The Darkest State of the Union in Years (w/ Susan Glasser) | The Bulwark Podcast

The State of the Union address was a lengthy, policy-empty spectacle that reinforced a 'delusional' narrative about the economy and national well-being. Guest Susan Glasser notes the speech lacked coherent proposals on the 'affordability crisis' or Iran, instead focusing on awards and self-congratulation. Host Tim Miller adds that the speech's 'everything is terrible' section contradicted its 'everything is wonderful' framing, undermining its persuasive power.

Susan Glasser: 'I was still pretending this is an actual state of the union and you know oh by that standard right there's no news. You know, what did we learn?' (02:51) 'It actually reads as delusional when twothirds of the country is upset at you for all the reasons that you claim don't exist.' (26:05)

The Vice President's new role as 'frauds-are' tasked with searching for fraud is highly ironic, given President Trump's own history. Trump was found guilty of fraud in New York State and had to shut down his charitable entity due to fraudulent misrepresentation. The host suggests the search could 'start in the White House.'

Host Tim Miller: 'Another big news item from the speech last night, though, uh well, not maybe not another, maybe the only big news item for the speech last night is the vice president has a job now. Besides being the poster and chief, uh he's also the frauds are. He's going to be searching for fraud.' (08:42) Susan Glasser: 'Donald Trump literally uh uh found guilty of fraud uh in New York State and actually had to literally cut close down his Trump charity in New York State because it was found to be a fraudulent entity.' (10:09)

The Trump administration is actively intervening in media corporate mergers and threatening companies, which is identified as 'media capture'—a hallmark of modern authoritarian governments. The guest, Susan Glasser, draws parallels to her experience in Russia, where the Kremlin weaponized its power in oligarch wars. This effort aims to transform media ownership and consolidate control over information.

Susan Glasser: 'It's media companies that that Trump is intervening in these deals. Uh you know there's a sort of formal term of art for this one. You know it's called uh media capture, right? And it is actually a hallmark of almost every modern authoritarian uh government that you can think of.' (36:35)

The U.S. abstention on a UN resolution affirming Ukraine's sovereignty, occurring shortly after Trump's SOTU, signals a significant shift in American foreign policy. This action aligns the U.S. with a small number of European countries led by right-wing authoritarians supportive of Russia, pursuing a policy of appeasement rather than supporting Ukraine against aggression.

Host Tim Miller: 'We abstained among the other abstensions. Usbekistan, Yemen, Qatar, Pakistan, Libya, Haiti, China, and El Salvador, our new allies.' (50:23) Susan Glasser: 'Donald Trump has switched sides here. And you know, most Americans... they support Ukraine. They want to stand by Ukraine... And the president is pursuing a policy of not only appeasement toward Russia, but seeking business deals that would benefit himself and his inner circle.' (51:56)

The administration is conducting a 'sweeping multi-front attack on free speech,' despite Trump's 2024 campaign rhetoric about defending it. This includes threatening individuals like Susan Rice for speaking out, initiating absurd DOJ investigations into members of Congress, and using government agencies like DHS to target protesters and anonymous critics of ICE, employing tactics seen in authoritarian countries.

Susan Glasser: 'You can't have the kind of sweeping executive power that Donald Trump is claiming for himself without silencing disscent. And uh that's why the first amendment is frankly the best insurance policy that the founders gave us against tyranny.' (44:25) Host Tim Miller: 'DHS is doing targeting these protesters is is truly dystopian and crazy. I mean grabbing their facial ID putting it back into some system that Palunteer is running.' (45:17)