John Avlon: The Bomb Throwers Just Don't Care
McCarthy thought he could appease the kamikaze caucus with cash and playing along with Stop the Steal — surprise, they'd rather ruin everything if they can't rule. CNN's John Avlon joins Charlie Sykes on today's pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
37m Jan 04, 2023
37m
Tom Nichols: Of Course They All Hate Each Other
The House Republican caucus is a jackal pack, with George Santos — the poster boy for our era of grift — along for the ride. Plus, 2023 is starting with green shoots of optimism, including a battered, bruised, and tired Donald Trump. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Jan 03, 2023
48m
Andrew Weissmann: The DOJ and Trump's Attempted Coup
The clock is ticking down on whether to bring charges against Trump for what was essentially a "simple" scheme — a president wanted to stay in power even though he lost the election. Former DOJ prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joined Charlie Sykes for this encore episode from July. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
30m Jan 02, 2023
30m
Susan Glasser and Peter Baker: Trump's Hostile Takeover of the Government
During his four years in office, Trump kept testing the weaknesses in our Constitutional system — and January 6 was the culmination of his war on the institutions of American government. Susan Glasser and Peter Baker's book, "The Divider" captures the threat Trump posed. But as they told Charlie Sykes, their book is not just history: It's also a prologue if he returns to power. This encore epis...
33m Dec 30, 2022
33m
Maggie Haberman: Trump Is Damaged and He Causes Damage to Others
Donald Trump is the product of an exacting and brutal father who undermined him in private, and his damaged childhood has impacted him ever since. In this encore episode from October, Maggie Haberman, author of "Confidence Man," told Charlie Sykes that Trump doesn't really trust anyone — and that the era of distrust we live in now is one of his biggest legacies.  Learn more about your ad choice...
32m Dec 29, 2022
32m
Jennifer Senior: Steve Bannon Is an Asymmetric Threat
Steve Bannon is a card-carrying member of the coastal elite, but he's trying to light a bonfire under American democracy. An intelligent, well-read man in the same category as Tucker Carlson, Bannon's genius is in polarizing people. The Atlantic's Jennifer Senior joined Charlie Sykes in this encore episode from June.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Dec 28, 2022
48m
Nick Confessore: Tucker and the Most Racist Show in the History of Cable News
Tucker Carlson regularly borrows conspiracy theories from the racist right, and counsels his viewers that immigrants, nonwhites, and non-Christians are trying to destroy them and everything they love. Meanwhile, his show brings in more advertising revenue than any other Fox News program. The New York Times' Nick Confessore joined Charlie Sykes for this encore episode, originally released in May...
48m Dec 27, 2022
48m
Michael Fanone: We Were Literally Fighting for Our Lives
Former DC police officer Michael Fanone joined Charlie Sykes for our first live show, and recalled the events of Jan 6 — when he was seriously injured defending the Capitol. A one-time Trump voter and Fox News fan, Fanone is now waging "a one-man war" against Trump and his reality-denying apologists. He also shared his thoughts about Kevin McCarthy, Lindsey Graham, Mike Pence, and the battle fo...
44m Dec 26, 2022
44m
Tim Alberta: The Political Poisoning of the Evangelical Church
On this Christmas weekend, we revisit our conversation with Tim Alberta about the morphing of evangelicalism from a spiritual disposition to a political identity, a development Alberta calls "heartbreaking." He tells Charlie Sykes that Evangelicals are turning against each other over conspiracy politics and Donald Trump. This encore episode was originally released in May. Learn more about your ...
40m Dec 23, 2022
40m
BONUS EPISODE: The Bulwark Goes Across the Movie Aisle
The Across the Movie Aisle pod returns to Pandora for James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water. Is the sequel — 13 years in the making — worth the wait? Plus, the streaming programming crunch. Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman take over the Bulwark pod for this special bonus episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
37m Dec 22, 2022
37m
Eric Edelman: A Struggle Between Democracy and Tyranny
Zelensky didn't hit a wrong note, and he embodied the Ukrainian people's will to freedom on the floor of the US Congress. Plus, from a realpolitik perspective, the degradation of Russian military power via US aid to Ukraine is a bargain. Amb. Eric Edelman joins guest host Bill Kristol today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
32m Dec 22, 2022
32m
BONUS EPISODE: The Symmetry Between Zelensky's Visit and the Jan 6 Report
The fight against Putin and the fight against Trump are cousins, so how poetic is it that Zelensky and the January 6 report both show up on nearly the same day? Plus, is Trump getting too tired to fight? Bill Kristol joins guest host JVL for a special bonus episode today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
44m Dec 21, 2022
44m
Gen. Mick Ryan: The War in Ukraine, 10 months In
Putin likes to say the West is weak, but he isn't even fighting NATO, and he's losing. But the war in Ukraine is at a transition point — and Russia, with a new commander, will emerge from the winter still dangerous. Gen. Mick Ryan joins guest host Ben Parker today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
39m Dec 21, 2022
39m
Will Saletan: He Wanted the Violence
The January 6 committee never wavered from its main goal: to make sure Trump never holds power again. Plus, the Lauren Boebert-MTG feud, and overestimating the power of the internet age to stop political candidates from telling very big lies. Will Saletan joins guest host Mona Charen today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
34m Dec 20, 2022
34m
The Next Level Takes Over The Bulwark
Tim Miller checks in from Turning Point's event in Phoenix on the role of "Gays Against Groomers" in the culture war. Plus, George Santos as Tom Ripley, and the Musk crowd's "Free Speech for Me and Not for Thee." JVL, Sarah, and Tim bring it for today's Bulwark pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
52m Dec 19, 2022
52m
Symone Sanders-Townsend: Let Joe Run
The case for Biden to run again, the hate-mongering GOP, and the expectations around Kamala vs the realities of the vice presidency. Symone Sanders-Townsend joins guest host Tim Miller for the weekend pod — and also chats about why she switched from Bernie, and the Trump fans in her own family. __________________________ Join the gang from The Next Level in Seattle this January 21 for an evenin...
47m Dec 16, 2022
47m
Derek Thompson: An Abundance Agenda for the Future
The success of Operation Warp Speed has been orphaned by both sides — the left won't credit Trump for any policy success, and too many on the right won't get vaxxed. Plus, crypto had a magical pull in an era of declining trust in institutions, and the unifying theory that explains all the crazy disruption in 2022. Derek Thompson joins guest host Tim Miller. Join the gang from The Next Level in ...
45m Dec 15, 2022
45m
Dan Vallone: The History Wars Are Not What They Seem
Americans are less divided than they think about how schools should teach about our nation's history. Conflict entrepreneurs are stoking polarization and cherry picking extreme opinions as majority views. More in Common's Dan Vallone joins guest host Mona Charen today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
26m Dec 14, 2022
26m
Elaina Plott Calabro: MTG Is More Cunning than You Think
Marjorie Taylor Greene tried on Jesus and CrossFit before she got to MAGA. Now, the party leadership needs her more than she needs them because the base thinks she's Elvis. The Atlantic's Elaina Plott Calabro joins guest host JVL for a deep look at the how and why of MTG. Show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/01/marjorie-taylor-greene-congress-georgia-election-backgroun...
50m Dec 13, 2022
50m
Adam Kinzinger: The Torch Is Now with the DOJ (Encore Episode)
Even with some key figures refusing to testify, the Jan 6 committee still was able to tell the story of crimes that were committed that day. Plus, Kevin McCarthy — after all his necessary butt-kissing is complete — will be the head of a nonfunctional majority in the House. Rep. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
32m Dec 12, 2022
32m
Tim Miller: Nazis Bad, Constitution Good
Brittney Griner is home, Sinema does the Angus King thing, Republicans pass on a "Get Out of Jail" card, and a huge win for same-sex marriage. Plus, every Democrat should get schooled by the Warnock and Shapiro campaigns. Tim Miller's back with Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
54m Dec 09, 2022
54m
A.B. Stoddard: A Most Delicious Circular Firing Squad
Republicans need someone to blame besides Trump, so Laura Ingraham is turning on the RNC, Kellyanne is turning on Jared, and a rump group in the Senate is turning on McConnell. Plus, Democrats are a little too high on hopium. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45m Dec 08, 2022
45m
Mark Leibovich: DeSantis Is Not the Savior
Republicans are big mad about Herschel's loss, but they won't name the guy who got this production off the ground. Meanwhile, low-energy Trump is plotting how to take out the charmless but ruthless DeSantis. Mark Leibovich joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Dec 07, 2022
48m
Kori Schake: Rejecting Authoritarianism
The protesters in Iran have the wind in their sails, China is no longer likely to overtake the US as the world's dominant economy, and Ukraine gets to determine when it's time to negotiate. Kori Schake joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
51m Dec 06, 2022
51m
Will Saletan: Saying the Quiet Part Blaringly Out Loud
Trump has upped the ante from sedition to Nazis and terminating the Constitution — and yet Republicans continue to shrug. Plus, the anti-science fever is spreading, and the genius behind the marketing of Herschel Walker in Georgia. Will Saletan's back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
41m Dec 05, 2022
41m
Tim Miller: A Week Full of Nazis
Kanye not only ruined the cover story on Trump's Nazi dinner, he also wrecked Tucker's plan to make him a conservative icon. Plus, prematurely clearing the field for DeSantis, Trump's judge gets slapped down, and Hunter's laptop will be a punchline. Tim Miller's back with Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
55m Dec 02, 2022
55m
Dana Milbank: Even Kevin McCarthy Doesn't Trust Kevin McCarthy
If he can round up the support to be speaker, McCarthy is still going to have to fend off Trump trying to muck things up from Mar-a-Lago, as well members of his caucus threatening repeated no-confidence votes. Dana Milbank joins Charlie Sykes to preview the madness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
39m Dec 01, 2022
39m
Ben Wittes: The Worst Story We Told Ourselves Was True
January 6 was not merely a conspiracy to break windows and storm the Capitol — for some, it was a conspiracy to resist the lawful authority of the United States. Plus, Musk's vandalism of Twitter is destroying something precious. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
50m Nov 30, 2022
50m
Peter Wehner: Turning on Trump for the Wrong Reason
The Republican establishment scolding Trump has little to do with morality and everything to do with power. Peter Wehner joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45m Nov 29, 2022
45m
Will Saletan: Dining with a Nazi
Trump had to know of Nick Fuentes before they sat down to dinner — he regards openly racist and antisemitic trolls as a fundamental part of his base. And now Kevin McCarthy needs allies of Fuentes to be speaker. Will Saletan's back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
51m Nov 28, 2022
51m
A Thanksgiving Message from Team Bulwark
Bulwarkers join Charlie Sykes to share their thoughts of gratitude for the holiday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17m Nov 24, 2022
17m
David Priess: Trump's Very Bad Day at Court
A trio of conservative judges sounded very skeptical about Trump's need for a special master in the Mar-a-Lago case, and the Supreme Court basically told him, "No, we are not your justices." Plus, the post-shame culture of Tucker Carlson. David Priess joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Nov 23, 2022
48m
David Frum: House Republicans Aim for a Rerun
The incoming House majority looks like it will repeat the patterns of '94 and 2010 by heading into the fever swamps to indulge its coalition, rather than expand it. Plus, Trump isn't the only one to blame for the midterms. David Frum joins Charlie Sykes on today's pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45m Nov 22, 2022
45m
Tom Nichols: A 2016 Flashback?
Once again, the anti-anti-Trumpers are standing back and hoping Trump will run out of tricks, instead of calling him out as an existential threat to democracy. Plus, will McCarthy really get the gavel — and how long could he possibly hold it? Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
41m Nov 21, 2022
41m
Tim Miller: Sometimes Reality Sets In
Steve Bannon knows he's lying, irrational exuberance took over Kari Lake HQ, and Mar-a-Lago is in a bubble. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
43m Nov 18, 2022
43m
Mark McKinnon: The Message Still Matters
Midterm voters in the middle were deliberative and serious, and were not seduced by the crowds, the media spin, and the polls. Plus, a late Elvis sighting at Mar-a-Lago, and the Republican House makes moves to defend the insurrectionists. Mark McKinnon joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
42m Nov 17, 2022
42m
David Corn: Trump Is Still a Threat
Trump's 2024 announcement may have been panned, but his base loves the greatest hits — millions just voted for election deniers across the country. And while the GOP underperformed in the election, the anti-reality wing will have a stronger presence in the House. David Corn joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m Nov 16, 2022
49m
Adam Kinzinger: Knives Out in the Nutcase Caucus
Matt Gaetz is suddenly attacking Marjorie Taylor Greene, MTG is suddenly a super fan of Kevin's, and Elise Stefanik is scheming over in the corner. Republicans will have a very dysfunctional majority. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
38m Nov 15, 2022
38m
Will Saletan: Gelded by the Nutcase Caucus
Last Tuesday destroyed Kevin McCarthy — he will be either defeated or humiliated. Meanwhile, Republicans may be figuring out that Trump is electoral poison, and they can't win with him or without him. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Nov 14, 2022
48m
Michigan Magic with Mallory McMorrow
It was a perfect storm this week for Michigan Democrats, who won control of the legislature for the first time in 40 years and swept the top of the ticket. After all the talk of groomers and drag queen story hour, voters finally reached the limit on crazy. Plus, is a Whitmer v. DeSantis showdown in our future? Mallory McMorrow joins guest host Tim Miller for the weekend pod. Learn more about yo...
51m Nov 11, 2022
51m
Tim O'Brien: He Will Burn It All Down
Watch out: Trump is embarrassed, cornered and facing defeat. When GOP leaders try to shun him, he will turn the base against them, regardless of how bad it is for the party. Tim O'Brien joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
37m Nov 10, 2022
37m
A.B. Stoddard: We Could've Been the United States of QAnon
The polls were a mess and the hive mind was wrong — Gen Z saved the Democrats and abortion proved to be a powerful issue. Now, the knives are out and there could be a civil war in the GOP caucus. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
46m Nov 09, 2022
46m
Barbara Slavin: Fire Under the Ashes
Women's rights and hijab rules are at the center of widespread protests in Iran, but the demonstrations quickly evolved and are now the most serious threat to the regime in decades. Barbara Slavin joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
43m Nov 08, 2022
43m
Will Saletan: Only One God-King at a Time
DeSantis flew too close to the sun, Kellyanne tried out her take on denialism, and Musk — the man who once talked of colonizing Mars — showed in the space of one week how much of a nasty, thin-skinned putz he is. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m Nov 07, 2022
49m
Bill Kristol: Be Alarmed
Republican rhetoric is like rightwing Mad Libs — it's also emboldening Putin over aid for Ukraine. Plus, Kari Lake juniors are surely coming our way, and Trump could get so antsy, he'll announce on Election Day. Bill Kristol joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
41m Nov 04, 2022
41m
Bart Gellman: The Impeachment of Joe Biden
If Republicans win the House, MAGA voters will expect Republicans to impeach Biden, and Trump will demand it. The rationale won't even matter — and other administration officials are likely to be impeached as well. Bart Gellman joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
35m Nov 03, 2022
35m
Elizabeth Williamson: It Started with Sandy Hook
The conspiracies and lies around the mass shooting at Sandy Hook were not a one-off — they laid the foundation for the age of disinformation and misinformation we live in. Elizabeth Williamson joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
37m Nov 02, 2022
37m
Charlie Warzel: Elon's Disastrous Weekend
Musk may build rockets and electric cars, but he is ignorant about content moderation on social media. And Twitter is not a game - it’s a platform that is central to our political discourse. We need an adult at the helm. Charlie Warzel joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
40m Nov 01, 2022
40m
Will Saletan: Elon Musk’s Hellscape
Twitter's new owner couldn't resist jumping into the toxic disinformation campaign against Paul Pelosi, Stephen Miller's running an ad claiming Biden is racist against white people, and Obama returns to the campaign trail. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie & Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m Oct 31, 2022
49m
Maggie Haberman: A Character Study of Trump — and America
Trump is fascinated with violence, and his damaging childhood has impacted him ever since. And the man who was more interested in winning in 2016 than being president, now really wants the title and the power again— along with the payback. Maggie Haberman joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
33m Oct 28, 2022
33m