Bulwark Takes
JD Vance Will Say Absolutely Anything (w/ Seth Jones) | Shield of the Republic
The US defense industrial base, once the 'arsenal of democracy,' has critically atrophied, leaving America unprepared for a protracted conflict against a rapidly militarizing China and facing acute munitions shortages in current skirmishes.
The Hawks Got Their War—Now It’s Trump’s Problem
Republican hawks, led by Lindsey Graham, pushed for military action in Iran without a clear post-conflict strategy, leaving the Trump administration with an escalating situation and vague justifications for 'imminent threat.'
Where Does the Iran War Go From Here?
A retired Lieutenant General and a political analyst break down the military realities, logistical constraints, and domestic political implications of the escalating conflict with Iran.
Democrats Are at 26%. Why? (w/ Chris Swanson) | How to Fix It
Michigan Sheriff Chris Swanson outlines a pragmatic, data-driven Democratic platform focused on public safety through reform, economic relief for the working class, and state-backed support for small businesses.
Trump’s $712M Loss! If It Wasn’t So Corrupt, It’d Be Funny.
Donald Trump's Texas rally featured surprising Supreme Court speculation and a 'bonus term' claim, while his Truth Social platform reported a staggering $712 million loss against minimal revenue.
The Pentagon's AI Fight Was Never Just About Anthropic (w/ Hayden Field)
A high-stakes conflict between the Pentagon and leading AI firm Anthropic over contract terms exposes fundamental disagreements on AI's military application, particularly regarding autonomous lethal weapons and mass surveillance.
Jasmine Crockett Kicked This Reporter Out. Do Voters Care? (w/ Elaine Godfrey) | The Focus Group
The Texas Democratic Senate primary reveals a deep disconnect between online political drama and on-the-ground voter sentiment, as candidates Jasmine Crockett and James Talerico navigate complex electability concerns with highly unconventional, yet authentic, campaign styles.
Trump Goes to War: Iran Strike Breaks Promise of No Regime Change
Donald Trump's administration initiated a major military operation in Iran, contradicting his campaign promises of a 'peace-time presidency' and raising concerns about international legality, domestic political fallout, and the reliability of information in a fragmented media landscape.
Trump’s America Is Losing People
The hosts argue that America is experiencing a concerning decline in population and global standing, exacerbated by foreign influence in media and Trump's inconsistent policies.
Netanyahu Knows Trump Won’t Say No—And That Won’t Last | Secret Podcast
The hosts predict an imminent war with Iran driven by Netanyahu's leverage over Trump, expose a 'command economy' where the US President dictates media acquisitions, and detail the inhumane treatment of migrants by US law enforcement.
Welcome to MAGA’s Male Beauty Pageant (w/ Amanda Carpenter) | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode exposes the deep psychological drivers behind political complicity, the alarming expansion of government surveillance, and the evolving landscape of media control and election interference, all while critiquing the absurdities of modern masculinity and conservative aesthetics.
Trump Says There's No Point in Having Midterm Elections
Donald Trump and key Republicans are systematically constructing a narrative that Democrats can only win elections through fraud, aiming to delegitimize any future Democratic victories and justify rejecting election results.
Most CORRUPT Takeover Yet? Trump-Backed Paramount to Buy Warner Bros.
The proposed Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is framed as a politically driven transaction, heavily influenced by Donald Trump's desire to control media narratives, rather than sound financial strategy, leading to market distortions and concerns about media independence.
Did Zohran Mamdani Just Outplay Trump?
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's unexpected meeting with Donald Trump, yielding policy wins and a surprising optical victory, sparks a debate on political strategy and the dangers of engaging with Trump.
Candace Owens’s Erika Kirk Docuseries Is NUTS
The Bulwark Takes hosts dissect Candace Owens' docuseries on Erika Kirk, exposing its absurd 'evidence' and overt anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
ALL the Stories Are Bad for Trump! (w/ Jonathan Chait) | The Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects Donald Trump's political vulnerabilities, from alleged cover-ups in the Epstein saga and blatant crony capitalism to the strategic missteps of the Democratic Party and the surprising success of education reform in red states.
Trump Wants To Give Himself a Medal of Honor | Command Post
This episode critically dissects a former President's State of the Union address, exposing its misrepresentations of military achievements and a fundamental misunderstanding of military service and constitutional duty.
Did DOJ Bury a Trump–Epstein Bombshell? (w/ Roger Sollenberger)
Investigative journalist Roger Sollenberger details his findings on a potential DOJ cover-up regarding a Trump accuser in the Epstein files, including withheld FBI interview documents.
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.
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