Bulwark Takes

Will There Be ANY Consequences for New Epstein Revelations? | Bulwark on Sunday
The latest Epstein file revelations expose a vast network of powerful men who knowingly associated with a convicted sex offender, while Trump's administration faces new allegations of selling national security for personal financial gain, highlighting a systemic breakdown of accountability.

They Want an Excuse for Martial Law (w/ Michael Waldman) | How to Fix It
The Trump administration's abuses of power, from threatening the Insurrection Act to demanding voter data and issuing corrupt pardons, highlight critical vulnerabilities in American democracy, necessitating systemic anti-corruption reforms.

These Idiots Want to End Gay Marriage
The Bulwark hosts dismantle a new anti-gay marriage campaign, exposing its flawed 'children's welfare' premise and highlighting its political miscalculation amidst broader societal issues.

The Melania Movie Is Bad and Boring
A critical analysis reveals the 'Melania' movie as a financially illogical, politically motivated 'heography' designed less for public consumption and more as an 'open-air bribe' for an audience of one.

This Isn’t What These Trump Supporters Voted For (w/ Adrian Carrasquillo) | Focus Group
Recent high-profile ICE killings and child detentions are eroding support for aggressive immigration enforcement among Trump voters, shifting their focus from border security to accountability and human rights.

Buckle Up, There Are MORE Crazy Epstein Emails
New Jeffrey Epstein files reveal extensive connections and alleged misconduct involving prominent figures like Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and former Obama White House counsel Kathy Rumler, exposing widespread hypocrisy and a network of complicity.

Law Enforcement Reckons With ICE Fallout
A unique focus group of Trump and Harris-voting law enforcement officers reveals deep divisions and surprising common ground on ICE tactics, police shootings, and the erosion of professional standards.

Sarah & JVL Are Furious | Secret Podcast
JVL and Sarah Longwell express outrage over the weaponization of the Department of Justice, the arrest of journalist Don Lemon, and the broader erosion of democratic norms by the current administration, highlighting dangerous hypocrisy in law enforcement.

Republicans Own What Happens Next (w/ Michael Steele) | The Bulwark Podcast
Michael Steele and Tim Miller dissect the current political landscape, arguing that the Republican Party's unwavering allegiance to Donald Trump has led to a cascade of government overreach, financial corruption, and a direct assault on constitutional liberties, making them fully accountable for the nation's chaotic state.

What Foreign Allies Really Say About Trump in Private (w/ Sen. Chris Coons)
Senator Chris Coons details how Democratic legislative strategy forced a rare Trump concession on DHS oversight and reveals the private, scathing reactions of foreign leaders to Trump's foreign policy bluster.

BREAKING: Don Lemon Arrested, Kevin Warsh Trump's Fed Chair Pick
The Bulwark hosts condemn the Trump administration's weaponization of law enforcement against journalists like Don Lemon, while analyzing the politically motivated nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair, highlighting threats to institutional independence.

Is a Blue Wave Coming in November? (w/ Dave Wasserman) | Mona Charen Show
Dave Wasserman, an editor at the Cook Political Report, analyzes why the 2026 midterm elections will not replicate the 'blue wave' of 2018, citing shifts in the political landscape, economic factors, and strategic differences.

The Government Treats Armed Militias Better Than Protesters (w/ Radley Balko)
Radley Balko details how the current administration's response to police shootings and protests has shifted from traditional cover-ups to performative lying, signaling a dangerous disregard for public legitimacy and a preference for fear over trust.

Trump Cuts Cabinet Meeting Short, Dodges Questions
Donald Trump's recent cabinet meeting was unusually short, lacked press questions, and featured controversial statements on housing, interest rates, and public health, signaling potential political anxiety and a shift in policy messaging.

Minnesota Solidarity is Beating Trump's Goon Squad (w/ Ta-Nehisi Coates) | The Bulwark Podcast
Ta-Nehisi Coates and Tim Miller dissect the Trump administration's weaponization of 'homeland' rhetoric, the erosion of truth in politics, and the alarming shift from journalism to 'takes,' while highlighting the power of collective action against systemic oppression.

Why Was Tulsi Gabbard at an FBI Raid Over the 2020 Election?
A recent FBI raid in Fulton County, Georgia, to seize 2020 election ballots, orchestrated by the current administration, signals an alarming escalation of political weaponization of federal agencies, contrasting sharply with past DOJ refusals and raising concerns about future elections.

Retired General: Minneapolis Exposes Leadership Crisis Among ICE and CBP
Retired General Mark Hertling dissects the critical legal distinctions between military and law enforcement roles, arguing that the deployment of untrained ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis exposed severe leadership failures and risked escalating civil unrest.

Global Investors Are Quietly Dumping U.S. Assets
The US economy, while not a 'hellscape,' is underperforming, marked by low consumer confidence, significant layoffs across diverse sectors, and a growing 'sell America' trend among global investors due to political instability and an unpredictable trade policy.

Tim Miller: Federal Agents Shot an American And These Ghouls Defended It
Tim Miller recounts his intense debate on Piers Morgan, fiercely condemning federal agents for the killing of Alex Prey and challenging the defense of state violence and traditional notions of masculinity.

Man Rushes Ilhan Omar With Syringe at Town Hall
An assault on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar at a town hall sparks a wave of controversial political reactions, revealing deep divisions and the spread of inflammatory rhetoric within the Republican party.

MAGA’s Tough Guy Act Collapsed in Minneapolis (w/ Adam Serwer & Bobby Pulido) | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode exposes the hypocrisy of MAGA's 'tough guy' rhetoric and 'Western Civilization' defense through the lens of Minneapolis community resistance to ICE and the shifting political landscape in South Texas.

Federal Judge Threatens ICE With Contempt (w/ Elliot Williams) | Illegal News
A former DOJ attorney and CNN legal analyst breaks down how ICE and DHS are aggressively challenging established legal norms, from defying federal court orders to asserting unprecedented powers for home entry, sparking judicial outrage and a shift in public opinion.

The White House Wants Distance. MAGA Media Wants Blood.
The White House attempts to moderate its stance on the Alex Prey shooting are met with fierce resistance and calls for uncompromising aggression from MAGA media, creating a dangerous echo chamber.

Tucker Carlson is The Most Powerful Man on the Right (w/ Jason Zengerle) | The Bulwark Podcast
Jason Zengerle, author of 'Hated by All the Right People,' details Tucker Carlson's evolution from contrarian to populist nationalist, highlighting his strategic influence on figures like JD Vance and his role in mainstreaming fringe ideologies.
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