Bulwark Takes
The Bulwark
300 episodes
The news cycle doesn’t slow down, and neither does The Bulwark. Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, and more.
Episodes page 1 of 6
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Trump Made an Extraordinary Threat Against Jon Ossoff
Catherine Rampell and Andrew Egger break down Donald Trump’s latest campaign strategy: promising taxpayer-funded benefits to voters and threatening to withhold money from states that don’t deliver Republican victories.…
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An Alabama Shrimper Has a Message for Trump About Gas Prices (w/ Maynard Dubuisson)
Will Sommer speaks with Alabama shrimper Maynard Dubuisson, a longtime Donald Trump supporter who says soaring diesel prices are pushing fishermen and small businesses to the brink. The war in Iran has sent fuel costs…
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Morning Shots: James Talarico Takes Direct Aim at Elon Musk
With one week until Election Day, Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger break down the Senate races that could deliver Democrats a historic midterm wave. From James Talarico’s fight against Ken Paxton in Texas to surprising…
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Trump’s Own Words Expose the Madness of the Iran War
Will Saletan uses Trump's own words to expose the contradictions behind the Iran war. Trump says he obliterated Iran's nuclear program, claims the threat is under control, and admits the U.S. could leave now. So why is…
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MAGA Influencer Says GOP Early Vote Numbers Are Too Depressing to Share | MAGA Mondays
Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down Donald Trump’s 1,300-word meltdown over Bill Maher. Plus, MAGA data guru Data Republican is so worried about the GOP’s early voting numbers that she won’t share them with her…
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Mike Rogers’s Interview Goes From Laughable to Repulsive
Mike Rogers’s disastrous Meet the Press interview was a masterclass in political desperation. Catherine Rampell and Jonathan Cohn break down his increasingly absurd attempts to dodge questions about Trump, his…
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South Carolina? Florida? Mississippi?! Democrats Test the Limits of a Blue Wave | Bulwark on Sunday
Could Democrats really flip Senate seats in deep-red states like Mississippi, South Carolina, and Florida? Bill Kristol and Lauren Egan examine the expanding Senate map, surprising opportunities, and whether Democratic…
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Texas GOP Insider Reveals How Bad Things Are Getting for Republicans (w/ Garrett Fulce)
Texas Republicans are facing a nightmare scenario: Ken Paxton could lose, rural turnout is lagging, and the GOP may have to spend $400 million defending a state it once took for granted. Tim Miller talks with…
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Elon Musk Has Some Thoughts About The Bulwark. They’re Not Nice.
#ad Go to https://zbiotics.com/bulwarktakes and use code BULWARKTAKES at checkout for 15% off your first order of ZBiotics probiotics. Tim Miller responds to Elon Musk’s threats to The Bulwark’s after Musk said “if…
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Sarah Matthews Reveals What Trump’s DOJ Tried to Erase
Sarah Matthews joins Nicolle Wallace to discuss the Trump DOJ’s removal of thousands of January 6 records, the effort to preserve the evidence, and what it could mean for the midterms. They also examine Trump’s broken…
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Trump’s Threat to Hurricane Victims Could Cost Republicans BIG (Anderson Clayton & Nikema Williams)
The battle for Congress is heating up ahead of the midterms. Tim Miller talks with North Carolina Democratic Party chair Anderson Clayton about key House races, rural voters, and gerrymandering. Plus, Sam Stein joins…
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GOP Senate Candidate Mike Collins Has Some Explaining to Do | The Trio
Tim Miller, Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the latest chaos from the MAGA universe. Top Trump allies Chris LaCivita and James Blair had to hand over their six-figure consulting fees from a pro-Russian…
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Fake Polls and Hateful Ads Are Poisoning American Politics (w/ Mallory McMorrow)
Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow joins Sam Stein for her take on how a fabricated poll had real consequences for her Senate campaign, drying up donations, rattling volunteers, and prompting reporters to ask when…
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Vivek’s Hideous Ad Has Republicans at Each Other’s Throats
Vivek Ramaswamy has dragged Amy Acton’s estranged mother into the Ohio governor’s race to smear her daughter — even though the mother’s husband was charged with raping Acton when she was just 12. Now Trump and JD Vance…
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Command Post: Hegseth Takes Secret Meeting with Netanyahu
Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on Pete Hegseth’s surprise visit to Israel days before Benjamin Netanyahu’s election and amid the possibility of new strikes against Iran. They also discuss…
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MAGA Debaters Got WRECKED by a 20-Year-Old (w/ David Mauricio)
Tim Miller sits down with David Mauricio, the newly minted Jubilee Surrounded star, to break down his viral clashes with MAGA debaters. Mauricio explains why he came out swinging, how Trump’s defenders struggled to…
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BREAKING: JD Vance Makes Jaw-Dropping Defense of Putin
Ben Parker and Michael Weiss dissect Steve Witkoff’s praise of Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” and JD Vance’s defense of the Trump envoy, exposing the weakness and incompetence behind the administration’s Russia…
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Dana Bash Sees a Political Earthquake Coming in Texas and Maine
How do democracies fall apart, and why do the people who could stop it so often look the other way? CNN’s Dana Bash joins Sarah Longwell to examine the elections that changed history, including the fatal miscalculation…
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Abdul El-Sayed Wants to Pick Up Where Obama Left Off
Jonathan Cohn sits down with Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to discuss his admiration for Barack Obama, the shortcomings of the Obama presidency, and the lessons he hopes to carry into the Senate. El-Sayed…
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Michael Weiss Goes Nuclear After Trump Says Russia Has Been “Fine” in Ukraine
Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅: https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored Donald Trump claims Russia has been “fine” in Ukraine, and Michael Weiss, who has witnessed…
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Sam Stein and Will Sommer React to the Most Disgusting Ad of 2026
Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅: https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the disgusting attack ad targeting Ohio Democratic…
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Mike Johnson Gets Grilled on Fox News as GOP Disaster Looms
Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅: https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored Will Saletan gives his take on the growing panic inside House Republican leadership as bad polls,…
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Trump Goes on Shocking Racist Tirade at Rally | Morning Shots
Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅: https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol give their takes on Trump’s increasingly desperate push to save…
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Trump Is Running His Administration Like a Male Beauty Pageant
Donald Trump can’t seem to stop talking about other men’s bodies, from Republican candidates’ jawlines to their backsides, even as his presidency faces mounting crises. Sam Stein joins Nicolle Wallace on MS NOW to…
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Andy Kim Reveals the Terrifying Family Crisis That Drove Him Into Politics
Sen. Andy Kim joins The Bulwark’s Jonathan Cohn to discuss the terrifying family health crisis that inspired his political career, Republicans’ attacks on healthcare, and his ambitious new proposal to guarantee health…
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MAGA Mondays: Alina Habba’s New Husband is a Very Strange Guy
Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the foreign money scandal involving Alina Habba’s new husband, Ric Grenell, and the Kennedy Center. They also examine the protests roiling Albania over Jared Kushner and Ivanka…
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Did Putin Have a Secret Campaign to Cripple American Spies? (w/ Michael Rey)
For years, American spies and diplomats have suffered mysterious, debilitating injuries. Was Russia secretly targeting them, and did the CIA cover it up? Former CIA officer Mark Polymeropoulos, whose career was ended…
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Trump’s Own Energy Secretary Just Contradicted His Russia Story
Trump is lifting sanctions on Russian energy, his own energy secretary is contradicting his explanation, and Republicans are scrambling to defend the indefensible. Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Trump’s latest gift…
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Ukraine Reporter TORCHES Marco Rubio’s Excuses Over Starlink Slowdown (w/ Caolan Robertson)
Tim Miller talks with journalist Caolan Robertson, reporting from Ukraine’s front lines, about disruptions to the satellite communications Ukrainian soldiers depend on, Marco Rubio’s baffling explanation, and the…
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James Carville’s Midterm Predictions | Bulwark on Sunday
James Carville joins Bill Kristol to explain why he's cautiously optimistic about a massive Democratic wave, with Republicans facing unexpected threats in Florida, Texas, and even the Deep South. They discuss Trump’s…
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The Trio Can't Believe What They’re Hearing About Kimberly Guilfoyle
Recorded live in Columbia, South Carolina, on October 16, 2026, Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer take a hilarious tour through the latest MAGA madness: Kimberly Guilfoyle’s increasingly messy scandals, Tucker…
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Trump’s Generals Must Be Willing to Sacrifice Their Careers (w/ Elliot Cohen) | Command Post
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker welcome Eliot Cohen to discuss what makes great leaders, the dysfunction inside Trump’s Pentagon, and the difficult choices facing military officers. Drawing on lessons from…
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Trump-Friendly Influencer Has MAJOR Buyer’s Remorse (w/ Mario Nawfal)
Tim Miller ventures outside the Bulwark bubble for a candid conversation with Mario Nawfal, a Trump-friendly influencer who’s having serious buyer’s remorse. They discuss Trump’s disastrous Iran war, the voters…
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BREAKING: Trump Fires New Press Secretary After Five Days (w/ Judd Legum)
Five days. That’s how long Katie Zachariah lasted as Trump’s White House press secretary before a disastrous debut, questions about her legal credentials, and a wave of West Wing backstabbing brought her tenure to an…
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The Trio: MAGA Influencers Are Running for Cover After Talarico Smear Collapses
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer give an update on the MAGA influencers caught pushing a false story about Texas Democrat James Talarico, and why those behind the smear may face few consequences. They also…
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Elon Musk Has Dumped $276 Million To Save Republicans
Right now, save up to 20% on mattresses when you go to https://Casper.com. #ad Tim Miller gives his take on Elon Musk’s return as the biggest campaign donor of the 2026 midterms, funneling $276 million into Republican…
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Trump Reportedly Considering Firing Susie Wiles | Morning Shots Live
Right now, save up to 20% on mattresses when you go to https://Casper.com. #ad Is Donald Trump about to fire the woman who has kept his White House from descending into chaos? Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger cover…
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Did Trump and DoD Secretly Pull the Plug on Ukraine?
Marc Polymeropoulos and Michael Weiss give their takes on the growing questions surrounding Elon Musk’s Starlink and his company purposely disrupted Ukraine’s war effort. They examine reports of missed Russian missile…
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Command Post: Trump Reportedly Wavering on Livestreamed Execution (w/ Margaret Donovan)
Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down the latest developments in Ukraine, including Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the growing rift between Washington and Kyiv, and…
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The Man Who Exposed Kimberly Guilfoyle Reacts To Her Resignation (w/ Eric Deters)
Sam Stein again welcomes Eric Deters, the man whose text messages helped expose Kimberly Guilfoyle’s alleged $100,000 ask and preceded her resignation as U.S. ambassador to Greece. Deters discusses why he believes…
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BREAKING: Trump Asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to Resign | Morning Shots
Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol give their takes on the news White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia made when she announced on her first day that the White House asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as U.S. ambassador…
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Senator Who Served With JD Vance Explains Why He’ll Never Be President (w/ Sen. Schatz)
Sen. Brian Schatz joins Sam Stein to explain why Democrats suddenly have a shot at winning Senate races in deep-red states, how they plan to hold Trump’s corrupt officials accountable, and why he doubts JD Vance has…
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Trump Jokes as Woman Is Beaten at His Rally
Sam Stein and Andrew Egger break down Donald Trump’s bizarre and disturbing Ohio rally, from his repeated comments about Senator Jon Husted’s physique to mocking a woman who was assaulted by a fellow rallygoer for…
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The Spectacularly Stupid Collapse of MAGA’s Talarico Conspiracy | MAGA Mondays
MAGA thought it had a career-ending scandal on James Talarico. Instead, it got a spectacular humiliation. Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down how the conspiracy unraveled, including the full phone call obtained by The…
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Fox News Hosts Clash Over Trump’s Deal with Putin
Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos give their takes on Trump’s latest deal with Vladimir Putin and why Trump suddenly announced an energy ceasefire. Sources tell Michael that Ukraine was blindsided by this weekend’s…
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Ron Brownstein: It's MUCH Worse for Trump Than 2018 | Bulwark on Sunday
Trump’s midterm problem may be far worse than it was in 2018, and the warning signs are showing up in places Republicans never expected. Bill Kristol and veteran political analyst Ron Brownstein examine Trump’s…
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This Scott Bessent Interview Got Weirder by the Minute
This episode is a little taste of Receipts, Catherine Rampell’s brand-new show from The Bulwark, where she follows the money, cuts through the economic spin, and exposes who’s really paying the price for Trump’s…
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Trump’s Putin Deal Is a Disgraceful Act of Betrayal
Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on Trump’s decision to buy oil from Putin, just weeks after Trump signed Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions bill into law. Instead of increasing pressure on Russia, Trump…
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Jon Husted Is the Fakest Republican in America
Tim Miller takes a closer look at Ohio Senate candidate Jon Husted, whose carefully crafted moderate persona masks a record of corruption allegations, MAGA loyalty, and political opportunism. From his ties to Ohio’s…
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Hegseth’s Livestreamed Execution Exposes His Pathetic Tough-Guy Act
Sam Stein and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter, Nidal Hasan, and why turning an execution into a public…
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