The Bulwark Podcast

Trump may have the pardon power, but all those people making bank off of shady contracts from the administration or doing pay-to-play can lose all that money through forfeiture and seizure laws already on the books. Taxpayers are going to want their money back. And why are Chinese nationals continuing to bribe the president of the United States—and does his soft-on-China policies have anything to do with it? Plus: Trump used a catering cart to sneak out of Turkey, the Dems need to do a better job highlighting the fact that the White House is doing socialist-style company takeovers, and the National Guard will now be in DC until 2029.Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller.show notes: Amanda's Bulwark piece on undoing Trump's age of corruption Amanda's event with Protect Democracy and Vox on Aug. 19 NYT story on Chinese national who gave $100 million to Trump's cryptocurrency company CATO on the government's ownership stakes in companies

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: Tim's candidate list, including Ohio's Brian Poindexter Monday's “Morning Shots” Bill and Eric Edelman on the munition depletions Tim and Isaac Saul on the bulldozing of Big Bend Jim on the governor's race in Ohio NYT profile of Brian Poindexter Bill's “Bulwark on Sunday” with Col. Bree Fram Atlantic piece on Ukraine becoming a military powerhouse Go to Dupe.com today and find similar products for less. It's 100% free to use. Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with Dupe.com today.

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: Catherine's latest “Receipts” newsletter Sam and Catherine on the jobs numbers Evan Osnos' New Yorker piece, “The Future, Made in China” Tim's playlist

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: Inc.'s profile of The Bulwark Adam Hamilton's website Brian Poindexter's website (Dem running against Max Miller.) Trump's new wig

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: Jane's podcast, "What A Day" El-Sayed with influencers Monday night Photo of Chuck Edwards Function provides 160+ lab tests for $1/day and member pricing on advanced imaging. Join at functionhealth.com/THEBULWARK and use gift code THEBULWARK25.  #FunctionPartner

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: TNL live at 9pm ET on Tuesday's primaries on YouTube or Substack Lauren on data centers in Democratic campaigns Charlie's "The Myth of SpaceX" Politico on the growing backlash against the AI buildout Jasmine Sun on how LLMs don't write well

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 Monday's "Morning Shots" Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Ron Brownstein  Bill's interview with Margaret Donovan on Hegseth last week  TNL live tomorrow on Tuesday's primaries: on YouTube or Substack Tim's candidate list

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.

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: JVL's 'Triad' on Trump's best option on Iran Bob's articles at The Atlantic  Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK #oneskinpod

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: Swin's recent reporting on Trump's failed Iran war Will's recent “False Flag” on MAGA rallying around Andrew Tate The NYT on the crackup at the Heritage Foundation New York mag on Justin Sun blowing the whistle on Trump Swin on the chaplain in Cincinnati  Rod Dreher with a platter of oysters in Paris NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad

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: The NYT on the diminished stockpile of Patriot antimissile interceptors  John's "Impolitic" podcast Jon Cohn on Whitmer's endorsement of Haley Stevens Lauren on the troubles at the DNC Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Epstein survivor, Dani Bensky Andrew on Trump bombing at the White House Correspondents Dinner Get 10% Off your entire order & take advantage of Ridge's Annual Sweepstakes by going to https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod

Since we don't have an episode of The Bulwark Podcast for you today, we're sharing something a little different—a preview of The Secret Podcast. This is a show that JVL and Sarah do every week, which is available only for paid members of The Bulwark. If it seems like something you'd enjoy, why not join us? You can sign up on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Substack.Come ride with us!

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: The front page on the most recent issue of the Midcoast Villager Sarah's ‘Focus Group' pod NYT profile of the Midcoast Villager Tim's playlist

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: JVL's Triad on Trump being at war with himself JVL's Triad, "Very Low-IQ Trump Too Stoopid to Win War" David's pod episode with Jeffrey Goldberg The latest episode of "The David Frum Show" Nixon certifying JFK's election victory

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: "Morning Joe" on MS NOW Rahm Emanauel's speech on the U.S.-Israel relationship Head to https://forkfulmeals.com/THEBULWARK for 50% off your first order today Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK #oneskinpod

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: Monday's "Morning Shots" Sam and Mark Hertling on the Iran strikes on an air base in Jordan Umberto Eco's "Ur-Fascism" piece Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod

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 FBI?MS NOW's Nicolle Wallace joins Tim Miller for the weekend podShow notes: Nicolle's show, "Deadline: White House" Nicolle's pod, "The Best People" Tim's playlist Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod

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: Michael's "The Weeknight" on MS NOW Longer clip of Ossoff's exchange with Jay Clayton Tim's episode with Clint Smith from the July 4th weekend "This Is Your Land," the book Tim referenced Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.  Go to Dupe.com for their 100% Free Research for Me comparison shopping tool. Finally feel good about what you're buying with Dupe.com.

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 Jon's piece, "Locked Away" Nick Miroff's Atlantic piece on the Maine shooting  The NYT on Marco running Venezuela (gift link) The episode of "This American Life" Jon referenced, "What Is Your Emergency?" Jon's book, "Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here" The HBO Max show, "Proud," Tim referenced

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 f*cked-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:List provided by Pete Buttigieg of candidates he has endorsed in the 2026 election cycle can be found in show notes in the below link:https://www.thebulwark.com/p/pete-buttigieg-time-for-radical-change

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 NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad

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: Stuart's book, "It Was All a Lie" Stuart's "The Conspiracy to End America" Tim's playlist

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: Lawfare on the military's potential deployment at the polls  Ben's email: benjamin.wittes@lawfaremedia.org Ben's Substack, "Dog Shirt Daily"  Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/BULWARK

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?show notes Alex's pod, "Runaway Country" Alex's Substack Bill on ICE in "Morning Shots"

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.

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. Show notes: Monday's "Morning Shots" Sam and Bill on Trump's July 4 speech For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to:   https://www.3dayblinds.com/THEBULWARK

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 Clint's piece on being black in Hegseth's military Clint on the man who's put himself between Trump and the Smithsonian Clint's "How the Word Is Passed" Thursday's “Morning Shots” on the words of Gerald Ford Tim's July 4th playlist This week only, a full Bulwark membership for everything we offer on our website is $86 a year. That's 14 percent off at http://thebulwark.com/july4 

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: Susan's 'Political Scene' podcast Tim's July 4th playlist This week only, a full Bulwark membership for everything we offer on our website is $86 a year. That's 14 percent off at http://thebulwark.com/july4

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"  This week only, a full Bulwark membership for everything we offer on our website is $86 a year. That's 14 percent off at http://thebulwark.com/july4

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: David's Newsletter on one-party rule David on the purging of Gen. Donahue More on the Broadview case in Chicago, from DavidThis week only, a full Bulwark membership for everything we offer on our website is $86 a year. That's 14 percent off athttp://thebulwark.com/july4

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 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, aiming to live a life of value and meaning, Ossoff is deploying a clever strategy, and why isn't the left talking about climate change? John Dickerson joins Tim Miller from the Aspen Ideas Festival.show notes John's Substack John's long-running pod, Slate's "Political Gabfest"

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 Jane's pod, “What A Day” Roy Cooper's new ad The reporting on Rep. Hamadeh Tim's playlist

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 Tom on making the 250th "small" Tom on the capitulation to Iran Netflix's "The American Experiment"

The Mamdani sweep in NYC shows that the populist left is winning the arguments about Israel policy and on 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 Peter's podcast, "The Powers That Be" Peter's columns at Puck For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to Smalls.com/THEBULWARK.

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 John's book, "When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s"  John's Substack  Tim's interview with Jon Ossoff  Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code THEBULWARK at mudwtr.com/THEBULWARK! #mudwtrpod

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 Monday's "Morning Shots" Tim's and JVL's live reading from Vance's new book Clip from Douthat's interview with JD George Packer's piece, "The Talented Mr. Vance" Jon Swaine's reporting on Tulsi (gift)

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 Ta-Nehisi's latest piece in Vanity Fair Tim's playlist

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 Text of the agreement between the U.S. and Iran  Kinzinger's Substack  "The Kinzinger Report" podcast  Tim's and JVL's reading of Vance's new book 

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 Krystal's "Breaking Points" "Krystal Kyle & Friends" pod Brendan testing a water sample from the algae-covered reflecting pool Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/BULWARK.

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 Sam's campaign website Michael's Substack Watch for Tim's and JVL's live reading of Vance's new book Wednesday on YouTube or Substack Tim's 'Take' with Caolan Robertston in Kyiv re the Russian strike on the Dormition Cathedral  "The Pulp" interview with Sam 

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 Monday's "Morning Shots"  Hertling on the use and abuse of the military at the UFC fight  Brendan's interview with Rep. Joyce Beatty, who sued to get Trump's name off the Kennedy Center  The Bulwark's live coverage from the Kennedy Center Friday eve

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 Jon's 'Offline' podcast Tim's 'Triad' on the most effective campaign contributions Peter Hamby on America 250 Tim'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 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: Anne's latest reporting from Ukraine Phillips O'Brien piece on Iran, "War Crimes Seem To Be Official US Policy Now" A Venezuela opposition leader on the continuing political oppression there Anne's reporting on Kari Lake running Voice of America Anne on Lake being nominated as ambassador to Jamaica Summer novel rec from Anne, "The Time of Cherries" Tim's summer novel rec, "My Tender Matador"

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

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 Jason's "All-In" podcast  Jason's company, Launch  Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com /BULWARK

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