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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
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann talk about the Iran nuclear deal—why the "win" Trump is selling actually leaves America with less leverage, fewer allies, and zero nuclear resolution than where we started. Plus: what Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman's book reveals about JD Vance's behind-the-scenes opposition to the war, Trump's habit of comparing himself to history's worst tyrants, and the new DOJ legal theory that could gut Americans' right to sue polluters under environmental law.Head to https://FactorMeals.com/ILLEGALNEWS50OFF and use code illegalnews50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026.Head to https://Superpower.com and use code ILLEGALNEWS at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpodReady to reach your weight loss goals? Get started at https://ForHers.com/ILLEGALNEWS.
The so-called “memorandum of understanding” that might end Trump's war in Iran has felt pretty disappointing. But here in the U.S., voters may be more focused on the final outcome, and what that means going forward. To find out how Americans are feeling about the Iran war as midterms approach, we spoke to Sarah Longwell, who knows voter sentiment better than most. She's the publisher of The Bulwark, host of The Focus Group podcast, and author of "How To Eat An Elephant," out on September 8.And in headlines, at least five people have reportedly been arrested after Trump blamed vandals for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's post-renovation blues, Alligator Alcatraz is officially shutting down, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation.Show Notes: Check out Sarah's podcast – www.thebulwark.com/s/thefocusgroup Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
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.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comJVL, 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.Watch, listen, and leave a comment.This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.
Sarah Longwell is joined by law professor and Strict Scrutiny co-host Leah Litman to discuss the White House's plan to suspend habeas corpus, JD Vance's push to invoke the Insurrection Act, the Gavin Newsom investigation, and the 19 Supreme Court decisions that could reshape American democracy before the midterms.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://laundrysauce.com/ILLEGALNEWS #laundrysaucepod Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://forhers.com/illegalnews to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.
Democracy is a conversation. In the United States, and every other democracy, we're continually talking with one another about what issues deserve our attention, what our nation stands for, and what we want from our government. Politicians, parties, and media organizations compete for attention by telling compelling stories. This marketplace of ideas offers citizens and voters a wide selection of storylines and solutions. But even when free speech is protected, that doesn't mean everyone is equally skilled at crafting compelling narratives. In this conversation, taped in front of a live audience, Sarah Longwell joins host Alex Lovit to describe why pro-democracy advocates are losing the messaging war and what they can do to relate to the issues and values voters care about most. Sarah Longwell is the publisher of The Bulwark, which she cofounded in 2019, and a Charles F. Kettering Foundation senior fellow. She regularly conducts focus groups with voters across the political spectrum and hosts the podcast The Focus Group. This conversation was recorded live on June 8 during The Democracy Group's annual convening at the University of Southern California's Capital Campus in Washington, DC. https://substack.com/@sarahlongwell https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Steve Hayes is joined by Sarah Isgur, Kevin Williamson, and Mike Warren to discuss the New York Times report on the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files and Graham Platner's primary win in Maine. The Agenda: —"Dumb-dumb meetings" —Trump admin crisis management —How presidential staff spin stories —Graham Platner's primary win —Can Democrats take the Senate? —NWYT: The World Cup Show notes: —New York Times report on the Epstein meetings —Kevin Williamson on political tribalism —Kevin Williamson on excusing Platner's past —Sarah Longwell on Republicans and moral authority The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump's AG nominee Todd Blanche lost Trump's own criminal trial, built an illegal slush fund, and lied on Fox News—and Republicans are confirming him anyway. Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss what Democrats can actually do at the hearing, why Trump is screaming election fraud while gutting the unit that investigates it, and why his DOJ now holding the only copy of the Fulton County ballots should concern you. Plus: A federal judge ruled Trump's Kennedy Center takeover illegal, his lawyers told a court they could bulldoze the Statue of Liberty, and there's now a grotesque 92-foot metal structure on the White House lawnGet 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpodReady to reach your weight loss goals? Get started at https://ForHers.com/ILLEGALNEWS.
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann return to disuss Todd Blanche's growing Senate confirmation problems, Trump's $1.7 billion “weaponization fund” scheme, why the judge isn't letting the case die, the DOJ's targeting of Congress members and critics, potential Ghislaine Maxwell fallout, and the reason Weissmann thinks the case against John Bolton is different than other "revenge" prosecutions.Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/illegalnewsReady to reach your goals? Visit https://forhers.com/illegalnews to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.Buy Liar's Kingdom: https://www.amazon.com/Liars-Kingdom-Trumps-Deceit-America/dp/0316601306
This week Axe and Heilemann were joined by were joined by focus group guru and Bulwark legend, Sarah Longwell. The Hacks dive into the Texas primary results, California's governors and LA's mayoral race, the release of the DNC 2024 autopsy report, and so much more! Photo by Brandon Bell via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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.
Sarah Longwell welcomes Mary McCord—former DOJ prosecutor and co-host of the Main Justice podcast—to discuss a series of jaw-dropping legal scandals surrounding Trump's Justice Department. They include the secretive $1.776 billion “slush fund” for January 6 defendants, a federal judge exposing shocking grand jury misconduct in the Broadview Six case, the collapse of the Kilmar Abrego Garcia prosecution, growing judicial distrust of DOJ lawyers, and what happens when prosecutors start acting like political operatives instead of officers of the court.Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://forhers.com/illegalnews to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.Listen to 'Main Justice' on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/main-justice/id1679657705
On today's bonus episode of The Press Box, Bryan sits down with the Bulwark's Sarah Longwell to discuss her early thoughts on the 2028 political landscape, starting the Bulwark (29:09), and much more. Host: Bryan CurtisGuest: Sarah LongwellProducers: Isaiah Blakely and Sarah Reddy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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
From the state where Trump claims he'd win if Jesus counted the votes, Sarah and Sam joined Tim live on stage in San Diego to debate who is the most cucked Republican and whether Bill Cassidy should get credit for his late-in-the-game YOLO opposition to Trump. Also, Jeff Bezos has Tim rethinking his opposition to socialism, and how could Bibi and Trump have had such an absurd plan for a new Iranian president? At the top of the pod, Amanda Carpenter runs down the thug fund (don't call it a slush fund) and Trump's effort to get permanent immunity from any tax liability for himself and his family. Plus, POTUS's revenge tour may backfire, and the administration may try using Fulton County as a test case for taking over vote counting in Democratic counties. Amanda Carpenter, Sarah Longwell, and Sam Stein join Tim Miller.show notes: Jon on how Trump's global health cuts are undermining the response to the Ebola outbreak Lauren on how the Georgia governor's race may be the most important one in the country And we still have a few tickets left for TONIGHT at Bulwark Live: LA at 7pm. Our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer's Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats at TheBulwark.com/Events
Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell on launch day for his book 'Liar's Kingdom'—but first they discuss why Weissmann calls Trump's $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund" an outright fraud on taxpayers. Then: why election lies are distinct even among Trump's 30,000 lies, what Brazil and the UK do to stop them, and the publisher that vanished the day after a Trump executive order. Plus mob bosses in bathrobes.Head to https://Factormeals.com/illegalnews50off and use code illegalnews50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. See website for more details.Buy Andrew Weissmann's book, Liar's Kingdom: https://bookshop.org/p/books/liar-s-kingdom-how-to-stop-trump-s-deceit-and-save-america-andrew-weissmann/e79cc4410e81f719?ean=9780316601306&next=t&next=t&affiliate=2344Buy 'Liar's Kingdom' on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0505rxTd
Donald Trump—as a private citizen—sued our government, which he runs, and then "settled" the lawsuit with $1.8 billion that he stole from the U.S. Treasury. See, he needs a secret fund of taxpayer money so he can pay not only reparations to his band of Jan 6 rioters, but also to incentivize future (election) criming on his behalf. In a special emergency TNL, Tim, Sarah, and JVL break it all down. Plus, Martha explains how Iran's demands for money may be why Trump won't officially end the war. And she discusses Zelensky's resiliency, along with her new book about the 9/11 generation that fought our wars. Martha Raddatz, Jonathan V. Last, and Sarah Longwell join Tim Miller.show notes Pre-order Martha's book, "The Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and Purpose" Monday's "Morning Shots" Sarah's ‘Illegal News' podcast; interview with Andrew Weissmann out Thursday San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego this Wednesday. And on Thursday at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer's Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/EventsOne thing to pack, five ways to power! Get up to 40% off @Ridge during their Father's Day Sale at ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod
Sarah Longwell and Ben Wittes discuss the Supreme Court mifepristone fight and why it could reshape abortion politics for years to come, then dig into Trump's proposed $1.7 billion “weaponization” fund for Jan. 6 allies, the DOJ's effort to protect Jeffrey Clark, and Kash Patel's increasingly bizarre behavior as FBI director.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod
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.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comJVL, 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.Watch, listen, and leave a comment.This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss the Supreme Court's voting rights decision, the rush to redraw congressional maps before the midterms, Trump allies pushing criminal investigations against political enemies, the escalating fight over Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve, and the growing fears around abuse of FISA surveillance powers. Plus, Weissmann explains why the SPLC case is already DOA—and why he believes these moves are straight up authoritarian.Illegal News fans can get 15% off Andrew's book, 'Liar's Kingdom' by using this link to pre-order: https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306Head to https://factormeals.com/illegalnews50off and use code illegalnews50off to get 50% and free daily greens per box—with new subscription only—while supplies last until 09/27/2026.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpodThe Bulwark is going to Southern California! Go to https://thebulwark.com/events to learn more.
In this bite-sized bonus Focus Group episode, Sarah Longwell breaks down the political earthquake in Maine after Janet Mills dropped out of the Senate race. Why are Democratic voters rejecting establishment candidates, forgiving scandals that once would've been disqualifying, and demanding fighters over polished politicians?Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
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.
Kate Shaw—ABC News contributor and co-host of the podcast 'Strict Scrutiny'—joins Sarah Longwell to explain a major Supreme Court ruling that American elections. Then they discuss a string of notable legal news: a DOJ filing that reads like Trump wrote it himself, Trump suing his own government for $10 billion, and the indefensible Comey “seashell” indictment.Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://mudwtr.com/ILLEGALNEWS! #mudwtrpod Check out the Strict Scrutiny podcast: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/strict-scrutiny/
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
Polls showing dropping support for Trump are one thing, but what do his voters actually say when you get them together in a room? Tommy talks to Sarah Longwell, host of The Focus Group Podcast and publisher of The Bulwark, to get the latest on what she's hearing in the field: who GOP voters blame for high prices, what they really think about the Iran war, and the surprising candidate capturing their interest for 2028.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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 and Andrew Weissmann discuss a series of major legal developments—from a questionable DOJ indictment targeting the Southern Poverty Law Center, to Kash Patel's high-risk lawsuit against The Atlantic, to a wave of firings inside the Justice Department that's raising alarms.They explain what's actually in these cases (and what's missing), why some of the legal theories fall apart under scrutiny, and what it all signals about the direction of the DOJ. Plus: a major ruling on Trump's January 6 liability—and whether taxpayers could end up footing the bill.Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/illegalnews with code illegalnews.Buy Andrew Weissmann's book, Liar's Kingdom! Use code Liar15 at checkout to receive 15% off and a signed bookplate from Andrew Weissmann. Offer expires 5/19/26 —https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306
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!
Sarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explain why courts keep rejecting Trump's defamation claims, what “actual malice” really means, and how his wave of lawsuits is really meant to pressure the media.Plus: the bizarre Trump-as-Jesus post, the growing use of the justice system for retribution, and why targeting witnesses like Cassidy Hutchinson should set off alarms.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod
Orbán's loss in Hungary was so overwhelming he couldn't cheat his way out of it. But the decisive defeat for both Putin and authoritarianism may also suggest that the vibes they are a changin'. For instance, at home, Trump had to take down his Jesus post because of the backlash from across the political spectrum. People can see he's flailing on the war and the economy. Plus, Vance has the stink of a loser, Dems can learn some campaigning tricks from Peter Magyar, the Melania-Epstein mystery continues, Trump and Marco are likely to regret those images from the UFC fight, and The Bulwark remains Team Pope Leo.Bill Kristol joins special guest host, Sarah Longwell.show notes This week's Focus Group pod with sad, mad GOP base voters Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Sarah Matthews Monday's "Morning Shots," with David Baer from Budapest Pre-order Sarah's book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September! Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain the legality of Trump's unhinged Iran threats, the legal reality behind “war crimes” warnings, and the global fallout of a strategy with no clear objective. They also discuss Trump's push to control elections, why it's likely unconstitutional—and why losing in court may actually be part of the plan. Plus, the Steve Bannon case and what it says about a system where accountability depends on loyalty to the president.Right now, Betterwild is offering up to 40% off your order at https://betterwild.com/ILLEGALNEWS.Buy Liar's Kingdom, by Andrew Weissmann: https://linktr.ee/BulwarkLiarsKingdomPre-order Sarah's book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-eat-an-elephant-sarah-longwell/1149619381?ean=9781250464170
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
Sarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explain a series of legal fights that go to the core of how the country operates—from whether birthright citizenship could actually be undone, to a new immigration detention policy that could keep people locked up for years.They also discuss the Pentagon's escalating clash with the press and what it means for the First Amendment and the surreal push to rewrite the January 6th attack on the Capitol.Correction (March 31, 2026, 9:20 p.m. EDT): Elliot Williams mistakenly mentioned San Antonio, Texas as the location of a court conducting legal proceedings involving abortion pills; in fact, the court is in Amarillo, Texas.
JVL (filling in for Sarah Longwell) joins Andrew Weissmann for a wide-ranging breakdown of a system under strain. They discuss the DOJ's $1.25M payout to Michael Flynn, a surprising leak tied to the Trump investigations, and the backlash that followed—including a top official calling prosecutor Jack Smith a “proven liar.”Make this the year you stop guessing about your health, with Superpower. Not only did Superpower reduce their price to just $199, but for a limited time, our listeners get an additional $20 off with code ILLEGALNEWS. Head to https://Superpower.com and use code ILLEGALNEWS at checkout for $20 off your membership.
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.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comTim 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.Watch, listen, and leave a comment.This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.
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/
Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell to explain Trump's failed attempt to target Fed Chair Jerome Powell—and why a judge shut it down as harassment. They also discuss the Trump admin's bizarre border strategy that's collapsing in court, as DOJ lawyers admit they're being forced to bring cases they can't prove. Plus: a major Supreme Court fight over immigrant protections, and new warning signs around Trump's broader legal strategy heading into 2026.Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against Department of Justice Attorneys: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/05/2026-04390/review-of-state-bar-complaints-and-allegations-against-department-of-justice-attorneysMake laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://laundrysauce.com/ILLEGALNEWS #laundrysaucepodPre-order Andrew's new book, "Liar's Kingdom":- Chatham Bookstore signed copies: https://bit.ly/4aXHu4R- Politics & Prose signed copies: https://bit.ly/4aALp8Q- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MHQ8MR- Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/402H2xc- Bookshop.org: Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/3N5hVa3Pre-order Sarah's book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-eat-an-elephant-sarah-longwell/1149619381?ean=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/
Unless the administration is keeping some closely-guarded secret about why America went to war against Iran, the only thing officialdom is saying out loud is that Netanyahu wanted us to. And now Trump says he's waiting on Netanyahu to end it. But support for the state of Israel cannot make up for the fact that both the president and the prime minister are not to be trusted. Both Trump and Netanyahu are corrupt men who used their power to avoid being held accountable for their corruption. To be skeptical about the aims of the military operation is not antisemitic, but the fact that it is happening at all may contribute to the rising incidence of antisemitism. Plus, JD is in a tight spot, the administration keeps lying about our killing of Iranian schoolchildren, and Sarah's new book advises Democrats on how to win the comms war against Republicans.Sarah Longwell joins Tim Miller.show notes Pre-order Sarah's book, "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time" Stream "Memphis Belle," the film Sarah recommended Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events. Same night out — way better morning with Cheers. For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code THEBULWARK at cheershealth.com/THEBULWARK #Cheers #ad
March 6, 2026; It's been seven days since the U.S. and Israel launched their joint attack on Iran, and President Donald Trump has offered almost as many reasons as to why we are there. Despite what others in his inner circle have argued, Trump is now making his case for regime change. Nicolle Wallace discusses with Robert Pape, Tommy Vietor and Sarah Longwell. Also in the hour, we listen in as Bill Clinton and others speak at Rev. Jesse Jackson's funeral. For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewh For more from Nicolle, follow and download her podcast, “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace,” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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
The latest release of more than three million Epstein files has exposed the vast network of powerful and ultra-rich elites who were part of Jeffrey Epstein's social and business circle. This week, Alex speaks to journalist Kurt Andersen about the way people at the highest echelons of politics, business, academia, and beyond co-mingle. Then, she's joined by The Bulwark's Sarah Longwell to discuss whether or not this issue might finally bring about some political consequences for President Trump and his administration.
Sam Harris speaks with Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller about Trump and the future of American politics. They discuss the origins of The Bulwark, the bewildering psychology of Trump's base, the new era of authenticity, memory-holing January 6th, how media broke politics, why Kamala Harris should never run again, the difference between America First and MAGA, potential 2028 Democratic candidates, and other topics. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.