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The Bulwark

The Bulwark

The Bulwark is home to Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Bill Kristol, JVL, Sam Stein, Catherine Rampell and more. We are the largest pro-democracy bundle on Substack for news and analysis on politics and culture—supported by a community built on good faith.

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  • Yesterday · 13 min

    Furious Republicans are Finally Breaking with a Weakened Trump

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Sarah's back from the book tour! The gang discusses Sarah's Focus Group Newsletter, George W. Bush's fundraiser for Republican Senate candidates (we thought he was staying out of politics?) Then they get into Trump's ban on CNN, MSNOW, and POLITICO from the White House press pool, and whether we still care. Sarah also has some words about Zohran Mamdani sharing a podium with Donald Trump.Then, the gang talks about a Wall Street Journal columnist who has "TDS" (maybe not the TDS you're thinking of). Also: The FBI was investigating Susan Collins for bribery, Tim is mad at Jared Golden, and JVL wants to discuss the Department of Defense's "Gender-Affirming Care." Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Show links: * Sarah’s Focus Group Newsletter about Vivek Ramaswamy * Gerard Baker has TDS * Propublica’s investigation into Susan Collins and her Super PAC’s donors * Get your tickets for The Bulwark's Good Fight Tour this October, coming to Charlotte, Columbia, and Atlanta. Pete Buttigieg is joining us in Charlotte on October 18. This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

  • Yesterday · 13 min

    Stuart Stevens: Republicans Are Desperate

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com The party has been busy playing defense in Trump states, and now comes the news that Susan Collins is corrupt on top of being a loyal MAGA supplicant. More Democrats should walk with Ossoff's swagger and keep their message simple: attack Trump on his corruption and the war. (And in colder climes, the price of heating oil.) Meanwhile, subpoenas over Trump Jr.'s Russian mobster-funded wedding are coming, and even some Republicans are likely to get on board. Plus: Ukraine is showing how to fight wars now and how the U.S. under Trump and Hegseth is not ready. And Tim keeps his promise and puts on a hair shirt after LSU's loss to Ole Miss. Stuart Stevens joins Tim Miller. show notes: * ProPublica’s reporting on Susan Collins * Lauren on how Dems are dealing with the Republicans’ huge war chest * Tim’s interview with Wright Thompson last week * Stuart’s books, including “The Conspiracy to End America” and “The Last Season” * Stuart on performance-enhancing drugs * The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield * The Bulwark store As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.

  • Yesterday · 5 min

    Even Putin Is Getting Sick of Witkoff and Kushner (w/ Rep. Jim Himes)

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Rep. Jim Himes, ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, joins Marc Polymeropoulos and Michael Weiss for his take on the major national security risks surrounding the Trump administration.Himes explains the counterintelligence concerns surrounding the reported Russian financing of Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding and why the access to Trump’s inner circle at the event could have created an unusually soft target for Russian intelligence. They also discuss the intelligence community’s warnings about war with Iran, and the possibility of another Middle East conflict.Plus, Russia’s war in Ukraine, Trump’s negotiations with Vladimir Putin, John Ratcliffe’s role in the talks, and the ongoing investigation into Havana syndrome and anomalous health incidents. At a moment when the White House is openly trying to punish news organizations for coverage it doesn’t like, independent media matters more than ever. Bulwark members make it possible for us to keep covering these stories without worrying about staying on anyone’s good side. If that’s something you want to support, join us.

  • Yesterday · 25 min

    LIVE REACTION: Trump Delivers Speech To UN Amid War In Iran

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to react to Trump’s address to the United Nations, breaking down his claims about Iran, Russia and Ukraine, Venezuela, Greenland, the economy and America’s role in the world. Trump made wild comments about Russia’s war against Ukraine, including a grotesque false equivalence between Ukrainian children abducted into Russia and his claim that Russian children were also abducted into Ukraine. They also examine Trump’s claims about Iran, including his repeated insistence that he had no choice but to launch the war, his promises that a deal is still just around the corner, and the widening gap between his self-image as a president who ends wars and the reality of a conflict he chose to start. Plus, Trump’s vision for artificial intelligence includes renaming it “super intelligence,” and insisting that the United States must stay ahead of China while resisting international efforts to regulate the technology.

  • Yesterday · 12 min

    Obama’s Top Economist Has a Warning for the Country (w/ Jason Furman)

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Catherine Rampell welcomes former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman to make sense of an economy that keeps confusing almost everyone. They also talk about Trump’s pressure on the Fed, the White House’s economic spin, the risks of politicizing scientific research, and why Democrats may be learning the wrong lessons from inflation and the affordability crisis. Follow Receipts with Catherine Rampell on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Enjoy this ad-free preview. This premium edition of Receipts is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Upgrade to listen and watch the full episode—ad free—and get access to more member-only content from The Bulwark.

  • Monday · 6 min

    Trump Just Hit His Worst Approval Number EVER (w/ David Pakman)

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Tim Miller and David Pakman take on Trump’s plummeting poll numbers, the White House putting Pakman on its official “Media Offenders” list, and the creators who Pakman says are now afraid to interview him because they fear becoming targets themselves. They also discuss how algorithms reward outrage and misinformation, the coming flood of synthetic political content, and Pakman’s new book, Pay Attention, about what the attention economy is doing to our politics and our brains.David Pakman’s new book, Pay Attention: How the Algorithms and Media Wars Are Suppressing Truth and Rewiring Your Brain:https://davidpakman.com/davids-books/The David Pakman Show: https://davidpakman.com/

  • Monday · 6 min

    Trump’s War on the Press Just Backfired in the Funniest Possible Way

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com The White House is trying to defend Donald Trump’s decision to ban major news organizations from covering the White House and the policy is already producing some pretty absurd results.JVL and Will Sommer discuss Trump’s crackdown on the press, including a Newsmax broadcast where viewers couldn’t hear the president because the press pool wasn’t there to provide audio. They also examine the upcoming court fight over White House press access, the administration’s new White House app, and the question of whether Democrats should respond by restricting access for outlets like Fox News and Newsmax.Plus, JVL and Will debate the broader problem facing the press: Trump’s escalating efforts to favor friendly media, punish outlets he dislikes, and blur the line between journalism and political propaganda. At a moment when the White House is openly trying to punish news organizations for coverage it doesn’t like, independent media matters more than ever. Bulwark members make it possible for us to keep covering these stories without worrying about staying on anyone’s good side. If that’s something you want to support, join us.

  • Monday · 17 min

    Trump’s Latest Meltdown Is a Dead Giveaway: He’s Rattled (w/ Andrew Egger)

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com As Trump’s war of choice continues to expand in the Middle East, it’s clear that the president is desperate not to show how weak he really is. The administration is out of time and out of both strategic and rhetorical options in Iran. Another sign that he is flailing: Trump is trying to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House press pool. But other TV outlets are pushing back in solidarity, forcing Trump to choose between two of his favorite things: punishing his critics and dominating the airwaves. Plus why the triumphal arch would be the silliest possible place for a military installation, Trump’s American Idol-style vote on what to call AI, and the unaddressed, ongoing education crisis. Sitting in for Bill Kristol, Andrew Egger joins Tim Miller on the Monday pod. show notes: * Tim’s conversation about the latest AI news with Stephen Witt * Tim and JVL’s 2023 conversation with Reid Hoffman * Andrew in today’s “Morning Shots” on AI * Dan Selsam’s statement * Nikole Hannah-Jones on her daughter’s public school education * The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield * The Bulwark Store * Song of the Day: MJ Lenderman - “She’s Leaving You” Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for SpringfieldSome moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.

  • Monday · 23 min

    MAGA Mondays: MAGA Turns on Itself in a Spectacular Weekend Meltdown

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch (filling in for Sam) take on Trump’s escalating war on the press, the TV networks pushing back on his White House ban, and the growing signs that even some longtime allies are getting sick of the chaos. Plus: Trump’s plan to put snipers in his giant D.C. arch, the bizarre MAGA fight over Indian Americans, Turning Point’s James Fishback problem, and the very questionable Lauren Boebert allegations. Please consider becoming a Bulwark member, if only because Sonny had to spend 40 minutes learning about all of this and deserves to be compensated for his suffering.

  • Monday · 5 min

    Trump’s New Defense Of The Arch Is INCREDIBLY Stupid

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Sam Stein and Will Saletan take a look at Donald Trump’s latest architectural fever dream: a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington Cemetery that Trump says will double as a “top grade Military Complex,” complete with drones and snipers. They dig into the bizarre location, the questionable military rationale and Trump’s claim that the project came at the “strong request” of the military. As Sam and Will point out, this is an enormous armed monument sitting near Reagan National Airport, the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery. What could possibly go wrong? Then they turn to Trump’s escalating crackdown on the press. CNN, MS NOW and Politico lost White House credentials after Trump objected to their coverage, and Republicans defended the move. And if you think the press should simply accept this as the new normal, Sam has a story from the Obama years that offers a different lesson. A quick note: Bulwark+ members give us the freedom to follow the news wherever it leads, including stories that don’t just chase an algorithm. If you think this kind of coverage is worthwhile, please consider joining Bulwark+.

  • Sunday · 2 min

    The World Is on Fire. Here’s What You Need to Know.

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Sam Stein and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos give their takes on the flurry of international headlines over the weekend. The Houthis have escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh, while Ukraine has launched a major wave of drone and missile strikes on Moscow and Russian energy infrastructure.They also discuss the Trump administration’s response to the Saudi crisis, the U.S. role in Ukraine, Russia’s escalating attacks and sabotage efforts across Europe, and the prospect of a brutal winter for Ukraine. A quick note: Bulwark+ members give us the freedom to follow the news wherever it leads, including stories that don’t just chase an algorithm. If you think this kind of coverage is worthwhile, please consider joining Bulwark+.

  • Sunday · 15 min

    Tim Miller Goes Off on the GOP's Trainwreck NC Senate Candidate

    Tim Miller is back with another installment in his continuing series on the Republican candidates running in key races across the country. This time it’s Michael Whatley, Trump’s handpicked Senate candidate in North Carolina, whose record includes appointing a convicted child sex offender to a state GOP committee, hard-line abortion politics, financial interests tied to policies he supports, and questions about his role in Hurricane Helene recovery. Plus, Tim digs into the ugly story behind an anti-Roy Cooper ad featuring a grieving father who says he was misled about how his story would be used.Watch more in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdXT8ySfDKu0 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

  • Sunday · 13 min

    Robert Kagan’s Chilling Warning About Trump’s Next Two Years | Bulwark on Sunday

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Bill Kristol talks with Robert Kagan about how Trump’s Iran war is accelerating America’s retreat from the world, leaving allies to fend for themselves while China and Russia gain room to maneuver. They also discuss Trump’s unfinished ambitions in Greenland, Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington, and Kagan’s warning that the breakdown of the postwar order could move much faster than Washington is prepared for. A quick note: One reason to support The Bulwark is pretty simple—it lets us make room for conversations whose value isn’t measured by whether they go viral today. If you think this kind of coverage is worthwhile, please consider joining Bulwark+.

  • Saturday · 6 min

    Trump Says He’s Banning the ‘Free Press’ From His White House

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Donald Trump has banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, and this time, he followed through. Will Saletan and Will Sommer discuss Trump’s escalating attack on the press, his claim that the outlets can return if they start covering him more favorably, and what the crackdown could mean for journalists across Washington.They also discuss the First Amendment implications of viewpoint-based press access, Trump’s broader use of legal and regulatory pressure against media organizations, the FCC’s actions under Brendan Carr, and the White House’s decision to elevate openly partisan right-wing media while shutting out mainstream news organizations. At a moment when the White House is openly trying to punish news organizations for coverage it doesn’t like, independent media matters more than ever. Bulwark members make it possible for us to keep covering these stories without worrying about staying on anyone’s good side. If that’s something you want to support, join us.

  • Saturday · 11 min

    The Pentagon Lost Track of Sensitive F-35 Stealth Technology | Command Post

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down the latest developments in the Iran war, including reports that AI-generated intelligence nearly led the U.S. military to board a Chinese vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. They discuss the dangers of relying on false intelligence, the importance of human oversight, and what can happen when bad information makes its way into military decision-making.They also examine reports that the Pentagon may be undercounting U.S. military deaths in the Middle East, as well as the growing cost of the Iran war. Plus, sensitive F-35 parts that were supposed to be shipped to the United States somehow ended up in Hong Kong.Finally, Ben and General Hertling fact-check President Trump’s claims about the massive amount of Venezuelan oil the U.S. supposedly secured, including his claim that America got 65 billion barrels of oil and 500 years’ worth of supply. Hertling explains what the deal actually entails and whether it constitutes a war crime. A quick note: Bulwark+ members give us the freedom to follow the news wherever it leads, including stories that don’t just chase an algorithm. That’s why we can spend real time with experts like General Hertling on stories we think deserve your attention. If you think this kind of coverage is worthwhile, please consider joining Bulwark+.

  • Saturday · 25 min

    Focus Groups Are Revealing a HUGE Weakness for Republicans

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Recorded on Monday, Sept. 14 at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, Sarah and Pod Save America’s Dan Pfeiffer discuss her book, How to Eat an Elephant, what focus groups are, why she does them, and she uncorks some fresh focus group content on-stage. Sarah will be back behind the mic next week. Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Would you like to see a Bulwark show recorded live and in person? Join Sarah and the gang October 16-20 for Bulwark LIVE: The Good Fight Tour with stops in Columbia, Charlotte and Atlanta. For details and tickets head to TheBulwark.com/Events. Come hang with the gang. Full ad-supported episodes of The Focus Group are available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend. Click here to add the show to your player of choice. Or upgrade now to watch and listen ad free and support our work. This premium edition of The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Listen or watch ad free via the site, the Bulwark or Substack apps, or set up your personal RSS feed for this show on your podcast player of choice.

  • Saturday · 16 min

    Alex Wagner NUKES Alito’s Defense of the Trump Election Power Grab

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com JVL is joined by Alex Wagner to trace how four conservative power brokers built the legal machine that would reshape the Supreme Court decades later, and how that project helped create the politics we’re living with today. Plus, they break down Samuel Alito’s dissent in the Supreme Court’s mail-ballot ruling and Trump’s escalating fight over the Kennedy Center.Get The Steal by Alex Wagner, here. How to Eat An Elephant is here! Get your own copy today and help keep this important work on the NYT bestseller list. Thank you to everyone who helped get Sarah there! Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October 16-18 with stops in Columbia, Charlotte and Atlanta. Just announced: Pete Buttigieg will join the gang for our stop in Charlotte on October 18. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets. Come hang with the gang. Watch, listen, and leave a comment.

  • Friday · 11 min

    Trump’s Kennedy Center Fight Is Barreling Toward a Constitutional Showdown (w/ Nathaniel Zelinsky)

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Bill Kristol talks with Nathaniel Zelinsky, the lead counsel challenging Trump’s efforts at the Kennedy Center, about the president’s demolition threats, the judge putting new limits on what the administration can do, and what happens if Trump simply refuses to obey a court order. Zelinsky explains why this fight over one building could become a much bigger test of the rule of law. A quick note: We want you to hear directly from the people who are in the middle of these fights. Zelinsky is litigating this case right now, and conversations like this help us understand where things could go next. If you value that kind of access and analysis, consider becoming a Bulwark member. A quick thanks: We want you to hear directly from the people who are in the middle of these fights. Zelinsky is litigating this case right now, and conversations like this help us understand where things could go next. As a Bulwark+ member, you’re making this kind of thing possible—thank you!

  • Friday · 12 min

    Anne Applebaum: Putin Played Jared Kushner “Like a Fiddle”

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com In Greenland, the Trump administration has got tech bros and hedge fund guys running an influence operation there. The aim may be to fulfill Trump's territorial ambitions—or to create a sovereign state run by CEOs. In Venezuela, the administration is imperialistically seizing its gold, oil and other assets with no oversight. And in Brazil, the White House is trying to bring the Bolsonaro family back to power—which may or may not have something to do with Elon being angry about the country's tech regulation laws. In Trump 2.0, informal envoys, private companies, and hardened ideologues are turning American diplomacy upside down. Plus: Putin has played Kushner like a fiddle, don't let the story of Don Jr.'s Russian gangster-funded wedding die, new additions to the Applebaum book club, and we're going to have to bulldoze the ballroom.Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes: * Anne’s Atlantic cover story, “Empire of Grift” * “Whistler: A Novel,” Anne’s latest book recommendation * Tim’s book recommendation, “The Disappearers: A Novel” * The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield * The Bulwark store * Tim’s playlist * Closing song - War on Drugs - “Suffering” Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for SpringfieldSome moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.

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