Bulwark Takes
Easiest Money Ever: Bet Against Elon!
A tax policy expert made a fortune on prediction markets by betting against Elon Musk's spending cut claims, highlighting how information asymmetry and celebrity hype create exploitable opportunities in unregulated markets.
The Darkest State of the Union in Years (w/ Susan Glasser) | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects Donald Trump's State of the Union address as a performative, policy-empty spectacle, highlighting his administration's escalating attacks on free speech, democratic norms, and media independence, while pursuing contradictory foreign policies.
Pete Buttigieg: Why Would ANYONE Sit Through Trump’s Speech?
Pete Buttigieg breaks down the State of the Union, critiquing the current administration's economic claims and outlining a proactive Democratic strategy focused on family, affordability, and simultaneous institutional reform.
Tim Miller: Yes, the GOP Has a Nazi Problem.
Tim Miller argues that the Republican Party actively tolerates and even integrates white nationalist and Nazi ideologies into its base and policy, while also critiquing Marjorie Taylor Green's call for political civility as disingenuous.
Tariffs Blocked. ICE Held in Contempt. Courts Are Fighting Back. (w/ Elliot Williams) | Illegal News
This episode dissects the legal battles challenging executive power, from Trump's tariff attempts and agency independence to ICE's defiance of court orders and the politically charged FCC equal time rule.
State of the Union Coverage From the Bulwark (w/ Pete Buttigieg)
The Bulwark panel and guest Pete Buttigieg critically dissect Trump's State of the Union address, highlighting its disconnect from reality, focus on self-aggrandizement, and the Democratic response's strategic pivot to affordability and anti-corruption.
The Crime Was Horrific. The Cover-Up Is Shameful. | The Next Level
This episode dissects alleged government cover-ups, judicial partisanship, and the weaponization of political power, highlighting how these actions undermine democratic institutions and accountability.
You Can Tell When Trump Doesn’t Believe It (w/ Charles Duhigg) | The Bulwark Podcast
Charles Duhigg, author of "Supercommunicators," explains how MAGA's decentralized organizing and "big tent" approach, combined with a perceived authenticity, give it a strategic edge over the Democratic Party's mobilization tactics.
Trump’s Latest Enemies Are His Own People
Donald Trump consistently frames independent actions by his appointees and party members—from Supreme Court justices to state governors—as personal betrayals, expecting absolute loyalty over constitutional duty or independent judgment.
Trump's Poll Numbers Stink. Maybe a Two-Hour Speech Will Help.
Despite a non-disastrous economy, Donald Trump's approval ratings plummeted, facing a skeptical public ahead of his State of the Union address, particularly on tariffs and aggressive immigration enforcement.
Tucker Carlson’s White House Visit is Roiling MAGA
Candace Owens's new 'mocku-mystery' miniseries, 'Bride of Charlie,' targets Erica Kirk with a web of conspiracy theories, while Tucker Carlson's recent White House visit sparks outrage among pro-Israel MAGA figures.
A Comedian Made a Fake ICE Tip Line. The Calls Were Terrifying (w/ Drew Harwell)
A comedian's fake ICE tip line, initially a prank, unexpectedly exposed a disturbing level of casual prejudice and the public's willingness to weaponize government agencies against neighbors.
JVL Goes Nuclear on “Make-A-Wish Kash Patel” | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the Trump administration's chaotic foreign policy and domestic actions, from FBI Director Kash Patel's locker room antics to potential war with Iran, foreign aid cuts, and the alarming 'occupation' in Minnesota.
Did Taxpayers Just Fund Kash Patel’s Olympic Getaway?
From Kash Patel's taxpayer-funded Olympic beer chugging to Tucker Carlson's botched Israeli interview and a Florida candidate faking arson, this episode exposes the absurd and hypocritical antics of prominent right-wing figures.
Trump Is Dismantling America's Future (w/ Atul Gawande) | Mona Charen Show
Dr. Atul Gawande, a leading surgeon and former USAID administrator, details how recent political decisions are actively dismantling critical global health infrastructure, undermining scientific progress, and eroding US soft power, with devastating human costs.
Lindsey Graham Berated Denmark’s Prime Minister (w/ Frank Dikötter) | Shield of the Republic
This episode exposes the fragility of US alliances under populist pressures and re-evaluates the true origins of the Chinese Communist Party's rise, challenging long-held Western narratives.
Bill and Tim Couldn’t Wait Until Monday
Tim Miller and Bill Kristol discuss the shifting tactics of ICE in Minneapolis, the grassroots community resistance, Trump's fabricated hospital ship to Greenland, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Rahm Emanuel: “It’s time to take a power washer to Washington, DC!” | How to Fix It
Rahm Emanuel, former Chief of Staff and Chicago Mayor, outlines actionable solutions for America's most pressing issues, from education and housing to foreign policy and government corruption, emphasizing a direct, results-oriented approach.
Minnesota Superintendent Fires Back at JD Vance Over Child Detentions
Superintendent Zena Stenvvic details how her Minneapolis school district transformed into a frontline defense against ICE detentions, protecting immigrant children and families amidst pervasive fear and trauma.
Kavanaugh’s Embarrassing Tariff Dissent (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | Illegal News
The Supreme Court struck down Trump's tariffs, reaffirming congressional power over taxation and sparking a critical debate on executive overreach and judicial methodology.
Trump Imposes New Tariff After SCOTUS Loss
The Supreme Court struck down Trump's use of the IEEPA for tariffs, but the former President immediately announced new tariffs under different authorities, signaling a continued era of high tariffs and complex trade negotiations.
Is This Republican Senator Too Normal for Republicans? (w/ Eric Benson)
Texas's Republican Senate primary reveals a profound shift in voter priorities, where legislative effectiveness is a liability and scandal-plagued 'fighters' are preferred over traditional politicians.
Trump Has Total Tantrum After Supreme Court Loss
Following a Supreme Court loss on tariffs, Donald Trump's press conference devolved into a 'total tantrum,' marked by alarming accusations against the judiciary and revealing insights into his motivations.
Trump Wants to Be King of the World (Live from Minneapolis) | The Next Level
A live podcast dissects Trump's 'Board of Peace' as a global power grab, exposes America's failing rule of law compared to other nations, and critiques the Democratic Party's timid response to escalating political crises.
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