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The Bulwark Podcast

The Bulwark Podcast
Author: The Bulwark
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Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy.
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Bulwark+ members can get a totally ad-free version of the show delivered right to their favorite podcast player.
500 Episodes
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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
Leonnig's and Dilanian's reporting on Homan taking a $50,000 bribe
Tim on Megyn Kelly's diatribe against him; or watch on YouTube
Monday's "Morning Shots"
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.
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
Thomas's "Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse"
Thomas's recent Atlantic piece
The Harper's Letter
Tim's playlist
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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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
Brian's "Reliable Sources" newsletter
JVL's Thursday 'Triad'
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.
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.
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
Sen. Manchin's new book, "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense"
Tim's 2021 piece, "An Ode to Saint Joe Manchin"
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!
Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/BULWARK.
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
Today's "Morning Shots"
Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Jay Nordlinger
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Tix for a second Toronto show go on sale this week!
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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
Frum's "Trump Is No Nationalist" piece
Bill's tribute to Georgia police officer David Rose
Bob Kagan's "The Beginning of the End of Nato" Tim referenced
The poem, "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Tim's playlist
Frum's podcast
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Tix on sale next week for extra Toronto show!
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
Tim's latest FYPod episode
JVL on Charlie Kirk
Andrew on the reaction to the assassination
Nancy Mace after the shooting
The Wired story on surrogacy
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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
Maggie Haberman pursuing the White House's 'hoax' theory on Epstein
Job Garcia's video of his arrest—includes non-visuals when his phone was in his back pocket
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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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
James, in The Economist, on his departure from the NYT over the Tom Cotton op-ed (gifted)
James on the rules for defending democracy under Trump (gifted)
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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
Today's "Morning Shots"
Gov. Pritzker responding to Trump's Chi-pocalypse meme
Backgrounder on the Bobbsey Twins
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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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 drug dealers. Plus, a trans gun ban would be grotesquely unconstitutional, the blood-and-soil types at NatCon are missing what the Founding Fathers intended, Tucker can't quit his Putin obsession, and why Gen X enthusiastically embraced helicopter parenting.
David French joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
Bulwark's live reaction to RFK hearing, with Sam, Jon Cohn, and Will Saletan
David on Gen X helicopter parenting Gen Z (gifted)
More from James Madison in 1785
Post-recording news: Pentagon is deploying F-35s for a counter-narcotics mission
Tim's playlist
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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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
Hertling's piece, "Bombs Won't Win the War on Drugs"
"Honoring Ashli Babbitt Dishonors the Military"
Hertling on the 'perils of yes-men'
Rand Paul on the speedboat bombing
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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
Tim's interview last month with Jason Calacanis
This week's TNL
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at TheBulwark.com/events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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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
Lincoln Square on Substack
Stuart's piece on trying steroids
"The Conspiracy to End America"
Stuart's book, "It Was All a Lie"
Stuart's "The Last Season"
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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
"The Triad," JVL's newsletter
"The Secret Podcast," with Sarah and JVL
Jon Cohn on the crisis at the CDC in his 'Breakdown' newsletter
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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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 who are dismantling the government and executing their policy wet dreams. Plus, Joni Ernst's Senate tenure has been a sham, Vance tries Mickey Mouse Stalinism on for size, and what's going on with the bruising on Trump's right hand? The public has the right to know about the health of a president. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
Tom's newsletter installment, "President Homelander"
JVL's Thursday 'Triad'
Tom calling Trump 'unmanly' and Vance an 'ass****'
The film, "The Death of Stalin"
Felicia Schwartz's piece on Steve Witkoff
Tim's playlist
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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
Thursday's "Morning Shots"
Tim, Sam, and Will Sommer on a MAGA brawl, the “Bulwark Take” Tim mentioned
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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 lot 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
Sullivan's piece on Gaza for the Israeli news site, Ynet
Article about Sullivan's comments at The Atlantic Festival in Sept. 2023
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
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
Susan's most recent column
Pam Bondi profile by Ruth Marcus
Bulwark Live in DC and NYC at https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events. Toronto is SOLD OUT
I listen to Tim's Bulwark most weeks. 2 of my fav frequently guests are Tom Nichols and David Frum. This episode did not disappoint; so wise and spot on, I think in his analysis of MAGA world and recent events. ill go back and listen. Thanks Tim!
Like like like like like like like like like Millennial speak. I can't listen.
I only think ONE gun and ONE crazy person was involved. Too many?
Why does no one get a lip reader to say what Trump was saying to Epstein on the clip we keep seeing with Trump excitedly gesturing, smirking, smiling like a hirny school boy trying to work up the nerve to go on the dance floor as Epstein stands next to him in a dungaree shirt?
I love the end of show music on this episode! Can the artist & title info be added to the show notes please?
You guys know this was a diversion! TRUMP is a pedifile! He has the most disloyal cabinet in HISTORY! I have never seen a most "RACIST HUMAN" in my LIFE! KARMA IS A BITCH!
How about we just get rid of the Electoral College and districting. One citizen = 1 vote.
Hey Tim! Love your show. I keep hearing from guest like Jason how bloated they think the government is to justify DOGE but I have yet to hear from any of them what size they think the govt should be. Compared to who? What’s their benchmark? What outcomes and objectives? What best practices is government administration not meeting and failing on? I am calling BS on these criticisms until we see a thoughtful study on the matter.
Tim, hey, boy.
Today, you and Todd described Susie Wiles as not being in the "insane" group. You imply she is one of the "normal" Republicans. As the gate keeper, she can either stop the staff from giving Trump bad info, or she can later correct what does get through. She is apparently doing neither. You should stop being an apologist for those who you claim "know better" - they don't.
Notice how quiet Barack Hussein Osama has been lately now that Director of National Intelligence and future first female president Tulsi Gabbard has his number vis a vis the Russia hoax. Lawyer up, asshole.
Please consider posting transcripts of your interviews. With so many sources of information to follow, I know I find it is much easier to get the gist of or fully absorb something if I can read it as opposed to listening to it.
Evangelicals. Holier than I. Venerators of Jerusalem. Fans and defenders of the chosen people, and adulterous, felonious, rapists and pedophiles who countenance genocidal starvation in the service of revenge and DOGE efficiency. Sweet.
Wow. What a lot of stating the obvious on the one hand, yes it is really bad, horrible, blah, blah, blah, while on the other hand ignoring the obvious, that is Israel's policy seems to be just what Israel is doing. Many critics from Israel see this. But Bibi is like Trump, running from prosecution, and has gotten enough of the Israeli population to accept what he is doing. Enjoy your football. I quit watching young people courting dementia and early death years ago. Like what you like. Cheers
where can I find current version of Tim's playlist?
when you pull your goalie in the first period you aren't going to win.
based on algorithms I wouldn't ask for queries.
Hey, boy. What's wrong with you? Get a friend to feed the cat.
Tim Miller, "Hey, girl." That's how you greeted a woman, a stranger, who could be your grandmother. You seem to claim a gay dispensation to greet grown women by calling them girl. Is that because you see yourself as one of them (the girls), or is it because you actually dislike them and get off on the cover being gay gives you to cosplay solidarity while denigrating them? Thought experiment: your daughter is grown up, and some guy who does not know her greets her as "girl." Cool with you?
Tim, closer to home, Canada has had minority governments more in the last 20 years than it has had majorities. So they rule by coalition and need to cooperate between different parties. Some of whom sit distinctly apart from each other. It works and often is much better than a majority.