The Next Level

Tim, Sarah, and JVL are back together for a JAM-PACKED show. They discuss:-Dolly Parton's passing and her legacy.-America's war (not the Iran war, our trade war with Canada), and why the rest of the world can't count on American anymore--even if Democrats win in 2028.-Sarah's Focus Group Podcast episode from Georgia--which Tim found pleasant (for once).-The South Carolina primary runoff, and whether having Donald Trump's endorsement is enough to put a political novice in the Senate.-The first U.S. measles deaths of the year in Pennsylvania.-Does the Trump administration want to demolish the Kennedy Center? Do WE want them to?-Why MAGA media is talking about the WNBA and trans issues so much.-Finally: They discuss JVL's Monday Triad about Trump's completely crazy relationship with Natalie Harp.Read JVL's TriadGet your tickets for The Bulwark's Good Fight Tour this October, coming to Charlotte, Columbia, and Atlanta.Go to https://zbiotics.com/nextlevel and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.For a limited time, get 60% off your order from Tempo at https://TempoMeals.com/THENEXTLEVEL.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for paid members of the Bulwark on YouTube, Substack and Apple Podcasts.---Sarah and JVL did a BIG show today. Sample awesome:Sen. Darlene Graham says that voters in South Carolina don't care about Taiwan—they care about boys playing girls sports.Spoiler: There are exactly zero (0) boys in South Carolina playing girls sports.Top CIA analyst Julia Curlee served Trump, Biden, and then Trump again honorably. Then she was fired because some MAGA influencers discovered she was trans.What duty do civil servants owe the country which elected Trump for the second time?Is Jon Ossoff the one we've been waiting for? Sarah has him in her Big Four. And you'll never guess who the other three are.People hate Data Centers. So where is the juice for Democrats?JVL can't stop/won't stop beating on tankies and greens.And the birth of a new feature: Pickleball talk!We want to hear from you about any/all of this. Let's ride.Sarah, Tim, Sam and JVL are coming to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Atlanta in October for Bulwark LIVE. We're bringing lots of friends.Tickets are on sale now: https://thebulwark.com/eventsOur shows have a habit of selling out. Don't wait to grab your seats.

Tim, JVL, and Andrew Egger discuss:-(Yet another) story of a former Trump voter seeing a loved one run into the immigration policies he voted for.-The faux outrage from MAGA-world at Sen. Jon Ossoff pointing out that Donald Trump and Natalie Harp travel together a lot.-Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House, and who might come next.-The Florida primary, and how Trump's hand-picked candidate MIGHT fumble the state away this fall.-Pete Hegseth traveling to Iowa. Is HE running?-Andrew breaks down the latest weird trend on right wing twitter: Postpartum Depression truthers.-Tim welcomes Nancy Mace to the YouTube content game.For Bulwark+ Subscribers: The pre-sale for this fall's Good Fight tour is ON. We're heading to Charlotte, Columbia, and Atlanta in October. Get your tickets HERE, or first, become a subscriber HERE.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepodSleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollandBranch.com/NEXTLEVEL with code nextlevel.

Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available only to paid members of The Bulwark. You can join on Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts!Lots of stuff this week.(1) There are still balcony seats left for the Best Friends Show in NYC on September 8. Come sell out the 92nd Street Y with us! You can get tickets here.If we sell this show out, JVL will do something nuts.(2) Sarah, Tim, Sam and I are coming to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Atlanta in October. We're bringing friends. Tickets go on sale August 21, but Bulwark+ members get access to an exclusive presale on August 18—so join!(3) Then there's the news: Trump is trying to put his name on the Kennedy Center again. Grandpa is so thirsty. Karoline Leavitt is taking her talent for baldfaced lying to the private sector. Who will be the lucky news organization to buy the privilege of having her lie to its audience? And what lucky liar will inherit her spot behind the podium? JVL loses his mind over the revelation that after DHS agents murdered Alex Pretti, the federal government launched far-reaching investigations against . . . liberal activist groups in Minnesota. This story will take your hate-fire to 11. Sarah was always right about the Wisconsin Democratic primary. Why don't progressives say a little prayer of thanksgiving for winning a big race in Minnesota with Peggy Flanagan while not having to defend Francesca Hong? Take the W. Also: JVL has some nice things to say about Bernie while Sarah is totally getting there on AOC. (4) And then there's the feelings talk. JVL has a lot of them. About Flash and mortality and his gratitude to all of you guys.(Also: (5) We have news about Rebecca taking us home.)This isn't an Instant Classic level show, but it's a good one. Top quintile for sure.

Tim, Sarah, and JVL are BACK TOGETHER after a month apart. They discuss:-Bill Cassidy's pathetic, weepy floor speech before casting the deciding vote to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General.-What Tucker Carlson is up to these days…from interviewing Hunter Biden, to a monologue that sounds a LOT like the prelude to a presidential campaign.-DSA-aligned Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, and the stakes of experimenting with a DSA-aligned candidate in a swing state like Wisconsin.-Democrats like AOC saying that ‘Woke 1 was crazy,' and how much of an ‘apology' Democrats owe for ‘Woke 1.'-Sarah is raring to talk about the WNBA and its growing role in America's culture wars.Read JVL's criminally neglected Triad newsletter.Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://Hims.com/THENEXTLEVEL to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL.Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL.

Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available exclusively to paid members of The Bulwark. Join on Substack, Apple Podcast or YouTube!JVL and Tim did a GIANT show this week. Uncanny Callista Gingrich. Thom Tillis publishes his burn book. Tucker's running for president. Burrito discourse. And more! Seriously: Instant classic. This one goes in the vault.Read JVL's Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriadGet $30 off your first order and free croissants for life at https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL.

Sam joins Tim and JVL to discuss:-Live results from the (unexpectedly close) Michigan Senate primary, and discuss what an Abdul El-Sayed or Haley Stevens win would mean for November.-The horrifying child abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller, and his disastrous CNN interview.-Trump's anger at Jeanine Pirro after she dropped vandalism charges related to the reflecting pool.-Todd Blanche advancing out of the Senate Judiciary Committee-Finally, they discuss JVL's triad about democratic socialists (meh) versus social democrats (better), and how Democrats can stop letting Republicans set the narrative of this election.The day always ends well with Casper. Right now save up to 20% on mattresses and up to 25% on everything else when you go to https://Casper.com. Get quality window treatments that fit your budget with 3 Day Blinds. Head to https://3dayblinds.com/THENEXTLEVEL for their buy one get one 50% off deal on custom blinds, shades, and drapery.

Sarah and JVL have a It's a super-sized, instant classic:The Trump administration is using ChatGPT for everything.Why are Cornyn and Tillis even bothering with their fake protest of Todd Blanche?The Dem Senate map is looking . . . possible?Trump has raised $800 million from “donors” since coming back to office.And JVL finally explains why he's obsessed with 60 Minutes investigative reporter Ross Douthat.Plus: Emo JVL needs your advice in the comments!Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/thenextlevel to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.Full episodes of the Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark through Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts. Come ride with us!

Sarah, JVL, and Catherine Rampell discuss:- Mitch McConnell's SECOND proof of life photo, and what's really going on with him.- The White House Correspondents' Dinner do-over, Trump's comments about Kaitlan Collins, why anyone goes to it anymore, and how the whole thing seems to be playing into Trump's hands.- The drama inside the Democratic National Committee, and how (and whether) having a strong national party committee matters anymore.- The proposed new primary calendar for the 2028 Democratic primaries.- The final stretch of the Michigan Senate primary.

Paid members of the Bulwark get access to FULL episodes of the Secret Podcast. You can join via Apple Podcasts, Substack and YouTube.Big show today: It's the dawn of Streamer JVL? Plus: Some questions for Tom Homan about shooting January 6 insurrectionists; Haley Stevens and authenticity; and the Mitch McConnell conspiracy theory. Also, a conversation about raising good men.But the big topic is the Department of Defense suddenly removing the names of four dead soldiers from the Iran war casualty list because they were killed after Trump declared a ceasefire in April—because there are now apparently two distinct Iran wars. Even though neither of them is, for legal purposes, a “war.”This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Sarah, JVL, and Will Sommer (sitting in for Tim) discuss: Whether Laura Loomer is one of the adults in MAGA-land? I'm Ron Burgundy? The state of the Iran War. The ridiculous AI advertisement being run by a Ted Cruz-aligned outside group in Florida (and the whacky candidates in the ad). The unfolding special Republican primary for Senate in South Carolina The Michigan Senate race...and how all of the online conventional wisdom stacks up with reality. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use promo code THENEXTLEVEL.Get 15% off your order with Boll and Branch at https://BollandBranch.com/NEXTLEVEL.

Sarah Longwell and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss Trump's tedious (and still scary!) election speech, the documents that undercut his election claims, JD Vance's cringe appearance on Joe Rogan, Trump voters' brutal reactions to Vance, and Democrats' missed opportunities at the Todd Blanche hearing.Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It's a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here: https://www.92ny.org/event/sarah-longwell-how-to-eat-an-elephant

The whole gang is back together, for the last time until August. Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss:- Two more killings by ICE officers. JVL asks whether we're getting numb to this. No one on this show is numb.- Trump's aborted plan to toll the Strait of Hormuz--and whether it was an act of war.- Sarah lets Todd Blanche (and Republican senators) have it.- After JVL's wifi goes bad, Tim and Sarah discuss Tim's interview with Pete Buttigieg, and why Tim is glad Josh Shapiro isn't wading into intra-Democratic turf wars.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepodMake your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Sarah and JVL are back together, looking at Trump's NATO disgrace, wondering if Mitch McConnell is really talking to people on the phone about detailed policy questions, and analyzing the factional fight in the Democratic party between the people trying to elect Democrats and the insurgents focused on displacing the establishment.Short version: What if Morris Katz is just the left's Steve Bannon?Also, there's some personal stuff at the end.Get quality window treatments that fit your budget with 3 Day Blinds. Head to https://3DayBlinds.com/THENEXTLEVEL for their buy one get one 50% off deal on custom blinds, shades, and drapery.Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It's a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.

Tim, Sarah, and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) take on the political stories dominating the headlines:• Mitch McConnell is alive and taking calls (maybe, probably?)—despite Laura Loomer's reports to the contrary..• Platnerdämmerung; the enormous irresponsibility of the Platner candidacy will have real consequences for his movement and for the country; and the messy road ahead in Maine (even if Platner does the right thing and drops out.).• In the wake of the Platner debacle, irony is dead as Trump defenders trip over themselves to claim the moral high ground. Case in point: Kevin McCarthy..• Mallory McMorrow's failed Michigan Senate campaign exemplifies the challenges of splitting the difference between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party..• Plus, the USMNT's embarrassing loss to the waffle-eating Belgians in the World Cup Round of 16.Ready to transform your customer support? Go to https://decagon.ai/thenextlevel to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.Go to https://greenchef.com/50NEXTLEVELGRAZA to get 50% off your first month of healthier meals.Get 30% off select mattresses PLUS an extra $50 off during Leesa's July 4 sale. Go to https://Leesa.com, promo code THENEXTLEVEL.

Full episodes of the Bulwark Podcast are available to paid members of The Bulwark via YouTube, Substack, and Apple Podcasts.Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol (filling in for JVL) take on America's 250th birthday under Trump—and how far the GOP has fallen from Reagan's “you can become an American” to 2,000 ICE arrests a day. They break down the right-wing meltdown over the birthright citizenship ruling, Megyn Kelly's race to the bottom, why the “socialist takeover” panic misses what Democratic voters actually want, and who's really rising in the 2028 field.Read Sarah's Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-real-reason-the-democratic-socialists-are-surging

Sarah, Tim, and Andrew Egger (filling in for JVL) discuss:-The Supreme Court's ruling upholding birthright citizenship.-NPR's retracted report that Justice Alito was retiring.-The DSA-aligned Democratic candidates winning primaries in New York City, and whether Democrats are headed for a giant fight over socialism in 2027.-Rep. Tom Kean's return to Congress after his depression diagnosis.-The gang pops off on the gut-wrenching story of the false CPS report against Pete Buttigieg-Fresh polling in the Maine and Texas Senate races.Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com with code THENEXTLEVELJoin The Bulwark for $86 a year—14 percent off, this week only. Declare your independence today: http://thebulwark.com/july4

The full episode of Secret Podcast is available to paid members of the Bulwark on YouTube, Substack and Apple Podcasts.It's a special show this week where JVL gives Sarah a series of impossible choices. Will she choose institutionalism, or Secretary Mayor Pete? Will she endorse the political analysis of [REDACTED]? What will she do when Cletus says that he doesn't like democracy and wants minority rule?Come find out!Also: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC. We've moved to a bigger room at the 92nd Y and we need to sell it out. So come hang with us. Tickets are here: https://www.92ny.org/event/sarah-longwell-how-to-eat-an-elephantVisit https://Hims.com/THENEXTLEVEL to get a personalized, affordable weight loss plan that gets you.show notesCatherine Rampell: The Americans Trump Would Rather Not See: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-americans-trump-would-ratherJVL's Traid: What Was Cletus Thinks About Democracy: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/what-cletus-thinks-about-democracyJim Swift: Haitians Prepare for Disaster: https://www.thebulwark.com/i/203693183/forward-together-backward-by-orderThis was recorded before Pete's Substack post: https://petebuttigieg.substack.com/p/a-terrible-thing-happened-to-my-family

Tim is sick, but he's strapping on his football helmet. Tim, Sarah, and JVL cover:-The mysterious 79 year-old receiving non-public weight loss drugs (and if not Trump, who?)-The latest revelations from Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman's new book.-Tucker Carlson supposedly leaving the Republican Party...or is it all a long game to help JD Vance?-The Trump administration's ongoing capitulation to Iran...and even JD Vance used to think it was stupid!-The latest National Mall reflecting pool drama.-How Pete Buttigieg got 'radicalized' by his time in the Biden administration...and Tim's warning for Democrats.-FINALLY: The Washington Post's monster feature on the cult leader who's been coaching Tulsi Gabbard through her political career.Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September at https://TheBulwark.com/EVENTS.Ready to transform your customer support? Go to https://decagon.ai/thenextlevel to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.

The Iran war deal is falling apart (already). Israel is turning on Trump. And the two most insipid trad-Cath poasters in America are podcasting together again.Plus: JVL (finally) explains his disdain for the NYT's DEI Trump apologist.Read JVL's Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-iran-hawks-found-a-way-to-love-surrender

JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the Iran "deal" that isn't really a deal—a memorandum of understanding that lifts sanctions immediately and hands Iran $300 billion while punting everything else down the road. Then: the war hawks who drummed up the Iran war—Thiessen, Graham, Levin, the WSJ editorial board — are repositioning and refusing to say they were wrong. Plus: Trump's accelerating  decline, the corruption behind the White House UFC fight, and why Trump's DOJ will open a federal investigation on every 2028 Democratic nominee regardless of who it is.Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch during their Annual Summer Event. For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code nextlevel. Exclusions apply.

A super-sized Secret this week: Sarah and JVL are coming to the legendary 92nd Street Y in New York on September 8. Come and hang out with them in JVL's back yard! It's possible he'll have the championship belt! (Tickets on sale here.) JVL actually thinks the Iran deal might be real this time. He's got a theory. Sarah has a theory of her own about who leaked to Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about the Trump administration's big Situation Room summit on how to handle the Epstein files? JVL makes progress on his continuing quest to bring Sarah around on “the free market” and court expansion. Is this the week the dam breaks? It's a good show, long show.

The gang is back together, and the U.S. and Iran are back at war...maybe? Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss the latest in Iran, Donald Trump storming off of Meet the Press, the 'stolen election' freakout in Los Angeles, Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General, and JVL's Triad about former DHS commander Greg Bovino (kinda sorta maybe) eyeing a presidential run.Plus: Graham Platner, Lindsey Graham's primary in South Carolina, and the gang reacts to a completely wild AI-generated ad of...James Talarico in a dress? Finally, Tim debriefs on his interview with a Silicon Valley vibes-whisperer.Read JVL's Triad, here.Watch Tim's interview with Jason Calacanis, here.Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVELGet started on your weight loss goals with Hims at https://Hims.com/THENEXTLEVEL.Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com with code THENEXTLEVEL.

Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and JVL talk about the week's biggest stories: Trump installs a meme stock grifter as acting Director of National Intelligence, the $1.8 billion weaponization slush fund may be dying (or just hibernating), Tina Peters walks free and heads straight to Steve Bannon, Scott Pelley goes out swinging at 60 Minutes, and the leaked Trump-Netanyahu call reveals a president trapped by his own unworkable coalition of MAGA, Iran hawks, and Mark Levin all turning at once.Get 25% off select mattresses PLUS an extra $50 off during Leesa's extended Memorial Day sale. Go to https://Leesa.com, promo code THENEXTLEVEL.Go to https://GreenChef.com/50NEXTLEVEL and use code 50NEXTLEVEL for 50% off your first month, then 20% off for your next two months.Read JVL's Triad, here: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad

Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark, on Apple Podcasts, Substack and YouTube.Sarah and JVL talk about the ongoing meltdown of Trump's Freedom 250 event; the inappropriateness of putting a UFC cage fight on the White House lawn; John Cornyn's sudden understanding of what Trump is; and Bari Weiss's murder of 60 Minutes.It's a good show / short show because we're both playing hurt today, so forgive us if we're not at our most dazzling.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL went live to cover the Texas primary runoff election, Megyn Kelly (maybe?) turning against Trump, and much more.Visit http://upwork.com/THENEXTLEVEL right now and post your job for free.

Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available to paid members of The Bulwark via Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Substack.Sarah is in the City of Angels; JVL is in the Big Apple;) and they have A LOT to catch up on. Gas is at $4.65. Trump is at -22 in the latest Fox poll. The Senate said no to the billi for his ballroom.Oh, and maybe we're going to do regime change in Cuba soon?Plus: They recap the California live shows and go deep on Tina Peters.Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to https://quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. 

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Sam Stein debate whether Democrats should just “let Trump cook” as his approval numbers crater, Republicans start breaking ranks, and the MAGA coalition begins to fracture. Plus: Rubio takes heat over Iran, the gang ranks Trump's worst cabinet members, and they roast Trump's gaudy gold makeover of Washington.Get 20% off your first order, plus free shipping during the Memorial Day Sale at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code nextlevel. Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/THENEXTLEVEL to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is TNL fans 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/THENEXTLEVEL #oneskinpod

The Secret Podcast is available exclusively to paid subscribers of The Bulwark. You can join on Apple Podcasts, Substack or YouTube!Last night news broke that President Trump would drop his $10b lawsuit against the IRS if the people who work for him at the Justice Department would create a $1.7b fund out of taxpayer dollars and allow him to appoint five commissioners to run this fund and they would award money to anyone they deemed fit.Oh, and that the list of people given money would be secret. And Trump could replace the commissioners any time he wanted, for no reason.The Trump administration is positioning this as a “truth and reconciliation commission.” Which is amazing.For a decade JVL (and to a lesser extent Sarah) have wanted a truth and reconciliation commission to document accounts of what people did during the Trump era. And now the monkey's paw has granted their wish.We get a truth and reconciliation commission designed to help the people who did the Trump era.As you can imagine, Sarah and JVL have a lot to say about this. Strap in.

JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the Virginia redistricting ruling, what it means for elections this November, and whether Democrats need to start playing as dirty as their opponents. Plus: the Iran war is a strategic catastrophe that most Americans don't understand yet, and what Bob Kagan—the man who cheered on every Middle East intervention—now thinks about where this is all heading. And Marjorie Taylor Greene has moved to Costa Rica. Seriously.Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL to start your subscription today.JOIN US! We'll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to https://TheBulwark.com/Events.

The full episode is available exclusively to paid members of The Bulwark. You can join on Apple Podcasts, Substack or YouTube.Sarah and JVL had a big show planned for you. Lots of different subjects. Important news. Funny stories. The whole nine.And then everything derailed as they went SUPER deep on Graham Platner and the meta-debate about him. If you think Platner has electoral upside, you love Nazis. If you have concerns about Platner's populism, you're a closet Republican. The internet has spoken!It's a whole thing.Also: This marks the first time in the history of the show that Sarah read JVL's piece and JVL . . . didn't even realize Sarah had written something? The shoe is on the other foot, my pretties!Read JVL's Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriadRead Sarah's 'The Man Behind the Tatoo': https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-man-behind-the-tattoo-graham-platner-maine-democrat-focus-groupON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. Just announced! We're adding some chatty friends to the lineups for both shows. Grab your seats now to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends and keep an eye on https://TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss the Trump administration's assertion that the effort to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz is "separate and distinct" from the larger war effort in Iran. Plus, they get into the drama over Ken Martin's time as DNC chair, the effect the Supreme Court's recent voting rights ruling might have on the midterms, the wisdom of Senate Republicans allocating $1 billion for the ballroom Trump promised would be completed without public money and how the Senate battleground his shaping up for Democrats this fall. Bonus: Tim coins a new term for presidents hitting historically bad polling numbers.Visit https://Upwork.com/THENEXTLEVEL right now and post your job for free.Head to https://Greenchef.com/50nextlevel and use code 50nextlevel to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months.Read "The YOLO Presidency" by Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/donald-trump-legacy-history/686817/Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21:https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events

Full episodes of the Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark on Substack, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the signs that voters are starting to regret their Trump vote—and why that doesn't mean politics is getting any simpler. Gas prices are rising, a gerrymandering arms race is raging and the Supreme Court reshaped the rules. Plus: the Maine race, the rise of populist candidates like Platner, and what The Bulwark actually stands for.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL are going LIVE to cover yet another indictment of Jim Comey by the Trump administration.NOTE: If you're getting this late—we apologize! Something went wrong and some of you may not have received this episode on the day that it was originally released (Tuesday, April 29). We will try to track down and punish the gremlins responsible.Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVELHead to https://Brodo.com/THENEXTLEVEL for 20% off your first subscription order and use code THENEXTLEVEL for an additional $10 off.Read Ben Parker's exclusive reporting on Trump's plan to put his own face on US passports: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/exclusive-state-dept-finalizing-planRead JVL's Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad

JVL and Sarah Longwell talk about the firing of the Navy secretary mid-conflict and the bizarre “Trump-class battleship” saga, exposing a pattern of impossible promises and chaotic leadership. Plus: the Spirit Airlines bailout and what it says about Trump's commitment to “capitalism.”Full episodes of the Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark on Substack, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL celebrate JVL's Webby win (sort of), and cover Tucker Carlson's sudden “regret” turn and what it means about MAGA, Donald Trump Jr. as a 2028 front-runner, and the continued disaster in Iran. Plus: the ongoing dysfunction inside the administration, including the latest turmoil surrounding Kash Patel.Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://SHOPIFY.com/ thenextlevel.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/THENEXTLEVEL #oneskinpodGet 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code nextlevel.Don't miss the Triad this Friday when JVL will answer all your pressing questions on the news of the day. Leave your questions here: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/triad-mailbag-april-25-2026

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss a bizarre week where markets surge amid global chaos, Trump feuds with his own allies, and confusion over Iran keeps escalating. They also break down a blowout Democratic win, surging fundraising, and what it all signals for the midterms—plus a growing fight inside the party over Israel and its future direction.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL cover a rough week for Trump, from failed talks with Iran that turned into a naval blockade, to strong signs of real cracks inside his coalition as allies and right-wing media begin to push back against his idiocy. They also talk about what Orbán's defeat in Hungary means for Trump-style politics, and discuss the lightning-fast downfall of Eric Swalwell.Go to https://Leesa.com for 20% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code THENEXTLEVEL, exclusive for TNL fans.For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL and start your subscription.Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

JVL and Sarah discuss the failed ceasefire, Melania's bizarre Epstein pre-denial, and the growing rift between Trump and "America First" heavyweights like Tucker, Megyn, Candace, and Alex Jones. Is this just another performative feud, or the start of something real? And as AI muddies reality itself, what happens when nobody believes anything anymore?Paid members of the Bulwark get exclusive access to the FULL episode on Apple Podcast, Substack or YouTube.

Sarah, Tim and JVL g to cover Trump's Iran ultimatum and other news.Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL.Head to https://Greenchef.com/50nextlevel and use code 50nextlevel to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months.Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free and to connect with top talent ready to help your business grow.

JVL and Sarah discuss Trump's rambling, unfocused address that failed to clarify any of the war's goals, even as evidence mounts that the situation is getting worse. They also talk about the Bondi firing, why it may have been timed to shift attention, and what it says about how this White House handles bad news.Plus: rising oil prices, market jitters, and new warning signs from voters who are starting to turn against Trump.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL get into the wild new scandal involving Kristi Noem's husband—and why the story isn't what people think it is.They also discuss Trump's chaotic handling of the Iran conflict, the political fallout at home, and whether his support is starting to crack. Plus: Lindsey Graham's surreal Disney detour, protests across the country, CPAC's decline, and JD Vance's latest reinvention.Head to https://Brodo.com/THENEXTLEVEL for 20% off your first subscription order and use code THENEXTLEVEL for an additional $10 off.JVL's newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don't read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W. Every votes counts! Vote here for Best Email Newsletter: https://wbby.co/57608N

JVL and Bill Kristol—filling in for Sarah—discuss escalating Iran conflict, the risky push toward a wider war, and why the real damage may outlast the fighting. They also get into the global fallout—from threats to the petrodollar system to the collapse of U.S. alliances—and what a rushed exit might look like.

Tim Miller, JVL and Sam Stein (filling in for Sarah) discuss Trump's shambolic approach to the Iran war—no clear objective, mixed signals, and rising economic fallout. As gas prices climb and markets wobble, they ask whether the political damage has already begun, even if the polls haven't fully caught up.Plus: signs of a potential MAGA fracture, ICE at airports, a look inside the grift behind Project 2025, and a disturbing interview with Greg Bovino.Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free.It's time to turn those “What Ifs” into  CHA CHING with Shopify today. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/thenextlevel. Upgrade your sleep during Boll & Branch's Annual Spring Event. Take off 20% sitewide plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code nextlevel.

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL were live in Austin talking about Trump's Iran war, the cascading economic fallout, and growing global instability. As gas prices spike and allies react, the conversation turns darker: how bad could this get—and what it says about America right now.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to https://NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD.Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off.

Paid members of The Bulwark can watch the FULL episode of The Secret Podcast.JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the Trump administration's stumble into an Iranian conflict that betrays its "no more wars" promise. They analyze the sudden resignation of Joe Kent over foreign wars, Tulsi Gabbard's surreal FBI testimony regarding Fulton County ballots, and the looming "bloodbath" within a fracturing Republican coalition.Pre-order Sarah's book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/

Sarah Longwell and JVL talk about what happens if Trump doesn't TACO and pull the plug on the Iran war excursion after things go from messy to bad. Not great!Also: What happens if we know how to reform the system, but the system is so ossified that it can't be reformed? And are The People, in fact, the worst?Pre-order Sarah's book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in Septemberhttps://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/

Sarah, Tim and JVL are going LIVE to talk about the escalating air war with Iran and the chaos and dishonesty of Trump's shifting explanations for it.Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box - PLUS free croissants for life - when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL to start your subscription today.Go to https://Leesa.com for an extra $50 off with promo code THENEXTLEVEL—exclusive for TNL fans.Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping and 365-day returns.

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the chaotic firing of Kristi Noem after a disastrous hearing, the MAGA infighting that may have taken her down, and what it says about how Trump runs his administration. They also talk about the war with Iran—why the strategy looks confused, how Tehran may be playing the long game, and why the economic fallout is already hitting gas prices, supply chains, and the global economy.

Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Tim Miller are going live to talk about the shifting mood around the Iran strikes—how casualties could change the politics, whether 2026 is starting to feel like 2006, and if Trump's “just do stuff” approach has hit a wall (with JD already hedging). Also: the latest Democratic freakout over Graham Platner's campaign.Head to https://Greenchef.com/50nextlevel and use code 50nextlevel to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/THENEXTLEVEL #oneskinpod

To get the full episode, become a paid member of the Bulwark on Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.The U.S. government is ordering employees out of Israel and Iraq, the latest signal that war with Iran is approaching. Larry and David Ellison just bought Warner-Discovery and CNN. Sarah and JVL also talk about the new John Fetterman in Maine and the primary in Texas. As well as the Kansas law targeting trans people.Finally, they go deep on DHS, depraved indifference, and accountability. (See the piece JVL talks about here.)Bonus: Pinball discourse.