Episodes
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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 ringâand 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
Jon's 'Offline' podcastTim's 'Triad' on the most effective campaign contributionsPeter Hamby on America 250Tim's playlist -
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 commanderâin-chief running a failed military campaign. At the same time, the only engagement the administration seems to want is from the online worldâwhich 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:
Anne's latest reporting from UkrainePhillips O'Brien piece on Iran, "War Crimes Seem To Be Official US Policy Now"A Venezuela opposition leader on the continuing political oppression thereAnne's reporting on Kari Lake running Voice of AmericaAnne on Lake being nominated as ambassador to JamaicaSummer novel rec from Anne, "The Time of Cherries"Tim's summer novel rec, "My Tender Matador" -
Missing episodes?
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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 heâs 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 Godâand 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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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 lowâeven 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
Jason's "All-In" podcast Jason's company, Launch Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com /BULWARK
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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
Monday's "Morning Shots" Tim's 'Take' on Trump's "Meet the Press" interview Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday with Tom Joscelyn Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat, Aspen, and Walden frames at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARK. Promo Code THEBULWARK -
The corruption in the Trump administration is so shameless and so abundant that neither the media nor regular people can keep up. While Ivankaâs purchase of a private âfixer-upperâ 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 moneyâincluding from the top businesses paying to playâthat the corrupt generational wealth heâs creating will even be around for Barronâs 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
Joe on Trump's stock trades
Tim on Cassidy protecting Trump's $1.8 fund
Tim's playlist
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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
Katherine's reporting on the scores of pardoned J6ers committing new crimesJVL on how Marco beat out JD for the Trump's Favorite Adopted Son spotJVL's "Trump Madman Theoryâ of . . . the Stock Market"Lauren on the 'vanilla' dems The Secret Podcast Join at functionhealth.com/THEBULWARK or use gift code THEBULWARK25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
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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
Turek's campaign websiteLuke will be a new co-anchor on MS NOW's "The Weeknight" on June 15For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK.
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Republicans never defend Trumpâs 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 Trumpâs 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
âThe Next Levelâ pod will be out later todayDerekâs piece on vicemaxxingDerek on the great AI cost panicThe âPlain Englishâ pod, hosted by DerekâMere Christianity,â by C.S. LewisâPluribusâ
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Another weekend passed without a promised Iran deal. Despite reporting to the contrary, Iranâs negotiators donât live in caves, and theyâre 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 judgeâs spouse. Thatâs just one reminder that the authoritarian threat remains, and we should prepare for election meddling if the midterms donât go Trumpâs way. Plus, the White House seems to have soured on JD Vance, the Epstein cover-up continues, thereâs 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
Billâs Bulwark on Sunday with Nathaniel ZelinskyBillâs Morning Shots from Friday on Trumpâs plans for America250Text BULWARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. -
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. areâand 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
Tim's episode with E. Jean Carroll from last yearLiz's book, "Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story"Tim's playlist
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Bezos, Elon, Andreessen and the whole lot are such terrible, tiny, greedy people. They blow off the publicâs 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 Elonâs self-dealing, Ellison doesnât care about CBS News or its journalistsâand only bought the network to influence Trumpâinjectable peptides may not be worth the risks, and some longevity tips from Kara.
Kara Swisher joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Kara's and Scott Galloway's âPivotâ podcastKara's "On with Kara Swisher" podCNN's "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever"Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THEBULWARK at https://laundrysauce.com/THEBULWARK #laundrysaucepod -
The United States lost the Iran war back in March when Trump chickened out and didnât 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, has been irreparably damaged in the U.S. 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
Bob on Trump's surrenderBob on the end of the post WWII-orderThe Next Level LIVE after the Texas primaryGet 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.
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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:
Glaude's new book, "America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries"Glaude's "Begin Again," his study of James BaldwinBaldwin's essay on FaulknerThe Bulwark's Memorial Day sale:
Get 50% off of a new Bulwark+ subscription for the next year, thatâs everything we offer on our website, by going to thebulwark.com/sanity â this is a limited time offer. -
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 for a holiday pod.
show notes
Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Marine veteran, Michael WoodMark Hertling on how vets regard Memorial DayWill Selber on remembering the Gold Star familiesTake Cheers Restore after your last drink or before going to bed and wake up feeling at least 50% better â or your money back. For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order at CheersHealth.com/THEBULWARK. #Cheers #ad -
Trump's killing off of John Cornyn's political career was the last straw for Senate Republicans, who magically found the courageâfor the momentâto 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
Joe on the trader in the Oval OfficeMike's EV website Tim's playlist
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From the state where Trump claims heâd 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 (donât call it a slush fund) and Trumpâs effort to get permanent immunity from any tax liability for himself and his family. Plus, POTUSâs 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:
Jon on how Trumpâs global health cuts are undermining the response to the Ebola outbreakLauren on how the Georgia governorâs race may be the most important one in the countryAnd 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 Ringerâs Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats at TheBulwark.com/Events -
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 the anti-farmer president, Stephen Miller is still running an immigration crackdown, and Tim sees promising signs in Tom Massieâs loss in Kentucky.
Tennessee's Rep. Justin Jones joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Jones on Hannity in JanuarySan 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 Ringerâs Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats at TheBulwark.com/Events
Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafoodâdelivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/BULWARK. -
Donald Trumpâas a private citizenâsued 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 TNL, Tim, Sarah, and JVL break it all down. Plus, Martha explains how Iranâs demands for money may be why Trump wonât 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
Pre-order Martha's book, "The Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and Purpose" Monday's "Morning Shots" Sarah's âIllegal Newsâ 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 Ringerâs Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/Events
One thing to pack, five ways to power! Get up to 40% off @Ridge during their Fatherâs Day Sale at ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod
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Sadly, itâs 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 officialsâincluding presidentsâTrump has far too many unexplained medical conditions, and Tim explains his support for commuting Tina Petersâ prison sentence.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Monday's "Morning Shots"Lauren on how the Dems should respond to an aging Trump's health issuesBill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Rob Flaherty, Kamala's deputy campaign managerSan 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 Ringerâs Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/Events
Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code THEBULWARK at mudwtr.com/THEBULWARK! #mudwtrpod
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