Bulwark Takes

What Finally Broke Orbán’s Grip (w/ David Pressman)
US Ambassador David Pressman details how Peter Majar's fearless, anti-corruption campaign shattered Viktor Orbán's seemingly unbreakable grip on Hungary, offering critical lessons for other democracies facing authoritarianism.

Did JD Vance Tell the Pope to Shut Up? | The Next Level
This episode dissects the political hypocrisy of JD Vance and Donald Trump's attacks on the Pope, analyzes Trump's weakening grip on his base, and celebrates the defeat of illiberalism in Hungary, while also scrutinizing a Democratic scandal.

Trump’s Frightening Late-Night Posting Spree (w/ Michael Weiss) | The Bulwark Podcast
Tim Miller and Michael Weiss dissect Trump's erratic late-night social media activity, the complex US-Iran ceasefire negotiations, and the surprising political upset in Hungary, highlighting shifts in global alliances and domestic political vulnerabilities.

Two House Members Resign in Disgrace | Morning Shots Live
Two House members, a Democrat and a Republican, resigned amidst personal scandals, sparking a discussion on political accountability, the 'prisoner swap' dynamic, and a concerning shift in US foreign policy rhetoric towards moral equivalence.

Hungary Just Humiliated Donald Trump (w/ Sarah Longwell & Bill Kristol) | Bulwark Podcast
The recent overwhelming defeat of Hungary's illiberal leader Viktor Orban serves as a significant repudiation of global authoritarianism and a potential blueprint for challenging Trumpism in the US.

Trump Posts (Then Deletes) Image of Himself as Jesus, Picks Fight with The Pope
Donald Trump attacked Pope Leo, then posted (and deleted) an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, revealing a transactional view of religious authority and a deep misunderstanding of Christian doctrine.

What the Hell Is Going On With Melania? (w/ Sarah Matthews) | Bulwark on Sunday
A former Trump White House Deputy Press Secretary reveals the inner workings of the Trump administration, from Melania's strategic self-preservation to the 'sycophant' culture and Trump's information bubble.

Trump's Path of Destruction | Shield of the Republic
This episode dissects how former President Trump's actions and rhetoric are systematically dismantling America's global alliances and democratic norms, from NATO to the Middle East, and the alarming rise of illiberalism both domestically and abroad.

Zoning Laws Are Killing the Middle Class (w/ Mechele Dickerson) | How to Fix It
Professor Mechele Dickerson outlines specific, actionable policy changes at federal, state, and local levels to rebuild the American middle class, focusing on housing, education, and labor.

Trump’s Iran War Is Getting More Dangerous, Not Less (w/ Sen. Chris Coons)
Senator Chris Coons dissects the chaotic and ill-defined Trump administration's war in Iran, its unintended consequences, and the broader disarray in US foreign and domestic policy.

Trump’s Base Might Stay Home (w/ Amy Walter) | Focus Group
Disillusioned Trump voters, driven by economic woes, the Iran war, and the Epstein files, are showing a significant enthusiasm gap that could lead to them staying home, posing a major threat to Republican electoral prospects.

We Went WAY Down the Melania Rabbit Hole (w/ Jane Coaston) | The Bulwark Podcast
Melania Trump's rare public statement denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein is framed as a preemptive move against potential revelations from a deported former friend, while Donald Trump's attacks on MAGA commentators expose the movement's true loyalty to him alone.

BREAKING: UMICH Consumer Sentiment Hits Lowest Point EVER | Receipts LIVE
Despite official optimism, consumer sentiment has plummeted to record lows due to surging energy prices, geopolitical instability, and concerns over market manipulation, signaling deep underlying economic uncertainty.

Trump Wants to Invent a Fake Reality (w/ Anne Applebaum) | The Bulwark Podcast
Anne Applebaum details how Hungary's Viktor Orban employs 'post-reality' politics and disinformation to maintain power, a model increasingly adopted by the American far-right, while critiquing Trump's chaotic foreign policy and the breakdown of international relations.

Trump & Hegseth Ignored Experts—Then Tried to Run a War (w/ Tom Nichols) | Command Post
Experts dissect the Trump administration's disastrous handling of the US-Iran conflict, revealing a 'one-sided ceasefire' and strategic incompetence driven by a disregard for expertise and a 'Pentagon purge' of experienced officers.

From Unconditional Surrender to…Whatever This Is (David French & Rep. Subramanyam) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the chaotic and strategically flawed US-Iran conflict under Trump, highlighting the degradation of military integrity, the weaponization of the DOJ, and the broader erosion of democratic norms.

BREAKING: Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz; Delusional Leavitt Presser
The Bulwark Takes hosts dissect a White House press conference, exposing what they view as a 'delusional' narrative around a 'fragile' Iran ceasefire and the critical closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Next Level LIVE: Trump Extends Civilian Annihilation Threat For Two Weeks
Hosts JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller dissect Trump's 'deal' with Iran, framing it as a catastrophic foreign policy defeat driven by political desperation and external influence, while exposing deep-seated corruption and hypocrisy within the administration.

Tim Miller vs. Rep. Gottheimer: War Debate Gets HEATED
A heated debate between Tim Miller and Rep. Josh Gottheimer exposes deep divisions and frustrations over the US's war with Iran, focusing on the administration's unclear objectives, economic impact, and potential foreign influence.

Trump Is Imploding—We Need to CRUSH Him! Plus: Can We Trust AI Tycoons? | Bulwark Podcast
The host argues Democrats must channel public anger against Trump's foreign policy and economic failures by embracing a 'lowercase America First' agenda, while investigative reporters expose Sam Altman's shifting integrity at OpenAI.

BREAKING: Trump Threatens Genocide in Iran | Morning Shots Live
Former President Trump's escalating threats against Iran, culminating in a post interpreted as genocidal, expose a dangerous political crisis, fracturing his base and challenging the military and Congress.

The MAGA Dominos Are Falling (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
Tim Miller and Bill Kristol dissect the Trump administration's erratic and unhinged foreign policy regarding Iran, the moral and political implications of his war threats, and the growing calls for his impeachment from across the political spectrum.

Trump’s Iran Endgame Fantasy | Shield of the Republic
This analysis dissects the US President's flawed Iran strategy, revealing the high risks and unclear objectives of potential military ground operations and the broader implications for US credibility and regional stability.

Trump is Remaking National Security to Enforce His Agenda (w/ Tom Joscelyn)
Tom Joscelyn and Bill Crystal dissect how the Trump administration is systematically politicizing and weaponizing national security agencies, from the Pentagon to the FBI, to enforce a specific ideological agenda against perceived domestic opposition.
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