Bulwark Takes
Is Trump Going to Demolish the Kennedy Center?
Donald Trump's 'Truth announcement' of a two-year closure and renovation for the 'Trump Kennedy Center' is framed by hosts JVL and Sunny Bunch as a politically motivated, ego-driven takeover that has disastrously politicized a cultural institution and tanked its attendance.
RFK Jr. Is Letting Measles Come Back
Measles, once nearly eradicated, is making a dangerous comeback in the U.S. due to declining vaccination rates and a politically charged environment that undermines public health efforts.
The Administration Is STILL Stonewalling on Epstein (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
The hosts dissect the administration's stonewalling on the Epstein case, the problematic deployment of federal agencies, and the blatant financial corruption surrounding Trump, arguing these issues reveal a deep erosion of democratic norms and public trust.
Trump’s Blueprint for Breaking Elections (w/ Ian Bassin) | Mona Charen Show
Ian Bassin, founder of Protect Democracy, details how Trump's predictable playbook to subvert elections and undermine democratic institutions can be countered through strategic litigation, state-level reforms, and robust citizen engagement.
America's New Defense Strategy is Nonsense | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects the US's 'unserious' National Defense Strategy, Trump's 'tacoing' on Greenland, and the implications of China's military purge and potential action against Iran, highlighting a world increasingly defined by disorder and US fatigue.
Todd Blanche Broke His Promise to the Senate
The host argues that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche systematically contradicted his own Senate confirmation promises and legal principles to defend Donald Trump's politically motivated actions across immigration, judicial oversight, and targeted prosecutions.
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.
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