What Happened to Anthropic Could Happen to Any AI Company (w/ Hayden Field)
Hayden Field of The Verge joins Andrew Egger to discuss the Pentagon’s fight with Anthropic and what it means for the future of AI. After Anthropic drew red lines around autonomous weapons and domestic mass surveillance, the Department of Defense responded by labeling the company a “supply chain risk” -- a designation typically reserved for foreign adversaries. Read more from Hayden Field in T...
24m Feb 28
24m
Trump Goes to War: Iran Strike Breaks Promise of No Regime Change
Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, JVL and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) go live to discuss Trump's attacks on Iran.
1hr 20m Feb 28
1hr 20m
62% Say Trump is Using the Presidency for Cash
Tim Miller joins Nicolle Wallace to discuss a stunning new reality: Americans are leaving the country at record levels, the U.S. may be facing population decline, and Trump’s “golden age” looks more like national humiliation. From the Qatari jet embarrassment to foreign-backed media consolidation and escalating tensions with Iran, the conversation covers how corruption, chaos, and bad optics ar...
17m Feb 28
17m
Last Time He Had a Mob. Now He Has Congress.
Donald Trump isn’t just attacking voter ID opponents—he’s laying the groundwork to reject the midterms if Republicans lose. Will Saletan traces the throughline from 2020 to now: the claim that Democrats can only win by cheating, the endless escalation from voter ID to reopening old elections, and the growing chorus inside the GOP repeating the same message.
14m Feb 27
14m
Most CORRUPT Takeover Yet? Trump-Backed Paramount to Buy Warner Bros.
Sam Stein, JVL, Catherine Rampell, and Sonny Bunch respond to Paramount taking over Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix walked away. The deal, still pending regulatory approvals, would put CNN, HBO, and CBS under one Trump-backed company.
47m Feb 27
47m
Zohran Knows EXACTLY How to Play Trump
Tim Miller and Andrew Egger give their takes on the shocking and strangely stylish White House visit by Zohran Mamdani, who met with Trump to discuss housing plans. They break down Mamdani’s strategy of engaging Trump directly, the optics of the now-viral meeting photo, and whether Mamdani managed to “mog” the president or simply played to Trump’s ego. Is Mamdani’s approach political genius, da...
22m Feb 27
22m
Tim and Will Torture Sam With Candace Owens’ Moronic “Documentary”
Tim Miller, Will Sommer and Sam Stein give their takes on down two of the strangest—and most troubling developments in MAGA media right now. First: Nick Shirley promotes a gross "documentary" targeting Jewish people and why anti-Semitic tropes keep surfacing in so-called investigative content. Then the trio goes deep on the premiere of Candace Owens’s “Bride of Charlie” series about Erika Kirk....
31m Feb 27
31m
Does Trump Even Know What Soldiers Fight For? | Command Post
In a new edition of Command Post, Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling and Ben Parker give their takes on Trump’s military-heavy State of the Union address, including Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear program was “obliterated” even as he suggests military action. They break down how the speech leaned more on ceremony and applause lines than on strategy, vision, or a clear explanation of U.S. national...
27m Feb 26
27m
Democrats Investigate DOJ Over Epstein Files Involving Trump (w/ Roger Sollenberger)
Tim Miller is joined by reporter Roger Sollenberger to discuss Sollenberger’s reporting on Epstein-related records connected to Donald Trump. Roger breaks down the documents from a survivor who allegedly accused Trump of abuse as a minor, the interviews conducted by the FBI, and claims that portions of the investigative files were held by DOJ. They also examine document logs, slideshow material...
19m Feb 26
19m
Easiest Money Ever: Bet Against Elon!
Sam Stein, Sonny Bunch, and Ben Parker give their takes on a Wall Street Journal story about a DC tax policy expert who made nearly $500,000 betting that Elon Musk wouldn’t actually cut federal spending, a wager that turned out to be almost free money. They break down how the bet worked, why it was such a lock, how political betting markets create openings for insider trading, and just how absu...
19m Feb 26
19m
Pete Buttigieg Shreds Trump’s “Affordability” Fantasy
After the State of the Union, Tim Miller spoke with Pete Buttigieg for a rapid-fire breakdown of the speech. They took on affordability, immigration, corruption, AI, corporate capitulation to Trump, and what Democrats need to do differently. Get 30% off your order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com with promo code BULWARKTAKES.
16m Feb 25
16m
LIVE: State of the Union Coverage From the Bulwark (W/ Pete Buttigieg)
Join Sam Stein, Tim Miller, Andrew Egger Joe Perticone, and more for real-time reaction and analysis as President Trump delivers his State of the Union address. One more thing: special guest Pete Buttigieg will join the panel after the address.
3hr 18m Feb 25
3hr 18m
Trump’s War on Republican “Traitors”
Will Saletan gives his take on Donald Trump’s escalating war against anyone who refuses to show total loyalty, including his own appointees. After the Supreme Court ruled against Trump on tariffs, the president lashed out at the justices, even targeting justices he nominated. But it’s not just the Supreme Court, it’s also Jerome Powell, Republican senators, governors, and lawmakers who dared to...
15m Feb 24
15m
Trump’s Polls Stink. Will SOTU Turn Them Around?
Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger are going live to discuss Trump’s brutal poll numbers and the political stakes of his State of the Union address.
42m Feb 24
42m
Candace Owens’ “Bride of Charlie” Series Looks Utterly Wacko
Candace Owens just dropped a trailer for her new “Bride of Charlie” series—and it is something else. Tim Miller and Will Sommer discuss the wild claims, the "handler" plotline, the Romania detour, and the right-wing civil war it’s fueling. Plus: Tucker Carlson’s latest White House visit, his clash with Mike Huckabee over Israel and Iran, and why parts of MAGA are threatening to revolt.
17m Feb 24
17m
America’s Deportation Obsession, Caught on Tape (w/ Drew Harwell)
Sam Stein is joined by Drew Harwell of The Washington Post to talk about his reporting on one of the most disturbing viral stories of the year. Ben Palmer, a Nashville comedian, set up a fake ICE deportation tip line and watched as Americans flooded it with calls. The callers weren’t trolls. They were neighbors, coworkers, even a kindergarten teacher, calmly trying to get families deported. Wha...
14m Feb 24
14m
Did Taxpayers Just Fund Kash Patel’s Olympic Getaway?
Sam Stein and Will Sommer go live to discuss the Kash Patel Olympics controversy—from the FBI jet questions to that now-viral hockey locker room moment. Plus: the blowback from Tucker Carlson’s sit-down with Mike Huckabee, and a James Fishback update after Byron Donalds labeled him a fake groyper.
36m Feb 23
36m
Bill and Tim Couldn’t Wait Until Monday
Bill Kristol and Tim Miller go live on Sunday—fresh off their Minneapolis trip. Read JVL's The Triad newsletter, "What I Saw at the Battle of Minneapolis" (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/what-i-saw-minnesota-ice-war)
33m Feb 22
33m
Minnesota Superintendent Fires Back at JD Vance Over Child Detentions
Sam Stein is joined by Columbia Heights Superintendent Zena Stenvik for a sobering conversation about what happened when ICE began targeting families in her school district. After multiple students were detained, including five-year-old Liam Ramos, Stenvik describes how her community mobilized, how schools shifted to online learning out of fear, and why she says “we can never normalize this.” I...
26m Feb 22
26m
Are Americans Getting a Refund from the Illegal Tariffs?
Catherine Rampell is joined by Obama’s former U.S. Trade Representative Mike Froman for his take on Friday’s landmark Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump's emergency tariffs. They explore the implications of the court’s decision on executive power, the future of U.S. trade policy under Trump, and what it means for American consumers.
28m Feb 21
28m
Trump Has Total Tantrum After Supreme Court Loss Copy
Tim Miller and Sonny Bunch give their takes on Trump’s bizarre temper tantrum after the Supreme Court ruled against his emergency tariffs. In weird mood lighting, Trump bashed the Supreme Court justices, announced new tariffs, and kept repeating stories about how much men want to kiss him.
20m Feb 21
20m
BREAKING: Supreme Court BLOCKS Trump's Tariffs
Catherine Rampell and Andrew Egger take on the breaking news that the SCOTUS has blocked Trump's tariffs.
49m Feb 20
49m
"The Alabama Solution" May Change How You See Prisons (w/ Andrew Jarecki & Charlotte Kaufman)
Sonny Bunch speaks with Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman to discuss their Oscar-nominated documentary, The Alabama Solution. Currently streaming on HBO, their documentary combines interviews, investigative journalism, and footage from within the prisons themselves obtained via contraband cellphones to reveal the horrible and dangerous living conditions of those serving time in the Alabama c...
52m Feb 20
52m
Former General: Hegseth’s Loyalty Tests Are Paralyzing Military Promotions | Command Post
In this edition of Command Post,” Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on the alarming report that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is blocking military promotions because one colonel worked for General Mark Milley, a former Trump adviser turned foe. Plus, the team breaks down the "toxic leadership" behind Kristi Noem’s Coast Guard scandal and why the Trump administrat...
28m Feb 19
28m
FDA Reverses Decision About Moderna Flu Vaccine
Andrew Egger and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on the stunning back-and-forth at the FDA over Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine, why the agency initially refused to even review the application, and what the sudden reversal says about political pressure inside the Trump administration’s health agencies.
15m Feb 19
15m
Steve Bannon Sued Over FJB Coin Scheme
Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the latest lawsuit against Steve Bannon. The suit alleges investors behind a pro-Trump meme coin that Bannon promoted saw $2.7 million in transaction fees meant for charity go missing. They break down how the “FJB Coin,” launched to capitalize on the “Let’s Go Brandon” movement, promised that a portion of every transaction would go to conservative-f...
12m Feb 18
12m
Anderson Cooper Walks Away from CBS and 60 Minutes
Tim Miller and JVL give their takes on the escalating drama at CBS. The Colbert-Talarico interview controversy is less about FCC fears and more about high-stakes merger politics tied to CBS’ fight to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. They break down Bari Weiss’ role at CBS News, the internal fight over contributor Peter Attia following disgusting emails he sent to Jeffrey Epstein, and why Weiss d...
16m Feb 18
16m
The 82-Year-Old Democrat Trolling Ted Cruz Into Oblivion
Will Sommer and Lauren Egan give their takes on the unlikely rise of Louise Lucas, the 82-year-old Virginia lawmaker whose unapologetic, meme-heavy social media presence has Democrats buzzing. As Virginia Democrats push an aggressive redistricting plan, Lucas has become a lightning rod for her online trolling of Republicans, including high-profile sparring with Ted Cruz. Meanwhile, figures like...
14m Feb 17
14m
Colbert Calls Out FCC and His Own Network Over Talarico Censorship
In a special edition of Bulwark Takes, “Morning Shots” authors Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol give a “Morning Chaser,” reacting to the news of CBS blocking Stephen Colbert’s interview with Democrat Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico, the passing of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, the implications of Sec. Rubio’s speech in Munich, and the latest on ICE and Minneapolis.
47m Feb 17
47m
The Line That Should Terrify Europe
Will Saletan takes on Marco Rubio’s warning to Europe about Chinese “extortion”—and the uncomfortable reality that Donald Trump is using America’s economic and military leverage the same way. Get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals at https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES.
16m Feb 17
16m
Dubya's "Criticism" of Trump Isn't Subtle—It's Useless
George W. Bush publishes an essay praising George Washington—and the media falls all over themselves calling it a jab at Trump. JVL and Tim Miller aren’t quite buying it. Get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals at https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES.
27m Feb 16
27m
BREAKING: After Our Story, ICE Freed a Mom With Possible Cancer
ICE released 31-year-old Mariela Sobrero just hours after The Bulwark published a report on her detention. Sobrero, who may have breast cancer, had been held for over a month at the Dilley facility in Texas with her three children. Sam Stein and Adrian Carrasquillo discuss what happened, why media and congressional scrutiny appears to have forced action, and what this case reveals about familie...
14m Feb 16
14m
Making Sense of MAGA’s Freak Show: Carrie Prejean, Candace Owens, Clavicular
Will Sommer joins Bill Kristol to explain the ever-changing cast of characters that populate the MAGA movement.
37m Feb 15
37m
Sarah Matthews Has One Very Specific Dating Dealbreaker
On Valentine’s Day, Sarah Longwell joins Rachel Janfaza and Sarah Matthews to talk about the political dating divide shaping Gen Z. Why are so many women refusing to date Trump supporters? Are conservative men facing a numbers problem? And how did the Dobbs decision, social media, and financial anxiety turn romance into a culture war?
30m Feb 15
30m
Tim Found a Very Special Video From Corey Lewandowski
Tim, JVL, and Will Sommer discuss the drama inside Turning Point USA, the trad husband hypocrisy circus surrounding Elijah Schaffer, and the jaw-dropping Wall Street Journal exposé on Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski—luxury jets, fake badges, blankie tantrums and all.
30m Feb 14
30m
Ric Grenell Screamed at Trump’s Gatekeeper. Whoopsie...
Tim Miller joined Nicolle Wallace to talk about the DOJ’s failed attempt to indict six Democrats—and the stunning cowardice of Mike Johnson, who suggested his own colleagues may have committed crimes. As grand juries reject Trump’s lawfare, Democrats like Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, and Jason Crow appear to be hardening their stance and meeting the moment. Plus Tim talks about the Daily Mail's...
17m Feb 13
17m
Sen. Kelly: Trump Wants Me in Jail for Telling the Truth
Sen. Mark Kelly joins Sam Stein to explain just how close the country came to a constitutional crisis. He discusses the grand jury’s rejection, the chilling effect on retired service members, and why he believes this fight is far from over—including what Mike Johnson and Republican leaders are (and aren’t) doing about it.
13m Feb 12
13m
Trump Wants JAGs as Immigration Judges. That’s a Disaster. | Command Post
When the White House starts moving military lawyers into immigration courts, you want people who’ve actually been there to explain what that means. Ben Parker, Retired General Mark Hertling and former JAG officer, combat advisor, and federal prosecutor Margaret Donovan break down what happens when you pull legal advisers out of war rooms and drop them into political fights, and why that could ...
35m Feb 12
35m
Pam Bondi LOSES IT In Congressional Hearing
Tim and JVL go through various moments from Pam Bondi's hearing in the Congressional Oversight Committee, in which she evades, lies, and covers for Donald Trump.
31m Feb 12
31m
A Jury Said No. Mike Johnson Said “Probably.”
The DOJ tried to criminally indict six lawmakers for reminding service members to obey the Constitution, and a grand jury refused to go along. But even after the charges failed, Speaker Mike Johnson suggested they “probably” should have been indicted. JVL and Andrew Egger discuss what the failed prosecution says about Trump’s Justice Department, the resilience of juries, and the growing willing...
23m Feb 11
23m
Spewing HATE At The Prayer Breakfast?
Donald Trump claims to be a champion of faith, but his own words tell a different story. Will Salatan puts Trump to the ultimate test: The Bible. From the 10 Commandments to the Sermon on the Mount, see how Trump’s recent speeches stack up against the actual moral instructions of the scripture.
16m Feb 11
16m
BREAKING: Massive Jobs Revision Clouds Jan. Gains (w/ Paul Krugman)
Catherine Rampell, JVL, and Paul Krugman take on the January jobs report. Follow Paul Krugman on Stubstack at https://paulkrugman.substack.com/
37m Feb 11
37m
A 20-Year-Old Meth-Smoking Influencer Is the Future of Right-Wing Masculinity
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer break down the bizarre, disturbing, and increasingly influential world of “looksmaxxing” and the internet personality at its center, Clavicular. The trio give their takes on how a 20-year-old influencer built a massive following by bone smashing his face, abusing steroids and meth, and livestreaming chaos all while becoming a minor celebrity in right-wing ...
27m Feb 10
27m
Lutnick Lied About Epstein. Why Don't Republicans Care?
Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on why Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces zero consequences for lying about his contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files reveal family trips, business deals, and charitable donations between Lutnick and Epstein, contradicting his claims that he cut off contact with him in 2005. They break down how other governments, inc...
20m Feb 10
20m
Kid Rock was Laughably Bad
JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Adrian Carrasquillo give their takes on the record-breaking Super Bowl halftime show by Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar delivered a joyful, confident, massively popular performance and MAGA promptly lost its mind. The trio break down why Bad Bunny’s show worked, why Kid Rock’s conservative counter-programming flopped, and what it all says about Trump losing his gr...
31m Feb 09
31m
A Conservative Finally Says It: Trump Is Incredibly Corrupt
Tim Miller takes on a stunning National Review series that details the scale of Trump’s crypto corruption—dwarfing anything ever alleged about Biden—and explains how Trump’s crypto business operated as a pay-to-play system for foreign money, why Republican oversight collapsed, and why it matters that conservatives are finally starting to say it out loud.
15m Feb 08
15m
Yes, Democrats Could Win the Senate in 2026 (w/ Ron Brownstein)
Senior CNN political analyst Ron Brownstein joins Bill Kristol to discuss the Democrats chances of winning the Senate during the 2026 midterms.
44m Feb 08
44m
ShamWow Guy Has America’s Dumbest Campaign Ad
Tim Miller, Catherine Rampell, and Will Sommer give their takes on the rise of the infomercial wing of the GOP. From ShamWow and MyPillow to the ambassador selling blood-flow vitamins and miracle sleep aids, they unpack how selling stuff became a political credential and why Trump’s brand of politics made it inevitable.
15m Feb 07
15m
More Than THIRTY Republicans Are Leaving Congress
Andrew Egger and Joe Perticone give their takes on the growing wave of House Republicans announcing their exits as the midterms approach. They break down why Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei and others are heading for the door, how Trump’s iron grip over Congress has made life miserable even for Freedom Caucus hardliners, and why the prospect of being in the minority is driving GOP members to run for th...
10m Feb 07
10m
JD Vance Just Got BOOED at the Olympics!
Tim Miller and Adrian Carrasquillo joined Nicolle Wallace to relish the moment JD Vance was loudly booed at the Winter Olympics. They also talked about MAGA’s meltdown over Bad Bunny to growing signs of global and cultural rejection, and how Trumpworld’s behavior is turning into a real political liability. Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
17m Feb 07
17m