Firmness, and Flourishes
Why Is the National Guard in D.C.? Even They Don’t Know.
Inside the White House’s Epstein Strategy
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to take on Trump’s ‘Department of War’ rebrand, the collapse of his anti-war image, and how comedians from South Park to MAGA comics are skewering his tough-guy act. Watch Deadline: White House — https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house
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Tim Miller and Jonathan V. Last break down the latest disastrous jobs report and what it reveals about the state of the U.S. economy under Trump. From manufacturing losses to collapsing construction starts, they explain why the numbers are worse than they look, and how policy choices like tariffs, mass deportations, and federal cuts are fueling the down…
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Sarah and JVL go long on the economy, The People, double standards, RFK, and . . . Hamilton.
It’s a super-sized Secret pod.
In the comments, we want you to talk about whether or not the double-standard is real—is it true, as JVL proposes—that voters obsess over Democratic mistakes while waiving away Republican insanity?
And if it is true, why is it? Remember: We’re not just talking about partisans, but about the generalized broader public. We want to hear your theories.
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Last month, Trump fired the "woke" job numbers person after she released weak employment data. Now, we have even worse jobs numbers—and burgeoning signs of a tariffs-triggered manufacturing recession. Meanwhile, the administration may be working on a de facto military policy that would fulfill one of Trump's biggest longtime wishes: summarily executing …
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Sam Stein, Will Sommer and Andrew Egger discuss the implosion of MAGA media as several top influencers appear to be turning on Trump. Plus, Project Veritas founder James O'Keefe has a new sting operation targeting Republicans.
Read More in Will Sommer's False Flag, "Right-Wing Media Starts Treating Trump Like a Lame Duck"
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Rep. Laura Friedman, the congresswoman from the area we colloquially refer to as “Hollywood,” to discuss her push for a national film tax credit of the sort used by the United Kingdom and other countries to lure production of movies back to the United States.
We discuss her career in the TV and film industry before her move into politics, how DC is not unlike Los Angeles, and why the U.S. needs a national film tax credit more than a cost-increasing tariff on movies. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller joins Katy Tur to take on the pitiful state of Congress. Why are Republican senators too scared of Trump to use their own power? And how did Laura Loomer—a fringe conspiracy troll—manage to cancel a classified intelligence meeting?
Watch Katy Tur Reports on MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc-live-katy-tur
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Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller take a look at the latest right-wing push to ban gun ownership for trans people. It’s a move that exposes both the hypocrisy, and cruelty, at the core of the GOP playbook. They break down why Republicans frame trans identity as a “mental disorder,” how this scapegoating distracts from the real causes of gun violence, and why domestic abusers and young men remain untouched by the same restrictions.
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George Conway explains to Sarah Longwell the week’s most important legal news—from the Epstein files and Harvard’s lawsuit to Trump’s use of emergency powers, tariffs, and the fight for Fed independence.
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Tim Miller talks to Andrew Egger about his day at the National Conservatism Conference. It is on the rise, and it’s getting darker. At their latest conference, GOP figures pushed a “heritage American” caste system, openly embraced authoritarian power grabs, and even flirted with overturning gay marriage. The movement is fractured between Christian nationalists, tech futurists, and grievance politics, but united in wanting to redefine America on blood, soil, and power.
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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the Senate on Thursday—and, well, it was rocky.
Under siege already for scaling back government support for vaccines, and for pushing out top leadership at his and other health agencies, Kennedy received a skeptical welcome from members of both parties. At times, it seemed to bother him, as he accused his detractors of being in the pocket of the pharmaceutical industry and rambled on incoherently about his views on the COVID vaccine, and Donald Trump’s handling of it. His explanation for why he fired now-ex CDC Director Susan Monarez left one Senator visibly confused. After three hours, Kennedy’s standing seemed as shaky as ever, with Republicans even expressing some alarm over the damage he was causing.
Sam, Will and Jonathan broke down Kennedy’s testimony in front of the Senate Finance Committee, while answering two fundamental questions: what does it mean for his own future and for the future of public health in America.
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The lethal U.S. military strike on a speedboat in the Caribbean was more about putting on a show than countering the drug trade out of South America. And it's not even clear that the people killed on the boat were running drugs, or that any contraband was bound for America. Meanwhile, if senators are truly concerned that local police departments are insufficiently staffed, then they should pass a bill to fund more officers instead of pushing the charade that Guard troops can legally do police work. Plus, Russia is running out of ammunition, Ashli Babbitt was no hero, and a dissection of Trump's fatuous 'seven wars' lie
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Tim Miller. joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Hertling's piece, "Bombs Won't Win the War on Drugs"
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"Honoring Ashli Babbitt Dishonors the Military"
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Hertling on the 'perils of yes-men'
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Rand Paul on the speedboat bombing
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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With Eliot traveling, Eric welcomes Stephan Kieninger, author of Securing Peace in Europe: Strobe Talbott, NATO and Russia After the Cold War. They discuss the role of Strobe Talbott, a close Clinton confidante and Deputy Secretary of State, in crafting Clinton’s strategy for building a “Europe whole and free” after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The…
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Florida could become the first state to scrap vaccine mandates, and experts warn the fallout would be calamitous. Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn examine the health risks and the politics driving this crisis.
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Sarah, JVL and Tim are back! Trump disappears for a weekend and sets off health rumors, Epstein victims speak out on Capitol Hill, and Congress releases “new” files that turn out to be mostly recycled documents. Meanwhile, Trump tries to change the subject with National Guard deployments, a tariff scheme runs into the courts, and GOP leaders flirt with blood-and-soil politics.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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The gang will be together for two live shows in October:
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October 8 - Live in D.C. — On sale now.
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October 11 - Live in New York - Bulwark+ members will get first dibs on tickets via a members-only presale on Friday, Sept 5. Want early access to tickets? Join now!
To learn more and grab your tickets, go to TheBulwark.com/events.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sam Stein and Joe Perticone talk the battle over releasing the Epstein files, as survivors demand full disclosure and a bipartisan push seeks a vote. Marjorie Taylor Greene turns the Trump Administration's words against them, the Republicans try to stall through the Oversight Committee, and Trump continues to call it a hoax.
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The economic populists at the Nat Con conference may be talking a lot about elites screwing over the little guy, but the Trump administration itself has been catastrophic for working people—its policies are all about doing special favors for elite interests. And while many loud voices in Silicon Valley cursed the Biden administration for blocking some deals, other start-ups appreciated the efforts to try to level the playing field against the tech giants. Plus, a response to Jason Calacanis, how Dems can shake off their elite vibes, and resisting the temptation to run for office.
Former FTC chair Lina Khan joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim's interview last month with Jason Calacanis
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This week's TNL
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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Tim Miller is joined by Caolan Robertson to give us an update from Ukraine. Putin just blew past Trump’s “50-day deadline” and nothing changed. While Russia escalates strikes on EU and NATO-linked targets, Ukrainian kids are starting the school year in bunkers under drone fire. In Moscow, classrooms hand out rifles instead of flowers. On the frontlines, Ukraine is fighting back by targeting Russian oil refineries starving Putin’s war machine of cash.
Caolan Roberston YouTube
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Tim Miller throws a lot of praise to Paige Gebhardt Cognetti on her new campaign ad, throwing some serious punches to Rob Bresnahan.
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Tim Miller and Joe Perticone break down new twists in the Epstein files cover-up. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) are leading a bipartisan push to force a vote to release the Epstein files, but the White House is allegedly pressuring Republicans to block it, calling support for transparency a “hostile act.” With accusers set to appear at a press conference, this episode exposes the political chess match behind one of America’s darkest scandals.
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Andrew Egger talks with Mona about the latest court rulings and the wreckage of HHS.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Democrats need to learn to fight like Republicans. So when senators with serious foreign policy chops vote to confirm a middling weekend talk show host as secretary of defense, Dems need to call them out for being unpatriotic. And when they allow an ex-junkie to sabotage vaccines that have saved millions of American lives, say they're destroying the legacy of what the Greatest Generation built. The party of Putin-philes is no longer a normal political party with whom Dems can hammer out a compromise.Stuart Stevens joins Tim Miller—and pulls no punches.
show notes
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Lincoln Square on Substack
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Stuart's piece on trying steroids
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"The Conspiracy to End America"
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Stuart's book, "It Was All a Lie"
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Stuart's "The Last Season"
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on another weird interview with Donald Trump. From talk of “stage nine cancer”, to a Rose Garden portrait tour, to a rant about AI robots and “so much electric,” the Daily Caller’s interview is deeply strange.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter discuss the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots at Disney World, as chronicled in this New York Times piece. Then they review Caught Stealing, the new Darren Aronofsky film that’s being marketed like a Guy Ritchie caper but is something else entirely. Some spoilers over the last 15 minutes or so of this pod, so just keep an ear out if you’re worried about that sort of thing. Swing by the Bulwark on Thursday for a bonus episode on High and Low and King’s Ransom, the movie and book, respectively, on which Spike Lee’s new film, Highest 2 Lowest is based. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller joined Stephanie Ruhle to take on the anger at GOP town halls, Joni Ernst’s exit from the Senate race, and why Republicans still cling to Trump despite his sinking approval. He also warns about a possible “Stop the Steal 2.0” after the next election.
Watch MSNBC's Deadline: White House - https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house
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Sarah, JVL and Sonny take on Armando Iannucci’s 2017 movie, The Death of Stalin—a brutal, hilarious satire about paranoia, sycophancy, and the scramble for power in the aftermath of a dictator’s death.
What movies should we cover next? Leave your suggestions in the comments.
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Red States are flexing their muscles and imposing their will on the other states through their coordinated redistricting efforts. And if they deploy their Guard troops to other blue cities beyond D.C., the only real precedent would be the era before the Civil War when the South tried to force more slave states on the union. Meanwhile, the infighting at the CDC over the Covid vaccine seems to be upsetting Trump, but what can he do about it? He's only the president. And in China, a new axis of authoritarians is creating a post-American world order, thanks to voters putting Trump back in office. Plus, his faux golf outings and declarations of perfect health are very Soviet, and Giuliani wants people to think 'America's Mayor' is back—this time as Batman.
JVL joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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"The Triad," JVL's newsletter
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"The Secret Podcast," with Sarah and JVL
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Jon Cohn on the crisis at the CDC in his 'Breakdown' newsletter
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Third Way's Matt Bennett and Sarah Longwell join Mona to talk about tanking Democratic voter registration numbers, words you should never say, the working class, the donors, and more.
REFERENCES: Was It Something I Said? A memo to All Who Wish to Stop Donald Trump and MAGA from Third Way.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins John Avlon to talk about leadership, service, and solutions. From cutting Baltimore’s homicide rate by 40%, to pioneering a statewide service year for young people, to rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in record time, Moore lays out how states can lead where Washington fails. He also opens up about clashes with Donald Trump, the challenges of navigating federal politics, and what Democrats must do to deliver real results for working people.
Watch, listen and leave a comment. The How to Fix It with John Avlon podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add this podcast to your player of choice, here.
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Tim Miller takes on the swirl of Trump health rumors and the bizarre Truth Social post about the Rose Garden patio. After days out of sight, Trump reemerged looking frail—and obsessing over limestone instead of policy. What does it say about his stamina, his priorities, and whether he’s even fit for the job?
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Honest news. Smart analysis. Good faith. The Bulwark is reader-supported. To receive the latest and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Upgrade now and get the next 30-days FREE.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller sit down with Canadian satirist JREG (Greg Guevera), the master of “post-irony” and anti-centrism whose surreal comedy has captivated Gen Z. From his clown mayoral campaign (stolen by “lizard people”) to his bizarrely brilliant “political balls,” Jreg explains how satire blurs into sincerity in today’s politics.
Go check out his channel here
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Sam Stein is joined by Matthew MacWilliams to discuss his foreshadowing 2016 article in Politico Magazine linking support for Donald Trump to authoritarian tendencies. They discuss how fear activates authoritarian dispositions, the role of social media in amplifying Trump’s message, the dangers of America’s current drift toward authoritarianism, and if there’s anything that can be done to stop it.
Read Matthew MacWilliams’ 2016 piece, “The One Weird Trait That Predicts Whether You’re a Trump Supporter”
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Trump is like a dysfunctional 8-year-old whose parents are always in the principal's office arguing that their son is a good boy. The media, CEOs, and Wall Street keep giving him a pass for his behavior while his supporters and apologists explain why he just had to set the school on fire. At the same time, he's empowering ideologues behind the scenes wh…
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Another dark week: Trump toys with occupying Chicago, the FBI under Kash Patel ignores domestic terrorism, RFK Jr. runs HHS with conspiracy theories, and even the CDC is led by a political crony. JVL and Sarah Longwell ask the hard question, what if our democracy is already too broken to fix?
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Michael Fanone nearly lost his life defending the Capitol on January 6. Now, he’s watching in disbelief as Trump pardons rioters, grants Ashley Babbitt full military honors, and even parades the military through DC like a strongman. Fanone calls it what it is: a betrayal of the oath he swore to defend the Constitution.
The Michael Fanone Show
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Tim League, one of the founders of the Alamo Drafthouse and the man behind Metro Private Cinemas in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood. It’s a pretty cool concept—half fine dining, half private cinema auditorium—and I was excited to discuss the evolution of movie theaters as both viewing and gastronomic experiences. League is planning to open the theater in a few weeks, and they’re accepting reservations now; you can check out the offerings here. If you go, let me know: I’ll be very jealous, as it will likely be a while before I am able to make it up to New York again. But when I do, it’s the first stop on my tour of the city.
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Maryland’s Democratic governor Wes Moore is not known, exactly, as a brass knuckles guy. And when Donald Trump won office in the fall of 2024, he didn’t plan to become one, even as he recognized that life would become much harder for Democrats like himself. But recent events have tested Moore’s approach. It’s not just that Trump is now threatening to withhold bridge funds for his state because Moore pushed back on Trump’s criticism of crime rates in Baltimore. It’s a series of other decisions, too: from the denial of disaster relief for Maryland flooding, to the DOGE cuts impacting Maryland’s federal workforce, to the decision by the president to stop the FBI from relocating to the Terrapin State.
In an interview with The Bulwark—parts of which we are teasing now—Moore delivered some of his sharpest pushback against Trump to date, accusing him of being motivated by pettiness and partisanship. And he outlined how Maryland has responded creatively to the challenges Trump has posed.
John’s full interview with Gov. Moore drops at 6am on Sunday. Don’t miss it.
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Sarah Longwell is joined by Andrew Weissmann (filling in for George) to break down Trump’s latest power grabs — from sending the National Guard into blue cities, to attempting to fire the Federal Reserve governor, to RFK Jr.’s anti-vax chaos at the CDC. Weissmann explains how courts, grand juries, and even officials are pushing back, what it means for democracy, and where the real dangers lie.
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Iowa is cracking: Democrats are winning surprise races, Trump’s faux populism is backfiring, and health care cuts are fueling backlash. Candidate Josh Turek, a prairie populist with firsthand experience of social safety nets, is taking the fight to Joni Ernst and billionaire-driven politics.
Josh Turek for Iowa
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The resignations of senior leaders at the CDC is a calamity. People with decades of expertise in infectious disease are leaving the agency because the new director—who Trump just appointed—refused to get on board with RFK's anti-vax crusade, including limiting access to Covid boosters. And Wednesday's violence in Minneapolis may be a sign that the FBI should be keeping its eye on the threats from domestic terror instead of arresting day laborers at Home Depot. Meanwhile, Trump's threat to the Fed's independence could pose a real risk to the stability of the U.S. Plus, more on the shifting attitudes about Israel among Dems, the latest attack on Kyiv is another reminder of how much Putin is mocking Trump, and remembering Katrina 20 years later.
Sam Stein and the NYT's Talmon Smith join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Thursday's "Morning Shots"
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Tim, Sam, and Will Sommer on a MAGA brawl, the “Bulwark Take” Tim mentioned
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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Eliot and Eric welcome John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies with the Madison Policy Forum and Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project and author of numerous articles and studies of urban and subterranean warfare. They discuss the unique characteristics of urban warfare, the traditional U.S. military approach to urban warfare as well as historic…
Sam Stein, Jonathan Cohn and Dan Diamond (Washington Post) discuss the chaos at the CDC. From Dr. Demetre Daskalakis’s blistering letter slamming RFK Jr. to a wave of departures that put America’s health security at risk, they cover the breaking fallout and what it means going forward.
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Sarah Longwell is back and ready to go!
They dive into Trump’s accelerating authoritarian moves, from masked cops snatching people off the streets to purging the Federal Reserve, while Gavin Newsom trolls Trump with meme-style politics that energize Democrats but raise doubts about his 2028 chances. Meanwhile, the DNC looks out of touch, bogged down in land acknowledgments and bad messaging, leaving many wondering if the party is ready to stand up to Trump’s power grab.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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The gang will be together for two live shows in October:
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October 8 - Live in D.C. — On sale now.
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October 11 - Live in New York - Bulwark+ members will get first dibs on tickets via a members-only presale. Want early access to tickets? Join now!
To learn more and grab your tickets, go to TheBulwark.com/events.
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A year ago, China was globally isolated and its economy was struggling. But once Trump was back in office pursuing his own personal and political gain, the U.S. brand got tossed in the toilet and the view from Beijing got pretty sweet. Trump has allowed China to buy American microchips that could be used against our own national security interests, he caved on his own trade war with the country, and the divisions he's creating with allies in the West have made China's propaganda job a whole easier. Plus, the tragedy in Gaza, the evolving U.S.-Israel relationship, the one powerful way to squeeze Putin's war machine, and re-examining Biden's original plan to run for re-election.
Former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Sullivan's piece on Gaza for the Israeli news site, Ynet
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Article about Sullivan's comments at The Atlantic Festival in Sept. 2023
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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A gunman opened fire at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring seventeen others. Sam Stein takes on what happened, the response from city officials, and what this tragedy says about America’s ongoing struggle with gun violence.
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Taylor and Travis were a bright spot until Charlie Kirk made it weird. JVL and Sarah Longwell show how his shift into "submit to your husband" politics reveals the insecurity behind the MAGA movement's obsession with "trad."
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein react to Donald Trump’s marathon three-hour cabinet meeting where he made several references to himself being a dictator, cabinet members sucked up to comical levels, and RFK talked about windmills and whales.
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC's Deadline: White House to take on Donald Trump’s attempted firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the rise of Bill Pulte as a MAGA enforcer inside government, Trump’s mounting autocratic incentives, the hypocrisy of GOP leaders on election control, and new revelations around Alex Acosta and the Epstein files.
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer go play-by-play, blow-by-blow, grab-by-grab in the MAGA fight between Bryson Gray and Misfit Patriot at the Turning Point USA conference in Phoenix.
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Trump is bragging that his tariffs “saved $4 trillion” but it’s pure fake math. The CBO report he cites was twisted beyond recognition, while the reality is tariffs are taxes on us the consumers, inflation is rising, and the deficit is still exploding.
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Some rando far-right social media suck-up, who Trump rewarded with an appointment to his administration, is pushing mortgage fraud investigations of Adam Schiff, Tish James, and now Fed governor Lisa Cook. Trump claims he's fired Cook based on a tweet—but will any institution stand up to these McCarthy-like campaigns against his political foes? Meanwhile, Bolton is being investigated because he went on TV and called out Trump's lies about his embarrassing Alaska summit. Plus, the administration is abusing official resources by having Guard troops just stand around in D.C., Putin wants to devour Ukraine by any means necessary, and we are finding out what it's like to have a live-streaming presidency.
Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Susan's most recent column
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Pam Bondi profile by Ruth Marcus
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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Tim Miller and JVL take on Trump’s flag-burning executive order, the absurd “one year in jail” claim, and how even Barstool hosts are against it.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter highlight the shocking success of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters at the box office last weekend and muse about what it means for the streamer’s overall strategy. Then they review the first three episodes of Alien: Earth, the gory, thought-provoking new show on Hulu. Is it another hit for Noah Hawley (who made the TV shows Fargo and Legion?) Or a misfire lost in its own metaphors? If you enjoyed this episode, leave a comment or share it with a friend!
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Lauren Egan talks with Terry Virts, the former astronaut and fighter pilot running for Senate in Texas. Virts says he won’t back Chuck Schumer, calls Donald Trump a fascist, and argues Democrats need to refocus on middle class issues to win.
Check out more from Virts here: terryvirts.com
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Donald Trump says he’s firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. He claims that she falsified mortgage records, though she’s never been charged with wrongdoing and was confirmed by the Senate. Tim Miller and economics reporter Ben Walsh break down what this move means, whether Trump even has the legal authority to do it, and why gold is soaring and the…
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky break down Trump’s latest “dictator” trial balloon, his schoolyard-bully tactics, and even rumors of war with Mexican cartels. They roast Dean Cain’s cringe ICE training, unpack Trump’s “retribution tour,” and Cameron shares a raw story about being swatted after Parkland. Plus: Gen Z dating chaos, from first-date etiquette to the infamous “Labooboo” dilemma.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger take on new developments in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case and the heartbreaking story of a Massachusetts mom with four kids both devastating cases that left families broken and afraid.
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Tim Miller and JVL take on Trump once again floating the idea of a “dictatorship” while his allies cheer him on.
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Trump and his people have used the summer months to up the despot game—sending armed troops into the streets, taking over the police in D.C., and promising to export the same tactics to even more blue cities. And the attempted deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda shows the lengths the administration will go for not submitting to its coercion. At the same time, Vance sounds downright Orwellian on the John Bolton matter, while the White House eyes other major corporations to extort. Plus, Wes Moore punches back, the injustice of the trans military ban, and the emerging signs of a broad Democratic coalition
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Kinzinger on how Trump is undermining the Second Amendment
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Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' with Col. Bree Fram
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Mark Hertling on the purging of military and intel leaders
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Just one of Gov. Moore's recent punchy tweets
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The book Tim mentioned, "Diary of a Man in Despair"
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Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s latest meltdown after Maryland Governor Wes Moore invited him to walk the streets of Baltimore and see the city’s progress on crime. Trump threatened to “take back” federal bridge funds and even floated sending troops into Baltimore.
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Bree Fram joins Bill Kristol to discuss the escalating attacks on transgender Americans—from the removal of federal health care benefits to subpoenas for hospital records and even reports of the Department of Justice searching VA files for evidence of transition. What does this mean for trans service members and for the broader assault on trans lives?
Support Bree and her work at militarytransrights.org and breefram.com
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Jeff Clements joins John Avlon to talk about the For Our Freedom Amendment aims to put power back in the hands of people, not money, by allowing Congress and states to set limits on political spending. History shows that even in America’s most divided times, from the Civil War to the 1960s, bold constitutional amendments have passed, proof that big changes are possible in moments of crisis.
American Promise
https://americanpromis..
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Senator Catherine Cortez Masto joins Lauren Egan to talk about how Democrats can actually win in swing states — and what it will take to beat Donald Trump. From grocery prices to border security, she argues that moderation and voter engagement are the key to victory.
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Trump’s latest press conference was pure chaos: he joked about renaming the Kennedy Center after himself, called the Epstein files a “Democrat hoax,” gushed over a signed photo from Putin, and bragged about sending masked federal police into Chicago and New York. He even mocked his own allies like Kristi Noem while wearing a hat that read “Trump Was Right About Everything.”
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky sit down with Rob Schenntrup, a Parkland survivor and Brady organizer, whose sister Carmen was one of the 17 killed. Rob shares his journey from tragedy to advocacy, including his fight for Florida’s landmark school safety act and “red flag” laws. Together, they expose the gun lobby’s relentless grip on politics, the false promise that guns make us safer, and the toxic culture of hyper-masculinity fueling violence. The conversation also explores how online radicalization targets young men, the Democratic Party’s struggles with gun control, and bold new strategies for prevention and community safety.
You can follow Robert's work with Brady here
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Tim Miller sits down with Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH) to discuss his bold new plan to reframe the Democratic Party’s message: a “Pledge to America.” Inspired by Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America,” Landsman argues Democrats must stop running as simply the anti-Trump party and start addressing core issues head-on: a broken economy, unaffordable…
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The fears of jack-booted thugs and the military in the streets that filled the fever dreams of numerous people on the right since the 90s have come to pass. Not to mention that these are boom times for private prisons, deportation camps, and huge data centers driving up electricity bills. (We're building things, Marc Andreessen!) Meanwhile, The Bulwark …
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It’s a weird Secret pod this week. Sarah (and half of The Bulwark) are on vacation and then we had breaking news this morning when the FBI raided John Bolton’s house.
So Tim and I taped a little topper for you and then the rest of the show is a recording of the livestream we did this morning right after the Bolton news broke. That livestream has me and Tim plus Mona Charen and George Conway, who joined us from literally outside Bolton’s house.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
Tim Miller joins MSNBC’s The Beat With Ari Melber and The 11th Hour to take on JD Vance’s defense of Trump’s unpopular economic bill and its hidden healthcare cuts, the stagnant Trump economy, Republican redistricting power grabs, and MAGA's authoritarian theater on the National Mall.
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On this week’s episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Toby Huss, star of the summer’s most surprising smash hit, Weapons, as well as the rebooted King of the Hill on Hulu and Americana, in theaters and VOD now. We talked about all those, plus his weird and lovely photography book, American Sugargristle, which you can (and should!) order here. Toward the end of the episode, I went full Chris Farley and did a “Hey, remember The Adventures of Pete and Pete and Carnivale? You were awesome in those” segment. Luckily, Mr. Huss was insightful and, frequently, quite poignant while discussing his work as an artist across multiple disciplines, from acting to music to photography. If you enjoyed the episode—and I hope you did—please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller, JVL, Mona Charen and George Conway reacted live to the breaking news that John Bolton, former national security adviser, had his home raided by the FBI on August 22, 2025. George Conway was live on the scene.
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In a dawn operation, FBI agents descended on the home of Trump’s former national security advisor.
Read more on this developing story here:
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Tim Miller and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s lawless TikTok play. The White House just launched an official account even though the platform was supposed to be banned under U.S. law — a ban upheld 9–0 by the Supreme Court. Trump shrugs it off, admits he’s doing it to chase young voters, and meanwhile creators say TikTok is censoring anti-Trump voices.
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Sonny, JVL, and Hannah Yoest take on the Cracker Barrel rebrand, from the missing barrel man to the minimalist junk drawer décor. Is this about chasing Gen Z, corporate blandness, or American nostalgia gone wrong?
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George Conway explains to JVL how Pam Bondi’s failed attempt to seize control of DC’s police exposed Trump’s push for total power — and why it’s a warning of what could come next. From the absurd “felony sandwich” case to Trump’s open threats on Truth Social, Conway lays out how the rule of law is being twisted to protect the powerful and punish the weak.
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While Trump keeps working hard on his own monetization and glorification—and delivers a Watergate practically every hour—the pro-democracy coalition must stay focused on winning next year's midterm elections. Trump is at the point of no return, Congress is becoming the only institution that can stop him, and holding onto that lever of power is his top p…
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JVL and Jon Lovett join forces in this Substack Live to cut through the noise on Trump, authoritarianism, and whether Democrats can find the urgency to fight back before it’s too late.
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Eliot and Eric are joined by Juan Carlos Pinzón, former Colombian Minister of Defense and two-time Ambassador to the U.S. They discuss the success of former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe's counterinsurgency efforts against FARC and narco-trafficking, the subsequent domestic developments in Colombia that have led to significant backsliding on narco-tr…
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JVL, Tim Miller, and special guest Andrew Egger get into the rise of Trump’s cult cops, the right’s open flirtation with Caesarism, and whether Newsom’s new “mean streak” is a weapon or a trap for Democrats.
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Tim Miller and Jonathan Cohn break down why electricity bills are climbing as clean energy credits vanish, tariffs rise, and AI data centers expand.
Read more from Jonathan Cohn at The Breakdown.
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Russia is losing the war in Ukraine. More than 1 million Russian troops have been killed or injured, and it's been estimated that it would take another four years and 2 million more soldiers for Putin to conquer the Donbas region. So no, Ben Shapiro, getting Ukraine to sacrifice the region in return for some kind of security guarantee would not be a "ma…
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JVL and Hannah Yoest discuss Gavin Newsom’s new “dark woke” shitposting style. Newsom is upsetting MAGA, dividing Democrats, and boosting his national profile as he continues eyeing a presidential run.
Don’t miss Hannah’s Morning Shots column about Newsom.
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MAGA’s biggest feud right now isn’t with Democrats — it’s inside Trump World. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer have turned on each other in spectacular fashion. JVL and Andrew Egger take on why Loomer goes lower than anyone, and why MTG actually believes the crazy stuff.
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JVL joins Mona to reflect on the new courtiers and how they must fawn, the militarization of DC, and one green shoot of push-back.
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Tim Miller slams Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry for sending National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. to support Trump’s latest “law and order” stunt, even as Louisiana faces its own crime, jailbreaks, and looming hurricanes.
Tim argues it’s pure political theater, troops used as props to please Trump, while real problems at home go ignored.
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Back in the day, Trump used to puff up his wealth to get on the Forbes list.Lately though, he doesn't talk about how much money he has, especially now that he and his family have pocketed an estimated $3.4 billion off his time in the White House. The bulk of those billions comes from various crypto-related ventures—and money from foreign nationals and …
On this week’s episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discussed the problem of productions fleeing Georgia for other locales with bigger tax incentives. Then they reviewed Nobody 2, one of the rare films to, possibly, be a too-tight 90. No bonus episode this week, see you guys next Tuesday!
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Rep. Elise Stefanik walked on stage in her own district and got brutally booed — twice. Tim Miller explains how Stefanik went from anti-Trump moderate to full-blown sycophant, why she’s lost touch with her constituents, and what happens when you trade credibility for clout in Trump’s world. Spoiler: the clown nose doesn’t come off.
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JVL and Andrew Egger discuss Trump’s federal takeover of DC, the administration’s exaggerated claims about crime vanishing overnight, and the way the crackdown is being staged as a law-and-order success while raising serious concerns about authoritarian overreach, particularly by the amateur officers hiding their identities behind masks.
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky break down the bizarre Trump-Zelensky meeting and the disturbing implications of Trump's apparent willingness to appease Putin, including a look at rumored "Golan Heights style" occupation plans for Ukraine. They also take a look at the alarming rise of AI romantic relationships, "AI psychosis," and Meta's fight against AI regulation. Lastly, they dissect the "anti-woke" misfire of Sydney Sweeney's film "Americana" and its financial flop, questioning the real consequences of aligning with the MAGA brand.
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Marc Elias warns that Trump’s latest plan is not just bluster. By banning mail voting and claiming that states answer to him, Trump is setting up the biggest threat yet to American elections in 2026.
Check out more from Marc Elias at Democracy Docket.
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As Trump calls in red state troops, should blue state governors fight back? Tim and JVL debate bold moves and risky strategies.
Read more in today’s Triad: A Modest Proposal: Send Blue State National Guardsmen to D.C.
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Militarizing the nation's capital is not a distraction, and Democrats really need to stop using that term. Trump is trying to seize power, intimidate the public, and foment violence in the streets. And it's a purposeful MAGA marketing campaign—the masked federal thugs often have a camera person with them as they tase and tackle people. This is a fight that is central to the pro-democracy coalition, and it must become a political loser for Trump. Meanwhile, European leaders are now the ones defending liberty, and Trump may be laying the groundwork for an attempted federal takeover of our elections.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Philip Bump's mapping of crime rates in states sending Guard troops to DC
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Masked agents NOT patrolling in DC neighborhoods most impacted by crime
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Bill's “Bulwark on Sunday” conversation with Eric
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Video of a Russian tank with an American flag
Bulwark Live in Toronto, DC, NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
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Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck joins Mona to unpack the Justice Department’s attack on Judge James Boasberg, Trump’s efforts to bend universities to his will, the Supreme Court’s retreat into procedural evasions, and the broader erosion of guardrails in American governance. What happens when process itself—the foundation of the rule of law—comes under assault?
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Tim Miller takes on Melania Trump's bizarre letter to Putin, asking him to “restore the melodic laughter” of children—without once mentioning Ukraine.
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Eric Edelman joins Bill Kristol to discuss the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska. No ceasefire was signed. Trump deferred the hard decisions to Ukraine. Putin scored a diplomatic win simply by being allow on U.S. soil What does that mean for U.S. credibility, Western unity, and Ukraine’s future?
You can catch Eric every week on Shield of the Republic with Eliot Cohen.
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In this episode of How to Fix It, General Stanley McChrystal joins John Avlon to reflect on the themes of his latest book on character and how personal integrity shapes public leadership. McChrystal argues that character isn’t just about ideals—it’s the product of values and the discipline to live them out. He believes America is suffering a national character erosion, and that rebuilding democratic norms must start from the ground up—through civic education, grassroots engagement, and personal accountability.
Looking back at U.S. military engagements, McChrystal shares candid reflections. He defends the initial intervention in Afghanistan post-9/11 but says its long-term failure was heartbreaking and due to missed opportunities and poor leadership—both by Afghans and Americans. On Iraq, he calls the 2003 invasion a mistake: unnecessary and poorly thought through, arguing Saddam would’ve collapsed on his own. Regarding Iran, he sees the current regime as extreme and ineffective but believes a more democratic future is possible if the West remains engaged. On Ukraine, McChrystal says the U.S. should have backed Kyiv more forcefully and early, suggesting that a “blank check” approach could have weakened Putin faster and potentially led to regime change in Russia.
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JVL and Ben Parker dive VERY deeply into Trump’s BLS pick E.J. Antoni’s proud admiration of a Nazi battleship, and if his big plan for his upcoming role is to sink honest jobs reports similar to the battleship itself.
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Tim Miller takes on how the Trump-Putin Alaska summit went from what seemed to be an empty nothing-burger to a grotesque betrayal as it’s now being reported Trump pushed Putin’s demands onto Zelenskyy that Ukraine give up Donetsk and Luhansk.
Financial Times’ report, “Putin demanded Ukraine cede Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for freezing rest of front line“
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Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller are joined by "nerdy, abundance-pilled centrist zoomer" Laksha Jain, co-founder of Split Ticket, to unpack the complex dynamics of Gen Z voters and election analysis. Laksha explains the "golden age of map nerds," looking at the intricacies of redistricting battles like California's push for more seats and the critical implications for the Voting Rights Act. They also discuss the alarming trend of Gen Z's shifting political alignment, particularly their surprising lean towards Donald Trump in 2024. How can Democrats win back young voters in upcoming elections?
Go check out Lakshya's work here
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The Focus Group will be back for real in a couple of weeks, but by popular demand, Sarah and her producer, Conor Kilgore, take on some of our listeners' frequently asked questions about how and why they do all these focus groups.
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Donald Trump’s much-hyped Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin was a dud. No peace deal was announced. No press conference was held. It was all flattery, no real progress, and a big win for the Kremlin. Even Fox News gave it bad reviews. Tim Miller breaks it down.
As we await the Putin-Trump presser after the 3-on-3 summit in Alaska, the gang hoped on line to chat about first impressions from the summit.
We’re watching events from Alaska and may go live again tonight—watch your inbox.
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While Donald Trump delivers chaos, cruelty, and corruption—and Republicans play the facts-and-hypocrisy don't matter game— Democrats have to do more rallies, more town halls, and more hearings, on and off the Hill. And if Leader Jeffries gets the gavel after the midterms, he promises investigations into Trump's huge pay-to-play scheme and says that Kris…
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Sarah and JVL defend the honor of Baby Boomer protestors and debate the merits of anti-fascist sandwich throwing before hunkering down for a loooong conversation about whether Trumpism is a perversion of conservatism, or a fulfillment of it.
ICYMI:
JVL's Triad on Trump and Conservatism with a followup in Friday’s Triad to some smart reader comments.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by New York Magazine’s Bilge Ebiri, who has an enormous, career-spanning interview with Ron Howard in the latest issue. We discussed what makes a Ron Howard movie a “Ron Howard Movie,” the incredibly under-appreciated Thirteen Lives, and that movie about J.D. Vance. And then we talked a bit about his fascinating history of a key element of film technology in the latest issues of Mubi’s quarterly film journal, Notebook. Why is 24 frames per second the accepted frame rate? And why does our eye revolt when the image, paradoxically, gets closer to “reality”? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Andrew Egger and Will Sommer take on the story of how Donald Trump’s former Attorney General, Bill Barr, is now the target of a bizarre MAGA conspiracy theory — all thanks to a “whistleblower” with a rap sheet of cons, fake baby photos, forged documents, and an alleged grift trail from Brazil to the United States.
We Found It! The Flimsiest MAGA Conspiracy of All Time.
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JVL and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s economic mess, from stagflation and skyrocketing inflation to targeted economic pain for political enemies.
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At the Alaska summit, Putin will likely be angling for a sequel of the Helsinki meeting, the infamous tête-à-tête in 2018 where Trump got rolled and cajoled. And because Trump refuses to accept that his charisma and imaginary friendship with Vladimir will never be enough to close a ceasefire deal, the best outcome for Ukraine is that Putin makes Trump m…
Nazi imagery, extremist politics, and a January 6 cameo. Tim Miller and Bill Kristol expose the troubling record of Trump’s new BLS nominee and the risk he poses to inflation, jobs, and social security.
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Tim Miller joins MSNBC’s The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle to take on how Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska, why America’s top CEOs are bowing to MAGA power at the expense of democracy and the economy, and Trump’s unwarranted D.C. police takeover.
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Eric and Eliot discuss Secretary Hegseth's restoration of the '"Reunion" memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, the President's nationalizing of the DC National Guard to engage in law enforcement in the nation's capital, and the diplomatic pratfalls of Steve Witkoff whose misinterpretation of President Putin has resulted in the misbegotten forthcoming…
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Sarah, Tim and JVL are BACK!
Trump turns a late-night DC fight into an excuse for a full-blown National Guard takeover — complete with a TV personality running the cops. The gang tackles this absurd “Big Balls” pretext, Trump’s upcoming Alaska summit with Putin (and the Billy Joel geography lesson), his bizarre choice of an unqualified weirdo to cook the jobs numbers, and what it all means for the economy, authoritarian crackdowns, and the next elections. Plus: Sherrod Brown’s uphill Ohio battle, and why Democrats need real butch he-men running for office.
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Tim Cook groveling to Trump with a golden trophy and a dash of MAGA identity politics is probably a sign that we are not currently living in a healthy free-market economy. But business leaders apparently prefer pathetically sucking up to a president than feeling snubbed by one, like they did with Biden. And despite the sluggish job growth, rising prices, and tariff uncertainty, they also say the economy is absolutely totally better than it was in 2024— because they are heavily invested in the TACO rule. Plus, crypto advice, morality never gets in the way of a solid balance sheet, and a debate over whether Trump is dialing back his masked-men deportation regime. Also, is Sam Altman trying to make ChatGPT addictive?Jason Calacanis joins Tim Miller to shed light on what the business world is thinking right now.
Show notes:
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The "All-In" podcast
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Latest episode of "The Next Level"
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Tim's interview with Jason in October
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"All-In" interview with Vance
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Tim Miller joined MSNBC’s Chris Jansing to discuss growing fears about immigration raids near schools as the new year begins. Families are afraid to send their children to class, worried that poorly-trained ICE agents could target them.
Watch Chris Jansing Reports on MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/chris-jansing-reports
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RFK Jr. is cutting half a billion dollars in mRNA vaccine research and claiming the shots do not work, cause dangerous mutations, and should be replaced with whole virus vaccines. Jonathan Cohn talks with Dr. Paul Offit to sort fact from fiction and nonsense.
Check out more of Dr. Offit’s science insights at Beyond the Noise
Subscribe to Bulwark+ on Substack? Watch this video there.
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on Laura Loomer’s outrageous deposition — complete with roast beef insults, Trump affair rumors, and her vicious feud with Marjorie Taylor Greene. Do NOT miss Sam’s dramatic reading!
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Andrew Egger and Sonny Bunch talk about the new Wall Street Journal article on Cheryl Hines’s unusual public journey from being known as a beloved comedic actress on Curb Your Enthusiasm to being known as the spouse of RFK Jr., and how that shift has pulled her into political controversies. They discuss her tendency to sidestep criticism and avoid engaging directly with her husband’s more extreme views, questioning whether she’s deliberately playing naïve or simply staying loyal. Along the way, they touch on the surreal mix of Hollywood image-making, Kennedy family baggage, and the uneasy intersection of celebrity culture with modern political campaigning.
How Cheryl Hines Went From Hollywood Star to Mrs. MAHA
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Andrew and Mona discuss the meat ax approach to crime, the real DC, and what will happen when Trump meets Putin again.
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Bulwark pal Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller to talk about the phony crises—an “invasion” at the border, immigrants in the interior, crime in D.C.—that Trump has announced so he can put on a show of force for his MAGA base.
He makes this same move again and again, declaring fake emergencies on college campuses so he can shake them down, or an economic emergency so he can impose tariffs. Now, he’s looking at a “quick reaction force” to respond to protests. It’s all a naked power grab—and a potential prequel to sending troops into U.S. cities during elections.
Also discussed: the fabricated economic data Trump wants; his 15 percent cut of Nvidia’s and AMD’s chip sales to China, which sure quacks like a bribe; and will Idiocracy come alive with a UFC Octagon on the White House South Lawn?
Show notes:
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Amanda on the shakedown of elite institutions
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Protect Democracy’s ‘Democracy Atlas’
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JVL on making good trouble
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JVL on E.J. Antoni
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“Bulwark Take” with Jason Furman on E.J. Antoni
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JVL and Jonathan Cohn are joined by economist Jason Furman to discuss Trump’s pick of E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a choice that is highly partisan, unqualified, and threatens trust in economic data with potential long-term risks to policymaking and governance.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discussed how to best respond to South Park’s war on the Trump Administration and its cronies. Then they reviewed Weapons, the funniest scary movie of the year (so far!) that nevertheless has a poignant, melancholic core. (There are spoilers in this chat, so just let it be known that all three recommended it heartily if you’re worried about that sort of thing.) Make sure to swing by Thursday for a discussion of the shifting political winds in Hollywood. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Jonathan Cohn talk with an old friend Juliette Kayyem. They discuss FEMA’s recent challenges and growing responsibilities in the face of escalating climate disasters, especially extreme heat. They examine how climate change is making disasters more frequent and costly, stretching FEMA’s resources to the limit. The conversation also touches on the recent Texas disaster, using it as a case study of how unprepared infrastructure and slow responses can worsen the toll of extreme events. The discussion highlights the urgent need for both federal support and local action to adapt to the climate crisis.
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Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller dissect the week's top news, from the mugging of "Big Balls" (Edward Coristine) in D.C. sparking debate over federalized policing to critically examining Trump's claims about rising crime and his administration's efforts to enable ICE's racial profiling through the Supreme Court. They also explore alarming data from the Financial Times revealing significant shifts in Gen Z's personality traits and reflecting on how social media profoundly influences connection and well-being in an increasingly isolated world.
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Trump’s White House tried to spin the Epstein scandal by pushing for grand jury files they knew were safe, then blaming the judge when nothing came out. Tim Miller and Andrew Egger explain how the stunt worked, Maxwell’s cushy prison move, and whether we’ve really hit “peak Epstein.”
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Crime is down in D.C., but Trump is using the pretext of an attempted carjacking of "Big Balls," the former 19-year-old DOGE employee, to take over the city's police department and deploy the National Guard. It's a threat to other blue cities, and an ominous sign ahead of 2026 and 2028. Meanwhile, the DOJ has appointed 'a special attorney' and empaneled grand juries to investigate Trump enemies Adam Schiff and Tish James. Plus, it's odd how JD never seems to defend Trump on Epstein, and Putin has already scored a psychological victory by the promise of being welcomed to the United States as an equal—rather than the war criminal he is.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Cathy's piece on the upcoming Alaska summit
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Bill in "Morning Shots" on how Vance keeps drawing attention to the Epstein matter
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JVL, Sam Stein, and Andrew Egger take on Donald Trump’s latest press conference—part authoritarian cosplay, part surreal stand-up routine. From talking about “good violence” and floating military takeovers of blue cities, to comparing DC to Baghdad and rambling about a new presidential ballroom, the spectacle was as bizarre as it was alarming.
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Walter Olson of the Cato Institute discusses the Manhattan Statement on Higher Education, which would license Trump to ignore law, procedure, and precious liberties.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
REFERENCES:
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The Manhattan Statement on Higher Education
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A Troubling Right-Wing Manifesto on Universities, by Walter Olson at Persuasion
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In a special video exclusively for Bulwark+ members, Sarah Longwell takes on your toughest comments and questions—no dodging, no fluff.
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Bill Kristol and Lauren Egan explore the high-stakes political season ahead with redistricting battles, leadership questions, and the names to watch for 2028. Plus they size up this year’s Alabama vs. Vanderbilt matchup.
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John Avlon and long time friend Matt Pottinger reconnect to talk global security, U.S.–China relations, artificial intelligence, and the health of democracy. They reflect on their shared history, Pottinger’s career as a journalist and Marine, and his service in the Trump administration. The discussion explores China’s rising influence, the AI race between nations, how authoritarian regimes exploit democratic weaknesses, and what the U.S. must do to stay competitive while protecting its values. Personal stories and strategic insights blend with the easy rapport of two old friends.
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The Trump administration is trying to deport foreign students for doing nothing more than speaking their minds — attending protests, writing editorials, voicing opinions the government doesn’t like. It’s a direct attack on the First Amendment, and FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) is taking them to court.
Sarah Longwell talks with FIRE attorney Conor Fitzpatrick about the lawsuit, the students targeted, and why this fight matters for everyone’s free speech—citizen or not.
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Colin Allred joins Lauren Egan to talk about the Texas redistricting fight, his 2026 Senate campaign with potential rivals Beto O'Rourke and James Talarico with lessons from his race against Ted Cruz, and why Democrats can win over working-class voters with authenticity.
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Tim Miller serves up a double dose of Schadenfreude Saturday. Two die-hard MAGA businessmen just got a taste of their own politics — and it’s not going down easy.
First, the Trump Burger chain owner in Texas who plastered his restaurants with MAGA merch… and now faces deportation. Next is Josh Smith, a Montana knife maker who mocked companies for whining about tariffs — until those same tariffs jacked up his costs.
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Jonathan Cohn talks with We Are Eating the Earth author Michael Grunwald about how food and farming are wrecking our planet. From beef and biofuels to fake meat and Florida politics, it’s a climate crisis hiding in plain sight.
Hungry for more? Read more from Michael Grunwald in We Are Eating the Earth and The Swamp.
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Alan Dershowitz tried again—and failed again!—to get served at a Martha’s Vineyard pierogi stand. Sam Stein and Semafor's Max Tani take on the bizarre farmers’ market showdown and why it's blowing up online.
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Tim Miller breaks down Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent re-tweet of a Christian nationalist interview, praising a pastor opposing women’s right to vote and promoting their submission to men. It begs the question why Hegseth is focused on this, and restoring confederate statues, rather than many of the global events that should be occupying his time as Secretary of Defense.
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Texas Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher joins Sarah Longwell to take on the shameless power grab happening in Texas. Texas Republicans are trying to ram through a mid-decade redistricting plan that could give the GOP 80% of the state’s congressional seats—even though nearly half of Texans vote Democratic.
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Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Nick Fuentes are locked in a battle of right-wing infighting. It started with Candace’s awkward interview with Fuentes, escalated with Tucker implying Fuentes is a “fed,” and now the groypers are firing back. Sonny Bunch and Will Sommer break down how this feud started, why Tucker might be out of his depth in Fuentes’ …
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There's a direct line between when the Democratic Party got nationalized and when it started getting wiped out in red states. Dems need to embrace heterodoxy in their candidates—running in New York City is not the same as running in Nebraska. And the party has to exorcise itself of people like Andrew Cuomo. Plus, the administration has upped the cruelty…
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Bill Kristol fills in for JVL during this extra super secret edition of the Secret Podcast. Trump’s economy is cracking under its own weight—grocery prices, tariffs, and a sputtering job market are chipping away at his support. Could these numbers spell trouble for 2026?
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Sarah Longwell and Lauren Egan talk the Democratic Party’s generational shift, as younger leaders step up in the wake of elder congressional struggles, retirements and passings. With rising urgency and new media savvy, the next generation is starting to take the reins.
Read Lauren’s The Opposition, “The Democratic Youth (er, Young Adult) Movement Arrives”
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky take a look at South Park's savage satire of Trump, JD Vance, and Kristi Noem. They also break down the fallout from Chris Cuomo getting duped by obvious AI, the shady streaming wars, Dean Cain joining ICE, and how the military is using influencers and Call of Duty to recruit Gen Z.
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Tim Miller is joined by Michael Fanone to discuss the appointment of Jared Wise, a January 6th insurrectionist who shouted “Kill them!” at police officers, to a role at the Department of Justice's new "Weaponization Working Group."
Follow Michael: Michael Fanone's Youtube
Michael Fanone's Substack
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George Conway joins Sam Stein to explain the mounting legal and political chaos surrounding Trump and his allies. From the Department of Justice’s bizarre handling of the Epstein fallout—including Ghislaine Maxwell’s taped interview and Todd Blanche’s rumored pending Rogan appearance—to the escalating redistricting war in Texas, Tulsi Gabbard’s reckless document release, and Trump’s alleged meddling in the New York mayoral race.
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The United States, through USAID, not only supplied a big chunk of the world's humanitarian aid, it also provided almost all of the logistical support for other aid organizations to deliver relief as well. Now in Sudan, where the state has disintegrated and millions of people are trying to flee anarchy and civil war, virtually no Western organization is there to provide food and shelter. And no American is working on trying to end the conflict. Plus, Tim Cook joins the CEO suck-up to Trump, a top, well-regarded FBI official who was trying to hold the line under Kash has been pushed out, and Putin may be trying to pause Ukraine's punishing air war on Russia—but he's not showing any sign that he wants peace.
Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Anne's piece on Sudan, “The Most Nihilistic Conflict on Earth”
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Anne's wildflower garden
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The NYT on the continuing purge at the FBI
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Anne's "Autocracy, Inc.," out in paperback Aug. 25
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"The Director," book recommendation from Anne
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Tim Miller takes on the Trump administration's unconscionable firings at the FBI, blasting the politicization of federal law enforcement and the retaliation against career officials.
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Eliot and Eric welcome Fred Starr, former President of Oberlin University and current Chairman of the Central Asia and Caucasus Institute (CACI). They discuss the current situation in Russia and highlight the logistic difficulties and enormous human and material losses that Russian forces are facing. They also discuss Central Asian countries like Kazakh…
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John Avlon and Texas state legislator James Talarico focus on solutions for defending democracy against partisan power grabs. Talarico outlines the Texas Democrats’ bold strategy of breaking quorum to block a mid-decade gerrymander, framing it as a model of using every available tool to protect free and fair elections. He stresses that reform must start with banning gerrymandering altogether—whether in red or blue states—to ensure voters choose their leaders, not the other way around.
Beyond redistricting, Avlon and Talarico argue Democrats should reclaim the language of faith as part of a broader effort to connect with more voters. By grounding politics in service and moral responsibility, leaders can bridge divides and counter extremist narratives. He also calls for strengthening the separation of church and state to protect both democracy and religious freedom.
Finally, he believes Democrats must adopt a more aggressive, grassroots-driven approach, running for local office, contesting every seat, and showing voters they’re willing to act boldly to fix the system and make it work for everyone.
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Tim, Sarah, and Sam talk Trump’s continuing Epstein nightmare, the GOP’s redistricting chaos in Texas, and RFK Jr.’s disastrous antivax decisions. Plus, Megyn Kelly picks a fight with Sarah, Jim Acosta creeps out everyone by interviewing an AI ghost, and conservatives suddenly think they made human breasts cool again.
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Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer take on the craziest MAGA influencer drama you’ve ever seen—complete with enough NSFW dirt to make Jerry Springer blush. Buckle up, baby!
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Gerrymandering has always been partisan, but what's happening in Texas is straight-up racial politics. Republicans are targeting and trying to disenfranchise black voters while betting that Latino voters will stick with them. And because Trump hasn't had a lot of luck making the furor over Epstein and Ghislaine go away, JD is stepping in to host a total…
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Will Saletan takes on Donald Trump’s latest assault on reality, this time targeting the nation’s job numbers. He explains how Trump's delusion about the 2020 election morphed into a movement, why so many Republicans are still playing along, and why the media has stopped pushing back.
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Sam Stein and former Ambassador Dan Shapiro discuss the deepening crisis in Gaza, Israel’s military strategy, and the growing humanitarian catastrophe. They examine Netanyahu’s leadership failures, the international backlash against Israel, and the erosion of global support. The conversation also explores U.S. policy dilemmas, Biden’s balancing act, and the geopolitical risks, including Trump and its impact on the region.
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Will Saletan and Mona discuss the authoritarian power grabs of the past week and consider whether in some situations it's the right time to break norms.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on the GOP’s bizarre Epstein subpoenas targeting the Clintons, while leaving out Trump and Alex Acosta, the man who gave Epstein a sweetheart deal.
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Tim Miller is fed up with Megyn Kelly’s latest ridiculous culture-war fantasy: inventing a fake battle between Beyoncé and Sydney Sweeney. Tim takes on this manufactured controversy and explains why Democrats shouldn’t take the bait.
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Voters in the seven swing states that elected Trump in 2024 thought he'd make the economy better. His perceived strength on the economy is the cornerstone Jenga piece of the whole Trump Tower. And he keeps making the economy worse. Meanwhile, Democratic voters are highly engaged—but just not with the party, whose brand is struggling. Plus, Republicans a…
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer unpack one of the worst GOP town halls in recent memory. From Medicaid cuts to Epstein questions, Mike Flood's night went off the rails fast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman ask why The Wizard of Oz is being mutilated via the alchemy of AI to be shown on the enormous 16K-resolution screen at The Sphere … and why Sonny is, honestly, kind of into it. (You can watch the CBS Sunday Morning segment on Oz at The Sphere here.) Then they review The Naked Gun, a movie so funny it brought this episode to a screeching standstill when Alyssa couldn’t keep it together while trying to recount one of the jokes. Funny movie! You should go see it! No bonus episode this week, but we’ll be back Monday with a brand new one.
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Dr. Mike (Mikhail Varshavski), a family medicine physician and viral YouTube creator, joins Jonathan Cohn to unpack the chaotic healthcare landscape of the last few years. Dr. Mike shares how he built a 14-million-strong audience by countering medical misinformation. They look into the pandemic’s communication failures, the politicization of public health, vaccine skepticism, and why the CDC struggled to keep up with TikTok and YouTube.
You can check out Dr. Mike at his channel here: @DoctorMike
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Trump said he would release the Epstein files. He did not. He said he would protect IVF access. He will not. Now Marjorie Taylor Greene and manosphere influencers like Andrew Schultz are lashing out. Sam Stein and Will Saletan break it all down and ask if these are cracks in the coalition or just more performative rage.
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The boss only wants to hear good news: that's the takeaway from Trump's high-profile firing over the weak job numbers. So if a government worker has something bad to report, they now know they'll have to lie to keep their jobs. And this isn't only about key information on the economy—it's also about hurricane forecasts, intel threats, and potential military mishaps. Meanwhile, the Texas redistricting stand-off is fraying the fabric of our democracy. Plus, Fox's own producers think Jeanine Pirro is a reckless maniac, direction from the top was the only way Ghislaine Maxwell could have been moved to a 'Club Fed' prison, and Democrats debate how much to work with Republicans who don't keep their word.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Today's 'Morning Shots'
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The 'Bulwark Takes' Apple feed
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Tim on 'Pod Save America' on Friday
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Some of the victims' testimony from Maxwell's trial
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Texas State Rep. James Talarico joins Sam Stein from an undisclosed location in Illinois—far from the statehouse floor, to explain why Democrats fled Texas. They discuss the Trump-backed redistricting plan, why Talarico thinks California Democrats need to move on their own redistricting plan NOW, and the GOP’s flood relief bait-and-switch.
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AEI's Sadanand Dhume joins the podcast to discuss Zohran Mamdani's ideological origins, why government stores are not a fresh, new idea, Indian democracy, poverty, capitalism, and how Bangladesh went its own way.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer teams up with Hawk to take on the right-wing conspiracy circus—from Candace Owens’ bizarre lawsuit involving the Macrons to MAGA’s QAnon obsession, and Trump’s escalating Epstein disaster.
Check out Hawk! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcrmvbQbfwSZaTgBZPrjMQ
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Will Saletan exposes Donald Trump’s authoritarian tactics after Trump fires the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for reporting accurate—but politically inconvenient—job numbers. Even worse, Trump’s top economic advisor, Kevin Hassett, steps in to shamelessly defend Trump’s lies about the data, proving himself the ultimate apparatchik.
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Bill Kristol and Joe Perticone break down what’s ahead after the August recess. Will GOP members break with Trump over Epstein? Will Democrats cave on another funding deal? Plus, what really happened between Senators Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker?
Keep up with all Joe’s reporting at Press Pass: Senators Tried to Tamp Down Corruption. Trump Got Pissed.
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John Avlon talks with David Pepper about how gerrymandering is undermining democracy, Trump’s push for new congressional maps in Texas, and how everyday citizens can fight back by running for local office, registering voters, and holding corrupt officials accountable.
Follow David at https://substack.com/@davidpepper and buy his book “Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual” here.
Read The Breakdown newsletter.
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Sam Stein takes on Donald Trump’s wild Newsmax interview, where Trump openly toys with pardoning disgraced figures like Puff Daddy, George Santos, and even Ghislaine Maxwell.
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Sarah and JVL give you the mega-show you’ve been waiting for: Trump’s $200 million presidential palace ballroom! Tariff TACOs! Kamala’s book! Hunter Biden! Vegas, Baby!
All this and Sydney Sweeney, too.
It’s a super-sized go-home show as JVL heads out for vacation.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
Trump just fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics—for telling the truth about his disastrous economy. Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell take on Trump’s latest authoritarian tantrum, the jaw-dropping new jobs report, and why this move may push America into banana republic territory.
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Osborn, the populist independent who ran a surprisingly close campaign for a Senate seat in Nebraska last year, is back for another run in the 2026 midterms. A steamfitter and union member, he says he naturally connects with other workers drawing paychecks who are feeling the squeeze. And he likes to point out that his opponent last time took money from corporate donors; but this time, his opponent is a corporate donor—incumbent Pete Ricketts, one of the wealthiest members of Congress. Plus, the pain from tariffs on Main Street, the inhumanity of masked ICE agents, and the peril for Democrats if they can't figure out how to talk to Trump voters.
Dan Osborn joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Tucker talking about home ownership and the American dream
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Tim's playlist
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein react to the gaudy design choices Donald Trump is planning for a $200 million renovation of the White House East Wing, including a completely gold grand ballroom, and the long lasting imprint he’s trying to leave on the People’s House.
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I asked David Poland (read his Substack!) to come on this week to pick his brain about the state of the big studio comedy, a genre that has diminished in recent years as international grosses became more important and a lot of comedy releases shifted to streaming in an effort to reduce advertising costs. Which led to us talking about the states of various genres (including horror and superhero pictures) as well as the state of play around the world. If you learned something this week, I hope you share this episode with a friend!
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Donald Trump just revived the Presidential Fitness Council and the guest list is stranger than fiction: RFK Jr., Triple H, an NFL kicker, a sex offender, and Bryson DeChambeau. In this unhinged appearance, Trump fumbles basic NIL facts, rails against women’s sports progress, and blames capitalism while pretending to defend it. Tim Miller and Pablo Torre break down how the whole thing feels like a distraction from tougher questions, especially a pressing one about Jeffrey Epstein.
You can watch Pablo on his show: Pablo Torre Finds Out
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George Conway explains to JVL what’s really going on with Trump’s obsession over Jeffrey Epstein, suspicious secret DOJ meetings, and a brewing judicial backlash against Trump’s persistent lying and disregard for the courts. Plus, George breaks down the controversial confirmation of Emil Bove and how it could reshape the courts for decades.
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Will Sommer joined All In with Chris Hayes to get into the bizarre discrepancies in the DOJ’s “raw” Epstein jail footage. Missing minutes, hidden cell access routes, and questionable explanations from Pam Bondi raise fresh doubts about Epstein’s death. Is this incompetence, a deliberate cover-up, or both?
Watch All In with Chris Hayes: https://www.msnbc.com/all
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Texas Republicans are busy gerrymandering their already gerrymandered congressional map, and other red states are looking to do the same—all aimed at blocking the Dems from winning back the House and shielding Donald Trump at all costs. Meanwhile, the DOJ is trying to get state voter rolls and is laying the groundwork for interfering in the midterms. Democrats need to fight fire with fire in blue states. Plus, the cowardice of Big Law, the power politics behind the Emil Bove confirmation, and the pathetic deference Republicans are showing to convicted sex crimes monster Ghislaine Maxwell.
Marc Elias joins Tim Miller.
show notes
- Elias's Democracy Docket
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Candace Owens faces a massive lawsuit from France’s President Macron after spreading a bizarre conspiracy theory claiming Macron’s wife is secretly transgender—and it gets even weirder from there. Trump begs her to stop, other MAGA influencers bail, but Candace keeps digging.
Check out Will piece on this story: Candace Owens Is in Some REAL Trouble
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Eric and Eliot address the latest buffoonery emanating from the Pentagon before turning to a discussion about Trump's evolving position on Russia. They also address the horrendous situation in Gaza and try to apportion blame as fairly as possible given the difficulty of parsing statements by both Hamas and the Israeli government. The conversation includ…
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No, Kamala’s not running for governor. But is she done with politics for good? Sam Stein and Lauren Egan dig into her announcement, the Democratic Party’s collective vibe shift, and why 2024 still haunts everyone.
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Sam Stein sits down with reporter Ally Mutnick to unpack Texas’ explosive mid-cycle redistricting plan. With Donald Trump pressuring the state GOP to aim for a five-seat House gain, this could be the start of a new era of aggressive map-making. They discuss whether Latino voters will keep drifting right, what Democrats can (and can't) do to fight back, and how redistricting might reshape 2024 and beyond.
You can read Ally's article here!
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Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL discuss the recent ICE job postings. These listings describe positions for “Deportation Officer”, "Criminal Investigator" and "General Attorney". They suggest this is part of a broader strategy to staff a loyalty-vetted enforcement agency with little oversight or transparency.
Then back to Epstein, who “stole” a 16-year-old girl from a Mar-a-Lago Spa, to work for him. They examine the deeply unsettling context of this story and how Trump appears to recount it without moral concern. They connect it to a broader pattern of normalization of sexual misconduct and the erosion of outrage in political culture.
Finally, the story of Luke Farritor, a young man who used AI to help decipher text from a scroll. Then went on to work for DOGE and who is to blame for his work.
Show notes:
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ICE Job Postings
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Mother Jones Border Patrol Article.
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Bloomberg Article on Luke Farritor.
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The rise of Elon—and why he is still involved with our government—has everything to do with the dimming of America's one-time crown jewel, NASA. We are now dependent on his rockets and his satellites because Obama and the U.S. government saved SpaceX. Of course, Elon's hypocrisy knows no bounds, because when he had the power, he quickly worked to dismantle the very same government that came to his rescue. The Atlantic's Franklin Foer explains how NASA engineered its own decline, as well as Elon's prophecy about becoming the engineer savior who colonizes Mars. Plus, Zelensky's giant misstep on corruption, and how humanitarian groups need to get back into Gaza to flood it with food.
Frank Foer joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Frank's reporting on NASA and Musk
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Frank on Zelensky's misstep on corruption
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Tim's FYPod
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Sarah Longwell is joined by Lauren Egan to break down how Democrats are using the August recess to go on the offensive. From the shadow of Biden’s rough summer in 2021 to the GOP’s current Epstein chaos, they discuss how public opinion is hardening earlier than ever, and why Dems are seizing the moment with coordinated attacks.
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan talk the latest polling data surrounding the Epstein scandal and its astoundingly negative impact on Trump. Public opinion is shifting, and it’s clear Trump won’t be able to escape the controversy any time soon.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger take on Donald Trump's bizarre new comments about Jeffrey Epstein—and about Virginia Giuffre, whom he described as someone Epstein “stole” from his spa.
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Congressman Ritchie Torres joins Tim Miller to take on Trump’s deep ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the FBI’s twisted priorities, how to stop Trump’s crypto grift, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
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Andrew Egger and Mona discuss the terrible polls for Democrats and speculate on what strategy Trump will use to defuse the Epstein scandal.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
Tim joined David Pakman today for a Substack Live conversation that touched on the 2024 election postmortems, the politics of the Epstein files and Trump, and so much more. Enjoy.
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Gaza is strewn with rubble, the war's end is nowhere in sight, and an entirely predictable humanitarian disaster is unfolding. With daily reports of starvation and malnutrition, Israel must provide a systematic and orderly distribution of large amounts of aid to stem the crisis—and stave off a Mad Max situation. Meanwhile, our abdication on USAID has led to human suffering elsewhere in the world, and Trump's supporters still seem more preoccupied with trans people in women's sports and a swimmer who came in 5th place. Plus, Trump's betrayal of the voters who fervently believed he would expose a global pedophile ring, how being gay has evolved into a 'super sin' among evangelicals, and reading the tea leaves on whether Trump is really getting tougher on Putin or if it's just a mood swing.
David French joins Tim Miller.
Leave a comment.
show notes
David's piece on Christian cancel culture and HBO's "Back to the Frontier."
David's column on MAGA and Epstein
How Israel made the same mistakes the U.S. did in Iraq — David's piece from last year
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed the New York Times’s decision to move away from traditional reviews for certain cultural products. (You can read the Richard Brody piece discussed here.) Then they reviewed The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a perfectly fine movie that strenuously avoids really digging into any of the ideas the film hints at. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Thursday for a bonus episode on one of the worst movie lists ever made. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller reacts to reports that Donald Trump is officially accepting a luxury jet from Qatar to use as his version of Air Force One, and eventually donate to his presidential library. He criticizes the move as corrupt, embarrassing, and possibly a national security risk, especially since the plane is being “gifted” unconditionally.
He also digs into a New York Times report revealing a mysterious $934 million transfer within the Pentagon allegedly redirected from nuclear modernization to retrofit the Qatar jet for Trump’s use. He slams the decision as a grotesque misuse of funds and part of a broader pattern of Trump-era grift, including crypto schemes, bloated security costs, and foreign influence.
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Tim Miller and Ben Parker discuss the Trump administration's decision to deny Taiwan’s president a stopover in New York—interpreted as a concession to China. They explore how this move fits a larger pattern of Trump appearing weak on China, despite tough talk from GOP China hawks.
The conversation touches on how Trump’s desire for a “big deal” with Xi Jinping has led to policy reversals, strategic instability, and the undermining of U.S. alliances in Asia. They argue this inconsistency weakens American credibility and plays directly into China’s hands, raising concerns among allies like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
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Tim Miller and Hawk talk about how the right is trying to rehab Ghislaine Maxwell, why “Blue MAGA” is embarrassing itself, and what it’s like to accidentally become a political influencer in your 50s.
Check out Hawk on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky try to understand Donald Trump’s baffling take on Jeffrey Epstein. We also dive into MAGA fallout over Epstein revelations, and get heated over Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad. Is it just marketing, or something more troubling?
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Follow FYPod on TikTok @thefypod
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Andrew Egger and Will Saletan break down Donald Trump’s latest effort to deflect from scandals, reviving the long-debunked “Russia hoax” narrative and accusing Barack Obama and his team of orchestrating a coup in 2016. Trump’s allies, including Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Lindsey Graham, are promoting intelligence documents as supposed proof, even though reality contradicts their claims.
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Trump claims he’s a golf legend. Sam Stein has the receipts and the footage to suggest otherwise. Check out how the former president turns cheating into a competitive edge.
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The man who cavorted with Jeffrey Epstein for 15 years never even bothers to feign empathy for Epstein's victims—even a sociopath would fake it. And neither Trump nor his administration and supporters can get their talking points straight on the scandal: The files are a hoax, but Ghislaine Maxwell is going to name names; she's a horrible person, but the public is supposed to believe her; POTUS denies he went to Epstein's island but it would have been a "privilege" if he had. Meanwhile, Trump is tying himself in knots on Gaza and Russia. Plus, for our audio listeners, former model Stacey Williams tells Tim about briefly dating Epstein, getting groped by Trump, and why she's going public with her story.
Bill Kristol and Stacey Williams join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Video of Tim's interview with Stacey
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Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' interview with Tom Joscelyn
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Subscribe to 'Bulwark Takes' here
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Lauren on how the Dems plan to use the congressional recess
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Peter Strzok on David Frum's podcast
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Author Sam Tanenhaus discusses his new biography of the multi-talented Buckley and the movement he did so much to create.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
Trump lashed out at Beyoncé, Kamala Harris, and more in a late night post but it’s not just noise. Sam Stein and Tim Miller break down what Trump might really be trying to distract from and why it could backfire.
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Mike Johnson tries to clean up his Maxwell remarks while Trump floats a pardon and the GOP scrambles to explain it all. Sam Stein and Tim Miller unpack the damage, the contradictions, and the quiet panic in MAGA world setting in.
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From secret notes to shady friendships, Bill Kristol and Tom Joscelyn break down Trump’s long and unsettling ties to Jeffrey Epstein, what the evidence shows, and why the truth still matters.
Stacy Williams talks with Tim about her relationship with Epstein and brush with Trump in 1990s
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John Avlon is joined by Greg Kats where they focus on the growing threat of urban heat waves, and how “smart surfaces” offer an affordable, effective solution. Greg Kats explains that cities are getting hotter due to heat-absorbing infrastructure like dark roofs, asphalt, and concrete. These surfaces trap heat, especially in low-income neighborhoods, leading to higher energy bills, health risks, and even deaths.These fixes don’t require massive new spending.
Simple upgrades like reflective roofing, porous pavement, green spaces, and solar panels—can dramatically cool cities, reduce flooding, and cut emissions. These smart surface strategies are already being tested in cities like Atlanta and Baltimore, showing real success. The episode highlights how a mix of data, common-sense planning, and political will could scale these solutions nationally making communities healthier, safer, and more climate-resilient for a relatively low cost.
Smart Surfaces Coalition:
https://smartsurfacescoalition.org
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Tim Miller joins Jen Psaki and Ezra Levin to discuss how the Epstein files are shaking up politics—fracturing Trump’s base, angering disengaged voters, and creating a rare opportunity for Democrats if they don’t blow it.
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Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson and a rising political voice, joins Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller for a bold, funny, and fiery conversation. He explains why he went viral for calling out his cousin RFK Jr., defends President Biden, and lays out what it means to be a liberal in 2024. The trio talks family drama, internet clout, growing up Kennedy, and how Jack became the “cringe millennial lib influencer” we all needed.
Go check out Jack's new YouTube show here!
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Eric and Eliot welcome Karen Elliott House, former long-time correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, President of Dow Jones International, Publisher of the Wall Street Journal and author of The Man Who Would Be King: Mohammed Bin Salman and the Transformation of Saudi Arabia (New York: HarperCollins, 2025). They discuss the rise of MBS, the scope of the changes he has wrought in the Kingdom in less than a decade in power, the ongoing forces of resistance to change, his effort to replace Islam with nationalism as a force binding Saudis together, and MBS's views of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a "middle power' in a world of great power competition.
The Man Who Would Be King: Mohammed bin Salman and the Transformation of Saudi Arabia: https://a.co/d/etBZ1Yp
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Bulwark+ members can watch Shield of the Republic record this ad-free video edition here.
Former model Stacey Williams speaks out about being assaulted by Donald Trump in his office and Epstein’s disturbing role in enabling abuse. Epstein told Williams that he filmed her, and she's demanding transparency from the DOJ — what exactly is in the Epstein files?
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Will Saletan breaks down Donald Trump’s latest conspiracy theory claiming that Barack Obama time travelled in order to rig the 2016 election after it had already happened.
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Will Sommer and Andrew Egger join Ben Parker to take on Trump, not ruling out a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell—and the MAGA media’s bizarre efforts to rehabilitate her image. They dig into the mounting evidence of a slow-motion cover-up, the right-wing distractions around Obama and the Russia probe, and Trump’s increasingly absurd defenses, including his latest claim that someone may have forged a letter to Jeffrey Epstein in his name.
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The deputy attorney general of the United States, who took an oath to help Donald Trump no matter what, is conferring with Jeffrey Epstein's literal partner in crime—a woman who lied about the sex trafficking she orchestrated and participated in. And Ghislaine Maxwell has every motive to exculpate Trump now (and incriminate some other high-profile figure) in return for a pardon or a reduction in her 20-year sentence for sexually exploiting and abusing numerous minor girls, some as young as 14. Meanwhile, JD isn't offering a very vigorous defense of Trump's integrity, the administration is making a giant legal mess for themselves in New Jersey over Alina Habba, and Emil Bove's nomination is all about trying to destroy checks and balances.
Andrew Weissmann joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
-
Weissmann's Substack
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The "Main Justice" podcast, co-hosted by Weissmann and Mary McCord
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Tim's playlist
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Sarah and JVL talk about Hulk Hogan, MAGA’s coming pivot on Ghislaine Maxwell, and Derek Huffman, the MAGA dad who joined Putin’s war on Ukraine. And the new Superman movie, too.
It’s a doozy.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Puck media correspondent Julia Alexander to discuss the absurdities of Jubilee. You might not recognize the name of the company but you’ve probably seen some of their clips; most recently, Mehdi Hasan went up against 20 self-described far-right conservatives that resulted in at least one of the participants losing his job after he proudly declared himself an autocrat and downplayed Nazi crimes during the Holocaust. Is this brand of debate spectacle lucrative? Maybe! Is it bad for society? Undoubtedly. We examine why on this week’s episode. If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend!
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JVL and Andrew Egger go over the disaster that was Tesla's latest earnings call. Cybertruck sales have tanked by 50%. The “affordable” Tesla is nowhere to be found. Profits are drying up. Carbon credit revenue is vanishing. And yet Elon Musk says he wants more control of the company. What could go wrong? We talk about the cult of Elon, the myth of the robo-taxi, the collapse of Tesla’s European sales, and the increasingly absurd PR spin Musk is trying to pull off.
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George Conway and JVL discuss the Epstein files—why Trump might be hiding them, whether Ghislaine Maxwell will be rebranded as a MAGA martyr, and how the conspiracy theorists demanding answers could turn on Trump himself. They also take on Trump’s surreal accusations against Obama, the legal chaos surrounding Columbia’s $200 million settlement, and why Alina Habba’s implosion as U.S. Attorney might signal deeper dysfunction in Trump’s Justice Department.
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Sam Stein and Ben Parker discuss a tense, awkward exchange between Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell during a staged visit about supposed cost overruns at the Fed's renovation project. Trump, clearly aiming to pressure Powell into resigning or create grounds to fire him, was directly fact-checked by Powell in real-time.
They highlight this unusual public clash, criticizing Trump's manufactured outrage and praising Powell's willingness to push back, suggesting the entire episode is political theater designed by Trump to control the Federal Reserve.
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While voters—left, right, and everything in between—demand transparency, Fox News is busy covering bear mayhem and wine carriers. Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol break down the growing scandal, Trump’s panic, and the right-wing influencers suddenly trying to rehab Ghislaine Maxwell.
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The one thing Mr. Authenticity was supposed to be was the anti-politician: the guy who would supposedly go after the establishment, clean up Washington, and make a booming economy. Now, Trump's acting just like a typical politician trying to cover-up a scandal—and he's vulnerable to a backlash from the manosphere that went all in on him. Meanwhile, he i…
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South Park didn’t just go after Trump—they obliterated him. Tim Miller and Sonny Bunch break down the season premiere, from Trump’s cartoon lawsuit frenzy to his desert PSA with googly eyes. Yes, really.
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RIP to the legend—Hulk Hogan. The gang gathered to remember the great one and talk about how professional wrestling informs our politics today.
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Jonathan Cohn is joined by Dr. Zeke Emanuel to discuss the future of American healthcare. As Trump’s past and current efforts to dismantle Medicaid and the ACA continues to be a disaster, Dr. Emanuel has proposals for a more efficient, universal system. They also touch on medical research funding, the role of states, and the geopolitical risks of falling behind countries like China when it comes to healthcare.
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Sonny Bunch and Will Sommer dig into the chaos surrounding Candace Owens, the bizarre conspiracy about the French First Lady, and what happens when right-wing grift spills across international borders.
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Tim, Sarah, and JVL talk about Epstein, of course—particularly President Donald Trump’s aggressive attempts to deflect attention toward former President Barack Obama by suggesting Obama committed treason. They delve into the dynamics within the MAGA base, analyzing their cognitive dissonance on issues such as Epstein’s connection with Trump and conspiracy theories. They highlight the different segments within Trump’s base and discuss how conspiracy theories and misinformation shape their political reality.
The conversation then turns to the alarming rise of fascist and authoritarian rhetoric among younger conservative activists, emphasizing how Trump's influence has emboldened extreme ideologies while social media algorithms accelerate radicalization and misinformation.
Show notes:
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JVL and Tim watch clips from Mehdi Hasan’s appearance on Juliblee.
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Tim’s conversation with Mehdi Hasan after his appearance on Jubilee.
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The Wall Street Journal just confirmed it: Donald Trump’s name appears multiple times in the Epstein files. Sarah Longwell and Will Sommer take on the explosive revelations—and why Trump fought so hard to hide them.
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Mike Johnson is racing to shut the business of the House down to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Trump's own criminal lawyer, who's moonlighting as deputy attorney general, will be minding the matter of Ghislaine Maxwell. And Texas is looking to squeeze out some more House seats to try to protect Trump from having to be held accountable on …
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Lauren Egan talks to James Talarico, a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives who’s been all over our algorithm—and even appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience. They discuss how Democrats in red states are using smart, moral messaging and digital tools to fight the GOP from the minority. Talarico’s success is a case study in how Gen Z, social media, and innovative strategies are reshaping our politics.
Check out Rep. Talarico’s appearance on Joe Rogan.
Follow Rep. Talarico on TikTok.
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Adrian Carrasquillo chats with veteran Latina leader Sindy Benavides about resources to help L.A. street vendors, Maribel the street vendor who needs help to avoid eviction, and organizations doing work on the ground from California to Texas and Virginia to get through the mass deportation onslaught affecting real people, their families, churches and businesses.
Help support Maribel.
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Rep. Jared Moskowitz joins Tim Miller to discuss the House GOP’s inaction on Epstein file disclosures, allegations of a cover-up involving DOJ officials, and MAGA's growing frustration. Also, FEMA’s slow disaster response under Kristi Noem is causing concerns about preparedness heading into hurricane season.
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Sam Stein sits down with Beto O'Rourke for a VERY blunt conversation about the state of American democracy. From gerrymandered districts in Texas to national political fights, Beto lays out how the next few months could decide everything — and why Democrats need to be willing to do anything to win.
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Mehdi Hasan joins Tim Miller to unpack his shocking Jubilee debate experience, where he faced off against 20 young members of the far right—some whom were openly fascist—and was left speechless.
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JVL and Mona discuss the next steps in Epstein story, whether inflation will damage Trump the way it did Biden, reflect on the cultural and economic pessimism gripping the U.S. despite historic prosperity, and warnings about Trump-era tariffs and rule-of-law erosion undermining America's long-term economic stability and global leadership.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on Donald Trump's unhinged Oval Office performance, where he tries to distract from the Epstein scandal by ranting about Barack Obama, treason, and gold drapes. It's desperate, chaotic, and completely off the rails.
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Tim Miller explains the latest chaos consuming Trumpworld: MAGA stars Alex Jones and Tim Dillon openly revolt, JD Vance allegedly leaks secrets over dinner, and Pam Bondi’s Epstein tapes claims implode.
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Republicans are nullifying bipartisan budget deals and planning a mid-decade redistricting to try to hold the House after the midterms. Trump is methodically working to crush dissent in the media, chill major Dem donors, and shut down the party's online fundraising portal, ActBlue. One political party is breaking all the norms, while the other is trying to stick to them. Sen. Murphy tells Tim that democracies die when the rules change and the opposition refuses to adapt. Meanwhile, Trump's detention regime is not only making prison-builders filthy rich, it will also likely draw in ICE candidates eager to abuse their power. Plus, Epstein is a bad story for the administration no matter how you slice it, and Tim shares his thoughts about Hunter.
Sen. Chris Murphy joins Tim Miller.
show notes
- Sen. Murphy's Substack piece on regulating AI
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Will Saletan breaks down how Tulsi Gabbard, now serving as Director of National Intelligence under Trump, is using her position to spread Russian propaganda and undermine the U.S. intelligence community. He highlights how Gabbard has repeatedly downplayed or denied Russian interference in the 2016 election, falsely claiming U.S. intel reports were “manufactured.” Saletan shows Gabbard twisting facts, using small technical truths (like Russia not hacking voting machines) to push big lies that Russia didn’t interfere at all.
He argues Gabbard is doing this not just to protect Trump, but also to defend Vladimir Putin, blaming the U.S. for rising tensions with Russia. He also calls out right-wing media figures like Sean Hannity for enabling her narrative without pushback. Ultimately, Saletan warns that Gabbard is using her powerful role to sabotage American institutions from within.
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Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell from The Bulwark dive deep into the wild world of right-wing YouTube and the bizarre viral success of creators like Benny Johnson and Tim Pool. Why is Benny Johnson gaining millions of subscribers by posting fake AI-generated videos of Barack Obama in jail? Why are so many right-wing influencers obsessed with creating fantasy narratives about Obama, Epstein, and "deep state" arrests?
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Sam Stein takes on breaking news about Ghislaine Maxwell: the DOJ suddenly wants to talk, Congress just voted to subpoena her, and MAGA influencers are fed up with Trump’s distractions. Is Maxwell about to flip, or is this all just a pardon play?
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (the Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed the cancellation of The Late Show. Is this move being motivated by politics or the declining economic prospects of linear TV more broadly? Then they reviewed Eddington, Ari Aster’s gonzo look at life in 2020, the year of COVID and the Doom Scroll. Make sure to swing by Thursday for a bonus episode on Christopher Nolan’s gutsy strategy for The Odyssey. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky dive into why MAGA world shrugs off Trump’s Epstein ties, the bizarre world of right-wing influencers, and why Bibi Netanyahu is showing up on Nelk Boys.
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Note: Andrew’s video is a bit glitchy today because he’s in the process of moving—apparently Wi-Fi wasn’t at the top of his priority list. He promises better internet (and lighting!) soon. Thanks for bearing with us!
Sam Stein and Andrew Egger unpack how House Republicans are dodging a vote on a resolution to release the Epstein files, despite previously championing transparency on the issue. The conversation highlights how GOP leaders are aligning with Trump’s interests over public disclosure, even as conspiracy-minded constituents demand answers.
They also explore Trump’s retaliation against the Wall Street Journal for its reporting on a bizarre card he allegedly sent to Epstein, including booting a Journal reporter from the press pool. They argue this fits a broader pattern of Trump undermining press freedom and avoiding scrutiny. Finally, they note how the Epstein story is gaining traction in surprising corners of the internet, including among right-wing podcasters like Theo Von.
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace to take on the GOP’s spiraling Epstein crisis, the bizarre new details about Trump’s creepy Mar-a-Lago party, and why Mike Johnson is suddenly caught in the middle.
Check out Deadline: White House on MSNBC with Nicolle Wallace: https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house
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Sarah Longwell and Lauren Egan talk about the political silence around Epstein—why Trump hasn’t faced real fallout, how Democrats are tiptoeing around it, and what it says about who gets protected in American politics.
Check out more of Lauren Egan’s reporting over at The Opposition.
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Tim and JVL react to Mehdi Hasan's appearance on Jubilee, where he takes on 20 far-right conservatives in a brutal, revealing debate. From open fascist admissions to jaw-dropping constitutional takes, Tim and JVL break down what this says about the next generation of conservatives.
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Our government disappeared hundreds of Venezuelans to a hellish Salvadoran prison for 125 days. When Trump's and Stephen Miller's whole CECOT plan even became too much for the dictator who runs El Salvador, Marco Rubio helped orchestrate a political win for Venezuela's strongman, Nicolas Maduro—who gets to look like a white knight in the hostage exchange. Meanwhile, the administration still has not recovered from its rake-step claim that there was no Epstein list. Did Bondi release her memo because the 1,000 FBI personnel who were made to review the Epstein documents kept finding Trump's name? Cover-ups are hard. Plus, now the Dems have new reasons to not cooperate with Republicans.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim and Sam's livestream after Andry and the other Venezuelans were released from CECOT
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Bill and Sarah discuss the Epstein timeline for 'Bulwark on Sunday'
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Rep. Boyle on not cooperating with Republicans on the budget
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Lauren on Democratic messaging for the midterms
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Mona Charen speaks with More in Common co-founders Tim Dixon and Mathieu Lefevre about rising polarization, the “exhausted majority,” and how loneliness, media incentives, and misinformation are fueling division. (Full disclosure: Mona is on More in Common’s board of directors.)They discuss global trends, practical solutions like refugee sponsorship, a…
Tim Miller talks with Mother Jones reporters Noah Lanard and Isabela Dias about their investigation into how innocent Venezuelan migrants were secretly deported by the U.S., detained in El Salvador, and used in a political prisoner swap.
You can read their full story at Mother Jones: “We Were Kidnapped”
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Tim Miller joins Alex Witt to unpack Trump’s ongoing legal chaos, a surreal wave of right-wing Epstein conspiracies, and why the GOP’s obsession with distraction is only making things worse.
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Sarah Longwell joins Bill Kristol to break down the unraveling Trump–Epstein timeline, the shady cover-up tactics, and why this scandal may actually stick. From a cryptic birthday card to MAGA influencers turning defensive, they connect the dots the media missed.
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John Avlon speaks with NYU law professor and former Obama/Biden advisor David Kamin about the dangers of Trump’s economic agenda and the newly passed Republican tax law. They warn that Trump’s renewed threats to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell could undermine global trust in U.S. financial stability by politicizing the central bank, potentially worsening inflation and damaging markets.They break down the tax law’s deep unfairness, massive cuts for the ultra-wealthy, growing income inequality, and a ballooning deficit. Kamin explains how the law rewards certain professions arbitrarily, penalizes employees, and opens new loopholes while slashing Medicaid and food assistance. They discuss alternative reforms, including closing corporate tax loopholes, enforcing a global minimum tax, and simplifying the system to support fairness, growth, and middle-class opportunity.
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Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller sit down with Alan Henderson, a 24-year-old eSports entrepreneur, former Grand Theft Auto roleplay cop, and now a candidate for mayor of Tampa. They cover everything from gaming culture to climate change resilience, ICE raids, and how Tampa can get over its reputation issues.
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Tim Miller joins MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to break down why Trump’s Epstein misstep is sparking backlash from corners of his own base. From scapegoating Pam Bondi to losing support in the manosphere, Tim explains how this scandal hits differently and why some MAGA voters may finally be walking away.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein go live to discuss breaking news: After 125 days detained in a notorious El Salvador prison, Venezuelan asylum seeker Andry José Hernández Romero and other detainees were released as a part of a large-scale prisoner swap between the US and Venezuela.They're joined by Andry's lawyer Lindsay Toczylowski from the Immigrant Defenders Law Center and Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, to break down the details, the human cost, and what's next.
To learn more about Andry, watch Tim and Lindsey’s chat during our Free Andry live show. To support Andry and learn more, visit: https://www.freeandry.org/
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Tim Miller takes on Trump’s new bizarre lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal over an embarrassing Epstein birthday note, and the collapse of his absurd case against Bob Woodward.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer unpack the fallout from the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on a strange, possibly incriminating letter Donald Trump allegedly wrote to Jeffrey Epstein for his birthday. The discussion focuses on how this revelation is unsettling parts of the MAGA base, especially conspiracy-minded followers who have long seen Epstein as proof of elite corruption. Some are doubling down, claiming the letter is a deep state plant, while others feel betrayed and emotionally shaken by Trump’s dismissive response.
They explore how right-wing influencers like Charlie Kirk and Benny Johnson are spinning the story, and how Fox News, tied to the same parent company as the Wall Street Journal, has gone suspiciously quiet. They float the idea that Ghislaine Maxwell could become a strange MAGA folk hero, with some already calling for her to be pardoned to “clear Trump’s name.” Ultimately, the episode questions whether this moment will be rationalized like Trump’s past scandals, or if it could genuinely fracture his base.
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If anyone in America was still thinking that Trump's ties to Epstein were a nothingburger, Trump’s own behavior this week has probably disabused them of that notion. His panicking and flailing around sure seem exactly like how a guilty man would act. And the sudden firing of Jim Comey's daughter, Maurene—who worked on the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases at the DOJ—isn't helping to tamp down the conspiracy theorizing. Meanwhile, Tulsi and Kash are trying to ferret out the unfaithful, and there are still adults in the room when it comes to the Fed. Plus, our nuclear command and control system was organized around the assumption that we would have a sane president, not somebody who has psychotic fantasies about the Unabomber.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Tom on the McCarthyist moves by Patel and Gabbard
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The president and the nuclear button, part of The Atlantic's August issue
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Tom on Hollywood and the fear of nuclear catastrophe
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James Clapper was banned from a service dog graduation at the CIA
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Tim's playlist
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Hacked flight logs reveal dozens more migrants secretly deported by the U.S. to El Salvador’s gulag—just as a shocking prisoner swap deal emerges. Tim Miller takes on the latest bombshell developments.
Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell discuss Greg Gutfeld’s bizarre on-air attempt to joke about fascism as the trend of far-right figures hiding behind bad comedy grows, and why it’s not just a joke.
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Sarah and JVL break down the WSJ Trump-Epstein story. Sarah has some rage and JVL has a brand new conspiracy theory involving JD Vance.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Crunchyroll EVP Mitchel Berger to talk about anime’s increasing popularity with those yearning for community. We reference a report on the state of anime several times; you can read it here. The long and the short of it, though, is that anime is increasingly popular with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, which will likely come as no surprise to anyone who has seen the wall of manga in their local Barnes and Noble. From theatrical rollouts in the United States and around the world to the 17-million-subscriber-strong Crunchyroll streaming service to the sold-out Anime Expo in Los Angeles earlier this month, it’s an enormous segment of the market that holds a deep attachment to younger audiences. If you enjoyed this week’s episode, I hope you share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on the bizarre and troubling new Wall Street Journal story about Donald Trump’s birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein. The note—complete with suggestive drawings and a cryptic reference to “secrets”—raises uncomfortable questions about Trump’s relationship with Epstein, while Trump’s frantic attempts at damage control only add fuel to the fire.
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JVL and Ben Parker break down the bizarre and cringeworthy saga of billionaire investor Bill Ackman playing in a professional tennis tournament. Despite having no prior pro matches and being 59 years old, Ackman secured a spot in the Newport Hall of Fame Challenger event, thanks to a wildcard invite from former tennis pro Jack Sock. Ackman's poor performance, dumping serves, and hitting wildly off-target shots, was both painful and hilarious.
Beyond the comedy, they emphasize the real issue: Ackman took a spot from a legitimate, hardworking player trying to climb the ranks in a brutally competitive system. This as a case study in billionaire entitlement, comparing it to fantasy camp for the ultra-rich and even likening Ackman to a “Make-A-Wish” recipient for grown men with money and delusions.
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Tim Miller unpacks Oliver Darcy’s reporting on the Wall Street Journal’s upcoming story detailing Donald Trump’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump’s alleged efforts to suppress the article.Oliver Darcy's article, Trump's WSJ Epstein Fury
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Sarah Longwell is joined by Leah Litman, professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, to discuss the Supreme Court's troubling shift toward partisanship, Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s ideological battles, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s decision to openly criticize the Court’s Trump-friendly rulings. Can anything fix the Supreme Court?
Litman shares solutions—and why she thinks it’s past time to get angry.
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Tim and Sarah take on the abrupt firing of Maurene Comey, a top sex crimes prosecutor and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. Comey was instrumental in taking down both Jeffrey Epstein AND Sean “Diddy” Combs, and her firing stinks of political retribution and makes the Epstein scandal even worse.
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While the Trump administration is doubling down on fossil fuels, China is annihilating us in the clean energy space. Right now, 75% of all renewable projects anywhere in the world are being built by a Chinese company. China is dominating the green energy supply chain with solar panels and batteries, and its electric car can charge in five minutes. The U…
JVL chats with John Ganz author of Unpopular Front on Substack. Their wide-ranging conversation started with a discussion about the Jeffrey Epstein case—not just what the controversy of the Epstein “papers” means for the Trump coalition, but the deeper questions about what the Epstein story reveals about class, trust, and the conspiracy mindset. They they turned to a discussion about democracy and citizenship, with a detour to talk about the Confederacy and the ways that oligarchic, racist thinking survived after the defeat of the slave feudalism in the Civil War. Also discussed: JD Vance, Peter Thiel, conspiracy thinking, and who could possibly take the mantle of MAGA leadership after Trump departs from the scene (Donald Trump Jr.?).
From Ganz:
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Sarah Longwell joins Nicolle Wallace to break down the growing outrage from Trump’s base over the Epstein files. They unpack the political risk of ignoring conspiracy-driven voters, the role of right-wing media influencers, and why this betrayal may finally matter.
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Eric and Eliot welcome Rebecca Friedman Lissner and Mira Rapp-Hooper to Shield of the Republic to discuss their recent article in the July/August issue of Foreign Affairs, "Absent at the Creation?: American Strategy and the Delusion of a Post-Trump Restoration." They discuss the speed with which Trump has imposed policy changes, the likelihood that old …
Trump’s supporters wanted names, accountability, and a redemptive conspiracy arc. Instead, they got deflection and dodging. Tim and Katie break down the Epstein fallout and why the MAGA base is more outraged than ever.Check out Katie's Substack here: Katie Couric
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Tim Miller speaks with Hana Kiros of The Atlantic about her investigation into how American-funded nutrition aid was never delivered. Instead of reaching children in need, the food is being destroyed while global hunger rises.
Read more from Hana’s article here: The Trump Administration Is About to Incinerate 500 Tons of Emergency Food
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Sam Stein is joined by Ben Walsh to discuss Donald Trump’s threats to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, the market’s drastic reaction to his back and forth, and how he seems to be forgetting that it was him who originally appointed him Fed Chair.
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Tim, Sarah and JVL debate whether Trump’s reaction to the Epstein files, calling it a “hoax” and lashing out at former supporters, marks a turning point. They explore whether this could crack the deep trust his base has in him, especially conspiracy-driven voters who saw him as the one to expose elites.They also argue Democrats should lean into the issue, pushing for hearings and accountability. While Trump’s health and appearance come up briefly, the real question is whether this controversy could shake his hold on crank-aligned voters who once saw him as their truth-teller.
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Donald Trump is spiraling over the Epstein files—lashing out at his own supporters, calling them “weaklings,” and pushing a bizarre new conspiracy theory. Andrew Egger and Will Sommer break down what’s really going on.
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In addition to eviscerating the top leadership at the Bureau, Kash Patel has assigned whole squads of agents to immigration enforcement. Seasoned FBI veterans who used to focus on national security or run RICO investigations are now doing perimeter security during ICE round-ups of kids and grandmas. The administration's purge is draining the Bureau of expertise and apolitical people who did real work defending the rule of law and protecting the country. Plus, do four GOP senators care one iota about the whistleblower allegations against Emil Bove? And will Ukraine finally get badly-needed air defense weapons?
Ben Wittes and Mike Feinberg—a former top deputy at the Bureau who was targeted by Dan Bongino—join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Mike's piece on his resignation from the FBI
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Ben's Substack
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Tim on the threatened cuts to UNICEF
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Inside Trump’s DOJ, chaos reigns. Sam Stein talks with Glenn Thrush of The New York Times about the bizarre and petty power struggle between Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino, and Kash Patel, a drama fueled by failed Epstein “bombshells,” Fox News theatrics, and Trump’s obsession with loyalty. Why is Bondi still standing? Why is Bongino threatening to quit? And how did a group of right-wing media personalities end up running the FBI and DOJ?
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Sarah Longwell joins Chris Hayes to discuss how the Epstein scandal is reemerging as a political crisis for Donald Trump. Longwell explains how Trump’s base, especially those steeped in right-wing media and conspiracy culture, feels betrayed by his failure to release the Epstein files, a promise central to his outsider appeal. Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill are feeling the heat, with members like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert calling for a special counsel amid mounting pressure from their constituents. Democrats are working to keep the focus on Trump himself, resisting GOP efforts to scapegoat figures like Pam Bondi.
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Tim Miller takes on the Senate vote that threatens critical UNICEF funding—putting children’s lives at risk around the world. Republicans are pushing a budget cut that targets aid for the most vulnerable, despite recent massive spending elsewhere.
Take immediate action and call your senators now: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
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Tim Miller joins MSNBC's Katy Tur Reports to discuss how the Epstein files are driving a wedge between Donald Trump and his most loyal supporters. They also examine MAGA’s backlash to Trump’s foreign policy flip-flops and President Obama’s leaked warning for Democrats to toughen up.
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Tim Miller explains exactly what’s likely still hidden in the so-called Epstein files: the computers, surveillance tapes, heavily redacted FBI records, mysterious finances, and unanswered questions from Epstein’s death.
Why is so much still secret? Who benefits from keeping it that way?
This analysis draws heavily from Julie K. Brown’s groundbreaking reporting at the Miami Herald. Check out her work for more in-depth coverage of the Epstein investigation: https://www.miamiherald.com/profile/218644665
Further Reference:
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The Epstein files: What is public, and what is still secret? (Julie K. Brown)
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Bill Kristol's July 15, 2025 interview with Julie K. Brown
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Tim Miller's January, 2024 interview with Julie K. Brown
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Will and Mona talk about Trump's flip on Putin/Ukraine, the behind-the-scenes machinations to make that happen, and how best to handle the Epstein MAGA meltdown.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Sam Stein and Bill Kristol explore how the lingering Epstein scandal continues to haunt Donald Trump. Especially as parts of the MAGA base grow restless. They discuss the political fallout, the persistence of conspiracy theories, and whether Democrats can or should leverage the Epstein connection. Bring on the good vibes and treat yourself to Soul today!
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The majority of elected Democrats would prefer to talk only about policy, but that's not enough for today's freewheeling new media environment. It's way past time for Dems to figure out how to shoot the sh*t—and stop being the kids at the front of the class who don't know how to talk to the ones in the back. And when it comes to Epstein, Trump & co were either lying about the pedophiles back then, or they're lying now to protect themselves. Plus, make the Republicans own all the healthcare cuts: they are happening because of "Trumpcare."
Brian Beutler joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Brian's Substack piece on how Dems should talk like regular people
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Brian's podcast, Politix
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Tim Miller and JVL discuss how Marc Andreessen unleashes a full-throated rant against DEI, immigration, the media, and what he sees as a cultural takeover by the left. Despite being one of the wealthiest and most influential people in tech, Andreessen frames himself as a victim of systemic bias—sparking a conversation about billionaire grievance, hypocrisy, and the broader culture war within Silicon Valley.
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Apologies: an editing snafu led to last week’s episode being reedited and uploaded in the initial version of this post.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask why Keanu Reeves, of all people, is the most-impersonated celebrity by scammers and how AI is being used to take money from lonely elderly people. (For more, read Rebecca Keegan’s great piece in the Hollywood Reporter on this terrifying, saddening subject.) Then they review Superman, an oddly Dubya-coded superhero movie. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Thursday for a bonus episode about Superman’s place in the cinematic canon. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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At a White House Faith Office Luncheon, Donald Trump delivered a meandering and often off-topic speech weaving from divorce jokes to trans athletes to divine intervention. Sam Stein and Andrew Egger break down the event’s surreal moments and what it says about Trump’s evolving relationship with the religious right.
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Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller tackle a wild range of topics, from Grok going MechaHitler to Melania trying to talk some sense into Trump, to why Democrats need to start speaking more bluntly about the housing crisis (even if it means stealing a page from Tucker Carlson’s playbook).
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Tim Miller talks about a wave of red-pilled influencer, including Andrew Schulz, begin turning on Trump, calling out his broken promises, warmongering, and ties to Epstein. Former Trump allies are questioning everything from his foreign policy to his authenticity.
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With the Epstein case, the conspirator-in-chief has finally found a hoax that MAGA isn't buying—and he's risking his credibility among his newer supporters in the manosphere by continuing to hawk it. Meanwhile, Trump may have figured out that Putin has not been nice to him. Plus, troops are still in Los Angeles, immigration laws meant for the border are being applied to gardeners and farmworkers in the country's interior, and there's a big serving of fascism that goes with all the clownishness.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim's interview with Julie K. Brown last year
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Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' conversation with Julie Brown
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The Atlantic’s Helen Lewis joins Mona Charen to discuss The Genius Myth, her new book exploring whether genius is a real phenomenon or a socially constructed label. They examine how society elevates certain individuals—often more for charisma or timing than raw talent—and how the genius myth can excuse bad behavior while undervaluing empathy, humility, and collaboration. The conversation also touches on the “genius wives,” prodigies, the costs of fame, and Lewis's recent piece on the Skrmetti decision,
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
References
- The Genius Myth – by Helen Lewis
This week on Bulwark on Sunday, Julie K. Brown joins Bill to discuss what we know and don’t know about the Epstein case. Brown is an investigative journalist and THE preeminent expert on Jeffrey Epstein. She was almost single-handedly responsible for the re-opening of the Jeffrey Epstein sexual abuse case with her 2018 reporting.
Check out more from Julie here.
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Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol break down the latest chaos in MAGA world over the Epstein files. Pam Bondi is under fire, Dan Bongino is reportedly threatening to quit, and now Kash Patel is suddenly walking back everything he’s ever said. Why the abrupt U-turns? Who’s really calling the shots? And is Trump trying to bury this story before it gets worse?
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The Focus Group Podcast is still on hiatus, but the Trump administration's walkback of the promised "Epstein Files" this week got us curious about how voters were thinking.
The Bulwark's own Will Sommer sat down with Sarah to break down a focus group we convened with 2024 Trump voters who disapprove of Trump's job performance, and discuss how Democrats can talk about this Epstein news.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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The Focus Group may be going on summer break but there is still so much more with Sarah and the rest the Bulwark gang to keep you up on the latest antics from Washington. A Bulwark+ membership includes unfettered access to everything we publish including ad-free and member-only shows, livestreams and community comments. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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Sarah and JVL talk about gangster government; the crazy swings in polling on immigration; the Jeffrey Epstein opportunity; and Superman and cursing in kids movies.
It’s a monster, super-sized show. And we especially want to hear your parenting thoughts on kids, movies, and swear words.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Trump’s latest ambassador pick is a self-proclaimed “alpha male” who tweets about going to Hooters, eating an absurd amount of steak, and detailed stories where “everyone clapped.” Sonny Bunch and Will Sommer deep dive into the wild rise of Nick Adams from Australian bird-hating deputy mayor to MAGA TikTok influencer, and now to being appointed U.S. ambassador to Malaysia.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott just called a surprise special legislative session with a big-ticket item: redrawing the state’s congressional maps. Why now? And why does it matter? Lauren Egan sits down with John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, to unpack the high-stakes political motives behind this move. With pressure from Donald Trump’s political team, the Texas GOP is pushing to redraw districts that could reshape control of the House in 2026 and beyond.
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On this week’s episode, I talked to Christian Swegal, the writer-director of the new film Sovereign, about his new film and its focus on the cult-like behavior of the Sovereign Citizen movement. We discussed Nick Offerman’s commanding lead performance, how you adapt a movie with an ending and setting as tragic as this one, and the difficulty of finding compassion even for those who seem to deserve it least. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out Sovereign, which is in theaters and on VOD now. And please, share this with a friend!
Movies like this don’t have huge ad budgets; they need word of mouth to thrive. It’s a tough story with some great performances by Offerman, Jacob Tremblay, and Dennis Quaid. If you want to see something a little different from the standard franchise fare flooding the multiplex, you have to support movies like Sovereign.
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Former CIA Africa analyst Holly Berkley Fletcher joins Ben Parker to discuss Trump’s latest detour into foreign policy confusion. What started as a trade pitch turned into a cringe history lesson and a whole lot of awkward.
Check out more from Holly here!
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Texas AG Ken Paxton’s messy divorce just blew up as Angela Paxton blasts the filing on Twitter/X. Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the scandal, from “biblical grounds,” MAGA backlash, Paxton’s history of alleged affairs, and that infamous $1,000 pen incident.
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JVL and Sarah discuss the tragic flash flooding in Texas and break down CNN's reporting about how Kristi Noem’s cost-cutting directive slowed FEMA’s ability to deploy rescue teams, paralyzed relief efforts, and what this disaster reveals about the Trump administration’s broader failures.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joins Sam Stein and Lauren Egan to discuss the ongoing ICE raids in Los Angeles, National Guard deployment, the impact on local communities and businesses, and how L.A. is responding to what she calls a dangerous federal overreach.
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John Avlon joined Rick Wilson for a Substack Live on Rick Wilson’s Against All Enemies. The two political veterans deliver a no-nonsense breakdown of America’s volatile political landscape. They dive into the collapse of the GOP establishment, the dangers of third-party fantasies like Elon Musk’s "America Party," and why Trumpism remains a threat to democracy. With decades of insider experience, they unpack how fear, media manipulation, and political cowardice got us here, and what it’ll take to fight back.
Rick Wilson’s Against All Enemies | Substack
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Sam Stein is joined by Politico’s Kyle Cheney to unpack a bombshell whistleblower report accusing DOJ official Emil Bove—now nominated for a federal judgeship—of encouraging the Trump administration to defy court orders in deportation cases. They dive into Bove’s controversial history, including his role in firing January 6 prosecutors, undermining immigration rulings, and the use of the Alien Enemies Act. With new text messages and internal emails surfacing, the conversation reveals how deep the disregard for judicial authority ran, and why this nomination is sparking major concerns.
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Eric and Eliot cover the latest Pentagon dysfunction, with military aid to Ukraine stalled and mixed signals on Trump’s defense policy. They also look at the Iran strikes, Trump’s shifting posture on Putin, and the growing strain inside the MAGA foreign policy orbit.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch talk about the absolutely unreal and terrifying meltdown of Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok. Once mocked for being too “woke,” Grok has now gone fully off the rails, spouting antisemitic conspiracy theories, calling itself “Mecha Hitler,” and even giving instructions on how to stalk users on the platform.
As always: Watch, listen…
Trump fumbles through a chaotic cabinet meeting, announcing new tariffs and cluelessness to the Ukraine weapons pause. Meanwhile, MAGA world erupts over the Epstein files, Grok turns into a bigoted chatbot, and ICE has transformed into Trump’s personal police force.
Special guest Sam Stein joins Sarah and JVL to discuss yet another wild week.
show notesWill Sommer’s False Flag “MAGA World’s Mega Meltdown Over Latest Epstein Flop”JVL’s Triad “The American Police State Is Here”
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Sam Stein and Bill Kristol break down the disturbing scenes unfolding in Los Angeles, where ICE and National Guard troops are patrolling MacArthur Park like it’s a war zone. Despite no riots, no unrest, and no request for help from local authorities, federal forces in camo and on horseback are conducting an overt show of force, all under the banner of i…
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What happens when the biggest chaos agent online turns his sights on Trump? Bill Kristol and Sam Stein talk through Musk’s latest moves, the media meltdown around the Epstein memo, and the deeper dysfunction roiling the right.
See Bill on FYPod here
Check out more on Morning Shots: The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Elon
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Sam Stein sits down with Tyler Pager, Isaac Arnsdorf, and Josh Dawsey, co-authors of 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and Democrats Lost America, to break down the biggest political rematch of our time. We find out how Trump surprised even his inner circle, why Biden's age wasn't the only issue, and how Kamala Harris tried (and struggled) to defin…
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JVL and Mona offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of The Bulwark's mission, mark the milestone of 100,000 members and reflect on building a thriving community amid a collapsing media landscape. They warn of rising authoritarianism, especially the behemoth expansion of ICE, but argue that direct reader relationships and principled resistance offer hope. Despite the darkness, they make a case for patriotism and pushing back.
ICYMI: A Note from JVL
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Will Sommer is joined by journalist Tara Palmeri to discuss the DOJ’s recent memo closing the Jeffrey Epstein case, Pam Bondi’s reversal on the investigation, and the many unanswered questions about evidence and ongoing investigations.
Subscribe to Tara Palmeri’s Substack
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Living in Ukraine right now is less about the fear that you’ll be killed at any given time, and more about the ever-present stress of never being safe.
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Sam Stein talks with Washington Post meteorologist Matthew Cappucci to break down the tragic flash floods that swept through central Texas and find out what made them so deadly. Cappucci explains how a nearly invisible system of triggers, combined with moisture from Tropical Storm Barry and stagnant storm cells, led to a catastrophic rise in river level…
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed the bad precedents set by media outlets being bullied by Donald Trump into backing down from defending the free press. Then they review Jurassic World Rebirth, a dino adventure more interested in the ethics of big pharma than big dino. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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This week on FYPod, Cameron Kasky is joined by political legend Bill Kristol to talk about Elon Musk’s bizarre attempt to shake up the Republican Party, how Gen Z became the most disillusioned generation, and why movements like BLM, #MeToo, and March for Our Lives didn’t deliver the change we hoped for.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Will Saletan shows how Trump used Independence Day to spread rage and revisionist history. From joking about migrant deaths to threatening opponents and reporters, his message had little to do with American values and everything to do with himself.
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Sarah and JVL talk about the big reveal that there was . . . nothing at all suspicious about Jeffrey Epstein’s death. And also, apparently, no client list?
Super excited to see how MAGA takes this news.
Also: Elon Musk has completed his speed run through the seven stages of Republicanism and landed at No Labels Part 2. We love that for him.
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Sam Stein talks with Will Sommer about the latest twist in the Epstein saga and why Pam Bondi’s big promises just went up in smoke. From binder theatrics to conspiracy fallout, it’s all unraveling.
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CATO's David Bier explains who ICE has scooped up—93 percent are not criminals—and what's coming next. Bier describes aggressive, anonymous arrest tactics and overcrowded detention centers with inhumane conditions, and warns of efforts to undermine birthright citizenship and due process.
show notes:
By David Bier at CATO: 65% of People Taken by ICE Had No Convictions, 93% No Violent Convictions
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John Avlon and Thomas Pacchia dive into the future of Bitcoin and crypto policy in the U.S., highlighting the regulatory confusion, partisan risks, and missed opportunities under the Biden administration. Now that Trump is embroiled in a crypto scheme, the time for talking about new rules is now.
Guest Thomas Pacchia explains the key differences between Bitcoin and broader crypto, warns against overregulation, and makes the case for light-touch rules, tax clarity, and what Trump coin means in this moment for change.
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Trump allies are pushing a wild new conspiracy: fake Chinese IDs, TikTok, and underground COVID bases all supposedly helped steal the 2020 election. Will Sommer unpacks the most recent edition of False Flag.
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Carlos Eduardo Espina joins Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky to break down how social media, religion, and misinformation have reshaped Latino politics. With nearly 20 million followers across platforms, Carlos talks about how he became the voice of immigrant communities, what Trump-era deportations feel like on the ground, and why Latino support for MAGA is fracturing. It's a conversation about fear, leadership, and the fight for the truth in both English and Spanish.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Will Saletan takes a deep dive into Donald Trump’s lies about the Iran strikes, revisits his past criticism of George W. Bush’s Iraq war messaging, and unpacks how Trump is now discrediting accurate reporting to defend his narrative.
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Andrew Egger, Sam Stein, Sarah Longwell, and Jonathan Cohn discuss the House vote on Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.”
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Republicans are creating, and celebrating, an immigration police state financed by their megabill. Our cities will be militarized, we'll have prison camps, more masked agents, and more dehumanization—like their sicko alligator hats. And the motivation all seems to be so Trump has a win and the Dems don't. But this is Stephen Miller's administration now. Expect net zero migration, less tourism, less international business, and a lower GDP. As we head into Independence Day, it's hard to see the Jeffersonian aspirational promise of America right now. Plus, the administration's freeze on some air defense weapons to Ukraine, how a younger Sam used to think about Bill Kristol, and Candace Owens's potential influence on geopolitical affairs.
Sam Stein joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notes
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This week's TNL
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Adrian on how deportations are impacting the Latin music industry
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Will Sommer's new piece that Sam referenced
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Thomas Jefferson's letter to Roger Weightman
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Tim's playlist
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Tim's July 4th playlist Relief organizations to support, mentioned in the Nick Kristof interviewHelen Keller International
Edesia Nutrition in Rhode IslandMana Nutrition in Georgia
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Sarah and JVL talk about Republicans caving on Fiscal Responsibility, the irresponsibility of the New York Times, and a Bulwark milestone.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
Tim Miller takes on the shocking allegations of abuse contained in Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s new lawsuit against the Trump administration. The disturbing claims include torture, severe beatings, and psychological abuse. Has Trump’s administration knowingly sent innocent people into unimaginable conditions? What does this say about America’s moral culpability?
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Always glad to talk to the Entertainment Strategy Guy (read him here!) about the state of play in the world of streaming and beyond. Among the topics discussed this week: Whether or not F1: The Movie is a hit (and what being a “hit” means for a $200 million original for Apple as opposed to a different type of movie for a different type of studio); whether F1, the sport, is a butts-in-seats phenomenon in the United States; why the streaming wars are tightening and other streaming services are closing the originals gap with Netflix; and how sports rights are going to shake out over the next few years as the ESPN streaming service comes online and regional sports networks start to dwindle. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller joins MSNBC's Deadline: White House to share his takes on the horrible job numbers and how a pardoned Jan. 6th rioter is now working for the Department of Justice.Watch MSNBC’s Deadline: White House
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Congress is quietly overhauling SNAP, the food assistance program that helps millions. A sneaky formula, crafted to win Lisa Murkowski’s vote, could shift massive costs to states and cut benefits for millions, all while rewarding high error rates.
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In a rare moment of public unity, Barack Obama and George W. Bush condemned Trump for shutting down USAID. The closure ends a bipartisan legacy of providing lifesaving aid, leaving millions without vital medicine and support.
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Trump has moved public opinion against his own immigration policy platform by sending masked agents out to nab people off the street. So, Democrats should skip the last war, and instead push for laws requiring ICE agents to show their faces and wear their names on their badge. And another no-brainer for the midterms, in light of the Big Ugly Bill: they …
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Trump settled a lawsuit with Paramount/CBS over their editing of a 60 Minutes segment featuring Kamala Harris. He walked away with $16 million, without CBS admitting fault, fueling new claims of media bias and political manipulation.
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Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest news. On today’s show, we cover the House vote on Trump’s fugly bill, ICE expansion, and the cowards at Paramount.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein join MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to discuss the political cowardice behind the GOP's rushed passage of Trump's deeply unpopular bill. They unpack Senator Lisa Murkowski's baffling decision to support legislation she knows will harm Americans, and Republicans' willingness to cave to Trump's demands at the expense of their own constituents.
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Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller break down the chaos surrounding the "Big Beautiful Bill": the massive GOP legislation packed with tax cuts for the rich, Medicaid and SNAP cuts, ICE detention centers, and yes… a sculpture garden. They also dive into how Gen Z voters showed up for Zoran Mamdani in NYC, despite being ignored in most mainstream discourse, and contrast that with how Dems are handling actual political violence and right-wing extremism.
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Tim Miller joins Chris Jansing to discuss the disturbing “Alligator Alcatraz,” a new ICE detention center in the Florida Everglades. They discuss the cruelty behind the project and the grotesque MAGA merch boom surrounding it, including Benny Johnson already showing off the hats.
Watch Chris Jansing Reports on MSNBC
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Andrew Egger and Mona discuss the BBB, the ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’ chimera, its massive ICE detention funding, and potential $4 trillion debt impact. They examine regressive tax changes, Medicaid cuts, and how the filibuster and reconciliation process distort policymaking, weakening Congress. The conversation also touches on RFK Jr.’s anti-science policies and Zohran Mamdani’s push for state-run grocery stores in New York.
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Ever the journalist, E. Jean took assiduous notes about her two civil suits against Donald Trump, the only occasions he has been held liable for his lies since he became president. And while the origin story of her cases is situated in an infamous department store dressing room, she managed to find a high comedy in the courtroom—her description of Alina Habba is one for the ages. Plus, as the reconciliation bill was moving toward final passage in the Senate, Sarah and Tim discussed the preposterous Frankenstein bill, how Republicans are not listening to their voters, and the worthlessness of Lisa Murkowski.
Sarah Longwell and E. Jean Carroll join Tim Miller.
show notes
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E. Jean's new book, "Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President"
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E. Jean's Substack
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Subscribe to "Bulwark Takes" for our reactions to breaking news
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Sarah Longwell, Jonathan V. Last, and Jonathan Cohn were live when the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” passed the Senate. Watch their live reaction and commentary on the razor-thin margin, the implications for “moderate” Republicans in the Senate, and how this bill may shape the country’s finances and politics for years to come.
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Sam Stein interviews Rep. Brendan Boyle about the GOP’s new budget maneuver, what it means for Medicaid, and how Republicans are breaking decades of precedent to push tax cuts for the wealthy.
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Don’t care …
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Denis Villeneuve’s new gig: director, Bond director. Is he the man for the job? And who should he bring on as his James Bond. What does James Bond even mean in the modern world? Then they review F1: The Movie, Apple’s first big theatrical hit. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Thursday for a bonus episode on the New York Times’s top 100 movies since 2000. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Democratic strategist Rebecca Katz joins Lauren Egan to discuss how she helped Zohran Mamdani win New York City’s mayoral primary by tapping into voter frustrations with clear, relatable messaging on affordability. Can the Democratic Party learn anything from this?
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Elon Musk just declared open political war on Republicans backing the controversial spending bill, promising to primary every single one of them. Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on the question of whether Musk is serious, just grandstanding, or completely clueless about GOP politics.
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Tim and Sam take on Sen. Fetterman's complaint that his job in the Senate is keeping him away from the beach. With healthcare for millions, billions in aid, and the fiscal future of the United States on the line, the question is raised: Is it time for Fetterman to get serious—or get out?
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Thom Tillis finally showed some backbone and opposed Trump—because of the giant Medicaid cuts in the Big Fugly Bill—but now he has to self-deport from the Senate. Meanwhile, the bill funds a giant internal police force for Trump, and gives a handout to the Dr. Strangeloves of Silicon Valley who don't want AI regulated. It would also cripple wind and solar energy, which even the ex-shadow president says is insane and destructive. Plus, ICE's racial and ethnic targeting, the plutocrats are the biggest suck-ups, and Peter Thiel—the man who gave us JD Vance—isn't sure he wants the human race to continue.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" interview with Tom Joscelyn
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Douthat's interview with Thiel
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Author Marc Dunkelman discusses his new book Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back. Dunkelman contrasts past centralized efficiency with today’s slow, decentralized system full of procedural roadblocks. They close with a hopeful look at reform efforts, like Josh Shapiro’s in Pennsylvania, as one potential model.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
References:
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Why Nothing Works– by Marc Dunkelman
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Stuck– by Yoni Appelbaum
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Abundance– by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
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The Power Broker– by Robert Caro
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The Power Elite– by C. Wright Mills
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The House of Truth – by Brad Snyder
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Republican Senator Thom Tillis followed up his announcement that he won't seek reelection with a surprise Senate floor speech blasting Trump's budget bill that would cut Medicaid for over 600,000 people in North Carolina. Sam breaks down the speech and the Trump-Tillis feud that unfolded before Tillis' announcement.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a …
Thomas Joscelyn, senior fellow at Just Security, joins Bill Kristol to discuss Trump's authoritarian impulses, how far he will go and if we can stop them.
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Richard E. Farley wrote a book called Drop Dead about New York City’s 1975 fiscal crisis. John Avlon and Richard compare it to today, highlighting similar risks: rising interest rates, job and tax-base uncertainty, reduced federal support, and political dysfunction. Unlike in 1975, today’s polarized politics make federal bailouts harder, emphasizing the urgent need to restore fiscal discipline and cooperative governance.
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Sonny Bunch is joined by Daniel Drezner—professor at Tufts, co-host of Space The Nation, and author of the cult classic Theories of International Politics and Zombies. They discuss why zombies make the perfect lens for understanding global relations, pandemics and government response post-2020.Daniel Drezner's Theories of International Politics and Zomb…
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Cameron Kasky, Tim Miller, and Peter Rothpletz (aka "Peter Twinklage") bring the chaos on this episode of FYPod. We talk about Don Lemon's "white boy," who actually won the Democratic primary in New York, and whether Gen Z is governed more by vibes or policy. Peter also shares his story that he wrote about the gay community's connection to Hooter's.
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We’re stuck in a political time warp. Tim Miller breaks down two stories that show how we’re still reliving the madness of 2020: Donald Trump cozying up to a propagandist from Mike Lindell’s pillow “news” network, and Gavin Newsom suing Fox News for the exact amount they paid Dominion.
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Our season finale is a bit of a pep talk. America is in a precarious place, but Americans everywhere are speaking up against the authoritarian threat. Historian extraordinaire Heather Cox Richardson joins Sarah to discuss the lessons history leaves for this moment, and Americans' role in fighting back.
By Heather Cox Richardson:
Letters from an American
Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America
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The Focus Group may be going on summer break but there is still so much more with Sarah and the rest the Bulwark gang to keep you up on the latest antics from Washington. A Bulwark+ membership includes unfettered access to everything we publish including ad-free and member-only shows, livestreams and community comments. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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Sonny Bunch and Will Sommer break down RFK Jr.'s $20 million government ad push to make wearable health tech “cool.” But his own Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) base isn’t buying it—raising alarms about surveillance, data privacy, and insider business ties.Plus, an update on the Liver King’s strange feud with Joe Rogan and how ayahuasca may have playe…
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A miracle food paste that fights malnutrition in children, that taxpayers have already paid for, is collecting dust in warehouses. Donated drugs for parasitic infections remain undistributed and are nearing their expiration dates. American-purchased ambulances sit idle because they have no gas. USAID was shut down in the name of government efficiency, but instead, we've spent at least $6 billion to dismantle it—and we've killed a lot of kids in the process, despite what Elon and Marco Rubio say. Plus, Elissa Slotkin on her 'Economic War Plan,' and the challenges for Dems on housing, and connecting with the working class.
Nick Kristof and Sen. Elissa Slotkin join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Nick's piece on the waste Elon created
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Nick on the elegant and cheap solutions to global hunger
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The response to readers upset that Nick writes about dying kids in Africa
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"Chasing Hope," Nick's memoir
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Kristof Farms
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Tim's playlistOrganizations to supportHelen Keller International
Edesia Nutrition in Rhode IslandMana Nutrition in Georgia
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Leah Litman, law professor and author of "Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes" joins Sam Stein to discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling limiting nationwide injunctions and its implications for Trump’s executive order targeting birthright citizenship. Also, the potential consequences for civil rights enforcement, and how this decision could reshape the balance of power between the courts and the executive branch.
Read more in The Bulwark, "The Supreme Court Just Made America a Dangerous Place"
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Bill Kristol sits in for Sarah today as he and JVL talk about the lessons Zohran Mamdani can teach Democrats, the hysteria over five government run grocery stores, and how the Iran strike looks increasingly less helpful.
The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Daniel Drezner—cohost of the Space the Nation podcast with Ana Marie Cox and proprietor of the Drezner’s World Substack—to discuss the eternal popularity of zombies (most recently via the hit movie 28 Years Later, which I reviewed here) and the continued relevance of his book, Theories of International Politics and Zombies, which is now in its third edition. We chatted about the ways different political theories might confront waves of the undead and discussed how this book can help explain basic problems of international relations to even lay audiences. If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you share it with a friend!
And, as a bonus, here’s a link to a video starring Dan, me, and Across the Movie Aisle’s Alyssa Rosenberg that asked what Star Wars would have looked like if it had been shot in the style of Ken Burns’s Civil War. Enjoy!
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George Conway and JVL break down a stunning whistleblower complaint accusing former Acting Deputy AG Emil Bove of telling colleagues the DOJ should ignore court orders and deport migrants anyway. They explore the Supreme Court’s unexplained decision enabling deportation to dangerous countries, the Kafkaesque Abrego Garcia case, and the GOP’s broader assault on Harvard. It’s a legal and political breakdown—Conway says bluntly: “The criminals are in charge.”
(Correction: At about 35:00 and at about 44:00, George and JVL misstate Bove’s position at the Department of Justice. A previous version of this description contained the same error. He was acting deputy attorney general and is now the principal associate deputy attorney general, but was never nominated to be the deputy attorney general. He has also been nominated to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.)
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Sam Stein and Tim Miller break down the grotesque and dangerous rhetoric from GOP Reps. Andy Ogles and Nancy Mace, who suggested deporting New York mayoral candidate and naturalized U.S. citizen Zohran Mamdani. We go beyond the outrage to explain how trolling rhetoric like this is often a precursor to actual policy, and why ignoring it is not an option.
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Tim Miller just got off MSNBC and has more to say about Jeff Bezos’s shameless attempts to cozy up to Donald Trump, all in the name of winning more government contracts for Blue Origin. Bezos is proving that even billionaires will debase themselves to serve power, from inviting Trump to his lavish Venice wedding to producing a pro-Melania documentary for Amazon.
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Jonathan Cohn joins Sam Stein to go inside the GOP’s latest healthcare debacle, after the Senate parliamentarian blocks up to $400 billion in Medicaid cuts. Can Republicans recover—or are they out of options?
More from Jonathan Cohn on the chaos: Trump’s About to Slash Medicaid. TV News Has Barely Noticed.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bu…
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Trump was so awestruck by Israel's intel infiltration and air supremacy over Iran that he just had to give himself an executive producer credit. And he's casting his appointees to help create a Hollywood ending—including using his Val Kilmer-esque SecDef to spike the success of the long-teased, "secret" military operation. At the same time, Trump is hav…
Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller join Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to discuss the political fallout from Trump’s healthcare cuts, growing voter backlash, and GOP infighting. Sarah also spotlights Home of the Brave, a new campaign sharing stories of Americans harmed by Trump’s agenda.
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The Next Level gang went live Wednesday to talk about all the week’s news: McConnell’s comments on the BBB, the big win in the NYC Dem mayoral primary, do vibes or policies win, Trump’s Iran mess and being brave.
Thanks to everyone who tuned in and participated in the live chat. It’s fun to be together—even in virtual space!
Check out Sarah’s new project Home of the Brave at OftheBrave.org and please share it on your social platforms.
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Tim Miller talks to Aaron Reichlin-Melnick about how the Trump administration is aggressively deporting immigrants not to their home countries, but to unfamiliar third countries—often places facing severe unrest. This alarming tactic leaves people stranded, without resources or support, raising urgent human rights concerns.
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A DSA candidate winning a Democratic primary in New York City is not an ideal laboratory for other Dems to draw lessons from, but Mamdani sounded authentic, he successfully juggled our fragmented media environment, and he had the right message for this cost-of-living moment—as well as the proper amount of party heresy for this anti-establishment age. Me…
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Sam Stein, John Avlon, and Lauren Egan break down Zohran Mamdani’s stunning win in the NYC mayoral primary, Andrew Cuomo’s abrupt concession, and why moderates are panicking about what comes next.
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Don’t c…
Eric and Eliot host a special Shield of the Republic episode to discuss the Iranian response to Trump's strike on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. They assess the largely symbolic Iranian attack on al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as an attempt to take an off ramp from further escalation as they did in the aftermath of the Soleimani strike in 2020. They also touch on why Trump did it, the difficulties of bomb damage assessment, what happened to the HEU and are there other Iranian facilities, the Israeli intelligence brief, the cracks in MAGA, Trump's sudden endorsement of regime change and the hypocrisy of those calling for a Congressional vote to legitimize the actions given their prior support for Obama's operation in Libya and Clinton's campaigns in Bosnia and Kosovo all of which took place without a vote.
Eliot's Latest in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/06/trump-iran/683287/
Eric (with Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh) in Foreign Affairs: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/right-path-regime-change-iran
Where Does Iran Go Now? (The New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/opinion/iran-iranians-regime.html
Inside the spy dossier that led Israel to war (The Economist): https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/06/18/inside-the-spy-dossier-that-led-israel-to-war
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Bulwark+ members can watch Shield of the Republic record this ad-free video edition here.
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Bill Kristol and Tim Miller break down the NYC mayoral race as Cuomo concedes to Mamdani.
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Tim and Sam dissect Marjorie Taylor Greene’s latest deranged fever dream, featuring Jesus, JFK, conspiracies, and a whole lot of unhinged energy. Yes, it’s a real tweet.
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Tim Miller connects with Caolan Robertson, reporting live from Ukraine amid escalating Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Broadcasting from an active train station near a recent missile strike, Robertson describes Ukraine’s unshakable resilience—embodied by its rail workers, the “Iron People.”
Don’t miss Caolan's report on Russian Soldiers' Cannibalism.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein break down the Senate’s rush to jam through cuts to Medicaid, Mitch McConnell’s brutal quote, and why Republicans keep targeting their own voters.
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While Trump and his administration are the ones politicizing the rule of the law, ignoring due process, and annihilating democratic norms, it's Republicans leaders saying and doing nothing in response that poses a bigger threat to our country and democracy. Meanwhile, when it comes to the Middle East, we don't know who Trump is talking to—or listening t…
Tim Miller and Sam Stein deep dive into Trump’s explicit comments at reports as frustration gets the best of him due to the unraveling ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
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John Avlon chats with John Opdycke, Founder and President of Open Primaries, to make the case for changing how we vote, starting with the primaries. They explain why nonpartisan election systems in places like Alaska and New York are working and what it would take to bring those reforms to more states.
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Sam Stein and Adam Klasfeld break down the judge’s decision to order Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release after he was wrongfully detained and sent to prison in El Salvador, delivering a strong and scathing rebuke to Trump’s DOJ.
Read More from Adam in All Rise News, "Kilmar Abrego must be freed, judge rules — but ICE might grab him anyway"
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In this episode, Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky dive into the wild news that the Trump administration just put a 22-year-old with zero national security experience in charge of a major DHS counterterrorism program. Who is Thomas Fugate? Why is he suddenly running an $18 million terrorism prevention effort?
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Trump spent the morning posting to Truth Social about oil prices and nuclear threats. Tim and Sam discuss why the chaotic bleats could be incredibly dangerous.
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Tim and Bill may have different takes on the wisdom of the U.S. bombing of Iran's nuclear sites—and on potential regime change—but they see eye-to-eye on the risks of Trump's ego and his incapable advisers in a dangerous situation. And where is the missing enriched uranium? Meanwhile, Stephen Miller's masked goons violently assaulted an immigrant landscaper and father of three Marines in Southern California. Plus, the trans military ban is un-American, local anti-trans laws are trampling all over parents' rights, and why didn't the moderate Dem establishment circle the wagons around a candidate who could've knocked Cuomo out of contention?
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' with Eric Edelman
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Sam's interview with Rep. Jim Himes about the Iran strikes
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Landscaper being punched by masked officers in So Cal
gifted:
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Bob Kagan on the threat to American democracy from a Trump war on Iran
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The Post on the transgender troops who want to keep serving
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Iran officially retaliated today after the U.S. bombed nuclear sites in the country over the weekend. Tim, Sarah and JVL reacted to it live and chatted further about Lisa Murkowski and the NYC mayoral race.
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Linda Chavez joined Mona Charen to discuss her debut novel The Silver Candlesticks, inspired by a personal revelation during an appearance on Finding Your Roots that her ancestors were secret Jews persecuted during the Spanish Inquisition. The novel explores themes of religious identity, repression, and survival, drawing on her family's history in Spain and the New World, as well as her own experience converting to Judaism. Their conversation also delved into parallels between historical persecution and contemporary immigration policies, warning against rising authoritarianism in the U.S.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
REFERENCES:
Linda Chavez’s author website.
Tim Miller discusses disturbing footage of the brutal beating, pepper spraying and detainment of father of three Marines by masked men in U.S. Border Patrol vests while working his landscaping job in Santa Ana, CA.
Footage from @santaanaproblems on Instagram
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Tim Miller unpacks how JD Vance, Rubio, and Hegseth got undercut in real time after defending Trump’s Iran strike.
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Sam Stein and Rep. Jim Himes break down the administration’s decision to bypass Congress before striking Iran. They explore the constitutional concerns, the risk to U.S. troops, and what might come next.
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Bill Kristol and Eric Edelman break down the Iran strike, the decision to bypass Congress, and what it reveals about America's foreign policy and future.
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Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins John Avlon to talk about how authoritarianism creeps into democracies, the patterns she’s seen around the world, and what history says about how to fight back. They discuss the rise of strongman politics, the power of resistance, and the five rules we need to remember now.
Check out Ruth’s Substack newsletter about democracy in the U.S. and around the world here: Lucid
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Earlier tonight, President Trump announced that the U.S. had launched strikes on critical nuclear sites in Iran. Trump spoke shortly after at the White House and JVL, Sarah and Tim reacted live
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky are joined by Snacks Da Hip Hopper for a wide-ranging convo on Gen Z’s strange political vibes, Trump’s influence among young Black and Latino men, and what life is really like in LA amid ICE raids and military presence.
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The New York City mayoral primary is "dumb" and getting lots of "dumb attention," at least according to our (radically candid) guest. Democratic voters face a choice between disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the inexperienced socialist state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. There's another candidate who was just arrested by ICE, which may shake up this race at the VERY end. The City's Harry Siegel joins Sarah for a lively and wide-ranging conversation about New York City's politics today.
By The City:
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The City's Meet Your Mayor Quiz
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FAQ NYC Podcast
By Harry Siegel:
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NYC’s lousy election rules create lousy choices
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Mamdani’s moment for momentum: The surging socialist in the Democratic mayoral primary
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George and Sarah dig into Donald Trump’s legal circus—his sociopathic impulses, his warped view of presidential power, and his team’s nonstop efforts to delay accountability. From a Ninth Circuit procedural win on National Guard deployment, to recycled immunity claims, to the latest twists in the E. Jean Carroll case, Conway and Longwell explain why Trump’s ego—not the law—drives it all.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger discuss Trump’s latest bleat demanding a special council to investigate the 2020 election, and why this old conspiracy push is as pointless as ever.
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It’s a very meta episode. Sarah and JVL spend a little bit of time on Iran and then have a conversation about the many people on the internet who were mad at them on the internet this week.
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What if it had been a Harris-Cuban ticket in 2024?
Well, it turns out the billionaire entrepreneur had been seriously considered for the VP slot—and we can all dream of a potentially different outcome in the election. Meanwhile, the current guy in the Oval Office is failing spectacularly at the number one job of a president: to reduce the stress of the American people, and to communicate trust and hope. Plus, the Dems need to market their policies better, why much of the business community capitulates to Trump, a debate over AI, is Thiel trying to undermine the dollar, meme coins are the scum of the earth, Bluesky needs to let people fight—and the joy of shooting hoops with the kids.
Mark Cuban joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Mark's website
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The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company
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Tim's playlist
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On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Bart Weiss to discuss the evolution of the iPhone-shot movie from Tangerine to 28 Years Later and his recent book, Smartphone Cinema: Making Great Films with Your Mobile Phone. You have the power to make a movie in the palm of your hand: will you use it? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Last summer, during the height of the presidential campaign—not the Biden v. Trump one, the Harris v. Trump one—I heard a rumor while in the MSNBC green room. Mark Cuban, the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Shark Tank stalwart, and indefatigable Democratic surrogate, had been asked to submit VP vetting papers by the Harris campaign.
I never was able to nail down the rumor—until now. In an interview Thursday, Cuban confirmed that he was, indeed, asked. He also said that he declined the offer because his vetting book would be too long and it wasn’t worth the trouble for someone who, in his own admission, would not be “very good as the number-two person.”
Beyond raising the tantalizing possibility of what the 2024 campaign could have been, Cuban also addressed a wide variety of other matters: his plan to fix health care, the Trump report card, AI, crypto, Nikola Jokic, and whether there’s a chance he might try to run for president himself in 2028.
Check out the preview clip and tune in tomorrow for the full interview. While you’re at it, subscribe to The Bulwark below, where you can get adfree podcasts, among other great things.
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Because half the country so desperately wanted Trump back, we may now be on the verge of attacking Iran because the fake peacenik president wants some credit for Israel's military accomplishments against Tehran. Meanwhile, decent, hard-working people are being swept up by his anti-American deportation policy, consumers—and home buyers— are continuing to…
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In a special episode of Shield of the Republic, Eric and Eliot discuss the Israeli military operation against Iran. They discuss the intelligence on Iran that purportedly prompted the decision to take military action against the Iranian program, the questions of whether the operation is really about regime change, if the US intervenes and bombs the faci…
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JVL and Jonathan Cohn talk about the GOP’s so-called Big Beautiful Bill and what it could mean for healthcare access across the country. They discuss the political strategy behind it, the real-world impact on rural hospitals, and why this version might be even worse than what came before.
Check out Jonathan Cohn's piece here: Do Republicans Realize Whose Health Care They’re Cutting?
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Adrian chats with Carlos Eduardo Espina, likely the most followed Latino content creator on social media. Beyond his millions of followers, Carlos is tapped into and respected by the immigrant and Latino community which is under siege right now. They cover LA protests of ICE, Latino Trump supporters and more.
Follow Carlos on Susbtack.
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Lauren Egan talks with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez about one of the most annoying and overlooked problems on the road today. They discuss where these overly bright headlights came from, how they impact drivers, and why it is more than just a rural complaint.
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Tim Miller tears into Vice President JD Vance for obsessing over social media drama while ignoring a major national security crisis in the Situation Room.
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC's Deadline: White House to discuss the need for Barack Obama to step off the sidelines and speak directly to younger male voters on popular podcasts. Tim also argues Trump can’t solve the real pain Americans are feeling and says Democrats need to meet people where they are to counter his message.
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Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss Trump continuing to TACO causing increasingly slipping support, more Democrats getting arrested over immigration policies, the mixed feedback from Tim’s interview with NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on FYPod, and Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz’s heated conversation.
Show NotesArrest of NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad LanderZohran Mamdani: FYPod CrossoverTulsi’s Bizarre and Creepy Nuclear War PSA
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Wall Street Journal’s Alex Ward joins Sam Stein to break down his bombshell report: Donald Trump privately approved plans to attack Iran but paused before issuing the final order. They dig into the implications of Trump's public messaging and how it serves as a tool for negotiation, while also reflecting on historical precedents that may influence current decisions.
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Sam Stein, Andrew Egger, and Sonny Bunch dig into the viral story about Pentagon pizza orders and whether Google Maps is accidentally revealing military secrets. Is the slice to strike pipeline real or just deliciously dumb?
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Iran is in a vulnerable spot for a variety of reasons, and Israel sees this as a stars-aligning moment to decapitate the Iranian state. But if the U.S. helps out, we'll face the same questions we did with Iraq and Afghanistan: Who will run the place? As Tucker had to embarrassingly school Ted Cruz, Iran is a giant country. And it could descend into civil war or chaos—and America could be drawn into the 'catastrophic success' of regime change. Plus, MAGA fissures over foreign policy, Tulsi can't be trusted on Iran, and Dems really need to seize this black helicopter moment of masked agents snatching and arresting people, including elected officialsBen Rhodes joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim and Ben at an event two years ago on Ben's book
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Ben's book, "After the Fall: Being American in the World We've Made"
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Tulsi's creepy nuclear war video
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Tim Miller is joined by Van Lathan for a convo about boxing star Ryan Garcia, once a Trump supporter, speaking out against ICE raids in L.A., a move that raises bigger questions about whether some high-profile “vibes voters” are waking up to the real impact of their political choices. Is this a sign of change among the Manosphere/MMA right-wing crowd? O…
Tim Miller and Sam Stein talk the shocking footage of NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander being handcuffed by masked ICE agents for trying to help a migrant in court, just a week after Senator Alex Padilla was similarly handcuffed in LA.
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JVL joins Mona to revel in the wonders of Yellowstone National Park before shifting to the Israeli-Iranian conflict. They explore why Israel may have struck now, citing Iran’s weakened proxies and the regime’s vulnerability. They also debate potential U.S. involvement, MAGA-world divisions, and the GOP’s unstable coalition of oligarchs and “takers.” A focus group discussion highlights how resentment and entitlement influence political loyalties.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger break down a surreal and alarming day in American foreign policy, as President Trump seemingly live-blogged potential military action against Iran on Truth Social, calling for “unconditional surrender,” and urging 10 million people in Tehran to evacuate. We unpack what this means for U.S. policy, global stability, and the ever-blurring line between social media and warfare.
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Sam Stein talks with Representative Greg Landsman about being named on a shooter’s target list, what it was like waiting for the suspect to be caught, and why political violence feels closer than ever.
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NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani joins Tim and Cam for a special edition of the daily pod to discuss making the city more affordable, building more housing, and ending food deserts—as well as antisemitism and Islamophobia. Plus, the murky picture on Iran with a lunatic in the White House, and New York magazine's Kerry Howley on the paranoia and chaos at the Pentagon under Pete Hegseth.
Kerry Howley and State Rep. Zohran Mamdani join today's Bulwark Podcast.
show notes
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FYPod on YouTube
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FYPod on Apple
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Kerry's story on Hegseth
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In this episode of Across the Movie Aisle, host Sonny Bunch is joined by Alyssa Rosenberg and Peter Suderman to unpack the outrage over indie film platform MUBI’s investment ties and whether ethical boycotts are even coherent in modern capitalism. Then they dig into Celine Song’s latest film Materialists, a rom-com that tries to be profound—but might just be pretty nonsense.
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Sam Stein and Tim Miller react in real time to the chaos surrounding Trump’s late-night “bleat” about Iran, escalating confusion over potential U.S. military involvement, and Pete Hegseth’s baffling public role amid a potential international crisis. From MAGA influencers melting down to the fog of disinformation and media theatrics, the guys unpack the …
Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to take on America’s slide into political violence, Trump’s immigration agenda, and the disturbing Republican response to recent assassinations in Minnesota. Tim also discusses Terry Moran’s truth-telling moment and the media’s struggle against pressure to put neutrality over reporting the news.
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Sam Stein and Lauren Egan take a closer look at the No Kings protests and how organizers are rethinking resistance. They explore why the movement feels different this time and why Democrats still seem stuck.
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JVL and Will Saletan discuss Donald Trump’s bizarre G7 comments where he defended Putin, blamed Obama and Trudeau for Russia’s aggression, and insulted America’s closest allies, all while ignoring why Russia was kicked out of the summit in the first place.
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JVL and Sarah Longwell talk Matt Yglesias’s recent piece about the real stakes for Democrats in the Senate, how to build a winning coalition for 2026, and whether vibes actually beat policy.
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In contrast to the saddest military junta parade in history, millions of patriotic people took to the streets on Saturday to defend American values and principles against Trump. But the deflated birthday boy now wants to ramp up the militarization of our largest cities on a completely partisan basis to achieve his mass deportation. Meanwhile, folks on the right are showing a vicious irresponsibility about the assassination in Minnesota—Mike Lee in particular should have his head examined since he's showing a complete disregard for the truth. Plus, Terry Moran discusses his firing from ABC, his truth-telling about Stephen Miller, and how Trump is mean, but not that tough. Terry Moran and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' with Seth Moulton
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The Michael Scherer piece on Trump's response to Tucker's criticism that Tim referenced
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For our video audience, here’s the Substack interview with Moran
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Journalist Terry Moran was fired from ABC after a tweet criticizing Stephen Miller sparked an overblown backlash from the Trump administration. But Moran isn’t done. He joins Tim Miller to talk about Trump’s attacks on the free press, his Trump interview and what comes next.
Follow Terry now on his new Substack.
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Michael Steele speaks with three Republicans who are working to revive a party that has disintegrated through division and chaos. Former Chairman Chris Vance, former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock and former Congressman Charlie Dent join the podcast to discuss how the GOP has devolved under MAGA and what the party will look like in 20 years.
Thanks for listening to the podcast over the years! The Michael Steele Podcast is going on hiatus, but you can catch Michael on The Weeknight," Mondays through Fridays at 7pmET on MSNBC, or on YouTube @michaelsteelenetwork.
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Tim Miller returns with a disturbing update on the targeted political assassination of Minnesota Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of another Democratic lawmaker. The suspect, Vance Boulter, impersonated a police officer, arrived in a fake cop vehicle, and executed a horrifying plan that appears clearly politically motivated—targeting Democrats including Governor Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
But instead of facing this reality, prominent voices on the far right—including Elon Musk, Charlie Kirk, Mike Cernovich, and even U.S. Senator Mike Lee—have pushed a conspiracy theory suggesting the killer was somehow motivated by left-wing grievance. Tim breaks down how this false narrative spread like wildfire and what it reveals about the state of right-wing media, social platforms, and our broken political discourse.
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Bill Kristol and Rep. Seth Moulton explore Trump’s latest efforts to politicize the armed forces. From sidelining respected generals to ignoring court orders, Moulton explains why this moment is a breaking point for the military’s nonpartisan tradition.
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JVL, Sarah Longwell, Will Sommer, and Andrew Egger talk Trump’s sad, sparsely attended military/birthday parade in Washington DC while ‘No Kings’ protests across the country draw unprecedentedly massive crowds.
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Tim Miller returns from the No Kings protests in New Orleans to deliver heartbreaking and shocking news from Minnesota: what appears to be a politically motivated assassination of Democratic leaders.
Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed, while State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette remain hospitalized after surviving multiple gunshots. The attacks occurred in separate incidents at their homes, reportedly carried out by individuals impersonating police officers. One suspect remains at large.
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky talk this week with the unapologetic, unfiltered, and very online Olivia Julianna. From viral showdowns with Matt Gaetz to raising millions for abortion funds, Olivia shares her journey from a conservative Texas upbringing to becoming a nationally recognized liberal activist and DNC speaker.
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Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill is moving through Congress, and you may be surprised by some former Trump voters' reactions. Bulwark in-house policy wonk Jonathan Cohn joins Sarah to talk about the bill's negative consequences and why healthcare has been such a political albatross for the Republican Party. We also learn that plenty of voters are irritated by Congress only seeming to pass 'big' bills these days.
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George Conway is joined by JVL, sitting in for Sarah Longwell, to break down the legal challenges to the federal use of the National Guard in California, how the administration is not following the laws as they are written, and how Newsom can continue to challenge the overreach. Also, they discuss the confrontation involving Senator Padilla that even shocked Corey Lewandowski, and how Trump’s silly birthday parade shows weakness.
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Yesterday was, by his own admission, a shocking day for Senator Alex Padilla. It wasn’t just that he was physically detained after confronting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, or that he quickly became a leading figure in the Democratic party’s resistance to Donald Trump’s deportation regime. It was the little things, too—like the person who ran down the hall to yell at law enforcement officers to uncuff him.
“Of all people, Corey Lewandowski,” Padilla recalled, referencing Trump’s longtime loyalist who is now a top DHS adviser. “He’s the one trying to rein in the agents telling them to stop, to release me, to remove the handcuffs, offering me a cup of coffee.” It was, he added, “one of the most surreal things that’s ever happened in my life.”
In an interview with The Bulwark some 24 hours after he was manhandled and cuffed, Padilla was sharply critical of those who sought to malign his actions.
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He scoffed at the notion that he barged in or lunged at Noem: “I had been there for five, almost 10 minutes.”
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He ridiculed the idea that he hadn’t identified himself: “You saw the video, I’m shouting, ‘I’m Senator Alex Padilla and I have a question.’ The shirt that I’m wearing had the Senate seal on the chest.”
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He elaborated on why he was in the building to begin with: “I was [there] for a scheduled briefing with representatives of Northern Command to get more information” and Noem’s press conference was “literally a couple of doors down.”
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And he responded to critics, like Stephen A. Smith, who chastised him for trying to produce a spectacle. “They're very evasive. They refuse to share. They refuse to commit. . . . I thought maybe this is an opportunity to ask a question directly. I’m doing my job and this is how they react.”
There is a lot, lot more that Padilla offered, including a plea to fellow Democrats to more forcefully take on the immigration debate.
The Bulwark strives to help you make sense of the news and see around corners. We’ve been on the story of the march toward authoritarianism by the Trump regime from the early days. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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On Saturday, Trump would like nothing more than images from Los Angeles of tear gas and balaclava-clad anarchists throwing bottles at Marines to complement video of himself in the stands at his military parade, saluting the troops amid a field of flags. That's part of the reason why he chose LA to federalize the Guard—home to numerous adversaries who willingly take his bait. And while tanks are going to roll through DC, wrecking its streets for the big birthday boy, Israel is going after Iran like it went after Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem handled the Padilla incident like a little fascist, and it only just occurred to Trump how the deportations will affect farms and hotels. Plus, a "Les Miz" correction, a 'Godfather' goof, and fighting words over The Beach Boys v. Lou Reed.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Why Trump deployed troops to LA
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Tom's late night piece on Israel's attack on Iran
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Tom's "Silence of the Generals" piece
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The baptism scene in The Godfather
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Tim's playlist
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Sarah and JVL go deep on the manhandling of Sen. Alex Padilla.
Did he “lunge” at Kristi Noem? No.
Is it plausible that the Secretary of Homeland Security did not know how Padilla was? No.
Is there some sacred—or even written—rule of conduct for press conferences that Padilla was “disrupting”? Hell no.
But the big question is: Should Democrats do more of this? Should they bring their own security staffs and provoke the Trump administration and dare them to take the authoritarian mask all the way off? None dare call it accelerationism . . .
That’s the discussion. We want you to talk about it in the comments and seriously. Take in all the angles.
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Andrew Egger interviews Nathan Sage, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Iowa and former Marine, about ICE enforcement, domestic military use, and national unrest. Sage criticizes President Trump’s rhetoric, addresses immigration and economic inequality, and outlines his strategy to win back working-class voters in a Republican-trending state.
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Lane Brown of New York magazine to discuss his feature on an increasingly rare phenomenon: the film or TV show shot in Los Angeles. From foreign tax credits to the cost of permits, Los Angeles is getting more expensive to shoot in, meaning that more productions are moving out of Los Angeles altogether. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to read Lane’s piece. And please, share this with a friend!
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Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller join Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC's Deadline: White House to break down the disturbing footage of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla being forcibly removed, handcuffed, and thrown to the ground at a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
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Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch break down Charlie Kirk’s sharp turn on immigration, how far-right figures like Nick Fuentes are driving the conversation, and what it says about the radicalization of the conservative movement.
Read More, "How the Groypers Won"
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Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell dive into a wave of troubling polling data for Donald Trump, including dismal approval numbers and declining support on key issues like immigration and the economy. We break down what the data reveals about voter sentiment and how Trump’s return to center stage is impacting his numbers.
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Senator Alex Padilla was tackled and handcuffed at a DHS press conference in Los Angeles after attempting to ask Secretary Kristi Noem a question. Sam Stein and Tim Miller break down the unprecedented and shocking event.
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Sam Stein and Tim Miller break down Trump’s latest unhinged “bleat” on immigration—where he’s suddenly worried about losing hotel and farm workers due to… his own policies. They dissect the political whiplash, Stephen Miller’s likely meltdown, and MAGA voters realizing too late what they signed up for. It’s legal chaos, GOP backroom panic, and plenty of schadenfreude.
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Trump is outright fabricating a justification for sending Guard troops into Los Angeles, and his directive is not limited only to LA. So, if someone acts violent during a 'No Kings' protest on Saturday somewhere in America, would he deploy the National Guard there too? The potential chilling effect on our First Amendment rights to protest is enormous. Plus, masks are liberating ICE agents to act with impunity, Kash is a thin-skinned beta cuck, and the new self-appointed chair of the Kennedy Center was greeted with a mix of boos and cheers on the opening night performance of "Les Miz."Andrew Weissmann joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Boos and cheers for Trump at the opening night performance of Les Misérables
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If you suddenly need to listen to "Do You Hear the People Sing?"
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Andrew's pod, "Main Justice"
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Tim Miller and Pablo Torre discuss Donald Trump’s unprecedented call for ICE and DHS agents to patrol the FIFA Club World Cup in Miami, and how his escalating fear tactics impact both players and fans.
Subscribe to Pablo Torre Finds Out on Youtube
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Eliot and Eric offer up candidates for jackassery of the week before turning to a discussion of The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, (New York: Crown, 2025) the second volume of journalist/historian Rick Atkinson's monumental military history of the American revolution. They discuss Atkinson's background as a military journalist for the Washington Post who has written books about the Gulf War, the Iraq War and covered other late 20th and 21st Century conflicts before turning his attention to writing a trilogy on the US Army in Europe during the Second World War and now the American Revolution. They discuss the depth of his research in both archives in the U.S. and UK as well as his process for researching and writing these massive volumes (each of which has taken about 5-6 years to produce) and the decline of grand narrative history in the academy (despite the public demand for it). They consider how his own experience as a journalist affected his sense of the contingency of warfare and the fact that there are always tensions between the architects of war in capitals and the officers and troops on the ground. He explains how King George III and his ministers never understood the American drive for independence and were gripped by strategic misconceptions about how to fight the war, including the notion that there was a silent majority of North Americans who supported the monarchy despite the fact that the loyalists had mostly fled the colonies to Canada, the Caribbean or London. They discuss the star crossed career of Benedict Arnold, Washington's generalship at the Battle of Brandywine in Pennsylvania, and, finally, how Americans should think about the meaning of the American revolution today as we celebrate the sesquicentennial of the war for independence over the next 8 years.
The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780: https://a.co/d/b6rFlQV
The Liberation Trilogy Boxed Set: An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, The Guns at Last Light: https://a.co/d/dWBRojr
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast cosponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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The gang discuss Trump’s extreme response to protests in L.A., his unsettling rally to a cheering military crowd, and the upcoming birthday parade. Also: Elon Musk’s 3am apology, RFK Jr. dissolving the vaccine board, and Mikie Sherrill’s primary win.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein talk about the Defense Department’s shady behavior, the absurd lack of transparency, and what it means when even top-line budgets are kept secret.
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Trump keeps wrapping himself in the American flag while behaving in a very anti-American way—like threatening to shut down protests at his $45 million birthday parade or giving a highly partisan speech in front of soldiers in violation of military policy. And as the haphazardly deployed Marines join federalized Guard troops in LA, Trump seems hellbent on escalating his feud with Gavin Newsom—and the giant blue state that rejects him. Plus, Putin looks to gain an advantage in Ukraine while America is distracted, and Tulsi may have disclosed state secrets to the entire world.Gen. Mark Hertling joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Sam and Tim on Tulsi's creepy nuclear war video
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Part One of the 'Behind the B**s' Pod on Robert E. Lee
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The Tom Nichols piece that Gen. Hertling referenced
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California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a fiery and urgent speech last night in response to Donald Trump's crackdown on protests in Los Angeles—and the growing threat of federal overreach. Sam Stein is joined by Lauren Egan, author of The Opposition newsletter, to break down why this speech matters, how it signals a shift in Democratic messaging, and whether Newsom is positioning himself as the party’s leading voice against authoritarianism.
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Andrew Egger and Will Sommer break down Elon Musk’s 3AM apology to Donald Trump after pushing Epstein conspiracy theories. What started as a slapfight turned into a loyalty test and the MAGA influencers are scrambling.
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Rep. Jason Crow joins Sam Stein to discuss Trump’s upcoming military birthday parade and the massive cost of the spectacle. They also discuss the administration’s use of force against protesters in Los Angeles and how Democrats can respond in this charged moment.
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Tim Miller joins Alex Witt on MSNBC's Katy Tur Reports to unpack Trump's controversial deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles, exposing why Republicans see political advantage in escalating unrest rather than solving it. He also discusses RFK Jr.’s alarming CDC shakeup.
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RFK Jr. fired the entire CDC vaccine committee, breaking his promise to GOP senators. Andrew Egger and Joe Perticone discuss how senators like Bill Cassidy and Joni Ernst traded integrity for empty assurances, exposing their desperation to avoid Trump-driven primary challenges.
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Tim Miller breaks down the new polling from Economist/YouGov revealing widespread opposition to Trump’s proposed “big beautiful” budget, including among key Republican groups.
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On this week’s Just Between Us, guest host Andrew Egger and Will Saletan discuss Trump’s immigration crackdown in L.A. Meant to provoke unrest and fuel a political spectacle, Trump’s use of the National Guard over local objections shows a push toward authoritarian escalation. Democrats must more forcefully condemn protest violence to credibly oppose Trump. There's no conflict between condemning both—upholding the rule of law demands it.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein deep dive into Director of National Intelligence Tusli Gabbard’s wild and ominous social video on nuclear annihilation following a trip to Hiroshima, Japan.
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Where is Obama? Where is George W. Bush? A Marine battalion and the National Guard have been deployed in response to a spark Trump set off by sweeping up people who aren't doing anything illegal besides being present here. And the administration may ramp up the tension if it uses the military for domestic law enforcement purposes. At least Gavin is finally angry. Plus, MAGA is built around conspiracists and conspiracy theories, so RFK Jr can do what he wants with vaccines because he's only making doctors and public health experts mad—constituents Trump couldn't care less about.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' interview with Adrian
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Focus Group Pod on the Dem primary for governor in NJ
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Ryan Goodman and Sam Stein walk through the little-noticed memo that could allow military force on American streets, even without a governor’s request. They unpack the legal implications, the use of federal troops against civilians, and what it signals about 2025.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the latest effort by conservatives to break into the world of big-time film production, this effort headed by Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society. Then they review The Phoenician Scheme, a movie some might describe as … conservative? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Wes Anderson and his forthcoming box set. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett joins Michael Steele on the podcast. She describes the frustration of hearing people say that Democrats aren't doing anything, despite their efforts in the House and the Senate. Rep. Plaskett also discusses not being allowed to vote for Speaker as a representative for the Virgin Islands, how Medicaid cuts would hurt Americans, Senator Joni Ernst's bizarre comments about people dying and David Hogg's disruption of the DNC.
REMINDER! Join Michael Steele, Molly Jong-Fast, Elie Mystal, Lucy Caldwell, John Fugelsang and Karen Hunter for Part II of our barbershop livestream on Tuesday, June 10th at 10am ET: https://youtube.com/live/7MPX4wavMKE
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Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn take on RFK Jr's Wall Street Journal op-ed, his lies to Sen. Cassidy, the administration's thinly veiled crusade against science, and what it means for public health in America.
Read RFK's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal.
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky team up for an especially unfiltered episode of FYPod, recorded just after Trump sent 500 Marines into Los Angeles in response to protests over ICE raids. Cameron reflects on his messy MSNBC appearance, overshares about his Hinge profile, and explains why Gen Z isn’t showing up in the streets—yet.
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Trump's administration ramps up mass deportations in Los Angeles, triggering intense protests and clashes. Against California’s wishes, Trump deploys the National Guard, raising tensions over immigration enforcement and the role of protests in political resistance. JVL and Sarah Longwell question whether demonstrations effectively challenge policies or inadvertently strengthen Trump's hand.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein talk California Governor Gavin Newsom’s forceful response to Donald Trump and Tom Homan’s threats and deployment of the National Guard on anti-ICE protesters in Los Angeles, and how Democratic lawmakers can learn from his leadership at this defining moment.
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Trump and Stephen Miller wanted a backlash against the immigration raids, because even they know that humans will respond when the federal government is snatching people off the street. But the tenor of modern protests is not going to be like the Civil Rights Movement, because activists back then were trained to suppress their natural inclination to defend themselves. Plus, the key role of culture in politics, Dems have to show that the state does good things, and it's the 10th anniversary of Ta-Nehisi's landmark book, “Between the World and Me.”
And in a special bonus audio segment from our live show last Friday, Tim interviews Andry José Hérnandez Romero’s lawyer Lindsay Toczylowski, President of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center; and explains why he's been so moved by the case to free Andry from CECOT. (Click here for the video interview with Lindsey here and for Tim’s finale at the live show.)Ta-Nehisi Coates and attorney Lindsay Toczylowski join Tim Miller
show notes
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"Between the World and Me," out in paperback next week
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Ta-Nehisi's interview with Obama in Oct. 2016
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Last Friday's full "Free Andry" live show
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Action for Andry: donate here
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Historian Harold Holzer debunks the widely spread myth that Abraham Lincoln was secretly gay, a claim popularized by AIDS activist Larry Kramer, who falsely claimed to have discovered intimate diaries under floorboards. Holzer reveals Kramer admitted privately that the diaries never existed, exposing how easily sensational myths can overshadow historical truth.
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Kevin Williamson of The Dispatch muses about the voters' culpability for Trump, socialism, and the "Abundance" agenda. They explore the cultural and economic decline of American civic virtue, the bipartisan slide into demagoguery, and Williamson’s disdain for both Trumpism and technocratic central planning.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Bill Kristol and JVL discuss Trump’s latest moves to expand executive power, including deploying the National Guard, staging a military parade, and laying the groundwork for mass deportations.
Then JVL dropped this post: The Most Dangerous Week in American History (So Far)
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Bill Kristol and Sam Stein look at the growing authoritarian impulse behind Trump’s immigration policy, the targeting of journalists, and the political fight with California. The tactics may vary but the strategy is clear and it is accelerating.
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Tim, Sarah and Jon Lovett, co-host of Pod Save America, join together for a big, beautiful, gay-as-hell fundraiser during WorldPride to support Andry José Hérnandez Romero and other individuals wrongfully disappeared to El Salvador without due process.
Jon, Tim and Sarah open the floor to two people doing the hard, important work for justice: Andry’s lawyer and President of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Lindsay Toczylowski, and Congressman Robert Garcia. Then Lovett takes us to the library for some good old fashioned reads of the Trump administration with help from the audience.
Later, they are joined by the incredible Tara Hoot to finally answer the age-old question: Who’s better at trivia—gay or straight people?
Join them as they laugh, they listen, and they learn a lot bout lesbians. Like, a lot. And in the end, isn’t that what Pride Month is all about?
Watch Tim, Jon and Sarah’s speeches from our Free Andry rally at the steps of the Supreme Court
Want to help to support Andry and the other detained immigrants? Donate here :
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This week on Bulwark on Sunday, Bill Kristol talks with Adrian Carrasquillo about the mass arrests in Southern California, the communities fighting back, and the dangerous precedent of military force in American cities.
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John Avlon and strategic advisor Jon Henes discuss the Democratic Party’s deep messaging crisis and identity politics pitfalls. Henes argues Democrats must return to clear, relatable messages about public safety, economic opportunity, and everyday concerns. They explore Jons experience with Harris, why voters feel alienated, the dangers of extreme rhetoric, and lessons from Bill Clinton’s successful approach.
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Will Sommer joins Sonny Bunch to discuss the latest edition of False Flag. Will breaks down the messy, petty feud between MAGA influencers Scott Presler and Brandon Straka. From bogus Amish voter drives and Elon Musk’s $1 million donation to sex scandals, cosplay jail cells, and January 6 fallout, they dive into the clout battles and chaos fracturing the GOP’s influencer class.
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Tim and Cameron sit down with Aaron Parnas for a wild ride through Trumpworld family drama, Rudy Giuliani’s bizarre role, and Elon Musk’s explosive tweet alleging Trump is in the Epstein files. They unpack MAGA chaos, ICE abuses, Gen Z political shifts, and why Democrats are struggling with young men.
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The Democratic primary for New Jersey governor is crowded, and Democratic voters all over the map. But as always, they're united in wanting a candidate who can fight the Trump administration effectively. So which candidate can do it? Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report and the podcast The Odd Yearsmakes her sixth appearance on the show to discuss how these off-year elections in New Jersey and Virginia can change the political environment.
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George Conway and Sarah Longwell discuss Donald Trump’s investigation into Joe Biden’s presidency, Trump’s new travel ban on 12 countries, and Trump’s retaliation against Harvard and foreign exchange students. Also, another judge slams Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport without due process, and Trump's fight with Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society.
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Sam Stein, Andrew Egger and Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at American Immigration Council, discuss the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S. after being sent to El Salvadoran prison without due process, and what this case means for the many others wrongly deported to El Salvador.
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Elon went nuclear, accusing Trump of being a pedo, taking credit for his election victory, and calling for his impeachment. Trump in return may try to destroy Musk's businesses, or worse. While the public feud is entertaining—Thursday was one of the best days for Twitter and Steve Bannon—their meltdown is also frightening. It shows that we are at the mercy of two emotionally unstable men who can blackmail each other. Of course, Republicans and Fox desperately want the clash to end, because for starters, it could complicate the passage of a tax and spending bill that only Stephen Miller can love. Plus, JD is still a wimp, and Howard Lutnick is still a fool.
Sam Stein joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Action for Andry: Protest at SCOTUS at 5pm Friday
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Tim's playlist
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Sarah and JVL chat about Elon dumping Donald in the most deliciously public way. They get into who’s actually winning, whether it’s all just a stunt, and if Democrats should use the chaos to their advantage.
ICYMI JVL’s late-night Triad:
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Senator Chris Murphy joins Lauren Egan to talk his new political action committee, the American Mobilization Project’s $400,000 effort not to fund campaigns, but to fuel grassroots protest and organize resistance to what he calls a looming threat to American democracy.
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by New York Magazine features writer Lila Shapiro to discuss her feature story on the growing utilization of generative AI by Hollywood studios to cut costs and speed up production times. From a party hosted by an AI studio to the work being done by Runway to the growing sense that, hey man, this is just The Future, it seems like AI is, as several folks in the piece put it, “inevitable.” If you enjoyed this episode or learned something in it, please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein discuss the $2M being spent to determine if DEI causes plane crashes, and Trump’s latest travel ban on 12 countries, including Afghanistan while contradictorily lifting protections for refugees.
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Trump publicly attacks Elon Musk during a White House press conference, accusing him of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and blaming him for turning hostile. Musk fires back online, claiming Trump owes him credit for GOP victories. The feud exposes personal grudges, ego clashes, and policy tensions, especially over electric vehicle subsidies and a controver…
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Trump's and Musk's very public breakup may be amusing, but don't lose sight of the fact that DOGE was a failure—despite what the manosphere says. Elon's ego trip found no fraud and cut only a minor amount of spending. But those cuts are meaningfully hurting the global poor as well as scientific research at home. And now, Republicans are trying the same kind of DOGE sleight of hand on their spending bill, largely under the radar. Meanwhile, Megan McCain is getting in on the snake-oil gravy train, and the Epstein conspiracists may have it backwards. Plus, a deep dive into how Dems can win red states, fight the culture wars, and show how they're looking out for the little guy.
Matt Yglesias joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Action for Andry: Protest at SCOTUS at 5pm Friday, followed by Free Andry live show
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Matt on the failure of DOGE
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Lauren on the Dems weighing a high-risk plan to win the Senate
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Matt's piece from April on the Dem plan to win the Senate
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Matt's Daddy blog piece
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Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Trump publicly attacks Elon Musk during a White House press conference, accusing him of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and blaming him for turning hostile. Musk fires back online, claiming Trump owes him credit for GOP victories. The feud exposes personal grudges, ego clashes, and policy tensions, especially over electric vehicle subsidies and a controversial bill. Trump makes a chilling comparison between the Ukraine war and a playground fight, drawing widespread criticism.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Andrew Egger and Adrian Carrasquillo discuss Adrian’s story on a real family caught in the immigration system, where a sudden ICE raid tore their lives apart, leaving a wife behind to navigate fear, lawyers, and an uncertain future.
See the full report and what happened to the family here: Love in the Time of Self-Deportation
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Eric and Eliot discuss this week's jackassery (Joni Ernst's dismissive attitude towards Medicaid cuts, Trump's obsessive posting on Truth Social and his disconnection from reality) before moving into a discussion of the Ukrainian drone attack on Russian Long-Range Aviation and the degree to which it represents an inflexion point in military affairs. How much will future wars in different parts of the world look like what we witnessed this past weekend? How will autonomy and AI combine to change the character of war? They also discuss the situation in Gaza, the difficulty of discerning a political objective in Israeli military operations, Israeli policy in Syria which may be self-defeating and its potential impact on how Bibi responds to what may be a Trump Iran deal that looks an awful lot like President Obama's JCPOA.
Eliot's Latest in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/06/ghosts-haunt-strategy/683004/
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast cosponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Sam Stein joins Tim Miller to discuss a growing scandal involving a fake assassination threat, a DHS press release that was never corrected, and a system built to punish first and ask questions later.
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Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell and JVL discuss the Elon Musk and Donald Trump breakup thats amplifying throughout all of MAGA, how the primaries for New Jersey governor and New York mayor could shape the future of both parties, Joni Ernst’s comments on everyone dying show how much MAGA is losing their minds, and Curtis Yarvin’s dangerous influence.
Join Tim and Sarah in DC with John Lovett in June 6th for their Free Andry fundraiser and live show during WorldPride. Tickets and more information at TheBulwark.com/events. Before the show, join Tim and Sarah at the Action for Andry protest at SCOTUS.
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JVL joins Chris Cillizza to break down the wild Republican race shaping up for 2028—from JD Vance as the Honky Tonk Man, to the dynastic ambitions of Don Jr., and the charisma of Tucker Carlson. They dig into the MAGA base, why traditional Republicans are toast, and whether Trump might just run again. Watch the full conversation on Chris Cillizza’s Substack!
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Elon Musk humiliates Speaker Mike Johnson over a GOP bill. Once allies, the two are now locked in a public feud, with Musk using his platform to torch Johnson—and ignore his calls.
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The lovelorn TACO trader has been hanging by the phone at 2am hoping China's Xi will call him to make a tariff deal. But that call is not coming without America paying a very high price— because world leaders know that Trump is a feckless, desperate negotiator. Meanwhile, Republicans are blowing off Elon's take-down of the reconciliation bill and prepping to turn themselves into roadkill in the midterms. Plus, Scranton Joe went missing in the White House, and the Dems need to stop listening to the very smart and very sophisticated (202) babies who think sharing the right pronoun is more important than kids actually knowing what a pronoun is.
Rahm Emanuel joins Tim Miller.
show notes
- Action for Andry: Protest at SCOTUS at 5pm Friday, followed by Free Andry live show
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A shady pro-Trump PAC is scamming supporters with fake “Doge Checks,” claiming people can receive $5,000 payouts. In reality, it’s a scam backed by some big names to trick vulnerable donors out of their money.
Morning Shots - A Gross and Brazen ‘DOGE Check’ Scam
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Sarah Longwell breaks down the dramatic breakup between Elon Musk and Donald Trump and how this clash could fracture the MAGA coalition and reshape Republican politics.
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Tim Miller joins MSNBC’s Chris Jansing Reports to break down the looming chaos at FEMA under Trump's latest hire and the Trump administration's concerning pattern of appointing inexperienced and incompetent leaders to crucial roles.
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As Russian bombs rained down on Ukraine, Senator Lindsey Graham was on the ground, delivering tough talk and photo ops. His visit, timed with one of the war’s heaviest bombardments, raised eyebrows for Bannon, who wants him to stay out of the US.
Is THIS the man behind world’s most daring military op? Ex-DJ ‘secret agent’ to go down in history for $7bn ‘web’ blitz
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On this week's Just Between Us, guest host Andrew Egger is joined by JVL to discuss how Trump’s second-term power plays—like politicizing law enforcement and the DOJ—are breaking institutional norms, with dangerous implications. They debate Trump’s attack on the Federalist Society. Egger sees it as risky, alienating conservative judges with real principles; JVL argues the Society, like other GOP institutions, will fall in line if pressured.
They close by clashing over a Missouri town upset over a local woman’s deportation. JVL sees hypocrisy and denial; Egger thinks it could signal political awakening. Both reflect on how their own views shifted over time.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Joe Perticone discuss Elon Musk’s explosive reaction to Trump’s big beautiful bill as Donald and Elon’s very public breakup intensifies after Elon’s departure from the administration.
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Jamie Dimon is spooked about the bond market, business uncertainty about tariffs is dragging the economy, and it seems like no politician will get serious about our nation's debt until it's too late. Meanwhile, Republicans don't even like their own spending bill since they only lie about it—it's just in service of making Trump happy. Plus, Stephen Miller reportedly wants ICE to step up raids at businesses, the immigrant brain drain is bad for America, and the antisemitism coming from the left and right is pretty scary for Jews.
Catherine Rampell joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Catherine's recent column on Trump de-documenting immigrants
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NYT on the immigrant scientist brain drain
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Elon calling the spending bill "a disgusting abomination" after we recorded
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Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch discuss the texts Mike Lindell has been sending Will from the courtroom amid his ongoing defamation trial. Also, the right-wing's struggle to re-brand the Trump assassination attempt during the election as “J13.”
Read Will's False Flag, “Mike Lindell Is Texting Me From His Defamation Trial”
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the fractured media landscape makes it harder to mint movie stars. (You can read the discussed piece by Nicholas Quah here.) Then they review Lilo & Stitch, which has turned out to be a smash hit for Disney. Turns out families like having things to take young kids to, who knew. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a breakdown of our favorite animated Disney movies. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim & Cameron serve piping-hot tea on Trump and Musk’s incoming breakup arc, Elon’s sus black eye, and rainbow capitalism’s cringe fest. From 9/11 TikTok takes to Gen-Z’s political chaos, FYPod’s got the unfiltered vibes you need.
Follow FYPod on TikTok @thefypod
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Tim Miller chats with Will Sommer about the New Yorker’s wild profile of Curtis Yarvin, the bizarre internet philosopher influencing MAGA elites, tech billionaires, and the next generation of GOP leaders.
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Sarah Longwell joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to break down Senator Joni Ernst’s viral “we’re all gonna die” moment—and why her callous defense of Medicaid cuts could haunt Republicans. They also discuss the growing conservative backlash to Trump’s tariff chaos, the cowardice in Congress, and the looming political consequences for GOP lawmakers trying to gaslight their own voters.
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Sarah and JVL preview Tuesday’s newsletter with a discussion about the folks in a small, rural Missouri town who are shocked—shocked!—to discover that the Trump administration is deporting someone from their community who they like.
Sarah thinks this is hopeful. JVL does . . . not.*
The Secret Podcast is exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring JVL and Sarah Longwell. To watch or listen to this episode and join the conversation in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Mike Johnson and Russ Vought outright lied on camera about the proposed Medicaid cuts and the impact they would have on millions of Americans. Marco Rubio lied about the children who are dying because of USAID cuts. And Joni Ernst is reimagining Christianity to be about Jesus teachinghis followers not to care about the sick and the poor because they're going to die anyway. And through it all, Peter Thiel is doing everything in his power not to die—or even age. But one saving grace is that Ukraine kicked some Russian ass this weekend.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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"Bulwark on Sunday" about RFK's war on science
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Tim's interview with journalist Caolan Robertson in Ukraine
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Footage of Russian warplanes destroyed by Ukrainian drones
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Joe Perticone on the gift Elon handed Dems
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Nick Kristof on Rubio's lies about the kids dying under Trump
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein deep dive into the drama in the Trump–Elon bromance being officially over. From black eyes to ketamine rumors, cabinet meltdowns and physical altercations, it's getting weird.
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The Michael Steele Podcast (in its current form) is going on hiatus, so Michael is bringing together some favorite podcast guests from past episodes for a big, live streamed barbershop on politics, culture and current events on YouTube. Join Michael Steele, Rick Wilson, Eugene Daniels, Tara Setmayer, Dr. Jason Johnson and April Ryan on Tuesday, June 3rd at 10 a.m. ET. (They will be taking audience questions at the end of the podcast!)
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The Atlantic's Jonathan Rauch joins Mona to talk about Trump's Achilles Heel. The two discuss Trumpism through the lens of “patrimonialism”—a corrupt, loyalty-based system where the state is treated as the leader’s personal property. Rauch explains how this framework better describes Trump’s regime than classic authoritarianism, emphasizing its inherent…
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Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn discuss the truth behind GOP Medicaid messaging, the real impact of the proposed cuts, and why this isn't about fraud but about gutting coverage.
Check out Jonathan's piece here
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This week on Bulwark on Sunday, Jonathan Cohn joins Bill Kristol to discuss RFK Jr. 's gutting of pandemic readiness, the misleading guidance on boosters, and why some doctors are furious.
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John Avlon talks with peacebuilding expert John Paul Lederach about America’s dangerous polarization and the rising risk of political violence. Lederach shares lessons from global conflict resolution, stressing that America must prioritize courageous dialogue, empathy, and curiosity to prevent violence. They explore how leadership and community-level engagement can rebuild trust, avoid the normalization of violence, and protect democracy.
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Anthony Scaramucci Jr. joins Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky to discuss his father’s brief White House stint under Trump, family drama, rap culture, crypto skepticism, and surviving the political spotlight.
Be sure to check out the trailer for Money Talk$, Anthony Scaramucci Jr's upcoming film: https://www.instagram.com/mooch/reel/DJxD9QVSGCy
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Sarah had a busy travel schedule this week, so we're bringing you some raw audio. With the recent revelations about Joe Biden's mental state during his term, we asked a couple of groups of Democrats what they thought during (and after) his presidency, and how it might inform their thinking going forward. These voters liked Biden but supported his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race. The excerpts of these groups were edited for length and for participants' privacy.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the surreal Trump–Elon press conference that covered Elon's ketamine allegations, strange gifts, DOGE's "accomplishments," and an awkward farewell that raised more questions than answers.
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The Trump administration is trying to exert ideological control over every knowledge-producing institution in the country. And the assault on colleges is not only about having fewer highly-educated voters, but also depriving Americans of trusted sources of information—much in the way Trump in 2020 wanted to stop counting Covid cases so it looked like he had the pandemic under control. Meanwhile, we're getting too much information about Elon's bladder control problems on his way out the door. Plus, The Bulwark's Lauren Egan and Tennessee's Justin Jones on courage, conscience, fighting a party drunk with power, and the future of the South.
The Atlantic's Adam Serwer joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod, with a side serving from our live Nashville show.
show notes
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Adam's latest piece in The Atlantic, "The New Dark Age"
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Lawfare's Anna Bower on her search for the administrator of DOGE
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Adam's book, "The Cruelty Is the Point"
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The NYT on Elon's intense drug use
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Tim's playlist
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Sarah and JVL taped the Secret pod in front of 450 best friends in Nashville and things got . . . a little weird?
There’s the tariff dance, TACO talk, some Trump psychologizing, the Leopard Face-Eating Party, a Bad JVL sighting, and a special guest. It’s a giant, super-sized live show, just for you guys.
The Secret Podcast is exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring JVL and Sarah Longwell. To watch or listen to this episode and join the conversation in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
On this week’s episode, I strayed a bit from Hollywood to talk to David C. Lowery of the bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven about his new album, Fathers, Sons, and Brothers. You can check out the album here and peruse the accompanying Substack here. We had a fascinating chat about how the industry has changed over the last 40 years (for better and worse), how folks discover new music, and how his experiences growing up helped shape his musical tastes and self-conception as an American. If you enjoyed the episode, I hope you check out his album and his Substack. And please share this with a friend!
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Sam Stein is joined by Greta Peisch, former General Counsel for the U.S. Trade Representative, to explain the latest legal developments in Trump’s tariff policies, including a court ruling challenging his use of emergency powers to impose broad trade restrictions, and how the ongoing legal uncertainty could affect future negotiations.
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Sam Stein and Will Saletan discuss Trump’s $20 billion demand in lawsuit against CBS over 60 Minutes' interview edit of Kamala Harris, and the bizarre legal claims and plaintiffs behind it.
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Former podcast host turned Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino publicly melted down on Fox, overwhelmed by the reality of investigative work. Unable to prove his MAGA conspiracy theories, he's facing backlash from supporters.
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Sam Stein sits down with NOTUS reporter Margaret Manto to break down RFK Jr.’s MAHA report—a document packed with fake citations, broken links, and bogus studies.
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Adam Kinzinger joined Tim on stage in the Windy City Wednesday night to dis Chicken Trump, who's made bitcoin bros, private prisons, his family and friends—and himself—the main winners in his 'TACO' trade economy. Meanwhile, Obama's nuclear deal with Iran may be getting resurrected, and Trump finally seems to realize that Putin is a warmonger. Plus, Dems should put Qatar and El Salvador on notice that there will be a cost for their free gifts in the future, and we are the guys and girls on the white horse who will save this country.
Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller in Chicago.
show notes
- Trump being asked about 'TACO' trade
The Bulwark Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Follow, leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you tune in. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Live from Chicago, Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest wave of Trump pardons, the rising authoritarian behavior from GOP leaders, and the Democratic Party’s identity crisis. Also, who is the worst (and best?) cabinet member so far, and what comes next?
Join Tim and Sarah in DC with John Lovett in June 6th for their Free Andry fundraiser and live show during WorldPride. Tickets and more information at TheBulwark.com/events.
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Jonathan Capehart made Michael Steele put on a button-down for this interview, so you know it got real, fast. Jonathan joins the podcast to discuss his extremely awkward first encounter with Rev. Al Sharpton and the nature of their contentious relationship, Jonathan's work to save the NY Apollo Theater that led to his Pulitzer win and the time he self-sabotaged so badly that he ran out of a job interview with Bloomberg. Plus, Jonathan tells the story of coming out to his mom (and why it's important to hide your porn well, folks), his decision to resign from the Washington Post Editorial Board and the advice he'd give his younger self.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Check out Jonathan Capehart's memoir here: https://www.amazon.com/Yet-Here-Am-Lessons-Search/dp/1538767066
Watch, listen and leave a comment. Don’t care for video? Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition.Ad-free editions are available exclusively with a Bulwark+ membership. The Michael Steele Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. To add this to your player of choice, click here.
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Elon Musk’s political play didn’t go as planned. Rep. Ro Khanna joins Sam Stein to talk about what Musk got wrong, why grades matter, and how Democrats should push back on both extremes.
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Tim Miller joins Vibe Check to break down Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," a controversial GOP push slashing Medicaid and taxes amidst economic chaos. They explore how Trump’s policies could impact working-class voters and the nation’s debt crisis. The conversation also highlights Pride, activism, and defending immigrants like Andre Hernandez, blending ser…
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Jonathan Cohn and Andrew Egger break down how Republicans are quietly gutting Obamacare through a sweeping new bill. From Medicaid cuts to sabotage of ACA marketplaces, they explain what's at stake and who stands to lose coverage.
You can read more from Andrew here
And check out Jonathan's post here
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Our VP used to think his path to power was through the ruling class at Yale Law School. But after 2016, he saw that his route was through Trump, so he swapped one set of elites for another. And now as a lord among the MAGA ruling class, he's embracing his true cruel, lying self—and railing against the globalists who nitpick about this silly due process thing. Meanwhile, even Elon doesn't like the bankruptcy-threatening reconciliation bill, even if it's larded with kickbacks just for him. Plus, America: stay and fight. And the biggest theft in the history of the presidency is happening every day right before our eyes.
New Mexico congresswoman Melanie Stansbury and The Atlantic's George Packer join Tim Miller.
show notes
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George's profile of the VP, "The Talented Mr. Vance"
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Rep. Stansbury being featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
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George's piece, "Be A Patriot"
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George on Ross Douthat
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Plus, tickets for our live show “Free Andry” on June 6 in DC
The Bulwark Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Follow, leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you tune in. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Will Sommer joins Sonny Bunch to deep dive into all things MAGA chaos, from the growing rift within RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine movement to James O’Keefe’s chaotic fallout with Project Veritas including his self-produced documentary.
Read Will’s Newsletter False Flag, “MAHA in Disarray: Leading Anti-Vaxxer Parts Ways with RFK”
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Tim Miller gets another update from Caolan Roberston. Kyiv faces relentless Russian bombardments, leaving civilians vulnerable and air defenses overwhelmed. Despite Ukraine's urgent need for Patriot missile replenishments, the U.S. hesitates, intensifying fears that without immediate support, the capital will remain dangerously exposed to deadly attacks…
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Sam Stein and Lauren Egan look at a rare moment when a veteran journalist like Scott Pelley publicly defends the press. They discuss Pelley's warning about the rising threats to journalism and free speech, and why this moment feels different.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event arc…
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Democrats need vastly more imagination to confront the enormous challenges the country faces politically, economically, and on climate. The party can't just focus on stopping what is happening in Washington. Meanwhile, Trump can't stop insulting the intelligence of the American people, every part of the political spectrum has something to hate about the reconciliation bill, and libertarians need to speak up about a president disappearing people to a foreign black site. Plus, cracking the manosphere, what Biden could've done differently on Covid, and the era of politicians sticking to their talking points is over.
Pete Buttigieg joins join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Pete on the “Flagrant” pod on YouTube or on audio
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Remaining tickets for the live Bulwark show in Nashville on Thursday
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Plus, tickets for our live show “Free Andry” on June 6 in DC
The Bulwark Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Follow, leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you tune in. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed how AI is both helping animators lip sync cartoons and also completely inventing books for summer reading lists. Then they review Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning, the conclusion of a series that has grown up with—and grown wary of—the digital age. Will ‘The Entity’ be the death of us all? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode about the increasing respectability of video game movies. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim and Cameron talk Trump’s new military ad drop that rails against “wokeness,” Trump’s commencement speech on trophy wives and yachts in Monaco, Chinese military robot dogs, and the rise of hyper-masculine religious movements.
Follow FYPod on TikTok @thefypod
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Michael Steele speaks with David French about what the election of an American Pope means for the U.S (and the world). Plus, how politics is beginning to replace religion, the way to actually engage with hyper political people with differing views, Kristi Noem's Habeas Corpus comments and the world's lack of bible literacy.
Watch, listen and leave a comment. Don’t care for video? Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition.Ad-free editions are available exclusively with a Bulwark+ membership. The Michael Steele Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. To add this to your player of choice, click here.
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Tim Miller talks with Karen Hao, author of 'Empire of AI', about the unchecked rise of Sam Altman, the hidden costs of OpenAI’s rapid expansion, and the unsettling consequences of a future increasingly shaped by powerful, unregulated artificial intelligence.
Read Karen Hao's book 'Empire of AI'
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Despite our missteps in some of our more recent wars, we were fighting to bring freedom, democracy, and self-governance to others. Now, Trump's mercantilist agenda is showing us what it looks like to not have an American-led world order. And even after Russia's largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began, he still won't threaten Putin—only Zelensky. Meanwhile, just looking at the math alone, the reconciliation bill is alarming.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for a Memorial Day pod.
show notes
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Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' interview, "A Marine's Case Against MAGA"
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Will Selber on Trump's betrayal of our Afghan allies
The Bulwark Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Follow, leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you tune in. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Jay Nordlinger returns to discuss whether conservatism remains valid in the MAGA era.
REFERENCES:
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Against All Hope – Armando ValladaresMemoir of a Cuban dissident imprisoned for his anti-Castro beliefs.
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Children of Monsters – Jay NordlingerReferenced indirectly by Mona as part of Jay’s dissident coverage; a book profiling the children of dictators.
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Peace, They Say – Jay Nordlinger
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Follow JayNordlinger.com, Jay’s new Substack.
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Mona and Jay’s music episode: Nobody Dressed Anymore
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The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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With Eliot still on the road, Eric welcomes Dennis Ross, Counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and former Director of Policy Planning under James Baker, Special Middle East Envoy under President Clinton among several other high level national security positions at State, Defense and the White House under Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton, and Obama. Dennis is also a prolific author including his memoir of Middle East diplomacy, The Missing Peace, Doomed to Succeed - a history of U.S.-Israel relations, and most recently Statecraft 2.0: What America Needs to Lead in a Multipolar World, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2025). They discuss why Dennis chose to update his 2005 book on Statecraft, his choice of case studies including German Reunification, the First Gulf War, Bosnia, the Iraq War and the Syria policy debacle under President Obama. He describes the contending schools of thought about America's role in the world, including America First, Restrainers, Realists, and Liberal Internationalists and their differences over the use of force, alliances, as well as the role of interests and values in American foreign policy. He outlines the habits of good statecraft, including proper assessments, use of leverage and coercion, Presidential leadership and empowering lower level officials while avoiding groupthink. Along the way they discuss Afghanistan, Libya, the war in Ukraine and Dennis's assessment of President Trump's trip to the Middle East and his policy approach to the war in Ukraine and changing Vladimir Putin's calculus about war termination.
Statecraft 2.0: What America Needs to Lead in a Multipolar World
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast cosponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
This week on Bulwark on Sunday, Bill Kristol talks with Michael Wood about his military service and the meaning of Memorial day, Texas politics, his 2021 run as a Never-Trump Republican, and whether he’ll switch parties and challenge Ken Paxton as a Democrat in the next Senate race.
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John Avlon speaks with Alon Levy from NYU’s Marron Institute about their bold plan to bring high-speed rail to the Northeast for a fraction of the projected cost. They propose smarter planning, prioritizing timetables, electrification, and minimal new infrastructure. To cut travel times and avoid wasteful spending. Levy argues the U.S. must learn from countries like Switzerland and Germany to make real progress.
Slashing Northeast Corridor Rail Travel Time Can Be Achieved For Much Less, NYU Report Finds
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In this fiery and hilarious episode of FYPod, Tahra Hoops joins hosts Cameron Kasky and Tim Miller to take on the housing crisis, debunk deregulation dogma, and clap back at the lazy narratives blaming young people for everything. From corporate landlords to purity politics, nothing is safe.
Follow FYPod on TikTok @thefypod
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Donald Trump is looking to pass his Big, Not-So-Beautiful Bill through Congress. To do it, he needs to get it past congressional Republicans. So what do Republican voters think of congressional leaders, and whether this bill is as big and beautiful as it seems? New York Times congressional reporter Annie Karni joins Sarah.
By Annie Karni:
Mad House: How Donald Trump, MAGA Mean Girls, a Former Used Car Salesman, a Florida Nepo Baby, and a Man with Rats in His Walls Broke Congress
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Public corruption used to be a congressman hiding $90,000 in his freezer. Now, we have a president taking "me time" to rake in $40 million from a Chinese crypto billionaire who was facing fraud charges under POTUS 46. And that's just a drop in the bucket of some of Trump's recent haul. Of course, today's FBI will do nothing about it, and his buddies at the top of the bureau are instead focusing on celebrities who are definitely not Team Trump, or a person who posted a benign beach meme about 47. Meanwhile, the FBI has been ordered to redirect resources to deportations, raising serious questions about whether counterterrorism and counterintelligence—the agency's main priorities since 9/11—are being neglected.
James Comey joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Comey's latest book, "FDR Drive"
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Tim's playlist
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Tim's interview with Karen Hao on her Sam Altman book
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Tim Miller dives into JD Vance’s jaw-dropping interview with Ross Douthat, calling out the Vice President’s holy-sounding hypocrisy and political gaslighting. From tax cuts for the rich to pre-modern brutality and the Pope’s judgment, Tim dissects Vance’s claims line by line—and exposes the b**t behind the performance.
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Sarah and JVL talk about Harvard, how the South African president rolled Trump, and whether or not it matters that every college kid in America is cheating by using ChatGPT.
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We’re joining forces with Crooked Media’s Jon Lovett on June 6 for a live show in D.C. to raise funds for Andry Hernandez Romero. We’ll be joined on stage by special guests to celebrate Pride, vent, pre-game, commiserate, laugh, vent some more, and raise money for the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, which represents Andry and others being held in El Salvador without so much as a hearing. Because if this administration can kidnap Andry and ship him off to a foreign gulag—if they get away with that and the media just moves on—they can do it to anyone.
Can’t make the show? You can support efforts to free Andry and other wrongly imprisoned immigrants at FreeAndry.org.
Want to get more involved? Join Vote Save America, the Human Rights Campaign and the Immigrant Defenders Law Center for a protest in support of Andry José Hernández Romero. This is an opportunity for WorldPride attendees, DMV area residents, and the entire LGBTQ+ community to rally around Andry as we demand his return!
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I’m joined by Ann Foley this week to discuss her work as costume designer on the hit HBO show The Last of Us. From sourcing vintage clothes to weaving the infected’s fungal-explosions in with the clothes they were wearing when they died to her graduate school on the sets of Agents of SHIELD, Ann’s insights into translating the world of the game to the world of the screen are pretty fascinating. At the end of the episode, Ann mentions Ellie’s Converse sneakers; you can see what Bella Ramsey scribbled on them here. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace and Michele Norris to unpack Donald Trump’s shocking crypto fundraising scandal—accusing the former president of hosting a bribe-filled dinner with foreign investors, including a Chinese national once under DOJ investigation. They also explore Trump’s diplomatic humiliation of allies like South Africa and Ukraine and the broader legal and ethical chaos defining his 2024 campaign.
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George joins Sarah to explain the latest legal messes in Trump World — from Judge Ho’s cringe-worthy SCOTUS audition, to Kristi Noem’s complete ignorance of basic constitutional rights, to the potential bribery scandal involving Paramount and a bogus Trump lawsuit. Plus: why Amy Coney Barrett is suddenly the right’s new punching bag, and how the Supreme Court just exposed the administration’s bad-faith games. It’s all corruption, ambition, and chaos — and George has thoughts.
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Sam Stein and John Avlon take a close look at the GOP’s chaotic budget bill, with deep Medicaid cuts, Trump-era tax games, and a rushed vote few even understood.
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How can we begin to disrupt our community to make change? Michael Steele speaks with Alencia Johnson, presidential adviser and cultural commentator. The pair discuss creating impact in one's community, the importance of self-preservation and rest in today's political landscape, Alencia's journey working with Planned Parenthood as a Christian woman and the power of telling our stories.
Check out Alencia's book, "Flip the Tables: The Everyday Disruptor’s Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change"
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The Trump administration is escalating its battle with Harvard, moving to block international student enrollment and threatening funding unless the university complies with demands for control over courses and student data. It’s a political attack aimed at weakening elite institutions, but Harvard—wealthy and powerful—is unlikely to fold. The bigger thr…
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Two wild stories: a viral conspiracy claiming elites built bunkers with trillions in stolen funds to survive an apocalyptic “geophysical event,” and a failed follow-up to a racist fundraiser, where the organizer got fired and rejected by the far right after posting his own slur-filled video.
Are You Prepared for the ‘Geophysical Event’?
As always: Watch,…
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Republicans moved at such lightning speed that even they don't know how many people would lose health insurance— or how much they'd be spiking the deficit with their highly risky and big, ugly turd of a bill. And they don't care because they're cosmically committed to stopping the government from making rich people pay for healthcare for people who aren't. Plus, Dem leaders have an age culture problem, environmental groups are stuck in a Ralph Nader time-warp, and the danger of radical politics and supporting Hamas hits home on the streets of DC.
Jonathan Chait joins join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jon's new piece on the House GOP bill (gift)
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Jonathan Cohn on the proposed Medicaid work requirements
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Tim and Patrick Gaspard on Trump's lies about South Africa
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Jon's piece on John Fetterman (gift)
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Jon on Trump's immoral foreign policy (gift)
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Douthat interviewing JD Vance
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Join Tim, Sarah and Crooked's Jon Lovett for a FREE ANDRY live show and fundraiser June 6
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Sam Stein is joined by Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times to break down a growing scandal involving Ron and Casey DeSantis. A $10 million Medicaid settlement meant for nonprofits was allegedly funneled through a state-created charity and into political committees tied to the governor’s allies. Now, a criminal investigation is underway. Tampa Bay Time…
Trump claims there's a “white genocide” happening in South Africa right to the face of the country’s president. Former ambassador Patrick Gaspard joins Tim Miller to talk about the real story, the politics behind the fear-mongering, and what the MAGA movement is trying to distract from.
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Trump erupted when questioned about a luxury jet gifted by Qatar, an ethically dubious move possibly tied to diplomatic favors. Despite constitutional concerns, the Pentagon accepted the jet, and Trump plans to retrofit it for brief presidential use before likely turning it into a museum showpiece. Legal challenges may follow, but so far, no one has sto…
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On deportations and on foreign policy, the Trump administration is swapping out American values and violating everything the U.S. has stood for in exchange for kleptocracy and transactionalism with the world's worst tyrants. But at the same time, Trump can't even seem to grasp that Putin has been waging war for decades to accomplish his goals and is not interested in cutting a deal to end the bloodshed in Ukraine. Plus, the very dim appointees running our federal agencies, Elon and Marco are now trying to deny they cut food aid, and the unwelcome honorific of being a Trump historian.
Susan Glasser joins join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Susan on Trump's plane envy
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The Playboy interview
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The president of Finland on a golf course with Trump
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Tim Miller joins MSNBC’s The 11th Hour to discuss the Trump DOJ’s politically motivated investigations targeting Democratic officials. He explains how this isn’t a distraction tactic, it’s pure intimidation, driven by conspiracy, bad faith, and a desperate attempt to criminalize dissent.
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Andrew Egger and Sam Stein share their take on Kristi Noem’s disastrous Senate testimony, where she completely botches the definition of habeas corpus. They also discuss Marco Rubio’s fiery clash with Senator Van Hollen.
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Will and Mona talk about Biden's health, Trump's trip, and how to argue about immigration, democracy, and the rule of law.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
Elon Musk appeared at the Qatar Economic Forum via giant screen, delivering vague and defensive remarks. He downplayed the impact of his political giving and defended controversial budget cuts, without offering clear justification. Pressed on his actions, Musk deflected criticism with weak responses and personal attacks, including jabs at Bill Gates. The interview highlighted his erratic behavior and lack of accountability for harmful policy decisions.
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One day Trump sounds like Bernie promising the government will provide for everything. Then the next, he's like Paul Ryan the belt-tightener, prepping for austerity. And Code Pink was the order of the day when Mr. Tough Guy was in Saudi Arabia—attacking the foreign policy of the United States in the land of the 9/11 hijackers. Plus, Trump's SCOTUS appointees show some spine, Marco is truly pathetic, the big, insane reconciliation bill would gut Medicaid and hurt MAGA voters even if Trump denies it, and the DOJ investigates the hiring practices of Chicago's mayor.
David French joins join Tim Miller.
show notes
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David's podcast, "Advisory Opinions"
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Palestinians marching against Hamas in Gaza on Monday
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Trump’s visit to Capitol Hill was supposed to rally Republicans but instead, it exposed a total mess. Tim and Sam break down the chaos, the SALT Caucus embarrassment, and yes, they briefly address your comment section grievances.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) say goodbye to Max and take a mild victory lap in the process. Then they review Friendship, the new cringe comedy from Tim Robinson and A24. Is it the feel-bad movie of the year or just a feel-bad movie? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our summer preview episode on Friday. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Rep. LaMonica McIver faces charges after a tense visit to a New Jersey ICE facility. Sam Stein and Adrian Carrasquillo break down the confrontation, why Mayor Baraka’s charges are dropped, and how Democrats are responding.
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Tim Miller breaks down the political and legal implications of Donald Trump’s Justice Department agreeing to pay nearly $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, the woman fatally shot by police during the January 6 Capitol riot.
Watch Michael Fanone's conversation with Ben Parker
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Tim and Cam talk the Grok AI promoting white replacement theory and Holocaust denial. They also delve into the hypocrisy of Bari Weiss's "pro-free speech" University of Austin, and exchange stories from their own sexual encounters back in college.
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Former U.S. pardon attorney Liz Oyer was fired after refusing to recommend restoring Mel Gibson’s gun rights. She speaks out about Trump’s abuse of the pardon system to reward allies and donors, DOJ intimidation tactics, and her fight to bring transparency to a secretive and corrupt process.
Liz Oyer Substack
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A bogus lawsuit, a media merger, and a newsroom on the brink. Tim and JVL break down Trump’s latest power play.
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No, the Trump administration is not focused on the forgotten man or bringing industrial jobs back. Instead, the real estate developer is handing out threats left and right—fresh off his Middle East trip, where he scored numerous deals with Islamofascists for himself, his family, and his cronies. And no matter what he says, the 'Palace in the Sky' is for him, once taxpayers pony up all the funds for retrofitting. Meanwhile, House Republicans are attempting to ram through their reconciliation bill—which is a huge debt bomb and is a big reason why Moody's downgraded the credit rating of the United States. Plus, Biden's cancer diagnosis, Epstein's 'absolutely crystal-clear' suicide, Trump proves Springsteen's point, and the administration gladly takes some of Mexico's worst.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jonathan Cohn on the reconciliation bill's Medicaid cuts
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El Chapo's ex-wife and extended family at the US Southern border
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Springsteen in Manchester commenting on the current administration
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Tim Miller and JVL talk Vice President JD Vance’s comments on Ukraine, framing it as "Joe Biden’s war" and casted doubt on continued U.S. support.
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Economist Noah Smith delves into the myth of the "hollowed out" middle class, the folly of protectionism, and more. He and Mona differ on Trump's handling of Covid and . . . American chocolate.
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The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger react to the news of former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis, and reflect on his personal and political legacy.
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Michael Fanone joins Ben Parker to discuss the politicization of policing, the lies law enforcement has been sold, and why the people who attacked the Capitol should never be called patriots.
Check out Michael's post here: https://michaelfanone.substack.com/p/from-one-cop-to-another
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Tim Miller explains how Trump’s team admits their own policies are hurting American businesses and consumers while pretending it is all good news.
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Bill Kristol and Tom Malinowski dig into the Qatar jet and UAE crypto cash and suggest it may not be a bribe but a shakedown linked to Trump’s actions on AI chip restrictions.
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John Avlon and Historian Mark Updegrove discuss how lessons from past presidents can help us confront today’s political threats. They highlight the importance of character in leadership, the dangers of normalized corruption, and the urgent need to defend democracy. Drawing on history, they argue that citizens must stay engaged, learn from past reform movements, and organize to protect the future.
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Tim and Cam host Suzanne Lambert to discuss her journey from conservative roots in Georgia to becoming a liberal comedian and activist. They touch on how her experiences in comedy led to her political shift, her run in with a MAGA infiltrator at a liberal content creator gathering, the befuddling makeup trends of MAGA women, and more!
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Michael Steele speaks with Leah Litman about her new book, "Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes."
The pair discuss the influence of money on the Supreme Court, how conservative justices use originalism to advance their ideological agenda and how the Supreme Court has evolved since Clarence Thomas and Sam Alito were appointed. Plus, Leah discusses what Game of Thrones and Means Girls have in common with The Supreme Court.
Check out the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Lawless-Supreme-Conservative-Grievance-Theories/dp/1668054620
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
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George Conway and Sarah Longwell talk the Supreme Court case on nationwide injunctions, the Trump administration’s attempts to undermine birthright citizenship, and why a $400M plane from Qatar raises serious constitutional questions.
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JD Vance is one heartbeat away from the presidency, and he's a big part of the Republican Party's future. It turns out, his ideas are also part of the reason the second Trump term has been a lot more pure MAGA than the first. POLITICO's Ian Ward returns to the show to recap Vance's first few months in office, his political future, and go deep on some of the New Right's major intellectual influences.
By Ian Ward:
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The Spiritual Case for Greenland
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There’s No Need to Guess. JD Vance Is Ready to Ignore the Courts.
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Curtis Yarvin’s Ideas Were Fringe. Now They’re Coursing Through Trump’s Washington.
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The Seven Thinkers and Groups That Have Shaped JD Vance’s Unusual Worldview
Go to https://surfshark.com/thefocusgroup or use code thefocusgroup at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to discuss Trump's reckless tariffs and high interest rates driving economic anxiety among everyday Americans, Republicans doing nothing, and why even MAGA loyalists are now turning on Trump over his controversial acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar.
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The Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration’s push for immediate deportations, allowing a group of immigrants to challenge their removal as a class. Though procedural, the decision marks a meaningful check on Trump’s power, and a rare rebuke, even from justices he appointed. It signals the Court’s resistance to executive overreach and the administration’s threats to defy judicial authority.
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MAGA is having a performative tantrum calling for James Comey to be jailed over a seashell meme because the daily job of Trump's supporters and Cabinet members is to try to warm his heart—that includes Kristi Noem changing her face and Tulsi firing top intel officials because they told the White House the truth it doesn't want to hear. Meanwhile, fentanyl deaths and violent crime fell dramatically last year, and border crossings have plummeted, but the administration keeps hyping a "crisis" to try to justify suspending habeas corpus. Plus, Tim briefly goes back to his comms job, the GOP's bill is not on a glide-path, Dems think their leaders are "spineless," Gavin tries "just win" on for size, Kamala mulls the CA governor's race—and new baby advice!!
Peter Hamby joins Tim Miller for a bountiful weekend pod.
show notes
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Peter's pod, "The Powers That Be"
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Peter on Puck's poll on Dems
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Peter's "Good Luck America"
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Tim's FYPod (Suzanne Lambert episode out Saturday)
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Bulwark piece on how Biden should rethink his post-presidency
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Free Andry live show in DC on June 6
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Tim's playlist
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Donald Trump’s “big beautiful” budget bill just crashed spectacularly in the House, sabotaged by Republicans themselves. Andrew Egger and Joe Perticone break down this major defeat for the President, the chaos unleashed by GOP infighting, and what’s next for Trump’s agenda as Congress scrambles to clean up this mess.
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Sarah and JVL have the mother of all shows: A full exegesis on the nature of people, the virtues of society, and the requirements for liberal democracy.
It’s a whole thing.
But then there’s more! JVL is on a quest to get Sarah onto Survivor. How would she play? They start wargaming her Survivor strategy now . . .
The Secret Podcast is exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring JVL and Sarah Longwell. To watch or listen to this episode and join the conversation in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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I’m joined by Matthew Specktor, author of The Golden Hour: A Story of Family and Power in Hollywood. Part novel, part memoir, and entirely entertaining, Matthew’s book is a revealing look at life in Hollywood when you’re not on the A-list but occasionally adjacent to it. In addition to relating the drama that makes any family intriguing, Matthew’s book is a keen look at Hollywood in a time of flux, as the rise of the super agencies and the internationalization of the Hollywood studios radically altered the American cinematic landscape. If you enjoyed the episode, I hope you check out his book. And please, share this with a friend!
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Sarah Longwell joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to break down how Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs are hammering working families, pushing prices even higher, and shattering the illusion that he knows what he’s doing on the economy.
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Sam Stein is joined by HuffPost’s Arthur Delaney to break down the infighting among Republicans over Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful” budget bill, highlighting the deep divisions over tax cuts, Medicaid reductions, and whether the plan has any real chance of passing.
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Three prominent Yale professors are leaving the U.S. for Canada, warning that rising authoritarianism in America resembles 1930s fascism. The conversation debates whether fleeing is defeatist or a powerful way to raise the alarm, with some arguing it's time to fight, not flee.
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American taxpayers may have flown Donald Trump to the Middle East, but he's not there to negotiate on behalf of our strategic or national interests—he's on the prowl for goodies, and happy to make policy changes in return. Like, the new Syrian president offering a Trump Tower in Damascus: Zap, sanctions on Syria are over. Or the jumbo jet-giving Qataris requesting that Trump go 'easy' on Iran: 'Not a problem, no sirree.' Sorry to all the hawkish Trump voters out there who thought he'd deliver a maximum pressure campaign on Tehran. Plus, Russia's Potemkin peace talks with Ukraine, and another installment from ICE's cold-blooded deportation campaign.Michael Weiss joins join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Details on Qatar's 747 that no one wanted and is now being 'gifted' to Trump
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NYT on Trump's expensive mini war vs. the Houthis that achieved nothing (gift)
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Rep. Garcia confronting Kristi Noem about Andry, the gay makeup artist
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The Triad on the new Afrikaner refugee who has thoughts about Jews
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Tim on Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know
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JVL and Bill Kristol discuss how Trump’s authoritarian playbook depends on public corruption, loyalty tests, and billion-dollar payouts. And why the business class is just fine with it.
Read More, An Afrikaner Refugee Has Thoughts About the Jews
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Michael Steele speaks with Sam Stein, Managing Editor at The Bulwark. The pair discuss Sam's approach to covering politics at the Bulwark, Trump's corrupt plane "gift" from Qatar, where the Supreme Court is headed, what Dems need to do and Sam's interaction with Laura Loomer on X.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
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The gang discuss the extensive corruption of President Donald Trump’s Middle East business dealings, Republicans’ focus on state and local tax deductions while letting democracy burn, and the latest revelations on former President Joe Biden being old while in office (who knew?).
Buy tickets to our May 29 live show in Nashville with Rep. Justin Jones (D-Tennessee), Tennessee Holler editor Justin Kanew, and our own Nashvillian Lauren Egan here.
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JVL and Will Sommer deep dive into the social media accounts of one of the South African refugees who recently arrived in the US, uncovering far-right views that raise questions about the Trump administration’s hypocritical vetting process.
Read More, An Afrikaner Refugee Has Thoughts About the Jews
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At a chaotic DHS hearing, Secretary Kristi Noem refused to admit a Trump-used photo was doctored, exposing how far officials will go to avoid contradicting him. The exchange highlighted the cult-like loyalty around Trump and the erosion of truth in government oversight.
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The five men on the Supreme Court are so easily triggered and seem to be making law based on their emotional needs. Meanwhile, they also see discrimination in some of the best things about America—like equality or the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. And at the White House, the press office got totally bored with the worshipful questions from MAGA media and invited The Bulwark's Andrew Egger over—so Karoline Leavitt could mix it up with a reporter who'd definitely ask tough questions. Plus, Trump's crypto grift reaches new heights, Gorsuch is oddly obsessed with the EPA, and the toadies are getting whipsawed by the constant tariff adjustments. Leah Litman and Andrew Egger join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Leah's book, "Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes"
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Leah's "Strict Scrutiny" podcast
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Tuesday's "Morning Shots" newsletter
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Tim Miller joins Scott Galloway as a guest host on Raging Moderates. They unpack how Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs and trade war have pushed the U.S. economy to the brink, rattled global markets, and handed major strategic wins to China while American consumers to pay the price.Watch the full show here: Raging Moderates
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Tim Miller joins Krystal Ball on Breaking Points to share his takes on Biden’s decline, Democratic dysfunction, and how political cowardice opened the door for Trump’s comeback.
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Tim Miller joins MSNBC’sKaty Tur Reports to discuss Trump accepting a luxury jet from Qatar, his administration’s reckless immigration policies, and massive tariff hikes that amount to a tax on working families.
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Will Saletan unpacks Donald Trump’s lies about the economy, from food prices, tariffs, and job losses, and contrasts them with hard data highlighting how Trump dismisses economic warnings, blames others for downturns, and promotes approval ratings that don’t exist, raising questions about his grip on reality.
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Trump lavishes praise on authoritarian leaders like MBS while they court him with private jets, business deals, and even fast food. The conversation exposes how Trump’s foreign policy is driven by personal gain and flattery, not strategy—turning diplomacy into a transactional spectacle, which used to not be allowed, but is it now?
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JVL and Mona discuss the welcome mat for white Afrikaners, the Middle East corruption tour, and the neocon Pope!
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China sounds downright Reaganesque and is acting like a more stable, attractive trading partner than the country that launched a trade war. And even though Trump loves play-acting businessman, and calling CEOs by their first name, no one on Wall Street and no one who studies economics likes his continuing tariffs—they know they hurt American companies and American consumers. And the uncertainty is paralyzing. Meanwhile, the GOP will use fancy terms to try to paper over their budget, which would hurt the working class and dramatically increase the deficit—all for tax cuts.
University of Michigan's Justin Wolfers joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Justin's pod, "Think Like An Economist"
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Tim on the “Raging Moderates” podcast
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Tim on the podcast, "Breaking Points"
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The New Orleans antique store Tim referenced
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Spencer Kornhaber’s feature in The Atlantic asking if this is the worst period of American pop culture ever. Then they review the first nine episodes of Andor ahead of the series finale that hits Disney+ today. (Some spoilers through the ninth episode, but none for the last three, which debut at 9 p.m. Eastern time.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for a bonus episode on Sinners and The Studio. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller calls out the press conference by Trump's Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau where he explains the decision to accept white South African refugees while rejecting others, particularly Afghan refugees being forced to leave the United States, highlighting blatant racial bias and hypocrisy in U.S. refugee policy.
Watch Tim's conversation with Will Selber, "They Will Be Killed” Trump Orders Afghan Refugees to Self-Deport
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Tim and Cam discuss the incompetence of FBI Director Kash Patel and debunk Alex Jones' claim that French President Emmanuel Macron pocketed cocaine. They also explore Trump's affinity for autocrats like Putin, new details on tariffs, the NBA playoffs.
Follow FYPod on TikTok @thefypod
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Tim Miller responds to Stephen Miller’s tweet accusing him of being a leftist for criticizing Trump’s massive tariff hike. He breaks down why the policy makes no sense, who will really pay the price, and calls out Stephen for defending everything Trump does to stay in his good graces.
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Sarah and JVL talk about Trump’s $400 million Qatari plane. The stupidity of the Chinese “deal.” And the weird way in which price controls are only “socialism” when a black lady proposes them.
It’s a bonus Monday Secret pod!
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Trump can't abide flying around in crusty, old Air Force One. Qatar—funder of both Hamas and the leading U.S. college Gaza protest group—just happens to have a spare, pimped-out 747 lying around, which they'd like to gift to Trump so he can use that instead. Pay no attention to the complete hypocrisy of an administration that says that students protesting for Gaza are a threat to our foreign policy. Plus, Trump's fake drug price cap, the White House caves to China on tariffs, Herr Miller becomes the leading voice for disappearing people, and Bill tells Tim he's rethinking his position on "Abolish ICE."
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Sen. Barrasso dodging NBC's questions on habeas corpus
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Tim's FYPod
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Columnist and music critic Jay Nordlinger joins Mona for an excursion into classical music. No coat or tie required.
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The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on…
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Senator Richard Blumenthal joins Sam Stein to expose how major law firms have capitulated to Donald Trump’s pressure campaign, agreeing to vague, billion-dollar pro bono deals after being threatened by executive orders and government retaliation. Blumenthal criticizes firms like Paul Weiss for surrendering without written agreements, calling it a disgra…
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Jonathan Cohn speaks with pediatrician and former FDA official Joshua Sharfstein, who breaks down vaccine safety, debunks the myths pushed by anti-vaxxers like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and explains how RFK Jr.’s actions as Secretary of Health and Human Services are undermining public health in America.
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Sam Stein and Bill Kristol break down one of the most jaw-dropping stories of potential political corruption in recent memory. According to new reporting from ABC News, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a $400 million Boeing 747-8 luxury jet—a "gift" from the royal family of Qatar—that would serve as a new Air Force One and later be handed over to Trump’s presidential foundation
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In this conversation, Bill Kristol and Harvard professor Daniel Ziblatt and co-author of ‘How Democracies Die’ discuss the alarming authoritarian trends emerging during Trump's second term. They explore the rapid erosion of democratic institutions, the consolidation of power through executive orders, and the silence of civic and political elites. Drawing comparisons to historical regimes, they underscore the urgent need for institutional resistance, referencing the book ‘Ruling Oneself Out: A Theory of Collective Abdication’ to explain how democracies can collapse through elite inaction.
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John Avlon and Matt Yglesias break down why Democrats need to focus on popular, practical ideas—like growth, safety, and common sense—to win voters and fix what’s broken.
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With Donald Trump's approval ratings falling, that means some of his voters aren't getting what they voted for. We talked to those voters, to find out what that does and doesn't mean about their relationship to this administration (spoiler: they DON'T wish they'd voted for Kamala Harris). Semafor's Dave Weigel joins the show to break down how those voters are feeling, and the battle lines for the upcoming legislative battles over Trump's agenda.
show notes
By Dave Weigel:Democrats’ new pitch: Down with the kingDemocrats are all but done with Trump impeachment talk
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Andrew Egger and Will Sommer dig into the MAGA reaction to Pope Leo XIV, whose recent comments on immigration have triggered the usual suspects despite his otherwise conservative credentials.
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Don’t care f…
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A recent federal appeals court ruling has mandated that the Trump administration transfer Rumeysa Öztürk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, from an ICE detention center in Louisiana.
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Don’t care…
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First, the Vatican chose a Bulwark pope, not an AR-15 loving, immigrant-hating pope. Then, in a major blow to Steve Bannon, Trump pulled his nominee for U.S. attorney in D.C.—forcing the avid TV watcher in the Oval Office to turn to Fox News for the 23rd time to help fill his administration—this time with Jeanine Pirro. And in the North Carolina Supreme Court race, the Stop the Steal candidate finally conceded to his Democratic opponent seven months late. Plus, Trump is acting like a Soviet central planner, the reconciliation bill fight is starting to look ugly, and the economy proves yet again that it does not lie.
Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Tim's and JVL's 'Bulwark Take' on the new pope
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JVL's Triad on Pope Leo XIV
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Damon Linker's tweet about the elderly Fox viewer
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Linda McMahon's letter to Harvard
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Poster in Josh Hawley's dorm room
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Tim and Sam on Trump's fake trade deal with the UK
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Tim's playlist
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Sen. Chris Murphy confronted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about her agency's illegal overspending, immigration law violations, and mismanagement of funds.
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Sarah and JVL talk about Judge Box O’Wine and Pope Leo XIV.
Warning: It’s a lot of pope and Catholic talk. Also: It’s complicated. The pope doesn’t map onto American politics and wasn’t chosen as a rebuke to Donald Trump.
But that doesn’t mean that Trump will be able to resist turning him into an antagonist and an anti-Trump symbol. JVL wrote about this in a late-night Triad, here:
It’s a great show and a long show. Talk about it in the comments.
The Secret Podcast is exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring JVL and Sarah Longwell. To watch or listen to this episode and join the conversation in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Evan Jonigkeit, the star and producer of Henry Johnson. Based on the play of the same name by David Mamet, Henry Johnson is Mamet’s first film in a dozen years and a beguiling provocation; I greatly enjoyed discussing not only the meaning of the movie with Jonigkeit but also how difficult it is to get a picture like this—a series of Socratic dialogues, a movie of complex ideas made for adults—in front of audiences.
Henry Johnson is available to rent now from the film’s website and is playing in a handful of locations (including a one-night stop at the Aero in Los Angeles and a residency at Bryn Mawr). I hope you check it out. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller breaks down Fox News' Judge Jeanine Pirro's controversial history as Donald Trump taps her for US Attorney to DC.
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George Conway and Sarah Longwell discuss Ed Martin’s nomination for US Attorney for DC being dropped, the 102 page opinion striking down the executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie, more district courts block Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act while continuing to roadblock bringing Kilmar Abrego Garcia home, and Donald Trump’s refusal to uphold the constitution.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein discuss a shocking proposal to turn Guantanamo Bay into a "transformative" city, blending business, tourism, and immigration in what sounds like a mix of 'Squid Game', 'Severance' and 'The Truman Show.'
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The gang talk about the latest on President Trump’s obsession with owning Canada and Greenland, new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s based first meeting in the White House, the administration‘s cruel immigration agenda, and DOGE’s complete failure.
Buy tickets to our live show in Nashville with TN Rep. Justin Jones, TN Holler’s editor Justin Kanew and our own Lauren Egan (May 29) here.
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This ad-free video version of The Next Levelis exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.
A shocking twist in church history: the new pope is American—Pope Leo XIV, a 69-year-old Villanova grad with deep ties to South America and the global South. His final tweet before ascending to the papacy took aim at J.D. Vance, mocking him. Though he didn’t speak English during his first blessing, he’s already sparking pride, back home.
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Protest is the new brunch again. We're witnessing historic levels of pro-democracy grassroots engagement across a broad-based movement of everyday people. The leaders of Indivisible join Tim to discuss how the movement needs to stay focused on what it agrees on— no kings—and to save ideological disputes for another day. Plus, it also needs to get more young people involved. But it definitely should keep ignoring political consultants who tell Dems not to talk about immigration— because it turns out that the federal government kidnapping people off the street is not popular.
Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg join Tim Miller.
show notes
- Indivisible's "No Kings" protest day
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Trump held a bizarre press event celebrating a UK trade deal that changed almost nothing, bragged about tariffs, luxury cars, and claimed empty ports were a win for America. While his team showered him with over-the-top praise.
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Michael Steele speaks with Miranda Spivack, a veteran journalist who specializes in stories about government accountability and secrecy. The pair discuss her new book, "Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back." Plus, how federal budget cuts will impact government support and transparency and what people can do if they're feeling helpless about what's happening in the country.
Check out Miranda's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Backroom-Deals-Our-Backyards-Communities/dp/1620978555
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
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Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn break down the Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts with the potential impacts on millions and political blowback for the GOP.
Read More, "Laura Loomer Just Called the GOP’s Bluff on Medicaid Cuts"
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The Supreme Court is working hard to tend to Mr. Presidential Immunity's wounds because he just can't abide lower federal court judges telling him he can't kick trans people out of the military, or that the 14th Amendment is a real thing. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem is defiling her own birthright citizenship by kidnapping people and sending them to a foreign gulag. Plus, how the Dems should fight the party that only wants to break things—and craft a better economic message that appeals to both moderates and progressives.
Rep. Greg Casar of Texas and Katie Phang join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Katie's Substack
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NYT profile of Rep. Casar
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Tim Miller and Alaina Kupec, founder and President of the Gender Research Advisory Council + Education (GRACE) discuss the military’s trans ban, what’s really behind it, and how these political attacks are already forcing brave, qualified Americans out of service.Learn more about GRACE: https://www.grace-now.org/
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to discuss Donald Trump’s abuse of the Alien Enemies Act, his targeting of critics like Miles Taylor, and his administration’s purge of military leaders.
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Andrew Egger and Will Sommer discuss the right-wing militia conspiracy group threatening federal weather radar sites, believing they're being used to control the weather.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein react to Canadian PM Mark Carney’s Oval Office visit shortly after winning his election, with mixed signals coming from Trump on trade policies, criticism of his own advisors, and US-Canada relations.
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Sam Stein and Tim Miller talk about how Fox News has become an extension of the Trump White House, with cabinet members flooding the network to win Trump's approval or to spread propaganda? The lines are blurring between media and government.
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Because Donald Trump's stupid trade embargo has us reading shipping charts, we now know that 40% of containership traffic between Asia and the U.S. has been canceled. That means a shortage of consumer goods, which will push prices higher. At the same time, the business environment is too unpredictable for companies to plan. Meanwhile, Trump is reorienting the American economy to a corrupt oligarchy—as he rakes in billions in bribes off his crypto. Plus, Hegseth wants to clear out a chunk of the top brass, U.S. attorney nominee Ed Martin forgot to say he's been on Russian-state media outlets more than 150 times, and the DNC absolutely should not be posting about Kamala at the Met Gala.
JVL joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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HuffPost on the trucking company buying Trump's crypto coin
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The NYT on Trump family business deals
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JVL on the Ashli Babbitt payout
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NPR story on Trump voters in Emmitsburg, MD
The Bulwark Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Follow, leave us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you tune in. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Tim Miller and Will Sommer break down a disturbing viral video of a woman yelling a racial slur at a child and how MAGA influencers turned her into a cause worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Check out False Flag here: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag
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Sam Stein, Lauren Egan, and Jonathan Cohn explore how top Democrats are dealing with Trump. Some go hard, some play nice, and others are stuck in the middle. It’s not going great.
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On this week’s episode, Peter’s off today, so Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) is joined only by Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) to discuss what, precisely, Donald Trump hopes to accomplish with his movie tariffs. Or what they’d even look like, really. Then they review Thunderbolts*, a well-reviewed standalone Marvel movie. What is this, 2014? Make sure to swing by on Friday for our bonus episode on AI actors. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Donald Trump’s obsession with Vladimir Putin is deeper—and creepier—than you think. From openly praising Putin’s strength, excusing Russian aggression, to shockingly siding with Russia over American intelligence, Trump’s bizarre fixation raises alarming questions. Will Saletan breaks down the full, disturbing timeline of Trump’s infatuation with Putin and how it continues to endanger Ukraine, America, and global stability.
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Tim and Cam react to President Trump's latest stupid ideas: reopening Alcatraz and tariffing movies filmed in other countries. Trump's had a lot of absurd ideas, but these might take the cake as the dumbest. At least the mayor of D.C. showed up to be humiliated alongside him.
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JVL, Sonny Bunch, and Andrew Egger break down Donald Trump's recent Truth Social bleat proposing 100% tariffs on all films "produced in Foreign Lands." The announcement has confused the industry by what it means, how it would work, and why Trump thinks creating more obstacles in an industry still recovering from strikes and COVID would help Hollywood.
Read More in The Bulwark's Morning Shots
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Lauren Egan talks to Ben Terris about his article in New York Magazine where he talks about a former top aide to Senator John Fetterman raised serious concerns in a detailed memo, describing erratic behavior, paranoia, and signs of megalomania during Fetterman’s recovery from a stroke and mental health crisis. The article reveals mounting internal fears…
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Trump 2.0 is showing so little concern for his political standing that even Fox made primetime room for Karl Rove to vent about how he's failing at the fundamentals. Our aspiring Gaddafi doesn't care that tariffs aren't popular or that he sounds like Mr. Scrooge when he says kids should have fewer toys. And while belt-tightening is good enough for average Americans, he's throwing himself a giant, ostentatious military parade that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Plus, conservatives in the Anglosphere take another hit, this time down under—and thumbs-up for Maine Gov. Janet Mills, thumbs-down for Gretchen Whitmer.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Today's "Morning Shots"
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Jonathan's recent newsletter on Gretchen Whitmer
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The Atlantic's recent interview with Trump (gifted)
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Andrew Egger and Joseph Cox dig into the Signal clone breach that exposed sensitive White House communications and how a photo under the table helped blow the story up.
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The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins Mona to discuss Trump's big beautiful deals, the cowardice of the press, and more.
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The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
📚REFERENCES:
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The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Susan Glasser and Peter Baker
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"Letter from Trump’s Washington" (Glasser's New Yorker column)
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Donald Trump’s first 100-day interview with Time magazine
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Donald Trump’s interview with The Atlantic magazine
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Pompeo Declaration (2018)
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Opinion by Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson on Abrego Garcia (Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals)
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AP’s lawsuit regarding press access and the Gulf of Mexico naming controversy
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger talk about Trumps Sunday tweets. Whether it’s tweeting about NFL draft picks, making up coal policies mid-speech, or ranting about tariffs on foreign films, Trump’s ideas often begin as bizarre off-the-cuff thoughts and are instantly turned into policy by those around him. His feed reflects this chaos: a mix of dumb sports tak…
In his Meet the Press interview, Trump claimed credit for lowering the trade deficit with China through massive tariffs, downplayed rising costs by saying kids don’t need 30 dolls, and shrugged off due process concerns as nothing new. He hinted he’s not seriously pursuing a third term but made clear he no longer cares about public opinion. On foreign policy, he bizarrely refused to rule out military force to take Greenland, criticized Canada’s defense spending, and gave murky, evasive answers about Russia and Ukraine—blaming Biden for the war and refusing to name which side is less cooperative. As usual, he took credit for anything good and blamed Biden for everything else.
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This week on Bulwark on Sunday, Jonathan Cohn joins Bill Kristol to discuss why RFK Jr. is the worst cabinet secretary and what he’s doing to public health in the United States.
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Ed Elson, co-host of the Prof G Markets podcast with Scott Galloway, joins Tim and Cam to gives financial advice to the economically depressed Gen Z and why the manosphere isn't the answer to their troubles. Plus, he explains how President Trump's tariffs have forever changed the world market, and that it may be time to bet against America's success.
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Bulwark Managing Editor Sam Stein breaks down a major legal ruling from Judge Beryl Howell that delivered a sharp rebuke to Donald Trump’s attempts to punish law firms critical of his administration. With a 102-page ruling, Judge Howell permanently blocked a Trump-era executive order that targeted prominent firms like Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss—accusin…
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Michael Steele speaks with Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz about Trump's First 100 Days of his second term. They discuss the economic impact Americans are facing, the deporations occurring without due process and what Democrats can do to expose the incompetency of the current administration.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
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George and Sarah break down Trump’s latest legal circus—from the outrageous deportation overreach using the Alien Enemies Act to the shady crypto scheme no one’s talking about. They also unpack the arrest of a Milwaukee judge and Trump’s threat to strip Harvard’s tax status. This week, the stupidity is off the charts.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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Sarah didn't think she'd be looking to Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as examples of good Democratic communicators. But all of a sudden, they're some of the only people in the Democratic Party showing how to get the Trump opposition engaged. Faiz Shakir, Sanders' adviser and 2020 presidential campaign manager, joins the show to talk about Sanders' and Ocasio-Cortez's rallies around the country, why he thinks they'll advance the Democratic Party going forward, and what even moderates can learn from their approach.
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Sam Stein talks to reporter Alex Glorioso from the Miami Herald about her article Former federal prosecutors lay out possible crimes in Hope Florida saga
Ron DeSantis is facing a growing scandal over “Hope Florida,” a welfare-style initiative spearheaded by his wife Casey. The program rerouted $10 million in Medicaid settlement money meant into politica…
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Just imagine Fox's histrionics if a President AOC had said that American kids have too many dolls and that she's raising the price on them. Now the supposedly pro-family administration is doubling down on 'just pay more’ for toys, while it waits for China to blink on tariffs—an unlikely event given that it makes a lot of the things the world needs and wants. Meanwhile, AI's economic threat may be here for recent college grads, Marc Andreessen has deep thoughts on VC, and the NIH (and future American Nobel Prizes) are being burned to own the libs. Plus, the Dems should zero in on how Trump is making America less affordable—and very much like 2020 again.
Derek Thompson join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Derek's piece on the job market for recent college grads
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Derek's podcast, "Plain English"
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The book, "Abundance," by Derek and Ezra Klein
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Tim's playlist
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Sarah and JVL answer the rest of your questions after they catch up on Sen. Fetterman. Plus the origin story of The Bulwark and The Secret Podcast.
Miss the Bulwark Live Next Level AMA? People are saying it’s the best AMA ever. Watch the replay here.
The Secret Podcast is exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Jonathan V. Last and Sarah Longwell. To watch or listen to this episode and join the conversation in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Ben Parker sits down with Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling to talk about the real-world impact of the Women, Peace, and Security program and why gutting it could be a dangerous mistake.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Jeremy Workman, the director and producer of Secret Mall Apartment. We discussed the difficult process of getting your subjects to trust you, the trickiness of distributing an indie documentary in the modern cinematic landscape, and the importance of having a big star like Jesse Eisenberg willing to do a little press for you. The movie’s playing in theaters now; you can see if it’s in a cinema near you here. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sam Stein and Lauren Egan talk through Trump’s chaotic Alabama speech, from trans athlete rants to a bizarre story about a real estate developer.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
Sarah Longwell joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to discuss how Donald Trump’s chaotic economic and immigration policies are backfiring, sending grocery prices soaring, devastating small business owners, and triggering deep anxiety even among his own supporters. They explore how the political fallout is eroding Trump’s approval ratings and exposing the total lack of competence and guardrails in his inner circle.
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On this bonus episode of The Next Level, it’s a very special AMA with JVL, Tim and Sarah, who got together to take your questions. They cover Trump’s cryptocurrency venture, the staggering grift it entails, and its entanglement with foreign governments, as well as why Sarah wants to get Trump down to 32 percent favorability, specifically. They also debate the viability of third parties, the best ways for listeners to stay engaged (mentally and politically), how to talk to kids and family about the state of American politics, and what specific actions people can take to resist Trumpism.
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Lauren Egan chats with Rob Flaherty, former Biden/Harris Deputy Campaign Manager, to break down the White House's media blind spots, missed chances, and why Democrats still struggle to connect.
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RFK Jr., now in a powerful health role, is pushing anti-vax rhetoric, undermining science, and promoting fringe vaccine policies—fueling exactly the fears critics warned about.
The link for tonight's AMA at 8pm ET
HHS to require placebo testing of ‘all new vaccines,’ raising questions about approval of updated Covid-19 shots
RFK Jr and health agency falsely claim MMR vaccine includes ‘aborted fetus debris’
RFK Jr. Bets $500 Million on Universal Vaccines in Shift From Covid-19 Funding
Multimillion-dollar Biden-era COVID-19 vax project halted by Trump’s HHS
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Marco Rubio was supposed to be one of the only adults in the room, and now he's become a shell of himself executing Trump's unwinding of the US role in the world. Meanwhile, Pam Bondi just can't keep her blubbering sycophancy under wraps. Plus, Mike Waltz's ouster at NSA, our shakedown of Ukraine with a minerals deal, Trump's pettiness is getting lost in the firehose of his revenge, and even the president of El Salvador doubts the criminality of the people ICE is sending to CECOT.
Tom Nichols join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim's interview with Rep. Chris Van Hollen
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NYT's recent story on the deportations to El Salvador (gift)
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The link for tonight's AMA at 8pm ET
*Editor's note: The news of Waltz's ouster broke while we were recording.
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Sam Stein is joined by Sarah Longwell and Will Sommer to break down a stunning development inside Trump’s national security team: National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is out—after accidentally including Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg on a Signal thread discussing classified information.
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the chaos inside the DOJ’s civil rights division, where Harmeet Dhillon’s Twitter habits and leadership style are raising eyebrows and prompting resignations.
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Michael Steele speaks with Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass, about who the "New Conservative" is, the case for tariffs, and how to build a trading system that actually works for Americans. Plus, what made Michael join the Republican Party nearly 50 years ago and the stereotypes and misconceptions about young Black men joining MAGA.
Check out Oren Cass' new book here: https://www.amazon.com/New-Conservatives-Restoring-Commitment-Community/dp/B0DXD6CB8M
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
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Will Sommer talks with Sam Stein about the latest edition of his newsletter:False FlagThey discuss how Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security advisor, went from the premier peddler of MAGA conspiracy theories to being the target of one.
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Senator Chris Van Hollen blasts Trump’s first 100 days as a nonstop assault on the Constitution, citing due process violations, First Amendment crackdowns, illegal tariffs, and blatant lawbreaking.
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Donald Trump is scrambling to spin the latest round of bad economic news—negative GDP growth, a sinking stock market, and growing trade war fallout. On this episode, Andrew Egger is joined by Will Saletan to break down Trump’s erratic responses, his blame-shifting tactics, and the increasingly surreal attempts to convince voters that tariffs have nothing to do with the downturn.
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For 80 years, the United States built strong economic, military, and political alliances around the world. But in just 100 days, that trust has been dismantled, and our friends are now working without us to forge new relationships. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken joins Tim to discuss how hard it will be to rebuild after what Trump has done—plus the Biden administration's response to the Gaza protests, and the continuing questions over why Biden did not step aside earlier. And, Alex Wagner joins from Hungary to discuss the mass protests there.
Tony Blinken and Alex Wagner join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Alex's "Trumpland" podcast
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Tim on Trump's ABC News interview
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Lauren Egan is joined by Faiz Siddiqui to talk about his book about Elon Musk called Hubris Maximus. They discuss how he bends rules, dodges accountability, and bankrolls politics—all while building a cult of personality.
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Sam Stein speaks with Semafor’s Ben Smith and Max Tani about Ben’s new piece: “The Group Chats That Changed America.”They discuss how a handful of private Signal threads populated by powerful Silicon Valley elites with direct lines to Trump became underground hubs for shaping media narratives, policy agendas, and the new right-wing power structure.
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Andrew Egger and JVL break down the chaotic ICE courthouse raid in Virginia and why it’s a dangerous move for both law enforcement and civilians.
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The markets may be hanging in there but they also held strong in early 2020—right up until Covid hit New York. Meanwhile, tariffs are driving consumer confidence down, firms are talking about cutting back on hiring and investments, and Goldman Sachs is predicting that the U.S. will have the highest inflation and lowest growth of any developed economy this year. Plus, Scott Bessent is not a calming influence, and Trump has a real 'War on Christmas' in the works.
The Stalwart Joe Weisenthal joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Joe and Tracy Alloway's newsletter on how the markets can get things wrong (gift)
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Recent 'Odd Lots' pod on the coming empty shelves & the War on Christmas
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Joe's Bluesky post on the War on Christmas
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This week on WTF 2.0, Van Jones joins JVL to talk Trump’s first 100 days, what comes next and how we get out of the fix we’re in.
WTF 2.0 is a pop-up show on Substack during the first 100 days of second Trump administration.
Watch previous episodes, here.
As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the aging up of our movie star roster. Then they review The Accountant 2, a buddy comedy masquerading as an action movie. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about Revenge of the Sith. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller joins a panel on Piers Morgan Uncensored to share his takes on the White House Correspondents' Association's annual dinner, Trump's cruel immigration policies, and trans women in sports.
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Tim Miller is joined by J.J. McCullough to discuss Canada's election, where Mark Carney and the Liberals scored a major win while Trump’s dragged down the Conservatives.Subscribe to J.J.’s YouTube Channel
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Not everyone showed up when Trump welcomed the Eagles to the White House. Tim Miller and Pablo Torre talk about Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the deeper political drama behind the scenes.
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky discuss the Trump administration's latest immigration horrors, the political viability of Gov. JB Pritzker and the surprising lack of online literacy amongst Gen Z.
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The Trump administration keeps showing it's sooo tough on immigration that it deported three U.S. citizen children, arrested the wife of a member of the Coast Guard because her visa expired, and perp-walked an allegedly immigrant-concealing Wisconsin judge in handcuffs—instead of showing her the kind of deference Trump received over the course of his four indictments. Plus, the wildly wealthy jackasses behind Trump, the missing cargo ships at the ports, and Scott Pelley at 60 Minutes shows how it's done.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Tim on Trump's bad polling numbers for his first 100 days
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Adrian on a focus group of Latino men in Arizona who are disappoined in Trump
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Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' interview with Ryan Goodman
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Semafor's piece, "The Group Chats that Changed America"
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Andrew Egger talks with Sarah Longwell and Lauren Egan about voter frustration, Democratic challenges, and why Trump’s usual excuses might not work this time.
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Scott Bessent embarrassed himself on national TV, clueless about China negotiations and fumbling through obvious lies. Total disaster.
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Mona talks with Richard Kahlenberg about a proposal to make college admissions more fair in a post-racial-preferences world.
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The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
📚 References
Books:
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Richard Kahlenberg, Class Matters: The Fight to Get Beyond Race Preferences, Reduce Inequality, and Build Real Diversity at America's Colleges(2024)
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Derek Bok, The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions(1998) — study on affirmative action outcomes.
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Affirmative Action for the Rich: Legacy Preferences in College Admissions, edited by Richard Kahlenberg (2010)
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Donald Trump just hit an embarrassing new milestone: he’s officially the least popular president at the 100-day mark in modern American history. Tim Miller breaks down new polling data revealing just how bad things are looking for Trump—from widespread fears of an economic disaster to deep voter backlash against his other controversial policies.
As alway…
This week on Bulwark on Sunday, Bill Kristol talks to Just Security's Ryan Goodman to talk about Trump's war on the courts and the arrest of a judge in Wisconsin by the FBI.
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As America approaches its 250th anniversary, deep polarization and partisan battles are threatening the very idea of patriotism. John Avlon and Ted Johnson break down how American pride has been weaponized, why civic education has crumbled, and how citizens can reclaim a more inclusive, aspirational patriotism. They explore the urgent need for national service, real civic engagement, and a renewed commitment to American ideals before it's too late to fix the damage.
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Ben Parker and journalist Justin Ling explore the election turnaround in Canada and the sharp decline in U.S.-Canada relations. They look at how Trudeau’s departure reshaped the race and why the relationship with America is hitting new lows.
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Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky speak with Manny Fidel, author of the upcoming book, “Colored People Time.” They apologize to Pete Buttigieg for underestimating his game after his appearance on a MAGA bro podcast. Plus RFK Jr.’s despicable comments on autism and a discussion on today's progressive politics!
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Donald Trump's first 100 days in office have been marked by a lot of aspiring autocratic behavior—like deporting a legal resident without due process, targeting his political enemies, to walking right up to the line of ignoring the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, it's not a given that voters will care—or even clock that what they're seeing is bad. Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum joins Sarah to discuss how voters are seeing Trump, and how he's comparing to autocratic regimes around the world.
By Anne Applebaum:Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of AuthoritarianismAutocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the WorldAmerica’s Future Is Hungary
Follow Anne Applebaum on Substack.
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Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House to discuss how Donald Trump’s immigration and economic policies are driving his approval ratings into freefall, hurting small businesses, and causing political damage even among his own supporters.
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Sarah Longwell and Sam Stein share their takes on Donald Trump's wild interview with Time Magazine, which exposes his incoherent plans for immigration, tariffs, and the economy. Read the full transcript here.
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Since this country's founding, we have been tested. And the Americans before us somehow stood up and fought the good fight. We can't be the generation that loses it all 249 years into this experiment. But that doesn't mean we can't laugh about the stupid clowns—like Trump showing once again that he has no idea how tariffs work. Plus, RFK's dangerous proposed autism registry is selling a cruel fantasy. And Democrats need to lock down what they're selling and listen to what voters want from the government.Beto O'Rourke joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
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Beto's Substack
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Beto's "Powered by People"
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NY Post story on the Venezualan stylist, Andry, imprisoned in El Salvador
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Tim's interview with David Pakman about not traveling abroad
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Tim’s book recommendation, "Diary of a Man in Despair"
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Tim's playlist
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Tim Miller breaks down a rare moment of honesty on Fox & Friends where Brian Kilmeade says Trump is getting embarrassed by Vladimir Putin. From awkward co-host reactions to cracks in the MAGA coalition, even Trump’s allies are starting to squirm.
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Sarah and JVL talk about seeing some 3’s on Trump’s approval numbers; his ordering of the DoJ to target ActBlue; Elissa Slotkin’s anti-woke stance; and the disappointed confusion from Ross Douthat and Rod Dreher.
Short version: Attack. Now.
FBI agents arrested a Milwaukee judge for allegedly obstructing an immigration arrest in her courtroom. Tim Miller and Sam Stein break down what this shocking move means, how it fits into Trump’s broader strategy of intimidation, and why it could have a chilling effect on the justice system.
The Bulwark Tips
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan arrested, charged with 2 felonies in ICE case
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On this week’s episode I’m rejoined by Scott Mendelson of The Outside Scoop to talk about the state of the box office thus far through 2025. It’s better than 2024—thank you, Minecraft—but not as good as 2023. Plus, we delve into some of the discussion surrounding Sinners’s box office, particularly the foreign and domestic splits. Does its strength in North America demonstrate that Hollywood should be less concerned with appealing to foreign audiences and more worried about making big bucks (and better movies) for the homegrown crowd? All that and more on this episode; if you enjoyed it, I hope you share it with a friend!
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George and Sarah unpack a week of jaw-dropping legal drama: from Trump’s middle-of-the-night deportation schemes to the Supreme Court’s surprising resistance, and Harvard’s bold legal pushback against the administration. They break down due process violations, SCOTUS maneuvering, and the growing culture of contempt in Trump’s orbit.
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Republicans in North Carolina are testing a dangerous new election tactic, throwing out votes and delaying results in close races. Lauren Egan talks to North Carolina DNC Chair Anderson Clayton, who warns what the GOP are doing in her state, and how it sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the country.
The Griffin List
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Tim Miller and Andrew Egger share their take on Donald Trump's latest crypto scam. They break down how Trump is profiting from a gala dinner invitation offered exclusively to top holders of his meme coin, raising serious ethical concerns.
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Andrew Egger and Will Sommer break down the chaos surrounding Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon drama. From firings to leak accusations, conservative media is scrambling to control the narrative and turning on each other in the process.
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Donald Trump is trying to foist the worst peace deal in the last 100 years on Ukraine, as he gets repeatedly played by foreign leaders on the world stage. At home, he's turned JFK's "Ask not" upside down to 'Ask what you can do for Donald Trump.' But when will the cowardly law firms or CEOs groveling for a tariff exemption stand up for patriotism, our core constitutional values—and America's better vision of itself? Plus, Tim challenges an 11-year-old block from Twitter's golden era, and Booker shares diet & exercise tips.
Sen. Cory Booker joins Tim Miller.
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Russia launches devastating missile attacks on Ukraine, emboldened by Trump's pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reporter Caolan Robertson reveals the scary reality on the ground, explains why Putin feels rewarded by Trump’s policies, and warns of a dangerous escalation as Trump sides openly with Russia.
Caolan Robertson YouTube
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Michael Steele is joined by Michael Fanone. The pair discuss the January 6th pardons, how Trump is bypassing the constitution to target immigrants and the role law enforcement is playing in this process. Plus, the time Mike convinced Nancy Pelosi to let him drink beers on the lawn of the Capitol.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
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Adrian Carrasquillo is joined by Chris Newman, lawyer for Kilmer Abrego Garcia, sharing his firsthand experience confronting authorities, fighting for Garcia’s rights, and exposing the dangerous similarities between the past three years in El Salvador and the current political climate of the United States.
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The gang break down the latest developments in the market, and how it’s sent the Trump administration into panic mode. Plus, Trump loses grounds in new immigration polling, Tesla might be unsalvageable, and Pete Buttigieg takes on the manosphere.
Buy tickets to our live shows in Chicago (May 28) and Nashville (May 29) here.
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Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger expose how Trump’s so-called “peace plan” echoes Putin’s demands—and why MAGA Republicans are backing it.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein talk all the wild news of the day, with Elon Musk and Scott Bessent's Oval Office brawl, Donald Trump wandering around the White House lawn planning for a flag pole or two, and Pete Hegseth renovating a makeup room at the pentagon.
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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger break down surprising new polling numbers that show Donald Trump’s approval on immigration has dropped — even among his own supporters.
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Trump may be brilliant at assaulting us with his daily distractions, but Democrats need to relentlessly target his corruption because that may be his weak spot. He is running the government in a pre-modern way—like it's his own personal piggy bank. And he has replaced rules-oriented bureaucrats with mostly incompetent loyalists who are only there to do his bidding. Meanwhile, Christianity could help heal the country's partisan polarization if it returns to the teachings of Jesus instead of the gospel of Donald Trump. Plus, the constant burden of having to fight the cognitive warfare and sensory overload coming out of the White House.
Brookings’ Jonathan Rauch joins Tim Miller.joins Tim Miller.
show notes
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Jon's piece on Trump's patrimonialism
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Jon's predictions in 2022 about a Trump second term
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A Chris Murphy Senate floor speech on Trump's corruption
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Mark Hertling piece on the Russian and Ukrainian armies that Tim referenced
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Jon's new book, "Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy"
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Jon's book, "The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50"
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The opening scene of The Godfather
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein unpack Tesla’s disastrous quarter and Elon Musk’s uncertain future in government as Tesla sales plunge a whopping 71%, and his unpopularity is higher than ever.
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Will Saletan deep dives into Donald Trump’s attempts to re-write the narrative around his tariffs that crashed the economy, as his administration officials including Peter Navarro, Howard Lutnick, Scott Bessent and Karoline Leavitt repeat the lies on the reason for the tariffs and why they were put on pause.
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Andrew Egger and Will Sommer unpack the tensions with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino from MAGA influencers over unmet expectations such as promised high profile arrests of Tom Hanks and Oprah, rising swatting incidents and pizza deliveries, and his continued tweets that he’s “working on it” with no results.
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CBS just took a major hit to its journalistic credibility. In a stunning memo, 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens announced his resignation, saying he could no longer make independent decisions about the show’s content. Why? Pressure from the Trump-aligned right, a bizarre lawsuit over a Kamala Harris interview, and a looming Paramount merger that needs government approval. Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell share their take on the cowardice of institutions, the bravery of individuals, and the terrifying implications of a media ecosystem that’s bending to MAGA pressure. What does it mean when even 60 Minutes, a cornerstone of American journalism, can’t stand its ground?
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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JVL joins Mona to discuss Donald Trump’s confrontation with the judiciary and world markets. Plus: Pope Francis’s legacy. And what Pete Hegseth has been . . . going through.
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Senator Ron Johnson just floated a shocking 9/11 conspiracy theory, claiming the government might have been involved. Sam Stein, Sarah Longwell, and Will Sommer dive into this alarming trend of politicians promoting dangerous conspiracies, why these ideas keep spreading, and how they're impacting American politics.
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
This week I’m thrilled to be joined by Jacob Navok, the CEO of Genvid Entertainment, to discuss his company’s new partnership with DC Comics, DC Heroes United. A combination mobile game and Justice League television show, DC Heroes United is a fascinating hybrid entertainment experience, one that Navok has been working on in various forms for years now.
The first 20 minutes or so of the show are largely about DC Heroes United; after that, we discuss the evolution of this sort of interactive gaming/viewing more broadly, including earlier experiments on Facebook and with properties like The Walking Dead and Silent Hill. It’s a fascinating new arena of entertainment, and I hope you learn something about how the next generation is interacting with media even if you’re not that interested in the properties themselves.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Ted Cruz and Jim DeMint ground things to a halt in the Senate quite effectively during the Obama era, and Democrats should take a cue from them for Trump's appointments: Demand hearings or hold their own. More broadly, the opposition has to be loud and make a scene, while also staying unified and focused. We are a big country with big ideas, and there are more of us than there are of them.
Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notesPart 1 of the "Behind the B**s" podcast on RFK, Jr.
Tim's playlist
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Sarah’s out so JVL sat down with Bill Kristol to talk about Trump’s cabinet and his attempt to use Hegseth, Gaetz, Gabbard, and RFK to break Senate Republicans.
This is not a cheery listen.
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David French and Larry Diamond join the group to mull the nature of Trump's victory and the stupefying appointments to DOJ and DNI.
Highlights / Lowlights
David French: Politics are terrible and sports are terrible, at least for David. Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Titans, and Ja Morant’s injury.
Damon Linker: A viral tweet and the disappointing Republican…
This week Sarah and George talk about Trump’s crazy cabinet nominations, the recess confirmation process, and the sentencing in Trump’s New York conviction.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein react to Donald Trump picking RFK Jr., a vaccine-denier, anti-drug development and infectious disease research, anti-fluoride, brain worm survivor, whale hunter, and bear meat enthusiast, for HHS Secretary.
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Trump's appointments—like degenerate Matt Gaetz and Putin stooge Tulsi Gabbard—are about his raw power and his stupid show, but are also a risk to our nation's security and institutions. Plus, America's diploma divide has trapped us in a caste society, where future leaders are being chosen based on how they performed on standardized tests at age 18. David Brooks and Rick Wilson join Tim Miller.
show notesEd Whelan on Trump's recess appointment scheme (gifted)David's cover story on the Ivy League (gifted)
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Eric welcomes Eliot back from his recent trip to Israel. They discuss the election results, whether or not it represents a mandate for Trump, why the Dems lost, and what the initial signals from the Trump transition augur for national security. Will the normie Republicans control the cabinet positions with MAGA true believers taking the second and third tier positions? They touch on the role of Don Jr,, Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson in making personnel selections, the likely clash of egos to come as well as the policy contradictions that are likely to plague the Administration and the knock-on consequences of mass deportation and tariffs that are likely to roil the nation if the Trump team implements them. They talk about the prospects for a Lebanon cease-fire, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer's trip to Moscow and how the Trump transition hangs over policy in the Middle East. Eliot reports back on his trip and discussions with Israeli military leaders who see themselves as facing a multi-front war with Iran. They discuss the destruction of Hamas's military capabilities in Gaza, the ongoing guerrilla war there and the difficulties that Israel may face in finding a political authority to rule over Gaza in the near future. They also discuss the much more precise campaign waged against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the damage that has been done to Iran's position in the region (and at home) by Israeli military success. They also discuss the tensions in Israeli society between secular and orthodox Jews on the one hand and the ultra-orthodox on the other. Finally, they touch on the prospect for civil-military tensions in the US as a consequence of Trump's return to office.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Michael Steele speaks with Elie Mystal roughly one week after the re-election of Donald Trump. They discuss what they anticipate from the next Trump term, what makes 2024 different from 2016, how Black men did, in fact, show up for Kamala Harris (and white women didn't) and how Merrick Garland failed to bring Trump to trial.
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The gang discuss Donald Trump's "joke" the the House GOP that it's possible he'll run for a third term. Plus, Trump's insane cabinet nominees, the mistakes of Merrick Garland and Elon Musk's weird, and potentially doomed, relationship with Trump.
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Republicans have been good at telling a story about the economy and how people should feel about it, and Democrats haven’t responded in a sufficiently compelling way. Meanwhile, plucking Pete Hegseth off the Fox & Friends couch to run one of the biggest organizations in the world is a sign of how dumb the next administration will be.
Osita Nwanevu joins Tim Miller.
Show notes:Osita’s forthcoming book, The Right of the People.
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The election of Donald Trump as president has seemingly brought with it the election of Elon Musk as a co-president, too.
The tech entrepreneur and richest man on the planet is omnipresent these days, spending a large amount of time by Trump’s side in Mar-a-Lago. He’s embraced reforms to the Senate to help streamline Trump’s agenda, got on calls with wo…
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JVL and Mona consider whether Trump has shown new skills in power consolidation and possible Democratic responses.
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Donald Trump has been saying throughout his campaign the many people and news organizations he plans to take revenge on when he returned to office. Will Saletan looks beyond the lies and liars to break down Trump's most recent threats against his "enemies" list.
Not a member of Bulwark+? You can watch an ad-supported version of this video on our YouTube …
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The worst people believe their worldview has been validated, while the best people are uncertain, scared, and angry. But we have to stay focused on the menace, including the threat to officials Trump may target for revenge—and the immigrants whose cheap and willing labor helped build our economy.
Jon Lovett joins Tim Miller for a special crosspost with the "Lovett or Leave It" pod.
show notesSpeech by Otto Wels in March 1933The 'Lovett or Leave It' podcast
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked if wall-to-wall celebrity endorsements might have backfired on Kamala Harris. Then they reviewed Anora, a movie fascinating in both its sympathies and its judgments. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for Friday’s bonus episode on the best movies of the decade (so far!). And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL recorded a bonus pod trying to work through next steps and what we’re supposed to do to save liberalism.
It’s kind of hopeful!
Relatively speaking? It’s a low bar right now. Obviously.
The Secret Podcast is exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Jonathan V. Last and Sarah Longwell. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member tod…
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The Trump team is moving quickly to sell out Ukraine, but it's not clear yet whether Putin would settle for taking a quarter of the country—or if he intends to crush it, so he can plant the Russian flag in Kiev. Meanwhile, Elon has been at Mar-a-Lago every day, expanding his oligarch résumé to include helping choose the incoming president's Cabinet and advisors. Plus, key Senate Republicans are already prepping to sacrifice their constitutional duties to advise and consent, and the election denialists on the left have to accept reality.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notesCharles Gaba's thread on the new 'Stop the Steal' conspiracyTim's appearance on the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast
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It's time to get our opposition organized and develop a narrative about Trump. And one narrative that's likely to emerge is how he betrayed his voters. Plus, did Kamala's interview on "The View" seal her fate?
James Carville joins Tim Miller.
show notesCarville documentary, "Winning Is Everything, Stupid" (post-election recut out 11/14)
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Hey everybody, before we get started I’d just like to welcome the new subscribers we’ve picked up over the last month or two and remind y’all that if you’re here strictly for the politics and aren’t interested in the cultural coverage that you can change your email and podcast preferences here. I won’t be offended! —SB
This week I’m joined by Russell Hainline, the screenwriter of the forthcoming Netflix original Hot Frosty as well as a whole bunch of Hallmark original Christmas movies (including last year’s The Santa Summit and the forthcoming The Santa Class). I asked him on today to talk about the burgeoning market for Christmas movies on channels like Hallmark and streaming services like Netflix, and we had a great chat about how Hallmark resembles a cable network less than the old Hollywood studios like RKO and MGM. What lessons can the rest of the industry learn from them? If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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It’s been three days since Donald Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris to be our 47th president. The gang attempts to start to unravel the question of what the Democratic Party must do to win working class voters, and debate what type of insanity we should root for from a second Trump term.
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The Trump trials were a cosmic democratic disaster, and the justice system did not do justice: Trump was not treated in the same way as other people who've stolen classified docs or tried to overthrow the election—and his conviction and indictments made him more qualified in MAGA's eyes. Plus, the Sotomayor/SCOTUS issue, aiding Ukraine before January 20, and avoiding the sound of Trump's voice.
Ben Wittes joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notesBen's column, "Were the Trump Trials Pointless?"Tim's playlist
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George and Sarah dissect how a convicted felon and active national security threat got elected to the White House, plus what will happen now to his many ongoing prosecutions.
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The Atlantic's David Frum joins the group to analyze the election and consider the implications for domestic and foreign policy.
Highlights / Lowlights:Damon: The work of Ruy Texiera and Nate Cohn Linda: My Manifesto for Despairing Democrats by Nick KristofBill: ‘Invisible’ older women speak up at the ballot box by Karen TumultyMona: Trump transition tea…
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Sarah and JVL have a . . . spirited conversation about the way forward, because JVL is ready to give in to the dark side. Sarah tries to pull him back from the abyss.
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The American people made their choice, and the fight to preserve the global democratic coalition against the global authoritarian movement continues. But maybe letting those voters see unadulterated Trumpism in the White House, without the baby bumpers—at least for a little while—is how we save America. Plus, the price of eggs v fascism, and Trump is going to inherit a great economy and take credit for it.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller.
show notesTom's most recent Atlantic Daily newsletterDerek Thompson's piece mentioned by Tim (gifted)Nick Catoggio's piece
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Michael Steele speaks with Rick Wilson (Republican strategist and co-founder of the Lincoln Project) about Trump's re-election. The pair discuss the factors that led to Trump winning and Kamala losing, Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s influence on Trump's next term and what Trump in charge of all three branches of government would mean for the country.
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Note: This was recorded prior to the results of the 2024 presidential election.
With Eliot traveling, Eric welcomes John Bolton, former Ambassador to the United Nations, National Security Advisor to Donald Trump and author of Surrender is Not an Option and The Room Where it Happened. They discuss why Trump is so susceptible to the blandishments of foreign dictators like Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un as well as his abysmal level of basic knowledge of how the U.S. government actually works and international affairs more broadly. They discuss the likely makeup of a Trump national security team in a putative second Trump term and what a Trump victory would mean for Ukraine and the future of NATO. They also discuss what a Harris team might look like and whether a Harris foreign policy would be a continuation of the Biden policies or whether it might be more reflective of the more Reaganite rhetoric she has used on the campaign trail. Finally, they discuss the two or three international security issues that Ambassador Bolton believes will require the most urgent attention from whoever wins the election.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Kamala's tailored campaign message and ground game didn't matter. Voters were unhappy with Biden and didn't want a 'regular' politician. They also didn't care about the infrastructure bill or the CHIPS Act—but they do care about demagoguery and grievance.
Sarah and JVL join Tim to take in the pain, but also to chart The Bulwark's next phase: doing everything we can to protect our country, our democracy, and our institutions.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein check in with MAGA's main characters, JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and Tucker Carlson, as they make their closing messages just before Election Day.
Guess what? They’re deeply weird!
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Whatever happens tonight, Never Trumpers and voters should be proud that we rose to the challenge of Trump—and that a majority of Americans see through this fraudster. Meanwhile, a vote for Kamala is both a progressive and conservative choice. Plus, the Electoral College is crazy, Megyn is mad at the wrong people, and Tim's final prediction.
David Frum joins Tim Miller.
show notesReagan's closing statement in 1980 at the final debate with CarterDavid's book mentioned in show, "Trumpocalypse"
REMINDER: Tonight the gang goes live at 7:30pm ET on our Bulwark YouTube channel.
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On this Election Day’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Warner Bros. baffling decision to bury Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2. Why deprive young fogeys like this trio of a primo legal procedural from an aging master? Then they reviewed Conclave, another movie holding well at the box office designed to appeal to precisely the same market that Eastwood’s movie would have been aimed at. Is this Vatican-set thriller worth your time? Will the ending make you laugh out loud? All that and more on this week’s episode! If you enjoyed it (or know someone who could use an Election Day distraction), please share it with a friend!
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Tim Miller takes on the latest prediction from Nevada political expert Jon Ralston ahead of a crucial election night. With Nevada's early vote data in, Ralston forecasts an incredibly tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with Harris holding a razor-thin lead.
Read Ralston's full prediction here: https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/edit…
Republicans are crowing about a big turnout of early rural voters and a decrease in African American voters in the cities. But the early vote also features a big gender gap, likely tied to abortion—an issue that was not on the ballot in 2020. And the Trump team has done a terrible job of not taking the air out of the issue. Plus, the Epstein tapes, Trump's lousy last two weeks, and The Bulwark's good and worthy fight.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notesMonday's Morning Shots newsletterHuffPost story on Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania
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Few states are as red as Iowa, and yet the legendary Iowa pollster Ann Selzer found that Kamala has leapfrogged over Trump to take the lead there. The turnaround is due to women—particularly women 65 and older, who previously tilted toward Trump, but now favor Kamala 63–28 percent. Iowa’s new strict abortion law could be a factor.
J. Ann Selzer joins Tim Miller for a special Sunday pod.
Show notes:Des Moines Register story on the Iowa PollDes Moines Register story on Iowa’s congressional races
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Tim Miller breaks down the latest polling data from the New York Times Siena College Poll, and Morning Consult, showing surprising results for Kamala Harris in key swing states.
The Founding Fathers studied the fall of the Roman Republic, and tried to create a democracy that could withstand someone like Donald Trump. On a special pre-election show, Daily Stoic’s Ryan Holiday talks with John about how history’s lessons can guide us through this perilous time.
Ryan Holiday joins John Avlon.
show notesRyan's website, "Daily Stoic"Ryan's coversation with Mike Duncan
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Kamala Harris is LEADING by three points in the most golden poll in America, J. Ann Selzer's Iowa poll. Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Sarah Longwell discuss the magnitude of this poll, and break down what it means that Harris has surpassed Trump since the last poll in September.
Watch Sarah Longwell's The Focus Group Podcast episode with J. Ann Selzer:
Send this video to the moderate or right-leaning undecided voters in your life! This is my final pitch to Nikki Haley voters to cast their ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday.
Or send Tim's article to them with this link: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/a-message-for-haley-voters-still
Thursday Night Bulwark is now Bulwark+ Live—a place where we’ll post member livestreams, live event replays and other multi-media content produced by gang at The Bulwark.
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Tim Miller and Sam Stein from The Bulwark break down Kamala Harris’s final campaign ad, which is set to air nationally during a key NFL game. They discuss the ad’s patriotic tone, its focus on unity, and how it contrasts with Donald Trump’s more aggressive messaging.
Don’t have a Bulwark+ subscription? You can watch an ad-supported version of this video on YouTube.
Thursday Night Bulwark is now Bulwark+ Live—a place where we’ll post member livestreams, live event replays and other multi-media content produced by gang at The Bulwark.
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This week I’m joined by Mark Cousins, the writer and director of the new documentary, My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock. We talked about his movie’s unorthodox presentation, why Hitchcock remains eternally relevant, and how he puts together his incredible video essays. (If you’ve never seen his The Story of Film: An Odyssey, you really should.) And then he turned the tables on me with some closing questions! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Welcome to the beauty shop. Michael is joined by Olivia Troye and Sarah Matthews, two former Trump administration officials who are casting their vote for Kamala Harris this November. The conversation touches on General John Kelly's recent comments about Trump, the messages sent at the final Trump and Harris rallies and what it means to be a Republican voting Democrat this fall.
If you enjoyed stopping by the beauty shop, leave a review or share it with a friend!
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The polls are close enough that this election could go either way. But whatever happens, the focus groups over the last year-plus have given some clues about what's motivating the swing voters voting for Trump, and those voting for Harris. Atlantic senior editor Ron Brownstein joins Sarah to listen to voters and what the Trump and Harris coalitions might look like.
show notes
By Ron Brownstein: The Democratic Theory of Winning With Less
The Improbable Coalition That Is Harris’s Best Hope
What are you doing for the election? We announced three nights of Bulwark+Live events here. Hope to you see you there.
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The WSJ wants readers to think that Trump is too stupid to coup—despite Jack Smith's indictment showing a very clear plan. And for those on the left and right arguing that we survived once before, there are hundreds of thousands of people who would still be alive today if Trump had managed Covid better. Plus, the laughable GOP civility police, Kamala's potential trouble in Michigan, the MAGA ads that are simultaneously antisemitic, Islamaphobic, and misogynist, and the Green parties in Europe want Jill Stein to step aside.
Mehdi Hasan joins Tim Miller.
show notesTim's playlist
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Tim Miller takes on some encouraging polling data from Marist, a highly-rated independent pollster, showing Kamala Harris leading in key swing states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
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Thursday Night Bulwark is now Bulwark+ Live—a place where we’ll post member livestreams, live event replays and other multi-media content produced by gang at The Bulwark.
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Sarah and JVL have a lot of thoughts about Trump’s threat against Liz Cheney, Larry Hogan’s latest, and the refusal of some leaders to get off the sidelines.
Also about J-Lo and Hustlers. Which is a wildly under-rated movie.
Housekeeping: Starting this Sunday we’ll have three nights of Bulwark+ Live events. Learn all about it at: https://www.thebulwark.co…
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Tim Miller joins to discuss the big picture about 2024, why Harris could not run as a change agent, and America's oligarchs.
Highlights / LowlightsLinda Chavez: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and the Dodgers World Series Victory (Highlights) Tim Miller: Trump wearing an orange vest and driving a trash truck. (Both)Mona Charen: Derrick Anderson's Fak…
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From hostile poll watchers to election officials who refuse to certify, and the possibility Congress will end up picking the winner, Kim Wehle joins A.B. Stoddard to discuss how the legal system could navigate a challenged election.
Show notes:
NYT: The Army of Election Officials Ready to Reject the Vote
Politico: The Very Real Scenario Where Trump Loses and Takes Power Anyway
Rolling Stone: These Swing State Election Officials Are Pro-Trump Election Deniers
From A.B. "Election Deniers Are Ready for Next Week. Are We?"
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Trump and his pack of dude-bros are pitting men against women, even inside the home—the current Republican Party is definitely not pro-family or pro-marriage. Plus, Nikki's feelings are hurt, and Elon trucked in door-knockers for Trump who basically worked as indentured servants. How does this Putin-whispering patsy still have government contracts?
Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notesTim's message to Nikki Haley voters
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Eric and Eliot try to explain (for a foreign audience and American expats) how it is possible that the election is so close. They discuss the role of inflation, the border, the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan as well as craziness on campus, and elite disdain for non-college educated Americans in fly-over country. They touch on Eric's article in the Bulwark that dissects efforts by former Trump Administration officials to put a patina of coherence and strategy to Trump's views on national security. They examine the objectives and success of Israel's recent retaliatory strike on Iran in response to the October 1 mass ballistic missile attack launched by Tehran as well as the prospects for the region in the aftermath and, in particular, the potential for Israel to reshape the region's politics (spoiler alert: color both Eric and Eliot skeptical). They also examine the dispatch of North Korean soldiers to Russia to fight in the Ukraine war and what that tells one about Putin's vulnerabilities and they discuss Russia's political warfare (with mixed results) in Georgia and Moldova. Finally they finish up with a discussion of recent readings on British naval history, FDR's efforts to mobilize the country for potential war in 1940 and the colonization of Mars.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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George and Sarah record their last episode before the election. They talk politics, election certification, and the latest from the Supreme Court.
Show notes:
Sarah Longwell, "Speak Out Now Republicans, Or You’ll Regret It"
Don Ayer, "Jack Smith Should Be Investigating Trump’s Current Election Conduct"
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The gang assemble for their last official episode before the election on Tuesday. They give their final thoughts on where the race is at, alongside discussion on the closing arguments of both candidates and President Joe Biden’s gaffe last night.
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The character of the nation is on the line: We have to stop an autocratic minority from imposing its will on the majority of Americans. And no question, Putin has been very easily manipulating Trump and Musk. Plus, Biden talking about garbage, spam polls, pollster herding, and the weakest swing states for Kamala.
Alex Vindman and Lakshya Jain join Tim Miller.
show notes:Congressional candidate Eugene Vindman's web siteThe fake family of Eugene's opponent in the open VA-7 seat
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Last night, October 29 after VP Harris made her closing argument, Dan Pfeiffer and Sarah Longwell met up on the Substack App for a live reaction to the speech.
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Sam Stein, Andrew Egger and Jim Swift discuss Vice President Kamala Harris's closing argument speech on the National Mall. Sam attended the event live and shares his takeaways from speaking with the crowd.
Thursday Night Bulwark is now Bulwark+ Live—a place where we’ll post member livestreams, live event replays and other multi-media content produced by gang at The Bulwark.
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AB and Mona discuss Trumpworld's plans to disrupt the election, fallout from the MSG rally. and Bezos's unconvincing explanation of his preemptive surrender.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulw…
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Kamala Harris sees the world as divided between those who follow the rules and those who break them—and that injustice requires action, not whining. And behind the story of a child of two high-achieving immigrants is a woman who remains loyal, reveres law and order, shows up prepared, and approaches challenges with a 'just the facts' linear style of thinking. Yet, she also maintains a level of inscrutability. Robert Draper joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Draper's profile of Kamala
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if comic book legend Alan Moore is right to blame toxic fandom and arrested development for the rise of Trump. Then they review Venom: The Last Dance, a movie that’s bad … but watchably so? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for some election even distraction suggestions. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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After a long break, Jonathan V. Last and A.B. Stoddard return to the void to react to Donald Trump claiming to have a secret with Republican Speaker Mike Johnson. Are they going to try and stop a Kamala Harris victory in the House?
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By de-prioritizing The Washington Post in his business empire, Jeff Bezos is showing exactly how a free press gets dismantled. Other corporate titans are also falling in line so they're not on the wrong side of Trump. Meanwhile, with the Klan-like rhetoric at Sunday's rally, MAGA is baring its teeth and showing us that its true essence is about white Christian supremacy. Plus, the Senate races, and Tim's reporting from outside MSG.
Bob Kagan—who resigned from WAPO on Friday—and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Bill and Bob's conversation on authoritarianism in 2019Bob's book, "Rebellion," published in AprilBob's 2016 piece warning how fascism could come to AmericaTim's message to Haley voters
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The law of supply and demand also applies at the border: We can’t really stop all illegal immigration—in part because of the lure of a better life here, but also because of our own labor needs. And Americans are just too educated for a lot of ordinary but necessary jobs. But a number of fixes could help, including changing asylum rules—a key part of the border bill that Trump had killed. Linda Chavez joins John Avlon to break it all down.
show notes
Linda's book, "Out of the Barrio"
National Immigration Forum
Brookings Institution
Pew Research
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Good show, long show today with the Entertainment Strategy Guy (subscribe to his Substack here). I’m going to offer up timestamps here, which I don’t usually do, because there’s a ton of stuff covered in this podcast.
Amongst the topics we discussed: Marvel vs. DC in the TV realm (:40); Tulsa King’s status as a surprise hit for Paramount+ (11:40); what the data about Netflix’s second season of Monsters suggests about its completion rate and why that matters (16:06); why horror has a lower streaming ceiling than theatrical ceiling (21:29); Prime Video’s moves into sports and news (30:56); the four horsemen of the media apocalypse (38:41); and a cautious defense of embattled WB-Discovery honcho David Zaslav (56:17).
Phew! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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There's one thing Republican and Democratic strategists all agree on right now: no state is more likely to decide this election than Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania-based POLITICO reporter Holly Otterbein joins Sarah to break down Pennsylvania's shift to the right in recent years, and why Democratic Sen. Bob Casey is finding himself in a surprisingly close race.
show notes
Spotlight PA: Democrats in Pa. approach 2024 election with slimmest voter registration advantage in decades
By Holly Otterbein:
Harris ramps up her appeals to Republican voters in the Philly suburbs
‘Pennsylvania is such a mess’: Inside Team Harris’ unusual levels of finger-pointing
Dems see warning signs for Harris with Latino men in Pennsylvania
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Trump is corrosive to the soul of our democracy. He's a bigot, an ogre, and an isolationist. And for all the Reagan Republicans on the fence: If Trump gets back in, America won't have a healthy conservative movement again for generations. Plus, Kamala on Israel, and Elon's private foreign policy with Putin—he's working against our national security while helping himself to the treasury of the United States.
Bret Stephens joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:Tim's playlist
Bret's 2018 piece on Musk being the Trump of Silicon Valley
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Sarah and JVL look at the polling and the vibes and come to slightly different conclusions.
Then Sarah lets it rip about John Kelly. (Again.)
And then JVL goes to the Dark Place. It’s a real journey.
Heads up: Next Tuesday night (10/29 at 9pm ET), Sarah will go live with Dan Pfeiffer—Pod Save Guy, Obama alum, and all around good dude—on the free Substack …
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New York Times columnist Ross Douthat joins the regular group to discuss his objections to Harris, the likelihood of a Trump fascistic reign, and which party has gone crazier.
Highlights / Lowlights
Ross: Can AI be blamed for a teen’s suicide? (NYT)
Damon: Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos (MAX)
Linda: The Ghosts of John Tanton (ProPublica)
Mona: The En…
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JVL fills in for Sarah today as George explains latest legal challenges facing Donald Trump, including his views on the Department of Justice and the potential conflicts surrounding Judge Eileen Cannon. They also discuss Rudy Giuliani's financial troubles, the state of the conservative legal movement, and the future of the Federalist Society.
Watch, list…
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A whole faction of Red America thinks the judges and tax cuts in the first half of Trump's presidency were the 'real' Trump. But the Jan 6 'burn it all down' guy is the real version—as Tucker's weird parable about a violent and angry dad makes clear. Plus, MAGA's confidence in the election results, Cheney's abortion comments, and the surreal double sta…
Eric and Eliot welcome Australian MG (ret.) Mick Ryan to the show to discuss his new book, The War For Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation under Fire (Naval Institute Press, 2024). They examine the initial strategies pursued by Russia and Ukraine as well as the assumptions that underpinned those strategies as well as considering how the two sides have adapted to changing conditions on the battlefield. They discuss the role of leadership and Ukraine's demonstration of greater ability to implement innovation in tactics on the battlefield from the ground up. Eliot and Mick discuss the difference between the relatively unchanging nature of war as opposed to the evolving character of war and how new technology and doctrine can make a difference in comparative advantage between adversaries. They discuss civil-military strains in both Ukraine and Russia, Russian challenges with mobilization of manpower as well as Ukraine's difficulties with both manpower and training as well as absorbing some of the high end equipment they have received from NATO allies and other partners. They consider the current state of the battlefield, the Kursk offensive by Ukrainian forces and some of the flaws in US and NATO military advice and decision-making during the course of the war.
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/liz-cheney-on-american-authoritarianism-d00
War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict:
https://a.co/d/5LKv7m3
The War for Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation Under Fire
https://a.co/d/0AoPXRR
Mick's Substack:
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Michael Steele speaks with Bill Adair, Duke Professor and founder of the fact-checking site PolitiFact about the epidemic of political lying, why Republicans do it more and how we can begin to make political lying unpopular and unacceptable. Michael also discusses his time as RNC Chairman when he was asked to lie about the birtherism surrounding Former President Barack Obama.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!Check out "BEYOND THE BIG LIE: The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do it More, and How it Could Burn Down Our Democracy?" here:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Beyond-the-Big-Lie/Bill-Adair/9781668050705
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The gang reacts to the revelations that Gen. John Kelly, Donald Trump’s former chief of staff during his administration, believe the former president is a fascist and admired Adolf Hitler’s generals.
This should be the October surprise, but the media seems incapable of treating it with the time and gravity the news requires. Meanwhile, Trump’s defenders claim Kelly to be a liar or minimize the disqualifying nature of the general’s testimony.
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Donald Trump doesn't share our values or our norms, and he wants the privilege of being able to shoot down Americans in the street. And former officials who worked in his administration are frightened about what he could do to the country. Meanwhile, all the Hitler talk drowns out any talk about Kamala's proposed policies, which are more popular than p…
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Mona and JVL discuss the gender divide in 2024 election and the attraction of bad men; possible election scenarios; civic trust, and whether MAGA ever has sleepless nights.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episo…
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The ex-POTUS has resolved that his route to regain power is creating hate, fear, and anger. Meanwhile, his little fascist from Santa Monica is planning to raid quinceañeras as part of a mass deportation. In contrast, Kamala promises to be a president for everybody—with fights only in the fields of democracy. Plus, Elon's despicable Nick Fuentes-grade ad…
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss both AI witchhunts and Blumhouse’s decision to partner Meta with filmmakers in an effort to bring AI into the filmmaking fold. (You can watch the video/ad by Aneesh Chaganty we discussed here.) Then, in a slight departure for the podcast, we discuss a book: Neal Stephenson’s Polostan, the first entry in his forthcoming Bomb Light Cycle. Historical fiction examining the cultural and scientific revolutions of the first half of the 20th century by one of our greatest novelists? We were very much into it. Make sure to stick around for Friday’s bonus episode, in which we discuss scary books just in time for Halloween. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Remember those few weeks when Trump ceded the stage to Kamala and didn't do any campaigning? How glorious it was not to have to talk about him. Meanwhile, Kamala, Liz, and Sarah work to seal the deal with undecided voters, Moldova rejects the vote-buying oligarchs, and Lindsey, you're wrong: It's Trump, not Kamala, who's the most radical candidate in modern American history. Mallory McMorrow was recorded live at our Bulwark event in Detroit, and Bill Kristol joined Tim Miller for a recap of the weekend's political news.
show notes:
Gifted link to John Heilemann's interview with David Plouffe
Mallory McMorrow and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller.
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Former Oklahoma congressman Mickey Edwards sees a way out of our polarizing and divisive politics. He explains to John what voters can do, what Congress can do—and how the schools can help by teaching kids critical thinking skills. Plus, Mickey shares his insights on Kamala from her district attorney days, when she had the makings of a rising star.
Mickey Edwards joins John Avlon.
show notes
Books by Mickey Edwards
Book mentioned by Mickey: "The Big Sort," by Bill BishopBook mentioned by John: "Burning Down the House," by Julian Zelizer
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Sarah Longwell and George Conway get into the latest legal developments surrounding Donald Trump, including his multiple indictments and ongoing court cases. They discuss the potential outcomes of these cases, the role of key figures like Mike Pence, and the implications for Trump's future, including the possibility of jail time.
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Thomas Negovan, who oversaw the reconstruction of Caligula: The Ultimate Cut. Combing through 96 hours of the original negatives, Tom rebuilt the film from the ground up in order to bring it closer in line with the vision of writer Gore Vidal, director Tinto Brass, and star Malcolm McDowell. We discussed some of the technical challenges of tracking down source materials, the challenge of reconstructing a film that felt entirely different from every version previously known, and how McDowell and costar Helen Mirren responded to the reconstituted picture.
The Ultimate Cut debuted at Cannes last year and is available now via streaming, Blu-ray, and 4K from Drafthouse Films and Unobstructed View. (The Blu-ray and 4K sets also include a previous cut of the film; for more on that cut and its odd provenance, I’d recommend reading this note at Diabolik DVD.) And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Donald Trump may well win both Arizona and Nevada, but Republican Senate candidates there are on the struggle bus. Jon Ralston of the Nevada Independent joins to break down Sarah's recent focus groups with PBS in Nevada, and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez of the Washington Post discusses Arizona's abortion rights referendum and Kari Lake's comeback attempt in the U.S. Senate race.
Editor's note: This episode was taped before the October 17 release of Ruben and Kate Gallego's divorce records.
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The Bulwark kicked off its weekend 'Swing State Swing" in the City of Brotherly Love Thursday before a packed house. George Conway, Sarah Matthews, and Tim talked about psychopaths, narcissists, and how voters need to understand that if Trump didn't even care what happened to his VP on Jan 6, he certainly doesn't care about them.
George Conway and Sarah Matthews join Tim Miller.
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The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins the group (plus Philip Bump) to discuss Harris's Fox interview, Trump's spiraling mental state, and the oligarchy/corruption a second Trump term would usher in.
Highlights / LowlightsMona: Harris Needs a Closing Argument. Here's One. By Bret StephensThe FTC is making it easier to cancel subscriptions.Damon: Confessions of a Republican Exile by David BrooksA spate of recent content from Matthew YglesiasSusan: The Gates of Gaza by Amir TibonPhilip: A preview of this weekend's "How to Read This Chart" newsletterLinda: The General's Warning by Tom Nichols
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Since the release of Woodward's "War," Gen. James Mattis has reached out to the journalist to endorse the book's warnings about Trump, and to urge that they not be downplayed. Plus, Kamala's counseling of Zelensky before the invasion of Ukraine, and how Russia was really on the nuclear brink and the Biden team pulled out all the stops to get them to step back. Bob Woodward joins Tim Miller.
Bob Woodward joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Bob Woodward's book, "War"
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Eric and Eliot discuss a new play about President Dwight Eisenhower, Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground. They discuss the changing evaluation of Ike's presidency by historians and the pluses and minuses of his 8 years in office. They consider the quality of press commentary in the 1950s and 60s and compare it (unfavorably) to what passes for commentary today. They muse about the declining enrollment in history courses across the nation and the disfavor into which traditional sub-disciplines in historical studies have fallen and its potential impact on national security policy-making. They discuss the spread of disinformation and misinformation about Hurricanes Helene and Milton and look back on the work of historian Richard Hofstadter and his writing on the Paranoid Style in American History to explain some of the status anxiety underlying today's penchant for conspiracy theorizing. They discuss the recent revelations in Bob Woodward's new book and analyze Woodward's journalistic methods and discuss the prospects for Israeli retaliation for the October 1 Iranian missile attack and the current situation in Ukraine.
Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground: https://www.olneytheatre.org/whats-playing/eisenhower-piece-ground
Richard Hofstadter's The Paranoid Style in American Politics: https://a.co/d/bTfpK3y
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Mike Madrid speaks with Michael Steele about why Republicans are bailing on Trump and supporting Harris, the challenge Democrats face in effectively messaging to Latino voters, the factors that impact Latino voting behavior and the key elements that make this election different than 2020.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it…
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Amb. Rice says Trump is a "surrender monkey" who is all about building up Russia and China for his own benefit—and to the detriment of our national security. Meanwhile, his domestic policy is a platform of civil war on his fellow Americans. Plus, Mondaire Jones on one of the most important House races in the country.
Amb. Susan Rice and Rep. Mondaire Jo…
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The gang talks Donald Trump’s bizarre town hall that turned into a concert, and how it presents the clearest closing argument for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign: the man’s lost his marbles.
Plus the media’s insufficient job holding Trump and his surrogates, like Gov. Glenn Youngkin, accountable, and insights into Tim’s interview with tech bro Jason Calacanis.
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Will and Mona discuss Trump's fascist threats about internal enemies (Adam Schiff!), the voters who don't take him 'literally,' Harris's new tone, Israel's "carve out," and the Insurrection Act.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. T…
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Trump's fitness for office is a central question now more than ever after his bizarre town hall Monday night, where instead of taking questions, he called out songs, bopped, and swayed—for 39 minutes. Plus, Kamala plans a trip into the lion's den on Fox News, Youngkin is utterly shameless, and we risk losing the norms that George Washington established …
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Trump used to be considered an existential threat throughout Silicon Valley, but now the tech world is split between Mark Cuban and Reid Hoffman on one side, and Elon and David Sacks on the latter. Elon & David's All-In Podcast friend "J-Cal" is on the fence. He explains that the Trump side's grievance has to do with Elizabeth Warren, socialism, DEI, th…
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if social media influencers are the new Hollywood A-Listers. (Spoiler: they’re not. They’re something older and potentially much lamer but also maybe more interesting.) Then they review Saturday Night, a movie that revels in the excitement of The New. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for a bonus episode on SNL movies! And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend.
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Trump's authoritarianism has intensified—with his calls for using military force against political opponents, taking away broadcast licenses, and deporting even legal immigrants. Plus, the panic meter, Kamala should make appeals to the Cavuto crowd on tariffs, and it's time to speak your mind on a microphone, Gen. Mattis.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
s…
Rates of depression and anxiety among adolescents shot up around the same time kids were switching from flip phones to smartphones. And as teens were moving more of their social lives online, loneliness and friendlessness surged as well. Jonathan Haidt joins John Avlon to discuss how to restore a play-based childhood—including his prescriptions for parents, schools, and members of Congress.
show notesHaidt's book, "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness"More info on Haidt's "Let Grow" play clubTime article John referenced about uniting America
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I’m joined by Gabriel Sherman, the writer of The Apprentice, on this week’s episode.Sebastian Stan plays Donald Trump in this movie in theaters now about the future president’s relationship with noted legal fixer and possible evil supervillain Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). The movie’s path to distribution is almost as interesting as the film itself: Following production and a decent response at Cannes, it found itself in limbo as the original financier got cold feet and studios worried about reprisals from Donald Trump if he were to win the presidency again. We discussed all that and more in our chat; if you found it interesting, I hope you share it with a friend!
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Michigan and Wisconsin aren't just presidential battlegrounds; their Senate races are getting more competitive down the stretch. So how are swing voters thinking about their options?
Craig Gilbert, former DC bureau chief for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Craig Mauger, political reporter for the Detroit News, join Sarah to break down the electoral landscape in the upper midwest.
show notesBy Craig Gilbert: What polling tells us about Wisconsin's undecided voters
Join The Bulwark for Swing State Swing October 17-19. Sarah, Tim, JVL and friends are hitting the road for three nights of live shows in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Tickets and details at TheBulwark.com/events.
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Barack Obama made a direct appeal to people who don't like Trump, but may end up voting for him anyway. Team Kamala has to keep up the drumbeat: Make clear that Trump has been running a rogue foreign policy out of Mar-a-Lago, that he's campaigning on raw hate, and that he's ready to hand over government power to Elon—who's already getting billions in su…
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You know when someone says something that’s both obvious and profound and it crystallizes something you’ve long felt but couldn’t articulate?
That’s what Angela Alsobrooks did to Larry Hogan last night and it was something else.
Also: Sarah and JVL talk about the swing-state vibe shift in Trump’s direction and the idea that Trump has a ceiling.
The Secret …
NY Times columnist Bret Stephens joins to discuss the Iranian threat (to Israel and the US), the amazing Israeli penetrations of Hezbollah and Iran, and the fate of NATO, Ukraine, etc in a Trump 2.0 world.
TV Recommendations of the panelists: Mona: Call My AgentDamon: Game of ThronesBill: Babylon BerlinLinda: Slow Horses / Pachinko
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George Conway explains to Sarah Longwell what was released in Jack Smith’s brief in Donald Trump’s election interference case, Mike Pence’s role on January 6th, and how the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling can affect the case.
Plus, they get into the real issue that divides America: Wawa vs. Sheetz.
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Voters have a real hunger for something beyond the constant state of pugilism and the weaponizing of every problem. In her closing arguments, Kamala needs to zero in on making Trump the incumbent and herself the person who can turn the page. Plus, MAGA's perpetual dumping on America, Obama's 2004 convention speech, and staying Zen while debating on CNN.…
Eric and Eliot note the sad commemoration of the Hamas attack on Israel and the consequences that came in its wake. They touch on the shocking nature of the sexual violence, the denial of the attack and the reality of the horrific violence as well as the explosion of anti-semitism internaionally and, in particular, on US college campuses, they discuss the Israeli successes in attacking the Hezbollah leadership and military infrastructure in Lebanon (and the blindspot with regard to Hamas that the successes against Hezbollah represent). They also assess the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel, what it reveals about the state of Israel's layered, integrated air and missile defense systems (Arrow, David's Sling, and Iron Dome) as well as the prospects for both Israel's and the U.S. responses. They discuss the impact of lame duck status on the Biden Administration's diplomatic efforts, the difficulty that the BIden team seems to have in moving to Plan B when their initial efforts are stymied, and the curious lack of empathy for allies and partners strategic circumstances despite the Administration's lauding of alliances in the abstract. Finally, they discuss Seth Jones's recent Foreign Affairs article on the PRC's industrial war footing, how easily military technology yields military capability and how America's adversaries might take advantage of a chaotic, post-election transition period.
Seth Jones on China's War Footing: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/china-ready-war-america-is-not-seth-jones
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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MAGA’s lies about hurricanes affecting the U.S. are as ridiculous as they are dangerous, leading some in the GOP to try to debunk the false reality their party created. Plus, Bob Woodward’s new book contains disturbing allegations of Donald Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin, both during and since his time in the White House, and Sarah gives some insights into her recent Nevada focus groups.
Details for our Bulwark Live Swing State Swing tour are coming soon to TheBulwark.com/events.
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The information ecosystem is getting crazier than ever: The monster Trump created must be fed, even when the lies are too much for some MAGA members of Congress. Meanwhile, the disinfo around storm relief efforts have to be nipped in the bud, and Team Kamala needs to get their sharp elbows out for the final weeks. Plus, how a doc about Carville evolved …
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AB and Mona discuss the Trump/Putin revelations, Kamala's interviews, hurricanes, and October surprises.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Trump and Vance are pioneering a form of politics where American power means nothing, everything is bad, and politicians focus on tearing people down—and getting other Americans to do the same. Plus, the challenge of defining freedom, why conservative Jews are giving Trump a pass on his antisemitism, and a good and insightful poll on the presidential race.
Timothy Snyder joins Tim Miller.
show notesSnyder's new book, "On Freedom"Sidney Blumenthal's piece on Trump's Hitlerian logic
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the dread toxic fandom, every executive’s favorite scapegoat for why their product failed to find an audience. Then they review Joker: Folie à Deux, one of the most disastrous sequels ever made. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a discussion of sequels that have no reason to exist. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Do not sleep on this: The billionaire tech bros are on board with the authoritarian project so they can capture the regulatory state. They are showering Trump with money to win his favor and using Vance to lock in control of the Republican Party. Plus, Kamala unveils her media strategy, and the damage Israel has done to terror groups since Oct. 7 is significant.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notesGifted Nate Cohn piece on the state of the race
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The United States is in the midst of one of the worst drug epidemics it has ever faced, with nearly 80,000 Americans dying every year from fentanyl poisoning. John Avlon speaks with Kamal Bherwani, whose 22-year-old son, Ethan, was a victim of the crisis. Bherwani is now on the front lines, fighting for solutions to limit supply, increase enforcement, improve education about the lethal drug, and save lives.
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On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Parrot Analytics’s Brandon Katz to discuss a vexing issues for streaming channels and audiences alike: why do the services have such a difficult time helping people find more things on the service to watch? Our chat is based in part on his column in the Observer, and you should read it if you have a second. But the long and the short of it is that streaming services are dealing with customers signing up for a month or two, binging what they want to watch, and then canceling their sub, over and over, hopping from service to service. Is this anyway for folks to live?
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The pundit class thought JD Vance performed better than Tim Walz in the vice presidential debate. Voters thought Vance was a good performer, but they couldn't quite shake their skepticism. Puck News's John Heilemann joins Sarah to review voters' reactions to the VP debate and the history of VP picks more broadly.
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The second gentleman says Kamala has really stepped it up for this abbreviated campaign, and is showing the country the most badass version of herself. He also promised that nothing will distract them from focusing on winning the election. Plus, Trump didn't know what hit him in the debate.
Doug Emhoff joins Tim Miller for a very special bonus episode.
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Liz Cheney sticks to her values under incredible pressure in an old-fashioned Republican way. And she reminded us that Jan 6 is not in the past—but is directly tied to the threat from a presidency where loyalty is built around a lie. Plus, the politicizing of FEMA, Trump's baiting of the media to fact check, more Megyn derangement syndrome, and the longshoremen and job automation.
John Dickerson joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notesThe Daily Report on CBS streamingJohn's book, "The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency"Tim's playlist
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Will Saletan is in for Sarah and he and JVL have a long, high-level conversation about the conflicts between liberalism and democracy; the need for institutions and civil society; and the problem with “guardrails.”
It’s all very high-toned. Also: Will is optimistic about Kamala Harris’s chances while JVL is . . . struggling.
Oh, and there’s beard talk. Sh…
Hey Friends -
We’re itching to hit the road and be with you again ahead of Election Day, so we’re planning three live shows, over three nights, in three great cities:
Save these dates for Bulwark’s Swing State Swing
-
October 17 in Philadelphia
-
October 18 in Pittsburgh
-
October 19 in the greater Detroit area
We hope you will join us and bring friends too. All are welcome.
Tickets and all the details, including what friends we’re bring along, will be live next week at TheBulwark.com/events.
— Sarah, JVL, and Tim
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Jack Smith's filing on Jan 6 reads almost like a novel—with Trump shrugging about Pence having to be evacuated, mocking true believer Sidney Powell, and implicating himself with a damning phone-data footprint. Plus, life as a CNN anchor, the evolution of conservative media, and no, Megyn, Kaitlan is an Alabama girl.
Kaitlan Collins joins Tim Miller.
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Eric and Eliot welcome back Anne Applebaum, Pultizer and Duff Cooper Prize Winning author of Gulag and Red Famine and currently staff writer with The Atlantic and senior fellow at the Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. They discuss Anne's new book Autocracy Inc: The Dictators who Want to Run the World. They examine the threat that autocratic regimes represent to their own citizens at home and to liberal democracy abroad, the West's slowness to recognize the threat that the authoritarians represent, the excessive optimism that (after the end of the Cold War and with the advent of globalization) liberal democratic ideals would triumph without recognizing the danger that authoritarian, illiberal ideas might flow into democracies, whether or not the authoritarians think they are winning and how they measure success, Russia's role in prompting much of the authoritarian offensive and the role of western institutions in facilitating the emergence of Russia as a personalist, authoritarian mafia state, the weaknesses of the authoritarians and how the western democracies might go on the offensive against the political warfare being waged daily by the authoritarians against the democracies, and the effort to obliterate truth and promote hopelessness and cynicism in citizens in democracies and setting them against one another.
Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World: https://a.co/d/ifaCL3E
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Don Lemon speaks with Michael Steele about faith, politics and his new book, "I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America." Don discusses growing up as gay in the Southern Black Church, his journey with religion and his departure from CNN. The pair also discuss Michael Steele's personal evolution, the lessons he learned from his mother and the disappointing behavior of Black Republican Men.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Was-Lost-Search-America/dp/0316567698
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The Financial Times's Ed Luce joins to discuss the VP debate, the future of MAGA, and the Israel/Iran war.
Due to time constraints, there are no highlights / lowlights this week.
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George Conway and Sarah Longwell get into the latest legal chaos surrounding Trump, the VP debates, and the MAGA Republican Party's extraordinary ability to get away with lying. George explains why he thinks JD Vance is "Eddie Haskell with a Yale Law degree," and goes over Aileen Cannon's newest courtroom controversies.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.…
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The Harris campaign clearly opted not to send out an attack dog in last night's debate. While JD Vance helped the reputation of the Yale debate club, the coverage today is about abortion and Jan 6—Tim Walz's best lines. Meanwhile, the race remains a coin toss, and the legal drama over the election is already becoming a nightmare. Plus, Iran's ballistic missile attack and Israel's coming retaliation.
Jim Messina and Michael Weiss join Tim Miller.
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Let’s be honest, the gang loathes JD Vance with a burning passion and wanted Tim Walz destroy him. Instead, Walz was Mr. Midwest Nice. Did he miss an opportunity? Or was it exactly what the Harris campaign needed? Plus, the gang give their thoughts on the International Longshoremen’s Association’s strike and Judge Aileen Cannon getting another case related to Donald Trump.
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JVL and Mona talk GOP reluctance to endorse Harris, Trump's hurricane of lies (some about Helene), Jimmy Carter, and Pete Rose.
Show notes: When JVL refers to Fosse, he meant to say Ray Fosse, and not Keith Fosse.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each …
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JD Vance may be a good debater, but his creepy obsession with lady parts could put him on defense. Meanwhile, Kamala seems to embrace a more robust media strategy, the weakest alpha in history can't bear to face off with her again, and Trump is the last person who would help make Americans more healthy. Lis Smith joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Lis's book, "…
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask why so few watch Netflix’s prestige pictures, and if it really matters. Then they discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s long-in-gestation epic fable, Megalopolis. Yes, it’s a mess, but is it a brilliant one? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on the mobile Criterion closet. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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While the Trump campaign is opting for trans panic, Kamala really needs to remind people to be alarmed about the disaster possibilities with Trump. Plus, an imbalance in campaign ads, the role of foreign policy in the election, getting assistance to the people of Western North Carolina— and the potential political fallout from Hurricane Helene.
Bill Kri…
This week I’m talking to a friend here in Dallas, Bart Weiss, about the Ernie Kovacs Award taking place this weekend at the Texas Theatre. This year’s honoree is Jerry Casale from the band Devo, and we’re discussing his work both with the band and as a pioneer of the music video artform. Check out the links above for tickets to the various events (the screening tonight is going to be pretty fun, I think, as the movie is super-interesting). If you’re in the Dallas area I hope you check it out. And if you enjoyed this episode, I hope you share it with a friend!
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Some of today's first-time voters were 10 years old when Donald Trump launched his first presidential campaign, so he's all they've known in politics. That's certainly affected how they look at politics, across the political spectrum.
Puck's Peter Hamby joins Sarah to discuss the youth vote in the home stretch of the 2024 election.
show notes:
September 2024 Harvard Youth PollBy Peter: The Left’s Trumpnesia ProblemKamala’s Generation Gap
The Swift-Rogan Election
Watch, listen, and leave a comment. The Focus Group podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Ad-free editions are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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If Mitt Romney and Mike Pence really want to have influence over a future GOP, then they need to join the Cheneys in what may be the greatest cross-partisan movement in history. Meanwhile, the MAGA retribution agenda keeps ramping up, we need more Mark Cuban, and Kamala hits the border.
Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller for the weekend podcast.
show notes
Mark Cuban on Theo Von's podcastAmanda's analysis of the authoritarian playbookTim's playlistWatch, listen and leave a comment. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Sarah can’t stop JVL from talking about the $100,000 Trump Watch. It’s pure candy this week.
Also: A look ahead to Walz versus Vance. And is Kamala Harris “doing enough”?
The Secret Podcast is exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Jonathan V. Last and Sarah Longwell. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Michael Steele speaks with Mary L. Trump about her new book, Who Could Ever Love You: A Family Memoir. The pair discuss the darkness and generational trauma surrounding the Trump family and why Donald was chosen over Mary's father, Freddy, as the inheritor of the family business. Plus, how Kamala dominated Trump at the debates, the meaning behind some o…
This week, Sam Stein and Sonny Bunch sit in as The Atlantic's Tim Alberta drops by to discuss the gender gap, how Harris and Trump are navigating appeals to each sex, the Trump campaign "kitchen sink" moment, and Harris's trip to the border.
Highlights / Lowlights
Mona’s highlight: The impartiality of the DOJ, indicting members of the sitting party in power when they commit crimes.
Tim’s lowlight: The failure to have more than one debate.
Tim’s highlight: The young, hungry, improbable turnaround of the Detroit Tigers.
Sonny’s highlight / lowlight: Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis.
Sam’s highlight: Ohtani’s historic 50-50 season.
Sam’s lowlight: The indictment of Eric Adams.
Bill’s highlight: VP Harris’s economic speech on building and permitting overhaul.
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George shows Sarah his Anti-Psychopath PAC's new videos which highlight two women abused by Donald Trump. They also discuss Kamala Harris's support for eliminating the filibuster, and the current state of Trump's ongoing trials.
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Trump likes to promise a manufacturing renaissance as though one isn't going on right now. But we also had a manufacturing recession when he was in office—and that was before Covid.
Plus, Kamala hits her stride talking about her plans, Clay Higgins is a lying, racist thug, the Democratic Party keeps holding lawbreakers to account, and we can see in Elise Stefanik's eyes how much she is faking it.
Pete Buttigieg and A.B. Stoddard join Tim Miller.
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Eric and Eliot welcome back Phillips Payson O'Brien to Shield of the Republic. Phil is the author of The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini and Hitler - How War Made Them and How They Made War (New York, Dutton, 2024) as well as the co-author with Eliot of The Russia-Ukraine War and a Study in Analytic Failure, a new report from CSIS. They discuss Phil's earlier work on World War II that focused on air and seapower and the competition in industrial production between the Allies and the Axis, the formative role of World War I experiences on all of these World War II leaders, the role of will as opposed to a focus on material production as a differentiator between the two sides in World War 2, Hitler's (and others') "magical thinking" about strategy, Churchill's understudied role as Minister of Munitions during World War 1, FDR's role in 1916 Naval Preparedness program, Stalin's (and Putin's) historical mythologizing, the reasons for analytic failure at the outset of the Russia-Ukraine war, and prospects for escalation (and strategy) between Israel and Hezbollah/Iran.
The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler--How War Made Them and How They Made War
https://a.co/d/14ip0sY
How the War Was Won: Air-Sea Power and Allied Victory in World War II
https://a.co/d/erLbwrf
Report Launch: The Russia-Ukraine War and a Study in Analytic Failure
https://www.csis.org/events/report-launch-russia-ukraine-war-and-study-analytic-failure
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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The gang discuss Gov. Tim Walz’s lack of media appearances compared to Sen. JD Vance, Vice President Kamala Harris’s media strategy, Sen. Mitt Romney continuing to not endorse Harris, despite being fearful of Donald Trump’s wrath, and the ethics of online gambling!
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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The current Congress is the most do-nothingest since 1861—when the Union was falling apart right before the Civil War. Speaker Mike Johnson is completely beholden to Trump, Republicans used Russian propaganda for their sham impeachment effort against Biden, and a clown car of Santos-style fakers are cruising to reelection. Plus, the prospect for chaos post-election is high if Trump loses. Dana Milbank joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Dana's new book, "Fools on the Hill: The Hooligans, Saboteurs, Conspiracy Theorists, and Dunces Who Burned Down the House"Will's piece that Tim mentionedWatch, listen and leave a comment. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Will and Mona talk gender gaps, tariffs, foreign policy, and the shifting sands of political parties.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
To add this Bulwark+ podcast to your p…
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Longtime conservative talk show host Michael Medved believes America was chosen for a special mission—Republicans used to understand that, but now it's the Democrats who are carrying on the patriotic, 'morning in America' idea. Meanwhile, fiscal conservatives shrug over Trump's promised tariffs, and the architect of Project 2025 reportedly killed his neighbor's dog with a shovel.
show notesScreenshot of National Review's 2016 cover, "Against Trump"Michael's daily showAbridged version of Michael's showMichael's 'American Miracle' podcast
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the $2.2 billion in improvements to movie theaters, which are looking to add more premium screens and more … ziplines and pickleball courts? What could go wrong! Then they review Wolfs, which hits AppleTV+ on Friday and had a limited run in theaters last weekend. We mostly avoided spoiler talk in this episode since the movie isn’t widely accessible yet, and Sonny ranted for a bit about why it’s not widely accessible yet. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Brad Pitt and George Clooney, the stars of Wolfs. And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Melania is selling Christmas ornaments, while Trump is offering up 99.9% silver coins—the vibe feels more like a going out of business sale than heading back to the White House. But then again, a new bearish NYT poll is worrisome, especially after a bullish one from NBC on Sunday. Plus, Kamala gets a chance to call Trump a ‘chicken’ for ducking a second debate, and the post-modern relativism of Republicans.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
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In this episode of "George Conway Explains It All," Sarah Longwell and George Conway discuss the Mark Robinson drama, Sarah’s debate with CNN’s Scott Jennings, and much more.
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On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Jason Pargin to discuss his latest novel, I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom, a standalone comic adventure about life in the age of interconnectivity. It’s out Tuesday; you can preorder it now. And I really hope you do: Pargin is among the most precise observers of life as it is lived in the digital age, and one of the things we really dive into in this episode is the way in which social media and smartphone living have really altered how we not only interact with each other but also ourselves.
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We're taking a break from the presidential race this week. The battle for control of the Senate is running through red states, with former Trump voters. Some of them are more persuadable than others.
Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report joins Sarah to discuss the Senate races in Ohio, Montana, and Texas, and the role of abortion politics in this year's Senate races.
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Mark Robinson thinks so much about porn, he wouldn't have enough head space or time to do the job of being North Carolina's governor. Meanwhile, the "Black Nazi" calls trans people and gays filthy. Plus, Kamala's confidence on the trail, the absurdity of the Trump campaign thinking she delivered a gun gaffe —and white people varietals in PA, WI, and NC.
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Hoo boy—it’s a super-sized show with everything.
A trans-obsessed, black-Nazi Republican gubernatorial candidate who’s rocking a string of bankruptcies and a porn habit?
Check.
A Trump boat parade with a crowd of half-naked geriatric mouth-breathers?
Check.
Sarah ringing up a 187 on live television by utterly destroying a Trump surrogate?
Check.
This is the on…
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AEI's Kori Schake joins the group to discuss Trump's "crazy guy" strategy, the 111 GOP leaders endorsing Harris, and Hezbollah's exploding pagers.
Show Notes:
Referenced: U.S. Shrugs as World War III Approaches, by Walter Russell Mead (WSJ)
Highlights / Lowlights
Kori: Gov. Mike DeWine defending Ohio against MAGA’s lies about Springfield (ABC)
Damon: The tir…
We're swimming in polling data, but we should also consider that Kamala has more money and a superior ground game. On the other hand though, she doesn't have a spouse promoting nude modeling experience. Plus, the sweeping narrative behind the 'Lucky Loser' who squandered his father's fortune.
Susanne Craig and Sam Stein join Tim Miller.
show notesSusanne's new book about Trump, "Lucky Loser"
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Eric and Eliot provide their thumbnail review of the Trump-Harris debate and then welcome their special guest Lindsay Chervinsky, the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon and the author the new book Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents that Forged a Republic (New York: Oxford University Press, 2024). They discuss the role of the January 6th insurrection in sparking her interest in the peaceful transfer of power in the United States and the first instance of a transfer via election in 1800. She discusses how this perspective provided new insight into understanding John Adams's Presidency which is frequently depicted as a failure but which successfully resolved the Quasi-War with France in the late 1790s, established the norms of civilian oversight of the military and Presidential command of foreign policy and control of the executive departments of government. They discuss the political intriguing of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson who sought to undermine Adams, the fears of a standing army, the extremism of the "Arch Federalists" and the violent rhetorical excesses of factionalism in the party, the role of the French Revolution and immigration in American politics in the early Republic, and ultimately how Adams put country over party and personal political success to establish the norms of a peaceful transfer of power. Finally, she discusses how the death throes of the Federalist Party (and later the Whigs) might shed light on possible futures for the GOP.
Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic: https://a.co/d/3v539F7
What History Tells Us Might Happen to the Republican Party: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/history-political-parties-republican-gop
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Michael Steele speaks with his former Sirius XM co-host, Rick Ungar. The pair discuss the recent debate between Trump and Harris, the absurdity of the misinformation surrounding migrants eating pets, Sarah Huckabee Sanders's dig at Kamala not having biological children and the critical importance of voting this November.
Watch, listen and leave a comment…
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Post-debate movement is looking promising for Vice President Harris. Is the race still a tossup? It could come down to turnout between Harris’s newly enthused electorate and Donald Trump’s disgruntled male voters. Plus, the Trump campaign’s continued repugnant smears on Haitian migrants are having real-life consequences the ticket just doesn’t seem to care about.
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JD Vance thought he had confirmation of his Haitian migrant conspiracy when a Springfield, OH resident filed a police report about her missing cat. But Miss Sassy was just in the basement, safe and sound. More seriously, Vance and Trump want everyone who's not on their team to shut up, so they can rile up their supporters and prime people for violence. …
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AB and Mona dissect the second assassination attempt, the good polls, and inciting rhetoric.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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The presidential race is essentially tied, with movement on the margins that may not be picked up in polling. So prepare for a lot of mood swings in the next seven weeks. Amy Walter and Tim Miller dive deep into PA voters v WI voters, Penn State grad Trump fans, and the prospects for Kamala in NC v GA. Plus, a cliffhanger in the House.
show notesVance's …
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s libel suit against Variety, as well as a whacky idea for the theatrical presentation of Megalopolis. Then they review Rebel Ridge, a movie with a message. Were Sonny and Peter suckered in by the film’s message? Make sure to swing by for our bonus episode on Friday about thrillers with a conscience. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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MAGA is trying to take political advantage of what was apparently a second assassination attempt on Trump, but it's not the Democrats who routinely encourage violence. Trump himself only recently joked about the attack on Paul Pelosi. Meanwhile, Vance admits he created stories about Haitian immigrants, the Des Moines Register poll points to the way the political winds are blowing, and finally some Emmy justice for "Hacks."
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notesTim's interview with Carol Leonnig when she discussed the Secret ServiceBill's recent conversation with James Carville
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This week I’m joined by Amy Nicholson, the director of the documentary Happy Campers, which is now available for rental or purchase on VOD at Apple. We discussed the ragtag oceanside community Amy documented, how she came to find herself in a position to tell their story, and some of the stranger reactions to the film’s decision to be less didactic and more emotionally compelling. If you’re intrigued by what you hear here, make sure to check out the movie. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Kamala Harris crushed Donald Trump in this week's debate...and swing voters noticed. CNN's Dana Bash joins Sarah to discuss her new book, this week's debate, her experience as the co-moderator of the June 27 debate, and the role of moderator fact-checking in both debates.
By Dana Bash and David Fisher: America's Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History
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Sarah and JVL go 10 rounds on the the debate, and fact checking, and the proper role of moderators and news organizations in holding candidates accountable for presenting misinformation.
Then they talk about the difference between journalists and propagandists, such as Hugh Hewitt and Byron York.
And finally things get hot when JVL makes the case for why …
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The former president doesn't think our country is exceptional, and the political press won't hold him to any standard because it has zero expectations of him. Plus, Lindsey Graham is an empty shell, John Kelly was nearly driven mad working for Trump, and JD Vance can't stop spinning conspiracies.
Jeffrey Goldberg joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
Jeffrey's new book, “On Heroism: McCain, Milley, Mattis, and the Cowardice of Donald Trump"Atlantic piece on Trump's diminished speech abilitiesJVL's Triad newsletter from ThursdayOrlando Sentinel's straightforward headline about a Trump threatTim's playlist
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Third Way's Matt Bennett joins to discuss the debate, Harris's centrism, and which candidate would be better on inflation.
Highlights / Lowlights
Mona: Why Mike Lee Folded by Tim Alberta, The Atlantic.
Matt: The lies being pushed about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, and the political opportunism of a young boy’s death.
Damon: Behind the Catholic Right's…
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Sarah and George debrief the presidential debate, applaud Alberto Gonzales's Harris endorsement, and talk trial timelines in DC and New York.
show notes:
Lix Cheney endorsement
Alberto Gonzales endorsement
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While Republicans paint a vision of America as a dystopian hellscape, Kamala is helping herself to the sunny optimism of Reagan and the Bushes. Plus, Taylor is breaking MAGA's brains and driving up voter registrations, Sarah Palin is no longer the worst VP candidate, and Laura Loomer is even too crazy for MTG.
Mark McKinnon joins Tim Miller.
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Eric and Eliot pay homage to Daily Telegraph journalist and podcaster David Knowles who was the driving force behind the podcast, Ukraine: The Latest, on which Eliot has appeared several times. They also discuss the intensifying cooperation among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea including the just announced intensified schedule of joint Sino-Russian military exercises and Iran's transfer of medium range Fateh 360 ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine. They consider the historical analogies for this type of alliance/coalition and, in particular, the ideological underpinnings of the alignment, as well as the tightening institutional links among these nations. They discuss the new JINSA report on Iran's advancing nuclear program as well as the challenges facing U.S. extended nuclear deterrence. They also discuss increasing instances of state failure around the world in Sudan, Lebanon, Venezuela, Somalia, the Sahel and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the relationship of this phenomenon to the retrograde of American power and that of its allies in Britain and France around the world. Finally, they discuss the Marquis de Custine's writings on Russian national character as well as takedowns of Tucker Carlson's holocaust denying, Churchill bashing guest Daryl Cooper.
Eliot's Latest in the Atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/09/british-foreign-secretary-david-lammy-israel-speech/679729/
JINSA's Iran Nuclear Report:
https://jinsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/JINSA-Why-the-Next-President-Should-Start-Worrying-and-Fear-the-Iran-Bomb-2.pdf
Sergei Lebedev on Navalny:
https://libertiesjournal.com/articles/the-heroic-illusion-of-alexei-navalny/
Cathy Young on Tucker Carlson/Churchill:
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/tucker-carlson-and-the-beer-hall-putz-darryl-cooper
Andrew Roberts on Churchill:
https://freebeacon.com/culture/no-churchill-was-not-the-villain/
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Michael Steele speaks with bestselling author, historian, and policy analyst Max Boot about his latest book,"Reagan: His Life And Legend." The two discuss how Ronald Reagon helped shape the GOP, what made him a successful leader, and why he changed political parties.
Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445
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Vice President Kamala Harris exceeded all expectations during her debate against a beta Donald Trump. The gang breaks down their thoughts on the debate, swing voter reactions, and potential ways it could affect the race. Plus, Tim gives some insight into his time in the spin room post-debate, including the fiery interactions with Sen. Lindsey Graham and other pro-Trump personalities.
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Kamala laid trap after trap during the debate, and because he's so impulsive, Trump walked into every single one. And while he seethed, she was the normal and sane one—who came so prepared she was name-dropping missiles and tanks. It was a good night.
S.E. Cupp joins Tim Miller, who also shares his scoops from the spin room.
show notesS.E.'s show, "Battleground"
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JVL and Mona address debate stakes, why people think they know Trump better than Mike Pence does, how they can trust a monumental liar, eating cats, and more.
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Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwa…
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Trump and Kamala are meeting for the first time at tonight's debate, because in 2021, he took his ball, went home, and skipped the inauguration. Seven weeks after the change in the ticket, Trump still doesn't seem to know how to fight her— while Kamala will likely be focused on her message of fighting for the people vs Trump fighting for himself.
show notes Olivia's piece, "I Examined Donald Trump’s Ear — and His Soul — at Mar-a-LagoSymone's MSNBC show, "The Weekend"
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss why indie studios like Neon can’t really afford great films like Hit Man anymore. Then they review Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a nostalgia play with too many new elements. Thanks again to everyone who showed up for the live show in Dallas and the happy hour in Austin; it was great to see you. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah and George record live at the Texas Tribune Festival. They talk politics and legal news, including about the post-election sentencing in New York.
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This is not a close call, Bush 43: Follow your vice president's lead and say you're voting for Kamala. Meanwhile, stay alarmed that this is a close race, and don't forget that JD cares more about guns than kids. Plus, after 12 years of Ted Cruz not caring about his state, have Texans had enough?
Tim Miller spoke with Rep. Colin Allred at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on September 7. And Bill Kristol joins for a political news roundup.
show notesTim on Kamala's new "Best People" ad featuring ex-Trump appointees
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The gang was in Dallas, Texas on Thursday (9/5/24) for a live show featuring Sarah Longwell, Bill Kristol, Sonny Bunch and Tim Miller.
Tim kicked off the evening with a live taping of The Bulwark Podcast with former Rep. Adam Kinzinger.
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This week I talked to Steven Watts about his new book, Citizen Cowboy: Will Rogers and the American People. Rogers was a fascinating figure, one who straddled America’s status as a largely agrarian, frontier-expanding nation to the more urban, cosmopolitan nation we have today. He helped people manage the cultural change with his humor and became one of the most famous (and beloved) men in America by riding the new mass media wave and gently sticking it to politicians of all stripes. If you want to learn more about Rogers, make sure to check out Steven’s book. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Kamala Harris's campaign has created a month of immaculate vibes, but plenty of voters are still skeptical. Semafor Washington bureau chief Benjy Sarlin joins Sarah to discuss the state of the race going into the second debate, and Harris's standing with skeptical former Biden voters.
Show notes:
Adam Carlson's Crosstab Aggregator
Relevant past episodes:
Black Voters:
-
March 2024, with Ashley Allison
-
July 2024, with Audie Cornish
Hispanic voters:
-
October 2023, with Ruy Teixeira
-
June 2024, with Amy Walter
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Before a packed house in D-Town, Tim Miller and Adam Kinzinger covered it all, from Trump's incoherent muttering about childcare to his graveside camera-mugging. Plus big boos for Cruz, advice for Colin Allred, and should Kinzinger run for Congress from Texas? Our first of two live shows from the Lone Star State.
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Bill Kristol is in for Sarah and he and JVL have a wide-ranging discussion:
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Liz Cheney and the anti-Cheneys: Republicans who decided to get onboard the Trump train after January 6.
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The Russian use of a bunch of conservative YouTubers.
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Tucker’s Nazi historian.
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Kamala’s debate challenge.
Oh, and there’s a whole section on the U.S. Open and the bizarre to decis…
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Frequent Bulwark contributor and Lawyer Kim Wehle discusses her new book on the pardon power. The group then delves into Israel/Gaza, campus protests redux, and Tucker Carlson "Just asking questions" about Holocaust denialism.Highlights / LowlightsMona: Andrew Egger's "Pennsylvania Man Speaks" reporting.
Bill: The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and t…
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After the decade we've been living through, we will remember the people like Liz Cheney, who have made the choices that really matter. Meanwhile, will the MAGA influencers who say they were unwitting Russian propagandists give their millions back? Plus, Tucker's praise and promotion of Holocaust denialism, Vance's pathological feelings about women, and the continuing tragedy of guns everywhere in America.
David Frum joins Tim Miller.
show notesFrum's recent piece on the Gaza protesters
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Michael Steele speaks with presidential historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky about her new book, "Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic." The pair discuss how John Adams set the precedent for a peaceful transfer of power, the importance of putting the Constitution above partisan interests and the challenges and expectations Kamala Harris will face if she is the first female president.
Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Presidency-Precedents-Forged-Republic/dp/0197653847
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The gang talk what Kamala Harris needs to do in her debate against Trump to reignite her momentum, Republicans who want Donald Trump to lose to save their party, political yards signs and more!
Check out Tim’s video on Harris’s “accent changes” here:
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The media still haven't figured out how to cover Trump, so they don't scrutinize even his most shocking statements—like when he claimed he had the right to interfere in the '20 election. Plus, Kamala's strong Indian mom, the Dems' improved response to sexist and racist attacks, winning rural voters, Mark Robinson's porn habits, and how it looks in Trump country.
Neera Tanden and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp join Tim Miller.
show notesHeitkamp's One Country ProjectHeitkamp's "Hot Dish" podcast
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Kamala is showing that she's good at politics by uniting the party's coalition and making appeals to the center. But many Democrats can't help themselves and are just waiting for all hell to break loose. Plus, building affordable homes, conserving the republic vs. preserving conservative policies—and Walz, the everyman.
Sen. Brian Schatz and Mona Charen join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Mona's piece, "What Are We Conserving?"Pat Toomey on CNBC today
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Bloomberg’s odd decision to bury Olivia Nuzzi’s interview show. (For background, make sure to read Ben Smith’s story on the matter.) Then they review A Quiet Place: Day One, which hit Paramount+ recently. Is the latest from the director of Pig worth a stream? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode looking ahead to award season cinema. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Kamala looks to have a very narrow lead in the polls, but she needs to do more to drive Trump down—a good target would be his announcement that he's voting against protecting abortion rights in Florida. Plus, his sudden concern for Pence and Vance's copious podcast blathering.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for a special Labor Day pod.
show notesUSA Today piece about Will Selber
Hersh Goldberg-Polin's childhood bedroom with art about Jerusalem
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by John Magary, editor of the new film Between the Temples. We discuss how he got into the editing business, the role of the editor in building the rhythm and flow of a picture, the aesthetic choices an editor can make in shaping the meaning of a movie, and a little about his work with the Criterion Channel. If you enjoyed this episode, try to find a theater playing the movie near you; it’s in 500 or so screens, which means there’s a decent chance there’s a showing somewhere in your neighborhood. And make sure to share it with a friend!
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The Democratic National Convention was a respite from Democrats' summer of despair, and a lot of the good vibes filtered down to swing voters...but are good vibes enough? Democratic pollster John Anzalone joins Sarah to listen to how the new ticket looks to swing voters...and even some former Trump voters who are now Harris-curious.
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Harris has been watching and learning about the ways of Washington, and she keeps sticking the landing like a gymnast. Meanwhile, Trump is desperately trying to unring the bell on abortion. Plus, what is his plan to delegitimize the election this time?
PBS' Margaret Hoover joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notesMargaret's Firing Line special, "Counting the Vote" on your local PBS station
Margaret's Firing Line documentary on YouTube
Tim's playlist
John Avlon's congressional campaign website
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Sarah and JVL are back.
They have some thoughts about the Harris-Walz CNN interview. (And also some notes for the Harris comms team.) There are thoughts about cemeteries, human psychology, and Donald Trump’s pathology. JVL asks Sarah which cabinet post she’ll take in the Harris administration.
And then Sarah circles back to TNL and takes another pass. SLA…
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Sarah and George cover Jack Smith's superseding indictment, Jack Smith's appeal in the Florida documents case, and George's and Sarah's (wonderful) time at the Democratic National Convention.
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Policy differences pale in comparison to maintaining self-governance and restoring sanity in the country—high time for the anti-Trumpers to endorse the candidate who's not posting crap like a 17-year-old in his parents' basement. Plus, the Arlington incident, jealous Megyn Kelly, and why Russia is freaking out about the Telegram-related arrest.
Adam Kin…
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Note: This episode is a rebroadcast and originally aired in November 2023. New episode out next week!
Michael speaks with Rachel Maddow about her new book, "Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism." The pair discuss how modern-day efforts to undermine democracy have a prequel dating back to before and during World War II when an ultra-right authoritarian movement tried to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis. Rachel describes how members of congress got involved in spreading Nazi propaganda, how Henry Ford spread anti-Semitism throughout the U.S and Germany and the figures who made sure we saved ourselves from ourselves.
Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Prequel-American-Fight-Against-Fascism/dp/0593444515
Watch, listen and leave a comment. Don’t care for video? Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition.Ad-free editions are available exclusively with a Bulwark+ membership. The Michael Steele Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. To add this to your player of choice, click here.
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The Atlantic's Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss the DNC and Harris's new tone, Trump's pivot on abortion, and the misfit toys (RFK Jr., Gabbard) of the Trump campaign.
Highlights / Lowlights:
Mona: Can We Be a Little Less Selective With Our Moral Outrage? by Bret Stephens in The New York Times.
Peter: Lowlight: Trump Insists He Won California in W…
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It's been a month since all three of our gang have recorded the show together, so they're delving deep into the state of the presidential race now that the DNC has concluded. Plus, Tim, Sarah and JVL all get their own rant on what's infuriated them in politics.
We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
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The pundit class keeps talking about how Trump hasn't figured out how to respond to Kamala—but she already knows how to deal with him. And the man who's used to controlling the narrative finds himself on the sidelines. Plus, maximizing the efficiency of Kamala's digital campaign over the next 10 weeks.
D.L. Hughley and Teddy Goff join Tim Miller.
show no…
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Rumors have surfaced about Joe feeling sad and resentful about the re-energized party. At the same time, Kamala seems happy to share the limelight with party stars, like Pete Buttigieg. And over at Mar-a-Lago land, the flat-footed Trump campaign still doesn't know how to respond to the change in the Dem ticket. Plus, the mysterious and sketchy way Trump is allocating campaign contributions. Mark Leibovich and Juleanna Glover join Tim Miller.
show notesMark's piece on the Buttigieg Bubble
Elaina Plott Calabro's piece on Kash Patel
Juleanna's essay for The New York Times on Trump's expenditures
The "YIMBYs for Harris" event Tim is part of
The Apple playlist link for Bulwark Pod music
Tim's Spotify list
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A.B. and Mona discuss debate prep, Harris's centrist convention, RFK, Jr.'s ignorant fans, and A.B.'s Fox News journey.
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Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwa…
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the Megalopolis trailer disaster. (Plus: AI ranks the Across the Movie Aisle hosts!) Then they reviewed Blink Twice, a movie that prizes its message over its drama but doesn’t have a good hold on its message either. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode on the cultural detritus of the Obama era. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Some of the people best suited to make the case against Trump are the jilted Cabinet members and others who worked with him—doing the right thing is never the wrong thing. Plus, McMaster’s preposterous spin, appreciating the words Kamala didn't say in her speech, making Trump own RFK, Jr.'s antivax views, and the gamesmanship over the debates.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notesAdam Kinzinger on speaking at the Democratic conventionTim on the big fish anti-Trumpers who should endorse Kamala alreadyBill on the key line in Kamala's speech
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My guest this week is Valentina El Harizi, an 18-year-old first-time filmmaker who has an entry at the DIFF Shorts Film Festival. (If you get this email early enough and happen to live in the Dallas area, you can head over to the Angelika Film Center Dallas on Mockingbird Lane and catch the film; the “High School Shorts” program starts at 3PM local time.) We discussed her film, “Behind the Scenes,” as well as the difficulties of growing up in a world where social media is the first, second, and third option most kids have to interact with each other. If you enjoyed this episode—or think someone with kids surrounded by social media should hear it—please share it with a friend!
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The Bulwark is ON LOCATION at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and we've got quite a lot to talk about!
National Political Reporter Joe Perticone joins Sarah to recap the sights and sounds from the convention. They also walk through swing voters' reactions to the Harris-Walz ticket, and how plugged in they were to convention coverage generally (not very much).
By Joe Perticone:
Democrats Welcome Disaffected Republicans With Open Arms
The Pro-Palestinian Protest Fizzles in Chicago
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Kamala delivered a real work of art—a perfect American story filled with love of country, democracy, family, and the pursuit of big dreams. She also spoke to the center of the electorate, and conveyed a strength to take on the bullies and protect the nation, all with a feminine touch. Meanwhile, the sitting black VP has positioned herself as the challenger against an incumbent Trump, infuriating him in the process.
A.B. Stoddard joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:Elaina Plott Calabro interview about Kamala that Tim referencedTim's music playlist
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Andrew Egger subs for the vacationing Mona, and A.B. occupies Damon's seat, as The Deseret News's Samuel Benson joins regulars Bill and Linda to discuss the unity and vibes at the Democratic Convention, while the panel weighs how RFK's exit from the race is likely to affect the November election.
Highlights / Lowlights
Andrew: Highlight: Gov. Tim Walz's S…
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The former senator from Minnesota recounts his early fandom for Tim Walz and how he won an unlikely congressional race in 2006. Plus, Kamala finding her footing, the cowardly Republicans who are shying away from endorsing her, a floundering Trump, and Franken's 70s-era comedy.
Al Franken joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
The 1976 SNL episode featuring Al and Elliott Gould's skit; costs $1.99 to watchWatch, listen and leave a comment. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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For this DNC-week barbershop edition of the podcast, Michael Steele speaks with political analysts Sophia Nelson and Dr. Jason Johnson. They discuss the Democratic Party turning from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris, Project 2025, how JD Vance has changed his personality to make himself more attractive to MAGA, Rep. Nancy Mace's controversial comments, and the shift to men like Doug Emhoff being proud of their successful female partners.
Watch, listen and leave a comment. Don’t care for video? Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition.Ad-free editions are available exclusively with a Bulwark+ membership. The Michael Steele Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. To add this to your player of choice, click here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah is in Chicago and JVL gets her to tell everything.
What else could you ask for?
How about the greatest analogy ever:
Travis is to Taylor as Doug is to Kamala.
Boom.
Go listen. It’s good stuff.
The Secret Podcast is exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Jonathan V. Last and Sarah Longwell. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Michelle Obama killed it last night, and did the job that every speaker at the Democratic convention should be doing: persuading the undecided to vote for Kamala. Plus, the inside scoop on her husband's big (... er small) moment, making sure young men know about the toxic crap in Project 2025, and embracing America's great, big, beautiful pluralism.
Jon Favreau joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
That big ( ... er small) momentJon's book Watch, listen and leave a comment. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Podcast are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Kamala's genuine smile and Walz's empathetic version of manhood is coming through loud and clear—and may explain the joy that is coursing through the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, Vance remains a popularity sinkhole. Plus, the prospects for Texas ever turning blue, Cancun Cruz, Latino voters, getting the young to the polls, and staying in to fight the good fight. Beto O'Rourke joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Beto's Texas voter registration group, "Powered by People" Beto wrote about visiting Ulysses, Kansas in 2018
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed a strange casting choice in the cons and nons segment before reviewing Alien: Romulus. We also teased this week’s bonus episode about the Alien franchise and its shift from a series about Ellen Ripley’s efforts to survive to a series more explicitly about the Weyland-Yutani corporation; if you aren’t a member, and would like to hear it when it drops on Friday, you can sign up here for 20 percent off the annual price. Yeah, yeah: you’ll get all the political newsletters and podcasts! But you really want that hot Weyland-Yutani content, don’t you?
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Kamala's first month as a presidential candidate before the Democratic convention has gone exceedingly well—she's been controlling the narrative, infuriating people like Ben Shapiro, and Trump can't get her pretty face out of his head. Meanwhile, Putin talks a big game, but Ukraine has surprised everyone with its incursion into Russia. Bill Kristol and Michael Weiss join Tim Miller.
show notesDan Pfeiffer piece Tim mentioned
A.B.'s piece Tim referenced
Michael's stories at The Insider
WSJ story referenced by Michael (for Journal subscribers)
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Robbie Whelan, who covers the wide world of Disney for the Wall Street Journal. We talked about all the stuff Disney rolled out at D23 (Sequels! Theme park additions! New Cruise ships!) and discussed the ways in which the softness in Disney’s “Experiences” division (which includes, among other endeavors, the theme parks) may suggest general economic softness that’s hidden by the success of movies like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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JD Vance's evolution on Trump over the years has left voters wondering what he really believes. Our guest this week can shed some light on that. POLITICO's Ian Ward joins Sarah to discuss his reporting on JD Vance and the "new right" more broadly.
They also discuss Ian's reporting from inside Project 2025, and the role it may play in a future Trump administration...regardless of what Trump says.
By Ian Ward:
It Was Supposed to Be Trump’s Administration in Waiting. But Project 2025 Was a Mirage All Along.
Is There Something More Radical than MAGA? J.D. Vance Is Dreaming It.
JD Vance on Elizabeth Warren, Steve Bannon and What’s Wrong With the GOP
Are Republican Voters Ready for the Nerdy Radicalness of JD Vance?
The Seven Thinkers and Groups That Have Shaped JD Vance’s Unusual Worldview
Watch, listen, and leave a comment.
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Swapping out Biden for Kamala has been such a big mood boost that consumer confidence among Dems and independents is suddenly surging. Meanwhile, Trump keeps having Potemkin press conferences as a ploy to reclaim the narrative. Plus, Bond-style villains have made hating Project 2025 so easy, and the 'suckers and losers' guy again shows that he doesn't respect the troops.
Brian Beutler joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notesBrian's piece on mass psychologyTim's playlist
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JVL and Bill Kristol talk about the unsettling feeling that the campaign is going . . . really well.
We also talk about what indicators to look for coming out of the Democratic convention, the possibility that Harris could sling-shot her change message all the way through November, and Trump’s failure to define her.
Not to mention the triumphant return of…
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MSNBC's Charlie Sykes joins the panel to discuss the rise of Harris, the decline of Trump (in more ways than one?), and the Iranian hack of Trump's campaign.
Highlights / Lowlights
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Charlie:
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Highlight: 2 outspoken election deniers lose GOP primaries for state Legislature
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Lowlight: The ongoing stolen valor attacks on Gov. Walz
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Mona:
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Lowlight: How Trump's infa…
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George Conway explains to Tim Miller, filling in for Sarah Longwell, about Trump's latest attempts to postpone his sentencing until after the election, and also have a laugh about Trump's decision to bring back Corey Lewandowski into his campaign efforts.
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Two Democratic members of Congress who called on Biden to pass the torch join Tim Miller today. Both Rep. Dean Phillips and Rep. Mikie Sherrill said it was voters who told them they wanted the party to turn the page.
Plus, more Tim Walz insights, and Vance's odd obsession with how females use their bodies throughout their lives.
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Michael Steele speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning author and staff writer at The Atlantic, Anne Applebaum about her new book, "Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World.” The pair discuss the network of countries united by their common interest in maintaining absolute power, the reasons why people are attracted to autocratic regimes, the tactics used by modern autocrats, and the importance of civic engagement in preserving democracy.
Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Autocracy-Inc-Dictators-Want-World/dp/0385549938
Watch, listen and leave a comment. Don’t care for video? Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition.Ad-free editions are available exclusively with a Bulwark+ membership. The Michael Steele Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. To add this to your player of choice, click here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Apparently, this is the week for so-called moderate Republicans to come out and voice their support for Trump, despite no one asking them too. This included former Sen. Richard Burr, who finds no contradiction between a vote for Trump and his vote to impeach him for Jan. 6.Plus, what's the best case scenario for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, and how likely is it we'll get it in November. And JVL, back from vacation, gives his thoughts on Trump's apparent meltdown and the selection of Gov. Tim Walz as Harris's VP.Sam Stein subs in for Sarah on this weeks episode.
We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
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The anti-MAGA world should keep going on right-wing media platforms, and maybe embarrass their hosts in the process—like Buttigieg on Fox, and Tim on Tomi Lahren's show. Plus, the direct line between Secret Service failures in Butler, PA and the Dallas book depository. And will the FBI ever be able to confirm if Trump took a $10 million bribe from Egypt?
Brian Tyler Cohen and Carol Leonnig join Tim Miller.
show notes:Brian's new book, "Shameless: Republicans' Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy"Carol's reporting on the $10 mil cash withdrawal from EgyptCarol's book on the Secret Service, "Zero Fail"Highlights from Tim schooling Tomi Lahren Will Selber's piece on the Walz 'stolen valor' claimsJohn Kerry campaign vets on how to respond to the Walz swiftboatingWill Selber and Ben Parker video on the Walz 'stolen valor' claims
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JVL and Mona discuss how much Trump and Musk loathe each other, strong versus weak, whether policy matters, and what Walz means for the race and the culture.
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Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwar…
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Trump may be holed up at Mar-a-Lago because he's afraid of another attempt on his life. Meanwhile, he keeps trying to take away Kamala's identity. Plus, the stunningly different way the media is handling hacked campaign docs in 2024, the threat from rando county clerks who may try to block the electoral vote count, and more from the mailbag. Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
A.B.'s piece on Republican election officials refusing to certify a Harris win
Tim's 2021 story on voting machine tampering coming from inside the MAGA house
Tweet thread on Florida's smooth election process
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Before we get started: we have a Bulwark Live event in Dallas on September 5 featuring Sarah, Tim, Bill, and special guest Adam Kinzinger (as well as myself), and then a bunch of us will be down in Austin on September 6 and 7 as part of the Texas Tribune Festival. Come hang out! — SB
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Joaquin Phoenix’s puzzling decision to abandon Todd Haynes’s film at the last minute. Then they review Doug Liman’s new film starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, The Instigators, which is streaming now on AppleTV+. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode about the Paris Olympics and the state of streaming. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Biden's departure from the race has put Trump in a real funk. He's in denial about Kamala's crowds, he's publicly pining the loss of his preferred rival, and he's doubling down on his helicopter story—and conflating two different black CA politicians in the process. Plus, filling in the gaps in Kamala's inner circle. Bill Kristol and Chris Cadelago join Tim Miller.
show notes:Cadelago's story on the other black politician who was in a helicopter with Trump that almost crashed
Cadelago's story on Kamala's 2020 staffing
Cadalago's story on tensions withing Kamala's campaign staff
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This week I met with novelist (and Bulwark+ member!) Brad Thor in a shadowy location (upstairs at Dallas’s magnificent flagship Half Price Books) to discuss his latest book of international intrigue, Shadow of Doubt. We also talked about the idea that men don’t buy novels, smuggling real-world ideas into the universe of his fiction while maintaining their entertainment value, and a potential adaptation of his Scot Harvath novels into a streaming hit. If you’re looking for a late-summer read, make sure to pick up Brad’s book. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah is on vacation this week, but we didn't want to leave you without some focus group reactions to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joining the Democratic ticket. Listen to how swing voters from around the country AND Minnesota voters who know Walz best are thinking about him and the presidential race more broadly. We'll see you next week.
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Kamala is now the star of a story involving a woman called into duty at a moment of crisis with a sitcom dad as a running mate—and Trump can see the danger. Nate Silver joins Tim Miller to explain what his polling model is showing. Plus, the survivorship bias of Elon-world risk takers, and good, old gambling tips. Your weekend pod.
show notes:Nate's new book, "On the Edge The Art of Risking Everything," out TuesdayTim making the "conservative case" for KamalaTim's playlist
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The regulars discuss Walz pick and shape of the race. David French joins to talk about Trump v. United States.
highlights / lowlights
Mona: The life of Penny Parker (1927-2024).
David: Highlight: The USA's Medal Count
Lowlight: China's Gold medal count
Linda: What’s better than calling Trump weird? (David Broockman and Josh Kalla, Slow Boring)
Damon:The Boo…
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Trump and his supporters don't like America as it currently exists, and their veep pick JD Vance is like the U.S.-hating Code Pink, but in a suit.
Meanwhile, the Democrats have seized the patriotism mantle, à la the Republicans of the 80s. Plus, the sick, unhinged, and inaccurate attack on Tim Walz after his 24 years of service in the National Guard.
Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notesKinzinger on the swiftboating of Walz,
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Michael Steele speaks with MSNBC political analyst, Vanity Fair special correspondent and host of the "Fast Politics" podcast, Molly Jong-Fast. The pair discuss why Tim Walz was the pick for VP over Josh Shapiro and what he'll bring to the campaign, the significance of Kamala's "We're not going back" statement and the impact of the disastrous NABJ-Trump interview.
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Tim talks to a local Minnesota reporter to get the low-down on Tim Walz's recent political history, including where he falls on the progressive-to-moderate spectrum—as well as his weak spots from his tenure as governor, like the 2020 riots in Minneapolis.
Plus, JD Vance, as a senator, has been texting with a Holocaust-denying far-right fringe character, but won't take calls from high-ranking Ukrainian officials.
MinnPost's Peter Callaghan and the Washington Post's Isaac Stanley-Becker join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Peter's story on how Walz beat the odds to become the VP pickIsaac's story on Vance's texts with Charles JohnsonTim's book, "Why We Did It"
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Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, and everyone but Never-Trump Republicans is happy! Plus, Donald Trump makes an insane Truth Social post where he fantasizes about President Joe Biden getting back into the race.
We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
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As Trump panics, the Minnesota Governor is coming for weird women-haters in the GOP. A.B. Stoddard and Will Saletan react to the announcement that Kamala Harris has picked MN Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate against the Trump-Vance ticket.
show notes:
A.B. references Will’s YouTube take on how Fox tries, and fails, to save Trump from himself.
Watch, …
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Democrats are leaning into the 'Republicans are weird and creepy' talking point—a strategy Tim has long advocated for. JD Vance is Exhibit A for this kind of profile, which explains the rumors about Trump possibly replacing him on the ticket.
Meanwhile, Kamala may have whittled down her veep choices to Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz. Plus, if anyone is going to turn the US into Venezuela, it's Trump, the insurrectionist. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
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A.B. Stoddard and guest host Sam Stein talk Trump's latest unstable, politically stupid decisions, including insulting Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in a must-win state.
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Democrats are leaning into the 'Republicans are weird and creepy' talking point—a strategy Tim has long advocated for. JD Vance is Exhibit A for this kind of profile, which explains the rumors about Trump possibly replacing him on the ticket.
Meanwhile, Kamala may have whittled down her veep choices to Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz. Plus, if anyone is going to turn the US into Venezuela, it's Trump, the insurrectionist. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Democrats are leaning into the 'Republicans are weird and creepy' talking point—a strategy Tim has long advocated for. JD Vance is Exhibit A for this kind of profile, which explains the rumors about Trump possibly replacing him on the ticket.
Meanwhile, Kamala may have whittled down her veep choices to Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz. Plus, if anyone is going to turn the US into Venezuela, it's Trump, the insurrectionist. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Sarah and JVL talk about Simone Biles and the weirdo conservatives who hate her. Also about Trump’s cheap heat with the National Association of Black Journalists. Kamala Harris’s mammoth fundraising numbers. And why progressives don’t want Josh Shapiro.
It’s a super-sized Secret show before we head…
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A.B. Stoddard guest hosts for today’s discussion on Donald Trump’s NABJ interview. It was shocking and set the internet abuzz, but was that his intention all along? Plus, do VP picks actually matter?
Highlights / Lowlights
Bill’s highlight: Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich (WSJ)
Damon’s highlights: Pro-Wrestling Explains Why Trump Is Scared of Kamala, Donald Trump’s Cheap Heat (The Triad)
Linda’s highlight: The America of Yesterday (Yascah Mounk)
A.B.’s highlight: America’s New Political War Pits Young Men Against Young Women (WSJ)
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In this episode of George Conway Explains It All, George and Sarah take on Trump's insane interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, George’s new Super PAC ad, and Biden’s Supreme Court reform proposal.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Democrats are leaning into the 'Republicans are weird and creepy' talking point—a strategy Tim has long advocated for. JD Vance is Exhibit A for this kind of profile, which explains the rumors about Trump possibly replacing him on the ticket.
Meanwhile, Kamala may have whittled down her veep choices to Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz. Plus, if anyone is going to turn the US into Venezuela, it's Trump, the insurrectionist. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Michael Steele speaks with educator, author, political commentator and Princeton University professor, Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. about his book,“We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For." The pair discuss the importance of taking personal responsibility for democracy, the impact of liberal white women on Kamala Harris' campaign, how America idolizes prophet-like figures and finding beauty in our brokenness.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
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The campaign has completely turned on its head after Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic Party’s nominee. She’s got the right message, the right mentality, and an excited base that could propel her to a win against Donald Trump in November.
The Trump campaign, by the way, is completely panicking, as shown by its public shunning of Project 2025 and second guessing of Sen. JD Vance as Trump’s running mate.
Plus, the gang weighs in on the veepstakes and, spoiler alert, they’re all on the same page when it comes to who should join the ticket!
We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
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Sure sounds like kind words and affection were in short supply in the Trump household in Queens. Perhaps if Donald had been hugged a little more, America would have been spared a lot of trouble—and Trump wouldn't have told his nephew that he wanted his disabled son to die.
Meanwhile, Kamala and her team feel like they're in to win it: She's tacking to t…
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A.B. and Will discuss the veepstakes, the case for Pete Buttigieg, and J.D. Vance's attacks on cat ladies.
Leave a comment, here.
Republican men used to be stoic and quiet technocrats, but now they're screechy and freaky. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has a whole crop of strong, silent types to choose from as a running mate.
Plus, a shout-out to Charlie Sykes, movies Tim hasn't seen, and can we quit the identity-oriented Zooms for Kamala? Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller.
show notesTom's piece on the manliness flip-flopTom's piece on Biden stepping asideCharlie on how Never Trumpers really mean neverTrump's 400 kids remark
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review Deadpool & Wolverine, the first $200 million opening movie in two-and-a-half years. It’s definitely a movie! Then they discuss Homicide: Life on the Street, a beloved show that’s finally hitting streaming. But there’s one small problem. Make sure to swing by Friday for our summer reading bonus episode. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Democrats are leaning into the 'Republicans are weird and creepy' talking point—a strategy Tim has long advocated for. JD Vance is Exhibit A for this kind of profile, which explains the rumors about Trump possibly replacing him on the ticket.
Meanwhile, Kamala may have whittled down her veep choices to Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz. Plus, if anyone is going to turn the US into Venezuela, it's Trump, the insurrectionist. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
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I’m joined this week by Thomas Doherty, Brandeis professor and author of Hollywood and Hitler, 1933-1939, and Maria Elena de las Carreras, assistant professor at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, to talk about the recent restoration and Blu-ray release of two documentaries by Herbert Kline: Crisis: A Film of ‘The Nazi Way’ and Lights Out in Europe. Doherty and de las Carreras provided commentary tracks on the films and were kind enough to join me to discuss the historical import and context of these two important films, which chronicled the German annexation of Czechoslovakia and the beginning of Hitler’s assault on Poland.
Both movies are available on one Blu-ray directly from Flicker Alley (or Amazon), and they are must-owns for folks interested both in documentary film from the period and World War Two more broadly; I’d heard of Crisis before but had never seen it, and it was a real treat to finally get to watch it.
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At the 11th hour, Kamala Harris is now the presumptive Democratic nominee. Longtime listeners will know that swing voters have had a negative impression of her--but luckily, it's just an impression!
David Axelrod, former senior advisor to President Obama, joins Sarah to walk through where Harris goes from here.
Show Notes:
The Bulwark in Dallas on September 5
The Axe Files with David Axelrod
Hacks on Tap
Women candidates get asked different questions than male candidates—that's just a fact. Kamala has a whole team around her ready to handle queries about her ambition and the racist and sexist attacks. But this 100-day sprint also gives Kamala an advantage: an opportunity to show that she is the tougher, stronger, and more prepared leader. Jennifer Palmieri joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Jennifer's book, “She Proclaims: Our Declaration of Independence from a Man’s World.”Jennifer's book, "Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World"Bulwark piece on former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
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Sarah and JVL look at the new polling numbers, Biden’s uptick, and Kamala’s surge.
And then they have some theories on what JD Vance really means when he complains about white childless cat ladies.
It’s a weird show because everyone is feeling . . . sort of hopeful? Let’s just roll with it.
The Secret Podcast is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwar…
Nick Grossman joins the group to discuss Biden's exit and Harris's rise, her strengths and weaknesses, VP possibilities, GOP blues, and Bibi's speech and protests.
Highlights / Lowlights
Nicholas's highlight: Biden's address to the nation.Nicholas's lowlight: Netanyahu's address to Congress.Mona's highlight: The Olympics You Remember Are Back
Damon's highlight: The collective meltdown of right wing influencers who invented the "is Biden Dead?" conspiracy.Bill's highlight: Harris steps out on Israel as she navigates Biden and Netanyahu (Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN)Linda's highlight: Fireside Chat with Condoleezza Rice and Robert M. Gates
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Trump is BIG MAD about Kamala Harris bringing new optimism and energy to the 2024 election. Sarah and George also cover the different forms of narcissism (hint: Trump has the bad kind) and the absolute audacity of Aileen Cannon, the judge in Trump's Florida case.
One more thing: George has started a new political action committee: The Anti-Psychopath PAC (https://psychopac.org).
Watch, listen and leave a comment. Don’t care for video? Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition. Get George Conway Explains It All wherever you get your podcasts and Youtube.
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Nancy Pelosi has amassed power through persuasion, and she had the nerve to push a sitting president off the ticket because she prioritized victory. Meanwhile, Kamala's veep pick is key to extending the new generation message—and wouldn't choosing Josh Shapiro be a good way to show she's not on the side of the flag-burning Hamasniks? Plus, mixed emotions for Joe Biden, and jealous Trump is back to being a total d**k. A.B. Stoddard joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
A.B.'s piece on Pelosi
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Michael Steele speaks with Dahlia Lithwick, Senior Editor at Slate and host of Slate's Supreme Court podcast, Amicus. The pair discuss the current state of the Supreme Court and the need for reform, regulation and expansion. Plus, how Project 2025 and a Trump presidency will affect the courts for generations to come and how we can begin to shift our learned helplessness when it comes to changing the Supreme Court.
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President Joe Biden addressed the nation on July 24, following his announcement that he does not intend to seek reelection. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic party has quickly rallied to her candidacy. After this historic address, Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Mona Charen, and Will Saletan gathered to discuss the President’s …
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President Biden stepping off the ticket and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris has led to a huge vibe shift with Democrats. Can Harris ride this wave to November? What are her strengths and weaknesses? And who should she pick as her own veep?
We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go t…
The modern conservative movement has a built-in ratcheting-up mechanism, so that even when Republicans win, they act like they're losing and the country is on the verge of collapse. Even Democrats long for the days of responsible, Main Street conservatives. But today's GOP is racing headlong into authoritarianism, and the fever is not going to break until we defeat it. Rick Perlstein joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Rick on Project 2025Rick on abortionRick on the "authoritarian ratchet"
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A.B. and Mona discuss the outpouring of enthusiasm for Harris, the reason Democrats settled on her so fast, and who, hands down, needs to be her Vice Presidential running mate.
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We may have been conditioned to just accept candidates who share their meandering thoughts or end sentences with 'anyway.' But Kamala Harris is delivering a big upgrade, and showing how a good political speech gets done. Meanwhile, what would Kamala's winning coalition—and her path to 270—look like? Plus, Trump may be having some buyer's remorse over JD Vance. Ron Brownstein and Sam Stein join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Ron's piece on Kamala's path to 270Sam's piece on how the Dems got their s**t together
Ron's book, "Rock Me on the Water"
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if Hollywood is to blame for the rise of J.D. Vance thanks to Netflix’s Oscar-bait biopic, Hillbilly Elegy. Then they review Twisters, the first real popcorn hit of the summer. Make sure to swing by Friday for a bonus episode about Hollywood’s role in propping up, and then tearing down, the Biden campaign. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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It's Monday and everything is... not terrible? On today's episode of The Dark Side, Jonathan V. Last and A.B Stoddard discuss the brightness of optimism and hope with Kamala Harris' new campaign and potential presidency as fundraising and endorsements come pouring in.
It's now the Kamala Harris parade, and James Carville has grabbed his whistle and baton for the march. The veteran strategist shares some campaign advice for the vice president and argues her 2020 message will play better in 2024—she's already being turned into a brat summer* icon. Meanwhile, Trump and Republicans may have been prematurely cocky. Tim Miller's pod today.
show notes
*The run-down on brat summerUSA Today piece on brat summer, published before Biden dropped out of raceThe Charli XCX Trend, Explained
Tim Alberta piece that Tim referenced
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After banging the drum for quite a while, Bill Kristol and Tim Miller got their wish, and the political world is scrambling for the 106-day sprint to the election— with Trump now officially the oldest presidential nominee in history. Is it Kamala time? What about the possible VP options? Tim's special weekend pod.
show notes:
https://x.com/brianbeutler/status/1814517879309553898?s=46
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This week I’m being rejoined by the Los Angeles Times’s Ryan Faughnder to discuss the sale of Paramount to David Ellison. What does this mean for the various arms of Viacom? Then we discussed the collapse of Redbox and the state of the box office. If you enjoyed this episode, please sign up for Ryan’s newsletter, The Wide Shot, here. It’s free! And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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The Republican National Convention took place with the backdrop of an assassination attempt, and Donald Trump added a MAGA true believer to his ticket, in J.D. Vance. The Bulwark's Marc Caputo joins Sarah from Milwaukee to discuss the convention, the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Trump, and voters' reactions to the Trump-Vance ticket.This episode was recorded before Donald Trump's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention.
Show Notes:
Marc Caputo in The Bulwark: White Men Can Vote: The Logic Behind J.D. Vance for VP
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Republicans wanted a 'do no harm' convention, but it was too corporate and lacked any joie de vivre. And then they ended the affair with grievance, fasci Tucker, and 96 minutes of weird incoherence from Trump. Meanwhile, AOC gives a peak behind the scenes of what's going on with Democrats trying to push Biden out. S.E. Cupp joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:
Savannah Chrisley talking about her imprisoned parents at the RNCTim's playlist
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Sarah and JVL unpack the entire insane week.
The Republican convention! J.D. Vance! Trump’s big speech! And Joe Biden’s coming withdrawal from the race.
Everything is happening, right now. This election will be reset in the coming days. And for the first time in weeks, there’s hope.
Get ready. It’s coming.
The Secret Podcast is a podcast exclusively for me…
Eric and Eliot host Sergey Radchenko, the Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies based in Bologna, Italy. They discuss Sergey’s personal story of growing up in Sakhalin in the Soviet Union, living in China, becoming an historian and gaining access to documentary sources in both countries that were heretofore unavailable and which shed new light on the history of the Cold War. The discussion covers ideology vs. realpolitik in explaining Soviet foreign policy, the USSR as both a status quo and revolutionary power, the contingency of historical events, the psychology of Russian and Chinese leaders, the Sino-Soviet rivalry and competition for leadership of the communist world, who was responsible for the outbreak of the Cold War, and how Russia’s search for legitimacy, equality with the US and greatness, deeply rooted in Russian imperial and Soviet history has re-emerged in new forms under Vladimir Putin.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Republicans are tamping down the crazy and the weird at the convention—like no election fraud, no abortion ban talk, and no vaccines—to present their dangerous agenda in a non-threatening way. Meanwhile, why can a 20-year-old buy 50 rounds of ammunition, but not a White Claw or a pack of cigarettes? Plus, we introduce a new Kamala-themed segment: The Coconut Meter. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
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Michael Steele speaks with CNN correspondent and Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, Elle Reeve about her new book, "Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics." The pair discuss how internet subcultures have contributed to the rise of white nationalism and the role social media plays in shaping people's thoughts and ideologies. Plus, what it's like confronting white supremacists face-to-face and how young people get sucked into extremist movements.
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The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins the group (with Andrew Egger) to discuss the aftermath of the assassination attempt, JD Vance, and Biden digging in his heels.Highlights / LowlightsMona: The Gunman and the Would-Be Dictator by David Frum in The Atlantic.Damon: Sohrab Ahmari's reaction to Trump's reaction to getting shot at.
Ross Douthat's NYT column on Trump and Destiny.
Andrew: President Biden messed up a key policy detail in Las Vegas speech.Linda: Are We Living in ‘Late Soviet America’? Niall Ferguson and Jonah Goldberg Debate.
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The Republican Nation convention is underway, and every former critic still in the party, from Donald Trump’s new veep JD Vance to Nikki, is bending the knee in a show of unity. Plus, the Biden campaign continues to go after critics in the part who think he should step aside, even as the map to victory continues to shrink.
We’re heading to Dallas on Sept…
Trump's shark/electrocution anecdote was not a sign of deterioration. Trump is actually getting better at communicating a solid message in a carnivalesque atmosphere—and he's reaching people outside of MAGA. Plus, when Republicans talk about a message of unity, they are referring to the party, not the country. Jeff Sharlet joins Tim Miller from New Hampshire, while Joe Perticone checks in from Milwaukee.
show notes:
The Andy Kroll piece about J.D. Vance that Jeff mentionedJoe's latest Press Pass dispatch from the convention
We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
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J.D. Vance is an incredibly polarizing figure, and his addition to the ticket signals a complete realignment of the Republican Party. Plus, he gave the single-worst response to the assassination attempt on Trump. Meanwhile, democracy is a team sport, and Democrats are playing a dangerous game. Alyssa Farah Griffin joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Full speech from Mark Robinson, GOP gubernatorial candidate in North Carolina
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Mona and Will consider calls to "bring down the temperature," Biden's Lester Holt interview, and the execrable J.D. Vance.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the best movies and TV shows from the first half of 2024. It’s been an interesting year so far; what’s on the top of our lists? Then we review Fly Me to the Moon, a movie that asks what if we had to fake the moon landing to sell the moon landing? Is it worth checking out in theaters? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ this Friday for a remembrance of Shannon Doherty, Shelley Duvall, Dr. Ruth, and Richard Simmons, all of whom passed away last week. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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We begin with a rejection of the fatalist rhetoric from the left. It may be an uphill battle, but the pro-democracy forces have to keep our morale up and be creative. Also the debate around political rhetoric after the assassination attempt is way out ahead of the facts and needs some context. Plus, the Republican convention, Aileen Cannon’s ludicrous dismissal, Axios’ credulous report on Trump’s new tone, and the VP pick. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
show notes:
The 2019 piece Tim referenced
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In this bonus episode following the assassination attempt on former Pres. Donald Trump, The Bulwark's managing editor Sam Stein joins Tim Miller to discuss the precarious moment we are in, how to dial back the temperature, and how both parties should respond to the violence.
show notes:Bill Maher on the shootingRep. Andy Kim's response to the shooting
To watch Sam and Tim record the episode head to our YouTube page here. You can find The Bulwark Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and here.
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On this week’s episode I’m joined by Jennifer Esposito, the director, writer, and star of Fresh Kills, a mob movie told from the perspective of mob wives and mob daughters. We discussed her career in the movies and how that helped prep her to stand behind the camera, why it’s hard to find audiences for original movies telling stories aimed at adults, how social media is helping build a base of support, and the powerfully feral performance of Odessa A’zion. You can watch Fresh Kills right now from the comfort of your own home on your preferred VOD provider. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
If you’d like to yell at me about movies (or anything else I’ve written/said on a podcast), you can do so in Dallas on September 5 at the Wyly Theatre. Or maybe you just want to say hi to Sarah and Tim (they’re great!) or listen to Adam Kinzinger talk about the state of [gestures wildly] all this. And if you’re coming into town and just want a recommendation of where to eat or grab a drink, I can probably help with that too.
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Watch, listen or leave a comment. The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell is available wherever you get your podcasts and on Youtube.
Join Sarah in Dallas on Thursday, September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger will be our special guest for this one-night show featuring a live taping The Bulwark Podast with Tim Miller.
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Not having dementia is not enough to change the dynamic. Biden needs a proactive message against Trump. Meanwhile, you don't have to play 'Connect the Dots' to see the overlap between Project 2025 and Trump—and members of the media claiming he has a 'new tone' are like frogs in boiling water. Plus, more from the mailbag. Amanda Carpenter is back with Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:
Tim's playlist
The Authoritarian Playbook for 2025
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A.B. Stoddard joins to discuss Biden's intransigence, the Democratic party's next moves, the pros and cons of anointing Harris, and more.Highlights / LowlightsA.B.: Trump is Planning for a Landslide Win by Tim Alberta in The Atlanticand her 2022 item: Why (and How) Biden Should Decline to Run AgainMona: What Lessons Do the Stunning Results of the French Election Offer? (New Yorker)Bill: Amid Doubts About Biden’s Mental Sharpness, Trump Leads Presidential Race (Pew)Damon: Time to Go, Joe, by Marc Leibovich in The AtlanticLinda: A Better Approach to Race in Medicine by Amy F.S. Lutz in PersuasionFor What It's Worth by Linda Chavez
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George Conway and Sarah Longwell take on the latest developments in Trump’s legal battles — Trump’s attempts to delay his sentencing in New York, the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, and all the political implications that come with a presidential candidate who’s a convicted felon. George also highlights Trump’s legal team’s strategic missteps and th…
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Michael Steele speaks with Progressive radio host, Thom Hartmann. The pair discuss rebuilding America's middle class and the need to re-transfer wealth from the top 1%. They also discuss the failures of messaging by Democrats, types of Conservatism shaped by Eisenhower and Reagan, and the implications of Project 2025.
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Inviting "populist slut hero" Amber Rose to speak at the RNC and adjusting the platform on abortion—Trump is trying to distance himself from MAGA's Christian fundamentalist ranks. Meanwhile, the Christian Nationalist project to turn the constitutional clock back 70 years continues apace. Plus, the effort to get Biden to leave the ticket is not a conspiracy—but the sign of a working party. David French joins Tim Miller.
show notesDavid's recent column on the Supreme Court
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Sarah and JVL talk about how, and why, Biden’s standing continues to deteriorate. The polls are gruesome. The map is turning red. And the Trump campaign is planning for a landslide.
But is Kamala Harris the answer? JVL thinks she probably is. But African-American women in Sarah’s focus groups are skeptical.
We’re in uncharted waters and whatever happens f…
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In some concerning ways, President Biden has taken a page out of Donald Trump’s book some in his party pressure him to leave the ticket, and a few of his supporters are attacking anyone opposed to his place atop the Democratic ticket.
At the same time, some Democrats who publicly, and accurately, call another Trump term a serious threat to democracy don’…
Top Democrats say they don't see a way for Biden to win, and some are resigning themselves to being the resistance against Trump, despite the threat he poses to our democracy. Batten down the hatches—this interview is a tough listen. Ezra Klein joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Ezra's piece from February
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JVL and Mona consider Biden's intransigence, Kamala's rising polls, aging, and how Trump's awfulness makes the case against Biden stronger not weaker.
Watch, listen and leave a comment, here.
This is not a moment for a politician's origin story or soaring oratory. Some think that means dancing with the one that brung ya. But maybe it’s a moment for someone who could prosecute the case against Donald Trump—making it a perfect time to reintroduce Kamala Harris to voters. Elaina Plott Calabro and Bakari Sellers join Tim Miller.
show notes
Elaina's story, "The White House’s Kamala Harris Blunder"
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the merger of Skydance and Paramount and David Ellison’s place in the Hollywood firmament. Then we review Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, a legacyquel of the highest caliber! (It’s fine.) Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Jon Landau and a tribute to producers more generally. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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President Biden is digging in, forcefully denying he will step off the ticket and telling doubters to get on board. Will his gambit save his nomination, or is he fighting the inevitable?
It would have been nice if Biden had gone on Morning Joe the day after the debate instead of waiting 11 days. But he still is not providing a forward-looking message or explaining why he's the one to beat Trump. Meanwhile, Kamala is showing what an aggressive, proactive campaign looks like. Plus, Project 2025 moves into the spotlight, and the good news for democracy coming from overseas.
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Often, when people discuss television viewing these days they’ll conclude their chat with something like “But we just don’t know what people are watching.” That is an increasingly outdated view of the data, however. On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Dierdre Thomas, the Chief Product Officer for Nielsen’s Audience Measurement business unit. We talked about the evolution of Nielsen’s business measuring market share, how the company captures what people are watching and where, and how overall viewing habits have changed in the streaming age.
We also discussed “The Gauge,” Nielsen’s overall look at the ways in which people are watching TV these days. Here’s May 2024’s Gauge, which shows just where things stand.
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In his first episode as part of The Bulwark, Michael Steele speaks with Republican strategist and Lincoln Project co-founder, Rick Wilson. The pair discuss Donald Trump's revenge on Republican critics and the implications of the Supreme Court's immunity decision. Plus, what last week's presidential debate means for the election and what Joe Biden and Democrats need to do before November.
Note: New episodes of The Michael Steele Podcast will release every Thursday going forward. So stay tuned!
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Housing prices, the cost of insurance, and sticker shock at the supermarket are still stressing Americans out even while the economy is booming. Annie Lowrey joins Tim Miller to discuss the limited housing stock, the economic benefits of immigrant labor, and shrinking income inequality. Plus, the media does shape opinion, but Joe Biden's oldness is self-evident.
show notes:
Annie's piece on the worst best economyAnnie's book on universal basic income, "Give People Money"Annie's piece on inflation
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Sarah and JVL talk about the last week what’s it’s been like to have people mad at them for not supporting President Biden. It has not been great!
Author, poet, and native New Orleanian Clint Smith grew up in the city that was the heart of the domestic slave trade, but realized his understanding of the history within himself and his country was inadequate. So he set out to write the type of book he should have had in high school. On this Independence Day, we pulled a special selection from the Tim Miller Bulwark archive. Plus, love for the Crescent City, and dads getting too much credit for pulling their weight.show notes
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Clint's book, "How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America"
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Clint's book of poetry, "Above Ground"
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Jefferson's letter
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Tim's 4th of July playlist
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Clint's "The Man Who Became Uncle Tom"
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Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger joins the group (plus Chris Cillizza) to discuss the Court's worst ruling since Korematsu, opening the door to God know what if Trump wins. Also, what would an open convention look like?Highlights / Lowlights:Mona: Are We in ‘Soviet America’? Not Even Close. By Cathy Young, The BulwarkLinda: Her trip to Israel, where she was recording.Adam: Cara Mund, a sincere Never Trump candidate who ran (and lost, but got 19%!) in North Dakota. Adam joined her on her radio show to discuss the state of the Republican PartyChris: Gabe Fleisher's Wake up to Politics. Gabe has been writing about politics since he was a child and is a politics prodigy. He just graduated from Georgetown. (His Substack is here)
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The quiet coming from the White House sure suggests that the people around the president don't think Joe at his best can overcome Joe at his worst. Jon Lovett joins Tim Miller to discuss all the possible options as the world waits for Biden to say what he's going to do.
show notes:
Jon's book
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Voters, not just pundits and donors, are in a panic over whether President Joe Biden should remain atop the ticket, with more and more Americans calling for him to step aside for Democrats to have the best shot of protecting the country from another rump presidency.
Is Vice President Kamala Harris the only person who could replace him? Or should the Democratic Party try to put a popular midwest governor on the ballot.
Either way, SCOTUS has given the next president of the U.S. an enormous amount of power, which could be used to break democracy as we know it.
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Joe Biden’s debate performance was a disaster . . . and voters noticed. Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller bring you the voters’ reactions and a frank discussion about the risks and rewards of Biden stepping aside as the nominee—because something in this race has to change.
Note: This emergency episode of The Focus Group Podcast is currently only available for members of Bulwark+. The episode will be released to non-members later this week.
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In this episode of George Conway Explains It All, George and Sarah break down the Supreme Court immunity decision.
No matter how much the Supreme Court pretends that the words 'high crimes and misdemeanors' are not explicitly in the Constitution, Donald Trump is still a disqualified law-breaker and is exactly the kind of guy the Founding Fathers warned us about. Character is now the only real check on presidential power. Plus, if push comes to shove, what are the basic rules that govern a change at the top of the ticket? Ben Wittes and Steven Shepard join Tim Miller.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) have questions about the Microsoft AI head’s understanding of Fair Use, as it relates to copyright. Then they review Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter One. Does Kevin Costner still have that old western magic? Or is this simply too sprawling and unfocused to work? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on Bridgerton and Netflix’s foray into live events. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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A.J. Jacobs joins The Michael Steele Podcast to discuss his book 'The Year of Living Constitutionally' and his year-long effort to live out the principles and constraints of the Constitution. A.J. also discusses the power and role of the Supreme Court, the need for term limits, and the challenges he faced while abiding by the Constitution for one year.
Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Year-Living-Constitutionally-Constitutions-Original/dp/0593136748
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Follow A.J. Jacobs @ajjacobs
Follow Michael @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
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JVL and A.B. have an ocean of bad news to discuss, starting with the decision by SCOTUS to grant presidents an insane amount of immunity, making a potential second term for Donald Trump all the more terrifying. Plus, should Vice President Kamala Harris take over the ticket? After President Biden’s debate performance, she just might be the better choice.
All Americans who love this country and hate Donald Trump deserve answers about Thursday's abysmal performance—and how we are going to move forward. And do not answer our doubts about Biden and his staff with a MAGA-style blaming-the-press bit. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recklessly assists Trump yet again, and Bannon goes to the big house. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Mika Brzezinski on Joe Biden
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Stephen Robert Morse and Seth Porges, the producers and directors of How to Rob a Bank. Streaming now on Netflix, the true-crime doc’s subject, Scott Scurlock (aka, the Hollywood Bandit), calls to mind Point Break in his commitment to living his life however he pleased and funding it through criminal activities. But, as Porges told me in our interview, How to Rob a Bank is also a subversion of the cinematic trope of the noble bank robber, a rejection of that idealized vision of criminality. It’s a reminder that what filmmakers portray has some impact on how we see—and take part in—the world. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to watch their movie. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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The Atlantic's David Frum joins to discuss the debate debacle and what comes next? Can Biden be persuaded to drop out? Also, a look at two Supreme Court cases.Highlights / Lowlights David: Slain Gazan named as Doctors Without Borders staffer was Islamic Jihad rocket maker (Times of Israel)Mona: Gaza Chief’s Brutal Calculation: Civilian Bloodshed Will Help Hamas (WSJ)
Linda: 4.1 million migrants: Where they’re from, where they live in the U.S. (WaPo)Bill: France is facing an election like no other. Here’s how it works and what comes next. (AP)Damon: Same-Sex Relations, Marriage Still Supported by Most in U.S. (Gallup)
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We taped this show before Joe Biden's disastrous first debate, but its thesis still holds true: he's losing this race. To better understand why, we fielded a group of Hispanic voters who voted for Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, and are now leaning towards Trump. Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report joins Sarah to break down why these voters are givin…
This is an excerpt from the full episode "Closing the Voting Turnout Gap (Barbershop)"
Michael is joined by Louis Reed, Michelle Bishop and Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat for a discussion on how to close the turnout gap for formerly incarcerated citizens, people with disabilities and overseas Americans and the obstacles that stand between them and the ballot box.
If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share this episode with a friend.
Check out US Vote Foundation for more information:
https://www.usvotefoundation.org/
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Voting Rights Restoration Guide - https://www.usvotefoundation.org/voting-rights-restoration
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- Voters with Disabilities Guide - https://www.usvotefoundation.org/disabled-voter-guide
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- Overseas Vote - https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/
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- You're Eligible Situations - https://www.us.vote/yes
Follow Louis: @LouislReed
Follow Michelle: @MichelleVotes
Follow Michael @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
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The Secret Pod makes an emergency appearance to work through last night's terrible performance by Biden and to urge the Democratic Party to do the responsible thing in this moment. And Jonathan Martin discusses the strategy behind Biden's failed gamble and whether sitting Democrats would actually publicly push the president to leave the ticket. Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Martin join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:
Claire McCaskill on Biden's performanceDavid Frum on the debateTim's playlist
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The gang got together to watch the first presidential debate of 2024 and afterwards gave their impressions on the nights proceedings.
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Former White House comms director Kate Bedingfield serves up some keen insights into Poppa Joe—he is a night person, he regularly seeks out Jill's opinion, and he is a calming influence. And he's probably not as anxious as Tim Miller is about tonight's debate. Meanwhile, Marc Caputo reports from Magaville on Trump's posturing that he is definitely, absolutely not at all prepping for the debate. Your pre-fight night comfort food to calm the jitters.
show notes:
Kevin Williamson piece Tim mentioned
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Yesterday's primary results kicked out Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, but welcomed back Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, because the Dems have standards. Plus, polls show more voters, somehow, think Donald Trump will be better for Democracy than President Biden, but can the current president turn things around with tomorrow's debate? Will Saletan subs in for Sarah on today's episode!
Watch, listen and leave a comment. This ad-free video edition of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition.
So many of the people who worked around POTUS 44 think no one will ever be as good as Obama, but Stuart Stevens argues that Democrats need to make the case that Joe Biden is a great president. Meanwhile, Dems on Tuesday showed they are the one party holding their crazy people to account. Plus, Vance is too smart to be Trump's VP pick, more Republicans need to follow Kinzinger's example, and Ole Miss, college sports and civil rights. Tim Miller's show today.
show notes:
Stuart's latest book, "The Conspiracy to End America"Stuart's book, "The Last Season: A Father, a Son, and a Lifetime of College Football"Wright Thompson's piece on Ole Miss in 1962Stuart's piece on calling Biden a great president
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Will Selber offers thoughts on Julian Assange. Then, Will Saletan and Mona talk 10 commandments, religious fakes, and more.
Show notes:
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The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta
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Michael Flynn Has Turned His Trump-World Celebrity Into a Family Business (NYT)
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively fo…
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JVL and AB break down the latest polling, RFK Jr.'s voters, and their predictions for the first debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump this week.
Project 2025 sounds mundane, but it would institutionalize Trumpism, eliminate the Department of Education, mass deport 11 million people, and turn the Department of Health and Human Services into the Department of "Life." Plus, more from the mailbag, and Biden finding the sweet spot between Uncle Joe and punching Trump in the face. Symone Sanders-Townsend joins Tim Miller.show notes:Symone's interview on Project 2025
MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024 event in September
**Tim's Mount Rushmore of political books:
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"What It Takes: The Way to the White House"
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"Losers," by Michael Lewis
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"Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72"
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Harry McPherson's "A Political Education"
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss two new movies this week. First up is Inside Out 2, which is smashing box office records for an animated film. But is it any good? And then they discuss The Bikeriders, Jeff Nichols’s new picture that might be described as “Midwestern Motorcycle Club Goodfellas.” On this Friday’s bonus episode, we’re going to pay homage to Donald Sutherland, so we hope you swing by for that. And if you enjoyed this episode, we hope you share it with a friend!
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The gang took the stage in Denver on Friday to talk about their mutual anxiety over the upcoming presidential debate, Donald Trump’s new alliance with tech bros, and how Joe Biden could turn this election around and win in November.
This replay of An Evening with The Bulwark in Denver is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Gov. Jared Polis says Biden should focus on what he'll do for the American people in his campaign, rather than getting caught up in the crazy of Trump. Plus, guns, weed, the value of talking across party lines, and how Colorado is trying to avoid California's housing and growth problems. Tim Miller was live with Polis on Friday. And Bill Kristol joined Monday to discuss Trump's penchant for lying and to preview Tuesday's primaries.
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by John DeVore, author of Theatre Kids: A True Tale of Off-Off Broadway. In addition to discussing his life in the arts and the different species of theatre children—from the stage to politics to religion, theatre kids come in all shapes and size—we also talked a bit about the evolution of media in the post-9/11, pre-iPhone age. And we went back to one of my favorite topics: why no one can behave themselves in public these days! Get off our lawns! If you enjoyed this episode, you should pick up a copy of John’s book; it’s a quick read with just the right amount of melancholy. And please share this episode with a friend!
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Utah has been something of a bulwark (pun intended) against Trumpism, but even they haven't been immune to sliding into MAGA. And now, with Sen. Mitt Romney retiring, Republican voters are poised to pick a new U.S. senator there. The Atlantic's McKay Coppins joins Sarah to break down how Utah Republicans are different, and where they might go from here. They also discuss voters' assessments of Romney as he prepares to leave office.
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Show Notes:
By McKay Coppins: Romney: A Reckoning
McKay Coppins in The Atlantic: The Most American Religion
Trump is not drawing support from black voters because of his criminality—that's just MAGA's bigotry of low expectations. Meanwhile, he's now promising a green card to every foreign Harvard grad to please tech bro donors. Plus, the attempt to create a race war over Caitlin Clark, the annoying liberals on the coasts are creating MAGA reactionaries, and more from the mailbag. Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:
Reid Hoffman's reply to David SacksTim interviews Reid HoffmanTim's playlist
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Will Saletan guest hosts as Tom Edsall joins the panel to discuss rising political polarization, Biden’s latest moves on immigration, and the crackdown on social media and kids using smartphones.Highlights / LowlightsTom: The book 'Wolves of K Street' by Brody and Luke Mullins and a story from
his weekly poker game.
Linda: Experts Handicap the Trump-Biden Debate (Karl Rove, WSJ)
Damon: No, I Don't Want to Protest (Pamela Paul, NYT)
Why Activists Keep Failing the Causes That Fire Them Up (Sarah Isgur, NYT)
Bill: The Return of Peace Through Strength by Robert C. O'Brien (Foreign Affairs)
Biden and Trump tied in the Emerson Poll in... Minnesota.
Will: Louisiana Requires All Public Classrooms to Display Ten Commandments (NYT)
Bibi's shameful Biden attack video
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George Conway and Sarah Longwell talk about the upcoming debate between Trump and Biden, the Florida classified documents case, and the Supreme Court’s impending decision on presidential immunity.
Felon 45 didn't even really like being president and no one is taking his ludicrous tariff plan seriously—but Republicans can't stop tripping over each other to show him their fealty. Plus, Putin's desperate trip to North Korea, Netanyahu shows his ingratitude to Biden, the national debt keeps growing, and Trump's fond memories for his glory days on The Apprentice.
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Eric welcomes Professor Christopher Lynch, Chair of the Political Science Department at Missouri State University, the editor and translator of the most recent edition of Machiavelli's The Art of War and author of Machiavelli on War (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2023). They discuss Machiavelli as statesman, military leader and diplomat and Mach…
Phoenix is a microcosm of the big issues in the election and the country generally, including political extremism, climate change, and the border. But when it comes to the state's water crisis, Arizonians are showing signs of sanity—by accepting facts and downplaying partisanship. Could the city be a guide for America's future? George Packer joins Tim Miller.
show notes:George's piece on PhoenixGeorge's 2019 piece on his son's education
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Justice Alito and his wife seem to have some pretty deep and dark feelings about the people they dislike. Tim Miller also asks Lauren Windsor about the ethics of her undercover recordings. Plus, Ben Wittes shares his predictions for a presidential immunity ruling, his praise for Amy Coney Barrett's handing of the case, and his observations about the criminals Trump unapologetically hangs out with.
show notes:Justice Alito's 2022 Notre Dame speechLawfare's piece on a presidential self-pardon
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Sony Pictures Entertainment’s purchase of the Alamo Drafthouse. Then they review Richard Linklater’s Hit Man, the new film starring (and cowritten by) Glen Powell. Is it a frothy romcom filled with sexy, silly fun? Or is there something a bit deeper? Make sure to swing by for our bonus episode on Friday for our Summer preview. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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In this special TNL/Dark Side mash-up, JVL & A.B. attempt to break Tim's resolve by discussing President Biden's concerning showing in a new Ann Selzer poll, Black voters’ waning support for Biden, the rallying of CEOs to Donald Trump's cause, and the culture war drama surrounding Caitlin Clark.
Note: There will be no new episode of The Next Level until …
Trump visited an African American church in Detroit and the pews were filled with white people; Republicans keep flooding social media with cropped videos to smear Biden; and foreign policy hawks, like Tom Cotton, now say we should be standing up to our allies, not Putin. MAGA land can't quit its shamelessness. Will Saletan joins Tim Miller, who is back from vacation.
show notes:
Detroit reporter shared images from Trump's Black church event
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On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Sean O’Connell to discuss his new book, Bruce Willis: Celebrating the Cinematic Legacy of an Unbreakable Hollywood Icon. Breaking down Willis’s career—which has been sadly cut short following his diagnosis of aphasia—by comedies, action movies, work with auteurs, and “Die Hards,” the book is an exhaustive look at, mostly, the highs (and some of the lows) of Willis’s career. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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One of the Republican Party's biggest long-term problems is that their base is demanding behavior that swing voters won't tolerate, and few things have brought out this gap better than Donald Trump's recent conviction. The Washington Post's Isaac Arnsdorf joins Sarah to discuss what the MAGA base expects out of politicians these days, and how swing vote…
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What happens to the Republican party once Trump goes away? If he goes away . . .
Join our virtual Founders AMA Town Hall June 25 with Tim Miller and Adam Kinzinger. For more details click here. Watch, listen or leave a comment for this edition of The Secret Podcast. Bulwark+ members can access ad-free editions of this and all Bulwark shows at TheBulwark.com/listen. Don’t care for video, use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the audio edition.
Tom Nichols joins the panel to discuss the rise of the right in Europe (and here), the Hunter Biden verdict, and the Israel hostage rescue.Mona: The Big Lie's Bad, Very Bad Week by Charlie Sykes.
Linda: No, You Don’t Have the Power to Stop Climate Change by Quico Toro (Persuasion)
Bill: American journalist Evan Gershkovich to stand trial on espionage charges in Russia (NPR)
Damon: John Ganz's new book "When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s"
Tom: John Bolton going through exhaustive detail about Trump's manifest unfitness and then saying he won't vote for Biden on MSNBC.
Tom's referenced item "The Jimmy Clean Hands Election" at The Atlantic.
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George and Sarah break down Trump’s meeting with a NY probation officer, the scandals at the Supreme Court, and the latest on the Georgia case against Trump.
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Republicans had a tête-à-tête with Trump to remind him how, if he wins, he should extend the tax cuts before he gets tied up with punishing all his enemies. Meanwhile, should Biden suggest extending the tax cuts so CEOs can end their flirtation with authoritarianism? Plus, the value of 'agreeing to disagree' in the pro-democracy coalition. JVL and Protect Democracy's Ben Raderstorf join guest host Amanda Carpenter.
show notes:
Protect Democracy's "If you can keep it" newsletterJVL's newsletter piece on Truth SocialJVL's newsletter piece on the Epoch Times
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Hunter Biden's conviction might be beneficial for Joe Biden's campaign, but that hasn't stopped the GOP from dismissing the justice they claim to crave and spreading conspiracies the trial was orchestrated by the "deep state." Plus, Donald Trump's Truth Social is producing an embarrassingly small amount of money, new inflation numbers, the issue of crim…
A coalition of Christian lawyers, activists, and politicians methodically and secretly took down Roe, and in the process, outsmarted Democrats who believed they had permanently won on the issue of abortion. And the end of Roe v Wade is just the beginning of an effort to roll back the sexual revolution. Lisa Lerer and Elizabeth Dias join guest host A.B. Stoddard today.
show notes:Elizabeth's and Lisa's book, "The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America"
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JVL and Mona consider the Hogan tragedy, respect for the rule of law, low info voters, and the great misremembering of Covid.
Leave a comment.
Pulitzer-Prize winning Jen Senior joins Tim Miller for a free-form conversation about jail-bound, faux martyr Steve Bannon, the debilitating reality of living with long Covid, unearthing a family trauma, and how Americans with differing political persuasions can find their way to back to each other.
show notes:
Jen's story on her Aunt AdeleJen's "On Grief," originally published as the Pulitzer-winning, "What Bobby McIlvane Left Behind."
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the shuttering of a franchised chain of Alamo Drafthouses. What does this mean for the theatrical industry writ large? Then they reviewed Bad Boys: Ride or Die, a movie that will appeal greatly to anyone who likes boys who are bad. Make sure to swing by Friday for an in-depth discussion into Will Smith, a walking-talking nons and cons. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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JVL does his best to shatter Will’s optimism while he subs in for A.B., overwhelming him with pessimism around recent polling, SCOTUS, abortion and more!
Tommy Tuberville's know-nothing appeasement of Putin lines up exactly with where the ex-POTUS is—Biden should be making Trumpworld squirm over that fact. Plus, the antisemitic white nationalists who could be back at the White House next year, the far-right's momentum in Europe, and the curious case of why Trump would be reluctant to release the Epstein file. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
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On this week’s episode, I invited David Poland on so he could talk us all of the ledge about the state of theatrical exhibition. And while he didn’t quite do that—his opening words: “It’s, it’s bad! Things are bad”—he did highlight why things aren’t necessarily disastrous and how both the studios and the exhibitors can help get everything back on track. If you’re interested in the business of showbiz, make sure to check out David’s Substack, The Hot Button. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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When Donald Trump's 34 felony convictions were handed down, we had focus groups ready to talk about them. PBS Newshour's Laura Barrón-López joins Sarah to listen to swing voters' reactions to Trump's conviction, and to the start of Hunter Biden's federal trial.
Show Notes:
PBS Newshour: How Republican voters feel about Trump and the election after his conviction
Young Latinos are a giant emerging voter bloc with populist leanings—who also favor tougher border security. If Trump was to win reelection, it would ironically be because these voters put him over the top. How can Democrats reach them? Mike Madrid joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. Plus, in a mega-mailbag segment, Tim gets personal and shares the story of his daughter's adoption.
show notes:
Mike's new book, "The Latino Century"
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Sarah and JVL explore some of the tensions between things people say they believe.
Sasha Havlicek and Philip Bump join the panel to discuss online disinformation, the GOP reaction to Trump guilty verdict, and the Fauci follies in Congress.
highlights / lowlights
Sasha- The 80th Anniversary of D-Day at Normandy American Cemetery.Damon- The Tower and the Sewer by Mark Lilla (NYR)Linda- This Catholic leader shelters migrants. Texas says he runs ‘stash houses.’ (WaPo)Philip- Two years later, Dinesh D'Souza's obvious misinformation is finally taken downMona- World War II Veterans meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky at Normandy and "The Biggest War on the Small Screen" by Benjamin Parker (Bulwark)
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George and Sarah break down the New York conviction and what's happening in the Florida classified documents and Georgia prosecutions.
Eric hosts New York Times Chief Washington Correspondent David Sanger, author of The Inheritance, Confront and Conceal, The Perfect Weapon and most recently New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion and America's Struggle to Defend the West. They discuss the underlying assumptions that led American policymakers to underestimate the rise and threat of great power competition, whether hawks or doves have been more correct in analyzing the course of events over the past 15 years, the tensions, both past and present, in the Biden-Zelensky relationship, the Biden Administration's efforts at "escalation management" during the war in Ukraine, Russian nuclear threats and how seriously to take them, the question of whether the US and China have been engaged in an action-reaction spiral of distrust or whether Chinese actions have unfolded against a backdrop of American complacency, the unprecedented challenge of deterring two nuclear peers and the Biden Administration's Iran policy which seems to be on autopilot.
New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the West: https://a.co/d/9nTIoD3
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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This D-Day is a good reminder that the growing nationalist movement across the globe aims to undermine the alliance between free and democratic countries. Meanwhile, Trump gets two stooges on the House Intelligence Committee who will have access to top national defense secrets. Plus, his New York conviction is the Big Lie 2.0, and Biden's executive order on immigration. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Piece on Jared's anti-NATO memorialThe Allahpundit piece Tim mentionedNew Republic story on Tucker and Erik Prince
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The GOP continues to be all in on Donald Trump, even after a conviction, choosing to blame the deep state rather than do a single thing to deter the felon's comeback. But have the polls shifted in President Biden's favor since the verdict? Plus, Trump and Biden's dual Time interviews, Biden takes new executive action on immigration and Sen. Joe Manchin leaves the Democratic Party.
About those billboards: https://x.com/AccountableGOP/status/1797946404364755414
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
Trump and MAGA, with all their banana republic claims, are not being America First—they're being anti-American, and renouncing the country they live in. Meanwhile, the WSJ goes dog bites man on Biden, Europeans are fixated on our election and terrified Trump will win, and the GOP's new Hunter-inspired concern about enforcing gun laws. Plus, will Mitt endorse Joe? McKay Coppins and Will Saletan join Tim Miller.
show notes:
McKay's piece, "What Europe Fears"JVL's response to RomneyClip from Seinfeld's first Izzy Mandelbaum episode
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JVL and Mona consider the Hogan tragedy, respect for the rule of law, low info voters, and the great misremembering of Covid.
Leave a comment.
Rep. Ritchie Torres joins Tim Miller to discuss how to win working-class voters, his Dickensian upbringing, and Israel under the microscope of 24-hour news. Plus, mental health, Pride, and Trump as the GOP's new lord and savior. Then, Ben Smith talks about Americans fragmenting the media universe, and the Epoch Times grift.show notes:Torres talking about being a Zionist after being heckledNew Yorker piece on Guo Wengui that Ben mentioned
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask how we wound up in a future in which people pull out their cell phone cameras to tape Chipotle’s burrito artisans in order to get a little extra rice and beans. Is the burrito panopticon the future we signed up for? And then they review The Last Stop in Yuma County, Francis Galluppi’s shockingly great debut noir. It’s on VOD now, they all hope you check it out. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ Friday for our bonus chat on nepo babies. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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This is a good moment for Biden to proudly raise the flag right-side up, and share his love of America—even as his Justice Department's prosecution of Hunter gets underway. Meanwhile, the extremism from the country-in-distress crowd continues to be over-the-top, including Felon 45 emboldening vigilante groups to act on his behalf. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
ABC News video of WWII vets arriving in FranceOther footage of US vets at Charles-de-Gaulle AirportVets arriving in NormandyJames Carville on Bill's podcast
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We have five months to go until Election Day, and nobody's happy. So we're bringing you some catharsis. Jonathan V. Last joins Sarah to let out a primal scream and preview the home stretch of this presidential campaign through the lens of Trump '16/Biden '20 voters.
Watch, listen or leave a comment for this edition of The Focus Group
Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a live show on June 21 in Denver. Tickets are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
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Sarah and JVL get HOT talking about Trump’s conviction and the right’s bad-faith attempt to discredit the rule of law. Don’t talk to us about motivations. Don’t talk to us about what legal theory is and isn’t valid. Just answer the question: Is. He. Guilty?
Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a live show on June 21 in Denver. Tickets are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
Watch, listen or leave a comment for this edition of The Secret Podcast. Bulwark+ members can access ad-free editions of this and all Bulwark shows at TheBulwark.com/listen.
Donald Trump collaborated with a slimy crew to break the law, and it may have swung the 2016 election. Russia's election interference was troubling—and so is the National Enquirer's. And the deranged response from MAGA goons to his conviction only shows how much Trumpworld operates like an organized crime syndicate. Ben Wittes and Ron Filipkowski join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
Tim's interview with Ron on The Next Level
Tim's playlist
Tim's special GUILTY! playlist
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Guilty! Trump is found guilty on all 34 counts in the New York fraud case. JVL, Tim Miller, Andrew Egger, Bill Kristol, Will Saletan and Marc Caputo break down what this means for Trump and the country. Recorded May 30.
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Sarah and George record an emergency episode LIVE to cover Donald Trump’s jury finding the former president guilty on 34 counts!
Watch or listen and leave a comment on this episode of George Conway Explains it All. Add this show to your podcast player of choice, here.
America is currently stuck in a negativity vibe, and it's shaping the media we consume, impacting how we look at the economy, and contributing to the anxiety of our teens. Can we fairly blame it all on Donald Trump? Plus, the brilliance of Victor Wembanyama and the age of the do-it-all center in the NBA. Derek Thompson joins Tim Miller.
Show Notes:
https://blueprint2024.com/analysis/optimism-pessism-youth-poll/
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Eric and Eliot ruminate on the past 100 episodes of Shield of the Republic looking back retrospectively on big takeaways about US national security since the show began in September 2021 in the shadow of the catastrophic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. They talk about President Biden's limitations as a communicator and the broader difficulties of commun…
Famed presidential photographer David Hume Kennerly joins Bill Kristol and regulars to discuss the Ford Library's cowardly refusal to honor Liz Cheney, how Democrats should handle the Trump verdict, and Biden's standing with the young and old.
highlights / lowlights
David: In closing, Trump’s team takes the jurors for idiots (Dana Milbank, WaPo)
Mona: Why Trump is hobnobbing with rappers facing gang-related charges (MSNBC)Bill Kristol: The impressiveness of the Manhattan Trump Trial (NYT).Linda Chavez: Mexican Democracy Hangs In The Balance (Enrique Krauze, Persuasion)Bill Galston: Highlight: NATO’s boss wants to free Ukraine to strike hard inside Russia (The Economist)Lowlight: Almost 6,000 Dead in 6 Years: How Baltimore Became the U.S. Overdose Capital (NYT)
show notes:
The Danger of a Small Act of Cowardice by David Hume Kennerly. (Includes the Cheney / Ford photo referenced in the show.)David's Resignation Letter from the Ford Presidential Foundation
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The jury in Trump’s trial is now deliberating, and the gang discusses the impact a conviction, hung jury or acquittal could have on the election. Plus, the scandal surrounding SCOTUS Justice Samuel Alito continues to escalate, and the Democrats are in total freakout mode as polls continue to show Trump winning against President Biden.
Join Tim, Sarah and…
If Trump were to win, his plans to sabotage the Justice Department and consolidate power would plunge the country into chaos: Our government would be disabled, Americans would pour into the streets, and our enemies would be very happy. Plus, Alito is not being on the level, and a helpful primer on Mexico's election this weekend.
show notes:
Press Advance podcast episode when Tim was a guest
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) debate OpenAI’s use of a voice that sounds suspiciously like Scarlett Johansson.
Then they head into the Wasteland to review Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Make sure to swing by Friday for an apocalyptic bonus episode. And if you liked this episode, please share it with a friend!
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JVL and A.B. discuss Donald Trump's hush money trial wrapping up in NYC as the Biden campaign holds a press conference outside, and how swing voters are unbothered by the historic trial. Plus, polling shows consumer confidence and the economy are not adding up.
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Trump offers another uplifting Memorial Day message. A.B. and Mona also discuss true patriotism, libertarians, the Biden campaign, and more.
Leave a comment, here.
Just Between Us with Mona and friends is exclusively for Bulwark+ members each Tuesday.
If persuadable voters are going to back an octogenarian, they are going to need to see less caution—and more piss and vinegar from Biden to combat Trump's "me strong, you weak" schtick. Meanwhile, TFG and RFK, Jr face-planted at the Libertarian convention, James Carville's advice for the Dems, and a tribute to an American original, Bill Walton.
show notes:
Biden in 2020 calling a voter fat, and a "damn liar"Biden's address at West PointHeilemann's Puck newsletter
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North Carolina Republicans have nominated a candidate for governor who might be crazier than all of the Republicans who ran in 2022. And that's saying something. POLITICO's Zach Montellaro joins Sarah to walk through Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's political rise, and how his supporters and GOP detractors feel about him.
Show Notes:Zach Montellaro in POLITICO: The most important governor’s race of 2024 is about to have its own version of Trump
Jessica Piper and Zach Montellaro in POLITICO: Trump’s weaknesses with GOP voters go beyond the suburbs
Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a live show on June 21 in Denver. Tickets are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
Watch, listen or leave a comment for this edition of The Focus Group. Bulwark+ members can access ad-free editions of this and all Bulwark shows at TheBulwark.com/listen. Ad-supported versions are available on the site and wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube with video.
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Sarah shares her feelings about Nikki Haley. JVL shares his belief that Sarah would be a great cast member for Survivor.
First off, Nikki, you're canceled. And while Trump's out on bail flaunting his partnership with Putin and showcasing two men charged with murder, too many members of the media are covering 2024 like it's a normal campaign. Plus, Ted Cruz gets owned, Alito has too many flags, and Dems keep sending progressive DAs packing.
show notes:
Kaitlin Colllins' full exchange with Cruz on accepting election resultsTim's interview with SF DA Brooke JenkinsTim's playlist
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As the verdict looms in the New York case, George and Sarah get into the consequences of a Trump conviction, the importance of jury instructions and closing arguments, how media coverage is shaping perception of the trial, and rate the witnesses, from Michael Cohen to Robert Costello.
Watch, listen and leave a comment.
This week, I’m joined by Bobby Miller, the writer/director of The Cleanse, to talk about the film’s long and winding path to a Blu-ray release. (You can buy it at Amazon or for five bucks less at the great DiabolikDVD.) We discussed getting that film made, the struggle to secure a release, and why owning a physical copy of a movie packed with special features like commentary tracks and making-of docs is a real thrill for a filmmaker who grew up absorbing the extras on features like Boogie Nights. We also discussed his voice-directing and editing work and why he wrote a novel. If you enjoyed this episode, please check out Bobby’s movie. (And his Substack!) And make sure to share it with a friend!
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Joe Klein joins the panel to discuss Haley's Trump support, Alito's freak flags, and polls showing Americans are deeply misinformed about the state of the economy.
highlights / lowlights
Damon: Is the Biden Campaign Running on False Hope? (Isaac Chotiner, NYer)Linda: Three Books to Help You Understand Nations in Transit 2024 (Freedom House)Joseph: The U.S. assembles the pieces of a possible Gaza war endgame (David Ignatius, WaPo)Mona: The Birth of a MAGA Conspiracy Theory (Andrew Egger, The Bulwark)Bill: If Trump wins, what would hold him back? (Andrew Prokop, Vox)
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Rep. Jasmine Crockett joins Tim Miller to talk about the origins of "bleach blond bad built butch body," what it's like to work with a House GOP that spends most of its time on pro-Trump messaging instead of serving the public, and African American voters in 2024. Plus, Tim's thoughts on Nikki Haley.
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It's been a a chaotic week in GOP politics, with Donald Trump sharing a video hyping up a "United Reich, SCOTUS Justice Alito's upside down flag revelation, and a new MAGA conspiracy making the rounds claiming the FBI tried to assassinate Trump.
Oh, and voters continue to see the economy as horrendous, while failing to register Trump as a socially conservative radical.
Join Tim, Sarah and JVL for a one-night show in Denver on Friday, June 21. The gang will record an episode of The Next Level and Tim will interview Gov. Jared Polis for the Bulwark Podcast. For tickets and info go to TheBulwark.com/events.
Watch, listen and leave a comment. You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.
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Former FBI Director James Comey joins Tim Miller to discuss the choices he made in 2016, the DOJ's self-sabotaging avoidance of the media, and how to maintain your integrity and principles in the face of a lying, lawless b*d. Plus, Ben Wittes in New York updates the status of the Trump trial, and praises the fairness of Judge Merchan.
show notes:
Comey's new crime novelBen on Judge Merchan
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Eliot returns from the Lennert Meri Conference in Tallinn, Estonia and he and Eric are joined by Bret Stephens, columnist for the New York Times, founding Editor-in-Chief of SAPIR: A Journal of Jewish Conversation, former Editor in Chief of the Jerusalem Post, Pulitzer Prize Winner for Commentary at the Wall Street Journal and author of America in Retre…
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Mona and A.B. discuss why Haley's decision is so important and what Biden should remember as he debates Trump.
Leave a comment, here.
show notes:
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/can-nikki-haley-do-the-right-thing
The "unified Reich" reference was no accident: Trump is aiming to both fire up the base and court public controversy. Meanwhile, Giuliani is hawking sedition coffee, Marco Rubio is auditioning for secretary of state, and the UN had a d*s reaction to the Iranian president's death. Rick Wilson joins Tim Miller today.
show notes:https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-killing-of-roger-fortson
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the rise of YouTube as a serious vector for televisual consumption. Then they review The Idea of You, a movie that doesn’t really work on any level yet has put up bonkers numbers for Prime Video. If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!
A programming note: No bonus episode this Friday thanks to the upcoming holiday, but that just gives you more reason to check out last Friday’s episode on the late, great Roger Corman.
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JVL and A.B. muse over whether Donald Trump could get acquitted after Michael Cohen's testimony, the former President floating a third term, and Elise Stefanik's insane response after being asked on Fox News about previous criticism towards him.
Trump has embraced the culture war on guns and abortion, but he is somehow being painted as a moderate again. Meanwhile, Giuliani and Abbott served up fresh reminders that MAGA thinks law and order doesn't apply to them. And today's authoritarians aren't anti-elite—it's just that the wrong elites are in charge. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Tom's piece about Carla, the cat
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix-Fine to discuss their searing look at the assault on the Capitol on January 6 perpetrated by supporters of Donald Trump attempting to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. We discussed how they got their footage, why the events are being memory-holed by embarrassed Republican politicians, and how you can help spread the word about this documentary so people aren’t allowed to forget what, and who, they’re supporting when they support Donald Trump. If this interview gets your blood boiling like it got mine boiling, you can watch The Sixth on your VOD provider of choice. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend.
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2024's college graduates started their college careers with COVID, and ended them with encampments on most of their campuses. The Bulwark's Tim Miller joins Sarah to discuss how America's youth have dealt with a turbulent few years, how they view the recent protests on their campuses, and their thoughts on November's election.
Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a live show on June 21 in Denver. Tickets are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
Watch, listen or leave a comment for this edition of The Focus Group. Bulwark+ members can access ad-free editions of this and all Bulwark shows at TheBulwark.com/listen. Ad-supported versions are available on the site and wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube with video.
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Sarah and JVL talk about Samuel Alito’s flag, Greg Abbott’s favorite murderer, MTG’s spectacle, and Bob Menendez’s gold bars. The scumbags are ascendent and it is glorious.
Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a live show in Denver on June 21. Tickets are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
Watch, listen and leave a comment. The Secret Podcast is exclusively fo…
Russia, China, and their authoritarian allies are working overtime to poison the idea of democracy everywhere in the world. It's a theme so heartily embraced by MAGA, their messaging is often the same. Plus, coup sympathizer Samuel Alito, Ukraine's high-tech gains and low-tech losses, and our risk of being outflanked by foreign influence in 2024.
Join Tim, Sarah JVL in Denver June 21. Gov Jared Polis is our guest. Tickets at TheBulwark.com/events.
show notes:Anne's Atlantic cover storyAnne's forthcoming book, "Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who to Run the World."Tim's playlist
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Sarah Longwell, Chris Cillizza, Will Saletan join Mona and Bill to discuss the upcoming debates, the polls (and Biden's response to them) and how to spend a record $61 million on a Senate primary and still get trounced.
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highlights / lowlights
Mona: Thousands sign petition urging canceled concerts by Israeli ensemble to go ahead in Amsterdam (Times of Israel)Sarah: GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says Biden should have pardoned Trump (NBC)Biden killing the presidential debate commission.Chris: The beauty of no audience at the Presidential debate.Bill: Can the Declaration of Independence’s Ideals Hold America Together? (Colin Woodard, Washington Monthly)Lowlight: The reports from the battlefield in Ukraine, after the GOP delayed aid for so long.Will: RFK Jr.’s Rich Running Mate Just Added $8 Million to His Effort. The hypocrisy of Congressional Republicans who voted against aid to Ukraine and Israel but lectured Biden over withholding 2,000 pound bombs for Rafah.
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Everyone -- especially the President of the United States -- must face accountability for their crimes.
In today's episode of George Conway Explains It All, which was recorded live in Washington, DC, George and Sarah break down what's happening in the New York case against Trump.
Watch, listen and leave a comment for George and Sarah. George Conway Explains It All is exclusively available ad-free for Bulwark+ members.
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This election is about being a grownup and making a choice. One candidate is clearly preferable, and a protest vote sends a message to no one. Meanwhile, Biden is not waiting to take the fight to Trump, and Democrats have to call out culture war ugliness. Plus, another installment of "The Right Stuff." Joe Walsh joins Tim Miller today.
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The gang was live in D.C. last night at Sixth and I to talk President Biden challenging Donald Trump to a debate in June. The former president accepted the early debate, but is it a smart move from the White House?
Plus, the Sarah, Tim and JVL dive deep on where they stand on recent polling and the mindset of “the people,” and ponder whether they would vote for former GOP Gov. Larry Hogan for the open Maryland senate seat now that the Democratic primary in the state is over.
Watch, listen and leave a comment for the gang. To add this show to your podcast player of choice, click the set up button here. The Next Level is exclusively available ad-free for Bulwark+ members.
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Michael Cohen substantiated 99% of what's needed to prove Trump's hush money reimbursement scheme—and so far, Cohen held his own under the weak defense counsel's cross-exam. Plus, are we past the peak power of the corporate lobbying world? Ben Wittes and the WSJ's Brody Mullins join Tim Miller today.
show notes:Brody Mulllins' book, "“The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government.”Ben on Michael Cohen, Day 2
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JVL and Mona consider Trump's defense in NY trial, the polls, and whether voters are stupid or evil or just inattentive.
Watch, listen and leave a comment here for our hosts. Just Between Us—nowin audio or video formats—is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Joe has to tell campus protesters it's OK to disagree with him—and that they can hold him to account. But if they want to keep the ability to protest, they can't let the knuckle-dragging troglodyte back into power. Plus, pressuring Cornel West, white people are losing their damn minds, again—and is Gen Z really the catastrophic generation? Eddie Glaude joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Eddie's latest book, "We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For."Eddie's "Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul."
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Apple’s disastrous new iPad ad. But did people overreact to the image of creative tools being turned into a wafer-thin iPad? And then they reviewed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, a movie with lots of ideas, though one that also doesn’t dive into them deeply enough. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode, a tribute to Roger Corman and the world he helped spawn. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Today's GOP is not a governing party—it's a grievance and trolling party, and Trump has the nihilist vote all locked up. Meanwhile, Lindsey Graham and others are pushing a Hiroshima model in response to Gaza. And because we all still need to laugh, the pod now has a new segment, "The Right Stuff." Will Saletan joins Tim Miller today.
show notes:
Jonathan Karl on Johnny McEnteeCBS News segment on the mother rescued from Gaza
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I’m thrilled to have Adrienne LaFrance of The Atlantic on the show this week to discuss her profile of Albert Brooks and more generally celebrate his greatness. From movies like Broadcast News and Defending Your Life, to voicework on The Simpsons and Finding Nemo, to his under-appreciated villainy in Drive, Brooks’s talents have wowed multiple generations of moviegoers and TV watchers.
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One of Sarah's favorite Republicans, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, is running for the U.S. Senate. So how are Sarah, and her fellow Maryland voters thinking about this race?
Former Maryland Lt. Governor (and RNC chairman) Michael Steele joins Sarah to discuss how left-leaning Marylanders who've voted for Hogan before are thinking about his Senate bid, and his Democratic challengers.
Watch, listen and leave a comment, here.
Mike Johnson may have seen the light in the SCIF, but is he scheming with Trump for Jan 6, 2025? Plus, imagining Gavin Newsom 2028 if we get to keep our elections, Biden's age still makes every supporter nervous, Kevin McCarthy's vendetta, and Nikki, the wild card. Mark Leibovich joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
Show notes:
Mark's "Thank You for Your Servitude"Mark's "This Town"Tim's playlist
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Sarah and JVL talk about the cross examination of Stormy Daniels, Biden’s move to deny Israel heavy ordinance, Marco Rubio’s VP quest, and all of the anti-anti-Trumpers getting ready to jump back on side. It’s a big episode.
Plus: They unpack this piece of tee-ball gold:
The Society for the Rule of Law's Gregg Nunziata joins to discuss the NY and other cases against Trump; Biden's pivot on weapons to Israel, and RFK, Jr's brain worm.
To watch a video version, click here.highlights / lowlights: Mona: In Letter, 540 Jewish Columbia Students Defend Zionism, Condemn ProtestsGregg: Highlight: This Is Peak College Admissions Insanity by Daniel Currell, Lowlight: Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump allies who tried to overturn the 2020 election roll out voting 'integrity' billLinda: The New Propaganda War by Anne ApplebaumBill: Liberland: Populism, Peronism, and Madness in Argentina by David RieffDamon: The curse of presentism by Brink Lindsey
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In New York, we are getting the trial we deserve: It's not about high principles and democracy, but the trashy celebrity culture America let into the White House. Meanwhile, Biden grows more impatient over Israel's plans for Rafah. Plus, the dark overlords of Silicon Valley, and a "new economic patriotism.” Rep. Ro Khanna and Ben Wittes join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Lawfare Daily podcast episode on Israel/GazaFull clip from Khanna's conversation with Jewish and Arab students
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Stormy Daniels takes the stand in one of Trump's trials, while Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely delays another!
Plus, what's the difference between former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and former Speaker Paul Ryan? One will do the right thing and vote for Joe Biden, while the other can only bring himself to write-in another conservative.
Bulwark+ members can watch Sarah, Tim and JVL record this ad-free video edition here.
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The ex-POTUS who claims he was taken down by the deep state is looking even smaller in court, getting scolded by the judge and sitting through testimony about how he and Melania don't sleep in the same bed. Plus, RFK Jr.'s brain worm, winning over the still-going Haley voters, and the plan to ban porn. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Tim's interview with Tammy BaldwinTim's interview with Colin Allred
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Will Saletan and Mona Charen review the parade of falsehoods by aspiring Trump VPs.
Join the conversation, here.
Two conservatives describe their break with Trump. Former DHS official Elizabeth Neumann saw both the mafia culture up close and Trump's disinterest in doing the work of being president. He also exploits the rising extremism in the evangelical church. And former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan says he's voting for Biden, and tells Tim Miller that "doing the right thing will never be the wrong thing."show notes:
-
Elizabeth's new book, "Kingdom of Rage: The Rise Of Christian Extremism And The Path Back to Peace.”
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Geoff's book, "GOP 2.0"
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed whether or not steamy movie scenes are back (per the New York Times) or on their way to extinction (per the Economist). Then they reviewed The Fall Guy, an imperfect movie that’s still a perfectly good time to watch. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on the rise of mid-TV. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Any apprentice who wants to join Trump's ticket has to prove they won't accept the election results unless Trump wins—and Tim Scott shows he is a willing collaborator. Plus, most students aren't on the side of the protesters, the threat to Biden from the sense of disorder, and the pathology of Kristi Noem. Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger join Tim Miller.
show notes
Politico story on nonprofits funding Gaza protests
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Sarah Longwell and George Conway take on Trump's New York criminal trial: Hope Hicks' testimony and a story about Trump glaring at George across the courtroom. Don't worry -- George explains it all.
Leave a comment, here. Watch George and Sarah record this episode without the interruption of ads, here.
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This week, I’m rejoined by Glenn Kenny to discuss his new book The World Is Yours: The Story of Scarface. Among the topics discussed: What a Scarface directed by Sidney Lumet might have looked like; how the movie secured an R rating rather than a commercially disastrous X; and whether or not Scarface is a “political” movie. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to listen to our previous encounter (and pick up his book Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas, it’s a hoot). And please share this with a friend!
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Donald Trump said that Nikki Haley's supporters would be "permanently barred" from the MAGA camp...and he's keeping that promise in the general election. Bulwark MAGA-world correspondent Marc Caputo joins Sarah to listen to Nikki Haley's base...those that are abandoning Trump in the general election, and those that are sticking with him.
Leave a comment, here.
Watch Sarah and Marc record this episode of The Focus Group ad-free, here.
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Will Saletan and (Hubert Humphrey alum) Bill Kristol join Tim Miller before a live audience in Philadelphia to discuss the uncanny parallels to 1968, the big 420 news, and the South now living back in pre-Roe days.
show notes
Tim's playlist
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Sarah and JVL are back from Philly to talk about how a young Kristi Noem stared down Kim Jong-Un: “I’m sure he underestimated me, having no clue about my experience staring down little tyrants . . .” Noem writes. “Dealing wit…
FT's Ed Luce joins the group to discuss campus protests and whether Biden is losing.
highlights / lowlights:
Mona: Country Music, a film by Ken BurnsEd: The Colombia student asking that the protestors be brought food in their encampment.Linda: MTG's bizarre defense of her anti-Semitism vote.Bill: Netanyahu: Israel will invade Rafah — regardless of hostage dealDamon: The new Steve Martin documentary.
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The governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, sits down with Tim Miller in Philly to talk about the kind of language that wins over voters, the campus protests, finding the sweet spot on public safety and crime, and getting sh*t done.
show note:This interview was recorded late Wednesday afternoon.
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Trump went on the record, explaining how in a second term, his staff would only be (election denying) loyalists, he'd run a massive deportation operation, and states could freely monitor women's pregnancies. Meanwhile, evidence of his election interference in 2016 piles up in New York. Ben Wittes and Eric Cortellessa join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Trump Makes the Cover of Time magazineTrump interview transcriptLawfare's NY Trial Dispatch, Week 2The Next Level episode mentioned by Ben
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Will and Mona have thoughts about Kristi Noem's faceplant, Ilhan Omar's "pro-genocide" comment, Kari Lake's worn out welcome at Mar-a-Lago, and more.
In the very hot summer of George, Breonna, and Ahmaud, we seemed to be on the brink of a third Reconstruction. But that moment from 2020 was lost. Now, we're in a time when people like Tucker and Charlie Kirk talk about racial equality as white oppression. Bakari Sellers joins Tim Miller today.
show notes:
Bakari's new book, "The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn't and How We All Can Move Forward Now."
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked if Jerry Seinfeld was right about the state of comedy. (You can read his full interview with David Remnick here.) Then they review Challengers, an erotically charged relationship movie set in the world of professional tennis. Make sure to swing by Friday for a bonus episode on the cinematic soundscapes of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Political power often changes the church more than the church changes those in power—the most glaring example is the damage Trump has done to the credibility of the white evangelical world. Plus, Bill Barr is a liar, and the evolution of Mike Johnson. Peter Wehner joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
AP story on Bill Barr and the Mueller ReportPete's piece on the forgotten radicalism of Jesus Christ
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On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by the Los Angeles Times’s Ryan Faughnder (read and sign up for his newsletter here!) to discuss Netflix’s big data change, why some in Hollywood are hoping for David Ellison to take over Paramount (though shareholders have a different view), and more. If you liked what you heard, share this episode with a friend!
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Abortion has become a defining feature of the 2024 election in Arizona, and Arizona women know it. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Arizona-based democracy reporter for the Washington Post, joins Sarah to walk through the implications of the Arizona Supreme Court re-instituting an 1864 ban on abortion in the state.
Watch, listen and leave a comment, here.
Editor's note: This show was taped before the Arizona House voted to repeal the ban on April 24.
Show notes:
Washington Post: Inside the GOP reckoning over Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban
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The polling isn't there yet, but Biden is delivering on the job, MAGA is extreme and dangerous, the GOP is a dumpster fire, and Trump is the ugliest political figure in our lifetimes. After a hellish week at SCOTUS, some hopium for the weekend pod from Simon Rosenberg. Plus, Tim Miller reads from the mailbag.
show notes:
-
Simon's Hopium newsletter
-
Tim's playlist
-
George Conway's hat
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Tim on Dan Savage's pod
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Send your mailbag questions here: BulwarkPodcast@TheBulwark.com
Get full access to The Bulwark at www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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Sarah and JVL spent the entire show talking about yesterday’s presidential immunity arguments before the Supreme Court. Their discussion will shock you: Sarah believes things will ultimately be okay while JVL has a darker view. It’s the twist you never saw coming . . .
Anne Applebaum joins the panel (with Philip Bump) to discuss Ukraine's war effort, Russian disinformation, campus protests, and a change of pace for final segment.
What would you have put on the Voyager Spacecraft?
Mona: Images of human love: parents interacting with babies (joy), a dog reacting to being reunited, humans taking care of other humans with a handicap (compassion).Damon: Holy texts of major religions, Plato's Republic, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and the Beatles.Philip: The vessel itself is a message, and a Haiku by Issa.Linda:, a reproduction of Aphrodite of Knidos Sculpture by Praxiteles, Michelangelo's David, Gorecki and Beethoven.
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George Conway (a lawyer) explains to Sarah Longwell (not a lawyer) the SCOTUS immunity hearing, what's going on in the NY case against Trump, and the AZ indictments.
Watch, listen or leave a comment, here.
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Mona Charen hosts an emergency Bulwark Live, joined by Kim Wehle and Gregg Nunziata, they break down the oral arguments before SCOTUS on the question of presidential immunity in the Jan. 6 trial. Recorded April 25.
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To Alito, Thomas, Kavanaugh, and Gorsuch, the real threat to democracy is not Trump's attempts to steal the election—but the DOJ's effort to hold him accountable. Plus, the story behind the protesters' masks, activists v Biden, and reading the tea leaves from the Pennsylvania primary. Mark Joseph Stern and Dave Weigel join Tim Miller.
show notes:Weigel's mask storyMarc Caputo on the Jan 6 case
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David Pecker’s testimony in Trump's trial highlights how his lies and misinformation dominated his 2016 campaign. And Marco Rubio's pathetic attempt to become Trump's veep has led him to vote against funding for Ukraine, but the gang is pretty sure conservative "normies" will eat the selection up.
Plus, the potential for RFK Jr. to hurt Trump, rather than Biden, the reason why foreign aid finally got done, and protests at Columbia University.
Watch, listen and leave a comment, here.
Get tickets to see Sarah, Tim & JVL in person at TWO upcoming Bulwark Live events— Philadelphia (May 1) and D.C. (May 15) with the George Conway here: TheBulwark.com/events
Bulwark+ members can watch Sarah, Tim and JVL record this ad-free video edition here.
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The one-time most powerful man in the world is now being told when to sit, when to stand, and what he's permitted to say. Scenes from the New York courthouse, with Olivia Nuzzi. Plus, Dana Mattioli discusses her book on Amazon, a modern-day Standard Oil, with huge power across numerous industries—but which is also on the outs in DC.
show notes:Dana's book, "The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power."
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Rep. Tony Gonzales goes a bit overboard. Johnson's fate after Ukraine vote. Latest polls, and college mobs.
Tocqueville noted that Americans forever brood over advantages they do not possess, but now our grievance culture has run amok. From the aggrieved-in-chief, Trump, who just can't catch a break, to the social justice warriors who apply the same lens to every situation, we're losing the line between what is righteous and what is bratty. Frank Bruni joins Tim Miller today.
show notes:
Frank's book, "The Age of Grievance."
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed whether or not the stars of The Blair Witch Project should get back-residuals for services already rendered. (You can read the full story here.) Then they discussed Civil War, Alex Garland’s travelogue through a war-torn America. Is it a treatise on war, politics, or journalism? All of these? None of these? Most importantly: does it work as a tense war drama? (Since we mentioned it in this episode, make sure to check out our old, pre-Bulwark episode on Garland’s great FX show Devs.) Swing by Friday for a bonus episode in which Peter unfairly attacks Sonny about Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon movies, very nasty stuff. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Tom Mauser lost his son, Daniel, in the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. He joins Tim Miller to discuss his long fight against gun violence, small victories over the NRA, and the continuing inspiration of his son. Plus, Bill Kristol on marginalizing Trump over Ukraine, how Biden could use some FDR, and the Columbia protests.
show notes:
https://danielmauser.com/
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As readers may remember, The Beekeeper has been one of my favorite movies of the year thus far. One thing in particular I loved about it was the costume design: It’s an underappreciated artform, conveying character through clothing, and the costuming in this film perfectly conveyed a range of characters, from “taciturn hero” to “crazed killer” to “crypto douchebag.”
Which is why I’m very excited to have Kelli Jones, the film’s costume designer, on this week to talk about The Beekeeper and her work elsewhere. From previous collaborations with director David Ayer on movies like Bright to the long-running FX biker gang show The Sons of Anarchy to Oscar-nominated biopics like Straight Outta Compton and Nyad, Jones’s work is a striking example of the importance of clothing in bringing a cinematic world to life.
And I have a favor to ask you. The next time you’re watching a movie, think about the silent—but very visible—work that costume design is doing. Look at the suits, soak in the dresses, think about how fabrics can convey period with a simple glance.
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Voters have gotten long looks at both Donald Trump and Joe Biden representing America on the world stage, so what did swing voters see? Bill Kristol joins Sarah to talk about the foreign policy stakes of the 2024 election, and how voters think about the War in Ukraine and America's role in it.
Watch, listen or leave a comment, here.
This show was recorded before Iran's April 13-14 attack on Israel.
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Hey, look: Republicans and Democrats are working together! Meanwhile, Trump is still trying to destroy our institutions, Bill Barr is comfortable playing Russian roulette, and Mark Esper speaks the truth. Plus, more from the mailbag. Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:Amanda on the pardon powerAmanda's piece about Trump's attacks on the courtsBill Kristol's interview with Mark EsperThe Times' Mike Bender on Trump's VP contendersTrump being scared of a bald eagleTrump claiming a protester was from ISIS
Tim's playlist
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Sarah was out of pocket and off the grid all week. JVL was doing his best work in Overtime. So they play a rapid-fire game of catch up on everything Sarah missed.
And then they do a Freaky Friday about humanity at the end. Weird show, good show.
Lawfare's Ben Wittes joins the group on Beg to Differ to discuss Iran's attack on Israel, Congress's action on Ukraine, Trump's NY trial, and the Supreme Court.
highlights / lowlights
Mona: The Great Hypocrisy of the Pro-Life Movement (David French, NYT)Bill: Efforts to reform the insurrection act.Linda: Restoring Civics in Higher Education (Wilfred McClay, AEI)Ben: Mona is given an award, but Chatham House Rules.Damon:The Retconning of January 6 by people who knew better
To add Beg to Differ to your podcast player of choice, click here.
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Mike Johnson shows hints of Reaganism with his new push for a foreign aid bill that includes support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Republicans in Arizona self-own on abortion, the GOP in DC flails on a staged impeachment, and Biden makes a populist move on tariffs. Ali Vitali and Will Saletan join Tim Miller.
show notes:VOTE HERE for Will Saletan's 'Corruption of Lindsey Graham' podcastSen. Chris Murphy's Bulwark pieceAli's book, "Electable"
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Speaker Mike Johnson is battling Marjorie Taylor Greene's attempt to oust him while also crafting legislation to give foreign allies aid, a tall task given how continually chaotic his slim majority has been.
Plus, jurors are selected for Donald Trump's trial, while JVL and A.B., subbing in for Sarah, give their thoughts on Tim's interview with Ross Douthat.
Get tickets to see Sarah, Tim & JVL in person at TWO upcoming Bulwark Live events— Philadelphia (May 1) and D.C. (May 15) with the George Conway here: TheBulwark.com/events
Bulwark+ members can watch Sarah, Tim and JVL record this ad-free video edition here.
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For 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the United States lived in a delusion that Russia and China could not touch us. And while Americans are not all that interested in the rest of the world, the rest of the world is interested in us. Plus, Biden and Bibi don't like each other. David Sanger joins Tim Miller.
show notes:Sanger's just published book, "New Cold Wars."
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Trump wins voters who don't read The New York Times or listen to The Bulwark Podcast, and elite opposition may not be enough to defeat him. Ross Douthat joins Tim Miller for a spirited debate about what the conservative movement gave away in sacrifice to Trump on world leadership, abortion, and democracy.
show notes:Douthat's recent piece on the pro-life movement
**Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a Bulwark Live event in Philly on May 1, and May 15 in D.C. with the George Conway. For information and tickets head to TheBulwark.com/events
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Very special episode this week, as Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 film, Arrival, live from the Alamo Drafthouse in Washington, D.C. This was a very fun episode to tape and I hope everyone who showed up had a good time; we certainly had a great time meeting everyone. No bonus episode this week, as Alyssa is out of the country; we’ll be back next Tuesday with our episode on Civil War. If you enjoyed this, please share it with a friend!
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While Biden spent the weekend helping fend off Iran's missile and drone attack, supposedly pro-Israel Trump embraced the anti-Israel chant, "Genocide Joe," at his rally. Meanwhile, the trial involving the first time Trump allegedly broke the law to win an election gets underway. Bill Kristol and Ben Wittes join Tim Miller.
**Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a Bulwark Live event in Philly on May 1, and May 15 in D.C. with the George Conway. For information and tickets head to TheBulwark.com/events
show notes:Eliot Cohen's piece in The Atlantic
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Patterico joins the Beg to Differ panel to analyze Bragg's case against Trump. The panel also looks at the Arizona Supreme Court decision, and the GOP's clownish attempt to find something on which to impeach Biden.
highlights and lowlightsDamon: Anxious Parents Are the Ones Who Need Help (NYT)Patrick: Famed photographer quits Ford board over Liz Cheney snub (Politico)Linda: A Region Reordered by Autocracy and Democracy (Freedom House)Mona: Cass review: Health secretary criticises gender care 'culture of secrecy' (BBC)Bill: High interest rates, rising inflation: The economy still isn’t normal (WaPo)
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Eric welcomes friend of Shield of the Republic Hal Brands back to the show. Hal is the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He is the editor of a new book, War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy and the Return of A Fractured World (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2024), a weekly columnist at Bloomberg.com and also has a recent article on the Foreign Affairs website. They discuss the origins of the new book and 6 overarching themes that emerged from the essays by the distinguished contributors to the volume. They also discuss why America's unique system of alliances may obscure for Americans the potential for disruption that tightening relations among authoritarian regimes presents to the global order and the rise and future of isolationism in the Republican party.
https://muse.jhu.edu/book/122782/pdf
https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/oa_edited_volume/chapter/3881912/pdf
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/new-autocratic-alliances
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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On this week’s show I talked to Rod Blackhurst, the director of the new film Blood for Dust, about … well, a whole bunch of stuff. From his early shorts on the comedy website Funny or Die starring Dave Franco and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, to a documentary about Amanda Knox, to the horror short “Night Swim” (which recently received the feature-length treatment), to his new picture with the great Scoot McNairy and an all-star supporting cast that includes Ethan Suplee, Stephen Dorff, Josh Lucas, and Kit Harrington, we cover his whole career.
Blood for Dust hits VOD and has a limited theatrical engagement six days from now, and if you’re in the mood for a western neo-noir that deals with people who feel real (and have real-feeling problems), you’re not going to want to miss it.
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Some voters in recent Democratic primaries have been upset with Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Whether and how he can bring them back onside in November is an open question.
Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor joins Sarah to break down a small but critical part of the Democratic coalition, why they're upset, and what it could mean in November.
Leave a comment about this show, here.
Watch Tommy and Sarah record this episode ad-free, here. Add this show to your player of choice here.
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Pound for pound, the media treats Trump better than any Democrat. Plus, talking about abortion in a way that wins the most votes, NPR and identity politics, Biden gets too little credit for bipartisan deals, and the first big sign of softening support for Israel on the populist right. Jon Chait joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:VOTE HERE for Will Saletan's 'Corruption of Lindsey Graham' podcast
O.J. verdict live on Oprah
The guy behind the 1864 Arizona abortion law
Tim’s Playlist
Goose x Vampire Weekend
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Sarah and JVL talk about what Trump did to—or maybe revealed about?—the Republican party and the institutional version of the pro-life movement.
Plus: Was O.J. a proto-Trump figure?
The Trump legal news just keeps coming. Judge Cannon denied Trump’s motion to dismiss, but Jack Smith is still in a bind. The election interference criminal trial against Trump kicks off on Monday in New York. Don't worry -- George Conway will explain it all to Sarah Longwell (and you!).
Watch George and Sarah record this episode in this ad-free edition of the show, here.
Get the George’s “Vote for Joe, Not the Psycho” hat here.Click for tickets to May 15 live taping in D.C.
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JVL is joined by Joe Perticone, Mona Charen, and Will Saletan to look ahead at where the 2024 election will take us. They break down key events from this week, such as the Arizona state supreme court ruling on abortion, the death of O.J. Simpson, Watches & Wonders, and the latest attempts to get aid to Ukraine. Recorded April 11, 2024.
Steve Bannon fueled the rise of MAGA by offering true believers a sense of community and purpose. A new book tells the story of ordinary Americans swept up in the movement. Plus, hanging out at the DC jail with the Jan 6 choir, and the House drama over Ukraine and FISA. Isaac Arnsdorf and Joe Perticone join Tim Miller.
show notes:Isaac's book, "Finish What We Started"
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The OG trio are back to discuss the Arizona's state supreme court upholding a near total ban on abortion in the state from an 1864 law! What does this mean for Kari Lake and Donald Trump's campaigns in the crucial swing state?
Get tickets to see Sarah, Tim & JVL in person at TWO upcoming Bulwark Live events— Philadelphia (May 1) and D.C. (May 15) here: TheBulwark.com/events
Bulwark+ members can watch Sarah, Tim and JVL record this ad-free video edition here.
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Kari Lake can deliver a good performance, but she's not really a true believer, as her flip on the Arizona abortion law shows. Plus, the normal part of life near the border, the specter of violence at MAGA rallies, and the grueling but necessary function of covering Trump for the long haul. Olivia Nuzzi joins Tim Miller on The Bulwark Podcast.
Leave a comment.
show notes:Olivia's new piece on the AZ Senate race and the borderMatt Labash profile of Roger StoneTrailer for "A Face in the Crowd"*Graphic: Palin's pre-Thanksgiving interview with turkeys
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Will Saletan joins Mona today to offer some thoughts on the eclipse. Also abortion rights and wrongs and why a 7 footer gets his way.
Eric welcomes Will Selber, Military Affairs Fellow with the Bulwark and a 20 year veteran of U.S. military intelligence with multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to his writing at the Bulwark, you can read Will's substack - Grumpy Combat Veteran - and listen to the podcast he co-hosts, Shoulder to Shoulder. They discuss the recent IS-KP attack on the Crocus City Theater in Moscow, the terrorist threat from both IS-KP and al Qaeda operating from Afghanistan, the difficulties of establishing an over-the-horizon counter-terrorist capability for CENTCOM, the Trump and Biden decisions to withdraw from Afghanistan, the failure to hold the Taliban to the terms of the Doha agreement, the repetition of US failures in Vietnam in training the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), a post-mortem on the shambolic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the reputational damage to the U.S. for abandoning its Afghan allies, the importance of military introspection and accountability for some of the failures in Afghanistan, and the ongoing impact of the Afghanistan debacle on military recruiting for the all volunteer force (AVF).
Show Links:
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https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/al-qaeda-in-afghanistan-how-serious-threat
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https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/president-biden-should-talk-about-afghanistan
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https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/deeper-reason-for-military-recruitment-woes
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Two powerful Republican congressmen say some of their colleagues are advancing Russian propaganda, but they're still letting Moscow Marjorie run the show. Plus, Biden needs to hammer the GOP on Ukraine, Trump's weird smell, and how the Bush 43 contingent in Texas can help KO Ted Cruz. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notes:
Tim's article on Red Dog DemocratsTrump ad, with his head blocking out the sun
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Before we get started: a handful of tickets are left for Across the Movie Aisle live tonight. If you’ve never seen (or, almost as importantly, heard) Arrival on the big screen, you’re not going to want to miss tonight’s screening on the Dolby Atmos Big Show screen at the Bryant Street Drafthouse in DC. It’s going to be a fun show, I can’t wait to see everyone there.
On today’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s non-endorsement of Biden. Or Trump. Or anyone. What does it mean that wrestling’s biggest weather vane is sitting this one out? Then they review Monkey Man, Dev Patel’s directorial debut. Is the action-revenge movie “Indian John Wick,” or something different? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday about Tokyo Vice and Curb Your Enthusiasm. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Trump's billionaire donors had it so bad under Obama, Clinton, and RINO presidents that they just have to go with the authoritarian. Plus, the return of s**thole countries, women's hoops and culture war killjoys, a follow-up on white rural rage, and Trump's latest abortion position. Bill Kristol joins Tim for The Bulwark Podcast.
show notes:White Rural …
I’m very excited to be rejoined by the Entertainment Strategy Guy (subscribe to his newsletter!) to discuss the year in streaming. What were the biggest hits in TV and film? What were the biggest misses? Could linear-like ad-supported streaming services be the future for big services like Netflix and Disney+? Is there a double standard for the tech-based streamers and the studio-owned streamers? All that and more on this week’s episode. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend!
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is shaking up the presidential race . . . and no one knows what his impact is going to be. So we talked to former Trump voters and former Biden voters who are giving Kennedy a look. Astead Herndon, host of the New York Times politics podcast The Run-Up joins Sarah to discuss his recent interview with Kennedy and how the voters are thinking about him.
Watch or listen and leave a comment, here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
On today's Secret Podcast, Tim and Sarah discuss new economic data, No Labels foregoing a third party ticket, and women’s basketball!
Listen and leave a comment.
Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a live taping of their show The Next Level on May 1 in Philadelphia or May 15 in Washington, DC where they will be joined by George Conway.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
In this week's episode of George Conway Explains It All, George and Sarah talk about both New York cases and the Florida case against Donald Trump.
Click here for tickets for the May 15 event with George and Sarah.
Get the George’s “Vote for Joe, Not the Psycho” hat here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Nikki Haley pulled a decent chunk of the Wisconsin primary vote, despite being out of the race for weeks, while the Governor of Nebraska is taking the lead of Charlie Kirk when it comes to changing their electoral college system. Plus, while JVL is out on Spring Break, Andrew Egger joins Tim and Sarah to discuss their absent colleague's piece about Donald Trump running for a third term!
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Mona and A.B. dissect a WSJ piece trivializing the Trump threat; consider the RFK, Jr. appeal, and contemplate the "Start the steal" efforts of MAGA forces.
show notes
Why Democrats Can’t Quit Trump by Barton Swaim in WSJ
‘Start the Steal’: Trump Once Again Planning to Overturn an Election by A.B.
Before we get started: you’re running out of time to pick up tickets to the live show at the Bryant Street Alamo Drafthouse in DC. Tuesday, April 9. We’re talking Arrival. It’s gonna be great! Tickets are just seven bucks, you really have no excuse not to be there.
Yes, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is dumb. But is it fun dumb or dumb dumb? That’s the question Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) endeavor to answer this week. Before that, they talk about the Entertainment Strategy Guy’s suggestion that we’re all being a little too hard on the traditional studios and their forays into streaming and a little too easy on the tech giants and their forays into streaming. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for the bonus episode, in which we suggest some silly franchise crossovers. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I was thrilled to chat with star David Krumholtz and writer-director Bob Byington about their new movie, Lousy Carter. It’s a wide-ranging conversation, touching on topics from shooting during the age of Covid to where Krumholtz was when he got the call to audition for Oppenheimer, and I hope you find it as fun to listen to as it was for me to conduct. If you enjoyed it, I hope you share it with a friend.
A little extra this week: I hope you check out both Lousy Carter and Byington’s body of work. Everyone says they’re tired of the same old mush at the multiplex; well, here’s a chance to dive into a body of work you may not be familiar with. Some highlights:
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Byington and Krumholtz previously worked together on Frances Ferguson, which you can watch for free on Amazon Prime; it is charmingly dry and occasionally cutting without coming across as meanspirited. Star Kaley Wheless gives a realistic and somewhat complicated performance as the substitute teacher convicted of sleeping with an (of-legal-age) student, while Krumholtz’s turn at the end as a group therapist is both humorous and humane.
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Somebody Up There Likes Me (available for free on Peacock and for rental elsewhere) is an amusing look at a slacker floating through life starring Nick Offerman and Keith Poulson, and the framing device—we skip ahead five years each sequence, giving us 35 years in the life of Poulson’s character—is weirdly affecting. The passage of time comes for us all, or some such.
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Infinity Baby (streaming on Kanopy and Amazon) is probably the oddest of these four films: set in the not-too-distant future, Kieran Culkin’s Ben works for a pharmaceutical company that accidentally made babies that never grow older. He’s interesting as a free-floating cad—and Culkin is an absolutely magnetic screen presence—but I think the best performance belongs to Martin Starr (Silicon Valley, Party Down). He’s playing slightly against type here: rather than a sure-of-himself-know-it-all, he’s a little more fidgety, a little unsteady. And that unsteadiness pays off in the film’s closing moments, as we see the results of an unexpected responsibility.
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The House recently passed a bill that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the U.S. It made for strange bedfellows (Lauren Boebert voted for it, and President Biden would sign it). It takes a lot to get them to agree…but the voters we talked to didn’t get the memo. Bulwark White House correspondent Andrew Egger joins Sarah to break down a weird and importan…
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Mona Charen is in for Sarah this week and she and JVL talk about why crazy is consolidating under the banner of MAGA, the politicization of the Baltimore bridge collapse, and why Ronna McDaniel is a symptom of everything that’s wrong with cable news.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
The RNC, now under Lara Trump, is asking candidates if they believe the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, creating a new litmus test for Republicans who want to work in politics. Plus, Republicans politicize the tragic Baltimore bridge collapse, Candace Owens is out at the Daily Wire, and Donald Trump grifts off selling bibles! Will Saletan subs in for Sarah on this week's episode!
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Will and Mona think the Baltimore bridge collapse is an opportunity for Biden, and why Ronna McDaniel's hire is such a poor decision by NBC.
Before we get started: make sure to pick up your tickets for Arrival at the DC Bryant Street Drafthouse on Tuesday, April 9. We’re doing a live taping after the movie, so it’s a great chance to come and say hi. Tickets are only $7! For a screening on the Alamo’s Big Show! It’s going to be fun, can’t wait to see you there.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the use of an AI-generated image in the indie horror flick Late Night with the Devil. Then they review Road House, the remake of the 1989 basic cable classic now streaming on Amazon Prime. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ this Friday for our bonus episode on Patrick Swayze and the evolution of the male action star. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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George and Sarah take on the upcoming New York trial, including the $175 million bond that Trump posted. George offers a few (highly critical) insights into Judge Cannon's handling of the case in Florida.
This ad-free version of the show is available exclusively to members of Bulwark+. Thanks for your support!
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On this week’s episode I’m thrilled to be rejoined by Brandon Struessnig and Bilge Ebiri, who spearhead Vulture’s annual Stunt Awards. We talked about the year’s big winner, John Wick Chapter 4, how folks kind of have to decide for themselves how much CGI is too much CGI when determining what counts as practical and what counts as digital, and compiling the 100 most influential fight scenes of all time. Some important links for you:
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The winners of the 2024 stunt awards;
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Brandon’s tribute to Henry Kingi;
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The 100 most influential fights in action cinema;
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And a preview of The Fall Guy.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah's trying to convince former Trump voters to abandon him in November, through a campaign called Republican Voters Against Trump. It's a tall order, but luckily she's done it before. The Bulwark's own Tim Miller, who was the political director of Republican Voters Against Trump in 2020, joins Sarah to discuss the theory behind RVAT and how anti-Trump forces can capitalize on recent good news for Biden.
Show Notes:
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Republican Voters Against Trump
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October 2023 Focus Group Podcast with Amy Walter
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New York Times: Anti-Trump Group of Republicans Lays Out $50 Million Plan of Attack
Watch, listen and leave a comment here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
It finally happened: Sarah broke JVL. They talk about the new polls in Pennsylvania and Michigan, a focus group with young progressives who love TikTok, Chris Christie’s No Labels flirtation, Judge Aileen Cannon—and it finally all becomes too much.
Leave a comment for JVL and Sarah here.
Eliot grills Eric on three recent articles identifying some big problems in U.S. foreign policy. What will happen once Iran is nuclear armed? Will the Ayatollahs undergo "nuclear learning" as some political scientists suggest or will they become more emboldened (not to seek a suicidal nuclear armageddon but to unleash their proxies -- Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, the Houthis, etc)? Should the U.S. be ready to launch a pre-emptive or prevent strike? Should it accelerate covert efforts at regime change? What about NATO decision-making? Now that the alliance is made up of 32 rather than 12 members should the decision-making move away from the consensus rules that have governed it since 1949? What should be done to avoid Hungary, Turkey or Slovakia from blocking consensus and acting as a Trojan horse inside the alliance? How tough should the U.S. be willing to be with putative allies, particularly in a wartime scenario? Finally, has the Trumpist turn to "America First" isolationism in the GOP rendered it unfit as a political instrument for conservatives who remain committed to internationalism and the US role in upholding the global order? Is it time for a new conservative internationalist political party?https://thedispatch.com/article/when-iran-goes-nuclear/ https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/iran-protesters-want-regime-changehttps://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/natos-decision-process-has-an-achilles-heel/https://sapirjournal.org/friends-and-foes/2024/03/republican-isolationists/Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Trump-endorsed businessman, Bernie Moreno, easily won the GOP senate primary in Ohio on Tuesday, and will face off against Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. Dems are thrilled, because they think the MAGA candidate and his scandals give them their best shot at keeping the seat. And how many votes is Nikki Haley getting after dropping out? What does it mean for the general election?Plus, the debate over Donald Trump's "bloodbath" comments continues to rage, and not all our hosts agree the coverage has been fair. At the same time, Trump has threatened to prosecute Cassidy Hutchinson and the Jan. 6 committee as part of his latest authoritarian promises.
Watch, listen and comment here.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
JVL and Mona discuss the second best thing Mike Pence did by declining to endorse Trump. Also reflections on the country's strengths, the importance of intact families, and gutless Republicans.
Tickets to our screening of Arrival and live-taping of an episode of the show are going fast! It’s Tuesday, April 9, at 7PM in Washington, D.C., at the Alamo Drafthouse’s Bryant Street location on their Big Show screen. Tickets are just seven bucks! Pick them up now before they’re gone for good.
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This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the viewing habits of Kids These Days™ and whether or not the rise of streaming and the decline of cable/video stores have changed what gets watched and why. Then they review Spaceman, Adam Sandler’s space travel/spider therapy movie. (Trust us, it makes sense in context.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on sad sci-fi movies, a weirdly prolific genre. And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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On this bonus edition: JVL and A.B. break down Donald Trump's inability to post his bond, Paul Manafort advising him, and former Vice President Mike Pence refusing to endorse him.
Watch, listen or leave a comment, here.
This week I’m honored to be joined by Dallas Film Commissioner Tony Armer to discuss what, precisely, a film commissioner does. On this episode he discusses his own path to getting involved in the film industry, breaks down different kinds of incentives cities and states use to woo productions, and talks about how Dallas has made itself more attractive to major productions looking for a place to shoot. We also talk a bit about Tony’s podcast; do yourself a favor and check out the episode featuring a post-screening Q&A with cinematographer Roger Deakins, who was in town a few months back for a showing of Blade Runner 2049. And if you enjoyed this podcast, please share it with a friend!
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George and Sarah Longwell discuss the potential for E. Jean Carroll to sue Donald Trump again, alongside various legal and political topics, including the Hunter Biden case and Trump's continual lies about Carroll.
Watch, listen and leave a comment about this edition of George Conway Explains It All (to Sarah Longwell), here.
This ad-free episode is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Thanks so much for your support!
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Sarah and JVL go deep on the news from three of the four Trump trials. They unpack the latest No Labels flavor of the week. They wonder if RFK hurts Trump. And they get into the TikToks and the yutes.
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Lara Trump's takeover of the RNC has led to massive lay offs and looks to be steering the political organization towards paying off Trump's legal bills. Essentially, get ready for the RNC to be just another limb of the Trump campaign.Plus, Robert Hur testifies before Congress, defending his controversial report where he made a low assessment of President Biden's mental faculties. And Rep. Nancy Mace is feuding with George Stephanopoulos after being questioned about supporting Trump, even though he was found liable of sexual abuse.
Watch the gang record this episode (below), listen or comment here. Ad-free editions of The Next Level featuring Sarah, Tim and JVL are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members each Wednesday here at TheBulwark.com.
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A.B. and Mona discuss the purge at the RNC, kicking a Biden effigy in Kansas, Lankford, and other cult doings. Also, Biden is old but feisty.
Before we get started, some fun news: Peter, Alyssa, and Sonny are going to be at the DC Bryant Street Drafthouse on Tuesday, April 9 for a screening of Arrival and a live show. Should be a fun time; make sure to get your tickets now, as we sold out the last one of these we did in Crystal City. (If you click above and see “no showtimes available,” make sure to click the “Tuesday 4/9” link.)
And now, on to the show! It’s the Oscars episode, so in cons and nons we talk Kimmel vs. Trump before discussing the ceremony and the winners. Was this the best show in ages? Did the right nominees win? How great was that “I’m Just Ken” Performance? How cool were those Godzilla shoes worn by FX artists on Godzilla Minus One? All that and more on this Tuesday’s episode. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our chat about best supporting actor winner Robert Downey Jr.’s career. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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This week I’m pleased to be joined by Abe Goldfarb, who is currently playing Otho for the touring company of Beetlejuice: The Musical and both starred in and co-directed First Time Caller (which I reviewed here). You may remember a few months back that Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert got kicked out of a showing of Beetlejuice: The Musical; well, Abe happened to be onstage when all that went down. After having a few laughs about that, we get into the world of indie filmmaking and his recently released project, First Time Caller. Turns out that one of the best ways to make money on a project like this is to make it and release it on an ad-supported streaming channel, yet more evidence that we’ve torn down the whole system just to reinvent cable. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out First Time Caller and Beetlejuice: The Musical, on tour now. And make sure to share this with a friend!
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After Biden’s SOTU performance, Sarah expected JVL to be insufferable and he did not disappoint. They talk about the speech, Katie Britt’s response, Katie Porter’s irresponsible concession, and some Beyoncé.
Real talk: This is a banger of a show.
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George Conway joins Sarah Longwell for a rundown of Donald Trump's various and sundry court cases.
Watch, listen and leave a comment, here. This ad-free edition is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. Thanks for your support!
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Will Saletan and Mona Charen are pretty spooked by weekend polls but try valiantly to find ponies. Also, what to make of the Supreme Court?
Listen and leave a comment, here.
On this week’s episode Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Ian Bogost’s essay at The Atlantic suggesting the 4K revolution is a bit of a scam. Then they review Dune: Part Two, the second half of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic novel. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Vulture’s ranking of the 100 greatest action sequences. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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A couple years back I had Ian and Eshom Nelms on the show to talk about their new Christmas classic, Fatman. We had a great talk, so I was thrilled when their people reached out to see if I’d like to discuss their new flick, a sort of southern revenge thriller/neo-noir by the name of Red Right Hand. We discussed getting Orlando Bloom and Andie MacDowell to play somewhat against type, how drone usage helps expand the scale and scope without blowing up the budget on a picture like this, and the unpredictable vibe of Jonathan Easley’s script that attracted them to the project in the first place. You can watch Red Right Hand on Apple, Amazon, YouTube, and wherever else you might watch a video on demand. It’s worth the price of admission just to watch Andie MacDowell play a vicious southern queenpin; trust me, you’ve never seen her quite like this before. If you enjoyed our chat, I hope you’ll check it out. And please share this episode with a friend!
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In this bonus clip, Sarah Longwell and George Conway talk about how recent Supreme Court actions, like the Dobbs decision and not disqualifying Donald Trump, might affect its reputation with Americans. Conway shares insights on the court's history and its current challenges, including accusations of bias and its role in democracy. They discuss the impor…
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Sarah and JVL start out talking about the contrast between Trump’s nonsensical racism and Biden’s dealmaking. Then they move on to gaming out what the next Republican leader in the Senate will have to say about Ukraine and the Supreme Court. Then there’s some Coen Brothers talk. Then they get into George Conway’s view of the January 6 case timeline.
It’s…
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George Conway explains to Sarah Longwell why he thinks everyone is wrong, and the Supreme Court's decision to take up Trump's immunity appeal could be bad news for Trump's reelection bid. George also gives a lesson on immunity and the 14th Amendment.
Watch, listen and leave a comment, here. This ad-free edition is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Thanks for your support!
Eric and Eliot inaugurate the first video episode of Shield of the Republic by welcoming former Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) to discuss her New York Times best-selling book Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning (New York: Little, Brown, 2023). They discuss her assessment of the impact on public discourse and public perceptions of the hearings and final report of the Congressional committee to investigate the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol. They discuss the domestic and international consequences of a potential second Donald Trump Presidency, particularly its impact on the ability of the US to exercise international leadership in a world beset by aggressive, authoritarian regimes in Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. They talk about the intellectual corruption on display at CPAC where would-be dictators were welcomed and the prospective end of democracy in America was cheered by the participants. Finally they consider the future of conservative internationalism and the Republican Party and whether or not the GOP is salvageable or whether a new conservative party needs to arise.
Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning
https://a.co/d/aTTN4iF
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Mona and JVL discuss the impact of Arab American voters in Michigan possibly voting uncommitted; how Biden should handle the age thing and the border; and a weird MAGA on MAGA hit.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Ted Gioia’s breakdown of how the culture has moved from art to entertainment, into a world of distraction, and is now veering toward addiction. (Or, how we moved from Kubrick and Coppola to TikTok and IG Stories in several easy steps.) Then they reviewed Drive-Away Dolls, the new lesbian neo-noir from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke. Is it an instant cult classic or something less impressive? Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on the Criterion Channel’s Razzies program. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode, we have the original Bulwark Goes to Hollywood guest, Richard Rushfield of The Ankler, returning to discuss his fabulous Hollywood Field Guide. How do you assuage actors, reassure writers, and make your way through the rest of Hollywood? Richard will guide you. Plus, we discuss the state of the box office, how Oscar season is shaping up, and more! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL were together LIVE and in person! Giddy with the rush of human interaction, they talked about Chris Sununu’s latest prediction about the future of the Republican party, Nikki Haley’s claim that Biden is more dangerous than Trump, Alabama’s war on IVF, and Lara Trump’s loyalty oath.
Not going to lie: Possibly the best Secret pod, ever.
Eric and Eliot bemoan the death/murder of Alexei Navalny, Tucker Carlson's performative buffoonery in Moscow, and the irresponsibility of the Republican House of Representatives. They also welcome Phillips O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at St. Andrews University and author of How the War Was Won, The Second Most Powerful Man in the World, and the forthcoming book The Strategists. They discuss the reasons for overestimation of Russia at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the prospects for Ukraine with and without US aid, what a Ukrainian victory would look like, the situation in Avdiivka, whether Russia is getting stronger or weaker and what a Russian defeat would entail. They also discuss the prospects for the transatlantic alliance if Trump is re-elected, the recent change of command in Ukraine and Phil reflects on what historians bring to the discussion of war today.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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A.B. Stoddard joins Mona Charen to discuss Yulia Navalnaya's amazing courage, Mike Johnson's trap, and how Biden can beat the senility rap.
Leave a comment here.
On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) debated the emergence of AI video and whether it would be a net positive or a net negative for society. Then they reviewed True Detective: Night Country, which just wrapped its season up this weekend. Is it a worthy successor to season one, or something lesser? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Madame Web. (I know, I know: comic book movies, ugh. But you’re really going to enjoy this episode, I think.) And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week Julian Schlossberg returns to tell more tales of life in the arts. From reading his life story as the narrator of the new audiobook version of his memoir, Try Not to Hold It Against Me, to his work with the great Elaine May, to keeping the classic 1970s picture Mikey and Nicky in circulation, we had tons to discuss. Make sure to check out his new podcast, “Julian Schlossberg’s Movie Talk,” the first episode of which is an interview with the great F. Murray Abraham. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about the murder of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, Tucker Carlson’s propaganda tour of Moscow, and the House Republicans who split town instead of passing aid t…
Counter to type Eric welcomes Eliot back from his travels with a discussion of the positive things going on in the world. They discuss the strong response of the European allies to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, including the German Zeitenwende and the increase in German defense spending, they discuss the Franco-American relationship and the fact that France has emerged over the past twenty years as a much stronger and capable ally, the discuss the Ukrainian naval performance in the Black Sea and the return of grain exports to almost pre-war levels, they talk about Tucker Carlson beclowning himself in his interview with Putin and that latter's unconcealed contempt for his interviewer, they talk about the PRC's muted reaction to President Lai's election in Taiwan and the seeming slight and perhaps transitory improvement in US-China relations, as well as the good work of the Biden Administration in strengthening the links among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific. They discuss the indictment of Jair Bolsonaro and the success of Ecuador's President in fighting drug cartels and gangs. Eric also apologizes to Foreign Affairs editor Daniel Kurtz-Phelan for misattributing an article to his journal that actually appeared on the Council of Foreign Relations website.
https://www.ft.com/content/51cf54ed-55df-4369-bdef-6f98be17d26c
sonofadiplomat.substack.com
https://www.sgdsn.gouv.fr/files/files/20240212_NP_SGDSN_VIGINUM_PORTAL-KOMBAT-NETWORK_ENG_VF.pdf
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Will Saletan joins Mona Charen to discuss Trump's "sir" story about letting Russia invade a NATO country; the Ukraine aid package; and Lindsey Graham's final capitulation on this episode of Just Between Us.
If you haven’t yet discovered Will’s project, The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, you can read and listen to it here.
To add this Bulwark+ podcast to your player of choice, click here.
Just Between Us is a podcast exclusively for members of Bulwark+ featuring Mona Charen and her Bulwark colleagues unburdening themselves each Tuesday evening. To listen to this episode become a Bulwark+ member today.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked Super Bowl trailers (which you can watch here). Then they turned to The Zone of Interest, the last of the best picture nominees they have to review. (If you want to hear their take on every best picture nominee, here’s the lineup in the order we reviewed them, from most recently to least recently: Anatomy of a Fall, The Holdovers, American Fiction, Maestro, Poor Things, Killers of the Flower Moon, Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Past Lives.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our discussion of the state of film criticism. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association, to discuss how the trade group wages the global war on intellectual property infringement. A couple of months back we had the MPA’s Terri Davies on the show to talk about the Trusted Partners Network and how the film industry could help cut down on piracy before a film is released. But what do you do when it’s out in the world and starts showing up on BitTorrents? How do you shut down feeds showing live sporting events in real-time? This is the other side of the 360-degree protection against internet piracy the MPA is striving to implement. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Bill Kristol sits in for Sarah today and he and JVL talk about Biden’t press conference, whether or not Biden can (or should) step aside, and the distortions which an authoritarian presence creates throughout the political system.
Not going to lie: This is not a sunny episode.
Eric welcomes former Supreme Allied Commander (SACEUR) of NATO General Philip Breedlove. General Breedlove is one of the nation's preeminent military strategists having served as commander of US Air Forces in Europe as well as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He is currently a Distinguished Professor of Practice at the Sam Nunn School at Georgia Tech (General Breedlove's alma mater). They discuss the state of play in Ukraine, the successes and failures of Ukraine's counter-offensive (including successes in the air and naval domains), the prospects for renewed Russian offensive operations in the direction of Kupyansk, the longer term trajectory of the conflict absent the supplemental aid bill currently before the U.S. Congress, the role that different weapons systems can make on the battlefield, how the U.S. administration has assessed the escalation risks, the long term consequences of defeat and the prospect of a reconstituted Russian threat to NATO, as well as the travails of Israel fighting in Gaza.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia
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Charlie and Mona talk of Tucker in Moscow, JD Vance's flirtation with defying theSupreme Court, and reflecton a wonderful collaboration.
This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked whether Nikki Haley should be persona non grata from Saturday Night Live. Then they reviewed Argylle, which is a strange combination of distressingly empty and absurdly overstuffed. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode, in which we will offer up some suggestions of stuff to see since the multiplex is letting us all down. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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This week I’m thrilled to be joined by Peter Biskind to discuss his new book, Pandora’s Box: How Guts, Guile, and Greed Upended TV. From the rise of HBO to the streaming boom, how we watch TV—and what gets shown on TV—has radically changed over the last few decades. We discuss the role of technology, advertising, and changing audience tastes, and muse about the role TV’s antiheroes played in paving the way for Donald Trump. If you’re a fan of Biskind’s previous books, Easy Riders, Raging Bullsand Down and Dirty Pictures, you’ll love Pandora’s Box. (If you haven’t read Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy today.) And if you enjoyed this podcast, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah talks to high-information two-time Trump voters. JVL explains why he’s 💎🙌 Biden. They try to figure out a coping strategy for polling. And they delve into the secret world of monster truck DEI. It’s a big show!
JVL is joined by Bulwark alum Amanda Carpenter, alongside her Protect Democracy colleague Ian Bassin, to discuss just how real the threat Donald Trump poses to American democracy. To watch this edition or leave a comment, go to https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/democracy-on-the-ballot
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Eric and Eliot (joining from the Iberian Peninsula) discuss the Iranian strike on US soldiers located at Tower 22 in Jordan and the Administration's options for retaliation. They consider the argument's in Eliot's Atlantic piece suggesting that the US needs an entirely new strategy for Iran, the nature of the regime, and the difficulty American government officials have with ideological antagonists motivated by religious impulses. They discuss the current situation in Ukraine and the divisions between President Zelensky and Commander of the Armed Services General Zaluzhny as well as the Russo-centric assumptions of American politicians and policymakers. They discuss the potential for European states to fill the gap in material support to Ukraine created by the US political stalemate. They also consider the ICJ genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel and the scandal surrounding UNWRA workers participating in the Hamas October 7 assault and hostage taking in Israel. Finally they discuss the role of Antonio Salazar's corporatist, authoritarian (but not Fascist) dictatorship in Portugal.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/01/iran-problem/677282/
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/iran/2015-12-14/time-get-tough-tehran
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2020-04-13/next-iranian-revolution
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/iran-protesters-want-regime-change
https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Aftermath-Forging-Strategy-toward/dp/0817921540#customerReviews
https://www.amazon.com/Salazar-Dictator-Who-Refused-Die/dp/1787383881
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona consider Trump's face plant with E. Jean Carroll, the new Haley, the new politics of immigration, Israel's terrible leader, and UNRWA's disgrace.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked the most pressing question in the history of awards season: Was Barbie snubbed? Or was this, in fact, one of the best crops of nominees in decades? Then they reviewed one of the best picture nominees, Anatomy of a Fall. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the biggest move Netflix has made in years. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Very excited to have James Emanuel Shapiro, President of U.S. distribution at XYZ Films, back on the show with a recap of all the action at Sundance and a discussion about the state of the film festival scene writ large. Then we discuss some of his upcoming releases, including the new sci-fi flick Restore Point and XYZ’s exciting acquisition of Skyline: Warpath, starring action bigshots Scott Adkins and Iko Uwais.
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Mitch McConnell believes that Donald Trump is dangerous. He believes that aiding Ukraine and reforming immigration are deeply important. He believes that if Trump is president, neither of those things will happen. And he knows that he has no place in Trump’s Republican party.
And even with all of that McConnell is willing to sacrifice Ukraine and immigra…
Eric and Eliot are joined by General David Petraeus and historian Andrew Roberts to discuss their New York Times bestselling book Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine (N.Y.: Harper, 2023). They discuss how and why the two authors came together to write the book, the link between the causes of war and the manner in which wars are waged, the nature of regimes and the advantages that authoritarians have when fighting against liberal democracies, the challenge of maintaining liberal values in the midst of intense warfare, the influence of history on the waging of war and vice-versa, the way in which military commanders should provide their best military advice to Presidents, and the necessity and likelihood of fielding a generation of general/flag officers who are intellectually equipped to deal with the extraordinarily complex and dangerous international environment that the nation faces in the remind of this century.
Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine:
https://a.co/d/aNagP0I
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona predict the Trump triumphalism will come in the next 3 weeks, but then his stock will fall. Also, a lament for conservatism.
Sonny here: I’m sorry, I’m a complete idiot: I sent this out as a “newsletter” rather than a podcast episode. Here is the actual podcast. I’m going to link to this in the original newsletter and in the comments, but I’m not going to send this directly to people’s inboxes so as not to clutter it. My mistake.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the decline of Pitchfork, which was gutted by Conde Nast and moved under the GQ banner. What happened to the once-storied indie-rock website? Then they review The Holdovers, one of the nicest movies of the year. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday about the Oscar-nominated Paul Giamatti. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Tim, Sarah and JVL took San Francisco by storm on Thursday night for a live event! Take a listen and stay on the look out for any future live Bulwark events near you!
Eric and Eliot welcome David Stahel, Senior Lecturer at the University South Wales, Canberra and author of a multivolume history of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union and other works on World War II on the eastern front. They discuss the historiography of World War II on the eastern front, the new primary sources he has tapped for his historical work, the sheer scale of the combat operations and the virtues of writing operational military history (as opposed to concentrating at the grand strategic level), the tensions inside the German high command between Hitler and the Army command as well as the rivalries among the army commanders on the eastern front. They cover the issue of how professional vs. how ideologically committed to Nazism the military commanders were, how the war turned from a war of maneuver to a war of attrition that doomed Nazi Germany to military failure and the echoes of history that can be found in the war that Russia is waging in Ukraine today.
Operation Barbarossa and Germany's Defeat in the East:
https://a.co/d/egI7OKv
Kiev 1941: Hitler's Battle for Supremacy in the East:
https://a.co/d/5xRmorZ
Hitler's Panzer Generals: Guderian, Hoepner, Reinhardt and Schmidt Unguarded:
https://a.co/d/8d3Xw2F
The Battle for Moscow:
https://a.co/d/h9Idyjf
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com
Charlie and Mona consider the reassuring news from Iowa, Trump's courtroom strategy, and Fani Willis's possible ethical failure.
Update: Apologies, got sent the wrong file this morning, which necessitated me, Sonny, doing an emergency edit to get this to you ASAP. So when you listen to this and you hear how much worse it sounds, know that’s the difference between getting a professional Jonathan Siri edit and a quick-and-dirty Sonny Bunch edit. Sorry for the mixup!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the NFL’s decision to give the Peacock streaming service exclusive rights to a single playoff game for the low-low price of more than $100 million. Then they review The Beekeeper, the delightful new Jason Statham action film from director David Ayer. Is it a cathartic action-revenge romp, or something less than that? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on the joys of Jason Statham. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week, I’m re-joined by David Coggeshall to talk The Family Plan, AppleTV+’s high-concept action-comedy about a dad, Mark Wahlberg, who has to take his family on the run when his past life as a hitman rears its ugly head. Released over the Christmas holiday season—as David notes in today’s episode, the perfect time to capture families looking for something everyone age 10 to 100 can enjoy—the film “debuted as the most watched movie ever,” according to Deadline’s sources at Apple. But the film was far from a sure thing. Find out why David’s agents dropped him when they got the script, why the film’s breakout character almost got cut from the picture altogether, and why Ciarán Hinds is one of the best in the business.
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Sarah and JVL share a bunch of behind-the-scenes drama with the No Labels crew. Sarah disavows JVL and learns about Spago. JVL makes the case for public shaming. And they talk about Chris Christie’s honor and Nikki Haley’s chances. It’s a super, mega-sized Secret show!
Eric and Eliot welcome Yaroslav Trofimov, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent of the Wall Street Journal and author of the new book Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence (N.Y.: Penguin Press, 2024) released on January 9, 2024. They discuss Putin's rationale for the war, his long-standing views (shared by many Russians that are dismissive and disdainful of Ukrainian national identity), why some Russians (like Igor Girkin and Yevgeniy Prigozhin who had some actual knowledge of Ukraine) had more realistic views of Ukraine's ability to inflict damage on the Russian army, the potential of a negotiated settlement in the spring of 2022 and why negotiations failed, the tensions between President Zelenskiy and Commander of the Armed Forces General Zaluzhny, the fate of the Ukrainian counter-offensive and the role of the high command in making decisions like the defense of Bakhmut, the views of the Ukrainian military about U.S. military advice and training, the Biden Administration's self-limiting fears of potential nuclear escalation by Putin and the consequences of the hesitant provision of advanced military equipment to the Ukrainians as well as the likely consequences and dangers of failing to pass the Supplemental Aid legislation currently before Congress and resuming the flow of military aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Enemies-Will-Vanish-Independence/dp/0593655184
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona agree - from different directions - about controlling the discussion in the next 11 months.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (the Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about the TikTok-ification of The Sopranos. Clever marketing, or grotesque desecration? Then they reviewed American Fiction, which is going wide this week after a relatively limited run. Does it effectively skewer its targets in the publishing-industrial complex? Or is it simply a satisfying comedy? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on directorial debuts. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week, I’m joined by Brandon Katz to talk about Parrot Analytics’s new report on the state of streaming and why the “winner take all” theory of the so-called streaming wars was always a little bit silly. We discuss what attracts viewers to the streaming services, what keeps them there once they sign up, and how Parrot Analytics measures “demand” for a show. If you love charts and data visualization, you’ll love Parrot’s new report; I highly recommend checking it out if that’s your cup of tea. And if you enjoyed this episode, I hope you’ll share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about a Republican caught on a hot mic, the Schmoo, and objective truth.
Eric welcomes Eliot back from his long travels who reports back on his trip with a bipartisan delegation of national security experts to Israel and recounts the ongoing trauma that both the Israeli public and national security elite are experiencing over the attacks on October 7 and the ongoing saga of the hostages. He describes the comprehensive nature of the failures (intelligence, political, operational and tactical) that Israel experienced that day and over the next several weeks as well as the resilience with which Israeli society and the IDF have reacted. They discuss the adjournment of politics in Israel while the war is underway, how long that will last and Bibi's political prospects in the long run (spoiler alert: Eliot thinks Bibi will go at some point). They discuss the rules of engagement, how Israel is fighting the war, the prospects for a ceasefire and hostage exchange, the dangers of escalation in the north with Hezbollah, and the links that Eliot believes exist between the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and the prospective conflict over Taiwan.
https://sonofadiplomat.substack.com/p/2024-a-year-of-global-consequence
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) discussed their ten (or so!) favorite movies of the year. You may have already seen Sonny’s list, but who knows how much things have changed in the weeks between its publication and the taping of this episode. One thing that’s definitely true: there’s more divergence this year than in years past. Many different movies get a shoutout and only a few share positions. If you want to win an argument against the friends you talk movies with, by sharing your favorite ATMA host’s list, just click below.
Our bonus episode this Friday is on Michael Mann’s Ferrari, so if you want to hear our thoughts on that one, make sure to sign up for Bulwark+. New Year means a new chance to subscribe, and we’re offering a free month for anyone who wants to get their election year off to a good start. Sign up now so you can listen to our review—and everything else the Bulwark does!—today.
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Charlie and Mona discuss whether Biden enthusiasm is necessary or merited, what will move indie voters, elections that didn't matter, and justice versus prudence.
Merry Christmas! Peter, Alyssa, and I hope everyone out there is having a happy holidays. As you try to figure out what to watch with the family in this down week, we took a look at Netflix’s awards season favorite, Maestro. Before that, we dove into Marvel’s Jonathan Majors mess and asked if they made the right call in dropping him following his criminal convictions. Swing back by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about what we’re looking forward to at the multiplex in 2024. Our annual best-of episode is coming next week, though it may be a day late owing to New Year’s travel schedules. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! We had a great 2023, hope you did the same.
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This week I’m joined by Sam Wasson to discuss his new book The Path to Paradise: A Francis Ford Coppola Story, which chronicles the making of Apocalypse Now and the rise and fall of Coppola’s revolutionary studio, American Zoetrope. From technological innovations to the madness of Coppola’s effort to capture America’s first “Rock and Roll War,” the book is a fascinating glimpse into a radically different idea of filmmaking than was pursued by the Hollywood studios.
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Sarah and JVL wrap up 2023 by talking about things people hate: Removing Trump from the ballot; pardoning Trump; and Chris Christie.
Eric visits the Miller Center and joins John Owen IV, the Amb. Henry J. and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor Professor of Politics, and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and the Miller Center for Public Affairs and Marc Selverstone, the Miller Center's director of presidential studies, co-chair of the Center’s Presidential Recordings Program, and professor of presidential studies. They discus John's new book The Ecology of Nations: American Democracy in a Fragile World Order (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2023) and Marc's book The Kennedy Withdrawal: Camelot and the American Commitment to Vietnam (Cambrdige, MA: Harvard University Press, 2022). They discuss tensions in JFK's commitment to Vietnam and the question of whether or not he would have withdrawn US forces from SE Asia had he lived, the role of botched withdrawals in Vietnam and Afghanistan on US standing in the world, America's diminished reputation for competence and the defense of global order, the relationship between American democracy and the state of democracy in the international order with the rise of populism globally and much else.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+kennedy+withdrawal&hvadid=676976545333&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9051515&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1675637251603091413&hvtargid=kwd-1935195859327&hydadcr=22165_13517535&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4mgav3wic7_e
https://www.amazon.com/Ecology-Nations-American-Democracy-Politics/dp/0300260733/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SZU0KJM5NX1F&keywords=the+ecology+of+nations&qid=1702755136&sprefix=the+ecology+of+nation%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about Netflix’s big data release. What plays? What doesn’t? What are they trying to signal to talent? Then they reviewed Poor Things, the latest confection from Yorgos Lanthimos. Does this feminist Frankenstein starring Emma Stone have something to teach us about the world? Or is it an amusing trifle? Make sure to swing by for Friday’s bonus episode on studios’ recurrent desire to hide that musicals are in fact musicals. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m thrilled to be joined by Whit Stillman, the director of, among other features, The Last Days of Disco, Barcelona, and Love and Friendship. He’s on the show today to discuss Metropolitan and the way it has been embraced as a classic Christmas movie, as well as the evolution of the indie film business over the last 40 years or so.
If you’re in Rochester or the surrounding environs, make sure to pop over to the Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum tonight for a special showing of Metropolitan with Mr. Stillman in attendance for a Q&A. If you enjoyed this chat, I strongly recommend picking up a copy of Fireflies Press’s book, Whit Stillman: Not So Long Ago, as they are nearly sold out and will not be reprinted.(Yes, you can order it directly from the European publisher; I did and it arrived unharmed.) And if you’ve never seen Metropolitan, you really should! It’s available via streaming on the Criterion Channel and Max (aka HBO Max), and it’s also on sale for 30% off now (either individually or as part of the collection of his first three films).
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Sarah and JVL talk about some reasons why things might turn out . . . okay? But then they quickly snap back to reality and start cataloguing all of the Strategically Silent Anti-Anti Trump DeSantis Stans who are preparing to hop back onto Big Orange.
While President Zelensky is meeting in the White House on Dec. 12, Eric welcomes former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor to Shield of the Republic. They discuss the state of play on the supplemental aid legislation, the causes for the Ukrainian Counter Offensive's "failure" this summer, the search for a new strategy, General Zaluzhny's ideas about the changing character of warfare, the stresses and strains of domestic Ukrainian politics, the prospects for negotiations, the consequences of failure to get the assistance money and Plan B if the effort on the Hill fails.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona discuss whether the GOP is acting in bad faith vis a vis Ukraine and the southern border, oppressed versus oppressors, and the unnaturalness of liberal democracy.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the Golden Globes and the odd fact that the same company owns not only the Globes but also the three biggest trade publications in Hollywood, meaning that studios will feel pressured to pay the press that covers them hefty For Your Consideration spots in exchange for awards consideration. Seems bad! Then they review what is, supposedly, Japanese animation giant Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Boy and the Heron, the number one movie at the box office last weekend. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on subtitles, dubbing, and one good thing AI might be able to do. And if you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode, Scott Mendelson returns to the show to discuss how 2023 shook out at the box office, why niche films and niche audiences became more important than ever to movie theaters, and whether or not studios are hiding that Wonka, The Color Purple, and next year’s Mean Girls remake are musicals because they’re worried about the impact on box office. Make sure to check out Scott’s new Substack, The Outside Scoop. I’ve long loved his breakdowns of the weekend box office and look forward to seeing what he’s putting together here on Substack. And if you enjoyed this podcast, I hope you share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about the final(?) Republican debate and this piece by Jonathan Martin about the failure of the anti-Trump forces inside the Republican party. Who is going to organize the former Trump officials who say they’re desperate to stop Trump?
Spoiler: It might be someone on this podcast.
Eric welcomes Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Vice President for Research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies to discuss the war in Gaza. Jonathan Schanzer was a terrorism finance analyst at the Treasury Department and holds a BA from Emory University, a Masters degree from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, a Doctorate from Kings College London and studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo. He is the author of Hamas vs. Fatah: The Struggle for Palestine, State of Failure: Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas and the Unmaking of the Palestinian State, and most recently Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel and Eleven Days of War. They discuss the broader regional context of the war including Iran, Turkey, Qatar and internal Palestinian conflicts. The different reaction of the Israeli Arab community to the war in 2021 and today's conflict, Jonathan's methodology for analyzing the war, the role of tunnels in Gaza and the difficulties Israel faces in both fighting an urban war and following the law of armed conflict, Hamas's responsibilities under the LOAC as well as the intelligence and policy failure that appears to have handicapped the Israeli response to the horrific attack on October 7, 2023.
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2021/11/10/gaza-conflict-2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Hamas-vs-Fatah-Struggle-Palestine/dp/0230609058/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5Z9D6BBJ0KWE&keywords=Jonathan+Schanzer&qid=1701730624&sprefix=jonathan+schanzer%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/State-Failure-Mahmoud-Unmaking-Palestinian/dp/1137278242/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1C24RRJCRPFTS&keywords=jonathan+schanzer&qid=1701730653&sprefix=%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-3
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona talk about the left policing itself, the happy surprise of John Fetterman, an unlikely but not impossible Haley trajectory, and alarm versus despair.
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Bob Iger’s decision to slam Disney’s “messaging” in recent movies. Does he really think the company is going broke because it went woke? Or is he simply trying to distract from the structural problems Disney has made for itself with its streaming service? Then the gang discusses May December, the new Todd Haynes movie starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman that just hit Netflix and is earning tons of Oscar buzz. Make sure to swing by this Friday for our bonus episode on the epic new John Woo movie, Silent Night, in theaters now. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Zach Schonfeld to discuss his new book, How Coppola Became Cage. Zach’s look at the early years of Nicolas Cage’s career is deeply researched, featuring interviews with directors like David Lynch (Wild at Heart), Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas), and Cage’s own brother, Christopher Coppola (Deadfall). We talked about Cage’s mythmaking, his anger at being accused of benefitting from nepotism, and his befuddlement at becoming a meme, among other topics. If you’re a fan of the Raising Arizona star or need a Christmas gift for the Vampire’s Kiss fan in your life, How Coppola Became Cage is a must-have. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about the Fox “debate” between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom and also Robert Kagan’s cri de coeur about the coming danger to democracy.
You can read the Kagan piece here.
Eric and Eliot welcome former Secretary of Defense and former CIA Director Robert M. Gates to discuss his article in the current (November-December) issue of Foreign Affairs, "The Dysfunctional Superpower: Can a Divided America Deter China and Russia." They touch on the unprecedented threats (Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, violent Islamist extremism) confronting the United States, the role of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin and their motives for undermining the U.S. led international order, their predisposition to miscalculation, the suitability of the current national security decision-making system for the current moment, the consolidation of the defense industrial base, the damage done to national defense by repeated Congressional failure to pass a budget and reliance on continuing resolutions and gimmicks like the Budget Control Act, and the necessity of national leadership to spell out for the American people the threats to our security and prosperity and the reasons why the costs of preserving the U.S. led order are worth the candle.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/robert-gates-america-china-russia-dysfunctional-superpower
https://www.amazon.com/Exercise-Power-American-Successes-Post-Cold/dp/B0862HDR6F/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZNQW9YTL1GCH&keywords=the+exercise+of+power&qid=1700510748&sprefix=The+Exercis%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Duty-Memoirs-Secretary-at-War/dp/030794963X/ref=monarch_sidesheet
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Leadership-Lessons-Change-Service/dp/0307949648/ref=monarch_sidesheet
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Charlie and Mona consider Haley's chances, Musk's rehabilitation attempt, and the cult.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the removal of Melissa Barrera from the forthcoming Scream sequel in the wake of comments deemed antisemitic by the film’s producers. Then they review Ridley Scott’s epic, comic take on Napoleon, aptly titled Napoleon. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on great directors who do not consistently make great films. And if you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend!
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This week, I’m rejoined by Scott Eyman, author of Charlie Chaplin Vs. America: When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided. We discussed the great silent star’s exile from America, how the press and the government conspired against Charlie Chaplin, the personal and professional perils of being prematurely anti-fascist, and why Buster Keaton seems to be more fashionable than The Tramp these days. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out Scott’s book, available at all fine booksellers now. And please share it with a friend!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and that this podcast finds you safe and well in your travels.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about Ridley Scott’s riotous press tour and his disdain for historical nitpicking while also reckoning with the responsibility, if any, popular fiction has to represent the reality of the world. Then they reviewed The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel everyone was begging for. No bonus episode this Friday: enjoy your Thanksgiving, everyone. If you enjoyed thisepisode, please share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Glenn Gordon Caron, the creator and showrunner of Moonlighting, to talk about that series’s long-awaited arrival on streaming. We discussed the show’s creation, the discovery of Bruce Willis, how he and costar Cybil Shepherd kept up with the show’s trademark rapid-fire patter, the difficulty in clearing music rights (and how Moonlighting was one of the first shows to heavily incorporate pop music into the show), working with legends like Orson Welles and Stanley Donen, and so much more.
If you’ve never watched the show, I highly recommend checking it out on Hulu; the folks at Disney have done an amazing job restoring the episodes. A handful of highlights, if you’re trying to figure out where to start:
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Season 1, Episode 1: The Pilot. Tonally this is a bit different from what would follow, but it’s genuinely kind of wild to see Willis show up onscreen fully formed as Bruce Willis, Star in what was almost literally his first role.
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Season 1, Episode 2: Gunfight at the So-So Corral. Again, the show is still finding its footing, but it’s a pretty good representation of the combination of smart dialogue, great casting, and clever resolutions to the onscreen mysteries.
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Season 2, Episode 4: The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice. Orson Welles introduced this episode—which is structured with a mysterious intro and then two dream sequences (one dreamt by Shepherd’s Maddie Hayes as a sort of MGM musical; the other by Willis’s David Addison as a sort of 1940s noir)—in part because the network was terrified no one would want to watch a black-and-white episode of TV.
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Season 2, Episode 18: Camille. Whoopi Goldberg and Judd Nelson co-starred, and their mystery is all well and good, but it’s the closing sequence in which the (fourth) walls of reality come crashing in on the cast that makes this second season finale a must-watch.
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Season 3, Episode 6: Big Man on Mulberry Street. The mid-show dance sequence was done by Stanley Donen, and, again, I just can’t imagine what it was like to have this sequence pop up in the middle of network TV in the 1980s. Wild stuff.
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Season 3, Episode 10: Poltergeist III — Dipesto Nothing. One of the show’s episodes focusing on the adventures of Ms. Dipesto (Allyce Beasley) and Mr. Viola (Curtis Armstrong), who make for a delightful pairing.
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Season 4, Episode 2: Come Back Little Shiksa. Shepherd had to leave the show for a while due to her pregnancy, which led to a series of episodes that separated her and Willis. But the creators used some clever ways to get them in the same room. Plus: John Goodman’s in this one!
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Eric and Eliot host Bruno Tertrais, the Deputy DIrector of France's Fondation Pour La Recherche Strategique, one of the country's leading think tanks and author of the recent book La Guerre des Mondes: Le Retour de la geopolitique et le choc des Empires (War of the Worlds: The Return of Geopolitics and the Shock of Empires). They discuss historical analogies that shed light on the current geopolitical moment including the pre-World War II, interwar, and early Cold War periods, the Korean War and the emergence of the bipolar world, the role of nuclear deterrence and alliances in today's geopolitical strategic competition among the US, Russia and China. Bruno describes the contemporary global order as less a world of blocs and than families of nations that cluster around the West or the authoritarian powers of Russia, Iran and China. They discuss the re-emergence of geopolitical concepts like "heartland" continental powers focused on land power and rimland maritime powers focused on naval power. They also touch on French policy under President Macron and the impact of US domestic political dysfunction on European views of international security.
https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/new-cold-war/
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Entangling_Alliances__Europe_the_United_States_Asia_and_the_Risk_of_1914_.pdf
https://samf.substack.com/p/the-role-of-security-guarantees
https://www.ndc.nato.int/news/news.php?icode=1570
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona have their doubts. Also will cameras in federal court case help or hurt Trump? How should anti-Trump Republicans pitch the stakes in 2024?
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Warner Bros.’s plan to indefinitely shelve Coyote vs. Acme for tax purposes and what that says about the streaming business writ large. Then they review The Marvels, which recently had the worst opening ever for a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie and continues the studio’s cold streak. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on AI provisions in the new SAG-AFTRA contract. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Terri Davies, who heads up the Motion Picture Association’s Trusted Partners Network. TPN helps studios and other partners develop best practices for avoiding leaks of films and TV shows pre-release, from pre- to post-production. We discussed her time at Sony Pictures from 2000 to 2015, a period of time during which the business of distribution was revolutionized (and digitized), how the MPA helps studios reduce the likelihood of a movie leaking before its release date, and how different solutions are tailored for content creators of different sizes. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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It’s a super-sized episode! Sarah and JVL talk about Joe Manchin, conservative Dems, the Republican debate, TED talks, the Focus Group—and middle-school cross-country meets.
Eliot and Eric talk about great teachers including Eric's undergraduate mentor at Cornell, the late Walter LaFeber and Eliot's Harvard mentor Samuel Hungtington. They talk about the "Wisconsin School" of diplomatic history -- its strengths and weaknesses, the nature and progress of historiography, the qualities that made LaFeber and Huntington such compelling scholars and instructors as well as the contemporary "over professionalization" of disciplines in the humanities. They also talk about the war in Ukraine, including the Time magazine article on Zelensky that depicts him as "delusional" as well as the Economist interview with Gen. Zaluzhny and the latter's paper on the evolution of modern warfare in Ukraine. They cover the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and discuss how much time Israel has to accomplish its strategic objectives and the difficulties Israel faces in securing those ends as well as the fascinating and disturbing profile of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Financial Times. Finally, Eliot talks about the World War II museum and memorial in New Orleans and why the memory of World War II remains important for Americans to maintain.
https://time.com/6329188/ukraine-volodymyr-zelensky-interview/
https://www.economist.com/zaluzhny-transcript?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=17210591673&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gclid=CjwKCAiA3aeqBhBzEiwAxFiOBo4yIlOigMyAgtSawUcFpE1YiJO_4tllqqrM1suZ_qDfbQbmtad_uBoCVIoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://infographics.economist.com/2023/ExternalContent/ZALUZHNYI_FULL_VERSION.pdf
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/for-israel-a-war-unlike-any-other-b8160908
https://www.ft.com/content/de78c7a0-f8f0-403e-b0db-eb86d6e76919
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona chat about leaving democracy to the voters, whether to despair about The Times' poll, and what Hamas wants (not a Palestinian state).
On this Tuesday’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) have a fine time highlighting Marvel’s myriad problems, from the serious (a star facing criminal charges) to the hilarious (a version of the character Blade in which Blade is the fourth lead in his own movie, taking a backseat to a quartet of ladies who teach him life lessons). Then they review Priscilla, the new film from Sofia Coppola about Elvis Presley’s wife. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Sofia Coppola and her brand of upper-class ennui. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Walt Hickey, the author of You Are What You Watch: How Movies and TV Affect Everything. Among the many topics discussed on this show: the surprisingly durable effect of Warner Bros.’s merchandising efforts aimed at adults; how identity and pop culture become hopelessly (and negatively) intertwined; and how violent movies can help stop violence from occurring. If you find this podcast interesting, I hope you check out Walt’s book; it has tons of charts (one of which is reproduced above) and many fascinating nuggets I simply did not have time to dig into with him today. And make sure to share this episode with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about what Nikki Haley needs Ron DeSantis to do in order for her to get a legitimate shot at Trump. (Hint: Tiny D can’t drop out before Iowa.) And then they do a deep-dive into Sam Bankman-Fried and the FTX fraud.
Eric and Eliot talk about what is perhaps the most complex and dangerous moment in national security since the end of World War II. They discuss the explosion of vile anti-semitism globally and particularly on U.S. university campuses and the failures of higher education that this reveals. They discuss the Israeli operations in Gaza, the likely course of the war there and the prospects for escalation. They note the linkages between the war in Gaza and the ongoing war in Ukraine and make a sober and sobering assessment of the successes and failures of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, the lingering questions about U.S. supply of weapons to the Ukrainians, the need for the U.S. to be the arsenal of democracy, the investments that will take and the worrisome developments in Congress as the people's representatives deliberate on the supplemental aid package proposed by the Biden Administration.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/prepare-for-an-iranian-escalation-gaza-israel-23cdc9af
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/decolonization-narrative-dangerous-and-false/675799/
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/robert-gates-america-china-russia-dysfunctional-superpower
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/strategy-not-tactics-israel-hamas-war/675863/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/anti-semitism-poisons-america-israel-jews-domestic-politics-violence-6a83136b
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/10/20/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-unites-states-response-to-hamass-terrorist-attacks-against-israel-and-russias-ongoing-brutal-war-against-ukraine/
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Anti-Semitism's ugly and familiar face, intersectionality theory can lead to weird conclusions, and is Nikki a possibility?
On this Tuesday’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the fall’s surprise breakout at the box office: Five Nights at Freddy’s, a property you’ve almost certainly never heard of if you’re over the age of 35 but almost certainly love if you’re under the age of 18. How did Universal turn this into a monster hit despite putting it on Peacock and in theaters simultaneously? And then we review The Killer, David Fincher’s latest for Netflix starring Michael Fassbender as the titular killer. Is it a slick exercise in style, a sly comment on the whole hitman subgenre, or a scathing indictment of modernity’s detachment of labor and laborer? Maybe all three, wrapped up in a little techno-critical ribbon, a perfect gift for Fincher’s Netflix overlords. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on the meaning of the explosion of hitmen on film in recent years and what it all might mean. And make sure to share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!
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This week I’m rejoined by Jason Pargin to discuss his new novel, Zoey Is Too Drunk for This Dystopia, and the ways in which the futuristic panopticon he envisions for Zoey and the other citizens of Tabula Ra$a is a little like now, but moreso. We talk for a bit about how book marketing has evolved over the last decade-plus, why TikTok became a must for novelists like himself, and why despite the word “dystopia” being in the title of the book, he doesn’t necessarily think of his vision of the near future as a downer.
Unpaid endorsement: I really enjoy Jason’s novels (he is also the author of the John Dies at the End series), and the Zoey Ashe books (the first two of which are available on Kindle Unlimited) are pretty compulsively readable, a pleasing melange of ideas and imagery and just enough suspense from moment to moment to activate the “okay, just one more chapter” portion of my brain. Zoey Is Too Drunk for This Dystopia is understandable if you’ve not read the other books in the series, but you can’t go wrong by picking up copies of the previous entries. And if you want a signed copy of his latest, you can get one from Parnassus Books in Nashville, but you have to order by Monday.
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Sarah and JVL talk about the new speaker of the House and the new Democratic presidential candidate. Plus shame, a JVL hot streak, a NOLA recap, and Halloween talk.
NOTE For a limited time, Shield of the Republic listeners can receive a 20% discount on The Hollow Crown. Use code HLLW23, at checkout at https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/eliot-a-cohen/the-hollow-crown/9781541644861/. Offer valid through November 2nd, 2023.
Eric welcomes Eliot back on publication day for Eliot's new book, The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare on How Leaders Rise, Rule, and Fall (N.Y.: Basic Books, 2023). Ken Adelman, former Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) under President Reagan and National Editor of The Washingtonian for 20 years joins them to discuss Shakespeare and leadership. Ken has taught Shakespeare at Georgetown and George Washington University and is Vice President of Movers and Shakespeares, a consultancy that provides executive training using leadership lessons from Shakespeare. Eliot discusses how he came to study Shakespeare and political leadership and the origins of the title "The Hollow Crown". He and Ken discuss the performative elements of political leadership, the corrosive effects of hatred and ambition on politicians' character, as well as their favorite scenes and lines from Shakespeare's body of work.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the cancellation of Jon Stewart’s show by Apple. Was it driven by fear of criticizing China, or, possibly, something far more prosaic? Then we set our sights on Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese’s new film starring Martin Scorsese and his two most frequent onscreen collaborators, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. There’s much to discuss about Scorsese’s epic, which focuses on the murders of the Osage people in Oklahoma in the 1920s and asks who can tell their story. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode, a Martin Scorsese movie draft. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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I’m joined by Matt Singer this week, author of Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever. The book, out this Tuesday, is a wide-ranging look at the myriad ways in which Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel’s seminal show—or, really, three shows, which ran across multiple networks over multiple decades—changed not only film criticism but film marketing as well. We talked about the introduction of the thumb system—which, shockingly, was not with the duo from the beginning—and why their genuinely antagonistic relationship hasn’t really translated to the YouTube/podcast era of film criticism. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about the House Republican speakership clusterfork and Biden’s big speech. Also, JVL tries to shame Sarah into going to the Taylor Swift movie.
Eric welcomes Franklin C. Miller, a Principal at the Scowcroft Group and long time public servant at the Department of State, Defense and the White House with deep expertise on nuclear strategy, escalation dynamics and deterrence. They discuss the loss of intellectual capital in the nuclear strategy arena after the end of the Cold War, the numerous panels and reports that have testified to that loss, the nature of Putin and other Russian officials nuclear threats in Ukraine war context, traditional Russian attitudes towards and compliance with arms control agreements, steps that NATO can take to enhance its deterrent posture in the face of Russian nuclear sabre rattling, the challenges of deterring both Russia and China (the so-called 3 body problem) as nuclear peers, and a precis of the just released (Oct. 12) report of the congressionally mandated Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States.
America's Strategic Posture Commission Report:
https://www.ida.org/-/media/feature/publications/A/Am/Americas%20Strategic%20Posture/Strategic-Posture-Commission-Report.pdf
https://www.nato.int/docu/review/articles/2023/09/29/the-urgent-imperative-to-maintain-natos-nuclear-deterrence/index.html
https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Edelman-Miller%20Opening%20Statement%20SASC%20Hearing%20Sept.%2020%2020225.pdf
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/us-nuclear-arsenal-can-deter-both-china-and-russia
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona consider the Israel/Hamas war, how to push back on extremists (and when), and the outlook for a Jim Jordan-led House GOP.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the state of the AMPTP/SAG-AFTRA talks and why this strike might drag out longer than anyone expected. Then they review the much-anticipated Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which is definitely a 165-or-so-minute movie that recreates most of a Taylor Swift concert! But is it any more than that? And does it need to be? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on great movie books tied to The Hollywood Reporter’s list of 100 greatest movie books. And if you enjoyed this episode—or are a Swiftie outraged by our lack of faith in your pop overlord—make sure to share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about House Republicans, Israel, Trump’s new admiration for Hezbollah, and T-Swizzle.
JVL is joined by Bill Kristol and Ben Parker of The Bulwark with special guests Amb. Eric Edelman and Thomas Joscelyn. They breakdown Hamas’s horrific attacks on Israel, as well as the world’s various, and opposing, reactions to it.
Amb. Eric Edelman, aformer U.S. ambassador to Finland and Turkey, is the host with Elliot Cohen of the Shield of the Republic podcast, and is a counselor at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.
Thomas Joscelyn is a writer and researcher and a senior fellow at the Reiss Center on Law and Security. Previously, he served as a senior professional staff member on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol and a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he edited the FDD’s Long War Journal.
To watch a video version, click here.
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Eliot joins Eric from his walking tour in the Cotswolds to discuss the horrifying Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. They discuss the intelligence and policy failures that allowed Israeli officials to be taken by surprise, the introspection and self-criticism that Israelis had applied in the past when these kinds of things have taken place (the Agranat Commission after the 1973 war and the Winograd Commission after the 2006 Lebanon War). They commend Biden’s speech and the White House spokesperson’s denunciation of “the Squad’s” equivocations about Hamas violence. Eliot previews his forthcoming Atlantic article on civilization vs. barbarism and they speculate on how Israel will proceed and whether we are facing a larger regional war.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-intelligence-official-says-israel-ignored-repeated-warnings-of-something-big
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_briefs/RB9900/RB9975/RAND_RB9975.pdf
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona discuss the fatuity of the GOP at a deadly serious moment in the world, as well as the unfathomable support seen in some precincts of the left for Hamas. Also, should Democrats now reconsider saving Kevin McCarthy?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down the business sense of Universal paying $400 million for the rights to a movie trilogy that just saw its first entry open to $27 million. (The streaming wars are wild, you guys.) Then they review the initial fruits of another big rights purchase: Wes Anderson’s four short films for Netflix based on short stories written by Roald Dahl. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on some of our favorite short films. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker to discuss their new oral history, Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! In this episode we discuss, among other topics, what set the ZAZ style apart from other titans of the 1970s/1980s comedy boom, how the serious actors on set nailed their deadpan comic patter, trying to nail comic timing in test screenings that weren’t generating many laughs, and how Jeffrey Katzenberg and Michael Eisner helped change the face of comedy by championing the movie during their tenure at Paramount. I cannot recommend this book enough if you love Airplane! and it’d make a great gift for the person in your life who never stops telling you they picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue. If you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend!
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Tim is in for Sarah and he and JVL talk about the economy, unemployment numbers, and the relationship between voter sentiment and reality. Also: There’s some bonus Coach Prime talk since we didn’t have Sarah around to disapprove of us.
Eric and Eliot welcome Leland Miller, a non-resident senior fellow at the Asia Security Initiative of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center on Strategy and Security and co-founder & CEO of China Beige Book International. Lee explains how China Beige Book acquires data on the PRC economy as well as the pitfalls of using official Chinese government data. They discuss both the short and longer run prospects for China’s economy, the specific dysfunctions of one man rule of managing a large economy, the question of whether or not we have seen “peak China” and if that will make the PRC more or less aggressive vis a vis Taiwan. They consider whether an invasion or blockade of the island is more likely and why any of this should matter to the broader American public.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona discuss Putin's "useful idiots," the GOP's indecency, and Gavin Newsom's way of choosing Feinstein's replacement.
On this week’s episode, award-winning Washington Post writer Alyssa Rosenberg reports live from New York City on Toy Fair and all the hot AI trends coming to kids’ toys. And then Alyssa, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the AI-loving sci-fi original, The Creator. Spoiler alert: we talk about the things that happen in the movie, including some stuff near the end! If you haven’t seen it and want to and are worried about that sort of thing, listen to the show in a couple of days! Make sure to swing back to Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on robot movies and the decline of original sci-fi features. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Elaine Low of The Anklerand its Strikegeist newsletter to talk about the end of the WGA strike and what the writers won, from performance-based residuals on streaming originals to minimum writers room sizes to AI protections. We also discussed how the picket line and social media helped maintain solidarity and, briefly, how things are looking in the SAG-AFTRA strike. Make sure to sign up for Strikegeist if you haven’t already: it’s free and a great digest of what’s happening on the lines on a day-to-day basis. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about Glenn Youngkin’s impending candidacy, the Republican “debate,” consultant grift, the passing of DiFi, and more.
Eric and Eliot take a break from the depressing flow of international news and talk about books. They discuss their favorite bookstores, favorite historical memoirs, books that influenced them, cherished but unread books, greatest works of history, what they are reading now and what is sitting in their night side table waiting to be read.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie, Mona, Tim, and Bill did a panel at the Texas Tribune Festival. Also, Mona recounts her chance encounter with Joe Manchin. Is he a threat to Biden's 2024 reelection or not?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) celebrate the end of the writers strike and ask a very important question: what the heck took so long for the studio execs to sit down and work out a deal with the writers? Then they review Dumb Money, Craig Gillespie’s look at the pandemic-era bubble surrounding meme stock AMC. As an underdog-beating-the-big-guys story, it’s … eh. But as a pandemic movie and an examination of the ways in which it made us all go a little nuts, it’s really quite interesting. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the end of prestige TV and the retrenchment to more populist fare. And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Before we get started: apologies for the downgrade in my audio quality about 10 minutes into this episode. My computer, unappreciative of the coffee I spilled on it earlier in the week, decided to restart itself mid-recording in protest. It shall be punished greatly.
This week I’m joined by Brian Abrams, author of “You Talkin’ to Me?”: The Definitive Guide to Iconic Movie Quotes. We discussed how he pared his list down, the research that went into making this more than a mere list of his personal favorites, and the evolution of the iconic movie quote into a versatile form of meme-creation. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL do a book club about the two monster pieces of the week: Michael Wolff on Rupert Murdoch and Tucker Carlson and Jeff Goldberg on Mark Milley.
Eric and Eliot discuss the growing global disorder starting with the potential for a genocidal campaign of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), the degree to which events in the Caucasus and Central Asia are related to Russia's involvement in Ukraine, the Iranian angle in the Caucasus and the recent release of unjustly detained Americans by Iran (and whether or not ransom was involved), the Biden Administration's apparent interest in a sweeping diplomatic deal that would bring normalization between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Israel but would require a mutual security treaty with formal U.S. security guarantees for the KSA, the situation in the Western Hemisphere (including the possible killing of an Sikh separatist in Canada which PM Trudeau has alleged was carried out by the government of India) assassinations in Ecuador, drug and immigration issues and American political dysfunction in the face of all of this.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona talk about the UAW, Trump’s abortion pivot, and dark musings on Trump 2.0
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Drew Barrymore’s aborted decision to bring her show back sans writers before the WGA strike ends and how social media pressure is helping enforce solidarity. Then they review A Haunting in Venice, the latest adventure of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about Hasan Minhaj and the duty, if any, standup comedians have to the truth. And if you enjoyed this episode make sure to share it with a friend!
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This week I’m rejoined by Jonathan Taplin, author of The End of Reality: How 4 Billionaires Are Selling a Fantasy Future of the Metaverse, Mars, and Crypto, to discuss the ways in which popular culture may be leading the public down a dark road. Mr. Taplin has previously been on the show to talk about his career in the entertainment business, from tour manager for Bob Dylan to producer of early Martin Scorsese classics Means Streets and The Last Waltz to his early efforts to introduce video streaming, so he knows a thing or two about the ways in which politics is downstream from culture. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Hey Fam: Sorry the show is so late. We had a technical problem with the recording and it took forever to rescue the audio files. —JVL
Eliot returns with a debrief from his trip to Taiwan and Japan. He and Eric discuss the coming Presidential election in Taiwan, the disingenuous nature of much of our discourse about the Taiwan issue that results from our "One China" policy, the reason it is wrong to think of China as a "pacing threat," the dangers of a blockade rather than an invasion of Taiwan, the things that Taiwan and the US need to do in order to deter China, and how Eliot and Eric grade the Biden team's approach to China overall.
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Charlie and Mona beg to differ about Biden's Hanoi press conference, but agree on immigration, impeachment, Elon, and Hunter.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) look at the last-minute deal that brought ESPN back to Spectrum cable customers just in time for Monday Night Football. Is this deal a game-changer, or simply a delay of the inevitable diminishment of cable TV? Then the gang reviews You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, the latest production from Adam Sandler’s shingle featuring not only Adam but also two of his daughters. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for the bonus episode on Friday; we’re going deep on the ways in which digital piracy can be used as a preservation tool instead of simply a means of theft.
Many thanks to Jonathan Siri for producing this, and every other, episode of the show. If you enjoyed it, make sure to send it to a friend!
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This week I talk to Ben Dreyfuss, formerly in charge of audience acquisition at Mother Jones and currently the author of the Calm Down Substack, about the promise and the peril of complete data transparency. Ben watched what happened firsthand as data about what readers wanted became more and more available to journalists: how it shaped what was written, and how, and for whom, and how this race for virality wound up decimating the advertising market that newsrooms relied on.
I wanted to talk to Ben about this because I remember living through this data revolution and, while I'm supportive of the labor unions and their desire to get more data about what is successful in order to divvy up a more equitable share of streaming revenue, I’m also nervous about some of the knock-on consequences of full data transparency. Besides, more creatives really should be asking themselves if they want everyone to know precisely how many—or, more likely, how few—people are watching the vast majority of streaming offerings.
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! And sign up for Ben’s Substack; it’s a hoot.
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Big show today. Sarah and JVL drop the news that TNL is taking over CSPAN on Saturday morning. They talk about Nikki Haley’s second look. America’s SpaceX problem. And the secret history of “Gay Obama.”
It’s total, nonstop action.
Don’t miss Sarah, Tim, and JVL on C-SPAN on Saturday morning at 9am in the East.
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Charlie and Mona don't think there's any feasible alternative to Biden but offer unsolicited advice on how to deal with THE ISSUE everyone is worried about. Also, normal versus online Americans.
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if Taylor Swift and AMC got the better of the studios by agreeing to a direct distribution deal for her forthcoming Eras Tour movie concert. Given the way studios are messing with the release calendar in response to the ongoing strikes, was this a smart short-term play to fill a revenue gap for AMC, or something that augurs a whole new business opportunity? Most importantly: Will Alyssa browbeat Sonny into seeing the movie? We’ll have to see. Then the gang discusses The Equalizer 3, director Antoine Fuqua’s concise cinematic case for Just War Theory. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on old-man action movies. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Anthony Penta, director of We Kill for Love, a documentary/film essay about the erotic thriller and its place in the history of cinema. Drawing parallels to film noir and gothic romances, among other genres, Penta traces not only the artistic legacy of We Kill for Love but also the role they played in the early days of home video rentals and pay cable. Hundreds of films melding sex, violence, and sexy violence were produced, yet many of them have all but disappeared, critics dismissing them as little more than softcore pornography and viewers moving on to other forms of titillation. The erotic thriller lives on, but you’ll be a little surprised to see precisely where.
We Kill for Love is available on VOD now. Make sure to rent it after the kiddos have gone to bed, as this is a return to the world of Cinemax After Dark. But I don’t want to leave you thinking it’s lurid: We Kill for Love is a tasteful, informative, and empathetic look back at the genre filled with new interviews with the actors, actresses, producers, and directors of the genre, as well as the critics and academics attempting to impart it with a bit more respectability. I didn’t know I needed a two-and-a-half-hour documentary about erotic thrillers in my life, but I’m glad I have it.
As always, if you enjoyed this episode or learned something about the business of film, please share it with a friend!
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Today Bill Kristol sat in for Sarah and we talked about book-banning in Iowa schools, America coming apart, and the extent to which the stupidity of a culture war doesn’t mean it’s benign.
You should read this op-ed as background on the Iowa book-banning law.
And a reminder: If you’re listening to the preview version and want to …
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Charlie and Mona discuss the incentives for GOP House members, the distinction between liars and BS artists, Kevin McCarthy's fix, abortion, and climate.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the sticking points between the AMPTP and the WGA, and why the stickiest may wind up being data divulging. Streamers don’t want to give it up; the union doesn’t want to give up a golden opportunity to force success-based residuals. What might a compromise look like? Then they review Gran Turismo, which is either a perfectly generic sports movie or a terribly generic sports movie. It all depends on your point of view. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Chris Yogerst to discuss The Warner Brothers, his fascinating new look at the life of Jack, Harry, Sam, and Albert Warner, who collectively formed the Warner Bros. studio. From the technological innovations such as sound pursued by Sam, to the moral case for cinema made by Harry, to the classic mogul behavior of Jack, the journey of the brothers Warner makes for an interesting glimpse into the world of Hollywood. Amongst the topics discussed: how Warner Bros. went to war against the Nazis; labor strife in the 1940s; and the ugly breakup of the family dynasty. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
As a little bonus interview treat: Chris mentioned an interview with Harry Warner’s longtime secretary Lois McGrew. You can watch the whole thing here.
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Sarah and JVL catch up on the debate—about Nikki and Ron and Vivek. And about Trump’s mugshot.
Warning: Sarah’s audio is a little wonky for the first section, but it clears up.
Finally: Before we roll up our sleeves to save democracy again, maybe grab a moment of levity with one of these.
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Charlie and Mona speculate about Vivek's rise and the appetite for crazy and cruel in the GOP. Also a lament for the old conservatism, now in eclipse.
On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss fraud at the Korean box office and why rumors of studios and distributors inflating receipts are regular fodder for the conspiratorially minded. Then they review Strays, a movie that made some of them laugh despite themselves. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode Friday about the sad state of the R-rated comedy. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m rejoined by The Entertainment Strategy Guy to talk about his two-part series on streaming flops (TV shows here; movies here). If hits pay for the misses, and we know what the hits are, shouldn’t we know what the misses are as well in order to make fewer of them? We discuss his methodology and then examine one buzzy title, Hijack, to see if it’s a hit or a flop and how to think about those terms. We also discuss why sports documentaries tend to underperform and why most mid-to-large-budget movies should either be released theatrically or not made at all. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah is out and JVL has a special guest: Amanda Carpenter!
Amanda brings the ALL CAPS to the Georgia indictment, the Republican debate, and a dark fate that even JVL hasn’t started contemplating yet.
It’s an epic show with your old friend and you’re gonna love it.
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Charlie and Mona consider the differences between the Georgia indictment and the others and pause over some interesting facts about Georgia's GOP.
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) look at Disney’s shaky economic and creative output and discuss how it serves as a sort of canary in the entertainment industry’s coal mine. Then they review Full Circle, the entertaining-but-convoluted new show on Max (formerly, HBO Max) from Steven Soderbergh and Ed Solomon. Make sure to swing by Friday for a bonus episode on the Barbie culture wars. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Roy Price, founder of Prime Video and Amazon Studios and the author of the Price Point Substack, to discuss what it would look like in 2023 to start a brand-new movie studio. Which genres are under-served? What price points should budgets be aimed at? And which audiences are looking for something they aren’t getting from the big studios? We also talk a bit about streaming networks and audience acquisition/retention, and why low-budget horror might wind up being a crowded space in the coming years. If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about the politics of Joe Biden’s Hunter problem and the game theory on whether or not Ron DeSantis should stay in the race. Also, Barbie. And Oppenheimer.
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Charlie and Mona are looking forward to the (timely?) return of I, Claudius on BBC. They also consider teaching African American history and whether our time is worse than others.
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the controversial (or nontroversial?) practice of digitizing extras. Setting aside issues of informed consent: Is this an existential threat to the Screen Actors Guild, or simply a necessity in the world of spiraling production costs and the risks of Covid-era shutdowns? Then the gang reviews They Cloned Tyrone, Juel Taylor’s They Live-inspired sci-fi satire. Is the Netflix film a hit or a miss? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a tribute to William Friedkin, one of Hollywood’s great directors. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Some backstory to this episode: last month I bought a ticket for Sound of Freedom because I was curious about the year’s most unexpected box office sensation. As the credits rolled, star Jim Caviezel came on the screen and gave a speech to the audience about the importance of theatrical exhibition; it’s the sort of thing you typically see at the start of movies these days, actors and directors thanking audiences for coming to the theater. Here’s the wrinkle: during his speech, Caviezel tells audience members they can “pay it forward,” buy a ticket for someone who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to go. When the QR code allowing audiences to do this came on the screen, a woman who had lingered by the exit when she heard Caviezel talking pulled out her phone, scanned the code, and bought a ticket.
I’ve never seen anything like that in a movie theater. Ever. So I asked Jeffrey Harmon, Angel Studios’s Chief Content Officer, on the show to talk about his studio’s unique business model, how they decide what to fund, and whether or not the pay-it-forward model could work for other types of movies like civil rights dramas. We discussed how the pay-it-forward system impacts the box office (briefly: only tickets that are requested and redeemed count toward the total, which as of this writing stands at $156 million domestic) and what their plans are for international distribution.
As always, if you learned something, I hope you share this episode with a friend:
Finally: I know there’s a lot of controversy swirling around this movie. For reasons I lay out here, I think it’s a fairly serious misstep to describe this as “the QAnon movie,” though I understand why some have misgivings given Jim Caviezel’s statements in the past. But this episode is about the film’s box office business, and as such I hewed pretty closely to that topic. If you’re not interested in that aspect of Sound of Freedom, there are plenty of other materials you can read on the topic.
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Sarah and JVL talk about the latest arraignment, the Triangle of Doom through history, and Barbie.
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DeSantis's stupid strategy, the saving 25% of the GOP, and Justice Alito -- right wing troll.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if you’re ready for the nascent Mattel Cinematic Universe (as chronicled by the New Yorker here) currently being developed by Hollywood. If you enjoyed Barbie, you’re gonna love Uno! Speaking of: did we love Barbie? It’s the hit of the summer—and could wind up being the highest-grossing movie of the year—but is it any good? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
One quick programming note: No bonus episode this week thanks to home maintenance issues at Casa Bunch, unfortunately. But we’ll be back next Friday with some hot additional podcasting.
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I’m rejoined this week by The Wall Street Journal’s Erich Schwartzel, author of Red Carpet: Hollywood, China, and the Global Battle for Cultural Supremacy, to talk about Hollywood’s disastrous summer in China, where virtually every American movie released so far has underperformed. We also talk briefly about why Meg 2: The Trench may end up being one of the lone bright spots for Hollywood this year. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about Jack Smith’s superseding indictment, Hunter Biden not getting pardoned, Sarah’s new campaign, and Barbenheimer. It’s a pretty good show this week.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if movie theaters could wind up being the biggest casualty of the ongoing actor’s strike despite this weekend’s huge box office returns for Barbenheimmer. Then they review Oppenheimer, which is a clear frontrunner for best picture of the year. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our Nolan Draft. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode Ryan Faughnder, author of the Wide Shot newsletter, returns to the show to talk about Netflix’s softer-than-expected earnings report, the momentary bright spot at the box office, and the possibility that this strike is going to be going on for quite some time. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL dig into Ron DeSantis’s awful campaign reset and then try to figure out just what the No Labels people are thinking. And then they go really long on book shelves and Hamilton. This is the epic, hour-long Secret show you’ve been waiting for.
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Jack Smith strikes again. Charlie and Mona talk about delegitimizing institutions, cults of personality, and the OJ defense.
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out why the studios and the actors are so far apart in their negotiations. Spoiler: It’s not entirely about the money. (Though it is, in a larger sense, always about the money.) Then they review Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning: Part One, the latest entry in Tom Cruise’s decades-spanning series. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for Friday’s episode on Cruise, his evolving career, and how he managed to get the focus off of his personal life over the last decade. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m rejoined by Jake Tapper, who is on the show to discuss his new novel All the Demons Are Here, the third book in the Charlie and Margaret Marder Mysteries. It’s a great beach read and works as a standalone, but I still recommend checking out his previous novels as well to get the full scope of of the Marder family’s story. On this episode we discuss how the books have evolved, the research that went into writing them, and which big name is circling an adaptation of The Hellfire Club for a big streamer. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to pick up a copy of Jake’s book. And share this episode with a friend!
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This week Sarah and JVL talk about the gap between people’s vibes about the economy, and the actual, real-world state of the economy itself. And then—as if that isn’t enough—we delve into the question of what it is about modernity that leave so many older Americans susceptible to the Triangle of Doom.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask why WB keeps stepping on rakes by doing things like demanding GQ rewrite pieces about David Zaslav and messing with critics by scheduling Barbie screenings on the same day as Oppenheimer screenings. (Late-brekaing update here: the studio seems to be adding screening dates for Barbie in at least some cities with Oppenheimer conflicts.) Then they review Past Lives, which is getting a lot of buzz as one of the best movies of the year. Is it? We’ll return to that topic on this week’s bonus episode, in which we judge the best movies of the first half of 2023. And if you enjoyed this episode, as always, we ask that you share it with a friend.
A brief aside: An episode like this one is particularly important to share if you want to see more reviews of indie films and fewer reviews of Indy (or Marvel or DC or whatever) films. We can see the downloads; we know what movies people are interested in listening to reviews of. We sometimes get complaints from folks who want more talk about movies for adults … but we also know what people actually listen to reviews of. (Spoiler: not movies for adults.) I always ask folks to share it with a friend and I’d love to see this one shared with many friends because, God knows, I only have so many more $300 million multiverse movies in me.
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I’m happy to be rejoined by the first (and, perhaps one day, final) Bulwark Goes to Hollywood guest, Richard Rushfield of The Ankler (subscribe today!), to talk about Hollywood’s shaky summer. Nine-figure flops, the collapse of IP, labor woes, c-suite shakeups: it’s a weird time out west. How is the industry going to handle it? And what might the future look like? All that and more on this week’s episode. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend!
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On today’s show Mona Charen sits in for Sarah and she and JVL talk about this David French piece. It’s about how MAGA types seem to simultaneously believe that they are in a fight for the future of civilization—but also, everything is awesome!
Here’s French:
It’s no coincidence that one of the most enduring cultural symbols of Trump’s 2020 c…
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the apparent dismantling of Turner Classic Movies is a controversy or a nontroversy, before musing over what the channel should look like in a streaming-first world. Then they review Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Can James Mangold replace Steven Spielberg? Is it even fair to ask him to do so? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on the most “significant” political movies. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Nick de Semlyen, the editor of Empire magazine and author of the new book The Last Action Heroes: The Triumphs, Flops, and Feuds of Hollywood's Kings of Carnage. We talk Sly, Arnold, Bruce, and the other big names of the 1980s, how the cinematic heroes of the decade dovetailed in a way with the presidency of Ronald Reagan, and how a second-rate Chuck Norris feature may have inspired a revolution. If you enjoyed the episode, check out the book. And share this podcast with a friend!
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Bill Kristol sits in for Sarah today and we talked about a lot. What the 2024 election looks like from Europe; the war in Ukraine; Mike Pence; the Republican elites; No Labels; and even some Casablanca.
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Charlie and Mona discuss the Trump tapes, other charges Jack Smith is investigating, the Supreme Court's reputation, and why polling shouldn't make us suicidal.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out how this Vulture feature on the work that went into making Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse depicts an abusive workplace. Then they review Wes Anderson’s new film, Asteroid City, a movie about a fictional play anthologized on a fictional TV show set in a fictional town. (The essay collection Sonny mentions, Do Not Detonate Without Presidential Approval, is available from Penguin Random House here; he strongly recommends checking it out if you desire to learn more about the influences on the film.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for a discussion of some of our favorite stage adaptations. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Ken Harbaugh, the producer of Against All Enemies, to discuss his new documentary about the disproportionate number of military and police personnel attracted to extremist groups like the Oath Keepers. How did so many end up at the vanguard of the mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6? And what role do lies about elections play in radicalizing this cohort? We also discuss the film’s glowing reception at Tribeca and the work that goes into getting a documentary like this not only produced but also distributed. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about the latest 2 percent candidate and the Pew survey on what Democrats and Republicans really want.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the summer of nine-figure bombs. With movies like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Elemental, and The Flash all slated to lose more than $100 million at the box office—and movies like The Little Mermaid and Fast X unlikely to break even—is it time for Hollywood to start getting insane action budgets under control? Then they reviewed The Flash, a multiversal mess of a movie. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for the bonus episode on Friday about Cormac McCarthy (RIP). And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Brooks Barnes of the New York Times to discuss his story on Universal’s efforts to build what amounts to a new release window, the premium video on demand (PVOD) window. For the first time, Brooks has some real numbers, and they’re pretty interesting. For instance, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, pictured above, has made more than $75 million since May 16 despite still being in theaters and being the seventh-highest-grossing film last weekend. You should read the whole thing and then listen to our chat. (Or vice versa.) And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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It’s a super-sized show. The biggest, longest Secret pod evah!
Sarah and JVL talk about the latest focus groups (they like Trump) and polls (DeSantis dropping). And then they give you the lost episode from last week. Most of it, anyway. Definitely not all of it. I put in a hard break right before we went wheels-off. Don’t @…
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Charlie and Mona talk indictment, threats, judges, and Christie.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss whether or not the digital censorship of The French Connection is the inevitable result of our puritanical desire to protect present audiences from past prejudices. Then they discuss Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Sure, it’s a little boring, but at least it’s more coherent than Revenge of the Fallen! (The FAQ referenced in the episode can be found here.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on toy-based movies. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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On this week’s show, I’m joined by Arthur Smith, chairman of A. Smith and Co. Productions, the company behind long-running hits like Hell’s Kitchen and American Ninja Warrior. In addition to explaining why he shies away from the label “reality TV,” he’s here to talk about his career and his fascinating new book Reach: Hard Lessons and Learned Truths from a Lifetime in Television. Arthur has one of the most interesting careers of anyone I’ve ever spoken to: he got his start at the CBC, working his way up to the head of sports, before moving to Dick Clark’s production company in the States, then getting in on the ground floor at Fox Sports, and then founding A. Smith and Co. where he’s produced shows for the major networks, cable companies, and streamers alike. He’s seen every facet of the business over the last 40-some years and has great insights into how things have changed—and how they’ve stayed the same. If you learned something from this episode and think others would enjoy it, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about the big indictment. What it means for the Republican primary. How the Triangle of Doom is operating. And whether there’s any way out of this thing.
The Secret pod is almost always locked for Bulwark+ members but this week we’re making the entire thing available to everyone, because it’s an impor…
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Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse ended on a surprise cliffhanger, prompting many folks to scream in agonized delight about how they wanted more. Is that a good cliffhanger or a bad one? And what are some examples from the past that have worked? Does the sequel to the cliffhanger have to be good for the cliffhung movie to work in retrospect? Or can tim…
Thursday Night Bulwark for June 8 with Charlie Sykes, Mona Charen, Will Saletan and Joe Perticone. The gang went live just as the news broke that former president Donald Trump has been indicted in the classified documents case. Listen for first reactions from the Bulwark team.
Watch the gang here.
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Charlie and Mona note the Republicans decrying Trump's congratulations to Kim Jung-Un, wonder where Tim Scott is going, and consider the sometimes dangerous temptation of fads.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask what the future of indie theatrical films looks like if festival purchases continue to crater. Then they talked about one of the best films of the year (so far!), the amazingly inventive and spectacular-looking Spider-Man, which snared all three in its beautiful web. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday about cliffhanger movies. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! A recommendation from a friend is the best way to help your favorite podcast grow.
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This week I’m joined by Cara Cusumano, Festival Director and VP of Programming at the Tribeca Festival, for a wide-ranging chat about the nature of the modern film festival, how a festival’s sense of place can coexist with efforts to make the festival’s programming available to people around the world, and how Tribeca has expanded beyond film into a multimedia extravaganza. We also talked about a subject near and dear to my own heart, as a parent of younger children: What can festivals do to get families more involved and encourage the next generation’s love of film? Tickets for a number of the events Cara and I discussed today are still available at TribecaFilm.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, I hope you share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL go to a perplexing place trying to figure out if the (very valuable) short-term good Kevin McCarthy has done regarding governing outweighs the long-term danger of normalizing white nationalists, insurrectionists, and other assorted crazies.
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This podcast is mostly an excuse for Sonny to rant about Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland for five minutes.
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At least, so says Mona. No default. No border catastrophe. No recession. Ken Paxton impeached. Charlie is a little dubious.
On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) argue over whether or not “kink” is the right word to use when discussing a movie about a teenage mermaid. Then they discuss just went wrong with Disney’s latest live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Make sure to swing by for the bonus episode, in which we critique Disney’s addiction to the dollars generated by these monstrosities as creativity-killing coporate endpoints. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by the Entertainment Strategy Guy to talk about the state of streaming data. What do we know? What don’t we know? Do movies fare better on streaming after getting a theatrical run? How does the data help determine what we watch? What is the “binge curve”? All that and more on this week’s episode. If you found it illuminating, make sure to sign up for his Substack! And if you enjoyed this episode make sure to share it with a friend!
A recommendation from a friend is worth its weight in gold. Podcast gold, the richest lucre there is. If you’d prefer to listen to the show on the service of your choice, find it here: Apple Podcasts|Spotify|Stitcher|YouTube | Google | Overcast | Castro | TuneIn | Pocket Casts | Pandora
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Sarah and JVL talk about the DeSantis launch, his January 6 pardon weasel words, and the norming of soft-authoritarianism.
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On this week’s bonus episode, the gang talks about how we killed the cable bundle only to wind up with … well, more bundles.
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Charlie and Mona discuss Scott's gambit, crime, race, Karens, default, political compromise, and human thriving.
On this week’s episode Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman explain why the phrase “go woke, go broke” obscures more than it illuminates in the case of Disney and its various business dealings/struggles. Then the gang reviews Fast X, a bad movie with a very interesting (although also possibly bad) performance at the heart of it. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode this week on the destruction—and, soon, recreation—of the cable bundle. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
A podcast recommendation from someone you trust is the greatest gift you can give, outside of a kidney. Kidneys are pretty good too.
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I am pleased to be joined this week by screenwriter Colby Day to discuss all the unapid work that goes into getting paid work. I loved reading Colby’s diaries of annual pitch meetings and the such for 2021 and 2022, and thought I might share them, and him, with you as a way to help you understand some of the frustrations that writers have with the current state of Hollywood. How many pitches does a writer have to make to land one paying gig? Why does it take an endless amount of time to get paid after drafts have been submitted? How could the strike help alleviate some of these problems? All that and more on this week’s episode. If you enjoyed it, please share with a friend!
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Charlie and Mona talk about the Giuliani lawsuit, 2 damp squibs (Durham and Comer), and what DeSantis won't say.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if people should stop fighting the war on spoilers once and for all. Then they review the new J-Lo movie The Mother, Netflix’s number one movie. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for a special live bonus episode this Friday. (Looking forward to seeing some of you folks at the Crystal City Alamo Drafthouse tonight for the WarGames screening. Make sure to say hi if you stop by.) And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m rejoined by Scott Mendelson of The Wrap to talk about the state of the box office. Is the comic book boom over? What should we be looking for from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 if we want to assess the health of Disney’s cash cow? What did Scott make of The Flash at Cinemacon? When will the mid-level movie recover? Why is 2017 a better comparison point than 2019? All that and more on this week’s show! If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend!
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JVL sits down with Will Saletan to talk about his book on The Corruption of Lindsey Graham. It’s a much more free-flowing and philosophical discussion than I’d planned. If you’re game for a journey, you might like it.
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Charlie and Mona talk gun control, Biden's small footprint on the national psyche, CNN's awful townhall with Trump, and more.
Only four tickets are left for Across the Movie Aisle live, on Tuesday, May 16 at 7:30 PM at the Crystal City Alamo Drafthouse. (They’re marked as handicapped but there are actual chairs there and the rest of the tickets are sold out, so they’re fair game.) We’re showing WarGames and then talking about it (and other apocalypse-minded movies) afterward. Tickets are just $7! If we don’t sell it out, Paul Newman’s gonna have my legs broke!
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss how the writer’s strike is going to impact the present by looking at how it changed the industry in the past. If it goes on for more than a few months, I hope you’re ready for a spate of reality programming the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Then we review the summer’s first blockbuster: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3. As three folks who have grown a little tired of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we were all pleasantly surprised. But is it too little too late for the Once-Mighty Marvel Machine? And make sure to swing by for the bonus episode on Friday, when we’ll be previewing the rest of the summer. Big movies, small movies, medium-sized movies: it’s a Goldilocks summer, folks. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m joined by Judah Miller, showrunner of the new Peacock dramedy Bupkis, to talk about bringing Pete Davidson’s life to the small screen. Bupkis is fascinatingly hard to describe in shorthand, given the way it mixes tones and genres, and also the manner in which it blends Pete Davidson’s ripped-from-the-headlines life with a fictionalized version of his family and day-to-day existence. The first season is streaming in its entirety now on Peacock, and I strongly recommend checking it out: it’s a fascinating portrait of fame in the age of social media and also the business of showbiz. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Today Bill Kristol is in for Sarah and he and JVL talk about CNN’s Trump town hall, the latest Ginni Thomas reporting, and the bizarre reaction of Conservatism Inc. to the ongoing Clarence Thomas story.
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Charlie and Mona talk about small l liberalism, the debt limit danger, and TV recommendations.
Before we get started, wanted to share a cool little thing I learned literally yesterday. Typically at a movie theater—or, at least, the movie theaters I’ve been to—the handicapped seats are just empty spots where you can fit a wheelchair. At the Crystal City Alamo Drafthouse, they’re actual chairs that can be taken out to provide a space for wheelchairs. There’s a cool little animation on the site and everything. I bring this up because there are only 11 seats left for Across the Movie Aisle’s live show on May 16th (two weeks from today!) and they’re almost all in that handicapped row. I think it’s okay for the non-wheelchaired to pick them up at this point, given that it’s basically a sell-out show?
Anyway, we hope to see you there!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the WGA strike. Why are writers hitting the picket line? What don’t studios want to give up? What will the industry look like after this work stoppage? All that and more during this discussion. (Full disclosure: we taped this Monday afternoon, more or less assuming that the strike would happen.) Then we reviewed Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, an almost shockingly earnest war movie from the king of Brit-gangster movies.
We’ll talk more Guy Ritchie on the bonus episode this week. And speaking of bonus episodes: last Friday’s got lost in the shuffle, so we just posted it this morning. You can listen here if you’re a paid-up member of Bulwark+. And if you aren’t, you should be!
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This week I’m joined by Matthew Ball, CEO of Epyllion, former global head of strategy for Amazon Studios, and the author of The Metaverseand “The Streaming Book,” which you can read at that link there. And you should read it if you want to understand how we got where we are in the streaming wars, why it’s early yet in the contest between the companies vying for your attention, and where we’re headed as consolidation occurs.
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And if you found this episode informative, I hope you share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about Montana Republicans kicking a trans Democrat out of the chamber, the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit, Nikki Haley’s death pool, DeSantis in Israel, Trump and debates. And then we close out with the scourge of participation trophies.
It’s a long show. But a really good one.
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Charlie and Mona discuss Tucker's demise, the perils of excessive partisanship, and Biden's announcement on this episode of Just Between Us.
Just a quick reminder to pick up tickets for Across the Movie Aisle live at the Alamo Drafthouse in Crystal City on Tuesday, May 16, where we’re presenting the Matthew Broderick classic WarGames. There are only 20 tickets or so left, but I’ve got good news: they’re the best seats in the house! The front row! You’ll be very close to Alyssa, Peter, and me as we do the show! Can’t ask for more than that.
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) lament the end of Netflix DVD. It was a golden age of exploration for budding cinephiles, and streaming still can’t quite match its breadth. Then the gang does something a little different: with the multiplex back to something approaching full power, there are too many movies to discuss! So we each grabbed a new (or newish) release to talk about. Alyssa’s handling The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Peter got Beau Is Afraid, and Sonny took on Evil Dead Rise. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the xennial relationship to social media. And if you enjoyed the episode share it with a friend!
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This week I’m rejoined by David Herrin of The Quorum—a must-visit site for any amateur or professional box office nerd—to talk about a new study The Quorum put together in partnership with The Cinema Foundation about the value proposition of going to the movies. We talked all sorts of stuff on this episode: why audiences are three times more excited to return to theaters now than they were at the same time last year; how going to the movies stacks up against going to concerts and other out-of-the-home events; the percentage of consumers who get concessions; and why Barbie’s surprisingly high unaided awareness might still be a cause for concern.
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Sarah and JVL talk about Biden’s coming reelection announcement and DeSantis’s latest polling drop. Also: If Trump becomes the Republican nominee and you could wave a wand and have any person be the Democratic nominee, who would you pick?
To get the full episode—and The Secret Podcast every week—join Bulwark+.
Before we get to today’s episode, a piece of exciting news: Across the Movie Aisle is teaming up with the Alamo Drafthouse in Crystal City for a special screening of the Matthew Broderick classic Wargames (1983) on Tuesday, May 16, at 7:30 PM. Alyssa, Peter, and Sonny will all be there, and they’re going to be taping a bonus episode of the show in addition to hanging out and enjoying a draft or two. Click on this event page to buy tickets (make sure to pick Tuesday 5/16 and Crystal City.) Make sure to share this with friends who might enjoy either the pod or simply watching a movie about cinema’s apocalyptic moment!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to strip the HBO from HBO Max so as not to scare off fans of Dr. Pimple Popper. Then they discuss Netflix’s hit comedy Murder Mystery 2. Is this the lowest-common-denominator fuff WBD should be chasing? Did, gasp, one of our enlightened group of elite critics really enjoy this picture? You’ll have to listen to find out! Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on the best movies of the century (so far!). And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit atma.thebulwark.com
I’m rejoined this week by Frank Pallotta, formerly of CNN, to preview the summer box office. Have we already seen the year’s biggest movie debut with The Super Mario Bros. Movie? Will audiences show up for big-budget blockbusters like the new Mission: Impossible and Guardians of the Galaxy? Will adults ready for raunchier fare come out for Jennifer Lawrence’s new romcom? Who’s going to win the Battle of July 21, when Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie debut? All that and more on this week’s episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
And If you would prefer to listen to the show on your favorite podcast app, you can subscribe to the show on the platforms at the links below:
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Sarah and JVL talk about MAGA’s new attack on the Great Republican Hope. And about the Heritage Foundation’s strange new respect for socialism. And more!
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Charlie and Mona consider the abortion trap door, Clarence Thomas's ethics, and have a disagreement about the Manhattan indictment.
This week I’m joined by Sean McNulty of The Ankler to talk about the week’s biggest entertainment news: the merger of the WWE and UFC into a $21 billion sports-entertainment company. But this move is just a piece of the puzzle if you want to understand the complex dance between sports leagues, streaming companies, and cable bundles. Are sports leagues the ultimate “arms dealers” in the streaming wars, moving from company to company as these services try to find content that makes sense for viewers and advertisers alike? Or are teams with revenue tied to regional sports network deals kind of … well, screwed? All this and more—including a chat about the actual king of televised sports; and no, I’m not talking about the NFL—on this week’s show!
If you’d like to listen via your preferred podcast network, you can find the show at the links below:
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Feel free to leave a rating or a review while you’re there; it helps out more than you realize. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Sarah and JVL talk about the potential for Vivek Ramaswamy to fill the Ron Paul lane and how that could hurt DeSantis. And also Clarence Thomas and the burden of having close personal friends who just happen to be billionaires.
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Charlie and Mona discuss the courts in the Trump and Fox cases, the 60 Minutes face plant, the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and Viva Finland!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss a rumor that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences want to broaden the theatrical exhibition requirement. Would this benefit theaters or just serve as a way for entrenched streaming powerhouses like Netflix to shut out mid-level distributors? Then the gang discusses Tetris, a movie that inspired confusing feelings in Peter and Sonny who, for one of the first times ever, felt ideologically pandered to by a major motion picture. Make sure to swing by Bulwark Plus for our bonus episode Friday on our favorite retro games. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
A quick programming note: We are off next week, thanks to a confluence of travel and vacation schedules, but will be back the week after.
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This week I’m joined by Gene Park, video game reporter at the Washington Post, to talk about the oncoming video game boom and how our current moment feels reminiscent of 2008, when the comic book boom kicked off for real. Yes, there had been comic book successes before that, your Batmans and your Spider-Mans. But 2008 saw the release of The Dark Knight (which smashed opening weekend records) and Iron Man (which inaugurated the single most successful franchise of all time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe), recalibrating how Hollywood thought of superhero cinema. Between The Last of Us’s popularity with critics and audiences alike and projections that The Super Mario Bros. Movie will be one of the highest-grossing movies of the year, it feels like we’re hitting a similar inflection point with video game adaptations.
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Sarah and JVL go deep on the day everyone knew would eventually get here.
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Amanda, Tim, Sarah, Bill, and JVL gather for an emergency edition of Thursday Night Bulwark.
To watch a video version, click here.
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Charlie and Mona discuss complicated feelings about Christie as well as the lack of antibodies in the body politic, our toxic news diet, Trump's declining polls, and more.
Hey, thanks for listening. If you enjoy the show—and who doesn’t, it’s a great show—and would like to get more episodes of this (great) show but haven’t been sure about signing up for a full Bulwark+ membership, good news: you can get a month free for a couple more days. Last week’s tribute to Lance Reddick was pretty good, if a bit sad, and Alyssa’s analysis of the Oscars fashion was wonderfully fun.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) and Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) ask if the well-oiled machine that is Marvel studios is about to see the wheels come flying off. (Peter is out this week, but have no fear: He should be back next week.) And then they discuss John Wick: Chapter 4, a movie that is not only immensely fun to watch but also, possibly, sneaky-deep? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode this week on the great action franchises of the last 40 years or so. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Cinema Foundation President Jackie Brenneman to discuss the group’s new report on the state of the cinema industry. Among the many topics discussed this week are the ways in which theatrical exhibition help tamp down piracy by keeping pristine copies off the pirating sites, the success of National Cinema Day, how the ongoing domestic box office recovery is tied to increases in wide releases, and the slightly complicated way average ticket prices are calculated. (Exciting news: We now have a new average ticket price, after a couple of years of using 2019 averages! Now all the inflation scolds have new data to deploy.)
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Sarah and JVL talk about Ron DeSantis’s not-really-a-pivot on Ukraine, what it says about his campaign, and what we’re learning about him as a political commodity.
Also: Why do the anti-antis hate the Never Trumpers above all others?
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Charlie and Mona on Trump's increasingly unhinged rants, James Comer's unwise admissions, and why Nazis must be permitted to march in Skokie.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about departing NYT film critic A.O. Scott’s thoughts on fandom and its effect on the way we talk about movies. Then they review HBO’s hit show The Last of Us and ask a very important question: Was Joel right? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ this weekend for a bonus episode on the late, great Lance Reddick. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by April Wright, director of Back to the Drive-In. We discuss the ways in which drive-in theaters kinda-thrived during the pandemic, but also have been hit by some of the same problems plaguing every industry in the post-pandemic era: labor shortages, supply chain issues, and nonsensical mandates from local governments. Make sure to check out Back to the Drive-In, which is on VOD now. You can listen to the show at the player up there or subscribe at the links below:
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Sarah and JVL talk about DeSantis losing ground while becoming the new Republican establishment.
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Charlie and Mona analyze why DeSantis's comments on Tucker Carlson could be a hinge moment of history. Also free speech attacked by both sides, and banking 101.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about the Oscars. Sonny is shockingly happy. Peter is down on the whole thing. Alyssa, meanwhile, wonders how we’ll look back on this show’s snub of Tár in years to come. Then the gang reviews 65, the movie about Adam Driver fighting dinosaurs that has too little hot Driver-on-Dino action. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our members-only bonus episode on Friday. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Bilge Ebiri and Brandon Streussnig to talk about Vulture’s enormous feature on the best stunts of 2022. Part celebration of the year in action, part plea for the Oscars to finally recognize stunt performers and performances as a category worthy of notice, the inaugural Stunt Awards is a feast for any lover of action (and action-adjacent) cinema. Among the issues discussed this week are why some professionals think an Oscar for stunts is a bad—even potentially dangerous—idea, how to think about rewarding these performers, and the sad fact that some of the best, most kinetic action you’ll find never makes it to theaters at all. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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A slightly meandering show today. Sarah and JVL caught up on Principles First, talked a bit about DeSantis vs. Trump, and then dug into the asymmetric nature of how our political parties view outgroups.
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Charlie and Mona have sharp observations about John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson, and more. Also small government, RIP.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Vulture’s exposé on the state of theatrical exhibition. Does it actually matter to audiences? And then the gang reviews a movie that seems to have won audiences over regardless of projection quality: Creed III. Is Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut a knockout? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode on Oscar’s disrespect for stunts. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week, I’m joined by Michael Schulman to discuss his new book, Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears. What were some of the ulterior motives for making the Oscars? How did the ceremony help break the blacklist? And was Rob Lowe’s duet with Snow White really the worst thing that’s ever happened on the show? Or, you know, in the history of existence? All that and more on this week’s episode. If you enjoyed our chat, make sure to pick up his book and share this episode with a friend!
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Sarah and Bill talk about his recent trips to Europe, Ukraine, DeSantis, Kamala, focus groups and the national divorce talk.
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Charlie and Mona talk about Fox's lies, CPAC's troubles, the lab leak theory, and whether DeSantis is worse than Trump.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Scott Adams’s decision to commit reputational suicide by Twitter Cops. Then they heap praise upon Poker Face, the show worth subscribing to Peacock for. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a deeper discussion of movie and TV detectives. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m rejoined by Richard Rushfield—fresh off a nice little profile in Vanity Fair—to talk about the oncoming train of a WGA strike. Seventy days out, Richard put the odds of a work stoppage at 65 percent. What are the two sides looking for? How might the industry change? And is the fate of civilization itself at stake? All that and more on this week’s episode. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!
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Sonny sits in for JVL so Sarah can talk about the year’s best movies.
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Charlie and Mona are unstinting fans of Biden's brave trip to Kyiv. Also disgusted by DeSantis. Other topics: Fox News document dump, "national divorce," and sanitizing Roald Dahl. (edited)
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the decision to rewrite Roald Dahl to bring him more in line with the perspective of sensitivity readers is a controversy or a nontroversy. (The title of this podcast is a hint! For more on this insane story, make sure to check out Charlie’s newsletter.) Then they discuss the latest MCU blockbuster, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, a movie that looks like it’s half-done and feels like it’s half-written. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the state of the box office recovery. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode, Sonny is pleased to welcome David Thomson back to the show to discuss his new book, Acting Naturally: The Magic in Great Performances. In this episode we discuss the difficulty of describing what, precisely, actors do onscreen; the trickiness of writing about appearances; why Method Acting was the biggest thing since the advent of sound; and why audiences feel uncomfortable when they find out a filmmaker is less-than-perfect in their personal lives. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out Mr. Thomson’s previous appearance to discuss his history of movie directors. And make sure to share the show with a friend!
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Charlie and Mona welcome Ted Lasso back, and also talk politics.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if all the famous faces at the Super Bowl mean it’s time to make selling out a dirty word again. Then they review Magic Mike’s Last Dance, a movie that doesn’t seem quite sure as to why it exists. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for an episode on Channing Tatum, one of our last movie stars. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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I was very excited to get Julian Schlossberg on the show this week to talk about his new book, Try Not to Hold it Against Me: A Producer’s Life, in large part because he is intimately involved with a part of showbiz that I do not understand at all, at least financially: Broadway and live theater. But Julian’s career stretches beyond the stage: he booked theaters in New York City where he helped Warren Beatty save McCabe and Mrs. Miller from obscurity; he had a radio show that brought him into the orbit of George C. Scott, among others; and he did some time at Paramount, one of his more frustrating experiences in his career. After you listen, make sure to check out his book; Elaine May, the director of Mikey and Nicky and a comedic power, wrote a very nice (and funny!) introduction for it. And, as always, share this episode with a friend!
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Hey new people: We’re making part of this show available to everyone. Normally it’s just for members of Bulwark+. If you want to get the Secret podcast every week, I hope you’ll consider joining us.
Sarah and JVL talk about the institutional iceberg and the question of Never Trump vs. Never Republican. Also: A girls basketball update.
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Charlie and Mona consider police profanity, why Santos could only find comfort with the MAGA right, and Kamala's troubles.
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) and Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) discussed Netflix’s plan to crack down on password sharing. It’s a fun story because there are lots of tiny violins to break out: not only for the people who think they should get something for nothing but also Netflix itself, for allowing/encouraging this behavior for so long. Then Alyssa and Sonny discuss Women Talking*, the best picture nominee. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode ranking the streaming channels. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
*Sadly, Peter Suderman (Reason) is out; he’ll be back next week.
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When I saw that Shawn Ryan—the creator of The Shield, the hit CBS show S.W.A.T., and the forthcoming Netflix show The Night Agent—had penned a letter to the editor in The Ankler disputing an agent’s characterizations of past Writers Guild of America negotiations with producers, I knew I had to get him on the show. Ryan, who in addition to running and writing some fantastic TV was also on the WGA negotiating committees in 2007, 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020, shared his thoughts on the state of the business and made a very important point at the end of this interview: It’s not the writers* who are saying there’s going to be a strike.
This is a must-listen episode if you want to understand some of the fundamentals of the most important business story in Hollywood in 2023. If you found it illuminating, please share with a friend!
And if you would like to listen via a non-Substack podcasting platform, find your preferred choice here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Others.
I feel like you can make a very convincing case that The Shield is roughly as important to the business and artistry of prestige TV as The Sopranos for a whole host of reasons, but that’s a newsletter for another time.*
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The Focus Group podcast is BACK, with a twist: We're releasing The Bulwark's first-ever poll of Republican primary voters — we're trying to figure out just how big the "Always Trump," "Maybe Trump," and "Never Trump" buckets are among Republican primary voters. For that, we brought in Republican pollster Whit Ayres, who joins Sarah to stack our poll results up against the focus groups we've done since the election.
Links:
Poll by The Bulwark and North Star Opinion Research of Republican Primary VotersPoll Toplines from Whit Ayres
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Season 3 ofThe Focus Group Podcastwith Sarah Longwell returns this Wednesday. Tune in to hear Republican pollster Whit Ayres break downThe Bulwark’slatest poll and hear from the voters that are keeping Trump’s 2024 chances alive.
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Charlie and Mona consider the new Bulwark poll on Trump's GOP support, the Durham revelations, Tyre Nichols, and more.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) highlight the dumbest Oscar controversy of all time—did Andrea Riseborough’s friends send too many emails on her behalf in helping her secure a best actress nomination?—and try to explain the broader culture war reasons this has blown up into A Whole Thing. Then they review All Quiet on the Western Front, the Netflix original that secured nine Oscar nominations and hints, ever so subtly, that war might be bad. (The message is there, but it’s all subtext; only a keen viewer will discern it.) Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on antiwar films and whether any of them can truly be “antiwar.” And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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This week I’m pretty excited to be joined by Dean Devlin, whose work in movies like Universal Soldier, Stargate, and Independence Day I grew up loving. He works mostly in television now on series like The Librarians and Leverage, and has a new one out on SyFy debuting February 3: The Ark. We talk about his new show, how the business has evolved these last 30 years, and more on this week’s episode. If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend! And make sure to check out The Ark, new episodes which will also hit Peacock a day after debuting on SyFy.
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Amb. Eric Edelman joins Cathy, Ben and JVL for a deep dive into the latest in the war in Ukraine. Eric is host of the Shield of the Republic podcast and wrote earlier this week about the need for Germany to hurry up with the tanks.
To watch a video version, click here.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), ask what it means that Chinese theaters are apparently open again for Hollywood business. Then they discuss Netflix’s new murder mystery, The Pale Blue Eye: Is it a cut above Netflix’s standard hashtag-content, or something to watch while folding laundry on a Wednesday night? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on Edgar Allan Poe. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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The gang hit the road this week with a live show from the Avalon Hollywood. Enjoy this bonus edition of The Next Level with Tim, Sarah and JVL.
Part two of the show features our guest, Jon Favreau, host of the Pod Save America podcast. Listen here.
Exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Recorded January 19 at the Avalon Hollywood. Part one of “No B.S.—Live from LA” is available here.
Exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
This week I’m rejoined by Rene Reyes, Vice President of Public Programming and Festivals at the Paley Center, to talk about PaleyFest 2023. It’s the year’s most entertaining celebration of television, from prestige cable hits to broadcast mainstays to the wild world of streaming. Tickets are on sale now for this year’s festival, and some of the highlights look great; I’d kill to be able to attend the opening night celebration of The Mandalorian, and I imagine the Yellowstone tickets will go quick if they haven’t disappeared already.
If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you share it with a friend. And if you’d like to suggest future panels for Rene in the comments, I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.
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This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the growing push for unionization in the visual FX industry. What will it mean for the industry—and for movie lovers—if special effects artists are treated like actual, you know, people. Then they discuss the first big hit of the new year, Blumhouse’s M3GAN. Is this your standard killer doll movie? Or is there something more? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode on The Menu. And if you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend!
There’s a player up there you can listen to or you can check out the show on Apple, Spotify, et al here.
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Kevin Goetz, author of the must-read book Audience-ology, joins me this week to talk about the science of getting audiences to theaters. And, perhaps even more importantly for studios, figuring out which movies are worth spending eight figures to market in the hopes of getting audiences to theaters Can marketing help teach audiences “how” to watch a movie? Why might studios get excited about something as simple as a reply ratio to a free screening before even a single frame of film has unspooled? And how can you measure … movie love?
I mentioned this on the show, but I don’t really listen to a ton of podcasts because I don’t have time, what with all the podcasts I’m doing. But I do carve out time for Kevin’s, which is called Don’t Kill the Messenger. A good introductory point is his episode with Jason Blum, I guarantee you’ll learn a lot. Subscribe to it, leave a rating and a review if you have time: it should be far more popular than it is.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! And if you’d prefer to listen on Apple or another podcast service, click here to find your favorite.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if they’ve all been focused on the wrong thing when it comes to the future of streaming. Movies, TV shows: none of these things really matter compared to … sports. At least, financially. And then they discuss Babylon, Damien Chazelle’s woozy and wicked ode to/condemnation of Old Hollywood excess. Sure, it’s a movie about movies, but hey: movies matter too! Speaking of which, on this week’s bonus episode we’re talking about movies about movies on this movie podcast about movies. Make sure to swing by and check it out!
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We're wrapping up this election cycle in Georgia with voters who voted for Herschel Walker in November — but aren't so sure about him going into the December 6 runoff. Atlanta Journal-Constitution political reporter Greg Bluestein joins Sarah for one last focus group in 2022.
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The midterms have come and gone, and it turns out many of our focus groups were signs of things to come. Amy Walter, Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report, joins Sarah for a look back at this year's groups.
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Donald Trump announced his 2024 campaign this week. Republican elites would love to move on from him, but will Republican voters? David Drucker, the author of In Trump's Shadow: The Battle for 2024 and the Future of the GOP, joins Sarah to listen to Trump voters from the past year and discuss whether they provide clues for how the 2024 Republican primary may unfold.
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Sarah has a special message for Focus Group fans as we wait for the remaining election results.
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Sarah is happy and optimistic. JVL is angry and dyspeptic. Welcome to Friday.
Instead of a focus group this week, Sarah sits down with four political super-nerds to get their read on Tuesday's election and beyond. She's joined by Jon Ralston to talk Nevada, Brahm Resnik — political reporter for Phoenix’s local NBC affiliate — to talk Arizona, along with Bill Kristol, and Gunner Ramer, the political director of the Republican Accountability PAC.
Leave a comment, here.
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John Fetterman had a bad night in the Pennsylvania Senate debate, and an even worse night in our focus group — though this group wasn't inclined to like him anyway. Legendary Democratic operative James Carville joins Sarah to break down the Pennsylvania Senate race, and James shares his thoughts on how the Democratic Party needs to shape up.
The Focus Group podcast is now exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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Arizona is ground-zero for the Big Lie about the 2020 election. The Republican nominees for Governor and Secretary of State, Kari Lake and Mark Finchem, are avowed election deniers, and Democrats may or may not rise to the occasion to beat them. But our guest HAS risen to the occasion: Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer joins Sarah to listen to Arizona swing voters and talk about his job running elections for 60% of Arizona voters.
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Georgia is a closely divided state, but we're likely to see a lot of ticket splitters there this year - specifically a lot of people voting for arch-conservative Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. Partly because they think Kemp is doing a good job, and partly because Warnock's opponent, Herschel Walker, is a total mess. TIME Magazine national political correspondent Molly Ball joins Sarah to discuss her reporting out of Georgia and listen to a group of Georgia swing voters.
The Focus Group is now exclusively part of Bulwark+. To listen to this episode in full and to get future editions, upgrade to a Bulwark+ membership now and the next two weeks are on us—Free. Go to TheBulwark.com/FocusGroup to claim this free trial offer.
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The Pennsylvania governor's race is a bit of a political science experiment: what happens if one candidate barely runs any ads? Turns out, swing voters still really don't like that guy. POLITICO's in-house Pennsylvania expert Holly Otterbein once again joins Sarah on the pod. They discuss how swing voters are feeling about the Pennsylvania governor's race, as well as how these same voters may be starting to sour on John Fetterman in the Senate race.
The Focus Group is now exclusively part of Bulwark+. To listen to this episode in full and to get future editions, upgrade to a Bulwark+ membership now and the next two weeks are on us—Free. Go to TheBulwark.com/FocusGroup to claim this free trial offer.
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To listen to this episode in full and to get future editions, upgrade to a Bulwark+ membership now and the next two weeks are on us—Free. Go to TheBulwark.com/FocusGroup to claim this free trial offer.
America's Dairyland is becoming America's Election Land. Wisconsin has major races for governor and for U.S. Senate...and how are the Trump-to-Biden voters that delivered Wisconsin for Joe Biden feeling about them? The Bulwark's own Charlie Sykes joins Sarah to talk about what the voters (and Charlie) are thinking. Listen to the end for the most laugh-out-loud funny moment Sarah's ever heard in a focus group.
The Focus Group is now exclusively part of Bulwark+.
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Republicans may be losing one of their best pickup opportunities in the Senate after they nominated a MAGA weirdo to run against an astronaut in Arizona. POLITICO Senate campaigns reporter Natalie Allison joins Sarah to listen to a group of Arizona swing voters and what they think of their choices.
Go the TheBulwark.com/FocusGroup to get the next two weeks on us—Free.
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Nevada's economy was hit especially hard by COVID. Now, the Democratic governor and senator are paying the price in their re-election campaigns...or are they? The dean of the Nevada press corps, Jon Ralston, joins Sarah to talk about a Nevada focus group...and whether voters in the Secretary of State race are playing Russian roulette with American democracy.
The Focus Group podcast is now exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Become a member today and get the next two weeks on us—FREE.
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The Atlantic’s Tim Alberta joins Sarah to discuss whether Ohio is really more Trump+8 than R+8 — and to debate Tim Ryan's chances against J.D. Vance. Meanwhile, in Michigan's governor's race, Gretchen Whitmer hits Tudor Dixon on her biggest vulnerability — abortion — while facing lingering resentment over her Covid response.
The Focus Group podcast is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Become a member today and the next two weeks are on us for FREE. Go to TheBulwark.com/FocusGroup.
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On this week's episode, we're sharing a director's cut of a recent focus group, featuring swing state suburban women. These voters from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Georgia backed Trump in 2016, but flipped in 2020. Hear what they have to say about the big races in their states, their desire for things to be "normal" again, and how the end of Roe is influencing their vote this November.
Ad-free edition exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Find the ad-supported show here.
Sarah and JVL talk about Biden’s pivot to confronting MAGA, the duties of a president, and the sum of all fears on a Trump indictment.
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Tim, Ted and JVL discuss the risk of radicals in our military, President Biden’s student loan forgiveness announcement, and the spineless nature of Lindsey Graham.
Bonus! Watch the gang record this episode here:
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Sarah, Tim and JVL place their bets on which party will control the Senate after the midterms. Plus, the pros and cons of indicting Trump.
Bonus: Watch the gang record this episode here.
Charlie and Mona debate prosecuting Trump. It gets intense.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Florida is the center of Republican politics these days — and it's getting redder all the time. Trump lives there, and his political understudy is the governor. Marc Caputo of NBC News — the best Florida Man in the political press corps — joins Sarah to listen to a group of Florida reverse flipper voters (not Trump 2016/ yes Trump 2020). They also discuss Trump, DeSantis, 2024, and how the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago could impact it all.
Ad-free version exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
Free, ads-supported version is here.
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Sarah and JVL talk about Trump 2024, who will be the real heir to Trumpism, and getting a basketball hoop in your driveway. (If you have advice for buying/installing them, let us know in the comments.)
Sarah, Tim, and Amanda discuss the prospects for meaningful gun reform in the aftermath of the Uvalde and Buffalo mass shootings.
To watch a video version, click here.
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Sarah and JVL argue about Larry Hogan and try to understand why Kemp is winning.
Tell us who’s right in the comments.
Join Bulwark+ to access future editions of the member-only Secret Podcast—Tuesday’s with Charlie and Mona and Friday’s with JVL and Sarah.
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Zelensky has inspired the world and led a continent to change its foreign policy. But don't forget that the GOP enablers who are now wearing Ukrainian flag pins were praising Vladimir Putin just eight days ago.
Rachel Vindman joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Putin lost the disinformation war in the West over Ukraine, but the man who laid waste to cities in Syria and Chechnya has a massive convoy heading to Kyiv. He doesn't want to just win — he wants to be remembered. Clint Watts joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Democracy and freedom have seemed to be on the decline. But Ukraine's pushback against authoritarianism has lit a spark around the world. Will Saletan is back for Charlie and Will Mondays.
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While CPAC is mocking, meme-ing and owning the libs, a different summit —one for principled conservatives — is convening this weekend to reconceptualize the movement. Principles First's Heath Mayo joins Charlie Sykes on the podcast.
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AEI's Adam White joins the group to consider whether the invasion of Ukraine will shake the US from its decline into imbecility. Also whither the Supreme Court?
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.progressivepolicy.org/publication/the-new-politics-of-evasion%20%5Bprogressivepolicy-org%5D/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/02/21/ukraine-invasion-putin-goals-what-expect/
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How serious is Putin's nuke threat? How should the world react to the invasion of Ukraine? And thoughts on the GOP's entertainment wing. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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In the middle of an international crisis, Trump is fawning over Putin, and the entertainment wing of the GOP loves it. But how will the elected wing respond? Is a pro-Putin party a bridge too far? Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Trump's child-like fascination with "tough guys" like Putin is part of the reason why we are where we are today. Many Republicans are now following his lead — allying themselves with a foreign power that sows dissent and division here. Tim O'Brien joins Charlie Sykes today.
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Voters said they wanted a businessman for president. Now, he's making clear he treated our country as a vehicle for his own profit. Will Saletan is back for 'Charlie and Will Mondays.'
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With two Arctic powers in crisis, David Frum joins Charlie Sykes to cover the waterfront: Canada, Ukraine, the meme-ification of politics, the uncoolness of Facebook, and the need for more historical analogies beyond WWII.
Plus, Trump: self-aware or self-deluded?
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George Will joins to discuss the San Francisco warning, the Republicans' drift, and the inflation danger.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/14/opinion/electoral-count-act.html
https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3836
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Sarah and JVL are joined by two very special guests.
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Progressives revolted against progressives in San Francisco — and that could have national implications. Meanwhile, Republicans stand for only one thing, and they're shrinking their base. The Washington Post's Karen Tumulty joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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With Biden in the White House, Putin thought this was the time to deliver the final blow to NATO. But he has been surprised by the West's response to Ukraine. His game isn't chess, it's poker — and he may have overplayed his hand. Garry Kasparov joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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In the last six weeks of his life, Abraham Lincoln sketched out a vision to win the peace after winning the war, principles that inspired future generations. CNN's John Avlon joins Charlie Sykes to share the story of Lincoln, the peacemaker.
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As a reminder, you can sign up for Across the Movie Aisle on preferred app here; today’s episode should be there by the time you read this. And a programming note: The Bulwark+ members-only episodes will now drop on Friday. We decided to spread the ATMA love across the whole week for you.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss the Oscars nominees, whether or not multiple hosts can save flagging interest, and whether or not a Twitter poll can interest audiences who feel as though the awards show snubs popular pictures. And then the gang reviews Death on the Nile, Kenneth Branagh’s followup to his adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our special members-only episode on the films of Ivan Reitman, who passed away over the weekend. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Sexual anarchy, trucker protests, rumors of war, and Trump’s feral ego. Will Saletan and Charlie Sykes hash it out on today's @BulwarkOnline podcast.
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Now that the Republican base is following the gazpacho soup lady, consider this Bulwark prediction for your Super Bowl weekend: Secession will be the next big thing in the MAGA-verse. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes on the podcast.
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Tom Nichols joins the panel to discuss whether it's time to end Covid restrictions, Ukraine and democracy, and "legitimate political discourse."
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://mosaicmagazine.com/observation/politics-current-affairs/2022/02/race-a-word-of-surprisingly-recent-and-uncertain-origin
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On the right-wing road show, Michael Flynn is the second-biggest draw after Trump — his "deep state" victimization is central to MAGA mythology. Oh, and he's still trying to steal the 2020 election. The New York Times Magazine's Robert Draper joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, Sonny Bunch is joined by John Zaozirny of literary management company Bellevue Productions. You can see John’s bona fide’s here, but his clients have written scripts set up with virtually every major studio. Bellevue has had 42 screenplays make the last seven Black Lists—an important compilation of un-produced screenplays voted on by people in the filmmaking business—and he details some of his strategies for securing those spots on this show. Sonny and John also talked about the decline of the spec script market, the difference between agents and managers, and a host of other topics. If you enjoyed the show, make sure to share it with a friend!
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From Pat Buchanan's culture war to Sarah Palin wearing her resentment on her sleeve, Trump's escalator ride was a long time coming. The New York Times' Jeremy Peters joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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When Kevin McCarthy deposed Liz Cheney, he thought she'd just go away. Instead, he empowered his greatest enemy. And if he ever gets the speaker's gavel, he'll be held hostage to Marjorie Taylor Greene. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the myriad reasons no one cares about the Olympics and the shameful acquiescence to Chinese human rights abuses by so many in the sports media. Then the gang reviews Nightmare Alley, which just received four Oscar nominations, including a surprise best picture nod! And make sure to check out our bonus episode, in which Sonny and Peter try to explain the joy of Jackass to Alyssa.
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You don't have to renounce democracy or reject the Constitution — all you have to do is be persuaded to believe a few lies. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes today for the launch of our new 'Charlie & Will Monday' on The Bulwark Podcast.
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On our weekend omnibus podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to vent about it all.
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Peter Wehner joins the group, which includes Bill Kristol this week, to discuss the Whoopi Goldberg and other cancel controversies, as well as Trump's acknowledgement of attempting a coup. And who's really abandoning democracy, Republicans or Democrats?
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The Bulwark's newest writer, Will Saletan, joins JVL, Tim Miller, and Ben Parker to discuss Chuck Schumer, Omicron, China and the Olympics.
To watch a video version, click here.
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Congressional committee hearings can be a hot mess. But the Jan. 6 committee is moving with strategic steps and a unified message — it fits the moment. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny talks to Erich Schwartzel, author of Red Carpet: Hollywood, China, and the Global Battle for Cultural Supremacy. Erich’s book is a fairly exhaustive look at the sweep of Chinese influence on Hollywood, from Mao’s shutting the industry out during the Cultural Revolution to the return of blockbusters to the fact that Chinese investment funded the very recliners you sit on in theaters. We also talked about Chinese censorship of American films, American censorship of American films out of fear of losing Chinese marketshare, and the weird ways studios have exerted influence in the country. (Did you know Disney runs a chain of English schools in the country? You will after listening to this!)
If you’re interested in the business of Hollywood, Erich’s book is a must-own. And this episode is a must-listen! You cannot understand the current business climate in Hollywood without understanding the influence the biggest movie market in the world has on American filmmaking.
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Biden's empathy didn't extend to Afghan allies — like interpreters — who risked their lives for our troops. When the administration didn't plan for their exit, vets, soldiers, and others came together to save lives. The Atlantic's George Packer joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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As Black History Month gets underway, teachers around the country are afraid to teach about civil rights or reconstruction. Meanwhile, Glenn Youngkin's kids are learning all about CRT at their tony private schools. The Washington Post's Dana Milbank joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the raging controversy over Neil Young’s decision to remove his music from Spotify as a result of their partnership with Joe Rogan. From disinformation to audio quality to the sprawling nature of the internet to the limitless nature of boycotting people you disagree with, the topic simultaneously touches on a number of disparate topics roiling our digital—and irl—waters. (See Neil Young’s statement here; Joe Rogan’s response on Instagram here; and Sonny’s essay on the matter in the Washington Post here.) The gang also reviewed Asghar Farhadi’s Cannes favorite A Hero this week and touched on the ways truth is both slippery and concrete at the same time. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode on Peter Dinklage’s problem with Disney’s effort to remake Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
As always, if you’re a paying Bulwark+ member, the comments are open. But given the contentiousness surrounding the Neil Young/Joe Rogan/Spotify debate, we’d ask you make a special effort to keep things civil this week. Appreciate it!
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Don't only talk to people you agree with politically. Break free from the echo chamber, and help cure our tribalism. Will Saletan officially joins The Bulwark — and Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Trump's kingmaking keeps hitting bumps in the road, and the GOP is helping to spread Covid as an electoral strategy. Plus, why does Schumer's sloppy leadership get so little notice? A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Stanford’s Francis Fukuyama joins the group to discuss Ukraine and the impact of a new Supreme Court justice on politics and jurisprudence.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/longform/the-pursuits-of-liberty
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/21/opinion/texas-synagogue-antisemitism.html
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The Democratic establishment needs to wake up. The time is now for democracy's allies to unify and stop the Big Lie from becoming the Big Coup. Third Way's Matt Bennett joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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This week on the show, Sonny is joined by Janice Min, who has teamed up with BGTH favorite Richard Rushfield to beef up Richard’s fabulous newsletter, The Ankler. Sonny and Janice discussed her career from US Weekly to the Hollywood Reporter to the wild world of Substack newsletters, how the Hollywood trades are defying the death of advertising, their strategy for spinoff newsletters, and why the folks at Y Combinator reached out to her and Richard about the potential of The Ankler to become a billion-dollar property. It’s a fascinating, in-depth look into the business, and the future, of entertainment reporting.
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Parts of Ukraine are physically closer to — and more culturally aligned with — Central and Western Europe than they are to Russia. Lawfare's David Priess joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Increased turnout and more nonwhite voters don't give Democrats the edge. To win, they have to remember the mantra: What Would the Working Class Say? Ruy Teixeira joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss a rather terrible “breaking news” item about West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler in the Daily Beast and the broader trend of using random nobodies on Twitter as a hook for stories designed to gin up hate toward celebrities. Then they review The Lost Daughter, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s movie about a bad mom that has struck a chord with pandemic-era audiences. And on the bonus episode the gang talks about Netflix’s very bad week. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Newt Gingrich's recklessness with partisanship was a precursor of where we are today, and now Trump's followers, like Steve Bannon and Ron DeSantis, are trying to one-up Trump. Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The Trump campaign banked on local Republican officials to help steal the election. But ordinary Americans from all walks of life stood up to the lies. Authors Mark Bowden and Matthew Teague join Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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CATO's Walter Olson brings his libertarian insight to a discussion of voting rights and wrongs and Biden's first year.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/20/opinion/illiberalism-left-right.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20130124224036/http://www.artsjournal.com/aboutlastnight/2012/06/tt_thou_shalt.html
https://newcriterion.com/issues/2022/1/the-fallacies-of-the-common-good
https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2021-12/cpr-v43n6-1.pdf
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Charlie Sykes and Tim Miller take the measure of Biden's press conference and his first year in the office — and come down on different sides. The Bulwark coalition in all its glory, on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch talks to Rene Reyes, the Paley Center for Media’s Vice President of Public Programming and Festivals. Among other duties, Rene plans the much-loved PaleyFest LA, which has panels featuring some of the biggest and most critically acclaimed shows on television. We talked about the joys (and COVID-related challenges) of in-person festivals and ran through some of the panels that will take place at this year’s event. You can see this year’s full lineup here; highlights include panels on Hacks, black-ish, and a salute to the NCIS franchise. Paley Center members can buy tickets now and they go on sale to the general public tomorrow.
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America needs a coalition that crosses party and ideological lines — to counter the authoritarian menace inside the Republican Party, and GOP leaders who lie about the election and the virus. Will Saletan tells Charlie Sykes why he's joining the fight at The Bulwark.
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Why Biden can't have a Kumbaya moment, and tangible things can't get done. Matt Yglesias joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), try to figure out just how bad this profile is for its subject, Joss Whedon. Then they review The Tragedy of Macbeth, Joel Coen’s adaptation of The Bard’s play starring Denzel Washington as the titular tragic figure. And in the bonus episode, Sonny and Peter try to convince the notoriously horror-averse Alyssa to check out the Scream movies.
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For the Democrats to win, they need to focus on what normal people think about — which is NOT Jan. 6 and the potential end of democracy. They want Covid shut down and the economy opened. Josh Barro joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The crisis of democracy is in the counting, not the casting, of votes. The Dispatch's David French joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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NY Times columnist Bret Stephens joins the panel, including Norm Ornstein, to discuss the GOP in the wake of Jan 6 and whether the Democrats are missing the boat on ECA and voting reform.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-long-term-care-challenge
https://reason.com/2022/01/12/the-u-s-immigration-system-needs-to-do-more-to-help-uyghurs/
https://jabberwocking.com/why-is-president-biden-staking-so-much-on-passing-new-voter-laws/
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/01/democrats-botched-public-school-covid-policy/621183/
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/11/oakland-lefty-my-whole-life-school-closures-triggered-an-identity-crisis-526860
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The behind-the-scenes evidence presented during the upcoming primetime Jan 6 committee hearings will be "compelling" and "shocking," and will be directed to an audience who's going to go out and vote. Rep. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny talks to Kevin Goetz of Screen Engine/ASI and the author of Audienceology: How Moviegoers Shape the Films We Love. Kevin is one of the masters of the art of audience testing, that stressful period of time in a film’s life when it leaves the loving arms of its director and enters the world for approval by the folks who will be paying to see it. Sonny and Kevin discussed how audiences are chosen, what the screening process is like, how COVID has changed how all this works, and a few examples of how movies have been helped by the screening process over the years. Make sure to read Kevin’s book if you want a fuller understanding of one of the most important, and least visible, steps of a film’s distribution.
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With all the manic, hyperbolic nonsense about the election and vaccines, the fringe is no longer visible. The Atlantic's Tim Alberta joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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There have been more than 200 civil wars since WWII — and the conditions that triggered those conflicts are now present here in America. Author Barbara Walter joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the complete absence of buzz about The Golden Globes and what that means for the state of moviegoing in general. Then the gang reviews Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film, Licorice Pizza. And on a sad bonus episode, they pay tribute to a quartet of major talents who have recently passed: Sidney Poitier, Peter Bogdanovich, Betty White, and Bob Saget. If you enjoyed the show, share it with a friend!
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Sure, former Republicans in the democracy coalition bear some responsibility for where we are today — and Democrats do too. But the only thing that matters now is who's on the side of the Constitution, and who isn't. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Ted Cruz found out what happens when you don't use the language of the MAGA woke orthodoxy. Plus, liberals grousing about Dick Cheney: Do you want a pro- democracy coalition or don’t you? Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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NY Times columnist Bret Stephens joins the panel, including Norm Ornstein, to discuss the GOP in the wake of Jan 6 and whether the Democrats are missing the boat on ECA and voting reform.
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Sonny is joined by Philip Gelatt this week. In addition to talking about the art of rotoscoping and the years-long effort to get his new film The Spine of Night made, and then released, we also discuss the state of animation more broadly in America and beyond. As a script adapter on Love, Death + Robots, Netflix’s hit animated anthology, he has a lot of experience and wisdom to share in this realm. And if you’re curious about The Spine of Night, check out the trailer here. Full disclosure: it’s not safe for work and not safe for kids. But it is pretty great, especially if you’re into cult classics like Heavy Metal and Ralph Bakshi’s animated Lord of the Rings adaptation.
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Conspiracy theories are at the core of Donald Trump, and the Republican Party still took him in. The surprise is that we are surprised. The New Yorker's Susan Glasser and Princeton's Julian Zelizer join Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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GOP operatives are none too pleased that Dr. Oz wants to be the next Republican senator from Pennsylvania. Democrats — who remember when the guy from The Apprentice was underestimated — are worried. Olivia Nuzzi joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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What's sustaining the belief that the election was stolen from Trump? It's rage-makers like Dan Bongino, who feed existential conflict to millions of Americans daily — in between ads for gun holsters and survivalist food rations. The New Yorker's Evan Osnos joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss consolidation in the book industry and whether that contributed to the potential cancellation of a book celebrating Norman Mailer’s centennial. Then the gang reviews Don’t Look Up, Netflix and Adam McKay’s messy satire. And on the bonus episode, our three hosts pick their favorite satires—and there’s a surprising thread running through them. Make sure to share this episode with a friend if you found it entertaining!
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Democrats say they're the party of government. Why not make it run more effectively — so the FDA isn't so ham-fisted and the CDC isn't so slow? Also, one year after Jan.6, how have our electoral guardrails still not been fixed? Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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A panel of Bulwark favorites share their predictions (AKA warnings) for 2022. They also take time to give a shout-out to the people who aren't shouting — the people on the ground helping others and working to save democracy. Bill Kristol, Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL join guest host Mona Charen on today's episode.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny is joined by Chris McKenna who, along with his writing partner Erik Sommers, wrote Spider-Man: No Way Home, which has grossed about $1.2 billion around the world … so far. In this in-depth interview, Chris discusses how a blockbuster of this nature gets made, from pitch meetings to brainstorming sessions to rewrites during the shoot to additional photography to tightening up following test screenings. We also talk a bit about the state of the business and why it’ll be a real bummer if the theatrical experience dies off. Plus, we learn that a very special Spider-Villain is a listener of this podcast! (Or, well, has listened to AN episode. Same-same.)
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BLM signs have come down, and tough conversions now are about what racial equity looks like. For instance, is getting rid of the SAT the best solution? Plus, The Washington Post's Perry Bacon and guest host Tim Miller get personal on the struggle to find a diverse school for their kids.
Books mentioned:
"Learning in Public" by Courtney E. Martin
"How the Word Is Passed" by Clint Smith
"The State Must Provide" by Adam Harris
"The Sum of Us" by Heather McGhee
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The Republican Party is now about knife fights and justifying just about anything -- like Peter Navarro laying out a clear description of the attempted Trump coup. Still, there are 2021 bright spots. Peter Wehner joins guest host Mona Charen on today's episode.
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This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) unveil their five favorite movies of the year. A surprising amount of unanimity in this year’s lists! The gang reviews The Matrix Resurrections, Warner Bros. and Lana Wachowski’s super-meta reboot of the beloved franchise. And on the bonus episode, our hosts pick their favorite non-Matrix Wachowski movie. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Hollywood shared its magic with China. Now some of 2021's biggest box office draws were Chinese films. With fewer American movies being shown there, Hollywood's confronting what creative freedoms it gave up to play in China. Author Chris Fenton joins guest host Sonny Bunch on today's episode.
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The centrist wing of the democratic party is making a bit of a comeback. With Joe Manchin calling the shots on BBB — and cultural issues like "defund the police" not winning even among Black and Hispanic voters — is it time for the Democratic leadership to stand up to the progressives? The Atlantic's Ron Brownstein is this week's special guest.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://forward.com/culture/437007/why-do-jews-eat-chinese-food-on-christmas/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/19/statement-from-press-secretary-jen-psaki-4/
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/20/peng-shuai-appearance-fails-to-address-concerns-for-tennis-stars-wellbeing-says-wta
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The Trump administration's malfeasance in responding to Covid demands a 9/11 commission-style investigation. Plus, Biden's 2020 victory was more Dunkirk, and less D-Day. Churchill fan Bill Kristol joins guest host JVL on today's episode.
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From lionizing Kyle Rittenhouse, to stopping abortion in Texas, and threatening to take over America's election apparatus, Republicans are sending a dangerous message: Take matters into your own hands. Real Clear Politics' A.B. Stoddard joins guest host Mona Charen on today's episode.
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The ultimate survival of American democracy is going to come down to the Democrats figuring out how to defeat the party that wants to overturn it. Plus, it's Joe Manchin's way or the highway. New York magazine's Ed Kilgore joins guest host JVL on today's episode.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter talk about the biggest movie of the year: Spider-Man: No Way Home. Before that, in cons and nons, they ask why Disney released three pickups from Fox—West Side Story, Nightmare Alley, and The King’s Man—in such close proximity not only to each other but also what was likely to be, again, the biggest movie of the year. And on the special bonus episode, the gang tries something a little different: A Spider-Man movie draft! Make sure to listen to that and vote on the winner. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Democrats are furious with Manchin, but they still need him to pass a voting rights bill. Plus, while Biden readies for his big Covid speech, the man who brought us "lock her up" sounds nervous about the Jan. 6 committee. Mona Charen joins guest host Sarah Longwell on today's episode.
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With Gen Z really not that into Biden, and median voters tuning out politics, Biden definitely needs a new message: Blame the GOP for Covid dragging on. Snapchat's Peter Hamby joins guest host Tim Miller on today's episode.
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The Washington Post's Dan Balz joins the panel to discuss the January 6 committee, whether Biden will/should seek reelection, and how the pandemic has affected work/family balance.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-12-15/the-pro-immigrant-case-against-new-york-city-s-noncitizen-voting?sref=z9I1fo2Y
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/242113/jfk-by-fredrik-logevall/
https://www.vox.com/polyarchy/2015/12/18/9360663/is-democracy-in-trouble
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Sarah, Tim, and JVL sit in for Charlie. Trump knows his supporters better than anyone around him. He knew they'd be fine with an insurrection.
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Last month the Criterion Collection kicked off its new 4K lineup with what is, arguably, the greatest movie ever made: Citizen Kane. And the disc is absolutely loaded with special features, including a rarely seen BBC documentary on the making of the movie, multiple commentary tracks, and numerous interviews—including one with film historian Farran Smith Nehme. She joined Sonny to talk about Citizen Kane, how it got made, how William Randolph Hearst tried to smother it in the crib, and why it’s considered to be one of the great films. We also talked about her new Substack, which you can check out here, and the transformation of blogs into newsletters.
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Trump aggressively shut down protesters for his Bible photo-op, but let the insurrection run on for more than three hours. We've passed 'what did they know, and when did they know it?' We're now at 'when did they start planning it?' Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The way we work isn't working — fewer, more focused hours on the job can actually be more productive. And just because tech makes it possible to work at any time doesn't mean we should. Will the Great Resignation change our workaholic ways? Charlie Warzel joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Alyssa Rosenberg of the Washington Post returns from maternity leave to join Peter Suderman (Reason) and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) to discuss whether or not the New Yorker was too mean to Succession star Jeremy Strong in their profile of the actor. And the gang reviews Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake: even the notoriously musical-averse Sonny is wowed by it. Make sure to check out the special bonus episode on Steven Spielberg’s greatest collaborators. And please share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!
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Journalism traditionally treats the two parties as equals, but Republicans are fabricating an alternate reality and sabotaging democracy. Can reporters be "partisans for democracy" without rooting for the Democrats? The Week's Damon Linker joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast
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Republicans are siding with Putin over NATO, top candidates are flocking to Bannon's podcast, and New Yorkers are handing the GOP a Christmas gift by giving non-citizens the right to vote. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss threats to democracy, the GOP's gun fetish, and more.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/12/democrats-lose-culture-war/620887/
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/brooks-true-conservatism-dead-fox-news-voter-suppression/620853/
https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2020/08/11/about-one-in-four-u-s-hispanics-have-heard-of-latinx-but-just-3-use-it/
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Special bonus episode this week, as The Bulwark’s Tim Miller stops by to talk about Don’t Look Up, the new satire from Adam McKay (Vice, Step Brothers), as well as how it felt to return to the multiplex and take in some movies. (You can read Sonny’s review of Don’t Look Up and Red Rocket, two films that are very much about the last five or six years of American life, here.) If you enjoy it, share it with a friend!
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On this week’s episode, Tony Davis of Tessive returns to the show just in time for Christmas to walk you through the upgrades and lateral movements you need to be thinking about if you have home theater gear on your Christmas wishlist. We discuss HDR formats (what’s the difference between Dolby Vision and HDR10, and does it really matter?), why movies and TV shows on Amazon look so bad (hint: they’re compressed to death), and why you desperately need to upgrade those HDMI cables (because we can’t have nice things, that’s why).
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Trump's official power as president wasn't what got him so close to toppling the 2020 election. It was his ability to convince supporters that black is white, and up is down — and they're preparing for next time. The Atlantic's Bart Gellman joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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If the attorney general wants to restore norms at the Justice Department, he's got to talk about it. He's got to give speeches on democracy, voting rights, and accountability. He has to sell the message. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Stacey Abrams sees good odds in the Georgia's governor's race, while the Republican candidates are stuck in the amber of Trump's Big Lie. Plus: Nunes' job change shows that being on Fox is the new path to power. NBC News' Jonathan Allen joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr tackle Jane Campion’s western (or maybe not quite western?) The Power of the Dog. Is this a basic attack on toxic masculinity, or something a little more interesting? On cons and nons, the guys bid a not-so-fond farewell to Chris Cuomo, who has finally been fired from CNN. And the show ends on a slightly sad note, as Sonny pays tribute to Fred Hiatt, the editorial page editor at the Washington Post. Make sure to check out the bonus episode on another Netflix western, The Harder They Fall. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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The build-up of Russian troops on the border is alarming. Afghanistan is facing mass starvation. Meanwhile, Trump country is not only anti-vax, it's pro-obesity. Get fat to own the libs. David Frum joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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It's not just The Bulwark saying the Democrats have a branding problem — Democrats are saying it too. So, cool it with the culture talk, control inflation, and as Bill Kristol has been telling the White House: Make Covid tests cheap and plentiful. Kristol joins Charlie Sykes today.
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Slate's Will Saletan joins the group, including Bill Kristol to discuss implications of possible reversal of Roe and Biden's opportunities to recover.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/11/24/trans-kids-therapy-psychologist/
https://www.vox.com/22814386/lauren-boebert-islamophobic-comments-omar-house-republicans
https://harpers.org/archive/2021/12/a-posthumous-shock-trauma-studies-modernity-how-everything-became-trauma/
https://www.statnews.com/2021/11/17/gop-opposition-to-vaccine-mandates-extends-far-beyond-covid-19/
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Republicans are blowing off the Jan. 6 investigation, and the Deplorable Squad is normalizing rhetoric that can lead to political violence. Can the pro-democracy coalition quit the name-calling and get down to business? Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny talks to David Herrin the CEO and founder of The Quorum, a film research firm that has done something rather remarkable in making tracking data available to the public in the same way that box office data is available to the public. “Tracking” numbers are the data points used by studios to help determine how a film will perform in theaters, and The Quorum is building a hearty database for movie nerds to dive into. In addition to discussing The Quorum’s new study examining why audiences are hesitant to return to theaters—spoiler: cost and COVID remain the two biggest factors—we also chat about the state of the business and what’s likely to come. I encourage you to poke around at The Quorum’s website if you’re a fan of sites like Box Office Mojo; there’s all sorts of interesting stuff there. And share this post with a friend if you enjoyed our chat!
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Just as we thought we were turning the corner on Covid, a new variant is bringing travel restrictions and heightening anxiety about the future. Is Biden in a no-win situation? The Cook Political Report's Amy Walter joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Yes, there was a riot at the Capitol, but keep your eye on the ball: Trump tried to destroy American democracy. He literally tried to steal the election. Jonathan Karl joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr look at the transition of power at Twitter and muse over how to fix the service that has an outsized—and potentially ill—effect on society. And the gang reviews House of Gucci, Ridley Scott and Lady Gaga’s overlong and over-accented look at one absurd Italian family. And on the bonus episode, the guys fete the career of Adam Driver, who has worked with a dozen or so A-list directors during his brief Hollywood career. If you love the show and want access to that bonus episode, make sure to sign up for Bulwark+!
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Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling the shots and owning Kevin McCarthy, while some Republican governors are paying people NOT to get vaccinated. Bonus content: Taylor v Jake. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Sonny here, wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and helping you get a jump on your Christmas shopping by offering up a slew of cinematically minded books written by folks who just so happened to have been on this-here podcast. I’m linking to the Amazon page here for ease’s sake, but please consider checking out your local bookseller if you happen to live near one!
In no particular order:
Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World, by Wil Haygood.
The Magic Years: Scenes from a Rock-and-Roll Life, by Jonathan Taplin.
The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor, by Jake Tapper.
Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas, by Glenn Kenny.
20th Century-Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck and the Creation of the Modern Film Studio, by Scott Eyman.
Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II, by Christian Blauvelt.
Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir (Revised and Expanded Edition), by Eddie Muller.
A Light in the Dark: A History of Movie Directors, by David Thomson.
1996: A Biography ― Reliving the Legend-Packed, Dynasty-Stacked, Most Iconic Sports Year Ever, by Jon Finkel.
The Nolan Variations: The Movies, Mysteries, and Marvels of Christopher Nolan, by Tom Shone.
True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee, by Abraham Riesman.
Hollywood Hates Hitler!: Jew-Baiting, Anti-Nazism, and the Senate Investigation into Warmongering in Motion Pictures, by Chris Yogerst.
Release the Snyder Cut: The Crazy True Story Behind the Fight That Saved Zack Snyder's Justice League, by Sean O’Connell.
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Sarah Longwell, Charlie Sykes, Amanda Carpenter, and Mona Charen stop by to talk food, the dearth of Thanksgiving movies, and to highlight something in the political world they are most grateful for. Let's just say Liz Cheney got some love.
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Militant hyper-masculinity is the ideal of Christian manhood in the white evangelical world, and it's part and parcel of Trumpism and today's Republican Party. Author Kristen Du Mez joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Should the government really be run like a business, or just be run really well? Author Donald Cohen debates Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr highlight the first genuine, nominations-guaranteed piece of Oscar bait of the season: Will Smith’s King Richard, a look at the man behind the women who would go on to become the greatest female tennis players of all time. And in controversies and nontroversies, the guys debate whether or not Sean Baker, director of Tangerine and The Florida Project, deserves to have his new film, Red Rocket, destroyed pre-release because he liked a tweet by Tulsi Gabbard—and the danger of ideological uniformity in the critical corps. Make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on Will Smith’s body of work, and share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!
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We are in a dangerous moment when members of the political class celebrate violence and fetishize guns. Plus, contemplating an America if JFK had not been assassinated. Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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People are actually quite resilient, but when young students are told they can be harmed by words, it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Greg Lukianoff from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Noah Smith helps the panel diagnose the inflation threat as well as the political peril for Democrats.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/11/17/overdose-deaths-pandemic-fentanyl/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
https://www.thebulwark.com/steve-bannon-and-maga-martyrdom/
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2021/11/18/what-makes-life-meaningful-views-from-17-advanced-economies/
https://www.netflix.com/title/81086631?preventIntent=true
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On this week’s episode, Sonny is joined by Wil Haygood, author of the new book Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World. Haygood’s book is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn about largely forgotten trailblazers such as Oscar Micheaux, better-known figures like Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, the controversies over movies as diverse as The Birth of a Nation and Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, the odd fate of Porgy and Bess, and so much more. Colorization is both breezy and in-depth—the best sort of popular history—and our conversation only scratched the surface of his book. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
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"If you persuade people that we cannot rely on our elections to decide who should govern, then what is left but violence?" Rep. Adam Schiff joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The findings of the Mueller report have been overshadowed by the discrediting of the Steele dossier, but the Russia-Trump campaign ties were a real thing. Lawfare's David Priess joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr talk about non-fungible tokens, and the scarcity and value of art. They also review Belfast, Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical look at growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. And on the bonus episode they consider the most disposable—and, possibly, most-watched—movie of the year, Red Notice. If you enjoyed the episode share it with a friend!
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Tyrants are good at obtaining power, but bad at wielding it. And no, Mussolini didn't make the trains run on time. Author and Washington Post columnist Brian Klaas joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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After years of pushing fear, the NRA is facing an existential crisis. Government investigations and the billionaire lifestyle of Wayne LaPierre may spell the end for one of the most powerful organizations in America. NPR's Tim Mak joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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It's The Bulwark's job to talk about Jan 6, Democrats need to talk about kitchen table issues, and Chris Christie: We remember what you did. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The Atlantic’s David Frum joins to discuss inflation, the economy, immigration, and the call to back Ron DeSantis in 2024.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.npr.org/2021/11/10/1054137225/nearly-1-million-kids-ages-5-11-will-have-their-first-covid-shots-by-the-end-of-
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-11-08/niall-ferguson-america-s-woke-universities-need-to-be-replaced
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2021/11/after-afghanistan-poll-finds-alienation-and-desire-connection/186771/
https://rdi.org/frontlines-of-freedom/
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Members of Congress are being threatened over infrastructure, the banning of books is back with a vengeance, and Americans are still paying the price for Trump's loyal lieutenants. Georgetown's Donald Moynihan joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week's episode, Sonny is joined by Christian Blauvelt, author of Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II. From the pre-war skittishness of the big studios about alienating German markets—and potentially alienating an isolationist domestic audience, pre-Pearl Harbor—to the wartime efforts to raise funds and produce works of art that inspired Americans to resist the fascist menace, Christian's book tells a wide-ranging and fascinating story. Sonny and Christian talked about Jimmy Stewart’s service, Walt Disney and Orson Welles’s South American excursions, Charlie Chaplin and Frank Capra’s response to Triumph of the Will,and much more! If you enjoy this episode pick up a copy of Christian’s book—it’s a beautiful hardcover with lots of color pictures and would make a great Christmas gift—and share this podcast with a friend!
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When the Republican Party is only about enabling the Big Lie and fomenting outrage to get on Fox News, Kevin McCarthy doesn't get a pass for averting his gaze. The Washington Post's Dana Milbank joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Republicans are in a purge mood, while Democrats are stumbling in the dark trying to figure out how to talk TO voters, rather than AT them. Former Ohio congressional candidate Shannon Freshour joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr ask whether it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that Big Bird is reassuring kids that getting shots won’t hurt them. And they review Eternals: Is it Marvel’s first DC movie? And on the bonus episode and in honor of Eternals earning the MCU its first splat on Rotten Tomatoes, the gang discusses their favorite rotten movies from beloved franchises. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!
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Democrats have to go all in on owning their victory on infrastructure. And Biden's "Yeah, he's not Donald Trump!" honeymoon is over. Former Congressman David Jolly joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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After this week's drubbing at the polls, Democrats have to get some stuff done, improve their messaging, and they need to tell voters, "We hear you." Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The Atlantic’s and Brookings Institution’s Jonathan Rauch helps dissect last week’s election results. Are both parties unfit to govern?
Articles mentioned:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/03/opinion/us-immigration-politics.html
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2021/11/03/three_takeaways_from_virginia_and_new_jersey_146681.html
https://www.thebulwark.com/an-open-letter-in-defense-of-democracy/
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The fight for the soul of the GOP may be over, but Rep. Adam Kinzinger sees a political future — maybe even a challenge against TFG. "I'm willing to lose to get the message out." The retiring congressman joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny is joined by Jim Cummings, whose new feature The Beta Testdrops on VOD and in select theaters Friday, Nov. 5. In addition to discussing his few film and its acidic take on the dispute between talent agencies and the WGA, Jim also talks about landing a featured role in Halloween Kills, how he financed and distributed his first feature, Thunder Road, and his horror-comedy The Wolf of Snow Hollow (which topped Sonny’s best-of list in 2020). If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
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Yes, there was a white backlash against Critical Race Theory, but there was also genuine concern about equity trumping excellence in education. Plus, Democrats forgot to speak to the Black and Latino working class. Mona Charen joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Sorry: There was a mixing issue on this week’s episode and we’ve had to re-upload the file. Should be good to go now. Apologies for any inconvenience!
This week, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr review The French Dispatch, Wes Anderson’s love letter to the New Yorker and art of all kinds. And we discuss the disastrous state of affairs in world cinema, where rising authoritarianism threatens the cinematic arts from Hong Kong to Kabul. What can the U.S. do to help? And on a special members-only episode, Sonny, Peter, and Chris discuss their favorite performances in Wes Anderson movies.
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With many evangelicals spending hours a day watching Fox News and OANN, but just 25 minutes a week listening to a sermon, political culture has overwhelmed the culture of the church. Peter Wehner joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The GOP cements its role as a lifestyle brand. Why the GOP may not be able to replicate Youngkin. And Facebook's role in the derangement of American politics. Jonathan V. Last joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Adam Kinzinger exits stage left, Hershel Walker enters stage right, and Liz Cheney goes YOLO. Plus, when will Democrats figure out how to sell their bill? Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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NY Magazine’s Jonathan Chait joins, along with the Bulwark’s Amanda Carpenter, to discuss the BBB deal (if there is one) and cancel culture.
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fight-for-taiwan-could-come-soon-china-navy-defense-11635349097
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/opinion/cohousing-mothers-pandemic-community.html
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The Wall Street Journal is trolling, Tucker Carlson has gone full Alex Jones, and Michael Flynn is comparing Dr. Fauci to Dr. Mengele. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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When you click “buy” on a digital product at Amazon or Apple, as opposed to “rent,” what do you think that means? Most folks think of it like buying a physical copy of a thing: they can sell it or pass it down to heirs. But as Aaron Perzanowski, a professor at Case Western, notes in his sit-down with Sonny Bunch, that’s not really the case: you’re just buying a license to a thing. And if that license to Amazon or Apple ends? Well, so does your access to the thing you think you “bought.” On this week’s Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, Sonny discusses the tricky nature of ownership in an increasingly digital world—and what you need to know before you click “Buy.” If you enjoy this episode, please share it with a friend!
And if you’d prefer to listen on another podcast app, you can find The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood on Apple, Google, Spotify, and elsewhere here. Subscribe today!
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Sarah, Tim, and JVL talk about the home stretch for McAuliffe-Youngkin, the Facebook Papers, the big DWAC, and TikTok in a Very Special Episode that’s open to everyone.
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Presidents of both parties have been exploiting loopholes for years. Trump showed just how urgent the problem of presidential overreach is. Bob Bauer and Jack Goldsmith join Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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With a wealthier and more highly educated base, do Democrats have the political will to actually tax the rich? The Washington Post's Catherine Rampell joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny is joined by Peter Suderman and Chris Orr, who will be filling in for Alyssa while she’s on maternity leave. We discussed the tragedy on the set of Rust, a film that was in production until Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, and wounded director Joel Souza. What are some of the things that went wrong here, who, ultimately, is to blame, and how bad has the discourse gotten around it? Sonny and co also reviewed Dune, the new epic in theaters and on HBO Max. And in the bonus episode, the three discussed which of the movies by director Denis Villeneuve is their favorite, and why. If you haven’t already, subscribe now to listen to that one today!
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Increasing polarization, misinformation, and the erosion of public trust can be traced to the death of newspapers. Why is a secretive hedge fund hollowing out local newsrooms? The Atlantic's McKay Coppins joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The deaths of Black people awakened our nation last year. What happened to our conversation about race? Author and actor Tyler Merritt joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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This week on The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, CNN’s Frank Pallotta rejoins Sonny to talk about Netflix’s big week! New subscriber numbers, new data numbers, and a newly controversial gloss to the biggest thing in entertainment. Plus, we talk a bit about Halloween Kills, Dune, and the impact of streaming on box office numbers. If you enjoyed the show, share it with a friend!
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Eric Edelman helps unpack China’s new missile, Democrats’ indecisiveness, and the final stretch in Virginia’s governor’s race.
Articles mentioned:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/alden-global-capital-killing-americas-newspapers/620171/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/will-america-come-to-taiwan-defense-china-xi-navy-11634053378
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/magazine/viktor-orban-rod-dreher.html
https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/10/the-return-of-catherine-lhamon-is-another-biden-betrayal/
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Republicans have no agenda beyond denying the truth about 2020, and changing election rules. But if the Democrats can't get it together, there could be a Trumpian restoration. Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Can our media rise to meet the dangerous moment we are in? Journalist Charlie Warzel joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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On this episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask whether Dave Chappelle, his new special, and the way Netflix has handled internal and external fallout from its airing, are controversies, or nontroversies. Then the gang reviews The Last Duel, a/k/a Medieval Me Too. (For more on The Last Duel, you can read Sonny here, Alyssa here, and Peter here.) Make sure to listen all the way to end for a special programming note! And check out our bonus episode on our favorite Ridley Scott movies. There are so many to choose from!
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After its embrace of the unvaccinated and the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, the GOP can no longer claim it's the party of law and order. Do the Democrats have it in them to take on that role? Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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While there has been no shortage of exposés about Trump, his administration, and his family, a new book about the Bidens is getting relatively limited attention. Is the mainstream media applying a double standard? Ben Schreckinger joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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When you can't align with the people who equate mask mandates to Nazi Germany — or with people who get triggered by the Federalist Society — where does the Rational Center belong? Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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Protect Democracy’s Ian Bassin joins to discuss how he’s working to counter threats to our democracy. Also the VA governor’s race.
Mentioned book and articles:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/10/07/our-planet-is-not-doomed-that-means-we-can-must-act/
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/10/12/hunter-biden-corruption-515583
https://www.brookings.edu/essay/the-long-game-chinas-grand-strategy-to-displace-american-order/
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Ryan Faughnder of the Los Angeles Times’s Wide Shot newsletter rejoins the show this week to discuss the boon—and burden—of sports betting ads. What are some of the rewards, and the risks, of this enormous advertising market? We also discussed Squid Game and Netflix’s efforts to internationalize entertainment as well as the age-old debate: subtitling versus dubbing. Make sure to sign up for Ryan’s newsletter (it’s free!) and if you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend!
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Our democracy is in a crisis, but there's also a growing movement across the country to join forces to fight for it. Protect Democracy's Ian Bassin joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast.
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The Claremont Institute is the intellectual home of America's Trumpist right — as well as election theft mastermind John Eastman. The Atlantic's Emma Green joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Is the conservative think tank just giving words and ideas to the ball of energy that elected Trump, or further inflaming our already inflamed politics?
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) highlight the IATSE union work stoppage that seems pretty inevitable at this point. What do Hollywood’s trade unions want, in terms of money and work-life balance? Then the gang sets their sights on Bond, James Bond. Did they enjoy Daniel Craig’s final turn as 007? (You can read Alyssa’s review here, Peter’s here, and Sonny’s here if you want more from them on the subject.) And, in the bonus episode, they discuss whether Craig is their favorite Bond or a mere also-ran. If you enjoyed the show share it with a friend! If they don’t want to sign up via Substack they can get it a day later on Apple.
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Not only is Trump doubling down in support of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, he's turning Ashli Babbitt into a martyr. Plus, when will Biden build back better bumper sticker-style messaging from the White House? Lawfare's David Priess joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast
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Americans hate the other side so much, they want to bust up the country, censor media they don't like, and allow "their"president to act without checks and balances. That's according to recent polling by Larry Sabato, who joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. As long as Donald Trump remains on the stage, democracy in America is not safe, says Sabato.
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Democrats on Twitter don't win votes and won't save our democracy from the madman who's back to playing his golden escalator greatest hits. James Carville and Tim Miller join Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. When will the Democrats see that constructive criticism is really an act of love?
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George F. Will joins B2D panel to discuss his new book, and also whether Facebook should be regulated, and the Democrats' hopes for social welfare.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny talks to Scott Eyman about his new book, 20th Century Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck and the Creation of the Modern Film Studio. Zanuck’s reign as a Hollywood mogul ran through nearly every major technological and business innovation Hollywood saw in the first half of the 20th century and beyond, and Mr. Eyman’s book paints a compelling portrait of a producer as both businessman and artist. You can pick up a copy wherever books are sold (here’s an Amazon link for ease’s sake), and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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Tucker Carlson's got anti-maskers yelling at schoolchildren, Texas' abortion bill is on hold — and enough with the Trump tell-all grifters. The Nation's Elie Mystal joins guest host Amanda Carpenter on today's podcast.
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Sinema's silence gets decoded, and The Big Lie officially becomes The Great Grift. National Journal’s Josh Kraushaar joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast and breaks down the neck-and neck governor's race in Virginia and the politics of Arizona.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down the strange story of Ozy Media, the various scams of which have been chronicled by the NYT’s Ben Smith in recent weeks, and the overall state of media accountability. Then they review The Many Saints of Newark, David Chase and HBO’s new prequel to The Sopranos currently in theaters and on HBO Max. And in the members-only bonus episode, the gang debates the biggest question in the history of prestige TV: What, exactly, happened to Tony Soprano at the end of the series? Sign up now to listen today!
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Steve Bannon is gearing up for the MAGA Revenge Tour, Mike Pence is talking like he went to a re-education camp, and Democratic activists seem to be relying on some good old-fashioned sexism to go after Kyrsten Sinema. The Washington Post's Karen Tumulty joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast, and shares her predictions on the reconciliation bill and the debt ceiling.
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One party has embraced its inner lunatic, while the other plays political chicken. Can the Democrats not implode — and keep the pro-democracy coalition together? Mona Charen joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Plus, we're not living in a new Gilded Age, we're living in the Grifted Age.
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On today's podcast, Tim Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Julie Andrews' birthday, Corey Lewandowski’s breath, why Dems should be grateful to Joe Manchin, Biden's immigration mess, Liz Cheney's opponent, and why Mike Pence is fawning over Hungary.
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A.B. Stoddard joins to discuss why we can't have nice things in America.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny talks to Scott Tobias, formerly of The AV Club and The Dissolve, about his new Substack endeavor with Keith Phipps, The Reveal, as well as the evolving world of film criticism. With so many local newspapers cutting back on movie reviewers for budgetary reasons and so many websites merely hitting the most popular of topics to generate clicks, it’s interesting—and, frankly, heartening—to see Substack using their Pro program to help critics like Tobias and Phipps (along with Ty Burr and Jerry Saltz) stand up their own newsletters to chase their own idiosyncratic interests. Can the “Thousand True Fans” theorem save the world of interesting film writing?
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On today's podcast, New York times columnist Bret Stephens talks about Trump's moral universe, Biden's centrist dilemma, the looming danger of inflation, and why Manchin-Sinema could actually save the Democrats.
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On today's podcast, A.B. Stoddard joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Pentagon hearing, Mitch McConnell's endgame, the standoff over spending, Stephanie Grisham's new book, and Trump's plan for the midterm.
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Sarah, Tim, and JVL talk about the governor’s race in Virginia, the Republican primary in Wyoming, and the Dems’ screwup in Washington.
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On today's podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the dangers of a constitutional crisis, the prospects of a Trumpian Restoration, and the fight over infrastructure spending.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the legal back and forth between Disney and the estates of Marvel’s most famous creators, including those of Steve Ditko and Stan Lee, as well as fan reactions to the (very slight!) possibility that copyright termination notices will be the death of the MCU as we know it. Is legal wrangling the kryptonite (sorry, mixing universes) that will slay the biggest film franchise in movie history? The gang also reviews The Eyes of Tammy Faye, asking why it feels so slight given the overtly theatrical nature of the subject in question. And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on musical biopics and why the genre feels fairly moribund; if you aren’t a member yet, you have five days left to take advantage of our 30-day free trial offer.
(Oh, one last thing: If you sign up for Bulwark+, you’ll get a personalized RSS feed that’ll let you listen to this episode today in the player of your choice. If you’d prefer to wait until tomorrow to listen, you can find the show on Apple, Google, Spotify and the rest here.)
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On today’s podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Cyber Ninja flop, the Democratic budget follies, and the Liz Cheney interview on 60 minutes.
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On today's podcast Sarah Longwell joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Arizona Fraudit's epic flop, the ongoing threats to democracy, and the disarray among the Dems.
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Sarah Longwell sits in for Linda and Tom Nichols joins to discuss the Democrats' divisions, Haitians at the border, and Biden's foreign policy.
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On today's podcast, Rick Wilson joins host Charlie Sykes to offer some tough love to just about everybody.
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On today's podcast Rep. Adam Kinzinger joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the House 1/6 Committee's work and the dilemma of principled GOPERs... is it better to leave the party or stay and fight?
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On today's podcast, Geoff Duncan, the lieutenant governor of Georgia joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Big Lie about the 2020 election, and his new book about the future of the GOP. PLUS: A special appearance by Sarah Longwell as she unveils a new Bulwark podcast: "The Focus Group"
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This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post, and Peter Suderman (Reason) take a look at the controversy swirling about CBS’s instantly canceled show, The Activist. What’s so bad about making activists compete for attention dollars? And the gang reviews Cry Macho, the latest from director-star Clint Eastwood. Is he too old for this movie, or is Sonny a despicable ageist. Make sure to check out our bonus episode on our favorite Eastwood-directed movies.
If you’re a Bulwark+ member you can listen to the show on your preferred podcast app today via a personalized RSS feed; this episode will drop on Apple et al. tomorrow if you don’t want to help keep the show sustainable and you can find your preferred service here. If you’re not a Bulwark+ member, sign up today for a 30-day trial that will get you the personalized RSS feed, unlock the bonus episode above, and grant you access to the comments section of this episode.
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On today's podcast, David Frum joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss The Former Guy riding Velociraptors; the debate over vaccines; how Democrats can keep Never Trump voters - and the problem with Bob Woodward's books.
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On today's podcast, Tim Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the retirement of Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, Biden's new COVID mandates, this weekend's Pro-Sedition Rally, and the Dem victory in the California recall election.
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National Journal's Josh Kraushaar helps analyze the political implications of the California recall, the vaccine mandate, and Mark Milley's revelations.
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On today's podcast, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book: "Uncontrolled Spread: Why COVID-19 Crushed Us and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic."
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Welcome back to the show! Please check out last week’s episode if you missed it; Rod Lurie (The Contender, The Last Castle) had a ton of great stories about transitioning from the Army to the world of film criticism to the world of filmmaking. This week we talked about shooting The Outpost: the difficulty of bringing such a sensitive story to the big screen and trying to decide what to cut and what to keep; shooting the film in Bulgaria; and casting actors like Caleb Landry Jones and Scott Eastwood in key roles. For more on The Outpost, make sure to check out my interview with the author of the source book, Jake Tapper. And please share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!
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On today's podcast, veteran political consultant Stuart Stevens joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Trumpifciation of the GOP; the upcoming mid-terms; the biggest threat to the Biden presidency; and the new paperback edition of his book, "It Was All a Lie."
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On today's podcast, George F. Will joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss writing, history, education, politics, history, and Nicki Minaj. His new book is "American Happiness and Discontents: The Unruly Torrent."
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This week Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) discuss the pros and cons of advice columns and whether or not it’s okay—or, frankly, just plain hilarious—to lie to advice columnists. And the gang reviews Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter (Sonny’s review here; Peter’s here). Make sure to check out our bonus episode on Oscar Isaac’s great decade of work, and share this episode with friends if you dug it! Our survival depends on listeners like you.
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On today's podcast, Olivia Troye joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss GWB's 9/11 speech, Chris Christie, the fight over refugees, and the looming COVID winter.
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On today's podcast, Tom Nichols joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Chris Christie; the Biden mandates; the thirsty politicians of Ohio; and our deeply unserious politics.
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Heath Mayo, founder of Principles First, joins the regular panel to discuss abortion, insurrection, and whether the global war on terror was a mistake.
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On today's podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the 20th anniversary of 9/11; TFG's thoughts on Robert E. Lee; the new politics of abortion; and the normalization of political violence.
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This week (and next week!) Sonny talks to Rod Lurie, the director of The Contender, The Last Castle, and The Outpost, among other films and television shows. This week’s episode is all about Rod’s early efforts to break into the business, from Army officer to film critic to writer/director. He tells a great story about his first meeting with Bill Paxton, fills us in on the difficulty of getting funding for just about anything (spoiler: you’re always one actor away from a green light), and the difference between being a showrunner and a director-for-hire on a TV series. Make sure to tune in next week when we talk about The Outpost. And if you enjoy this episode, please share it with a friend!
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Amanda and Ashley talk about what's up with Texas, Biden Agenda, and COVID overhang.
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Alyssa (The Washington Post), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) know folks are a little tired of MCU-centric episodes, but this week demonstrates why it’s a constant topic of conversation: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings grossed $75 million over its first three-day weekend and almost $95 million once Labor Day was included. Does this prove Disney was correct to keep the film off of home video for at least 45 days? Or are the people complaining about not getting to see the movie at home right? And we review the latest MCU outing. Don’t worry: next week we’ll get to something that fewer people will watch, we promise. And make sure to check out our bonus episode on the tragic death of Michael K. Williams (The Wire).
If you enjoyed Shang-Chi or just liked listening to us talk about it, please share the episode with your friends! We’d greatly appreciate it if you did.
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Guest host Amanda Carpenter is joined by Asha Rangappa, where they wonder what happened to COVID testing, go deep on J6 records requests, and talk about the Texas abortion law.
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On today's podcast, Tim Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to answer the question: what opinion are you most nervous about expressing in public? (Plus, Biden's polls, abortion, and the future of Never Trump.)
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Greg Sargent joins to talk about vote counting reform, not vote casting reform. The group (including Tim Miller) then discuss refugees and Biden's sinking popularity.
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On today's podcast, the Washington Post's James Hohmann joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about the pro-life movement's Catastrophic Victory; the dangerous strain of thought in the military about civilian control; and Joe Biden's empathy problem.
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Richard Rushfield, proprietor of The Ankler, returns to the show this week to fill us in on the declining fortunes of CinemaCon in an age of streamers and theater-threatening diseases. We also discuss low-budget horror and why studios seem loathe to fill their slate with surefire hits in addition to checking in on the minions celebrating the downfall of Mike Richards, Jeopardy scourge.
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On today's podcast, former congressman David Jolly joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Kevin McCarthy's threat against telecom companies; SCOTUS and the future of abortion, Biden's Afghanistan speech; and how the Dems could take down Ron DeSantis.
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On today's podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the final plane out of Kabul; the GOP's sedition caucus, and why Democrats need not to screw up.
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Apologies: At the 2:30 mark or so we were missing a one-minute audio clip from another podcast I had meant to insert; that is there now. Again, very sorry about that, should be fixed now.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the controversy (or possibly the nontroversy?) surrounding Spike Lee’s inclusion of 9/11 Truthers in his new documentary about New York City’s last 20 years. (To get a full sense of the issue, make sure to read this Slate piece by Jeremy Stahl on what Lee included.) Do filmmakers have a conspiracy theory problem? Are they poisoning the minds of their vulnerable listenership? And the gang also discusses Disney+’s What If … ?, the new animated series highlighting alternate universes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spoiler: It’s not great, Bob.
And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on Candyman, a movie Alyssa was too scared to watch but which Sonny and Peter found fascinating; you can sign up here to listen now if you haven’t already.
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On today's podcast, Dr. Russell Moore joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the challenge that "cultural Christianity" poses to genuine Christian witness.
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On this weekend's podcast Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss horse deworming medicine, the Nirvana baby, Joe Biden's prickly presser, and the cynical politics of Afghanistan.
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David Frum joins to shed light on the Afghanistan withdrawal and Congress's budget fandango.
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On today's podcast, the Washington post's Karen Tumulty joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about Kristi Noem, the debate over refugees and vaccines, and the history of presidential FUBARS.
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On this week’s episode Sonny is joined by Jake Tapper, CNN anchor and author of The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor, to talk about his book on Combat Outpost Keating and its adaptation into the defining movie of the Afghanistan War by Rod Lurie. Why did the book expand from coverage of the rare battle that saw two living Medal of Honor winners emerge to a book about the life an ill-advised and ill-placed outpost in the wilds of Afghanistan? How did the troops feel about American attention, or lack thereof, to the war effort? And what was it like seeing the story brought to life for viewers on screens big and small? After listening to the show, make sure to watch the movie (it’s on Netflix now!) and please: read the book. As the child of a military family, I can assure you it’s both heartrending and, occasionally, more than a little infuriating. But it’s a must-read to understand the War in Afghanistan from a soldier’s-level view.
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On today's podcast, Lawfare's David Priess joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss mosquitos, vaccines, and whether Afghanistan represented a failure of intelligence... or policy.
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On today's podcast, Ambassador Eric Edelman, a former undersecretary of defense for policy, joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the collapse of Afghanistan, the future of terrorism, and the damage to America's reputation.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) argue about whether or not the controversy swirling around Jeopardy’s hosting post is a controversy or a nontroversy. Why didn’t Sony do a better job of vetting their host? In the back half of the show, the gang reviews Reminiscence, the neo-noir from Westworld mastermind Lisa Joy starring Hugh Jackman. Is it worth making a trip to the theater or checking out on HBO Max? And make sure to check out the special bonus episode on taking kids to the theater. As one of us mentioned after we wrapped taping, this episode is like the Rosetta Stone to Across the Movie Aisle and its hosts: if you want to understand who we are, you have to understand the cinematic forces that shaped us.
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On today's podcast, A.B. Stoddard joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Biden's polls, Pelosi's challenge, and GOP crackpottery.
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On today's podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to react to President Biden's Friday afternoon statement, and to discuss the possible outcomes of the fall of Afghanistan.
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On today's podcast, Sarah Longwell joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Biden's latest comments on Afghanistan; the politics of refugees; and Ron Desantis's base play.
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Very excited to have on Zak Penn this week, who, in addition to being one of the writers of Free Guy, is also a credited writer on a series of HBO classics from my younger days: Last Action Hero, PCU, and Behind Enemy Lines, among others. On this episode we talked a lot about Free Guy and the state of Hollywood’s internal struggle between IP-branded ventures and original films, but we also dove into some of his other work: What happened with the writing of Last Action Hero, the first script Penn sold; the gratifying legacy of PCU as a cult classic and the oddity of its unavailability now; and why X-Men: The Last Stand gets a bad rap. It’s a super-sized episode because we had a ton of ground to cover; if you enjoy what you hear, please share it with a friend! If this episode does well maybe we can convince the studio swells to put out that 4K Blu-ray collector’s set of PCU we’ve all been clamoring for.
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On today's podcast , Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander S. Vindman joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about his new book, "Here Right Matters."
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On today's podcast, the Daily Beast's Matt K. Lewis joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the fall of Afghanistan, the right's anti-refugee pivot; the crisis of the Biden presidency; and Ron DeSantis's unconservative COVID policies.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) address whether it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that the star of Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is calling out the head of Disney for saying the film’s release—a 45-day theatrical run followed by the film’s release on streaming—is an “experiment.” Is this all a ploy to turn the movie into a righteous cause rather than a popcorn-consumption excuse? Then the gang reviews Free Guy, the new Ryan Reynolds action-romcom. It too is only in theaters: is it worth checking out? And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on Vietnam movies and the ways in which film can serve as a lens for national trauma, a subject that certainly has absolutely nothing to do with the current news cycle.
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On today's podcast, historian Kevin Kruse joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Trump/Biden Afghanistan fiasco; the history of normalcy; and the madness over masking.
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On today's podcast, Tim Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about Dan Crenshaw, My Pillow Guy, the Know-Nothing Revolution, childless cat people, and Biden's Afghan disaster.
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Charlie Sykes joins the group to discuss the infrastructure Rubik's cube, the Republican governors' war on public health, and whether the big strife is past.
—————
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://www.census.gov/en.html
https://www.bradleyfdn.org/prizes/
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reaches-proposed-consent-decree-state-new-jersey-resolve-claims-edna-mahan
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On today's podcast Amanda Carpenter joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Trump's attack on Capitol police; compassion fatigue for the unvaccinated; the demagoguery of Ron DeSantis, Biden's infrastructure bill, and the disaster in Afghanistan.
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This week, Sonny is joined by Matthew Belloni, author of the newsletter “What I’m Hearing” for the exciting new web publication Puck.news. Formerly an entertainment lawyer and editor for The Hollywood Reporter, Matt joins the show today to talk about Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit, the ways in which streaming economics are upending traditional compensation packages, and Disney’s new “socialism.” Are the days of superstar show runners earning hundreds of millions over? And what lies ahead for actors and audiences alike? We discuss all this and more, and if you enjoy this episode, I really cannot recommend Matt’s newsletter enough: I always learn something new when I read it, which is the nicest thing I can say about anyone’s newsletter.
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On today's podcast, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about the politics of the Big Lie, and the fight over ballots in Arizona.
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On today's podcast, David French joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the debate over race, faith, and vaccines.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) all agree that James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is, basically, a nine-figure descendant of The Toxic Avenger. But does that make it good, or expensive, overbearing schlock? And they debate whether or not Johnny Depp should be given the lifetime achievement award at the San Sebastian Film Festival … but they’re not debating the thing you think they might be debating. And make sure to check out the special bonus episode on spoilers and spoiler theory. Unless, of course, you want to watch The Green Knight first. It’ll still be there when you get back from the theater.
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On today's podcast Max Boot joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss coups past and future; vaccine passports; the politics of nihilism; Tucker's Hungarian Rhapsody; and the fascist-curious right.
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On today's podcast, Tim Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss his worries about Hot Joe Summer, Tucker's Anti-American Tour, the GOP's Herschel Walker problem, Apple's creepy surveillance plan, and the future of Andrew Cuomo.
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The Washington Post's Megan McArdle returns to B2D to discuss Cuomo, the eviction moratorium, and whether the left's power in the Democratic party exceeds its grass roots popularity.
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On today's podcast, Tom Nichols joins host Charlie Sykes to torch just about everybody: Ben Domenech's thirstiness, Tucker in Hungary, Biden's eviction moratorium, and Cori Bush's "defund the police" fiasco.
Tom Nichols' new book:
"Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy"
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On this week’s episode, Sonny talks to Clayton Childress, an Associate Professor in the Dept. of Sociology of University of Toronto who studies taste, decision, and meaning making in the creation, production, and reception of culture. Clayton is on to discuss a recent study he coauthored with Shyon Baumann, Craig M. Rawlings, and Jean-François Nault about the strange ways elite tastes have both grown more inclusive and more exclusive. What does it mean that those with more education say they enjoy every genre (e.g., horror) but only certain films within that genre (e.g., A24’s horror films like Hereditary or The Witch)? And what does that mean for studios trying to figure out what to make—and what to market?
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On today's podcast, T. Greg Doucette joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss his viral twitter thread on police brutality, the role of police unions, and the problem of qualified immunity.
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On today's podcast, former RNC Chair Michael joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about the January 6 committee, Jim Jordan, Arizona's craziness, and his future in Maryland politics.
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This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) take a hard look at Scarlett Johansson’s suit against Disney alleging that the Mouse House’s dual VOD/theatrical strategy will cost her upwards of $50 million. Is this is a game-changing moment in the relationships between movie stars and studios? Or is she going to get steamrolled? Plus: the gang reviews The Green Knight, an amusingly weird indie flick of the sort that critics love and audiences generally do not. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode, in which Alyssa tries to convince Sonny and Peter to go see Stillwater.
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On today's podcast Lawfare's Benjamin Wittes joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss "crack smoking, demon possessed leftists," Kevin McCarthy's "joke," vaccine passports, and evaluating the Merrick Garland Doctrine.
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On today's podcast, Mona Charen joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about Dinesh D'Souza's mockery of injured police officers, the battle over vaccines and masks, and whether anyone cares about infrastructure anymore.
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Elliott Abrams joins to discuss Cuba. The gang then address the January 6 committee, vaccine wars, and the infrastructure bill.
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On today's podcast, Tim Miller takes a break from vacation to talk with host Charlie Sykes about the infrastructure deal, the vax/mask wars, the humiliation of George P. Bush, and the Simone Biles backlash.
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On this episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, Sonny talks to Ray Subers, a vice president at NRG, which has helped Hollywood studios with polling about movies for decades. Currently, NRG’s most interesting and informative efforts have to do with polling audiences on their comfort levels with going back to theaters during the age of COVID and its variants. How are audiences feeling right now as case numbers surge? How nervous is Hollywood? Also: If you’ve ever wondered how movie studios figure out the “tracking” numbers—that is, the awareness levels for upcoming movies—that help them decide on release dates and advertising strategies, Ray’s the guy to listen to. It’s a fascinating science with stakes that involve tens of millions of dollars every single week.
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On today's podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Wednesday's January 6 committee hearing, the Biden Administration's response to the delta variant, and Charlie Kirk's attack on Simone Biles.
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On today's podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Cheney vs. McCarthy, the first day of the January 6 Committee, the humiliation of George P. Bush, and anger over vaccine refusal.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the new Nicolas Cage movie, Pig. Why do all three concur that it’s probably the best movie they’ve seen in theaters this year? Plus, Netflix is getting into gaming! What does that mean for the movie streaming service and its customers? Make sure to check out our special bonus episode on our favorite Nic Cage movies. We’ve got a ton to choose from: five distinct decades of Cage! And please, if you love what you’re listening to, share this show with people. They’ll thank you for it, I swear.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Slate's Will Saletan joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Trump's insane Arizona speech, the politics of vaccinations, Pelosi's move on January 6, and the Democrats' problem with crime.
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On today's podcast Charlie Sykes talks with Laura K. Field about her recent Bulwark article: "What The Hell Happened To the Claremont Institute?"
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Ted Johnson joins the panel to talk about his book: "When the Stars Begin to Fall: Overcoming Racism and Renewing the Promise of America."
Is racism structural? Is it an existential threat?
Highlights/Lowlights:
https://morningshots.thebulwark.com/p/our-woke-book-burners
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/VSRR015-508.pdf
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On today's podcast, Pulitzer Prize winning authors Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig talk with Charlie Sykes about their new best-seller: "I Alone Can Fix It."
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This week Sonny is joined by John Mass, Executive Vice President of Content Partners, LLC, to talk about the business of acquiring intellectual property and figuring out how to make the business side of show business work. We had a great chat about the future of streaming, the shifting world of windows, and the (potentially limited) future of physical media. Content Partners is the leading independent owner of major studio distributed films, televisions shows, and related participations with over 500 studio release films and more than 3,000 hours of television. The company owns many notable titles, such as 13 Going on 30, Black Hawk Down, Black Swan, and is co-owner of the CSI franchise.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the Milwaukee Bucks, Trump's worst day since leaving office, the 1/6 commission, and how Dr. Anthony Fauci broke free from following the 'old rules' of politics.
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On today's podcast Huffington Post senior justice reporter Ryan Reilly joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the investigations in the January 6 Insurrection, including the motley crew of freelance sedition hunters.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) go deep on the controversies swirling about the new documentary about Anthony Bourdain, Roadrunner. Is it a big deal that the director used an AI program to have Bourdain narrate some of his emails? Is it a much bigger deal that the documentary excludes the point of view of his ex, Asia Argento, despite casting her as the villain of his final few years? And on the back half of the show, the gang discusses Loki, the latest TV show from the MCU which just wrapped up its first season on Disney+. Have they solved the multiverse problem? What is the multiverse problem?
Make sure to check out the bonus episode on the Tokyo Olympics and how we’re living with COVID in a post-vaccine age. And if you enjoy this show, please share it with a friend! Sharing this podcast with a friend not only brings them joy, it helps increase our fantastic power over the world of entertainment.
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On today's podcast, David Frum and Charlie Sykes discuss the evolution of Trumpism, COVID disinformation, JD Vance, and the danger of exaggerating the China threat.
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David French and Charlie Sykes discuss his recent essay on the decline of friendship; the debate over critical race theory, book banning, and attempted coups.
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Guest host Sarah Longwell joins the group this week to discuss CPAC, Trump's speech, anti-vaxxers, and voting rights.
Highlights/lowlights:
Book: “The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family”
https://thebulwark.com/as-cubans-march-for-freedom-democrats-are-split/
https://thebulwark.com/what-the-hell-happened-to-the-claremont-institute/
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Tim and Charlie Sykes discuss new reports about the military's fear of a Trumpist Coup; the Bucks' playoff run; Olivia Rodrigo's White House visit; and why we should care about Ethiopia.
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This week on The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, Sonny talks to the Los Angeles Times’s Ryan Faughnder about arr-poo (that is, RPU, or revenue per user) and how such calculations figure into the value of a subscriber, as well as all sorts of other topics. Make sure to subscribe to Ryan’s newsletter (it’s free!) if you’re into the whole “business of Hollywood” thing, which you are since you’re listening to this show. And if you enjoy this episode, share it with your friends! Everyone loves getting a new podcast to listen to.
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On today's podcast, the Wall Street Journal's Michael C. Bender joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book, "Frankly We Did Win This Election."
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On today’s doubleheader podcast, Adam Kinzinger talks about being the GOP’s Lone Survivor; and cyber security expert Chris Krebs talks about being fired by tweet, and the fight against this disinformation.
Commission on Information Disorder Interim Report
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This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) assembled for a rare in-person show to discuss the biggest movie of the year (so far!), Black Widow. Is it fine? Okay? Acceptable? Perfectly competent? Listen to find out! Plus, the gang discusses the ethics of using personal histories of non-famous people in response to revelations that parts of the viral New Yorker short story, “Cat Person,” were cribbed from a real person. And on the special bonus episode, we highlight Marvel’s villain problem.
If you enjoy this show, please share it with a friend! It’s the best way to grow podcast audiences: a recommendation from a friend.
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On today's podcast, Denver Riggleman and Charlie Sykes discuss this weekend's CPAC, and the power of conspiracy theories about vaccines and stolen elections.
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On today's podcast, Tom Nichols and Charlie Sykes discuss one of our dumbest senators, the GOP's rage machine, the anti-vax surge, and the right's own cancel culture.
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Katherine Gehl, co-author of “The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy” joins the panel for a meaty discussion of voting reform.
Katherine’s Ted Talk:
Mentioned articles:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/06/us/politics/voting-rights-law-supreme-court.html?referringSource=articleShare
https://echeloninsights.com/in-the-news/june-omnibus-quadrants/
https://www.prri.org/research/2020-census-of-american-religion/
https://political-innovation.org/advisory-council/
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On today's podcast Matt Lewis and Charlie Sykes discuss the right's anti-vaxxer push, Ashli Babbitt as martyr, the Democrats' crime problem, and J.D. Vance's taste for self-humiliation.
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On this week’s episode we ask a very important question of The Ankler’s Richard Rushfield: Is Vin Diesel a star? Really, what does it mean to be a star these days anyway? How are the streaming wars shaping up? What’s the deal with Universal’s new pay window? And how beloved is Quentin Tarantino? All this and more on this week’s episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood.
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On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Kim Wehle discuss cameras in the classroom, the transformation of JD Vance, the semi-anniversary of the insurrection, and SCOTUS's recent voting rights decision.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the great Richard Donner, who died on Monday at the age of 91. They also discuss the new Prime Video offering The Tomorrow War. Is it a modern sci-fi masterpiece or a bit of a mess? Listen to find out! And make sure to check out our bonus members-only episode on the greatest movie presidents.
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Guest hosts Bill Kristol and Mona Charen on the history/culture wars on voting rights, patriotism, and good TV.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Elie Honig joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the Trump Org. indictments, the 1/6 investigation, and his new book, "Hatchet Man: How Bill Barr Broke The Prosecutor's Code and Corrupted the Justice Department."
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Tim Miller and Charlie Sykes discuss Blondie, 1/6, Kevin McCarthy’s hypocrisy, Trump’s legal troubles, and the GOP’s new S&M cult.
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This week, Sonny talks to James White, the Head of Restoration at Arrow Films. On this episode, we dive into the tricky nature of rescuing older films and getting them ready for appreciation on Blu-ray and UHD 4K. What is the actual mechanical process of restoring a film like? Beyond getting elements like the original negatives, how does James work with directors and cinematographers to make sure the color timing is right? What’s the deal with film grain? All that and more on this week’s episode!
By happy coincidence, Arrow happens to be having a sale right now. (I didn’t plan this, I swear!) But if you’re an American and own an out-of-region player, make sure to check out Arrow’s site for some great deals; Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, pictured above, is just £8, as is Time Bandits, about which James had a very funny story toward the end of this week’s pod. (Eight pounds is roughly eleven dollars at the moment, so it’s a good deal.) If you don’t have an out-of-region player, check out Diabolik DVD which has a bunch of their U.S. releases on sale now. Diabolik’s Jesse Nelson was a guest on this here podcast, and his store is really wonderful; if you pick anything up (like the Blu-ray of Why Don’t You Just Die, best described as Tarantino by way of Russia), tell him I sent you.
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Mona Charen and Charlie Sykes discuss New York's election mess, privatizing the national Guard, the racism of Paul Gosar, and the right's Lizard Brain.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Adam Serwer joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book, The Cruelty Is the Point: The Past, Present, and Future of Trump's America
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This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) tackle the first big blockbuster of the post-COVID era: F9: The Fast Saga. Noted fun-hater Sonny did not care for it. But did Alyssa and Peter? You’ll have to listen to find out. And in controversies and nontroversies, we take a look at a growing problem for Hollywood: China’s increasing influence on which projects get off the ground. Make sure to listen to our special members-only episode on car movies that are actually good, unlike, well, you know. Some other car movies.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Josh Kraushaar joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his article on Biden's stumbles on infrastructure and crime.
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Bill Kristol and Charlie Sykes discuss the fragility of Biden's infrastructure deal; Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, and the vaccine demagoguery of Ron Johnson.
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NY Times columnist Thomas Edsall joins the group to consider voting rights, the infrastructure negotiations, crime, and critical race theory.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes to discuss her book, Twilight of Democracy, and the rise of authoritarianism.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Jonathan Rauch joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Critical Race Theory, the NYC Mayoral election, Tucker Carlson, and the Supreme Court ruling on college athletics.
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On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss whether or not Focus Features is correct in their effort to silence outspoken writer-director and social media gadfly Paul Schrader. Plus, they review the remarkably bad The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode on dad movies as a belated Father’s Day treat.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Amb. Eric Edelman joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Biden's G7 summit, Pakistan's relationship with China and the United States, and how the current insanity might be a result of "contact lunacy."
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Mike Murphy on the infrastructure deal, Manchin’s voting rights bill, Trump’s revenge tour, and more.
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Lawfare's Benjamin Wittes joins to discuss Biden's European trip, whether Garland is going soft on Trump, and the NY mayoral race.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, George Packer joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal, and describes the four different Americas.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch is joined by Bulwark contributor Bill Ryan and Turner Classic Movie writer Greg Ferrara to talk about some of their favorite film books. This episode was inspired in part by a recurring question Sonny gets about books that can help people better understand film or become better film writers.
Obviously, you should listen to the episode; we wouldn’t be sending it to you otherwise. But here’s a cheat sheet with links to the recommended titles. (Pro tip: I’ve linked to Amazon pages, but do yourself a favor and check out the used prices if you want to save some money. Often you’ll find offerings that are “like new” at huge discounts that have little more than a remainder mark. I’ve managed to build a pretty decent library at a fraction of the price by searching for used books.)
Greg’s Picks
Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait, by Kendra Bean
Steven Spielberg: A Retrospective, by Richard Schickel
Citizen Welles, by Frank Brady
A Separate Cinema, edited by John Kisch
Scorsese on Scorsese, edited by David Thomson and Ian Christie
Bill’s Picks
Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas, by Glenn Kenny
(For more on Made Men, please listen to this podcast’s interview with Glenn.)
This Is Orson Welles, by Peter Bogdanovich & Orson Welles
The Battle of Brazil, by Jack Mathews
(As discussed on the podcast, the Blu-ray of Brazil released by the Criterion Collection has both the 142 minute director’s cut and the 94-minute “Love Conquers All Cut” of the film. The Blu-ray also has a documentary based on this book. If you like Brazil, this set is well worth picking up during Barnes and Noble’s 50 percent off Criterion sale that starts July 2.)
Cronenberg on Cronenberg, edited by Chris Rodley
Flicker, by Theodore Roszak
Sonny’s Picks
Elia Kazan: A Biography, by Richard Schickel
Final Cut, by Steven Bach
Four Screenplays with Essays, by William Goldman
The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film, by Michael Ondaatje
American Movie Critics, edited by Philip Lopate
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Joanne Lipman joins Charlie Sykes to discuss her recent item: "The Pandemic Revealed How Much We Hate Our Jobs. Now We Have a Chance to Reinvent Work."
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Arizona's recount shitshow, the insurrectionist running for higher office, norms, Mitch McConnell, and Merrick Garland.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) takes a back set to let Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) review the new Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, In the Heights. Did it make our panel’s toes tap with joy? Or did it make them check their watches? (Spoiler: the answer is yes.) And in controversies and nontroversies, we discuss a new documentary about the film Kids making waves on the festival circuit. Is enough being done to protect younger and non-professional actors? Also, make sure to a.) subscribe to Bulwark+ and then b.) check out our special bonus members-only episode on our favorite movies adapted from plays.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Brian Stelter joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the revised edition of his New York Times best selling book Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth. Plus, how Fox ran to the right after the election, and why Tucker Carlson can do whatever he wants there.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Biden's first G7 as President, the Putin problem, Trump's DOJ abuses, infrastructure spending and compromise, secret dinners, and police dramas.
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Eric Edelman joins to discuss Biden's trip, the ProPublica tax story, and the Democrats' Manchin mistake.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, James Hohmann joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his article on how the insurrection was hiding in plain sight, the Biden vaccine Rorschach test, and Joe Manchin and the future of the filibuster.
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On this week’s episode, James Emanuel Shapiro returns to the show to talk about the return of Cannes and what it’s like to be on the business side of a film festival. We all know about the great premieres and the fancy parties, but what about the actual business of these festivals, the markets where films are bought and sold? Plus, we’ll talk about Amazon’s purchase of MGM and, at the end, James shares some interesting data about Prime Video and iTunes’s relative place in the transactional VOD market.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Geoffrey Skelley joins Charlie Sykes to dissect the Virginia and New Jersey primaries, President Biden's approval rating, ranked choice voting, and whether or not voters truly care about bipartisan outcomes.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how conservatism has gone from Edmund Burke to Charlie Kirk, why COVID has turned the GOP into the party of big government, and how Joe Manchin has offered the Democrats a marshmallow test.
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This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss Netflix’s The Woman in the Window, a fantastic mess of a movie. But is it more fantastic, or more mess? And we wonder about AMC’s decision to play nice with the memesters who are driving up AMC’s share prices by offering them free popcorn for investing. Will this all end in tears? And make sure to check out our special bonus episode for members of Bulwark+ (subscribe now!), in which we pick some of our favorite movies tied to very specific cities.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Mona Charen joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the growth of Donald Trump's Big Lie, the filibuster and election reform, China and COVID-19, and the death of their one child policy.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the Oath Keepers, the insurrection, the Arizona Fraudit as sabotage, and Mike Pence’s post-1/6 games.
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NY Times contributor Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss the coronavirus lab leak theory, Qanon's status as a new religion, and voting rights and wrongs.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Edward-Isaac Dovere joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book: Battle for the Soul: Inside the Democrats' Campaigns to Defeat Trump.
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This week Sonny is joined by Jonathan Taplin to discuss his new must-read book, The Magic Years: Scenes from a Rock-and-Roll Life. Jon was there when Dylan went electric; he was there when Martin Scorsese needed some cash to get his first early classic, Mean Streets, made; and he was there when the Stones needed someone to do the art for Exile on Main Street. He’s spent more than 50 years in the business of culture and has a great deal of insight into all the ways in which the business of art has changed over the years. And he has tons of stories to share, including one we didn’t get to on this show about a literal fight with Harvey Weinstein (you’ll have to get the book for that one). If you enjoyed the show, please share it with a friend who will also dig it.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Scott MacFarlane joins Charlie Sykes to take a deep dive into the legal cases of the January 6th insurrectionists.
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Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (the Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) were all underwhelmed by Cruella, Disney’s latest IP-mining cash grab. Plus, they debated about the end of mask mandates in theaters for the fully vaccinated and what it means for our shifting social norms. And if you want to comment or listen to our special members-only episode on long movies we love, make sure to subscribe to Bulwark+ today!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the latest efforts of Sidney Powell and Mike Flynn to convince that former guy and his die-hard supporters that the coup could still happen. Plus, discussion about the 1/6 commission, the NRCC’s scammy fundraising, voter suppression, and Desantis, the cruise industry, and vaccine passports.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Jonathan Greenblatt joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the explosion of anti-Semitism in the U.S., and how certain public figures are clearly inflaming tensions, normalizing hate, or ignoring their colleagues who are.
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Jonathan Rauch discusses his new book The Constitution of Knowledge and joins for a discussion of the threat of crime to Democrats' political health.
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CNN Media Reporter Frank Pallotta returns to the show to talk about a huge week in movie business news. Amazon has acquired MGM (and half of James Bond) for $8.45 billion. Summer movie season has kicked off in China, with the release of F9 and kicks off this weekend in America with A Quiet Place 2: what do new benchmarks for success look like? All this and more on a news-and-analysis packed episode. If you found the episode interesting and informative, please subscribe to Bulwark+ to help keep the show sustainable and share it with a friend! A recommendation from a friend remains the best way to grow a podcast’s audience.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how the GOP has resorted to placating its base with tough-sounding rhetoric, despite letting the inmates run the asylum and steal all the attention from the leadership that is seemingly unwilling to govern.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, James Wigderson of Right Wisconsin joins Charlie Sykes to dissect the breakdown of Wisconsin Republican politics.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Peter Wehner joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP’s current politics and the the road to political violence. Plus, a discussion on America’s growing racial divide, and the catastrophizing mindset.
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This week on the show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed Netflix’s long-awaited Zack Snyder zombie heist opus, Army of the Dead. Meanwhile, in cons and nons, the gang discussed the MGM/Amazon deal and if it’s a break from the past—or a continuation of it. Meanwhile, on the special bonus episode, the trio picked which indie directors they’d give free rein to for a big franchise movie. The comments are open on both posts for Bulwark+ members, so sign up now if you want to chime in!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes to discuss America’s nation of victims, and how the two parties have switched culture war strategy, seemingly turning it upside down.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the mask wars, and the GOP’s fight against the 1/6 commission, and their phony performative nonsense.
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Brink Lindsey discusses his essay on the importance of moderation. The group also addresses the January 6 commission and the Gaza conflict.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Rep. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the 1/6 Commission.
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This week Sonny is joined by Eddie Muller, the host of TCM’s “Noir Alley” and the founder and president of the Film Noir Foundation. We discussed the Foundation’s reliance on the Golden Globes for the funding it procures to help restore long-lost film noirs to something approaching their original condition. We also talked about the world of film restoration more generally and Eddie offered up some picks for those looking to dive into the world of film noir. And make sure to pick up Eddie’s newly revised and expanded edition of Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir. I’ve already ordered my copy!
And please: If there’s a noir lover in your life—or someone you hope to convert into a noir lover—make sure to share this episode with them. Just click that little button and pass it along; they’ll surely thank you for it.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast,David Jolly joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss whether there will be a new center-right party, the 1/6 commission, and what Republicans in Congress are so afraid of.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Priess joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the madness in Maricopa County, Arizona, the 1/6 Commission legislation and Kevin McCarthy’s calculus, and whether the GOP will be able to pull off the Trumpian two step between now and the midterms.
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This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review Taylor Sheridan’s new fire jumping flick, Those Who Wish Me Dead. Is this ’90s throwback a hit or a miss? Or just kind of generic and lumpy? Plus, we ask whether or not the once-canceled, now-revived biography of Philip Roth by Blake Bailey should see the light of day, given sexual assault accusations leveled against Bailey. And make sure to check out our members-only episode on the Warner Media/Discovery merger: we have many thoughts about the increasingly costly nature of unbundling!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mona Charen joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP’s obsession with Trump and why they think it will play to the base, and how Trump’s summer #StopTheSteal tour may undermine that. Plus, mask mandates, Palestine and Israel, and British crime shows.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the rise of Elise Stefanik and the pure opposition right and why it's unhealthy, the latest with mask mandates, and the growing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
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A.B. Stoddard returns to talk about hope for reducing our political dysfunction. Group also addresses the birth dearth and Liz Cheney's fate.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Kevin McCarthy’s hot mess and why we should be optimistic when everything seems so dumb.
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This week Sonny is joined by Jon Finkel, author of 1996: A Biography: Reliving the Legend-Packed, Dynasty-Stacked, Most Iconic Sports Year Ever.This is a movie podcast, not a sports podcast, so I understand if you’re confused. But 1996 was also notable for having some great sports movies (Jerry Maguire, Tin Cup) and some … not-so-great sports movies (The Fan, Space Jam). Plus: Happy Gilmore! We also talked about how athletes perceive their portrayals onscreen and had a quick lightning round about which classic sports flicks are better. Some controversial choices in that segment, I guarantee you; Hoosiers fans should feel forewarned.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, former Rep. Barbara Comstock joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Liz Cheney’s ouster, and how being pushed out actually strengthens her standing as a politician. Plus, the ever-changing purity test bonanza on the right while the GOP doubles down on Trump while moderates try to do the Mar-a-Lago limbo.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the House GOP elephant line, the Arizona recount, COVID and the jobs report, and why Trump won't stop his election lies and why the GOP won't stop him.
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This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss NBC’s decision to pull the plug on next year’s Golden Globes following a series of controversies surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. And the gang debates the merits of the new Guy Ritchie/Jason Statham action heist thriller, Wrath of Man. Make sure to check out the bonus members-only episode in which we debate which Jason Statham movie is best! And if you enjoy the show, make sure to share it with a friend. It’s as easy as clicking that button down there and forwarding it along.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Karen Tumulty joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the House GOP leadership fight, and her new book, The Triumph of Nancy Reagan.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Frum joins Charlie Sykes to talk about why Tucker Carlson is a phony, COVID-19 and risk, Liz Cheney, the GOP and moving on from Trumpism, and why the ever-changing loyalty tests aren’t going to stop any time soon.
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David French helps the panel diagnose the GOP's sickness. The group also talks about voter ID and the Biden daycare plan.
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This week Sonny is pleased to be joined by Jesse Nelson, the co-owner of Diabolik DVD and Cauldron Films. Diabolik is one of the best places to pick up boutique Blu-ray discs from outlets like Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow, and Shout/Scream Factory, and he had a number of interesting thoughts about the state of the physical media industry. We also talked a bit about his own label, Cauldron Films, which released a wonderful Blu-ray set of the pictured movie: American Rickshaw. If you’re a fan of physical media or have one in your life, make sure to share this episode with them!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Robert Tracinski joins to discuss his item on Sohrab Ahmari and the price of “liberalism”, the fight over Donald Trump and Facebook, and the Kevin McCarthy / Liz Cheney feud, and the future of the GOP.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Sarah Longwell joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the McCarthy / Cheney beef, Tucker’s weird obsession with Frank Luntz, and post-truth nihilism.
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Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman are all experiencing buyer’s remorse this week after sitting through the not-quite mediocre Without Remorse. Plus, the gang talks about the Rosenberg-edited op-ed by Lucy Liu in the Washington Post about what it means to achieve progress in representation onscreen—and why young progressive critics are wrong to cast a negative eye on some of Liu’s previous work. And make sure to check out our bonus episode on all things MCU. Can the Avengers Assemble in time to save theaters? Or has COVID killed cinemas for good? If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! (As long as that friend isn’t Michael B. Jordan, as two of the three of us were … not blown away by his Without Remorse performance, and the third of us, Peter Suderman, was wrong.)
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Peter Wehner joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his most recent item: The GOP Is a Grave Threat to American Democracy.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to talk about Mike Pence’s rehab tour, Gaetzgate, Rudy Giuliani’s and Ron Johnson’s Ukraine problem, Lin Wood and the South Carolina Convention of Crazy, and Joe Biden on race.
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E.J. Dionne helps the panel unpack Biden's first 100 days, plus, racial and class messaging.
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SHOW NOTES
The Social Construction of Racism in the United Statesby Eric Kauffmann of The Manhattan Institute
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about President Biden’s address to Congress, his first 100 days, the economy, and Rudy Giuliani’s bad day.
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Chris Fenton, author of Feeding the Dragon: Inside the Trillion Dollar Dilemma Facing Hollywood, the NBA, & American Business, returns to the show to talk about China’s influence on Hollywood, and vice versa. Why is the Chinese Communist Party censoring news about Chloe Zhao’s historic win on Oscar night? Should Disney be worried about the fact that she’s the director on the forthcoming MCU tentpole, The Eternals? What to make of recent misfires in the Middle Kingdom like Mulan and Raya and the Last Dragon? And why did the CCP not really care that Hong Kong got destroyed by Godzilla and King Kong? All this and more on this week’s episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood! If you enjoy the chat, please hit that button below and share this post with a friend who also loves talking about movies! They’ll thank you later, trust me.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how Donald Trump killed the Tea Party, Biden’s address to Congress and the GOP response, and how punitive populism and obsessing over fake news is defining the GOP.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tom Nichols joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss why the right has become addicted to crazy controversies, Liz Cheney and Kevin McCarthy’s showdown, and how the 2020 election was saved by lawyers.
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Sonny (The Bulwark), Alyssa (The Washington Post), and Peter (Reason) have a lot of thoughts about the Oscars, both the show and the winners. And we have a lot of thoughts about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, a TV show that thinks it has a lot of thoughts, but none of them really go anywhere. Leaving that aside, though: was it any good and is it worth six hours of your time! All that and more discussed on this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle! And make sure to check out this week’s special bonus episode, in which Peter and Sonny mansplain Mortal Kombat to Alyssa. Become a member today to get access to it right now!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Olivia Troye joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the Republican Accountability Project’s new Democracy Report Card, the anniversary of Trump’s disastrous disinfectant press conference, and how the GOP has absorbed crazy far-right extremists.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about policing, COVID-19, Biden’s first 100 days, and why the GOP is getting worse.
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Eugene Volokh (The Volokh Conspiracy) joins to discuss the anti-riot laws in several states, whether libel law should be upended, and the Chauvin verdict.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Kim Wehle joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Chauvin trial and verdict, the GOP’s state-level push against protesters, the first amendment and cancel culture, as well as a discussion about police and election reform.
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Nicholas Jarecki—the writer and director of the opioid crisis thriller Crisis—talks to Sonny about the making and casting of Crisis, the evolving international market for feature films, and the difficulties of promoting a movie when one of the actors is undergoing a PR crisis of his own. We also talk a bit about the evolving nature of film criticism, how one researches a project about drugs while tens of thousands are dying from overdoses, and more.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Benjamin Parker joins Charlie Sykes to discuss anti-anti-Chauvinism, and Berin Szóka joins to talk about Justice Thomas’s bizarre concurrence in a case that SCOTUS deemed moot.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Olivier Knox joins Charlie Sykes to discuss fake vaccine cards, mask and vaccine hesitance, the Chauvin verdict, Joe Biden’s challenges, and John Boehner’s book and Donald Trump.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) asks Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) if a recent report in the New York Times proves once and for all that celebs should ditch the politics if they want the Oscars to be watchable. (Spoiler: It’s complicated!) And the gang makes their Oscar picks. Who SHOULD win? Who WILL win? Plus, on our special bonus episode, we pick the best best picture nominees of the last decade.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Stephen Fowler joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss SB 202, the new Georgia voting law, Marjorie Taylor-Greene and the Anglo Saxons, and how white nationalism and “America First” have seemingly become synonymous.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Lis Smith joins guest host Tim Miller to discuss her career in politics, the 2020 Buttigieg campaign, Andrew Yang’s mayoral bid, and the GOP’s stone cold sociopaths and the intra-party civil war.
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AEI’s Norm Ornstein joins to discuss police violence, court packing, and Afghanistan.
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SHOW NOTES:
The Truth about Painkillers by Sally Satel, National Affairs
Georgetown’s Cultural Revolution by Lama Abu Odeh, Quillette
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This week Sonny is joined by Megan Ganz, an executive producer and creator of Mythic Quest, AppleTV+’s workplace comedy about life at the studio behind an MMORPG. Megan has worked on a number of great shows, including It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Community, so it was fun to pick her brain about the differences in production cycles on a network, basic cable, and streaming service, as well as what it’s like to produce a big show like this in the age of Covid. (Spoiler: It’s tricky!) If you aren’t watching Mythic Quest, you should be. And if you know someone who does watch that, or Always Sunny or Community, but doesn’t listen to this podcast for some reason, please share it with them! Hopefully they’ll find it entertaining and informative.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Perry Bacon Jr. joins Tim Miller to talk about the 2020 elections, and how the parties are preparing for 2024. Plus, a discussion about politics and race, and how voters and their standards have evolved (or devolved.)
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mona Charen and Bill Kristol talk about the new money chase in campaign funding, the COVID-19 response, police shootings, and whether there are green shoots in Never Trump GOP candidates.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Amanda Carpenter sits in for Charlie Sykes to talk with David Priess about the Worldwide Threat Briefing and why it’s important, plus discuss about 2024 and the GOP’s institutional amnesia.
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Sonny (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) ask whether or not Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua were right to pull Emancipation out of Georgia over its voting rights law—or whether Georgia should be the go-to spot for film production at all. And then the gang reviews The Father, a devastating portrait of dementia that maybe, just maybe, is the best of the best picture-nominated films. And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode in which we ask whether or not Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson should run for president. (Alyssa, it should be noted, was his earliest booster on this front.)
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, JVL and Sarah Longwell, co-hosts of The Secret Podcastsit in for Charlie Sykes to break down the GOP Donor Retreat in Florida, how the GOP actually did an autopsy on 2020 (but not what you think), and the latest with Matt Gaetz.
If you want to hear more of Sarah and JVL chat each week, their Secret Podcast is available to members of Bulwark+
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP’s fundraising scams, John Boehner’s new book, and President Biden’s infrastructure bill.
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On this week’s Beg to Differ, Sarah Longwell sits in for Mona Charen, and discusses with the panel the future of the filibuster, GOP fundraising tactics and their new embrace of boycott culture, H.R. 1 and election law, and China and the Olympics.
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The show’s first ever guest, Richard Rushfield, returns to the program to discuss all sorts of stuff. Super-Producer Scott Rudin: bad boss, or something worse? What went down with Ray Fisher and Warner Bros.? Are theaters coming back? What’s the industry hoping for in terms of Oscars viewership? All this and more on this week’s episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Joshua Tait joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent story The Long History of Fighting Over the Term ‘Conservative’.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Josh Kraushaar joins Charlie Sykes to discuss why, when it comes to GOP politicians, it pays to be crazy. Plus, discussion of the Georgia election law, infrastructure week, and schools and COVID-19.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Albert Samaha joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his BuzzFeed story: My Mom Believes In QAnon. I’ve Been Trying To Get Her Out.
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What did Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) think of Godzilla vs. Kong? And in cons-and-nons, the gang discusses the fact that basically nobody has heard of the best picture nominees as this year’s Oscars. Note: That’s heard of, not seen. How will this impact the show’s appeal to the regular public? (Spoiler: negatively!) Make sure to check out our bonus episode about Godzilla vs. Kong's box office success and how it’ll effect movie theater stocks! (Spoiler: positively!)
And if you’re enjoying the show, please share it with a friend. Now that movies are headed back to the box office and we’re getting on a slightly more normal footing with regard to release schedules, you’ll need a guide to what’s hitting the big screen. If you trust Alyssa, Peter and me, well, your friends probably will too, now won’t they? Just hit that share button below and give your friends the gift of mine.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the Georgia voting law, Trump’s apparent election fundraising scam, the Matt Gaetz allegations, and the GOP’s growing obsession with the culture war. Plus, the NCAA finals!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Frum joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent column on the GOP’s strange new doctrine, the Matt Gaetz controversy, and how secularization has caused race to replace religion as an organizing principle.
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Bret Stephens joins to consider the latest multi-trillion dollar spending bill, the GOP workers' party strategy, and the decline in church membership.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny talks to David Thomson about his new book, A Light in the Dark: A History of Movie Directors. The book is a look at the evolution of the very idea of a “director,” from the workmanlike efforts out of studio system craftsmen to the auteur theory to the world of TV, where directors get very little notice and writers get all the glory. It’s a personal history, in a way—you see who Thomson enjoys and who he respects—as well as an economic history. The business of building up directors is a fascinating one, given all the financial and social and artistic imperatives that come with identifying a singular vision and person as the author of a massive project like a feature film.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, former Ambassador Eric Edelman joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about the foreign policy challenges President Biden inherits, and how he might go about dealing with Turkey, China, Iran, and Russia.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP’s crybaby caucus, COVID passports, the Matt Gaetz controversy, “corporate communism” or fascism or whatever, the Fauci gaslighting, and the deficit and the debt.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Mona Charen joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP's response to COVID-19, how Trump-era officials are trying to spin their role in the botched response, and Cuomogeddon and the Chauvin trial.
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This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) review the new Bob Odenkirk action movie, Nobody. Does the Mr. Show with Bob and David and Better Call Saul actor have action chops to go with comedic range and a surprising dramatic depth? Plus, we discuss how Asian representation onscreen may or may not have contributed to the shooting in Atlanta in Controversies and Nontroversies. And make sure to check out our bonus members-only episode in which the gang ranks their favorite character actors.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, former Rep. Denver Riggleman joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the state of our “hold my beer” politics, the GOP’s assault on voting rights and how they’ve weaponized “stop the steal”, and what it’s like voting your conscience in Congress.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss cancel culture, the Dominion Lawsuits, and how the Big Lie continues to corrupt the GOP.
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George F. Will joins to discuss lessons of the pandemic, whether Biden is creating a new New Deal, and how to handle China.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tom Nichols joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss downfall of Sidney Powell, Claremont’s fascist turn, and why MAGA purity tests can never be satisfied.
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Snyder Cut week at the Bulwark wraps up with Sean O’Connell, author of Release the Snyder Cut: The Crazy True Story Behind the Fight that Saved Zack Snyder’s Justice League. We talk about his new book, the social media campaign that not only secured the release of Zack Snyder’s four-hour version of Justice League but also raised more than half a million dollars for suicide prevention charities, and how the rise of streaming helped ensure this film could be released at all.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Adam Jentleson joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss his book, Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy, and the future of the filibuster.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, David French joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the right's gun fetishism, cancel culture, and the mistakes of our media.
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Finally, it’s here: Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a/k/a, “The Snyder Cut.” Is it everything they hoped it could be? At the very least: is it better than the abominable Whedon Cut? Plus: Why is Borat 2 winning awards for its screenplay? Isn’t it largely improvised? All that and more on this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle! And make sure to check out our special members-only episode on COVID’s lasting impact on films and filmmaking.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Nicholas Grossman joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent article on Conservative Fanboys about how the closed system of conservative media manufactures grievances and pursues lost causes.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Kevin McCarthy and the GOP’s crass revisionism of the January 6th insurrection, and why the GOP suddenly no longer likes tough talk from America’s President when it comes to Putin.
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The Niskanen Center's Samuel Hammond joins to discuss improving Biden's child allowance and border policies. Plus: eliminate the filibuster?
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Elizabeth Neumann joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the threats of violence posed by domestic extremists, foreign meddling in elections, and the newly-formed Council on National Security and Immigration.
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This week, Sonny is joined by Tom Shone, film critic for the Sunday Times, to talk about his recent book The Nolan Variations: The Movies, Mysteries, and Marvels of Christopher Nolan. The book is a must-own if you’re a fan of Nolan, as Shone spent hours with the director of The Dark Knight trilogy, Memento, and Inception. On this episode we talk about influences on Nolan’s work like Jorge Luis Borges (whose collected fiction is also a must-own for those looking to understand the director), how fatherhood has influenced his work, and the politics of The Dark Knight.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mona Charen joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about her item on what happened to J.D. Vance.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about the vaccine rollout, Tucker Carlson’s schtick, the Ohio Senate race, Andrew Cuomo, and cats and dogs.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) review the really-not-great Raya and the Last Dragon. Is it worth your $30 on Disney+’s premium tier? Maybe you should see it in a theater instead? But can you even do that? That’s the subject of controversies and nontroversies, which tackles D.C.’s slowness to reopen its movie theaters. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode on the Oscar nominations. Who was snubbed? Who was surprised? Will anyone tune in?
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Jessica Huseman joins Charlie Sykes to discuss H.R. 1, the The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the GOP’s problem with not-so-subtly telegraphing white nationalism.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the Biden COVID-19 speech, how the right is overreacting to it, and the internal arguments about cats and dogs.
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AEI's Desmond Lachman analyzes the inflation risk in our gargantuan spending and loose money policies. The panel then considers the border crisis and the GOP's outreach to the working class.
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SHOW NOTES:
No one knows how much the government can borrow by Noah Smith.
Amnesty’s Disgrace by Yevgenia Albats
Explainer: What’s Happening at the U.S.-Mexico Border by Danilo Zak
Politics needs fiscal constraints by Damon Linker
Take It From a Swede, Forget the ‘Fight for $15’by John Gustavsson
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, S.V. Dáte joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss why Donald Trump isn’t going away, Joe Biden’s early weeks in office, and how the GOP and the Democrats are setting the stage for the midterms and 2024 over election laws.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny talks to Mike Malloy about the home video landscape, what it’s like to make supplements for specialty Blu-ray purveyors, and the world of tough-guy cinema writ large. Mike began as a film journalist for newspapers, magazines and the occasional book. After the decline of print media, he moved into filmmaking with larger projects like his EUROCRIME! documentary. But with budgets hard to come by, he has lately settled into the groove of producing—and appearing in—bonus content for Blu-Rays. You can find his YouTube channel here and his Instagram account here.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Shor joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about the 2020 election and how our political coalitions have changed.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bloomberg’s Tim O’Brien joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about Donald Trump’s fiscal and legal future, now that he is a private citizen.
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On this week’s episode, Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) fills in Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) and Peter Suderman (Reason) about the whole to-do over Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s and their interview with Oprah. And the gang reviews Coming 2 America! Is it an exciting new adventure or a stale old rehash? You’ll never guess just by looking at the image at the top of this post … or will you? Also, make sure to check out our special bonus episode on what to watch for International Women’s Day! (Which was yesterday, yes, we know, but if it makes you feel any better, it’s Women’s History Month, so you have a whole month to celebrate Alyssa and watch the movies we recommend, okay?)
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Jonathan Allen joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book, co-authored with Amie Parnes, Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Philip Rucker of The Washington Post joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the updates to his and Carol Leonnig’s book, A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America, and the future of Trump and Trumpism in the midterms and in 2024.
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AEI’s Kori Schake joins to discuss Biden’s Iran policy, non-white voters’ move right, and whether HR1 can solve the Democratic party’s geography problem.
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This week Scott Feinberg, the Hollywood Reporter’s awards columnist and host of the excellent podcast Awards Chatter, joins Sonny to talk about the business of awards season. How corrupt are the Golden Globes? What could improve them? And Sonny asks Scott about his absolute favorite part of Oscars season: The Brutally Honest Oscar Voter Ballots! All this and more on this week’s episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Former Congressman Mickey Edwards joins Charlie Sykes to talk about his Republican journey and the rise and fall of CPAC and the American Conservative Union.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Rep. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP’s censure obsession, why he’s working to find conservatives who want to put country first and not Trump first and the future of legislating and compromise in what is increasingly a binary political culture.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol and Mona Charen step in for Charlie Sykes to discuss why Republicans can’t quit Trump, British police shows, and Andrew Cuomo’s scandals.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about the incredibly, spectacularly, dreadfully awful (and historically poorly watched) Golden Globes. The gang also reviewed awards-season darling Minari, a family drama about immigrants trying to achieve the American dream in the middle of Arkansas. And make sure to check out our special members-only episode about the end of Peak TV!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss 2021 CPAC, and how the big election lie was propagated (and cheered) and why the insurrection it fomented was ignored.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Josh Kraushaaur joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss CPAC, school closures and the Biden campaign’s promise, COVID-19 relief, and the Trumpian cancel culture of the GOP.
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Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget offers her insights. The group also discusses prospects for a Jan 6 commission, and Europe's response to Biden.
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SHOW NOTES:
NYTimes: Inside a Battle Over Race, Class and Power at Smith College
The Atlantic: The 5 Trump Amendments to the Constitution
NYTimes: Mitt Romney Has a Plan, and Joe Biden Should Borrow From It
The White House: A Proclamation on Revoking Proclamation 10014
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to talk about Andrew Cuomo, Trump’s taxes, Liz Cheney, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the right’s white identity problem.
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Joining Sonny on this week’s episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood is Abraham Riesman, the author of the excellent new biography True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee. We discuss the long-running fight for credit between Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as well as Lee’s greatest contribution to the world: the character of Stan Lee, a catchphrase-spouting mascot whose ability to connect with fans and create a sense of community helped shape the idea of fandom to this day. For more on Riesman and his book, make sure to check out his website.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Karen Tumulty from the Washington Post joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about Ron Johnson's conspiracy theories about the insurrection, Tucker's QAnon denialism, and the Triumph of Nancy Reagan.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Matt Lewis joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss CPAC, cancel culture, the Senate and Neera Tanden, Ted Cruz’s Mexican jaunt, and the twelfth anniversary of the Tea Party.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the corruption at the Golden Globes—and the world of awards-season film criticism more generally. And the gang reviews Nomadland, a movie about the natural beauty of the American west that doesn’t beat viewers over the head with its implied message about the vicissitudes of capitalism. And make sure to check out this week’s special bonus episode in which we discuss whether or not it’s too soon for disgraced director Brett Ratner to go back to work.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, James Hohmann of the Washington Post joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss why the GOP can’t quit Trump, the Biden confirmations, and how President Biden will govern with a razor-thin majority.
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Slate's Will Saletan returns to consider the McConnell/Trump GOP, Texas's woes, and Limbaugh's legacy.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Joe Walsh joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Flyin' Ted Cruz, Nikki Haley's repositioning, and the legacy of Rush Limbaugh.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Charlie talks about the Limbaugh Legacy, Jim Swift joins to talk about Ted Cruz and Cancun, and Andy Slavitt comes on to discuss the Biden White House COVID response plan.
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This week on The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, Sonny is very excited to have the president of CinemaScore, Harold Mintz, on the show. CinemaScore is the fantastically useful company that polls opening weekend moviegoers for their grades on new releases, and it’s a more accurate and unbiased measure of audience opinion than just about any other easily available metric.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Lawfare’s David Priess joins Charlie Sykes to break down Impeachment 2.0, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and what precedents it might set.
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This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman tackle a surprisingly tricky cons and nons: Gina Carano, who was canceled and un-canceled over the course of last week. And they review the new film on HBO Max and in theaters, Judas and the Black Messiah, about the life and death of Fred Hampton and the man who betrayed him, Bill O’Neal. And make sure to check out our bonus, members-only episode on the greatest artistic achievement of this, or any other, decade: the Snyder Cut of Justice League, the first trailer for which dropped this weekend.
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On today's Bulwark podcast, Sarah and JVL join Charlie Sykes to talk about the future of the Republican party. Just how deep does the crazy run? And, if it can be fixed, how long would that take?
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Jonathan Allen joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the future of the post-impeachment GOP, bipartisanship under President Biden, and what might happen to the filibuster.
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On a special emergency impeachment podcast, Mona Charen, Tim Miller, and JVL join host Charlie Sykes to talk about tonight’s impeachment vote.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Peter Hamby joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Impeachment 2.0, the Democrats' Sizzle Reel and the GOP's whataboutism play, and the repositioning of Nikki Haley.
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Jay Nordlinger joins to discuss the impeachment trial, the Romney plan for families, and the firing of Don McNeill from the NYTimes.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Kim Wehle joins Charlie Sykes to break down the second day of Donald Trump's second impeachment trial.
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Alan Zilberman, a critic for the Washington City Paper and the Washington Post, joins Sonny Bunch for a very special episode of The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood in which the two discuss life as a part-time film critic during awards season. Both Sonny and Alan are members of the Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Association, and both Sonny and Alan slaved away on our annual year-end nominations for the WAFCA awards. No one knows the struggles we’ve seen—until now! What’s it like to have to watch multiple movies a day in order to futilely try to impact an award that’s just going to go to an Oscar frontrunner anyway? How are the awards in 2020 different from the awards in almost every other year? Why is everyone so in love with Nomadland anyway?
For the full list of WAFCA winners and nominees, click here. You’ll notice a disturbing absence of both Fatman and The Wolf of Snow Hollow from the nominees. It’s like most critics can’t recognize great art unless it comes wrapped in a pricey Oscar campaign!
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Bill Kristol joins host Charlie Sykes to talk about Donald Trump's second impeachment, the future of the GOP, and a report card for President Biden in his first weeks in office.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, James Glassman joins Charlie Sykes to discuss why we need a center-oriented third party.
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On this episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) get into the day’s two most pressing rivalries. No, not the Bucs versus Chiefs and hedge funds versus Reddit. First up: Donald Trump vs. the Screen Actors Guild. The president petulantly resigned from the actors union when word began circulating in the trades that Trump was going to be kicked out. But (gulp) … did he have half-a-point? Then we move to the main event: Malcolm & Marie v. film critics. Filmmaker Sam Levinson has issues with movie reviewers and has been given an enormous platform by Netflix to air them. But (gulp) … does he have a whole point, plus some? And make sure to check out our bonus, members-only episode on the Super Bowl’s slate of super-sad movie ads. We live in the darkest timeline, folks!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the upcoming impeachment trial and how the GOP will use “free speech” as a way to argue Trump shouldn’t be barred from holding future office.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how the House GOP has splintered over Liz Cheney and Marjorie Taylor-Greene.
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Tom Nichols joins to consider the state of governance and GOP self-policing.
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This week’s guest is Glenn Kenny, the author of the excellent new book Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas. Glenn is is a film critic whose work appears in the New York Times and Roger Ebert dot com. He has also written for The Current, Rolling Stone, the Village Voice, the New York Daily news, Playboy, Film Comment, and other publications. In addition to Made Men, Glenn is the author of Robert De Niro: Anatomy of an Actor and the editor of an excellent collection of essays about Star Wars, A Galaxy Not So Far Away.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Kevin McCarthy’s political malpractice: how he screwed up the Liz Cheney vote and the Majorie Taylor-Greene vote.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the House GOP’s Cheney / Taylor-Greene choice, impeachment, and COVID-19 relief.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Erin Gloria Ryan joins Charlie Sykes to talk about about the cult of Trump, why it’s constantly Groundhog Day for the GOP and why that’s not changing any time soon.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review the new thriller The Little Things. Are three Oscar-winners (Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, and Rami Malek) enough to put this one over the top? In controversies and nontroversies, the gang tries to suss out why industry rag Variety threw one of its freelance critics under the bus by appending a correction to his review of Promising Young Women. His mistake? Offending a movie star in the midst of an Oscar campaign. And on our special members-only bonus episode (sign up today!), the trio talks about the biggest movie business of the week: Reddit’s accidental salvation of AMC.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, former Missouri Senator John Danforth joins guest host Jim Swift to talk about the rise and fall of Josh Hawley, his regrets about helping his career, and what the future of the Republican party looks like in Missouri and beyond.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP's continuing fealty to Trump, their insurrection amnesia, and Marjorie Taylor Greene and "Frazzledrip."
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, former Congressman Denver Riggleman joins Charlie Sykes to break down the GOP's disinformation problem.
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On this episode, Sonny talks to CNN’s Frank Pallotta about the state of streaming. What does it mean that the WWE Network is headed to the Peacock? Are HBO Max’s conversion numbers good enough? Why is Disney trying to charge people $30 to rent a cartoon? All this and more on this week’s episode.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent article: The Enemy Isn’t Republicans. It’s Liars.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Jonathan Chait and James Wallner join Charlie Sykes to talk about the future of the filibuster in a divided Senate, and what the possibilities are in impeachment 2.0.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the provocative new movie Promising Young Woman. Meanwhile, in controversies and nontroversies, the gang weighs in on the Ted Cruz/Seth Rogen spat. And make sure to sign up for Bulwark+ so you can listen to a members-only bonus episode on Joe Biden’s watch and the aesthetics of politics.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Jolly joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his contemplation on running for governor of Florida as an independent, his work with SAM, why he’s working to disrupt the duopoly, and why the GOP of the past is not coming back.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss why the GOP has learned nothing during the Trump era.
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EPPC's Peter Wehner joins this week to review the inauguration and look forward to the first priorities of the Biden administration. Also impeachment 2.0.
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For the latest from the Bulwark, visit: http://www.thebulwark.com/.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Rep. Abigail Spanberger joins Charlie Sykes to talk about centrism and its future, and whether Joe Biden can succeed.
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This week Sonny is joined by Peter Labuza to talk about the past, present, and future of antitrust as it relates to Hollywood. In an age of consolidation and technological advance, how will the end of the Paramount Decrees influence what happens in filmmaking? Peter is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Southern California, where he also earned his PhD in Cinema and Media Studies. His research explores the legal, financial, and political history of creative industries. You can listen to his podcasts here and find his book, Approaching the End: Imagining Apocalypse in American Film here.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to talk about the end of the Trump presidency, and the beginning of the GOP's great forgetting.
A reminder: we’re doing a livestream tonight and hope you can join us. But you have to be a member of Bulwark+.
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This week on Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review the MCU’s big new release: Wandavision, now streaming on Disney+. Plus, in controversies and nontroversies: how much privacy Armie Hammer should be afforded after he felt forced to abandon a movie shoot following the release of damaging DMs and claims of controlling behavior by an ex-girlfriend? And don’t forget to check out our members-only episode on the defining films of the Trump Era! You won’t want to miss Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter’s choices there.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Josh Kraushaar joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how the January 6th siege of the Capitol will impact the GOP for years.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Priess joins Charlie Sykes to discuss why President Trump should be denied intelligence briefings as a former President, Ben Sasse and the Trumpian rear-view mirror, and the reported coming wave of pardons and clemency.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, former Senator Heidi Heitkamp joins Charlie Sykes to discuss President Trump's second impeachment and the siege of the Capitol.
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Jonathan V. Last and Catherine Rampell join the group to discuss impeachment 2.0, deplatforming (pro and con), and prospects for Biden.
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This week on The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, Sonny is joined by Chris McKenna. Chris was the co-showrunner on NBC’s (and later Yahoo’s) Community, earning an Emmy nomination for his classic episode “Remedial Chaos Theory.” He’s also the co-writer of the most recent series of Spider-Man films, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Lego Batman. On this week’s podcast, he discusses the differences between writing for TV and movies, his winding path to screenwriting success, and what it’s like to work with the great Chevy Chase.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mona Charen and Benjamin Parker join Charlie Sykes to discuss President Trump’s second impeachment.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Ben Collins from NBC News joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the destructive web of disinformation that led to the January 6th siege of the Capitol, why there's more to be concerned about, and what we can do about it.
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On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the ways in which culture and technology helped influence the unchecked spread of QAnon-style conspiracy theories. (For more on the idea of QAnon as a game, make sure to read this piece by Alyssa from 2019.) And the gang reviews “Lovers Rock,” the much-ballyhooed installment of Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” series on Amazon and BBC. Also: make sure to check out this week’s special bonus episode of Across the Movie Aisle, in which Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter discuss Arnold Schwarzenegger’s moving address to the American people.
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By popular demand, we’re going to let this one out from behind the paywall. If you haven’t watched the video below, please do so. And if you enjoy what Alyssa, Peter, and I are doing on this podcast, please consider picking up a membership to Bulwark+. It helps keep this show, and the site in general, sustainable.
On this bonus, members-only episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss one of the few bright spots over the last week: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s impassioned plea for patriotism and reason in the face of the failed assault on Capitol Hill by Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters. The Austrian-born bodybuilder, actor, and politician—the living embodiment of the American Dream—used his own experiences to warn against the dark path down which we might be headed. And he used Conan the Barbarian’s sword to explain how we might avoid traveling it. Even if you don’t want to listen to this episode I implore you to watch his video.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Kim Wehle joins Charlie Sykes to break down Trump’s forthcoming second impeachment, and why it’s important.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss insurrection week, a potential second impeachment, and the GOP's crazy vs. evil paradigm
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Eric Edelman joins to discuss the Trump mob’s storming of the Capitol.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Adam J. White and Amanda Carpenter join Charlie Sykes to break down January 6, 2021, a day that will live in infamy.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent item on the GOP’s sedition caucus, and what that means for the future of the GOP in a time where Trump is no longer President.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Ambassador Eric Edelman joins Charlie Sykes to talk about how the open letter from all living Secretaries of Defense about involving the military in election disputes came to be.
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On the latest episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the strange late-career filmography of Bruce Willis and the surge in stars cashing in on their personae for straight-to-DVD-and-VOD projects. And they review Pixar’s new piece of emotional terrorism, Soul. Is it good for kids and adults? Does it avoid answering the tough, and touchy, questions that it raises? All this and more on today’s episode!
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Quinta Jurecic from Lawfarejoins Charlie Sykes to talk about the Trump/Raffensperger tape, the GOP’s response, and whether Trump considering a self-pardon is a way of daring the Biden administration and others to charge him with crimes.
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A.B. Stoddard joins the group on New Year's Eve to discuss the lows (many) and highs (there were some) of 2020.
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On this episode of the Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, David C. Lowery — the singer and guitarist for the bands Camper van Beethoven and Cracker — talks to Sonny Bunch about the economics of the music business, the difficulties of making a living as a middle class musician, and why what’s happening in the world of movies may resemble what happened to the music business in the early 2000s. How does TikTok resemble Spotify, and what dangers does it present to the world? Most importantly: How much would it cost Sonny to license the opening riff of “Teen Angst,” the hit song on Cracker’s debut album, “Cracker”? (Spoiler: way too much for Sonny to be able to afford.) And, as promised on the show, here’s a link to Lars Ulrich’s appearance on the Charlie Rose show in 2000 — an appearance that turned out to be quite prophetic.
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On the last Bulwark podcast of 2020, Tim Miller, Jonathan V. Last, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol join Charlie Sykes to take a look back at what the heck happened this year.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how President Trump is undermining democracy, how Republicanism has divorced itself from policy, and the future of the party after Trump leaves office.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Kevin Kruse joins Charlie Sykes to discuss why 2020 was the year of Disaster Voltron, plus some backstory on his relationship with Dinesh D’Souza.
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On this special year-end episode of Across the Movie Aisle—and what a weird year it has been—Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) pick their top movies, shows, and games of the year. So much #content, such little time to discuss it all. And they review HBO Max’s hit new movie, Wonder Woman 1984. Is it as bad as the critics are suggesting? Or is it totally, you know, kind of acceptable as a piece of entertainment-like filmmaking, more or less? Listen now to find out! And after you’re done with that, make sure to check out our bonus, members-only episode (sign up here if you haven’t already; it’s only $10 a month!) about the new Netflix period romance, Bridgerton. In a useful piece of service journalism, Alyssa explains to the guys why all of the women in their lives will be watching it.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes to discuss why President Trump’s obstruction of justice with regard to the Mueller investigation worked, Trump’s confusion about the COVID-19 Omnibus bill, and what to expect on January 6th.
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Enjoy your Christmas festivities; The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood is off this week. (Shocking how few people want to spend their Christmas break yapping with me about box office receipts.) In the meantime, please check out Across the Movie Aisle, where we reviewed Ma Rainey’s Black Bottomthis week and had a special bonus episode about The Beauty and the Pharma Bro Beast. And keep your eyes peeled for a special Christmas Day edition of Screen Time, in which I’ll offer up my annual Ten (Or So!) Best Movies (and TV Shows!) of the Year column.
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Bulwark founder Sarah Longwell joins the group to discuss Trump’s sabotage of the relief bill, reforms to Trump-proof the presidency, and recommendations for holiday viewing/listening.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss why we should be alarmed about Trump’s 11th hour pardons, and why Jeffrey Rosen taking over for Bill Barr at DOJ concerns him.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Robert Tracisnki joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the corrupting influence of coalitions and our coming political dealignment.
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On this episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down Barack Obama’s list of the year’s best movies and TV shows and wonder why it is people cannot accept he loves the middlebrow features beloved by the hosts of Across the Movie Aisle. Then they review Netflix’s new feature, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom! Alyssa provides a deep dive on the plays of August Wilson and then the gang discusses how, exactly, a filmed play translates to “cinema.”
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Molly Jong-Fast joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the dark politics unfolding during the darkest time of the year.
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Charles Lane joins this week to discuss how Biden is doing. Is GOP terminally Trumpy? A look at the Georgia run-off. Plus, is huge gov’t debt actually ok?
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, David French joins Charlie Sykes to discuss radicalism, Christianity, and the right.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Alberta joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent item about the 2020 election, and how Americans have “very little in common except our fear of each other.”
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On this week’s episode, James Emanuel Shapiro, the COO of Drafthouse Films who started the analytics department at the Alamo Drafthouse and also works as a distribution consultant, talks with Sonny about the epic, amazing, spectacular, disastrous mess that is the decision made by Warner Bros. to release their whole 2021 slate on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously. Will theaters play ball? Does a shrinking window mean Netflix originals might show up on big screens owned by AMC, Regal, and Cinemark? Will anyone want to work with Warners ever again? All this and more will be discussed on this week’s episode!
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Elizabeth Neumann joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how President Trump and the conservative right are courting and encouraging extremists following his defeat by Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Congressman Denver Riggleman joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP’s fever of nonsense regarding the 2020 election and how disinformation is a disease infecting the Republican Party. He also discusses his new book,Bigfoot .... It's Complicated.
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This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) review the critically acclaimed new movie, Sound of Metal, streaming on Amazon now. And in controversies and nontroversies, they discuss whether or not directors are ingrates for being upset at Warner Bros. for dropping their whole 2021 slate on theaters and HBO Max simultaneously.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Kim Wehle joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the long lasting effects of the GOP’s escalating assault on voting rights following Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Rep. Conor Lamb joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the future of the Democratic Party and COVID-19 relief.
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Author and foreign correspondent Michael J. Totten joins the group to discuss conspiracy thinking at home and abroad, the Biden cabinet so far, and Stop the Steal.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to talk about his recent item on how YouTube is spreading election disinformation, and the latest on Team Trump’s failing effort to steal the election.
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Sonny talks this week to Ian and Eshom Nelms, the fraternal directorial team behind Fatman, about the circuitous path to making that film, the vagaries of indie economics and budgeting, the clash between critics and audiences on the film, and the possibility of a sequel on the horizon after its surprisingly strong VOD performance. There’s some spoiler-y conversation in the last 10 minutes or so of the show, so you should rent the movie before listening if that sort of thing bothers you! (It’s good, I strongly recommend it.)
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mike Murphy joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the Trump-Biden transition, the coming cabinet, and the Georgia Senate elections.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes to discuss her recent item: “What If Trump Is Trying To Break the GOP?”
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On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter talk about the politics at the heart of David Fincher’s new Netflix movie Mank, a film that is nominally about the writing of Citizen Kane but is actually about something much deeper. And, in controversies and nontroversies, the trio take a look at the shocking decision by Warner Bros. to release their entire 2021 film slate on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously. Is Christopher Nolan right when he says that “Some of our industry’s biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service” — or is that a bit of an overreaction?
(If you enjoyed this show, make sure to check out our bonus members-only episode on Matthew McConaughey’s radical centrism!)
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Jolly joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how Donald Trump seeks to break the GOP in half, the future of the GOP, the two party duopoly, and his political future.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Jonathan V. Last joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how when the unthinkable becomes thinkable, literal coups are possible. How right wing political entertainment has largely become the id of the GOP base, and how the politics of paranoia are shaping the party’s future.
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Bill Kristol joins B2D to discuss the normal (!) congressional Covid compromise, Biden’s cabinet so far, and the insanity on the Trump right.
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You may remember Tony Davis as the guy who explained to us why popcorn grease is destroying movie theater projectors. (He also had lots of interesting thoughts on 3D and the economics of the theater business, but mostly, judging by responses I received: popcorn grease.) He’s back this week to explain why the home theater set you can build in your home looks about as good as a standard (read: non-IMAX or Dolby) theater. (Whether or not it sounds as good is a separate issue.) And he has a few suggestions for theater owners as to how they could step up their game.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss COVID-19, the increasingly crazy election trutherism, and the GOP and 2024.
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A Super-Sized episode this week with the RonJon bombshell, Gabriel Sterling’s cri de coeur, and the first shots of the GOP’s post-Trump civil war.
You don’t want to miss today’s show. It’s great.
Also, there’s a reference to this classic BBC sketch:
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Josh Kraushaar joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the GOP's suicide squeeze to retain control of the Senate, and the potential for optimism on centrist governance in the 117th Congress.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes to discuss President Trump’s post-election fundraising, his futile legal fights, and how the conservative press have become parasites who have taken control of the host.
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On the latest episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask in controversies and nontroversies why the box office had an unexpectedly “good” week. And the trio reviewed the newish Kevin Costner/Diane Lane joint, Let Him Go.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, David Priess joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss Trump’s crazy weekend Fox News appearance, the changes to the President’s Daily Briefing, and how to prepare for taking over foreign policy during a transition.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Black Friday, flying, why we should start shaming the bad faith actors on the Trumpian right, and how elite educated GOP officials cynically dumb themselves down to fleece the masses.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mona Charen joins Charlie Sykes to discuss why we should be thankful this Thanksgiving, how Trump’s stolen election myth will live on in the GOP, and why trust is essential for society to function.
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Sarah, JVL, and Tim talk about Biden’s cabinet, what went down in Michigan, and the fragility of our system. Happy Thanksgiving?
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Across the Movie Aisle Returns! Many thanks to the good folks at The Bulwark for resurrecting the podcast, which can be pithily described as “Left, Right, and Center” meets “Siskel and Ebert.”
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that WW84 is moving to HBO Max at no extra cost. And they review Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy while trying to suss out just why its existence has made so many critics so crotchety.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Berny Belvedere joins Charlie Sykes to discuss truth in the age of Trump, media silos and seeking out safe spaces, and the future of right-leaning analysis and opinion.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Kim Wehle joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the President’s legal team’s strategy to overturn the will of the voters, the brief Sidney Powell saga, and how Trump’s challenge is creating a new form of birtherism that will last for years.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and the Art of the Steal.
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Megan McArdle of the Washington Post joins the crew to discuss the Keystone coup, how Biden should try to heal the nation, and what to do about Coronavirus.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Brendan Buck joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how Joe Biden won Georgia, and what to look for in its upcoming special elections for both of its Senators.
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Sonny talks to the Austin-based Alison Macor this week about the life and times of Warren Skaaren this week. Skaaren’s battles with the studios and the Writer’s Guild to get proper credit for his work on Top Gun, Batman, Beverly Hills Cop 2, and Beetlejuice are the subject of her excellent book, Rewrite Man. Consider picking it up after listening to this podcast; it’s a quick read and a great view into a professional script doctor’s process.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes to discuss her item on the future of the Senate in a Biden administration, the Wayne County, Michigan controversy, and the GOP’s speeding Trump train to nowhere.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, former Ambassador and Under Secretary of Defense Eric Edelman joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how Trump is stifling the Biden transition and what that means, the purge at the Pentagon, and what President-Elect Biden will inherit when he takes office.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Daniel Drezner joins Charlie Sykes to talk about President Trump’s weekend Twitter temper tantrum, the latest on what’s happening inside the Pentagon in the waning days of the Trump Presidency, and Nicholas Grossman joins to discuss his recent story Breaking Down Trump’s Plan To Steal The Election (And Why It’s Failing).
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Benjamin Wittes joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent piece about the difficulty of overturning an election, why we should be wary of turning justices into celebrities (and why they shouldn’t become pundits), and why we’re at the high water mark of MAGA delusion.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the never-ending culture wars, and President Trump’s last-ditch attempt to gaslight America before he leaves office.
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This week Sonny talks to Derek Dye, the Senior Brand Manager for Highland Ventures, which is the parent company of the iconic Family Video brand. The chain is spearheading the #SaveTheVideoStore campaign, which hopes to raise awareness for those remaining stores. Derek and Sonny discuss the difficulties of operating a video store in general, the extra hardships created by a lack of new content coming from Hollywood, and a good way to save a few bucks while you build up your home video library. Plus: Stranger Things, which will feature the store in their forthcoming season!
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Priess joins Charlie Sykes to discuss how President Trump is damaging the process that facilitates a peaceful transition of power.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Adam J. White joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent item on why the President’s post-election lawsuits matter, Bill Barr’s election memo, the silence of the GOP on Trump’s rhetoric, and the GOP’s electoral college hypocrisy.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Sarah Longwell, Bill Kristol, and Jonathan V. Last join Charlie Sykes to discuss Joe Biden’s big weekend, Four Seasons Total Landscaping’s role in history, and what to worry about between now and January 20, 2021.
Also, we include a portion of Saturday night’s Bulwark+ livestream so you can hear the reactions of The Bulwark team. We’ll be doing more of these in the coming weeks, and you can get access to them if you join as a member of Bulwark+.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Josh Kraushaar and Amanda Carpenter join host Charlie Sykes to discuss the end of the 2020 election, whether the GOP will ever be introspective, and the Georgia run-off and 2024.
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Jon Fasman of The Economist joins all of the regulars to discuss what we know and what we don’t about the election. Deep breaths.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to look at the big picture of the 2020 election, the unique Biden map, and the future of the GOP.
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This week, Sonny talks to Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine), his old friends from Across the Movie Aisle, about the world of movies and movie writing post-Trump. Is Christopher Nolan right that Hollywood studios should be looking to foreign box office dollars? Does Netflix have buyer's remorse about their mega-deals with super-producers? And now that The Trump Show is coming to a close, will the world of cultural writing be able to focus a bit more on, you know, the culture?
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Bill Kristol and Mona Charen join host Charlie Sykes to discuss Tuesday’s election, the future of the GOP, and why Trumpism has not been refudiated.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Kevin Williamson joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent article on the case against Trump, the trouble with politics as meaning and inquisitional politics, and the forthcoming circus we can expect if Trump is a lame duck President.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, David Byler joins host Charlie Sykes to break down the polls one day before the election, explain why you can’t model a court fight, and what states to look out for tomorrow night.
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George F. Will and Jonathan V. Last join to discuss the state of the parties, the likely outcome, and whether the filibuster and Electoral College should stay.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss President Trump’s out-of-touch campaign four days out from election day, Tucker Carlson’s UPS conspiracy, and how COVID overshadowed all of Trump’s October surprises.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the last days of the 2020 campaign, why the character of politicians really does matter to voters, and the future of the GOP.
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This week on the show, Sonny talks to Shannon Moore, the Director of Field Marketing at Allied Global Marketing’s Washington, DC office. Sonny’s been a working film critic for 15 years or so, and the first question he always gets—after “What’s your favorite movie?” which he refuses to answer on general principle—is “How do you see the movies? Do you, like, get a private screening?” So he decided to have Shannon on to talk about this and other facets of marketing movies.
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On today’s Bulwark Podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his recent item about the three possible election outcomes, and how the COVID-19 fiasco is impacting the race.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the last days of the 2020 election, the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh's Wisconsin opinion, and the future of the Senate and the GOP.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, John Heilemann joins Charlie Sykes to discuss President Trump's 60 Minutes interview, the Hunter Biden conspiracies, and the last Presidential debate.
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Election guru Josh Kraushaar joins B2D to discuss the ragged end game, what to watch on Nov. 3, and the disgrace of orphaned children at the border.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to break down last night's presidential debate and the failed 11th hour Bobulinski gambit.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mike Murphy joins Charlie Sykes to preview the final Presidential debate, the Hunter Biden email allegations, and how the Trump campaign wasted a billion dollars.
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Sonny is joined today by Natalie Metzger, VP of development and production at Vanishing Angle. She is a Spirit Award nominated producer whose credits include GREENER GRASS, THUNDER ROAD, THE ROBBERY, and THE WOLF OF SNOW HOLLOW. Metzger is currently in post-production on Josh Ruben’s horror comedy WEREWOLVES WITHIN (Ubisoft), Jim Cummings’ thriller THE BETA TEST, and Sean Mullin’s baseball documentary IT AIN’T OVER. Metzger’s feature directing credits include AT&T original documentary ALONE IN THE GAME (AFI Docs, Outfest) and healthcare documentary SPECIAL BLOOD, which won the Dolores Huerta Award for Best Director at the Long Beach Indie Festival and Best Feature Documentary at California Women’s Film Festival.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mark Salter joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book: The Luckiest Man: Life with John McCain.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Benjamin Wittes joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss #MeToobin, Amy Coney Barrett and court packing, and the President publicly pressuring AG Barr to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden before the election.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Pete Buttigieg joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the state of the 2020 campaign, and A.B. Stoddard discusses her ten “known unknowns” of the 2020 election.
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Matt Yglesias of Vox joins Mona Charen, Bill Galston, and Sarah Longwell to talk about whether the US should grow—a lot! The group also tackles the Hunter non-story and the why 2020 is not 2016.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to break down the dueling town halls, how some on the right are looking for the exits of Trumpism, and how actively suppressing the vote for the GOP is likely to backfire.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Kim Wehle joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the coming election-law issues we might face unless the results are a tsunami, the end of the Durham investigation, and the confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett.
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This week, Sonny is joined by Mark Graham, the Editor-in-Chief of Decider, a website dedicated to helping solve one of society's most pressing and important issues: What movies and shows should I watch? In this episode we talk about how Mark and his team decide what to cover for Decider and why, looking at how non-traditional audience metrics help determine what’s worth writing about. Plus! Mark offers up some tips for would-be freelancers on getting your work published.
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On today’s Bulwark podcast, Mona Charen joins Charlie Sykes to discuss her item on catastrophic thinking and optimism. Plus, a discussion about October surprises, conspiracies, and Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings.
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All the conspiracy theories are coming home. Sarah has new focus groups. And the polling for Trump keeps getting worse.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Amanda Carpenter joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the President's super spreader rally and bizarre kiss promise, how Dr. Fauci is calling the Trump campaign's bluff, and whether Senate Republicans are going to find an off ramp from Trumpism, or is it too late?
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Remember, when you become a member of Bulwark+ you get access to our other, exclusive members-only podcasts.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, court packing, the destruction of norms, and President Trump's Superman T-shirt idea.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the 2020 election, the down-ballot electoral woes of the GOP, and the Trumpification of Mike Pence.
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David Frum returns to B2D. He and the panel discuss the VP debate, the president’s mental state, abuse of power, and the future of the political parties.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Jim Swift joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss President Trump's morning meltdown with Maria Bartiromo, the Vice Presidential debates, and how the poor response to COVID-19 is impacting the 2020 elections.
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Sonny is joined this week by Phil Contrino, the Director of Media and Research for the National Association of Theatre Owners. Topics of discussion include the state of the movie theater business (spoiler: it’s kind of dire at the moment, given news that Regal’s U.S. screens are shuttering again), the relative safety of moviegoing as opposed to dining out or attending church (spoiler: it’s much safer!), and what role the government might play in helping ensure theaters don’t go out of business.
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We talk about Trump’s steroidal exuberance, when (and if) he was tested, and whether or not the bottom is falling out on the president’s campaign.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Josh Kraushaar joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the 2020 election, the VP debate, President Trump's COVID gamble, and the GOP's down-ballot problem.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins host Charlie Sykes to discuss the most bizarre photo op ever, and Andrew Weissmann joins to chat about his new book: "Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation."
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Amanda Carpenter and David Priess join Charlie Sykes to discuss the President's COVID-19 diagnosis, the 25th Amendment, the 2020 elections, and the Supreme Court vacancy.
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On today's Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss the President's COVID diagnosis and the White House's reckless behavior, Trump's latest white supremacy controversy, the 2020 election, and Republican voter suppression.
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David French joins to discuss his book Divided We Fall as well as the debased debate, and the president’s taxes.
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This week, Sonny talks to Zack Stentz (“X-Men: First Class,” “Thor,” “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) about his work with Netflix on the film “Rim of the World” and the hit new show, “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.” What’s it like pitching the service that has everything? How is the world of TV evolving as different streaming services aim for different markets? And how can filmmakers working with kids protect them from being exploited?
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