The Bulwark Podcast

A White House insider straight out of central casting took congressional testimony to a whole new level. It's no longer 'what did the president know and when did he know it?' It's now 'how many weapons was he directing to the Capitol for a coup?' David Priess joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"America never would have gotten into this mess if it weren't for me and my friends," Tim Miller writes in his new book. He joins Charlie Sykes today to discuss the GOP political culture that set the stage for Trump — a culture that was all about the thrill of winning at all costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amanda Carpenter and Will Saletan are back for Summer Monday to discuss the new post-Roe political landscape in America. They analyze the uncomfortable questions about abortion Republicans must now confront, Democratic messaging, and where we go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court reoriented our understanding of fundamental rights today. Now come the fights over the right to travel, and access to FDA-approved drugs. Plus, the former president tried to get the Department of Justice to commit fraud. Ben Wittes joins Charlie for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ron Johnson has no good explanation for why his staff tried to hand fake electors to Pence. Plus, the Jan 6 hearings' trickle down effect on Trump's standing, racial prejudice in today's conservatism, and Dem candidates decoupling from Biden. Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roughly 700 professors have been targeted for firing in recent years for something they said - an historic high. Yet, critics still say there's no such thing as cancel culture. Do Americans just have to shut up to keep their jobs? FIRE's Greg Lukianoff joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Qanon election conspiracy runs deep and wide, and the Jan 6 committee will succeed if it can wrest a small percentage of voters from Trump's grasp. Plus, the rising threat of domestic terrorism, and Ginni Thomas bragging about her access. Former Rep. Denver Riggleman joins Charlie today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump is only proving the January 6 committee's point. And Mike Pence put his own life in danger by not speaking up sooner. Will Saletan joins guest host Amanda Carpenter on today's podcast. Audio clip credit: Politico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Pence: Your career is over anyway. Put a stake in the heart of the guy who left you for dead — Trump sure sounds like he knows how bad the hearings are for him. Plus: Biden, moral clarity, and the Saudis. Tim Miller's back with Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Bannon's show may have a low budget Wayne's World quality, but he is working to get Trumpists in control of state election infrastructure — so that the system that barely held together in 2020 will come undone in 2024. Jennifer Senior joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even more election deniers won in Tuesday's primaries, Mastriano is too close for comfort in PA, Trump's ego was the only thing that stopped a coup in the DOJ, and White House staff need to let Biden be Middle Class Joe. Will Saletan's back with Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sensationalized journalism Katy Tur's parents created has led her to some soul searching in her new book about the way the news is covered today. Plus, the shock of watching Trump associates under oath speaking truth instead of spin. She joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Washington is a city run on secrets, and between WWII and the end of the Cold War, no secret was more deadly to a political career than homosexuality. Jamie Kirchick joins guest host Tim Miller to discuss his book, "Secret City." Plus — gay bigotry's past in today's politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liz Cheney and company rekindled our rage at Republicans: They knew Trump was lying, subverting the law, and inciting the mob — and 147 of them went along anyway. Bulwark all-stars Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Bill Kristol join Charlie Sykes for the weekend podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everything would be different if Mike Pence had not counted the votes. He showed courage and faced real potential physical danger. Plus, Biden on Kimmel, Jared & Ivanka's reputation laundering, and Abbott's flip-flop on guns. Karen Tumulty joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America has a violent heart, even going back to the colonial era. But our gun culture is shifting from self-defense to defiance — where guns are about threats and intimidation, not saving lives. David French joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump is totally bored, but he's also got Ron DeSantis nipping at his heels, which means he may start his 2024 campaign this summer — even if that could hurt Republicans in the midterms. Jonathan Allen joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Jan 6 committee has brought in a TV pro for this week's prime-time hearing, and Republicans sound worried it could be a blockbuster. Plus, the prospects for a gun bill, and the moral gray area of a Biden visit to Saudi Arabia. Will Saletan's back for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gun legislation shouldn't be hard — everyone knows how stupid it is that an 18-year-old can't buy a White Claw, but can get an AR-15. Plus, MAGA media shamelessness, a turning point in Putin's war, and Democrats: Do something about inflation. Tim Miller's back with Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America's largest Protestant denomination has lost more than a million members over the past three years. Meanwhile, many Evangelicals can't tell the difference between gospel and politics. Russell Moore joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We couldn't understand the Holocaust without pictures — is it time to see what an AR-15 actually does to the human body, especially children? Plus, average people will have to step up to save democracy. James Hohmann joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NRA is not in the gun rights business — It's in the culture war business. When will the responsible gun owners stand up and say "Enough?" Ryan Busse joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The one door at Parkland didn't save the kids, and neither will teachers packing heat or good guys with guns — why exactly did police in Uvalde wait so long to go in? Plus, a sneak peak of Tim's new book! Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Southern Baptist leaders covered up sex abuse, and slandered and vilified the victims. No atheist has done this much damage to the faith. Peter Wehner joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fetish for weapons of war has no end, even when police officers are outgunned. Plus, Trump's bad day in Georgia and Alabama. Lucy Caldwell joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Misinformation, disinformation and other 'cheap speech' has voters confused about truth and lies, and is threatening our democracy. Law professor and author Rick Hasen joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Evangelicals are moving from saving souls to pushing a political uprising, Trump's got a reckoning in Georgia, and the party that complained about Democrats not saying 'radical Islamic terrorism' won't condemn white nationalist terror. Will Saletan's back for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When 200+ Republicans nix a domestic terror bill, maybe it's time to point out they aren't the party of law & order. Plus, CPAC in Hungary, Dems have golden tickets they're not using — and Better Call Saul or Breaking Bad? Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roe has been vulnerable because it's been about individual rights, and not the scope of government power — which was the focus of the Framers. Law professor Kim Wehle makes the case for keeping the government out of certain spheres of life. Today's podcast with Charlie Sykes. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Mastriano won because he made clear he's ready to use the power of the state to steal an election, Republicans find 'replacement theory' useful, and D'Souza admits he has no evidence. Philip Bump joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conspiracy politics are turning evangelicals against each other as the Church becomes increasingly radicalized — an unraveling that went into overdrive during the shutdown. Tim Alberta joins Charlie Sykes today to discuss the war for the soul of the Church. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The replacement theory has become a mainstream Republican talking point while the party also preps for no-exception abortion bans. Plus, the invasion of Ukraine is the biggest geopolitical disaster since 1939. Will Saletan is back for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats are wrapped up in emotion in a post-Roe world, pushing facepalm-inducing messaging and a loser bill. We're here to help. Plus, Esper, Mattis, McMaster, and Kelly failed in their duty. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tucker has become the high priest of Trumpism, but he's also the host of what may be the most racist show in the history of television. He teaches fear and loathing every single night. Nick Confessore joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

McConnell's long history of deception means his promise to not end the filibuster to pass a national abortion ban is worthless. Plus, the potential SCOTUS ruling is such an earthquake, it'd be beyond the Democrats' ability to screw it up. Dana Milbank joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Hurd thinks there are enough normal Republicans out there to back a presidential candidate who works in the middle and across party lines. The former congressman joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If abortion is really murder, there are no exceptions — that eventually will impact contraceptives and lead to women being held legally responsible. Meanwhile, protesting at justices' homes plays directly into the right's hands. Will Saletan is back for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No, letting states resolve abortion rights won't lower the temperature. Plus, Trump is strangely silent on the SCOTUS news, why didn't Esper say anything before the election, and what is Pompeo up to in the PA Senate race? Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once Putin accepts he's losing, there's a real risk he'll use WMDs. Put him on notice that he would be crossing a red line, and can expect a response. Plus, drones are the future of warfare — the US must lead the world in that technology. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes today. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican voters are right where Trump is — they too want to see the judiciary undermined, and checks and balances ignored. And they only want politicians who hunger for the fight. Meanwhile, party leaders are on defense over Roe. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes today. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court is poised to overrule Roe after reaffirming abortion rights for nearly 50 years. This would mean a free-for-all in the states, and a fresh election narrative for Democrats. Other privacy rights, like gay marriage, may be next. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes today. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new generic congressional ballot poll shows Republicans may be losing ground ahead of the midterms. Plus, Tucker Carlson's racism, JP Mandel, JD Mandel and the real guy, Vance, who's proud to campaign with Marjorie Taylor Greene. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for the Charlie and Will Monday podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russian media is deliberately undermining the truth, which helps explain the inhuman behavior of its troops in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Zelensky is the anti-Putin Everyman who's changing the image of Ukraine in the eyes of the world. Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes on the weekend podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie.

Face it: Republicans are so much better at politics. Democrats stick to the moral high ground while Republicans focus on winning by any means necessary. Plus, Elon Musk is a crony capitalist, and the knives are out for Kevin McCarthy. Lucy Caldwell joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie.

DeSantis' anti-gay agenda is all about winning over the conservative entertainment wing, Musk paid the GDP of Paraguay for a company with the gross revenues of the Olive Garden, and we need to start planning the rebuilding of Ukraine now. David Frum joins Charlie Sykes today. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie.

What's Musk going to do to Twitter? Plus, Greg Abbott's costly border performance, San Francisco's become too woke for Democrats, and Kevin McCarthy is not only groveling, he's denying he had a flash of decency. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie.

Chef Andrés' World Central Kitchen has set up a sprawling network of cafes and food distribution sites in and around Ukraine. En route to the outskirts of Mariupol, Andrés tells Charlie Sykes he sees the will of the Ukrainian people in every corner, and talks of his mission to make food an agent of change. Don't miss today's podcast. Help support World Central Kitchen here: https://donate.wck.org/team/423917 Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie.

McCarthy thought he was rid of Trump after Jan 6, but he didn't have the backbone to stand up to him. And Mitch is just as guilty. Plus: JD Vance's post-constitutionalism, and calling DeSantis' Disney vengeance campaign for what it is: "Socialism." Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes on the weekend podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie.

Don't let your last words be, "I'm such an idiot." Plus, the Biden administration should better explain how we got to this Covid recovery period. Juliette Kayyem joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie.

Both Democrats and Republicans agree on only one thing, but it isn't even true: that whites and people of color are splitting into two opposing voting blocs. It's driving panic on the right, and triumphalism on the left. Yascha Mounk joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Bulwark+ members can access an ad-free version of this show and carry on the conservation we started today over on the site at https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Try a Bulwark+ membership FREE for the next 30 days at thebulwark.com/charlie.

By making so many endorsements, Donald Trump is turning himself into a factional leader rather a leader of his party; Plus: Why do both party's pursue losing strategies? American Enterprise Institute's Yuval Levin joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Want to listen without ads? Bulwark+ members get access to an exclusive, ad-free version of The Bulwark Podcast. Learn more here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/how-do-i-add-a-bulwark-member-only?s=w