Bulwark Takes

Trump Blew Up His Own Economy (w/ Josh Barro & Paige Cognetti) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode dissects the severe economic fallout from the Trump administration's impulsive war in Iran, alongside insights into local political corruption and the 'adolescent' nature of modern policymaking.

Markets Rattled, Consumer Sentiment Plunges—While Trump Plays Emperor
Markets are dangerously underpricing global war risks, leading to surging inflation expectations and a looming recession, while systemic fragilities like the AI bubble and private credit markets could compound the crisis.

New Inflation Warnings from Fed; Could Iran War Raise Prices AND Cause Recession?
This episode details a worst-case economic scenario where the Iran war, combined with an AI bubble and private credit risks, could trigger a global recession or depression, leaving policymakers with few effective tools.

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.

Trump’s Latest Enemies Are His Own People
Donald Trump consistently frames independent actions by his appointees and party members—from Supreme Court justices to state governors—as personal betrayals, expecting absolute loyalty over constitutional duty or independent judgment.

BREAKING: Massive Jobs Revision Clouds Jan. Gains (w/ Paul Krugman)
Despite strong January job numbers, a significant downward revision of last year's job growth, coupled with political interference in the Federal Reserve and economically damaging immigration policies, paints a concerning picture for the US economy.

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.

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.

Jack Smith Says He Had Trump Dead to Rights (w/ Asha Rangappa) | Illegal News
Legal experts dissect the Trump administration's controversial military actions in Venezuela, Jack Smith's definitive testimony on Trump's criminal intent, and the weaponization of the DOJ against perceived political enemies.

Trump’s “Economy” Speech Went off the Rails
An economist dissects Donald Trump's Detroit Economic Club speech, revealing how his economic claims are misleading and his proposed policies are either illegal, ineffective, or counterproductive to affordability.

THIS Is What a Strong Democrat Looks Like | The Next Level
The Bulwark hosts dissect the escalating authoritarian tactics of the Trump administration, from ICE actions in Minneapolis to foreign policy aggression, and analyze effective political responses.

Trump Gave the White House a Tramp Stamp (w/ Susan Glasser & Jacob Soboroff) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode exposes how Donald Trump's unchecked power, enabled by a broad network of individuals and institutions, threatens democratic norms both domestically and internationally, exemplified by his pursuit of Greenland and the militarization of federal agencies.

BREAKING: DOJ Threatens Fed Chair With Criminal Charges
The Department of Justice's criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jay Powell for alleged false testimony is framed by hosts as a politically motivated attack by Donald Trump, aiming to undermine the Federal Reserve's independence and control interest rate policy.

Debunking MAGA Myths about the Economy (w/ Catherine Rampell) | Mona Charen Show
This episode dissects common MAGA economic claims, revealing how policies like tariffs and political interference in the Federal Reserve actively harm US manufacturing, agriculture, and overall economic stability, often exacerbating the very problems they claim to solve.
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