Bulwark Takes

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.

Trump Made a Mess in Iran—And Democrats are Blowing It (w/ Morris Katz) | The Bulwark Podcast
Morris Katz, a Democratic strategist, discusses the pragmatic political strategy behind Zoran's engagement with Donald Trump, critiques the Democratic party's muddled messaging on foreign policy, and analyzes the viability of left populism in diverse political landscapes.

Tulsi Gabbard Believes in Nothing
The host meticulously details how Tulsi Gabbard abandoned her anti-war principles to endorse and serve in the Trump administration, despite his actions directly contradicting her past criticisms.

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.

Trump Can’t Control His Own Base on Iran War
The hosts analyze the unexpected and widespread discomfort within the MAGA movement regarding a new war in Iran, revealing internal divisions and a potential political liability for Trump.

Kleptocrat-in-Chief (w/ Alexander Cooley & Daniel Nexon) | Mona Charen Show
Trump's foreign policy is primarily driven by a kleptocratic impulse for personal enrichment, fusing with far-right ideology to dismantle traditional diplomatic structures and anti-corruption measures.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Colbert Calls Out FCC and His Own Network Over Talarico Censorship
This episode dissects recent political controversies, from media censorship of a Texas Senate candidate to shifting conservative ideologies and federal immigration enforcement tactics, revealing underlying power struggles and citizen resistance.

Trump's Polls Are Awful—and the Real Pain Hasn’t Started Yet (w/ Bill Kristol) | Bulwark Podcast
The hosts dissect Marco Rubio's shift to 'blood and soil' nationalism and his endorsement of Viktor Orban, contrasting it with Democratic responses to a changing global order and examining domestic issues like Trump's struggling approval and government agency misconduct.

JD Vance Creeps Out Young Trump Voters | Focus Group
Gen Z Trump voters reveal their unexpected skepticism of JD Vance, a deep-seated 'America First' foreign policy stance, and a complex gender divide impacting dating and political identity.

Marianne Williamson: There Is NO Justifying Trump | The Bulwark Podcast
Marianne Williamson offers a sharp critique of the Democratic Party's elite, arguing their detachment from economic suffering and moral principles paved the way for current political dysfunction, and advocates for a 'spiritual' re-engagement with foundational American values.

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.

How Evil Regimes Cling to Power (w/ Stephen Kotkin) | Shield of the Republic
Historian Stephen Kotkin dissects the inherent vulnerabilities of authoritarian regimes, arguing that their perceived strength is often a facade for deep internal divisions and structural weaknesses that can be strategically exploited.

Trump Looks Unwell on the World Stage (w/ Mike Murphy) | The Bulwark Podcast
Veteran political strategist Mike Murphy and host Tim Miller dissect Donald Trump's erratic international behavior, the Republican Party's complicity, and the dangerous 'short-termism' driving current economic and political decisions.

Markets Are Panicking Over Trump’s Stupidity (w/ David Plouffe) | Bulwark Podcast
David Plouffe details how Trump's erratic foreign policy, exemplified by the Greenland proposal, directly harms the US economy and alliances, while also outlining a critical strategy for Democrats to regain sustained political power by fundamentally reshaping their public image and holding Republicans accountable.

The Worst Interview of the Trump Administration So Far
The host dissects Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant's 'embarrassing' attempts to justify former President Trump's threats against Europe over Greenland, highlighting the administration's aggressive and illogical foreign policy stance.

Trump’s Polls Are Slipping—So Why Does He Feel More Dangerous Than Ever?
Despite consistently low approval ratings, Donald Trump's administration is accelerating its authoritarian and isolationist policies, alienating allies and potentially solidifying an 'iron wall of opposition' among swing voters.

Tim Miller: Trump Can’t Stop What He Started
Tim Miller dissects Donald Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy, his sensitivity to negative media optics on immigration, and the shifting political landscape favoring Democrats in midterm elections.
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