Bulwark Takes
Karoline Leavitt Thinks We’re All Idiots
The hosts dissect Karoline Leavitt's press conference, exposing the Trump administration's disingenuous messaging on the Iran war, TSA lines, and economic issues, revealing a strategy of contempt for the press and public.
Red State MAGAs ASHAMED as Trump Craters (w/ Angie "Pumps" Sullivan & Phil Gordon) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode features a two-part discussion: first, an Oklahoma-based attorney and podcast co-host shares her insights on engaging MAGA voters and red-state women, highlighting the role of privilege and the rise of Christian nationalism; second, a former National Security Advisor to VP Harris analyzes Trump's chaotic foreign policy in Iran and offers a critique of Democratic foreign policy caution.
This Trump Nomination Was So Bad…They Had to Pull It
Nick Adams, known for his 'alpha male' online persona and controversial tweets, had his ambassadorship nomination to Malaysia withdrawn and was instead given a newly created, largely ceremonial role as Special Presidential Envoy for American Tourism, Exceptionalism, and Values.
Trump’s Support is About to Crater | The Next Level
The hosts critically analyze Trump's handling of the Iran conflict, arguing it is a self-inflicted economic disaster that will erode his base, while also dissecting the ideological void and financial motivations within the modern conservative movement.
Under Pressure, Trump Retreats on Iran and DHS | Morning Chaser
The Bulwark hosts dissect Donald Trump's erratic decision-making, from his sudden retreat on DHS funding to the bizarre origin of the 'ICE at airports' policy, revealing a White House devoid of normal vetting processes.
Trump’s Story on the Iran War Changed 5 Times in 48 Hours (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
The hosts dissect the Trump administration's chaotic and contradictory handling of the Iran conflict and the DHS shutdown, arguing it led to economic instability and exposed a dangerous level of incompetence and political opportunism.
Trump’s Plan: War Abroad, Chaos at Home
This episode dissects the Trump administration's chaotic foreign policy regarding Iran's Strait of Hormuz and its controversial domestic move to deploy ICE agents to alleviate airport bottlenecks, highlighting internal contradictions and political motivations.
Tim Miller: Trump Sounds Erratic—Especially on War in Iran
Tim Miller dissects the US-Iran war's dubious origins, its severe economic fallout, and the resulting 'civil war' within the MAGA coalition, framing Trump's erratic leadership as a catalyst for political and economic instability.
Top Trump Aide Quits Over Iran War | Morning Chaser
A top Trump administration official resigned over the Iran war, exposing deep rifts within the MAGA movement and highlighting the war's destabilizing impact on global alliances and the economy.
Trump Says Iran Is Finished—Then Asks the World for Backup
The hosts dissect President Trump's contradictory statements on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, alongside FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr's explicit threats to revoke broadcast licenses for 'fake news,' highlighting a perceived authoritarian shift in US foreign policy and media control.
JD Vance Knows the Iran War Is a Disaster—But Can’t Say It (w/ Tom Nichols) | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the Trump administration's chaotic and ill-conceived Iran war, highlighting its strategic blunders, economic fallout, and the dangerous lack of competent leadership and internal dissent.
America’s at War—and Trump’s Dancing to YMCA (w/ Sam Stein) | The Bulwark Podcast
The Bulwark hosts dissect the Trump administration's chaotic Iran war, disastrous immigration policies, and pervasive political idiocy, highlighting a leadership more concerned with personal image than national consequence.
Tim, JVL, and Katie Couric: Trump, Iran and Manosphere Drama
Katie Couric joins Tim Miller and JVL to dissect the Trump administration's chaotic Iran strategy, its domestic political fallout, and the 'manosphere's' surprising reaction to the conflict.
Trump's Swing Voters Don't Want Another Middle East War (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Focus Group
Swing voters who supported Trump in 2024 express deep skepticism about a new Middle East war with Iran and are increasingly influenced by mainstreamed conspiracy theories, particularly concerning the Epstein files and Israel.
Trump’s Iran War Narrative Doesn’t Match Reality (w/ Laura Rozen & Sonny Bunch) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the Trump administration's incoherent Iran policy, highlighting a lack of expertise and conflicting interests, then pivots to a critical examination of AI's dystopian impact on society and media consolidation.
Trump Clearly Doesn’t Understand His Own War | The Next Level
The hosts dissect how the Trump administration deliberately obscures the realities of war and manipulates public perception, highlighting the dangerous implications of Jared Kushner's undisclosed role in negotiations and the media's complicity.
Is Trump Already Getting Tired of His Iran War? | Morning Chaser
The hosts dissect the Trump administration's approach to the Iran conflict, arguing Trump is seeking an exit despite maximalist objectives, and then pivot to the emerging political and regulatory challenges of rapidly advancing AI.
Rand Paul Could Wreck Trump’s DHS Plan (w/ Neera Tanden) | The Bulwark Podcast
Neera Tanden and Tim Miller dissect the Trump administration's chaotic DHS appointment, the self-inflicted economic downturn, and the escalating, unplanned war in Iran, highlighting a systemic lack of accountability and strategic foresight.
Did Stephen Miller Just Pull Off a Palace Coup? | Secret Podcast Preview
This episode unpacks the dramatic firing of Kristi Noem, a 'palace coup' theory involving Stephen Miller, and a critical analysis of the US's strategic missteps in the war with Iran, contrasting it with Iran's more sophisticated approach.
Trump Made an Insane Bet on a Risky War (w/ Derek Thompson) | The Bulwark Podcast
Derek Thompson and Tim Miller dissect the Trump administration's foreign policy and domestic governance, revealing a pattern of executive overreach, transactional decision-making, and the weaponization of obscure legal statutes.
Thom Tillis Just WENT OFF on Kristi Noem!
Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Kennedy unexpectedly grilled Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, sparking a heated debate among hosts about political accountability and the nature of Trump-era governance.
NEW POLLS: Trump’s Iran War is Deeply Unpopular
Early polling indicates broad public disapproval for Trump's military strikes against Iran, particularly among independents and even some of his base, challenging his 'America First' platform.
Hegseth’s Press Conference Felt Like an SNL Sketch (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
The Bulwark hosts and guest Bill Kristol dissect the US-Iran conflict, highlighting the Trump administration's incoherent war objectives, chaotic communication, and the significant domestic political risks involved.
Why Hasn’t Trump Addressed the Nation?
Despite initiating military action that resulted in American casualties, the Trump administration failed to formally address the nation, relying instead on edited social media videos and maintaining an unusual silence from key officials.
Want more on trump administration?
Explore deep-dive summaries and actionable takeaways from the best minds across different podcasts discussing this topic.
View All Trump Administration Episodes→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