Bulwark Takes

Trump’s Iran War Is Getting More Dangerous, Not Less (w/ Sen. Chris Coons)
Senator Chris Coons dissects the chaotic and ill-defined Trump administration's war in Iran, its unintended consequences, and the broader disarray in US foreign and domestic policy.

Trump’s Base Might Stay Home (w/ Amy Walter) | Focus Group
Disillusioned Trump voters, driven by economic woes, the Iran war, and the Epstein files, are showing a significant enthusiasm gap that could lead to them staying home, posing a major threat to Republican electoral prospects.

We Went WAY Down the Melania Rabbit Hole (w/ Jane Coaston) | The Bulwark Podcast
Melania Trump's rare public statement denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein is framed as a preemptive move against potential revelations from a deported former friend, while Donald Trump's attacks on MAGA commentators expose the movement's true loyalty to him alone.

BREAKING: UMICH Consumer Sentiment Hits Lowest Point EVER | Receipts LIVE
Despite official optimism, consumer sentiment has plummeted to record lows due to surging energy prices, geopolitical instability, and concerns over market manipulation, signaling deep underlying economic uncertainty.

Trump Wants to Invent a Fake Reality (w/ Anne Applebaum) | The Bulwark Podcast
Anne Applebaum details how Hungary's Viktor Orban employs 'post-reality' politics and disinformation to maintain power, a model increasingly adopted by the American far-right, while critiquing Trump's chaotic foreign policy and the breakdown of international relations.

Trump & Hegseth Ignored Experts—Then Tried to Run a War (w/ Tom Nichols) | Command Post
Experts dissect the Trump administration's disastrous handling of the US-Iran conflict, revealing a 'one-sided ceasefire' and strategic incompetence driven by a disregard for expertise and a 'Pentagon purge' of experienced officers.

From Unconditional Surrender to…Whatever This Is (David French & Rep. Subramanyam) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the chaotic and strategically flawed US-Iran conflict under Trump, highlighting the degradation of military integrity, the weaponization of the DOJ, and the broader erosion of democratic norms.

BREAKING: Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz; Delusional Leavitt Presser
The Bulwark Takes hosts dissect a White House press conference, exposing what they view as a 'delusional' narrative around a 'fragile' Iran ceasefire and the critical closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Next Level LIVE: Trump Extends Civilian Annihilation Threat For Two Weeks
Hosts JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller dissect Trump's 'deal' with Iran, framing it as a catastrophic foreign policy defeat driven by political desperation and external influence, while exposing deep-seated corruption and hypocrisy within the administration.

Tim Miller vs. Rep. Gottheimer: War Debate Gets HEATED
A heated debate between Tim Miller and Rep. Josh Gottheimer exposes deep divisions and frustrations over the US's war with Iran, focusing on the administration's unclear objectives, economic impact, and potential foreign influence.

Trump Is Imploding—We Need to CRUSH Him! Plus: Can We Trust AI Tycoons? | Bulwark Podcast
The host argues Democrats must channel public anger against Trump's foreign policy and economic failures by embracing a 'lowercase America First' agenda, while investigative reporters expose Sam Altman's shifting integrity at OpenAI.

BREAKING: Trump Threatens Genocide in Iran | Morning Shots Live
Former President Trump's escalating threats against Iran, culminating in a post interpreted as genocidal, expose a dangerous political crisis, fracturing his base and challenging the military and Congress.

The MAGA Dominos Are Falling (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
Tim Miller and Bill Kristol dissect the Trump administration's erratic and unhinged foreign policy regarding Iran, the moral and political implications of his war threats, and the growing calls for his impeachment from across the political spectrum.

Trump’s Iran Endgame Fantasy | Shield of the Republic
This analysis dissects the US President's flawed Iran strategy, revealing the high risks and unclear objectives of potential military ground operations and the broader implications for US credibility and regional stability.

Trump is Remaking National Security to Enforce His Agenda (w/ Tom Joscelyn)
Tom Joscelyn and Bill Crystal dissect how the Trump administration is systematically politicizing and weaponizing national security agencies, from the Pentagon to the FBI, to enforce a specific ideological agenda against perceived domestic opposition.

Trump Broke U.S. Foreign Policy—Now What? (w/ Juan Gonzalez) | How to Fix It
Former National Security Council staffer Juan Gonzalez analyzes how the Trump administration's 'drunk on coercive power' foreign policy destabilized Latin America and the Middle East, contrasting it with previous administrations' approaches and proposing a new path for US engagement.

Swing Voters Absolutely HATE Trump's Iran War (w/ Ashley Parker) | The Focus Group
Swing voters are deeply alienated by Trump's Iran war and economic policies, viewing his administration as increasingly out of touch and driven by personal whim rather than national interest.

The Real Reason Hasan Piker Is Gaining Power
Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell debate whether Democrats should engage with or condemn far-left streamer Hasan Piker, whose controversial views are gaining traction amidst shifting public sentiment on US foreign policy and Israel.

This is Beyond Mere Incompetence (w/ Robert Kagan) | The Bulwark Podcast
Robert Kagan details how the ongoing US military action in Iran, initiated under the Trump administration, is dismantling the post-WWII global order, isolating the US, and empowering rivals like China and Russia.

Trump is Struggling | Secret Podcast Preview
Hosts JVL and Sarah Longwell dissect how Trump's political maneuvers, including cabinet shake-ups and a widely panned Iran speech, reveal a struggling presidency amidst escalating foreign policy crises and rising oil prices.

BREAKING: Trump Unveils Insane New Budget; March Jobs Numbers
The Trump administration's latest budget proposal prioritizes massive defense and immigration enforcement spending while cutting critical domestic programs like scientific research and social services, leading hosts to question its political viability and economic sense.

Tim is Getting Bimbofied
Host Tim Miller, after a humorous 'bimboification' stunt, delivers a sharp critique of centrist Democratic political strategy, advocating for a 'big tent' approach that engages disaffected voters and controversial figures to counter the existential threat of Trumpism.

Trump’s Alternate Reality War Speech | The Bulwark Podcast
Tim Miller and Susan Glasser dissect Donald Trump's 'alternate reality' war speech, exposing its lack of a coherent plan, the administration's dysfunction, and the severe global consequences of his 'magical thinking' approach to foreign policy.

Tim Miller, Sam Stein, JVL and Mark Hertling React to Trump's Iran Address
A panel of analysts dissects a recent presidential address on Iran, framing it as an incoherent, contradictory, and strategically damaging 'Truth Social rant' with severe economic and geopolitical consequences.
Don't see the episode you're looking for?
We're constantly adding new episodes, but if you want to see a specific one from Bulwark Takes summarized, let us know!
Submit an Episode