Claim OwnershipThe Bulwark Podcast
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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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500 Episodes
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1The country is now paying for the pathologies of the oligarchs and baddies who were stuffed into lockers when they were kids. And let's be honest: A chunk of MAGA doesn't mind the sexual assaults at all—they "put women in their place." Meanwhile, Gaetz's replacement, Pam Bondi, was an active member of the attempted coup, Elon's plan to slash the federal workforce would cut a minuscule part of the budget, the oil men don't want to produce more oil, and Democrats have to go back to their 90s-style economic messaging.
Sarah and JVL join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
The Secret Podcast
JVL's Triad newsletter from Thursday
Tim's playlist
Because Trump wasn't penalized for trying to steal the 2020 election, our democracy has already been damaged. And he was laying the groundwork to do it again in '24, with the assistance of MAGA's opportunistic election fraud lies. Meanwhile, David Sacks & co would never let Trump run any of their businesses, but they're all in on his Alex Jones-grade lies. Plus, was Kamala done in by not responding to the anti-trans ad? And 90% of what's wrong with Elon is his Twitter addiction.
Sam Harris joins Tim Miller.
The incompetent and compromised nominees Trump has assembled at record pace show how little regard he has for the essential functions our government provides. He wants to harness its power for his own ends, in a way that could put Americans and our national security at risk—but he can only do this if Congress is complicit. Meanwhile, the roundly-hated Matt Gaetz is providing cover for the sex abuse allegations against the other nominees, and the House majority margin may be razor thin.
Rep. Dan Goldman and Marc Caputo join Tim Miller.
The Democrats focus too much on reaching white college-educated voters, and the threat to democracy was not the right closing message. Plus, Nancy Mace needs to get a life beyond getting MAGA street cred, no one wants to be in the same bathroom with MTG, and Jared Polis may be on to something with the hippie-ish libertarians.
Jen Psaki joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Gov. Polis tweet about RFK, Jr.
The governor's follow-up tweet
Trump is flooding the zone with unqualified nominees who would destroy government norms and standards and create the kind of chaos that would let him do what he wants—and Senate Republicans may be too afraid of him to put up much resistance. Meanwhile, allies are already seeing the third world-style political decay, beyond the orgies and sexual assaults. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
"Art of the Surge" doc on Apple TV; Ep 5 has debate reaction backstage
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 notes
Part 1 of the "Behind the Bastards" podcast on RFK, Jr.
Tim's playlist
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 notes
Ed Whelan on Trump's recess appointment scheme (gifted)
David's cover story on the Ivy League (gifted)
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 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 notes
Speech by Otto Wels in March 1933
The 'Lovett or Leave It' podcast
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 notes
Charles Gaba's thread on the new 'Stop the Steal' conspiracy
Tim's appearance on the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast
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 notes
Carville documentary, "Winning Is Everything, Stupid" (post-election recut out 11/14)
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 notes
Ben's column, "Were the Trump Trials Pointless?"
Tim's playlist
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 notes
Tom's most recent Atlantic Daily newsletter
Derek Thompson's piece mentioned by Tim (gifted)
Nick Catoggio's piece
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.
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 notes
Reagan's closing statement in 1980 at the final debate with Carter
David's book mentioned in show, "Trumpocalypse"
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 notes
Monday's Morning Shots newsletter
HuffPost story on Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania
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% to 28%. 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 Poll
Des Moines Register story on Iowa's congressional races
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 notes
Tim's playlist
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 notes
Tim's message to Nikki Haley voters
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 site
The fake family of Eugene's opponent in the open VA-7 seat
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If the VP had done Rogan, spent 500 words explaining her evolution on gender changing surgery, she would have won? But the risks Trump poses were missed because the spoor emitted by his passage was too subtle to "track?" "Shithole countries, pride in Dobbs, love of tyrants, hate for NATO, stealing secrets. Too subtle to "track" by many smart people you know. Hate PC speech, fine don't use it. But Dobbs, attempting to steal the election, on and on, do not track? You are funny and so bitter.
This is an essential part of the American political news ecosystem. Fact based honest reporting and discussions. Substance and style.
you do realize that trump, or some lacky, can x a mistruth and have the lacky send it at 4am to try to give people the feeling he is working hard for american people.
I never thought the day would come when I feel kinship with Bill Kristol. I'm grateful that my home is now in Asia. whether I'll ever live in the US again is uncertain .
You guys need to go on "I've Had It" and vent there, too.
Dominion machines worked fine, just like they did before! The machines of another tabulation company... ES&S... however, have absolutely been rigged, just like they did before, and need to be audited yesterday.
I do find it kinda ironic that James Carville, one of the architects of pushing through NAFTA under Clinton, blames "wokeism" rather than the export of American manufacturing overseas for Kamala's loss.
Really good rapport chaps Some punchy comments. I enjoyed it. Keep the faith and good luck.
... continued... For my position I expect the very worst and anything less will be a small bonus. Make hay while the sun still shines because all indications suggest that dissenters will be silenced. I'm afraid that the notion that America is land of the free no longer applies. Take care and good luck.
First time listener here from the UK. Arrived at your pod via the Atlantic while researching Anne Applebaum. I felt about as bad hearing your election results as I did when the morons in the UK voted us out of the EU and removed my rights to live within the EU. Your situation is hideous. I feel your pain. I don't think that Trump will be restrained I think the opposite. He will organise and has plenty of other fascists to assist. He will not now or ever concede the power he has gained.
So before, she did everything right and ran a great campaign. Now she didn't do enough? It's because she has she/her as her pronoun? I'm sorry this is the most ridiculous take I've heard. Donald Trump isn't who America is now. Why is no one talking about all the missing ballots? why is no one talking about all the concerning things he said that basically said he was going to cheat? I'm sorry but no, a majority of Americans did not want this. The numbers literally don't even make sense.
Why does no one discuss that Biden could jail Trump and that as an act under the umbrella of presidential authority could not be stopped?
Tim, it is the racism and sexism, man. It IS who we are, as Nick said. How do we come back from this?
Time to bury the "That's not who we are," cliche. Of course, it is. And we have been so since Jamestown, Indian genocide, Yorktown, Constitutional Convention, more Indian genocide, Sumpter, Appomattox, more Indian genocide, Reconstruction, anti-immigration laws, Jim Crow, fascists in the 30's, red scare Black Church bombings, assassinations, redlining, unequal schools. We do not have the courage or humility to face it, own it, ask forgiveness and reform. Trump made it ok to say that it's all ok.
Leon it's spelt Putin
what you put in me trump
Not only does Uncle Sam have no clothing it's boys pants half off. RNC PARTE
I think the big problem is Vance. think it highly likely that Trump won't make it through 4 years and Vance will take over.
that was a tremendous discussion. Media is so quick and eloquent, but made me extremely anxious again and now regarding Michigan. I thought Harris supposedly had great ground games in the Blue Wall States. Doesn't sound that way for MI after listening to this pod. Stein should withdraw from running.
Hooray for Alex and Eugene Vindman. The damage Trump will do to the world order is so enormous.