Ex–Trump Intel Official Sounds Alarm on Iran (w/ Sue Gordon)
Sam Stein talks with former top intelligence official Sue Gordon to break down the fast-moving Iran crisis—and why the U.S. may not have the intelligence it needs for what comes next. Drawing on decades at the CIA, Gordon explains the growing intel gaps, the risks of escalation, and why bombing Iran is the easy part compared to what follows. As tensions rise and off-ramps shrink, the big questi...
33m Mar 31
33m
NEW POLL: Trump Approval COLLAPSES to 33%
JVL and Sarah Longwell give their takes on the shocking new UMass poll showing Donald Trump at just 33% approval, only one point away from the “Bush line.” As the Iran war drags on, gas prices rise, and inflation worsens, they dig into what’s really driving Trump’s downfall and whether it signals real movement with voters. Plus, they react to Brendan Carr openly celebrating media firings as a p...
19m Mar 30
19m
CPAC Leaders Claim It’s “Packed”—The Footage Says Otherwise | MAGA Mondays
Will Sommer and Andrew Egger are going live to cover a strange weekend at CPAC, where sparse crowds, defensive spin, and open infighting raised questions about where the MAGA movement stands right now. Plus: Clavicular went to jail...again!
31m Mar 30
31m
As Millions Protested “No Kings,” Trump Did This
Will Saletan takes on a series of moments showing how Donald Trump is pushing past basic limits of presidential power—from putting his face on coins and signature on currency to calling judges “criminals” and claiming he doesn’t need Congress for war or NATO decisions. As millions joined “No Kings” protests, the pattern becomes hard to ignore: a president who treats the rules as optional, surro...
13m Mar 30
13m
Trump Thinks He’s Going to Heaven
Tim Miller gives his take on Donald Trump’s latest Truth Social spiral and why he's boosting pro-war voices like Mark Levin, who’s floating plans that sound more like a uranium heist than a real strategy. Tim breaks down how Trump’s feed has become a window into his decision-making, why the signs point toward escalation and possible troops on the ground, and how the war is already causing globa...
18m Mar 29
18m
No Kings: What We—and You—Saw at the Rallies (w/ Jim Swift)
The Bulwark's own Jim Swift joins Bill Kristol to talk about No Kings.
35m Mar 29
35m
Holy Cow, ‘The Pitt’ Took on ICE!
Sonny Bunch and Adrian Carrasquillo take on The Pitt’s ICE episode—how a single raid transforms the ER, triggers fear across patients and staff, and mirrors real-world reporting on immigration enforcement. They discuss the show’s attempt at “balance,” the ripple effects of fear, and why dramatized storytelling can land harder than traditional coverage. They also explore the reaction online, th...
16m Mar 28
16m
No Kings Rally Coverage
Join JVL, Catherine Rampell, Andrew Egger, and many, many others from The Bulwark for live "No Kings" rally coverage.
59m Mar 28
59m
Trump Loves Putting His Own People Down
Sam Stein takes on a series of bizarre Trump appearances, ranging from crude jokes and made-up stories to comments that may have revealed something far more serious. The pattern raises a bigger question: when the president speaks, how much of it is real?
19m Mar 28
19m
Tim Miller: If You’re Feeling Hopeless, Hear Me Out
Tim Miller was on MS NOW's Deadline: White House to explain why Trump’s Iran decision may be doing lasting damage to his own coalition. From GOP infighting to failed election interference efforts and another Democratic win in Washington, MAJOR cracks are starting to show.
19m Mar 28
19m
Iran Hacks Kash Patel's Emails
Sam Stein and Tim Miller give their takes on the latest fiasco for FBI Director Kash Patel after Iran-linked hackers breached his email and released a trove of personal messages and photos. From embarrassing photos during a trip to Cuba to serious counterintelligence concerns, it’s another brutal moment for a guy already struggling to prove he’s up for the job.
11m Mar 28
11m
Markets Rattled, Consumer Sentiment Plunges—While Trump Plays Emperor
JVL and Catherine Rampell are going live on Trump’s economic messaging, falling consumer confidence, and rising recession fears driven by oil prices.
59m Mar 27
59m
Why is Kash Patel’s Girlfriend Posting Insane Gibberish?
Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on Kash Patel’s girlfriend, a country music “sensation,” over her bizarre Twitter rant about Michael Flynn, Candace Owens fights with MAGA media darling Nick Shirley, and comedian Druski mocks Erika Kirk in viral video. Text TAKES to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head ho...
26m Mar 27
26m
We Sat Through a Painful Trump Cabinet Meeting So You Don’t Have To
Sam Stein and Andrew Egger watched an hour-and-a-half long Trump cabinet meeting and it was a mess. From ranting about $1,000 pens and fake gold columns to personal attacks on Gavin Newsom’s dyslexia and Jerome Powell, Trump spent more time complaining about the Kennedy Center than he did on foreign policy. We break down the top five most unhinged things that happened during Thursday's meeting....
28m Mar 26
28m
No Kings Could Be the Biggest Protest EVER (w/ Ezra Levin)
Tim Miller talks with Ezra Levin—co-founder of Indivisible— about Saturday's “No Kings” protests. They get into whether protests actually work, how movements grow beyond a single weekend, and why discipline, nonviolence, and even humor can throw off an authoritarian playbook. Plus: the rising threat of political violence, how organizers are preparing for it, and what comes next if this keeps gr...
17m Mar 26
17m
Tim Miller: Florida Just Shocked Everyone
Tim Miller was on with Katy Tur to take on a surprising shift in Florida politics after Democrats flip a seat in Trump’s own backyard. Is this a one-off—or the start of something bigger? Plus: the corruption questions that still aren’t being investigated—and what it all could mean for 2026. Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.
16m Mar 26
16m
Karoline Leavitt Thinks We’re All Idiots
JVL and Andrew Egger take on a surreal White House briefing where everything is supposedly “going great”—even as TSA chaos, rising gas prices, and a widening Iran conflict tell a very different story. Plus: how JD Vance is getting boxed into a political no-win situation. Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.
29m Mar 26
29m
Tim Miller, JVL and Katie Couric on Iran, Airport Lines, CBS and More
Katie Couric joins Tim Miller and JVL to dig into some of the biggest stories so far this week on a special edition of Bulwark Takes happening live on Wednesday at 6:30 PM ET. With Iran rejecting a cease-fire proposal, what will President Trump do next? And why is Iran requesting that Vice President JD Vance come to the negotiating table? Plus, reactions to new reporting from NBC that for the l...
59m Mar 26
59m
AIPAC Spent $7 Million to Stop Daniel Biss. He Won Anyway.
Daniel Biss joined Lauren Egan to discuss his win in a crowded Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District. AIPAC spent more than $7 million trying to stop him. Biss, whose mother is Israeli and whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors, opens up about what it felt like to be personally targeted and why he believes those attacks backfired. He also breaks down the strategy behin...
18m Mar 25
18m
This Trump Pick Couldn't Stop Talking about Boobs and Hooters
Sam Stein, Joe Perticone, and Will Sommer give their takes on the bizarre rise and abrupt fall of Nick Adams, the self-styled “alpha male” known for his tweets about boobs, Hooters, and American exceptionalism. Adams saw his ambassador nomination pulled before landing in a made up new State Department role. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month Shopify trial today at https://shopify.com/bulwar...
18m Mar 25
18m
Democrats’ New Strategy to Win: Hot Candidates
Sam Stein and Lauren Egan take on a real idea circulating among Democratic operatives: run more “hot” candidates. They discuss what that actually means—youth, charisma, online presence—and whether it reflects a deeper effort to fix the party’s image and win back voters. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month Shopify trial today at https://shopify.com/bulwarktakes.
14m Mar 24
14m
Under Pressure, Trump Retreats on Iran and DHS | Morning Chaser
Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger are going live to discuss the DHS funding fight, ICE at America's airports, and Trump's erratic flip-flops in Iran.
39m Mar 24
39m
This Is How the GOP Starts to Crack
Tim Miller was on Deadline: White House to take on the political fallout from Trump’s Iran war, warning that the real backlash hasn’t shown up in polling yet as rising costs start to hit voters. He also looks at growing cracks inside the GOP, where even MAGA voices are struggling to defend a war with no clear objective. Plus: chaos at U.S. airports after ICE agents are deployed to “help,” a Su...
20m Mar 24
20m
Trump's Iran Ultimatum (w/ Margaret Donovan)
Mark Hertling, Ben Parker, and special guest Margaret Donovan go live at 7:30 p.m. EDT for a Command Post episode on Trump’s threats of massive war crimes against Iran—and the broader ethics and legality of the conflict. For a limited time, get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES (https://tempomeals.com/BULWARKTAKES) .
42m Mar 24
42m
BREAKING: Trump Blames Hegseth for Iran War, Insults Widower
JVL and Andrew Egger are going live to cover the bizarre statements that Trump made at an event this morning in Memphis. For a limited time, get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES.
32m Mar 23
32m
Dan Bongino Gets Heated After Heckler Calls Him a “Coward” | MAGA Mondays
Sam Stein and Will Sommer go live to talk about Dan Bongino getting heckled for not "taking on the deep state," James Fishback being banned from Mar-a-Lago, and a double dose of TPUSA controversy. For a limited time, get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES
37m Mar 23
37m
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher: Texas May Finally Be in Play
Sarah Longwell talks with Rep. Lizzie Fletcher about Texas redistricting, the GOP’s push for new seats, and why that strategy could backfire. They discuss the 2026 outlook, the Paxton–Cornyn fight, and why Democrats see a real opening in Texas.
24m Mar 22
24m
Trump’s Plan: War Abroad, Chaos at Home
Sam Stein and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s “48-hour” threat against Iran and the risk of a wider war, with global oil markets and the global economy hanging in the balance. They also discuss the administration’s push to put ICE in security roles at airports and Sen. Mike Lee’s bizarre SAVE Act post.
16m Mar 22
16m
The Economic Consequences of Trump’s Iran War (w/ Catherine Rampell)
Bill Kristol and Catherine Rampell are going live to talk about the economic fallout from Trump's war in Iran.
45m Mar 22
45m
Tim and Adam Kinzinger Play a Little Game
Tim Miller and Adam Kinzinger were live in Austin, talking about the escalating Iran war, why it’s already going badly, and how Trump’s “peace candidate” promise unraveled into a costly conflict. Plus: a live “cuck-off” game (it’s not quite what you’d expect).
22m Mar 21
22m
Trump Celebrates Robert Mueller’s Death
Robert Mueller, the former FBI director and special counsel who led the Russia investigation, has died at 81. A Vietnam veteran and lifelong public servant, Mueller spent decades in service to the country across administrations of both parties earning a reputation for discipline, restraint, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Trump responded to Mueller's death with a disgusting mes...
14m Mar 21
14m
The Global Economy Is Literally Being Choked (w/ Sal Mercogliano)
Andrew Egger and maritime history and shipping expert Sal Mercogliano take on the rapidly escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz—and why it’s far more dangerous for the global economy than most people realize. As Iran tightens its grip on one of the world’s most critical shipping chokepoints, up to 25% of global trade is being disrupted. Tankers are stalled, crews are stranded, and energy ma...
26m Mar 21
26m
New Inflation Warnings from Fed; Could Iran War Raise Prices AND Cause Recession?
Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein are going live to cover inflation warnings from the Fed and the worsening economic outlook as the Iran war drives oil prices higher and job growth stalls. Text TAKES to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.
54m Mar 20
54m
“Just Measles” Left Her Sister Disabled for Life (w/ Therese Vogel)
Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn talk with Therese Vogel about the return of measles. Therese shares the story of her sister, who contracted measles as a child and suffered permanent brain damage—shaping the rest of her life—and why that led her to join Grandparents for Vaccines. They discuss why vaccine skepticism has risen, how outbreaks are spreading again as vaccination rates fall, and why many...
27m Mar 20
27m
Trump Calls Iran War an “Excursion” and Brings Up Pearl Harbor To Japan
Will Saletan gives his take on Donald Trump’s dumb and chaotic Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. He called the Iran war an “excursion,” bragging about demolishing Iran while gas prices doubled, and insulted Japan with a Pearl Harbor reference. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use promo code BULWARKTAKES.
14m Mar 20
14m
There Was NO Imminent Threat from Iran (w/ Erin Banco)
Sam Stein talks with Reuters national security reporter Erin Banco about how the U.S. ended up at war with Iran—and why the official story doesn’t hold up. Intelligence assessments didn’t show an imminent threat, but the administration moved forward anyway after months of pressure, shifting justifications, and a last-minute decision from Trump. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https:...
27m Mar 20
27m
Don Lemon Responds to Being Arrested and Put On Trump’s “Enemies List”
Tim Miller moderated a conversation with Don Lemon at the 2026 New Orleans Book Festival. They talked about Lemon’s arrest and time in custody and the broader crackdown on Trump critics. They also discussed the war in Iran, and the failures of the mainstream media during Trump's second term.
1hr 2m Mar 19
1hr 2m
Sen. Rand Paul Slams Sen. Markwayne Mullin at DHS Confirmation Hearing
Sam Stein and Sonny Bunch went live to give their reactions to Trump nominee Markwayne Mullin at his DHS confirmation hearing.
37m Mar 18
37m
Support for Israel Has Collapsed Among Young Americans
Sam Stein and Rachel Janfaza take on a striking shift among young voters: support for Israel has collapsed, with just 13% of Gen Z viewing it positively. Drawing on new polling and a focus group of students, they discuss how anti-Israel sentiment is spreading—and how it’s increasingly bleeding into something more troubling on campuses and online.
20m Mar 18
20m
Tim Miller: Gas, Food, Rent—It's ALL Going Up Again
Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace to talk about the escalating Iran war, the sudden resignation of Trump official Joe Kent, and the growing split inside MAGA. As competing narratives collide, the panel looks at what’s actually driving the conflict—and why even Trump’s allies are breaking ranks. They also discuss Trump’s erratic messaging, rising concerns about leadership, and the economic fallo...
18m Mar 18
18m
Former General Gives Brutally Honest Iran War Assessment | Command Post
In this Command Post edition of Bulwark Takes, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker break down how Trump’s snub of NATO allies is shaping the Iran conflict, and how even spectacular military success against the Iranian government and military won’t necessarily lead to victory. Have questions about the Iran war? Send them to commandpost@thebulwark.com (mailto:commandpost@thebulwark.com)...
31m Mar 18
31m
Top Trump Aide Quits Over Iran War | Morning Chaser
Andrew and Bill are going live to discuss Joe Kent's resignation over the war in Iran and other news of the day.
42m Mar 17
42m
Distracted Trump Rambles While Iran War Expands
Tim Miller and Sam Stein take on Trump’s latest Oval Office comments on Iran. They discuss the contradictions, the absence of a clear strategy, and what it signals about how this war is being handled. Plus, JD Vance dodges a simple question about whether he actually supports the operation, raising questions about what’s really happening behind the scenes. Stop putting off those doctors appoint...
27m Mar 17
27m
Sen. Kennedy Tried to Humiliate This Witness… It Backfired (w/ David Bier)
Tim Miller talks with Cato’s David Bier about his viral clash with Senator John Kennedy—and what the exchange reveals about today’s immigration debate. They discuss the data on immigrants and the economy, the gap between rhetoric and actual policy, mass deportation proposals, visa bans affecting families, and how enforcement tactics are impacting both immigrants and U.S. citizens. Stop putting...
28m Mar 17
28m
Laura Loomer Publicly Humiliated Over Racist Statements | MAGA Mondays
Will Sommer and Sam Stein are going live to discuss Laura Loomer’s tense event in New Delhi, Tucker Carlson’s new CIA conspiracy theory, and the ugly feud between Megyn Kelly and Mark Levin.
36m Mar 16
36m
Iran War Consequences: Will Epic Fury be an Epic Failure?
Robert Kagan (Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution) joins Bill to discuss the likely consequences of Trump's war in Iran.
46m Mar 15
46m
Trump Says Iran Is Finished—Then Asks the World for Backup
Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Donald Trump’s claims that Iran has been “decimated” even as his administration asks other countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. They discuss the contradictions in Trump’s messaging and what it reveals about the war. They also react to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s warning to broadcasters over their coverage.
15m Mar 15
15m
Is This the Sickest MAGA Scandal Yet?
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer take on one of the strangest scandals to hit the far-right internet: extremist agitator Jake Lang getting caught in a social-media sting run by a self-styled “predator hunter.” They also talk about the growing war inside conservative media as Megyn Kelly and Ben Shapiro clash publicly.
30m Mar 14
30m
BREAKING: GDP Growth Revised WAY Down
Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein are going live to talk about the revised job numbers and other economic news.
34m Mar 13
34m
Why Iran’s Regime Isn’t Falling (w/ Tim Mak)
JVL is joined by war reporter Tim Mak to discuss the rapidly escalating conflict with Iran and what it means for the United States, Ukraine, and global stability. They examine why the Iranian regime may be more durable than many assume, the strategic limits of military strikes, and how rising oil prices are shaping political decisions in Washington. Read more from Tim Mak at The Counteroffensi...
45m Mar 13
45m